Cleveland Coupon Divas

How about all those free magazine subscription offers rolling in lately?  I noticed that the free magazine offers are not receiving much attention, so I figured I would re-post this oldie but goodie with some new information included.  Enjoy!

My freebie checks from the past have consisted of a fist full of those coupons mailed to me from different sources and various magazines:

When I first started couponing, I thought that signing up for free magazines was a waste of paper.  I initially only signed up for the magazines I know we would read, but then decided to see if we could use the other magazines as well.  Turns out we could use them for more than just reading…

Crafts and Homework Projects

I realized that the kids could use the magazine pictures for homework, school projects and class assignments.  Having magazines that we do not usually read on hand gave the kids variety when searching for pictures.  I would get so frustrated when the kids had homework that required cut out pics and things like that because we never had any magazines laying around for them to use.  Having a variety of magazines around solves this problem.  I just stack them in the basement and find a different use for them when I get a fresh batch of magazines in the mail.

You can also use magazine pages to make homemade gift bows.  They are really cute and you can customize them to match the interests of the gift recipient.

You can also make coasters out of magazine pages, which is neat as well.

Give Guests Variety

Another benefit of all those free subscriptions is that you will always have an interesting variety of magazines for guests to look through.  I love having a variety of magazines available on my coffee table or in a cute basket in the bathroom for guests.

Ad hoc posters for the kids (and your office wall)

My son loves dinosaurs and reptiles, so when I saw this two page spread of this lizard, I knew he would want it for his bedroom wall.  A couple minutes of careful cutting or tearing, some tape and voila you have a poster!

Special Inserts

Dirt Rider magazine had special punch out 3D glasses and a 2 page poster.  The glasses can be used again for anything requiring 3D glasses.

Coupons and Coupon Codes, Free Items and Discounts

The amount of coupons and discounts you receive in these free magazines makes it worth while to just go ahead and subscribe.  The magazines are free and it only takes a couple minutes of your time to sign up.  You receive valuable coupons that you cannot find anywhere else.  For example, the Crazy 8 percent off coupons are very popular on eBay, so my assumption is that they are hard to come by.  You can find one in any of the Parenting magazines.

Donate the Mags to Local Medical Offices, Nursing Homes

I always wonder if my doctors actually pay for the magazines that sit in the waiting room.  I receive many of the same magazines that I find in the doctor’s office at home for free.  I realized that I could donate my magazines to area medicals offices because people would read them as long as they were entertaining and helped to passed the time.  Nursing homes and the staff also appreciate donated magazines for craft projects and to pass the time.  Donating magazines you don’t want saves the medical office money, reduces waste and gets clutter out of your home.  Make sure to cut out the address label before donating the magazines.

I hope I have given enough reasons to consider taking advantage of all the free magazine offers that are rolling in lately.  Do you have any good uses for used magazines?  Leave a comment and let us know!  The next time you see an opportunity to nab a free subscription, think twice and do it!