Money Saving Information
7 Great Ways to Spend a Friday Night – Free or Cheap
The economic news just keeps getting worse and worse. A lot of us are on a tight budget. But it’s no fun just to sit at home all the time. So how can you have fun without spending much cash? Daytime isn’t too hard – there are always parks or taking walks, for example. But for an evening out, or a date, that can take a little planning. Here are some free and cheap ideas to have fun on a Friday or Saturday night.
1. HIT UP THE LIBRARY FOR FREE MOVIES
My local movie theaters charge $8 a ticket and about another $12 for popcorn and soda. That’s $20 per person for a night out at the movies. The local library has lots of DVD’s for free. Add in a couple bucks for snacks at home, and you spend no more than $5 for an evening for two.
2. CARD AND GAME NIGHT
If you don’t own a deck of cards, pick one up at the dollar store. And chances are, you have a few board games stashed in the closet, or you know someone who does. If not, check out some yard sales. Gather up your friends and enjoy the evening. If you want, make it a "casino night" theme; borrow some Sinatra and Dean Martin CD’s from the library for that Vegas ambiance.
3. USHER
No, not the R&B singer. Many local theaters use volunteer ushers. In return, you see the show for free. I did volunteer ushering and saw some great popular musicals with talented local performers.
4. HANG OUT AT THE BOOKSTORE
You don’t have to drop a lot of cash there. Just buy a coffee and flip through magazines. Check out the bargain bin if you want to buy anything. Many bookstores also have free entertainment; check their customer service desk for schedules.
5. SEARCH FOR FREE EVENTS
Chances are your community offers free and inexpensive options for weekend fun. Pick up a local entertainment newspaper such as City Paper (if there is one in your city) or do a quick online search for "free events (your city name)". Here are a few good sites for some major U.S. cities:
http://www.freenyc.net – Free stuff in the Big Apple
http://www.freefunguides.com – Has free events for L.A., San Diego, San Francisco, NYC and Seattle
http://www.phillyfunguide.com – Click on ‘free’ to see free events; also sign up for their FunSavers email list to get half-price concert and show tickets
http://chicago.metromix.com/events/roundup/free-chicago-events/510128/content – Free events in Chicago
6. CHECK OUT YOUR LOCAL CLUBS
Obviously, clubbing sometimes can cost a lot of money, between cover charges and drinks. But it doesn’t have to. Check your local paper (or the paper’s website) for no-cover or cheap nights. Open mike nights are usually cheap or free, and you can hear some good local talent, too. Some dance clubs are free or reduced cover, especially if you get there before a certain time such as 10 p.m.
7. BALLROOM, SWING AND SALSA DANCING
This is a personal favorite of mine. Many dance studios (and some clubs) have dance parties that typically cost $10-15, and for that you get: dinner, a dance lesson, and a full evening of dancing. It’s a great bargain. The only trouble is, you might like partner dancing so much that you’ll want to spend money on lessons to get really good! Tip: If you’re new at dancing, call or email the event organizer to make sure the event is beginner-friendly.
For ballroom dance, start with finding your local USA Dance chapter at: http://usadance.org/chapters-and-regions/find-a-local-chapter. The chapter will be able to point you to local ballroom dance events.
For salsa, Salsa Chicago has a list of links for many cities: http://www.salsachicago.com/n_dancelinks.htm
For swing, you’re best off searching for "swing dance" and (your city name)
Dean’s Additions:
- Dollar Movies Theaters are great if you missed a good movie in the past couple of months
- Window Shopping can be fun just remember to leave your wallet at home and bring the minimal amount of cash you need in case of an emergency
- Play tourist for the night. I live in Honolulu, Hawaii so sometimes it is fun just to do tourist things that don’t cost a lot of money. I’m sure each town has something unique and interesting to do.
- Bake Night - If you enjoy baking you could make Friday night baking night. You could get the whole family involved plus you get sweets for the rest of the week. This could be great family bonding time.
