Since Michael and I have started our own business, Comic Doses, money has been tight. We have been pouring our profits right back into the store to get more inventory. Because of this, I’ve been doing all I can to gank free stuff (legitimately) from Big Box Mart.

On weekends, we have demos. I make sure I make friends with the demo ladies. Recently, I have gotten 2 ten count bottles of vitamins, 2 two count packets of Advil, 2 dove chocolates, 1 one count Always pad, 2 samples of L’Oreal face powder, 2 fresh apples, 2 snack boxes of raisins, 2 apple juice boxes, a ziplock baggie each of cucumber slices and celery sticks (left over from kid’s craft project), 2 granola bars, 2 perfume samples, 1 car air freshener, 6 stickers, a toddler snack, a toilet scrubber and 10 one ounce bags of Flat Earth Chips.

When people custom order food and don’t pick it up, they put it in the break room for the employees to eat. I usually take two or three pieces of fried chicken. Some people take enough to feed their whole family. I just take enough for Michael and I to eat for dinner. I also got Michael a foot long sub that I cut off a six foot sub. That saved me having to pack his lunch!

Also, on weekends when the demo ladies give out food samples, I supplement my lunch with items like a cracker with ham, soy milk, Danimals, ice cream, grasshopper cookies and Lay’s chips.

Sam’s club is known for their food samples. Some people walk around and eat enough to make a full meal. Recently when Michael and I went to Sam’s for bubble envelopes, the sample included T-bone steak, salmon, garlic bread, hummus, salsa and ice cream cake. (Sam’s also has a super cheap snack bar. It’s $2.79 for 2 big slices of pizza and a pop. A hot dog and pop is only $1.79.)

Nothing tastes better than free food.