Episode: 388 - Your Guide to Free Services and Savings
In today's world, making your hard-earned money stretch further is more important than ever. Many of us face financial challenges and often feel trapped living paycheck to paycheck. But what if I told you there are ways to save money and make more room in your budget without resorting to extreme measures? In this post, inspired by recent findings shared on the Debt-Free Dad podcast, I will explore various strategies to cut costs, boost savings, and ultimately pave the way to a debt-free life.
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Start with Free and Discounted Services
One fantastic way to save money is by taking advantage of free or discounted services offered by local institutions or training programs. For instance, becoming a hair model at a community college can leave you with a stylish cut without the hefty price tag. Likewise, dental cleanings at dental schools, auto repairs at trade schools, and even DIY workshops at places like Home Depot can significantly reduce your expenses while providing quality services.
Uncover Hidden and Free Benefits
Many people overlook the benefits offered by their employers or local community groups. Take time to review what's accessible to you, such as counseling, legal services, or educational reimbursements at your workplace. Consider leveraging online buy, sell, and trade groups where community members exchange items or services for free. Networking with local organizations can lead to more opportunities for free or discounted goods and services.
Make the Most of Libraries and Community Resources
Libraries aren't just for borrowing books. They offer a treasure trove of free resources, including eBooks, movies, music, and even classes or workshops. Explore these offerings to save on entertainment and continue learning without spending a dime. Additionally, community pantries or food rescue initiatives can help alleviate food expenses while minimizing waste.
Sign Up for Rewards Programs
Dining frequently at restaurants or traveling often? Many establishments offer loyalty and rewards programs that allow you to earn points for free meals, hotel stays, or flight discounts. Signing up for these programs can yield surprising savings over time.
Explore Volunteer Opportunities
If you're a fan of concerts or sports, why not volunteer at venues? Not only do you get to enjoy parts of the events, but you may also earn some extra money while doing so. Some initiatives, like Habitat for Humanity, even offer free meals for volunteers.
Embrace Trial Offers and Rewards
Before purchasing any new product or service, check for available free trials or samples. Ensure that you keep track of trial periods to avoid unwanted charges. Also, investigate apps like Flash Food, which connects families with excess grocery items at a fraction of the cost.
Final Thoughts
The journey to financial freedom starts with small, mindful decisions. Consider these money-saving strategies to ease your financial stress, build your savings, and tackle debt efficiently. By adopting unconventional approaches to saving, you can open up a world of financial possibilities.
For more actionable insights, tips, and personal finance strategies, tune in to the Debt-Free Dad podcast, where everyday people share their stories and lessons learned on the path to a financially secure future.
Resources
The Totally Awesome Debt Freedom Planner https://www.debtfreedad.com/planner
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Transcript
Kati
Did you know that you don't have to pay for everything? And no, I'm not talking about stealing or robbing a bank. I enjoyed some great deals recently and thought I'd share some ideas with you on how to cut costs to make room in your budget. That will help free up funds to build your savings and pay off debt faster.
Announcer
You're listening to the Debt Free Dad podcast with Brad Nelson. Brad and his co-hosts experience the anxiety of living paycheck to paycheck before learning the fundamentals of financial success. They are now on a mission to empower regular people to pay off their debt for good and enjoy happier, less stressful lives. Keep listening for inspirational interviews, tips, tricks, and practical advice to gain financial freedom.
Kati
Thank you for listening to the Debt Free Dad podcast, where we help everyday people like you take control of your finances and live a happier, less stressful life. My name is Katie and I'm your host for today's episode. And I am still on my journey to debt freedom, which I've been doing for about seven and a half years now. And in that time, I've paid off over $254,762 in student loans, car loans, medical bills, and credit card debt, all on a single income. The other day I signed up to be a hair model for a stylist in training at my local community college. She was very friendly and gave several options for my style. She was thorough and attentive to detail, and she did a great job cutting, washing, and styling my hair. Don't worry, there was a licensed salon instructor who checked her work multiple times throughout the service, so I wasn't worried about losing a big chunk of hair or having a crooked cut in the end. I got my split ends freshened up and some really cute layers. And the best part, it was all free. Well, of course, I tipped her. But that same cut would have normally cost me almost $100 at my regular salon. This program also does hair color, nails, and skincare services, all part of their training. So they appreciate having people help them practice as they work toward graduating their program and getting their license. For those fresh out of the program, their pricing is also lower than someone who has been a stylist for many years. This experience did give me the idea to search for other deals and compile some options for you to check out. So along the same lines, you could get dental cleanings at a dental school, or you could have auto repairs done at a trade school with significant savings on what your local shop might charge. Home Depot offers free classes for kids to adults. On the first weekend of every month, they offer free in-store kid workshops with fun activities and cute crafts. Just be sure to register online so they have enough supplies. They also offer workshops and how-to video classes for adults looking to do home improvement projects and build their skills. And I also just found out they have a free trades training with self-paced Path to Pro classes and the opportunity to earn HVAC, carpentry, electrician, and construction certificates, which are all high high-demand professions. There may also be some ways to get creative with the help of your local schools. When I was an interior design student in