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Istock
Score Free Samples
En español | For generations, manufacturers have mailed consumers samples of their products to attract new customers. Now, websites such as freesamples.org, mrfreestuff.com, sweetfreestuff.com, and
getitfree .us, make it easy to find stuff you want.1 of 15
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Find Missing Money
There are a lot of scams on the Internet and elsewhere promising to help you find money that may be due you or a family member … for a fee, of course. But this nonprofit website is legit and costs nothing. It’s helped countless people — including me! — find “unclaimed funds” they are eligible to collect, including forgotten bank accounts, security deposits and inheritances.
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Istock
Drop In on a 'Free Market'
So-called free stores and free markets are cropping up across the United States. The idea is to provide a gathering spot where people can drop off and “shop” for items that would otherwise likely be thrown away. The thing is, the shopping experience — and everything in the store/market — costs nothing, and some of these markets provide free repairs and other services, courtesy of skilled volunteers. Check out an online directory of free markets and stores around the country.
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See AlsoMan Refuses to Repay Brother's $12k Loan: Family Feud or Justified? 😲Interview Questions for Grandparents - Hobbies on a BudgetThe Girl Who Smiled Beads by Clemantine Wamariya, Elizabeth Weil: 9780451495334 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: BooksHow To Pay Off $35,000 of Debt in 6 MonthsSnag Some Birthday Swag
If you must turn another year older, at least you can take comfort in a wide range of birthday freebies offered by many national and local establishments — and not just a free slice of cake or a scoop of ice cream (although, who's complaining?) but sometimes an entire meal or some pretty nifty swag. The Birthday Freebies website helps you find free loot in your area and nationwide.
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Take a Free Course
Did you know that you can attend online courses offered by many prominent colleges and universities for free? The only catch is that you don’t get credit toward a degree program. But if learning is your goal, the information and knowledge you’ll gain is all the same. Prestigious schools offering online courses gratis include the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University and the University of California at Berkeley.
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Istock
Explore a National Park
Most people know that America’s national parks are among this country’s crown jewels. But did you know that 268 of our 401 national parks never charge an entrance fee? And every year there are special “free entrance days” at the parks that normally do charge for admission.
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Tour a Factory
Looking for a no-cost weekend activity or maybe some fun stops during a family vacation? Consider checking out factories and other businesses that offer free tours of their facilities — everything from chocolate and candle factories to breweries and the Spam Museum. Best of all, many offer free samples of their products as part of the tour.
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Get a Library Card
And if you already have one, vow to use it more often. America’s 17,000 public libraries offer free access not only to books (and, in many cases, e-books as well), but to DVDs, computers and the Internet, and a host of programs and other services. What’s more, spending time at your local library allows you to turn down your thermostat at home in the winter (and air conditioning in the summer) and save even more!
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Istock
Join the Freecycle Network
This nonprofit movement consists of more than 5,000 local groups — and some 9 million members — all around the world. It's all about keeping good stuff out of landfills by allowing members to give away items they no longer need, as well as search for things they can use that someone else might want to jettison. And it’s all free, including membership.
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Getty Images
AARP Offer: Protect your money, grow your nest egg
Take advantage of great information and tools to help build your future and prevent your money from going down the drain.
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Volunteer at a Festival
Sometimes volunteering comes with some pretty nice perks attached, such as free admission to special events. Volunteering to be an usher at theaters or concert halls often gets you free admission to a show. Many film and music festivals — including the Sundance Film Festival and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival — rely on a corps of volunteers, who often get free admission and access to behind-the-scenes events. Check the relevant websites to see whether they use volunteers.
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Hit the Stores on Tax-Free Days
You’ve heard the old saying, “Nothing in life is certain except death and taxes.” Well, if you’re a smart consumer, you can at least sometimes avoid sales tax by taking advantage of occasional “tax-free shopping days” offered in some states. Find a list of participating states and details about their tax-free shopping days online.
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Get a Free Copy of Your Credit Report
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, each of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — is required to provide you, upon request, with a free copy of your credit report once every 12 months. For instructions on how to order your truly free copy of your credit report from these three companies, check the Federal Trade Commission website.
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Eli Meir Kaplan
Subscribe to The Cheap Life, Produced by AARP
The Cheap Lifeis a weekly Web show crammed full of money-saving tips, lots of laughs, and chances to win cash gift cards and other great cheapskate swag. It’s free and easy to subscribe to (just click on the “Subscribe” icon on theCheap Life Channelpage on YouTube so you'll be eligible to win prizes and be notified as soon as a new episode is released).
