Why pay for all the things you love to do the most—like go to the movies, enjoy new products or play video games—when you can do them all for free? Here are the nine best ways to have a great time without spending a penny…
1. Try hot new products
Savvy manufacturers know you’re probably not going to plunk down good money on products you’ve never tried before. That’s why they’re so willing to offer free samples of everything from cookies and yogurt to shampoo and cosmetics! Find out more at www.starsampling.com and www.walmart.triaddigital.com/Free-Samples.aspx.
Tip: Sample offers change continuously. So check back often.
2. Love movies?
Pay nothing to see them before everyone else. Head to www.filmmetro.com for free passes to “advance movie screenings,” special showings before the big release of new movies. Passes (good for two people) are given away on a first-come first-serve basis, so check the site frequently. Not in L.A. or N.Y.C.? not a problem—screening take place all over the country. “Movie Executives use them as marketing tool to find out how audiences respond to the film and to create a bigger buzz about it, “explains Brian Meert, spokesperson for FilmMetro.com.
Tip: Advance movie screenings are usually overbooked; arrive an hour early to be sure to snag a seat.
3. Get hair makeover
Have you been waiting to try out a new hairstyle or color? Good news: Salon owners and stylist want to give them to you—free! The Reason? Salon owners need hair models to demonstrate the latest styles and color products to their employees. And stylist need hair models to prove their skill when they switch salons. You may not be able to choose the exact cut and color, but with professionals doing the work, you can rest assured that you’ll end up looking beautiful. To find out who’s looking for hair models, visit your local salons or do a search for “hair model” at www.craigslist.com.
Did you know: Most spas offer “mini services”—shorter version of massages, facials and other treatments—at a fraction of the cost.
4. Indulge on your birthday
Kids aren’t the only ones who can get free frozen treats by joining birthday clubs: Cold Stone Creamery offers a no-cost, medium-size “signature” ice cream creation on you special day to anyone who signs up at www.coldstonecreamery.com; Baskin Robbins gives a free scoop and $3 off an ice cream cake (www.baskingrobbins.com/BDayClub); and Dairy Queen hands out a 16-oz. Blizzard treat (www.blizzardfanclub.com/join). More birthday bonuses: Loehmann’s offers a 15% off coupon for birthday club members (www.loehmanns.com/site.cfm?nav=insider) and Borders bookstore offers 15% off one regular price item or one free dessert at their café on your birthday when you sign up for their free Borders Rewards program (www.bordersrewards.com).
Dine out—at a huge discount: Get up to 50% at top-of-the-line restaurants around the country at www.restaurant.com.
5. Go to wine tastings—without leaving your neighborhood
The samples at wineries may be free, but traveling to them can be pricey if they’re not nearby. A better alterative? Head to your local wine store. Most offer monthly, weekly and even daily free tastings of the wines they carry.
Bonus: There are often experts on hand to give mini-seminars, so you can learn about even more wines than if you’d visited a vineyard.
6. Enjoy a laugh at live comedy show—no cover or minimum
How? By going on open-mic night. Virtually all comedy clubs have them—it’s how they audition future talent. Plus, well-known comics often drop by open-mics to polish their material, which means you’ll be getting a sneak peek at their latest jokes.
Heading to an amusement park? Get discounted tickets at www.amusementpark.com and www.sidestep.com, and at discount clubs, such as BJs, Costco or Sam’s Club.
7. Watch your favorite TV shows whenever you want
You’ll never have to worry about your DVR filling up and missing 24, House, Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy or any of your favorite TV shows again thanks to AOL Video (video.aol.com). At this free website, you can watch full episodes of popular programs from all the major networks as well as dozens of cable channels, like A&E and Bravo, at the touch of a button. Even better? There are just one or two commercials per episode compared to the dozens you get on TV.
8. Play computer games
It’ll be impossible to get bored at www.download.com, where new family-friendly, free computer games are added all the time. Even better—you don’t have to worry about spyware or viruses, since all the software has been screened by the trusted technology company CNET.
Type in “cell phone” into the search engine to download free software that’ll transform your cell phone into a game console.
9. Taking a walking tour of famous cities without lifting your feet
Get a feel for what it’s like to stroll down ritzy Fifth Avenue in New York City or the exciting Las Vegas Strip with Google’s recently launched free virtual walking tours. Made up of million of photos with shockingly clear detail, you can use your mouse to “walk” down streets in over a dozen major U.S cities, including New York City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Chicago. Head to maps.google.com/help/streetview/ to start your tour
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