15 Things That Are Now Free, So Stop Paying For Them
Living costs a pretty penny, especially these days. Yet many people ignore the many free things available to us today. Chances are, a more affordable or accessible option exists when there is a paid version of something. Think movies, music, language lessons. With access to the Internet comes a wealth of knowledge. Instead of allowing the growing expenses of items to dim your mood, take a look at these free options.
1. Movies
One of my favorite movie apps is Tubi, a free application hosting a wide variety of titles spanning from decades back to this year. Tubi also includes multiple seasons of popular shows like Everybody Hates Chris, Scandal, Shameless, and Baby Einsteins for the kiddos. Popular movie titles include The Conjuring, Lady Bird, and Donnie Darko. Numerous streaming platforms provide viewers with free trials to test out the service before committing to payment. Other free movie apps include YouTube, Crackle, and Roku.
2. Music
What’s a life without a bit of music? Or a lot of music? SoundCloud, Spotify, YouTube, Pandora, and iHeartRadio all provide users with free access to the best medicine in the world: music. Spotify and Pandora yield randomized stations based on preference, though YouTube allows users to pick the music they want.
3. News
The Internet functions as an endless stream of news. The challenge is finding trustworthy sources to deliver that crucial information. NBC News, CBS News, USA Today, and the Associated Press are among the trustworthy, fact-checked news sources that deliver unbiased information. Select TikTok channels and accounts on Instagram and Facebook to provide reputable news.
4. Fitness
YouTube and TikTok receive a lot of backlash, though they provide amazing resources for zero compensation. For example, Yoga with Adriene is a YouTube channel with free yoga lessons for beginners and advanced yogis. Beginning CrossFit, athletes can resort to the Garage Gym Grind for a 28-day workout that focuses on the basics and foundations of CrossFit. Social media exists without bounds.
5. Language Lessons
Have you ever heard of Duolingo? The little green owl specializes in teaching users different language through entertaining quizzes and games. Duolingo teaches over 40 languages at no cost to the language learner. Learn as many languages as you wish at a time since Duolingo has no limit.
6. Music Lessons
Music les6. sons are similar to fitness lessons on the Internet. You choose your instrument, type in a lesson or “how to learn X song on X instrument,” and watch the options flood in. I play guitar, and my favorite free guitar teachers are GuitarZero2Hero, The GroovyGuitar Dud,e and BMartin Sounds, though thousands of videos pop up per song tutorial.
7. Credit Score Report
Never pay for a credit score report again! The three bureaus permit credit card holders to request a free one each year from each bureau. Visit AnnualCreditReport.com for a free report from Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion.
8. Counseling
Use caution when searching for a counselor – this is mental health, after all. Yet free resources are out there for those struggling or looking for guidance. This article published in Healthline breaks down free and low-cost resources, including crisis chats, helplines, and interactive apps. OpenCounseling.com is another resource that finds low-cost or free therapy based on the individual’s wants, needs, and location.
9. Reading
The days of paying for books are behind us. I mean, you can still purchase hard or soft copies of literature, though libraries and the Internet offer them at no cost. Most people choose not to if they can read the title with a library card. Libraries do a fabulous job of keeping up with current titles. The only downside is that newer titles often have longer wait times than older titles.
10. E-books
Virtual libraries materialize on websites like Project Gutenberg, Free eBooks, and Manybooks. Each of these sources contains a wide variety of literature titles, from public domain classics to newer titles. E-books are fabulous alternatives to physical books for people without transportation or access to physical libraries.
11. Smoke Detectors
Many fire stations give out free smoke detectors to ensure the highest quality of safety and protection. Through the Red Cross, the Home Fire Campaign gives out smoke alarms, teaches about safety precautions, and installs them.
12. Museums
September is a popular month for free museum days. In St. Petersburg, Florida, most museums participate in a free museum day, where they waive the admission price and invite guests to explore the displays. Like most things, the location and the museum dictate the free museum day and free offerings. Sign up for the museum email list to stay updated on their free or discounted days.
13. Parks
Several tourist trap national parks, like The Grand Canyon and Yellowstone, require an entrance fee. However, the significant part about national parks is their abundance. The National Park Service posted a guide for national parks that charge an access fee and those that don’t. The guide covers 472 national parks in the United States.
14. Kids Meals
Bringing a child to a dining experience can be expensive, although many restaurants offer free deals for kid foodies. At Denny’s, kids eat for free as long as an adult purchases $6 of food or more. At Denny’s opposing chain, iHOP, kids eat for free between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. each day if an adult purchases a meal. Moe’s Southwest Grill gives out free kids’ meals on Sundays when they are buying an adult meal. After a superior report card, each A earned equals a free donut. (Six donuts maximum per visit).
15. Bday Treats
The Penny Hoarder published an article discussing 116 places that give birthday treats. Each place requires a different tactic to receive the award, though many ask for sign-up information at least a month before the birthday. Panera donates a free pastry, Sephora and Ulta donate a skincare gift, and Krispy Kreme gives out three donuts on customers’ birthdays.
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