- Turn Off the TV and Be Creative. Turning off the TV could be one of the best things you do for yourself and your family. The best things in life are free.
Photo Credit via Flickr
10 Money Saving Gadgets Under $50 Bucks
Love gadgets? Good. There are some that actually save you money without costing much upfront. I get a little frustrated when I look for information about saving money and get suggestions about buying new washers, gas-efficient cars, and such. That’s fine, but how often do you need a new washer? Here are ten inexpensive gadgets that you can probably use- and afford – right now.
1. Programmable Coffee Maker:
Example: Braun KF590 Impressions Digital 10-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker
Price: about $50
It really amazes me how many people spend extra time and money to buy their morning coffee at convenience stores or at Starbucks. It’s so much easier and faster to make your coffee at home. With a programmable unit, you set it up the night before, and you wake up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee. Have a couple of lidded travel mugs on hand (can be found at dollar or discount stores). Pour the coffee into the mug, add cream and sugar if you like, and head out the door. I do like that Starbucks taste, so I buy their coffee in bags at the supermarket or at their stores. Tip: if you buy bagged whole bean coffee at a Starbucks store, they will grind it for free, AND you get a free cup of brewed coffee to drink while you’re there. Make sure to ask for it.
A pound of ground coffee ($10) lasts me about a month, for brewing one large mug (16 oz.) five days per week, so that’s 50 cents each time. Assuming your coffee maker lasts five years, the price divides up to about 5 cents per use. So for a total of 55 cents, you get a great mug of coffee, saving you from $1-3 each time compared to buying coffee out (depending where you go). If you save $2 each time, you’ll break even in only six months. I love my Braun coffee maker and it’s been very reliable.
2. Programmable Thermostat
Example: Lux TX9100E 7 Day Programmable Thermostat
Price: about $55
Save money on heating and cooling with a programmable thermostat. They provide very precise temperature control and can be programmed to automatically lower your air conditioning and/or heat use while you’re not home. You can save up to 20 percent on your heating and cooling bills. So, if your electric bill is $100 per month, and you save 10% per month ($10), this product pays for itself in only 5 months. This Lux unit comes recommended by a leading consumer magazine. Okay, it’s five bucks above the $50 limit I mentioned, but well worth it.
3. At-Home Exercise Videos
Example: The Firm: Pump, Jump and Jab
Price: $14.95
Gym memberships typically cost about $50 month. You can cut the cost down to zero just by running and walking instead, but if that bores you, or the weather is bad, you can get in shape equally well at home with exercise videos. I used videos to get back in shape after I had my son. It was great since I didn’t have to leave home and think about child care, and I could fit it into my schedule. I used The Firm videos; they are challenging and really tone you up. If you love to dance, the Zumba videos are fun. If you’re not sure which videos to get, pay a visit to your local library and borrow some to try out before you buy. If you buy three videos and rotate using them, they pay for themselves in only one month, compared to a gym membership.
4. Tap Water Filter
Example: Brita Disposable Faucet Filtration System
Price: about $45
Why spend money on bottled water? I bought this Brita faucet-mount water filter. No tools required; it was quick and easy to install on my kitchen faucet, and believe me, I’m not handy. This model is disposable and lasts up to a full year with no filters to change. It has an electronic indicator that tells you when it’s time for a replacement. The tap water in my house is pretty funky-tasting and this filter does a great job of cleaning things up. Pays for itself in about 6 months if you have been using bottled water every day.
5. Solar Holiday Lights
Price: $39.99 on sale
Now that the holidays are over, pick up some energy efficient solar-powered outdoor holiday lights; they’re on sale. They they charge up during the day from the sun’s power, turn on automatically in the evening, and stay on most of the night. No electricity required!
6. High-Efficiency Showerhead
Example: Delta 75152 Water Amplifying Adjustable Showerhead
Price: $25
High efficiency showerheads save money by reducing the amount of water that needs to flow through your hot water heater. An average American household can save as much as 15,000 gallons of water per year by installing high-efficiency shower heads. And you save the energy costs which would be required to heat the water.