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View More Slideshows
- 10 places to ask for a discount
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FAQs
How to spend free time without spending money? ›
- Go on a picnic. ...
- Go to no-cost museum and zoo days. ...
- Give geocaching a try. ...
- Leverage your chamber of commerce. ...
- Take a historical city tour. ...
- Visit a farmers market. ...
- Go camping. ...
- Do a photography challenge.
- Go to a museum, aquarium or zoo. Many aquariums, museums and zoos waive admission fees on certain days. ...
- Read a book. ...
- Catch a movie. ...
- Play a game inside. ...
- Play a game outside. ...
- Volunteer. ...
- Visit the farmers market. ...
- Go thrift shopping.
- Meditate: Practicing meditation and mindfulness may help you relax, as it's proven to reduce stress and anxiety. ...
- Read a book: A great book has more value than just entertainment. ...
- Exercise: Just 30 minutes of exercise daily has exceptional health benefits.
- Reading Reading comes with innumerable advantages and benefits, especially amongst the youth. ...
- Writing. We're out of the frying pan and into the fire with writing. ...
- Learning a language. ...
- Taking up a hobby. ...
- Working out. ...
- Playing a sport. ...
- Socializing and networking. ...
- Resting.
- Choose the right month. ...
- Research free activities to do in your local area. ...
- Put your money away to reduce the temptation. ...
- Get your friends and family involved. ...
- Remind yourself why you're committing to a no-spend month. ...
- Track or monitor progress.
Apply for government assistance programs like food stamps, unemployment benefits, or other social services that you qualify for. These can provide essential support during tough times. Explore community resources like food banks, shelters, or charities that offer aid to those in need.
How to enjoy life when you're broke? ›- 1 – Appreciate Everything You Have.
- 2 – Our Current Circ*mstances are Temporary.
- 3 – Practice Self-Care.
- 4 – Believe in Yourself.
- 5 – Look for Inspiration in Books.
- 7 – Do Fun Activities.
- 9 – Associate with Like Minded People.
- 10 – Set Realistic Goals.
- For more ideas on how to improve your life, explore Life Kit's New Year's Resolution Planner.
- Check your local publications. ...
- Go to a park. ...
- Go on a penny date. ...
- Try a food challenge. ...
- Host an art night. ...
- Tap into your imagination. ...
- Throw a movie marathon party.
- Do a work exchange. If you're new to the off-grid life, a great way to start is through Worldpackers. ...
- Join an off-grid community. ...
- Find low-cost or free land. ...
- Construct a cabin or tiny house. ...
- Grow your own food. ...
- Fish responsibly. ...
- Forage for edible plants. ...
- Collect and filter water.
- Take a time out. ...
- Find your essentials. ...
- Find your time-wasters. ...
- Schedule the time. ...
- Consolidate. ...
- Cut out meetings. ...
- Declutter your schedule. ...
- Re-think your routine.
What do adults do for fun with friends? ›
- Escape Room Challenges. Escape Room Challenges. ...
- Hiking and Nature Trails. Explore the great outdoors on hiking and nature trails. ...
- Amusem*nt Park Adventures. ...
- Cooking Classes. ...
- Food Tasting Tours. ...
- Picnic in the Park. ...
- Museum Visits. ...
- Theatre Performances.
time that is free from duties or responsibilities. synonyms: spare time. type of: leisure, leisure time. time available for ease and relaxation.
What to learn in free time at home? ›- Coding. Coding is a skill that many employers value in several industries. ...
- Spreadsheet software. ...
- Digital marketing. ...
- Typing skills. ...
- Graphic design. ...
- Research online resources and learning options.
When you have some free time, try activities to help you relax, get some exercise, have fun, or learn something new! You might read a book or watch a movie, relax with a bath, or go on a hike. There are plenty of other things you could try too, like yoga, learning a language, or trying a new recipe.
How do you spend your day everyday? ›- 30 minutes for figuring out or reevaluating your goals.
- 30 minutes of exercise.
- Around 2 hours of working on a side hustle.
- 1 hour of reading.
- 30 minutes of practicing a skill or learning something new.
- 30 minutes of networking.
- Explore the art of gardening. ...
- Start a blog about something you care about. ...
- Empower yourself through exercise. ...
- Connect with nature. ...
- Create a vision board. ...
- Foster a dog or cat. ...
- Make improvements to your home or garden. ...
- Volunteer to help others.
This is not surprising — most of us try to split our days into “work, rest, and fun”, and so there are some predictable patterns. We spend the most time working and sleeping. Together, paid work, housework, leisure, eating, and sleeping take 80–90% of all the 1440 minutes in a day.