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