In the old days, politicians would try to buy votes. Nowadays, corporations are trying to buy your affection if you vote.

Works for me.

You've probably seen on WalletPop or elsewhere in the media that some big national chains are giving away free stuff to anyone who votes (or says they voted).

So far, these are the major players in the game:
Starbucks: Giving away a free tall coffee to people with proof of voting (or a pledge of having voted)
Krispy Kreme: Giving away free star-shaped donuts with red, white and blue sprinkles (while supplies last) to people with an "I voted" sticker all day
Ben & Jerry's: Giving away a free scoop in any flavor from 5pm to 8pm to anyone who says they voted.

But there's much, much more... (and we're hoping you'll feel free to tell us what's free in your neighborhood for voters).

Is it hot where you live? It's HOT here in Portland. And I want nothing more right now than a variety of icey cold beverages. Thank goodness for freebies (if only they had an all-night delivery service)! Sundance is offering free samples of its Organic Life Teas. I'm wondering what can be new about iced tea with flavorings? According to the web site, these drinks are "a fusion of exotic superfruits and health-promoting natural teas. So if you think you've had something similar before, you're in for a surprise. These are vibrant, refreshing drinks, blending the best attributes of tea and juice."

Sounds like marketing-speak to me but I'm willing to try it for free! The web site says you'll also get some "cool stuff."

Every day, WalletPop will be bringing you information about a fantastic freebie. Like what you see? Check back tomorrow for more!

A Craftsman hat might not be the hippest fashion statement out there but, since it's free, why not? Fill out this form and Sears will send you a free hat bearing the Craftsman logo. Just fill out this very quick form and use the code COOLTOOLS as the "promotional password from catalog cover."

Every day, WalletPop will be bringing you information about a fantastic freebie. Like what you see? Check back tomorrow for more!

I've said before that a savvy consumer could go his entire life without going to a store to buy most toiletries, just by taking advantage of all the free samples available online.

Today Gillette is offering a free sample size bottle of its new 2-in-1 body wash. These "dual-action body washes" come in combinations including dry skin hydrator and body wash, gentle clean shampoo and body wash and oil control face and body wash.

Just fill out this form and it'll be en route.

My extremely generous neighbor whom I've never even met -- his name is Michael -- has given me subscriptions to two of the hottest celebrity gossip magazines. When I go down to my lobby to check the mail, I always give a quick glance into the recycle bin. Every Friday for the past two months, I've found the latest issues of OK Weekly and US Weekly -- at the top of the bin, mailing labels still in-tact.

I can only speculate about why Michael doesn't even bother reading his magazines. Perhaps they were a gift that he didn't want. Perhaps he gets multiple copies because of some clerical error. Or maybe he has a new live-in girlfriend, and admitting that he actually spends money to keep up to date on celebrity news would make him feel like less of a man. Whatever the reason, I get both magazines at 100% off the weekly newsstand price of $7.98 -- plus the fistful of change I'll get for writing this post.

If you live in a big building, it might be worth a quick -- and discrete -- look through the recycling by the mailboxes every once in awhile. And I have a request for the USPS: each post office should include a magazine rack where people can place anything that they receive but don't want.

OK, I'm going back to reading "Britney & Jamie Lynn at Home: OK World Exclusive!"