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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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Istock
See AlsoWant $10,000 in Dividend Income in 2022? Invest $108,000 in This Ultra-High-Yield Stock Trio | The Motley FoolThe Great Money Bubble: Protect Yourself from the Coming Inflation StormHardcoverAn Introduction to Diversifying Among Asset ClassesFor Millennials goal is financial freedomSnag 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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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
What can I do for fun with no 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.
Consider putting it in a high yield savings or money market account, which typically earn more interest than a traditional savings account. Having an emergency fund means that there's a supply of cash at the ready, so you don't have to use a credit card or tap your retirement fund if you encounter an unexpected event.
How to be happy without spending money? ›- Strengthen Bonds With Family and Friends. ...
- Create a Gratitude Journal. ...
- Go for a Walk. ...
- Define 'Fun' for You. ...
- Start a Pay-It-Forward Line. ...
- Say 'No' ...
- Smile Even If You Don't Feel Like It. ...
- Strive for Serenity and Security.
- See What Your Community Has to Offer. ...
- Work on Your Family Tree. ...
- Do Some Good in the World. ...
- Work on Your Garden. ...
- Reconnect With a Friend or Family Member. ...
- Take a Nature Hike. ...
- Check Out Library Events. ...
- Go On a Picnic.
- Get organized.
- Work on physical and mental health.
- Unplug and de-stress.
- Volunteer.
- Learn new skills.
- Get into DIY projects and new hobbies.
- Spend time with family and friends.
- Travel.
- Go for a run/walk.
- Read a book.
- Write a to-do list.
- Visit a community park.
- Take photos.
- Start a blog.
- Read a magazine.
- Try a new recipe.
A no-spend challenge is when you challenge yourself to avoid spending money on non-essentials for a specific amount of time. You'll still pay for things like rent or a mortgage, bills, groceries, medicine and other essentials.
What is no spend in 2024? ›The “no-spend” challenge has been around for years but gained new life in 2024, thanks to TikTok and No Spend January at the beginning of the year. Participants are encouraged to go on a spending “fast” by abstaining from buying anything but the barest essentials.
How to have fun when you're broke? ›Play board games with family and friends.
Game nights are a great way to spend quality time with loved ones without spending money. Invite people over to play a group game that is fun, interactive, and lively. For extra fun, make it a BYOB night and provide some inexpensive snacks to enhance the evening.
How to cope with being broke? ›
- Stay active. Keep seeing your friends, keep your CV up to date, and try to keep paying the bills. ...
- Get advice. If you're going into debt, get advice on how to prioritise your debts. ...
- Do not drink too much alcohol. ...
- Do not give up your daily routine.
- Freelance writing.
- Virtual assistant services.
- Social media marketing.
- Handyman services.
- House cleaning.
- Dog walking.
- Personal shopping.
- Bookkeeping services.
- Play chess. ...
- Clean out your closets. ...
- Find your new favorite podcast. ...
- Start “my list” on a streaming service. ...
- Go for a walk. ...
- Take a bath. ...
- Phone a friend. ...
- Do a yoga video.
- Catch up with a friend or a family member. ...
- Spend time with your pet. ...
- Attend a networking event. ...
- Reconnect with an old friend. ...
- Plan a family or friends gathering. ...
- Find an online community that shares your interests. ...
- Preserve family memories.