This Delta model is a water-saving 1.85 gallons per minute, but is designed to feel like the standard 2.5 gallons per minute. So you save water and energy. Break even: about 10 months.
7. Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs
Example: GE 97659 13-Watt (60 Watt equivalent) Energy Smart Soft White Spiral T3 Light Bulb 6-Pack
Price: $3.24 each ($19.41 for a 6-pack)
Time Until Break Even: 4 months
CFLs can easily save $100 a year. Just replace a regular bulb with a CFL, and you’ll save about a dollar per bulb every two months or so. GE makes them in "soft-white" so you’ll get pleasant lighting that is more similar to regular bulbs instead of a harsh fluorescent look.
8. Solar Powered Pocket Calculator
Example: Aurora HC127 Dual Power Executive Foldable Style 8 Digit Hardcase Calculator
Price: $6.99
Figure out unit prices, calculate tips, balance your checkbook…there are numerous tasks for this nice, simple little gadget and it will likely pay for itself after just a couple of uses.
This model has extra big number eight-digits and display with an adjustable angle, so even the most nearsighted should have no trouble. Plus it’s in a folding hard case, nice for your pocket, purse or briefcase. Dimensions: 4-3/5"W x 2-2/5"D x 3/5"H.
9. Portable Flash Drive
Example: Kingston Data Traveler 1 GB
Price: $8.02
Time Until Break Even: 1 month
I love my flash drive. You can back up important files, so you save money on not having to buy and burn CD’s for backup. It’s amazing how cheap flash drives are these days – just $8 bucks for a gig, wow. Only a couple years ago, they cost several times more.
10. Battery Charger
Example: Rayovac Universal Battery Charger for Rechargeable AA, AAA, C, D, and 9-Volt Batteries
Price: $19.27
Time Until Break Even: 1-6 months
Got kids with battery-powered toys? Got home gadgets? Chances are you’re going through lots of batteries. I have one of those closet stickup lights that I swear needs new batteries almost every week. Time to get myself some rechargeable batteries and use this gadget to keep them juiced.
Help Feed a Hungry Dog
This is another site similar to freerice.com posted back in March of this year. It’s a way to test your animal trivia and help feed a hungry animal, all from the comfort of your own home. Freekibble.com has a daily offering of one canine related trivia question. Whether you get the question right or wrong, with each answered question you have just donated 10 pieces of kibble. This site has a lot to offer and it’s fun for kids of all ages too.
A Veterinarian friend of mine recently told me about this website knowing how much my kids love animals. It’s one of the first things they do together every morning. With the economy at such an unpredictable state every charity is struggling to survive. You can do your part for free and help a homeless, hungry pooch.
Expiration Date: unknown
10 Cheap, Quick & Easy Meals
Eating out can get expensive. I decided to put together a quick list of some quick, cheap and easy meals that you can make. With a little bit of effort you add these meals to your meal menu. If you really don’t like to cook you might want to check out our list of the top 10 fast food meals, but don’t forget to also check out our list of the top 10 fast food meals that will make you fat.
1. The ever-classic spaghetti dinner:
1 pound spaghetti, 1 26 oz. jar of sauce, and (optional) 1/2 pound hamburger
I don’t even bother to make meatballs from the hamburger; just crumble it up in a saucepan and brown it, then drain the fat. Add the sauce and simmer till warm. Meantime, boil, then drain the spaghetti. Open up a bag of pre-made salad to serve with it.
2. Another classic budget standby, here’s a super-easy tuna casserole:
1 box macaroni and cheese, 1 can tuna, drained, and 1 or 2 stalks of chopped celery.
Prepare the mac and cheese according to package directions; mix in tuna and celery.
3. Ready-made chicken dinner:
Buy a prepared rotisserie chicken at the supermarket, plus one loaf french or italian bread and one bag of salad or package of frozen vegetables.
