Free Stuff

By Susan Seliger

Does this happen to you? Once you start dreaming about exotic places you’d love to escape to – natural wonders of the world where there are no malls or tinsel or shopping lists – you just can’t stop. There are so many things you haven’t done yet in life — like a safari on the Serengeti in Tanzania or swimming with the sea lions in the Galapagos or a trek to the Amazon and Machu Picchu – just puckering up to say Machu Picchu puts me in an adventurous state of mind.

Well, stop dreaming – Natural Habitat Adventures has come to the rescue. This eco-conscious company is offering, not one but FIVE,  big vacations for two – one every year for five years – to the most exciting natural destinations in the world. Beyond those mentioned in my dreams, they’ve also got trips to walk with the penguins in Antarctica and the Falklands as well as a trip to Manitoba to schmooze with the polar bears.

I’ve entered – and so can you – every day up until the deadline, Feb. 28, 2009. Hope to see you there – if not, give the sea lions a smooch for me. Start clicking.

Photo credit: Llama in Macchu Picchuu: from Nurse healthwriter blog

By Susan Seliger

They’re oh so cute – those Mini Coops and fuel-efficient, too. They make you want to tie a ribbon on one and drive it right over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house you go for the holidays. Well, maybe you can – for free.

Champignon Minis is giving away one Mini Cooper, valued at over $18,000, just in time for the holidays. It won’t take a miracle — just a click. So see if you can get lucky before the deadline: 12-31-08.

(Photo credit: The Horse’s Mouth )

By Susan Seliger

What better holiday present for yourself – or a friend you like to drive around with – than a cute, fuel-efficient, smart fortwo car? (This gift will be appreciated by four-legged friends as well. ) Even better — you may be able to get it free. You could be one of the 12 lucky winners in the QVC 12 Days of Christmas Sweepstakes who will drive one away.

And if you don’t win the green car, you still have over 1000 chances to win another form of green — free shopper dollars worth anywhere from $50 to $250. The deadline is 12-12-08.

(Photo credit: Smart Car Blog)

By Susan Seliger

This eco-friendly cruise couldn’t come at a better time. The recent cold snap along with the chilly, lonely feeling I get when I look at my retirement savings (what retirement savings?!) has put me in the mood for a trip to a sunny place. Though in this economy, I probably wouldn’t turn down a free, seven-day cruise even in the summer.

In addition to an eco-friendly cruise ship, and vegetarian feasts on board, you’ll also be treated to daily spa treatments along with yoga and meditation classes. The perfect antidote to financial angst. Dust off your mantra — I’m thinking of trading in my current one: It’s only money for an updated version: Yes, you Om.

But hurry up—not much time. The deadline is nigh. The sponsors of this cruise contest – Yoga Journal and Earth® Footwear – are giving you until 11-30-08 to try your luck. Go on — click – you don’t even have to buy a lottery ticket.

Can’t get much greener than running – though driving a hybrid to your destination is a close second (or third or fourth) – but definitely faster. Now you don’t even have to run to win – just pick the top three pros you think will win the NYC Marathon this Sunday – November 2, 2008 – and you can drive one of the greenest cars on the road. But hurry – you have to make your picks by Nov. 1, 2008. Run to the computer and get those fingers moving — that’s a first step. Hey, we all have to start somewhere.

By Susan Seliger

Lower your carbon footprint in style. Bikes are nice – and green machines are keen. But hey – a free car – who can quibble with that? Especially if it’s a spiffy, fuel-efficient 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid worth over $24,000. That’s what Charter Cable TV is offering – no purchase necessary. You have until the end of October to see if you’re the lucky one. So forget the stock market and start clicking.

By Susan Seliger

Cut back on the high cost of gas – and cut your carbon footprint – win a bike and ride free. The company Sixthreezero has come up with a Scholar beach cruiser bike made especially for women. It has all the classic features the guys’ version has – oversized leather saddle, leather grips and more. The contest, sponsored by Sheknows.com, is open to U.S. residents 18 and over only – and you can enter every hour from now until October 10. So get busy. Start cruising in style – and saving $$$ — which is always in style.

Photo credit: www.Beachbikes.net

By Susan Seliger

Get off to a fresh, clean-green start this fall – you might win a free Duet steam washer and dryer from Whirlpool. Using steam, the washer eats up 77% less energy than traditional machines and 73% less water. It comes in cool colors and with accessories that organize the whole laundry room. Clean up your act – and enter to win.

By Susan Seliger

Eco-luxury is fun any time anywhere. Especially in Mexico – where Polartec is offering a Grand Prize of a free trip for two to the Hotelito Desconocido eco-luxury resort. The hotel, 60 miles South of Puerto Vallarta, has luxurious vegetation, 150 types of birds, white sandy beaches protected by the Sierra Madre mountains and two 100% organic restaurants.

And if you don’t win that, you get a jacket — which is waaay better than a T-shirt because this jacket is a very hip 2009 North Face Denali jacket made from Polartec^® recycled-content fabric. You may not think of Polartec – those hi-tech fabrics for outdoor gear — as being natural and eco-friendly but the company is making a big push into recycling. Don’t be put off by the three-question quiz you have to take to enter – it’s fun and you may even learn something new about carbon emissions in the process. Go to Polartec Eco-Champion contest.