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?
But look at all the energy you're saving on the electric blanket in the winter time. Those fringe benefits are some kind of good at times. ;)
You also live alone and don’t have a 14 yo daughter............
“You also live alone and don’t have a 14 yo daughter............”
Dang, now you made me feel old! You should give her a cut of the KwH saving, say 25%! I bet she would love that.
You're right - she would love that - especially now that she has decided she wants a new laptop just like mine........
www.roku.com Kind of like a VOD with free and pay.. Free has a channel were you can get abc cbs and nbc pbs wb etc..news is not local. www.ustvnow.com You can get more like espn discovery but you have to pay. Also CNN Fox NBC amd lots of music channels and one model has a usb port to play movies music etc. It off your wireless router but the Roku 2 has a place to hardwire.
“11. HTML formatting lessons.”
Now that she has a goal, you have all of the leverage! Get that chore list out. ;-)
Back in the days when I had a credit card, someone was trying to pitch me on their unemployment/disability insurance (makes your minimum payment if you get unemployed or disabled). I pointed out that since I was self employed, it wouldn't cover me for unemployment, yet I was still expected to pay the same premiums as everyone else for half the coverage (and at their rates, even the people getting ALL the coverage were getting screwed). For some reason, they didn't seem to think that made it a bad deal for me. [eyeroll]
I don’t do gifts either. Not for birthdays, Christmas, nothing. My mom occasionally gets flowers, other than that, I tell everyone flatly: Leave me alone. It’s taken 8 years, but I have finally convinced most of my friends and relatives that I am serious. I am not doing gifts. I don’t want any and I’m not giving any.
Good for you!
Some in my family slip up the last couple of years and given presents during holidays - but after the “hey, stop doing that - we aren’t doing this anymore” speech - hopefully they’ll stop.(especially blatant re-gifts - lol)
If you see something neat for someone and know they must have it - buy it and give it to them - don’t wait for a Hallmark holiday to do it :)
The commercialization of set-forced, guilt ridden holidays has destroyed glad tidings, goodwill and charity.
Over the years the thousands that have been saved has come in handy to pay ever increasing property taxes and gas :>(
I tell you what, Christmas is stress-free for me now. I enjoy the pretty lights and the time off work, and that’s all it is.
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