These days, it is difficult to get through a day without spending money.
Simply getting from home to work may involve fuel or public transportation expenses and money for a hot beverage or the newspaper.
However, there are ways to get through life without continuously emptying the wallet.
The best approach is to spend nothing at all and freebies make this possible. Though each offer may not be enough to change our lives, when combined, freebies can make a big difference in the household budget. Whether looking for products or services, UK residents may find themselves paying nothing for these.
Free Reads
Anyone with a Kindle ereader has access to thousands of free book titles through Amazon. iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch users can download a free Kindle app to receive access to these. Classic literature, dramas, comedies, and nearly any other genre are available. Internet Archive is another source for free ebooks, with more than one million titles available. Kindle users should also check out Open Library, Project Gutenberg, and ManyBooks.net.
UK libraries also offer ebooks through a system called OverDrive. In fact, Britain is one of the best-served nations for digital lending so put that library membership to good use by downloading free ebooks. Simply install the OverDrive Media Console designed for the electronic reading device, tap the name of the library, log in using the number on the library card, and browse or search the electronic catalogue held by the library.
If the title is not immediately available, sign up on the waiting list. Many libraries permit simultaneous checkout of multiple ebooks.
Free Audio Books and DVDs
Reading is not the only free entertainment available. Free audio books are perfect for people interested in expanding their knowledge but who find reading a chore. OverDrive also offers hundreds of digital audio books that can be downloaded to portable media players. Some can even be burned onto CDs for listening and sharing with others. As is the case with ebooks, there is no late fee for these audio books so there is never a cost involved.
DVDs offer video and audio entertainment in a single package. Rather than spending money to rent them, take advantage of limited-time offers for free LOVEFiLM (formerly Tesco) DVD rentals. Codes for free rentals are available online and some entitle users to up to 90 days of free renting.
LOVEFiLM is currently offering a 30-day free trial directly on its website. There is never a late fee so users have no worries of overspending. Cancel the membership before the free trial ends and then head to the library to see which DVDs it has available for free renting.
Free Food
Most people enjoy eating and many enjoy it more when the food is free. Online coupons and shopping codes give shoppers access to free food and discounts on additional purchases. Finding these offers may require some searching online but the effort will be worth it. This is a money-saving way to sample unfamiliar products before spending any money to buy them. If the item tastes unpleasant, no money was lost and the consumers knows not to purchase it.
Food product manufacturers sometimes advertise free samples on their websites so include these in the online search. Some companies offer free food products in exchange for customer reviews so shoppers can enjoy some eats while honing their writing skills. Free products are not limited to human food as some companies offer free samples of dog and cat food. Though a pet cannot write a review of the item, an empty bowl says it all.
Free Printer Ink Cartridges
Printers have become very affordable, leading many people to add them to the home office. However, the low price tag on the equipment is offset by the need to replenish ink cartridges more often. Owners of Canon and Epson printers can receive a free ink cartridge and pay just £3.99 for shipping when they become a customer of InkClub. Individuals who own Lexmark or HP printers can get a free packet of photo paper instead.
Free Credit Reference File
Callcredit, Equifax, and Experian are the three main UK consumer credit reference agencies. Consumers can get copies of their credit reference file from each agency for a cost of £2 each. However, if they join some credit services, they receive a free 30-day trial.
For example, Experian offers a free 30-day trial of its CreditExpert product that includes unlimited access to the Experian credit report, free credit score reporting, free advice on improving financial status, and assistance with locating financing suitable for the credit profile.
Equifax also offers a free 30-day trial that includes unlimited online access to the Equifax credit file and weekly alerts regarding significant changes made to the file. Not to be outdone, Callcredit initially provided millions of people with free credit reports for life through Noddle and Asda Money customers can still qualify for this service. The hope is that customers will become more financially responsible so they can handle unexpected expenses that come their way
Freebie Websites Aggregate The Savings
Some websites are dedicated to freebies available for UK customers. Freebies are posted each day and range from product samples to contests that provide cash, cars, and other prizes. Consumers can even receive free cash for doing their regular shopping, putting more money in their pockets.
Reading the fine print is recommended before participating in these offers, to ensure that the deal is legitimate and there are no “hidden” obligations involved. Consumers may be able to join the freebie website at no charge to receive exclusive savings opportunities and advance notice of offers.
So many things are available free to UK consumers that shoppers should do a quick online search before heading to a store. They may discover that a shopping code or special offer is available, entitling them to receive items at no charge. This is an easy way to save money without sacrificing on products and services, an approach that makes smart financial sense.
