You can get really free stuff, but yes, sometimes strings are attached to it. For example, I got a free backpack when we were at Universal Studios. Want to catch up? It took me six minutes to fill out the credit card application. On the other hand, when we lived in Tucson, we ate great on free sample days at local food stores and added no other strings except the risk of selling delicious new food. Look for free "gifts" that are easy to follow.
Free entertainment
Most libraries play movies and at least documentaries on DVD. We also watched music videos on DVD in the library. The only cost? Time to get a library card.
Want free concerts? Festivals usually include some free musical entertainment. For example, the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City, Michigan, is a week-long festival that includes free entertainment every night, including several notable bands and (often) Beatles Tribute Bands. Go to Google to find these free "gifts" and type in the name of the "festival" and the cities near you.
Free Holidays
In Hawaii, Costa Rica or Colorado, when someone is away you are waiting to come and go to their home. You need to water the plants and get mail for them, but you can live in a beautiful house with a sunny spot. Sometimes you even get paid for these holidays. To find these opportunities, you will need to subscribe to one of the newspapers that lists them.
We camped in our van for ten days at Williams Landing on Lake Tolkien, east of Tallahassee, Florida. It's a beautiful place, and it even gets hot showers. Our cost? Zero - and you can live for two weeks. There are many free campgrounds across the country. To find them, purchase the Woodall directory from any major RV dealer. Camping can definitely be a free vacation if done right, because it can cost you less than it should be at home.
More ways to get free content
Many states offer free roadmaps. Some even give free legal forms, such as legal wills. Check out the state's online sites.
You can get dental X-rays for free at some dental colleges. Be patient, because students are just learning, but an experienced technician will always be with them. Upon completion, you will receive an X-ray to take to your own dentist, which will save you 30 to 80. Some schools charge lower fees, but are always lower than the normal price.
Many utility companies offer free "power checks". They will come to your home and find places where you are wasting energy. Some even offer eco-friendly windows and free kits for closing doors. Call and ask.
Need free, confidential business advice from a business expert? Visit the "Score" (Retired Officers Service Corps) website. They are successful business executives who volunteer their time to help others in the business.
Some restaurants offer you a free dinner on your birthday. Others offer free birthday cakes. Bars often buy you your first drink if it's your birthday. How do you find people who do this? The way, you're always looking for how to get free content - just ask.
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