college, let's not say how many years ago, one of my classes had a project where we went to a local home, took measurements and photos, and then presented our design ideas for the remodeling project that the homeowners were looking to do. In 2019, a Minnesota toddler with a rare genetic condition that affected his mobility needed a special wheelchair. Similar chairs cost up to $20,000, and his parents' insurance just didn't cover it. The Farmington, Minnesota High School Robotics Team took on the challenge and made an electric wheelchair for the child, receiving help from the University of Delaware's Go Baby Go program, which creates custom vehicles for children with limited mobility. Talk about a wonderful life and learning experience for those students on the robotics team and a priceless life-changing outcome for that child and his family. Do you ever find yourself spending a lot of money on books at Barnes and Noble or ebooks on Audible? I often forget about one of my favorite places where I spent days on end as a child, the library. Not only do you have access to thousands of physical books for free, they also offer ebooks, movies, music, classes, puzzles, workshops, and special events. Some even loan tools, small appliances, and other items you would otherwise buy or rent for a one-time, rare, or random project. Have you ever heard the phrase it takes a village? There are so many local online buy-sell trade groups on Facebook, Craigslist, Next Door Free Cycle, Offer Up. There's also usually a few free or giveaway groups that you can check out in your area too. Near me, there's a neighbors in need group. So people can can't ask for money, but they can ask for furniture, clothes, or kitchen items that they might need. And people who are spring cleaning or have something sitting in their basement can help fill those needs. Sometimes an apartment complex might have a community pantry, either a resident-led or managed initiative offering 24-7 no questions access to non-perishable food, hygiene items, and essential goods. These are often situated near mailboxes or in lobby areas for neighbor-to-neighbor support. When's the last time you checked out the benefits that were available through your work? I did a refresh of my benefits and found that my employer offers free or inexpensive nutritionist counseling, therapy or life coaching lessons, legal services, menopause support, education reimbursement, even discounts on child or elder care, moving services, car purchases, and more. If you're thinking about trying out a new product or service, there might be a free sample or a free trial for anything from hair products and personal clothing stylists to streaming services. Just be sure to set a reminder for yourself to cancel the service a few days before that first charge is going to be billed. So your free trial doesn't end up costing you big bucks, especially if you're not interested. Do you love attending concerts or sporting events? Lots of venues need volunteers or have paid part-time positions to be an usher or greeter or work in concessions or security, giving you the opportunity to catch parts of that big show or game while making a little money. If you've been bitten by the travel bug, try to fly with the same airline or airline alliance and sign up for their mile rewards program. This allows you to earn points towards discounts on future flights and even free. Same thing goes for hotels to earn free nights. And one of my favorites, last but not least, free food. If you frequent a restaurant regularly, whether it's chains and fast food or your local cafe or family restaurant, be sure you're signed up if they offer a punch card or some kind of rewards program. In January, I got an inbox full of emails with offers for free food throughout my birthday month. You bet I took advantage of a free burger at Red Robin, a free entree at Qdoba, and some more. Plus, earn points every time you order and redeem those points for a variety of discounted or free items or entrees. By the way, my dinner after that free haircut the other day happened to be a burrito bowl that I had redeemed by using my accumulated Qdoba rewards points. If you work in a restaurant, you often get a meal for your shift, or you can take leftovers home at the end of the night. Some organizations, like Habitat for Humanity, offer meals for their volunteers that help with their home building projects. I was intrigued by some posts a friend made recently about an app called Flash Food, which helps grocery stores place excess produce, meats, and other grocery items with families instead of being tossed out. She got two big bags, one of fruit and one of veggies, for $5 each that would easily retail for over $40. And it helped her meal plan for their family for the week. And of course, if you are in a situation where you are truly in need of food, please check out your local food banks and food centers. Look for food rescue communities near you, which intercept surplus food from grocery stores, restaurants, and farms, distributing it to families in need to reduce waste and fight food insecurity. Volunteer-driven initiatives and organizations like Feeding America, provide nutritious meals, and build sustainable local food networks. So, which of these tips do you plan on checking out? Share in the comments on this episode. And until next time, thank you for listening to the Debt Free Dead podcast.
Brad
Now listen, if you're ready to break free from living paycheck to paycheck, which if you're listening, I hope you are. You want to reduce financial stress, you want to build savings, you want to finally pay off debt for good, but you're not sure where to get started. Don't worry. We've got to cover here at debt free dad. Simplify My Money is sent each Sunday to your email. We make it easy. And Simplify My Money, it's your step-by-step roadmap to better financial control. And you're also going to learn easy to follow strategies to manage your money effectively. You're going to get stress-free money decisions that will help you simplify your financial life with proven tips that actually work. You're also going to gain the tools and the confidence to tackle your financial goals head on. You can sign up for Simplify My Money by clicking the link at the top of the show notes. Thanks for joining us on today's show, and we will see you guys on the next episode.
Announcer
Thanks for listening to the Debt Free Dad podcast. Connect with us on Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. Just search Debt Free Dad. If you found value in today's episode, please leave us a rating and review. We so appreciate it. For resources, show notes, and links mentioned in today's show, visit debtfreedad.com. Catch you next week.