No cooking is even involved in this one, except if you use the frozen vegetables and then you need only cook them a few minutes in the microwave.
4. Ramen main dish soup:
Every college student relies on ramen for cheap eats. It makes a good meal, with a couple of additions.
2 packages ramen soup, 1 bag frozen chinese veggies, and 1/4 – 1 pound of cooked, diced meat such as chicken or beef, 3 cups water
Put the water in a pot, add the veggies and meat, cook till the veggies are done. Add the ramen noodles and seasoning and cook until the noodles are done.
5. Anytime breakfast food:
Yes, eggs are good for dinner, too.
Cook eggs your favorite way (scrambled, fried, etc.) and serve with toast plus bacon or ham.
6. Quick Chili:
1 pound ground beef, 1 (14 oz.) can diced tomatoes, 1 (15 oz.) can kidney beans, 1 packet chili seasoning mix
Crumble the beef into a large skillet; cook and stir until evenly browned. Drain off grease. Drain the liquid from the kidney beans. Mix the beans, tomatoes, chili seasoning mix into the beef. Simmer for 15 minutes.
7. Linguini and White Clam Sauce:
One of my favorites!
1 pound linguini, 2 small or one larger can of chopped clams, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/2 cup white wine, 1/4 tsp. garlic salt (or 1 fresh clove, chopped), dried parsley and red pepper to taste
Open the clams and drain the liquid into a big pot; set aside the clams. Add more water to the pot and bring to boil; add the linguine and cook linguine until al dente, then drain. Meanwhile, heat the oil in another pot; add garlic, clams, white wine, parsley and red pepper. Cook about 5 minutes until the sauce reduces and thickens a bit; if you like thicker sauce, sprinkle in about 1 tsp. cornstarch and blend thoroughly; serve over the linguine. Add a packaged salad.
8. Super-simple ham dinner:
No need to buy a giant ham! Buy a single packaged pre-cooked slice of ham (about 8 oz.) for two people, or more slices for more people.
Sprinkle the slices with brown sugar and put in a toaster oven on broiler setting for 5 minutes; turn, sprinkle with more brown sugar and broil another 3-5 minutes depending on thickness of ham. Serve with microwaved frozen carrots and some noodles.
9. Ultra-easy chicken in mushroom sauce:
About 3 pounds of your favorite chicken parts such as thighs or breasts (I get whatever is on sale), 1 can of Cream of Mushroom soup
Use a roasting pan or casserole pan which is big enough to hold all the pieces of chicken in a single layer. After you put the chicken in the pan, add the can of soup (DO NOT ADD WATER TO THE SOUP). Spread the soup around to cover all of the chicken. Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 min. or until the chicken is done. The soup will turn into a luscious sauce. For extra pizzazz, add sliced fresh or canned mushrooms. Serve with salad.
10. Hearty chicken soup:
2 cans chicken broth, 4-8 oz. uncooked noodles, 1 cup mixed frozen vegetables (such as peas & carrots), 1 or 2 cups of leftover cooked, diced chicken
Put the broth in a pan and add the frozen vegetables and noodles. When the noodles are almost cooked, add the chicken. Basically you can add any amount of vegetables, noodles or chicken to taste. If you add a lot of noodles, the soup will thicken and be more like a casserole, which is good too. Season as desired with salt, pepper and poultry seasoning.
Cheap Meal Photo Credit
5 Delicious, Cheap & Easy Slow Cooker Recipes
Slow cookers are allow you to make cheap, hearty and easy meals. Especially around the busy holidays now might be a good time use your slow cooker. Here are 5 slow cooker meals that you should give a try.
Gift Card Tips
Not a deal, but a very important tip to pass along during this holiday shopping season. Consumer Reports says you, and your giftee, could be left holding the bag when you use gift cards.
