As we find free stuff we will share the information with you. I will always credit the sources so if you have found resources for free stuff and want to share, please email me at Sharon@stagedmakeovers.com. Everyone who comes to the site will love you for it. Plus you'll be cited as the contributor so you can add to you web exposure. And that's a good thing.

Free Stuff from Family Circle Magazine

April 17, 2009

• Electronically organize your addresses, to-do-list, and calendar: Essential PIM Free at www.essentialpim.com which can sync with a Palm or Google or Outlook calendar.
• Office software free at www.openoffice.org. You can access word processing, spreadsheets, presentations and drawing programs.
• Virtual Operator screens your calls, lets you know if a missed caller left a message via email, free at www.youmail.com.
• Antivirus for computers, free at www.free.avg.com.
• Dating service, free at www.plentyoffish.com. (love the name)
• Photo catalog showing thumbnail shots of all your downloaded pictures. Free at www.picasa.google.com. Apparently includes the ability to crop shots and eliminate red-eye. Wow!
• Free TV shows to watch on the internet whenever you want to, free at www.hulu.com.
• Video phone anywhere in the world via the internet and free from www.skype.com.
• Parental control filter free from Windows Vista. Of course Vista comes on all new computers now and this feature is automatically built in, but if you have an old computer your internet carrier may offer downloadable parental control tools. Check it out.
• Online banker to organize and keep track of payments due. Free from www.quicken.intuit.com. Categorizes details of credit cards, bank accounts and loans. A great tool for budgeting or just to see exactly where all your money goes every month! It can be set up to send you alerts via text or email when bills are due. With this puppy you'll never have to pay late fees again!

The above information was written by Christina Tynan-Wood the author of How to Be a Geek Goddess: Practical Advice for Using Computers With Smarts and Style. She has more tips for saving money and finding even more free stuff in her book and at her blog, www.GeekGirlfriends.com. Check it out.

Free Stuff from Better Homes & Gardens Magazine

August, 2009

Desktop Wallpaper free at www.BHG.com/desktops for hundreds of downloadable pictures from Better Homes & Gardens. Take your pick from professional photography of flowers, landscapes, pets, mouthwatering food, and more. No more boring computer screens. And the best thing is you have many options to change it whenever you want.

Free Stuff from Ladies' Home Journal Magazine

August, 2009

• Ice cream, and not just any ice cream. Sign up at www.benjerry.com/chunk for a free scoop.
• Free Music you can download at www.rhapsody.com.
• Tutorials as in free education free at www.learnthat.com. And who can't stand to learn a new thing or two.
• Computer Games to download at www.freeonlinegames.com. That is if you have time for fun and games.
• Free Food Events can be found by joining this group on www.facebook.com.
• Stuff You Need or Want can be posted or found on www.freecycle.org. This site makes recycling fun. There's someone out there that wants your stuff and has the stuff you want all for free!!!!!
• Bowling for Kids is free when you register at www.kidsbowlfree.com. This is one way to get kids moving to fight childhood obesity (unless they spend their time at the snack bar).

Free Health on the Fly from Better Homes & Gardens Magazine

July, 2009

Health Screenings like bone density, total cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, body mass index, and more. The cost of the services is funded by a partnership between AARP and Walgreens. To find out when a Wellness Tour bus is coming to your town call free at (866) 484-8687 or go to www.aarpwalgreens.com/tour. These services, valued at around $140.00 are free to everyone over age 18.