Who says nothing in life is free?

Take the time to sign up for these freebies, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at what you’ll receive throughout the year.

Product samples

■ Learn about free samples that Wal-Mart offers.

■ Check out Target’s samples page periodically for free samples.

■ Sign up for Proctor & Gamble Everyday to receive free samples and coupons.

■ Receive a free sample of Depends Silhouette for Women and Real Fit for Men briefs.

Food freebies

■ National Pancake Day is Feb. 5, and you can celebrate with a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes at IHOP locations. You’ll be asked to consider making a donation to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

■ Sign up for Orange Julius’ Julius League and receive a coupon for a free smoothie when you buy one.

■ Check out Thorntons’ Facebook page weekly for new coupons and free items. Among the recent items was a coupon for a free 20-ounce Coke Zero.

Health freebies

■ Meijer pharmacies offers a number of free prescription drugs, including a generic substitute for Lipitor. Other items for free include antibiotics Amoxicillin, Cephalexin, SMZ-TMP, Ciprofloxacin, Ampicillin and Penicillin VK, as well as select prenatal vitamins. The offers are good regardless of insurance.

■ Receive a free ovarian cancer screening at University of Kentucky Hospital.

Entertainment freebies

■ Text OFFERS to 727272 and receive a promotional code on the first Monday of each month for a free Redbox rental. You’ll also receive additional freebies throughout the year.

■ Become a Movie Tavern member and receive a free movie ticket for signing up plus a free ticket for your birthday.

■ Sign up for free magazines at ValueMags.

■ Fill out quick five-minute surveys at Rewards Gold and be rewarded with magazine subscriptions.

Youth freebies

■ JCPenney Salons offer free haircuts for children from kindergarten to sixth grade on Sundays. Call 855-JCP-KIDS to make an appointment.

■ On the first Saturday of each month, Home Depot offers free kids workshops focusing on projects like building toolboxes, fire trucks, mail organizers and birdhouses.

■ Check out the Lowe’s Build and Grow kids programs. Kids will build wooden projects such as birdhouses and also receive a free apron, safety goggles and patch.

■ Receive a free 36-page gardener’s idea book.

Other freebies

■ Trade in your old electronic devices at Best Buy through Jan. 19 and receive a minimum of a $5 gift card. The devices don’t need to work.

■ Receive a free poster, softcover book or desk calendar when you enter promotional code SPECIALHOLIDAY at YorkPhoto.com before Jan. 31.

Fru-Gal fact

When signing up for freebies, don’t use your personal e-mail account. Set up a free account at Gmail, Yahoo or Hotmail.