These days, many chains are have filed bankruptcy – including Circuit City, Sharper Image, and Linens n Things. Some of the ailing businesses are no longer accepting gift card redemptions, or are telling card holders to get in line and make a claim in bankruptcy court. Consumers are wise to check and make sure they are getting gift cards from a financially healthy place. Search Google news with the query "name of business" AND bankruptcy and that should help arm you with good information before you shop. Also check the store’s website for their gift card policies.
Mark writes:
I saw this article and rethought my christmas shopping. I was going to buy everyone gift cards. Lucky, I didn’t buy a Circuit City gift card. I might still buy starbuck cards because everyone loves to drink coffee. I rather gift money for gifts because it’s easier for me because I worry that they won’t like the gift I got them.
Expiration Date: unknown
10 Money Saving Tax Tips To Check Out Before December 31st
1. Sell losing investments
A lot of folks lost money in the market this year. You can take a loss of up to $3,000 on your 2008 return. Any amount in excess of that must be carried over to your 2009 tax return.
2. Donate to charity
Donate clothes, toys, household goods, other items, or cash before Dec. 31. You’ll lower your taxable income while helping others. Remember that certain charitable contributions are not deductible. These include: Money or property you give to most civic leagues, social and sports clubs, labor unions, many foreign organizations, homeowners associations, political groups or candidates for public office, and individuals. To find a qualified organization go to IRS.gov and search for Publication 78 or call 1-877-829-5500. Also: if you charge your donation on a credit card, it is a valid 2008 deduction so long as it is made by Dec. 31 – even if you don’t pay the bill until 2009. And if you donate cash, there is a new rule that you must now have a bank record or written communication from a charity that indicates name, date and amount of the contribution.
3. Get a special break for helping with to disaster relief in the Midwest
Under the recently passed Heartland Disaster Tax Relief Act, taxpayers who itemize deductions can deduct up to 100% of their adjusted gross income, instead of the normal 50% limit, for qualifying cash contributions toward disaster relief efforts in certain parts of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska or Wisconsin. These contributions do not count toward overall limitations on the amount of itemized deductions. Contributions must be made by Dec. 31. The areas must have been declared federal disaster areas on or after May 20 and before Aug. 1 of this year as a result of severe storms, tornados or flooding, and the areas must have been designated to receive individual assistance from the federal government because of the damage resulting from the disasters. More info at IRS.com
4. Prepay some bills
Another step is to pay your Jan. 1, 2009, mortgage payment by Dec. 31 so it is a part of 2008 taxes, though that means you won’t be able to deduct it for 2009. Also, you can make any real estate tax payments by Dec. 31 that are due the beginning of next year. Also look at medical expenses – if you want to have more deductible expenses for your 2008 return, see if you can squeeze in those doctor or dental visits before the 31st.
5. New real estate tax deduction
There is now an additional standard deduction for those who don’t itemize their deductions, but pay real estate taxes. If you don’t itemize deductions, you can claim up to a $500 deduction for property taxes ($1,000 for joint filers) on your 2008 and 2009 tax returns. If you’re planning any deductible expenses, wait until 2009 to pay for them. That way, you can claim the bigger standard deduction in 2008 and have extra deductions to itemize next year.
6. Check your paycheck withholding
Use the withholdings calculator at the IRS website to make sure that you aren’t having too much money taken out of your paycheck. No sense in loaning your money interest-free to Uncle Sam. Then make the change with your employer. IRS Withholding calculator
7. Maximize your 401(k)
For 2008, the maximum you can contribute to a 401(k) plan is $15,500, while the maximum amount you can contribute to an individual retirement account is $5,000. If you’re 50 or older, you can contribute up to $20,500 to a 401(k) and up to $6,000 to an IRA. Remember that you must make 401(k) contributions by year-end, while you have until April 15, 2009, for your 2008 IRA contribution.
8. Family values
If you had a baby or adopted a child in 2008, you should get a Social Security number for that child as soon as possible to ensure that you can include the child as a dependent on your 2008 return.
