There ARE some things in life that are free or almost free. You just need to do your research and/or ask around.

1. Basic Computer Software — Thinking of purchasing a new computer? Think twice before you fork over the funds for a bunch of extra software. There are some great alternatives to the name brand software programs. The most notable is OpenOffice, the open-source alternative to those other guys. It’s completely free and files can be exported in compatible formats.

2. Your Credit Report – You don’t have to pay for your credit report. You could sign up for one of the free credit monitoring services online to get a quick look at your credit report. You just have to remember to cancel the service before the end of the free trial. Or you could do one better and visit www.annualcreditreport.com, the only truly free place to see all three of your credit reports for free once a year.

3. Cell Phone — The service plan may be expensive, but the phone itself doesn’t have to cost a thing. Most major carriers will give you a free phone, even a free smart phone, with a two-year contract.

4. Books — There’s a cool place in your town that’s renting out books for free: the library. Remember that place? Stop by and put your favorite book on reserve. And if you don’t feel like getting out, visit www.paperbackswap.com and find your books there (small shipping fees apply).

5. Water — Besides the monthly utility bill, there’s no reason to shell out $1 for every bottle of water you drink. Bottled water is so last decade anyway. We’re over it, and into tap, filters, and reusable water bottles. It’s cheaper for you and better for the environment.

6. Credit Card — With as many credit cards as there are available on the market today, it’s easy to avoid a credit card with an annual fee. Unless you’re dead set on a particular perk that a fee card brings, skip the annual fee card and pocket that money yourself.

7. Debt Reduction Help — Speaking of credit cards, if you’re in over your head with credit card help, there are many free sources you can turn to for help with your debt. No one is going to be able to magically wipe away your debts, but there is help out there that will set you up on a debt reduction plan you can handle. Start with a visit to the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.

8. Basic Tax Preparation — If your tax situation isn’t that complicated, then you should probably be preparing your own tax return using one of the many free online services. It’s now common for e-filing to be free as well with many services. You won’t even need a stamp.

9. The News — Leave it to a blogger to try and kill off traditional print. I’m not anti-newspaper. I just don’t find them practical anymore. Skip the daily .50 cents and get your news online. And for you dedicated coupon clippers, you can get most of your Sunday coupons online now too.

10. Budgeting Tools — There are many budgeting tools (both online and desktop) that offer up the service for free. Don’t ask me how they do this, but who cares. If you’re looking to reign in some of your spending, the good news is you can do it for free.

11. Pets — This is a controversial one, I know. But there are likely many pets down at your local animal shelter that could use just as much love as the pure-bred types. There may be a small fee due to the shelter for shots and basic care, but you’ll have your pet home without paying a mini-fortune.

12. Shipping — If you like to buy online, you probably use coupons to get a percentage off of your purchase. Take your skills to the next level and look for coupons or promotion codes that offer free shipping. If in doubt, visit a site like www.freeshipping.org.

13. Checking Account — Isn’t it nice when a bank takes your money, lends it out to earn money, and then has the audacity to charge you for the service? What a joke. Checking should be free. If yours isn’t free then move to one of the many banks that offers a checking account for free. And the same can be said for ATM fees, teller fees, and checks.

14. DVD Rentals — Did you know that you can rent DVDs from RedBox locations for $1 a night? And better yet, if you use one of the coupon codes from www.insideredbox.com you can avoid the $1 charge. Free DVD rentals! Most libraries now have free DVD rental as well.

15. Exercise — Skip the expensive gym memberships. Visit your local park for a walk or run. Do basic push-up and sit-up programs in your living room. Rent a workout DVD from the library. There are many free workout programs you can download online as well.

Thanks to US News.

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of LG Chocolate Touch. All opinions are 100% mine.

I’ve been a Verizon customer for almost 2 years now. Sprint was my wireless provider for 8 years before I switched over to Verizon and I’m so glad I did the switcheroo. I can’t tell you how many times my calls were dropped or the many times where I didn’t have reception to make a call when I was a Sprint customer. I couldn’t even use my cell phone in my own home; it was so annoying. I can tell you that now that I am a Verizon customer, I have never had any of my phone calls dropped or have loss of reception when I need to make a phone call or send a text. I am one happy camper.

The phone that I have is the LG Dare and I love it. LG is a great brand and has never disappointed me.  Since my 2 year mark is around the corner, I’m on the look out to upgrade to the new LG Chocolate Touch. It has everything you would ever want in a phone and more in just one device.

Just imagine you had a phone that allowed you to make calls, send texts, use the internet, use Social Media, take pictures or video, AND has a music player with Dolby Mobile technology for crystal-clear sound quality.

Fortunately,  the new LG Chocolate Touch that does ALL that.

Wouldn’t it be so much easier to just have one Read the rest of this entry →

I was coming out of my car and went around the back to get my daughter out of her car seat and at the corner of my eye, I saw this woman standing there looking at me. I’m thinking to myself, Why the hell is this lady looking at me? So I continued to remove my daughter out of the car and I turned around and there she was.

It was like magic. I saw her on the sidewalk and then I turn around, she is right behind me.

WTF?

To be honest, she kinda frightened me.

At this point my heart is racing because I have no idea what her intentions are. I’m sorry, I’m from the Bronx and I DO NOT trust A-N-Y-O-N-E!! No one.

So she asks me if I had a cell phone. I was shocked because I have seen this situation on the news and from other people so I looked around (to see if there was anyone waiting to run with her) and said the obvious….I told her I don’t have a cell phone when in fact I did have my phone in my bag.

After I told her I didn’t have a phone , she asked me if I knew a place where she can make a phone call. I told her that Famous Footwear would let her use it and I knew for a fact b/c I used it before.. She quickly said thak you and walked away.

I turned to my 10 year old and I said that was weird. She said mom, don’t you have your cell phone in your bag? I said yes, but I am not a crazy person that trusts anyone because you never know.  She just looked at me.

As we walked toward the strip mall, we see the woman walking out with her male friend and she tells me thank you in a really nice voice.

I just smiled and shook my head. I couldn’t believe she really needed to make a phone call.  After that, I felt bad but I had to listen to the little voice in my head.  Because most of the time, that little voice knows best.  I guess in this case, it was just a test.

Have you ever had an “Uh oh” moment like this? I would love to hear about it.