I routinely check the Target website for samples because I’ve found some really good freebies there. Last year I got a couple little beauty bags full of shampoo and similar samples. I now carry one of the bags in my purse to hold my makeup and small items that otherwise would get buried at the bottom.

Unfortunately, the Target sample site is often empty because the goodies are given away quickly.

But today when I stopped by, there was an offer for a free sample of Nature Made VitaMelts.

Before you can submit your name and address for the freebie, you do have to answer five questions about your vitamin-taking habits. Once done, the site says your sample should arrive in eight to 10 weeks.

Go to http://samples.target.com/#

When I request a freebie or sample, I often have to agree to receive a company’s occasional e-mails. Most of them end up getting deleted from my mailbox or I later unsubscribe to them. However, I’ve learned that some lead to even more freebies if I look closely enough.

While in pursuit of a Cheerios sample last year, I signed up to get the Betty Crocker e-mail newsletter. I have to admit I apparently have been glancing through it too quickly because it was only recently that I noticed an offer for a free monthly sample.

This month’s offering, available to the first 10,000 people, is for free au gratin potatoes. Next month is sugar cookie mix. (I’m definitely going to have to watch for that one!)

The rules say you have to be a recipient of the subscriber e-mail in order to be eligible for the samples. It’s too late to join and get the potato sample but if you like sugar cookies, head to www.bettycrocker.com and sign up.

You’ll also get access to a bunch of coupons there. When I last checked, the site had 57 coupons worth $70.88. I printed out nine of them for a savings of $7.19.

Designer Michael Kors is giving away free samples of his Gold perfume, described as a decadent bouquet of magnolia, freesia and tuberose.

To get a sample, you must be a U.S. resident age 18 or older. You’re limited to one sample per person while supplies last. The offer doesn’t say how big the sample is.

Go to Kors’ official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/michaelkors and “like” it to sign up for the sample.

Friends and I were recently discussing an episode of “The Office” in which a character experiences chafing while running in a marathon-type fundraising event. One of my friends who runs marathons mentioned that there was something to help prevent that. I found a free sample today.

If you go to www.lanacane.com, you can request a sample of Lanacane Anti-Chafing Gel.

The offer is limited to adults in the U.S. and one request per address. Expect the gel to arrive in four to six weeks.

Have you ever bought a bottle, jar, package or box of something and taken just one sip or bite of what’s inside before deciding you didn’t like it?

Then what did you do?

If you’re like me, you forced yourself to finish it because you paid for it.

Samples can help you avoid having to swallow something you don’t like. Here’s the latest offer I came across:

Nescafe is offering a sample of its Taster’s Choice single-serve six-pack including the new limited edition flavor Peppermint Mocha. This allows you to try the new Peppermint Mocha coffee and find out if you like it before you buy a box.

To get the sample, go to https://www.facebook.com/nescafeusa?sk=app_112925635457264

You have to “like” Nescafe USA and the offer is only good in the U.S. while supplies last. You’re limited to one sample per person. But you can request two per household, which is different from most offers. Expect your sample in six to eight weeks.

I wrote on Feb. 24 about the free samples Miracle Whip was giving away. Mine arrived yesterday.

They came in under three weeks instead of the four to six I’d been told, which was a bonus.

As I suspected, they were small. Each packet is a little bigger than a typical ketchup packet. Still, I figure there should be enough for four sandwiches total. If you like to spread yours thick, you might only have enough for two.

Miracle Whip is still offering the samples. Visit www.youtube.com/miraclewhip.

Know of any other good free sample offers out there?

Since I’ve been talking about samples this week, here’s one I found recently.

Miracle Whip is giving away two free sample-sized packets. By sample size, they mean each is seven-sixteenths of an ounce, which I’m hoping is enough for two sandwiches. Still, it’s something.

As usual, there’s a one offer per household limit and I have to wait four to six weeks to get it.

To sign up for the sample, visit www.youtube.com/miraclewhip or www.miraclewhip.com.

Yesterday I wrote about sampling before you buy.

While you can get free products, there are a few pitfalls I wanted to mention that you should watch for.

On Jan. 18, I visited the sample section of the Procter & Gamble website at www.pgeverydaysolutions.com. Before I got to see the samples, however, I had to become a member, which required me to submit my name and e-mail and mailing addresses.

Once I had access I saw an offer for a new version of Pantene shampoo. I ordered it, then learned it would take four to six weeks to arrive. Fortunately, I had enough shampoo on hand to hold out until then.

Now, however, I can’t order another sample, of anything P&G, until April 1 because the company only allows one sample request per household per quarter. And it didn’t tell me that until after I requested the Pantene. Fortunately I didn’t want the Prilosec sample the site was also offering.

The lesson I learned is make sure the sample you see is the one you really want because it could be all you’re allowed to get for months.