9. Check your economic stimulus
If you missed the Oct. 15 deadline for filing an income tax return for a economic stimulus payment, don’t worry. You can receive a payment in 2009 by filing an income tax return when the filing season opens in January. The IRS will have more information shortly. More information
10. First time homebuyers tax credit
There is a new tax credit available for a limited time, under the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. The credit operates much like an interest-free loan, because it must be repaid over a 15-year period. So, for example, an eligible taxpayer who buys a home today and properly claims the maximum available credit of $7,500 on his or her 2008 federal income tax return must begin repaying the credit by including one-fifteenth of this amount, or $500, as an additional tax on his or her 2010 return. Eligible taxpayers will claim the credit on new IRS Form 5405. The credit applies to primary home purchases between April 9, 2008, and June 30, 2009. First-time homebuyers are defined as those who have not owned a home in the three years prior to a purchase.
Photo Credit
Make Merry, Not Broke: A Cheap Guide to Holiday Entertaining
Yes, you can be festive on a budget. Holiday parties need not bust your wallet. Here’s our top ten tips for fun and thrifty holiday entertaining:
1. Create a budget before writing your invite list. Then you’ll know how many guests you can afford to entertain. Nothing worse than having the whole neighborhood show up to find you empty-handed.
2. Go team! Why burden yourself with all the costs? Get a friend to co-host the party (and share the expenses) with you. And of course, there’s the classic potluck party. Divvy up the main dishes, appetizers, side dishes and dessert assignments among your guests.
3. Be a borrower – chances are, some of your friends and family own some good holiday decor, dishes and table linens they can lend to you for your event. Of course, you’ll invite them to your party. Then they can just take their items back home with them. Also check out your local library for holiday CD’s and movies.
4. Open the cupboard to see what you already have on hand. Then find recipes that use up those ingredients, rather than having to make a big and expensive food shopping trip. Go to Recipeland.com for ideas.
5. Dessert night. Dinner too costly a concept? Invite everyone for dessert. Have a cookie-decorating party; it’s fun, easy and inexpensive.
6. Deck the halls over brunch. Why not party and get your decorating done at the same time? Eggs, bagels or muffins, and other breakfast fare is relatively cheap. And you can scrimp on (or avoid) liquor costs for an early-hours party; at most you can offer a mimosa or bloody mary but even that’s not really necessary.
7. Save money on booze. Alcohol is a huge expense when entertaining. Have a wine/beer liquor potluck where your guests supply the spirits.Or consider serving a spiced cider to reduce your expenses. Old fashioned, non alcoholic holiday punches are another great idea and are typically much more affordable than alcoholic drinks.
8. Organize buffet food by cost: Put less-expensive, filling foods such as breads and veggies at the head of the buffet table, where guests will start filling their plates. Put the pricier shrimp and meat towards the end of the line. Partygoers will naturally fill up on the less expensive items before hitting the costlier grub.
9. Dollar stores are your best friend. For a mere buck, you can find all kinds of party snacks, soft drinks and candy, plus scads of festive holiday decorations, candles, plates, glasses and plastic cutlery. My personal favorite is Dollar Tree.
10. Organize a volunteer party instead. In times like these, there are many people in need. Do some searching, identify a good local volunteer opportunity and invite your friends and family to join you in helping your community. Try VolunteerMatch.org or RedCross.org. Or host an event at your home where your guests can contribute to a charity project. For example, you could collect toys to donate to Toys for Tots.
Dean adds:
-Hosting a holiday lunch is usually cheaper than hosting a holiday dinner. Something to consider when planning your holiday party.
-Always remember it is not about how much you spend but how much fun you and your guests have. The best food in the world don’t mean much if the party is dead. Be creative and plan some social interactive games or ice breakers to entertain your guests.
