The Cracker Barrel restaurant chain is giving away free $5 gift cards this summer.

The freebie is part of its All-American Summer Spin n' Win sweepstakes for trips, a $1,000 gas card, a $1,000 Cracker Barrel gift card, porch rockers and gift baskets.

Everyone who plays gets the free $5, though there is a bit of fine print. You must give your email address and opt in to receive Cracker Barrel newsletters and email updates.

Here's a great freebie for all you frugal fashionistas.

Ulta shops nationwide are offering appointments for FREE blowouts using Living Proof products. The free hairstyling is being offered the first three Fridays in July.

You choose either a straight or a wavy style, and Ulta says your hair will remain frizz-free all weekend.

Panda Express is doing another freebie to publicize its later summer hours.

Stop by after 9 p.m. Friday, June 22, and get a free single-serving order of Orange Chicken. No purchase is necessary.

To mark 40 years of doing business in the Triangle, Chick-fil-A restaurants are celebrating Free Cookie Day this Friday, June 22.

Stop by participating restaurants between 2 and 6 p.m. to get your free chocolate chunk cookie.

The cookies, which are freshly baked at the restaurants, are a new item on the Chick-fil-A menu.

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Also, for those of you die-hard Chick-fil-A fans, pencil in July 13 on your freebie calendar. That's the date for Cow Appreciation Day when customers who dress up as cows are treated to free meals.

Here's your reminder that Thursday, June 21, is Free Iced Coffee Day at Bruegger's.

Head over to the Bruegger's bagels Facebook page to print your coupon. It's valid for a free16-oz. cup Thursday only.

While you're on the Facebook page, consider becoming a fan. Your click will count as a donation to the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

Bruegger's has pledged to give a dollar for every click, up to $10,000.

How about a free sample of Arm & Hammer toothpaste?

Heads up on a Facebook freebie that's bound to go quickly: a free sample of Finish dishwasher detergent.

Here's a fun freebie on tap for Friday: Wear a pair of flip flops and get a free smoothie.

The giveaway is from 2 to 7 p.m. at Tropical Smoothie Cafes across the country, and we happen to have seven of them in North Carolina, including three in the Triangle.

You'll get a 24 oz. "Jetty Punch" flavored smoothie. No purchase is required.

Here's one last friendly reminder about my coupon class, which is coming up this Saturday in downtown Apex.

You have until Friday to sign up.

And let me just say, if you've been on the fence about attending, maybe the perks will sway you.

Not only will you leave the half-day class with all the coupon know-how to save 50 percent or more on your grocery bill, but you'll walk away with some mighty nice freebies.

Everyone who attends will receive the 2012 Attractions coupon book, which is loaded with coupons for restaurants and local attractions and entertainment spots.

I've also got lots of things I'll be giving away as door prizes, including a $25 gift card to The Container Store, movie passes, grocery gift cards, free McDonald's iced coffee drink coupons, cookbooks, children's books, full-size samples of a new line of natural food products, and coupons for free Bruegger's bagels.

For those of you who choose to attend the optional coupon swap afterward at the Bruegger's in Apex, I'll also be giving away more Bruegger's coupons for free bagels.

Here are all the details:

The sample site on Target's website is giving away free samples of Keurig "Brew Over Ice"K-Cups.

Head over HERE to sign up for these. But I'll warn you, the site is working very slowly.

Please report in if you manage to snag these. I have yet to get through.

Update: My request went through after a brief delay. The samples are scheduled to arrive in eight to 10 weeks.