| You really can get free stuff, but yes, | | | | Our cost? Zero - and you can stay up to two |
| sometimes there are strings attached. For | | | | weeks. There are many free campgrounds |
| example, when we were at universal studios I | | | | scattered around the country. To find them, |
| got a free backpack. The catch? I spent six | | | | buy a Woodall's directory from any large RV |
| minutes filling out a credit card | | | | dealer. Camping can be an essentially free |
| application. On the other hand, we ate pretty | | | | vacation if done right, because you may spend |
| well on free sample days at local food stores | | | | less than if you stayed home.More Ways To Get |
| when we lived in Tucson, and there really | | | | Free StuffMany states give away free road |
| weren't any strings attached, other than the | | | | maps. Some also give away free legal forms, |
| risk of being sold a delicious new food. | | | | like statutory wills. Check the state's |
| Check ut the easy freebies that follow.Free | | | | online sites.You can get free dental x-rays |
| EntertainmentMany libraries carry movies on | | | | at some dental colleges. Be patient, as the |
| DVD, and most at least have documentaries. We | | | | students are just learning, but an |
| 've even seen music videos on DVD in one | | | | experienced technician is always with them. |
| library. The only cost? The time to get a | | | | When done, you'll get the x-rays to take to |
| library card.Want free concerts? Festivals | | | | your own dentist, which can save you $30 to |
| usually have some free musical entertainment. | | | | $80. Some schools charge a small fee, but is |
| For example, the National Cherry Festival in | | | | always less than the regular cost.Many |
| Traverse City, Michigan has free | | | | utility companies offer free "energy audits." |
| entertainment every night during the | | | | They'll come to your home and find the places |
| week-long festival, including many | | | | where you are wasting energy. Some even han |
| recognizable bands and (often) a Beatles | | | | out free kits for caulking windows and |
| tribute band. Go to Google and type in | | | | weather-stripping doors. call and ask.Want |
| "festival" and the name of towns around you | | | | free, confidential business advice from a |
| to find these freebies.Free VacationsIn | | | | business expert? Go to the website of "SCORE" |
| Hawaii, Costa Rica or Colorado, someone is | | | | (Service Corps of Retired Executives). These |
| just waiting for you to come and stay in | | | | are successful business executives who |
| their house while they are away. You may have | | | | volunteer time to help others in |
| to water the plants, and even get the mail | | | | business.Some restaurants will give you a |
| for them, but you get to stay in a beautiful | | | | free dinner on your birthday. Others give a |
| home in a sunny place. Sometimes you even get | | | | free birthday cake. Bars will often buy your |
| paid for these vacations. The only catch is | | | | first drink for you if it's your birthday. |
| that to find these opportunities, you may | | | | How do you find the ones that do this? The |
| have to subscribe to one of the newsletters | | | | way you always discover how to get free stuff |
| that list them.We camped for ten days in our | | | | - just ask.Steve Gillman has been hunting |
| van, at Williams Landing, east of | | | | down obscure knowledge and useful secrets for |
| Tallahassee, Florida, on Lake Talquin. It's a | | | | years. |
| beautiful place, and even has hot showers. | | | | |