-If things get tough you can always charge cover at the door. Just kidding, but if you do hire a bouncer :p
Photo Credit
Black Friday Shopping Survival Guide: Tips to Save Time & Money
- What is your time worth? Is waiting in the cold for hours and having to deal with crowded and possible grouchy people worth saving $20 on an MP3 player. Crunch the numbers and see if it really is worth your time. For example if you spend 8 hours shopping and end up saving $80. You just saved $10/hour. Now let me put this into perspective. You work hard and if you got Friday off for vacation would you rather have $80 or an entire free day to do whatever you want like spend time with your family?
- Do you really need to buy all that stuff? Personally I am not a Black Friday shopper, I like saving money but on the day after we are suppose to be "thankful" for what we have I find it ironic that people wait in line for hours to buy more "stuff".
20 Simple Ways to Save Money Online
The Internet is a great resource to help you save money online. Here are 20 simple yet effective ways to save money online.
1. Online banking – pay your bills online; no reason to spend money on stamps.
2. Online postage – even with online bill paying, you’ll still need postage for things like sending greeting cards or packages. Save yourself time and gas money by skipping a trip to the post office. Instead, visit the Postal Service to order stamps, packing materials and prepaid shipping labels. Or use the shipping label service at PayPal.com.
3. Planning on college? Save big on application fees by checking out Porcelina.net. It’s a site that lists all U.S. colleges that offer free applications.
4. We all know about online travel; most trips are already booked online. But make sure you’re getting the absolute lowest fare by using a search engine that checks multiple sites. Try www.kayak.com or www.sidestep.com. And if you fly Southwest, remember their flights are often not listed on other sites, so go to www.southwest.com to check their fares.
5. Be a tourist in your own town – find the official website for your local visitors bureau and check out their special offers for local attractions. For example, in Philadelphia, http://www.gophila.com/Phila/EventsCalendar/ is the site for finding out about local events, including free events, and there’s a link for half-price ticket offers for shows and concerts.
6. Watch popular TV shows for free online at Hulu.com and consider cutting out your cable bill. Also check out
7. Watch classic films online for free at Archive.org. Many great titles include the excellent film noir "D.O.A." and the screwball comedy "My Man Godfrey".
8. Download and enjoy legally free music – the iTunes music store offers a couple of free songs and sometimes a free video, with new free offerings updated each Tuesday. Also try Amazon.com for lots of free mp3 downloads at:
9. Shop for cheaper loans, mortgages and credit card rates at www.bankrate.com or www.interest.com
10. Plan your post-Thanksgiving shopping with http://bfads.net/, for the advance scoop on the best Black Friday and Christmas sales.
11. Open up an online checking account. The fees are usually lower and you can earn competitive interest rates. Check out IngDirect.com
12. Find the cheapest phone plans, internet plans and other services at www.myrateplan.com and stop overpaying now.
13. Buy groceries online – even if they charge you a delivery fee, you’ll likely spend less because you will stick to your shopping list and avoid impulse buys.
14. Join the FreeCycle network. Find your nearest chapter, join it online, and get free stuff from your neighbors. Give your unwanted stuff away, too.
15. Check out special discounts you may be entitled to – many shopping sites offer discounts to students, AAA members, seniors, government employees, and members of certain other organizations.
16. Go on Craigslist.com and check out the ‘free’ heading under the ‘for sale’ section. You may be amazed at the good stuff people are giving away.
17. As mentioned on this site before – order food at wholesale prices from www.angelfoodministries.com. It’s a non-sectarian program run by volunteers at local churches. You need not be a church member and there are no qualifications or applications; everyone is eligible.
18. Get an excellent suite of free software from Google. Google pack includes Mozilla Firefox browser, Picasa photo software, Skype for free voice and video calls, Star Office (compatible with MS office), and more. The full pack is Windows-only but if you’re a Mac, they still offer some software at http://www.google.com/mac/.
19. Find the cheapest gas with GasBuddy.com or MSN Auto.
20. Free wi-fi, woo-hoo! WifFiFreeSpot.com
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