by George Stranz

Created on: May 31, 2009

"There's no such thing as a free lunch."

You have probably heard that famous phrase many times before. While it may be true that you can't get a free lunch, you can get books, movies, and video games gratis.

Local Library

Your local library is a great place to get free stuff. In addition to books, you'll find movies and video games available for loan. In most cases, all you need is a library card to take out the items. Sometimes libraries offer free books, audio books, or promotional items to stir up reader interest or to promote an outreach initiative. Be sure to ask library staff from time to time about any special offers or events.

BookMooch

The BookMooch website (www.bookmooch.com) is a place for people to exchange books. It's a free service that allows you to give books to others or accept books for yourself. The only catch is that you must give up one book for every three you receive.

Craigslist

Craigslist (www.craigslist.org) is a well-known directory of classified ads. Many people post all sorts of free stuff on craigslist. If you find something you are interested in, you simply contact the poster via the provided e-mail. If the item is still available, you can make arrangements to pick it up. A recent search on craigslist yielded listings for free furniture, appliances, and books.

Freecycle

Freecycle (www.freecycle.org/) is a network of local groups that participate in gifting or "free recycling." The idea is that people gift unwanted items rather than sending them off to landfills, thus reducing waste. The network is free to join. Once you join the list, you'll receive messages detailing offers or requests from other users. If you are interested in obtaining an item, you simply need to contact the poster for details.

Home of the Underdogs

Home of the Underdogs (www.hotud.org), or HotU for short, is a web site dedicated to classic computer games. Descriptions for over 5,000 games are provided. Free downloads of select titles are also available.

Hulu and Fancast

Hulu (www.hulu.com) and Fancast (www.fancast.com) are two websites that offer free streaming movies and TV shows. You'll find shows from the major networks on these sites. Popular series such as 30 Rock, CSI, and The Simpsons are just some of the shows that are featured. While neither site offers the latest video releases, a decent selection of movies are available. All you need is a computer and a broadband Internet connection to enjoy these services.

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