The Internet is full of free samples, coupons and other promotions that can help job seekers on a budget. Here’s how to find the deals:

Googling for Giveaways
Everyone loves to get free merchandise in the mail, or find out when IHOP is giving away pancake breakfasts, or Baskin-Robbins is handing out ice cream. (For a list of current giveaways in general, click here.) Google and other search engines will take you to the right websites, but, as always, you’ll get there faster with the right search terms.

"Free sample" (with quotes) is a logical choice, but will yield tens of millions of hits. With a little fine tuning, your search can produce more manageable results. Try these phrases, for example (with quotes):

• "get your free sample"

• "get a free sample"

• "send me a free sample"

You can also target the specific products or services you’re searching for. Use phrases such as "free [insert item name here]” or "free [item name] sample."

Birthday Bounty
Many restaurants offer free entrees or desserts on customers’ birthdays. In some cases, you’ll need to join the restaurant’s "birthday club," but when you're enjoying that free burger or chocolate sundae, you'll be glad you did.

Here are just a few of the dessert and other food freebies you can sign up for online.

-- Cold Stone Creamery: Free ice cream on birthdays.
-- Dairy Queen: Get a coupon for a free “Blizzard” (with purchase).
-- Denny's: Children eat free on Tuesdays, 4 p.m. -10 p.m., and Saturdays, too, in some locations.
-- Baskin-Robbins: Free ice cream on birthdays.
-- Krispy Kreme: Free donuts and other promotions.
-- Chili's: Free desserts and other promotions.

Discount Codes
How many times have you bought something online, and wished you had a code for that “discount code” field? Have a look at DiscountCodes.com, and maybe you can find one for your next purchase. Search by merchant or alphabetized store listing, or by category of merchandise.

To find merchants offering military discounts, go to Military.com’s Military Discount page.

Swapping for Savings
Trading something you don’t use for something you want or need is almost as good as a freebie. The Internet is full of swap-sites. Here are a few to get started.

-- BookMooch.com: “Give books away. Get books you want.”
-- Tradegamesnow.com: Trade used computer games.
-- SwitchPlanet.com: Trade DVDs, CDs, books, etc.
-- PaperBackSwap.com: Includes hardbacks, audio books, texts.

To find or start discussions about swaps and discounts, visit Military.com’s forums or the Discount Center.