Posted on 10/21/2012 5:28:24 AM PDT by RKBA Democrat
When it comes to ways to save money, ideas abound. You can try old standbys like limiting your cable TV and cell phone plans, or clipping grocery coupons. But for an even greater dent, look for items you can get for free - that's right, no cost. There are actually many valuable, necessary goods and services available gratis, but you have to know where and when to pounce. Here are several you might not have been aware of:
1. Batteries. Batteries can take a significant bite out of your checking account year-round, but especially during the holiday gift-giving season. However, just by signing up for email updates from your preferred office supply company, you'll often get notifications as to when these are available for free. Generally, you pay the upfront cost, then get 100% of it back in rewards certificates good for future purchases. Considering the high cost of most batteries, it's well worth it to stock up when you see these deals. Using this strategy, you'll never run out of them and you'll never have to pay. 2. Antivirus Software. There are two no-cost ways to protect your computer from online threats. First, you can often get all the protection you need by choosing one of the free antivirus software programs, such as AVG. I've used this free software for years and never had a problem - and I do a lot of online shopping for a reselling business that I run. If you feel better with the protection of a "paid" program, sign up for email alerts from a deal-of-the-day website like FatWallet.com. You're sure to find plenty of antivirus programs available for free after a mail-in rebate.
3. Tax Preparation. Click over to the IRS website for an extended list of tax preparation companies that will calculate your return for free. Some have limits on adjusted gross income eligibility, but others do not. Online, there are also several free tax-prep software programs and professional services, such as H&R Block. In short, if you look into it, you can often satisfy Uncle Sam at no cost to you - whatever you owe notwithstanding, of course. 4. Credit Report. In this day of identity theft and financial misappropriation, it's critical to know exactly where your credit stands. And the Internet is rife with paid services offering to pull your report for you. But did you know that you are entitled to see your report once per year from each of the three major credit reporting agencies free of charge? Just visit AnnualCreditReport.com. If you plan it out, you can pull an up-to-date report every four months from either Experian, TransUnion, or Equifax. With this in hand, read carefully for errors or red flags, and report them promptly. You can also find free ways to improve your credit score. Along with safeguarding your personal information, this is about all the protection you need against identity theft. And it's 100% free. 5. Extended Warranties. This caveat isn't exactly about getting them for free - it's more akin to "don't buy them at all." Many extended warranties are a complete waste of money. First, they overlap with the manufacturer's warranty, which means you pay for a term of coverage that you would've had at no cost without the extended warranty. Plus, studies have shown that the probability of a product breaking down during the insured time frame is minimal at best. And this is why the profit margin on the warranty itself is actually greater than on the product. 6. Activation Fees. In this day and age, companies will attempt to get money from you in any way they can - hence, activation fees. These are trumped-up charges put forth by the company in an attempt to get more for their services. If you play your cards right, however, they can be eliminated. Be it Internet, cable TV, or cell phone, if you tell the provider that paying an activation fee is a dealbreaker and you're ready to walk, you can get this fee waived 9 times out of 10. Final Thoughts
While some of these perks involve a little research and effort, others involve simply knowing where to go and what to look for. In the end, it really just comes down to how much you care where you're spending your hard-earned dollar. But I can tell you this: Those who take a more active role in the managing of their money are the ones who'll have much more of it left over. What else can get for free - and what are the best techniques?
One from me:
-Cable tv. No reason to spend money on it, except maybe to get internet service. Lots of stuff on youtube and netflix.
11. HTML formatting lessons.
Body wash
Aspirin
Advil
Cold Medicine
Milk (often)
Grey Goose Vodka (Barter...trading for Body Wash I get FREE)
BO Sticks
Toothpaste
Annnnd lots more including my BEST freebie yet...A brand new Compaq Presario computer. I got that 2 years ago and since the reviews for Windows 8 are not good I just might keep it for a couple more years.
2. Gasoline - pump up your tires
3. Health Care - don't get your leg amputated, take the blue pill.
4. Stop buying Arugula
5. Don't buy Wedding Presents - send the money to Zer0
6. Get the million airs and billion airs to pay your fair share of taxes.
Move to a State with no income tax.
I now make my own bleach, wash detergent and wood cleaner and fabric softner. next will be soap and candles.
Yeah, I started making my own laundry detergent about a year ago.
Wash and iron my own shirts. Save over 600 a year on dry cleaning.
Campaign contributions top my list of wasted money.
Donations to lobbying groups are up there, too
New vehicles. The depreciation for the first mile driven on a new vehicle can be up to 20%.
Actually I did get gasoline for FREE on two occasions during the past year. Almost exactly a year ago I got FREE gasoline for a week and then again this year from late June to early August. It's not easy to accomplish but it is doable. The worst thing about getting FREE gasoline is when the deal ends and you have to go back to paying for gasoline. I sort of went into mourning in August when my gasoline deal ended.
PSST! I've been using FREE Tide for over a year now via coupons. First the liquid but now I get Tide Pods which is easier to get FREE via coupons. Only trouble was convincing my wife to use Tide Pods.
Users of the free tax software are a good source of income to me when they rely solely on the software. Fixing their tax notices brings in off season revenue which is always good.
Do you have a link to some recipes that you like?
- Junk insurance. This is stuff like insurance policies that pay off your mortgage if you die, Accidental Death and Dismemberment, etc. Only exception would be if you can’t get any other coverage.
Clothes....We have several consignment shops as well as Good Wills etc. For everyday clothes (Like jeans) you can’t beat the bargains. The also have designer purses etc for very reasonable prices.
On internet.
ace hardware has recipe n supplies. walmart n grocery stores have ingredients.
one bar of fels naptha soap , one cup of borax, one cup of arm n hammer washing soda makes 10 gal of laundry sopa. approx 3 to 5 cents a load.
this detergent works for front loading HE washers also great on those w sensitive. can get this stuff anywhere. everyone using this has been thrilled w results.
Wood cleaner. i use olive oil and a cap full or two of lemon juice. gets a little greasy at first but once its wiped off and buffed up it looks amazing.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.