Economic News that Affects Your Budget:

• More foreclosures coming soon: Lenders are sitting on a backlog of over 1 million home foreclosures that have been delayed due to regulatory hiccups and paperwork problems, but those foreclosures are expected to start soon. This means that housing prices could fall further, since more foreclosed homes will be added to the housing market.
• Gas prices may fall: Oil industry analysts say that the global supply of crude oil (which makes up 70% of the price of gas) might be sufficient to avoid any further run-ups in gas prices. This is good news for consumers who have been paying big money at the pump.
• Tax Day 2012 is April 17: Usually the deadline to file taxes is April 15, but since April 15 falls on a Sunday this year, and since April 16 is Emancipation Day (a holiday observed in Washington, D.C. to commemorate the freeing of the slaves), the 2012 tax deadline for filing tax returns is Tuesday, April 17.

Quizzle Links of the Week:

• Win $100 and a year of free credit monitoring from Quizzle! We’re hosting a contest! Learn more about how you can win $100 and a year of increased peace of mind about your credit.
• Dating and Money: It’s all about honesty. If you’re getting into a serious dating relationship, make sure you can be open and honest about your financial lives as well. If you’re thinking of moving in together, getting married and starting a life together, you need to know where each of you stands with money.
• Talk to your kids about money: Many teenagers aren’t getting the information and financial advice that they need to make smart financial decisions. Here’s how you can talk with your kids about money.
• Is getting a tax refund a bad thing? Many Americans look forward to their annual tax refund, but surprisingly enough, getting a check from Uncle Sam may not be the best financial move.

Quizzle Weekly Must-Reads: April 13, 2012 was originally featured on Quizzle Wire

Quizzle.com is the easiest way to get a complete understanding of your credit. Visit Quizzle.com to get your free credit report and score. No credit card or social security number necessary!

Finding yourself in a situation where you need legal help can make you feel powerless, frustrated, and confused – especially if you can’t afford the incredibly high price many lawyers charge. The way our legal system works, you’d almost be better off getting charged with some kind of crime (and guaranteed a pro bono lawyer) than needing to ask about the legal implications of setting up a business or dealing with damage caused to your property by a neighbor who won’t pay.

Obviously, the best way to get legal advice is through your own personal contacts, but not all of us are best friends with a lawyer or have the family attorney on speed dial. Luckily, there are people out there who know how tough it is, and a number of different options are available to those who just have basic questions or need a little advice.

American Bar Association (ABA)

The ABA website not only has a list of pro bono legal services, but a map tool you can use to find them locally that very clearly lists the kinds of cases they take on.

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Some states are better than others at this, but almost all at least have a pro bono section with links to free consultation services as well as useful information on everything from how to find the right lawyer to how small claims court works – completely free!

Department of Justice (DOJ)

Similar to the ABA, the DOJ has a list of free legal counseling organizations divided by state. This can be very useful just to see what’s out there in a clear and concise way.

ProBono.net and LawHelp

Both of these sites are part of one larger organization designed to help people find free or very low-priced legal help. ProBono.net is attorney-based, and has up-to-date news from the pro bono field and lots of search options that can help you get the assistance you need. LawHelp links clients up with lawyers who are willing to do pro bono work or help you out at extremely reduced rates.

LawGuru, FreeAdvice, and other forums

Thank goodness for the Internet. While you obviously have to be careful about who you’re taking advice from – I wouldn’t want to just post a question on Ask.com and hope for the best! – sites like LawGuru and FreeAdvice actually host trained professionals who can answer many legal questions for you, and might even be able to refer you to someone for a free consultation if they can’t help.

Look for a lawyer that offers free consultations

Many lawyers are willing to give you a free consultation that can range from 15 minutes to an hour of their time. Very nice lawyers will even exchange a few emails with you about your situation and read documentation free of charge. Do a search for lawyers who focus on your type of case and call them up to see what they are willing to help.

For more helpful freebies and advice, visit Quizzle.com, where you’ll get a free credit report and free credit score, no catches, no trial subscriptions and no Social Security Number or credit card required.

Related articles:

• Secrets of the 800+ Credit Score Club
• Is the Financial Services Industry Failing African Americans?
• 5 Ways to Save for Your Kid’s College without a Lot of Money
• How to Save Money at Walmart
• Is there a Connection between Financial and Mental Health?

How to Find Cheap or Free Legal Advice was originally featured on Quizzle Wire

Quizzle.com is the easiest way to get a complete understanding of your credit. Visit Quizzle.com to get your free credit report and score. No credit card or social security number necessary!

All babies are different. Some cry all the time, while others sleep silently for most of the day and night. They can be outgoing or standoffish, curious or uninterested, picky or accepting of everything.

But all babies do share at least one thing in common: they’re expensive. Diapers, formula, clothes, toys – you name it, and we can guarantee you’ll be buying three times as much of it as you thought you would. Thankfully, companies want your business, and savvy moms and dads can find lots of freebies out there for junior if they’re will to do just a bit of looking around.

Free diapers

There are numerous ways to get free or cheap diapers. First off, several major manufacturers offer rewards programs where you get free diapers after you’ve earned enough points. Beyond that, you can register with all of the big companies to get free diapers and coupons – they want your business that much!

Calling your doctor’s office and local hospitals is another great way to get free diapers. Sometimes they’ll even have samples on hand, but even if they don’t, they can help you register for special clubs that give out baby freebies!

Free formula

All the major formula companies are fighting for the right to be your baby’s favorite brand. That’s good news for you! Most of them offer samples and couples if you register on the site. It only take a few minutes, and soon you’ll be receiving all sorts of deals in the mail.

• Enfamil
• Gerber
• Member’s Mark
• Parent’s Choice
• Similac

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Why pay for books on parentings when you can get magazines full of up-to-date information for free? American Baby offers a free 6-month subscription, and you can receive Babytalk for free for an entire year!

Free cribs, strollers, and more!

Babies grow up quickly, so soon you’ll find yourself with cribs, strollers, clothes, diaper bags, and a whole host of other items that you have no use for. Luckily, everyone goes through this, and some people give their stuff away or put it up for sale at low prices. Visit Craigslist and Freecycle to see what you can find.

Looking for more free stuff? Check out Quizzle.com for a free credit report and free credit score, no strings attached. If you find your credit score could use a little tweaking, Quizzle offers an improvement program for cheap that will help you take your credit score to the next level.

Related articles:

• Want to Save Money? Think Big!
• What’s the Best Way to Pay off Student Loans?
• 3 Reasons to Buy Coupons on eBay
• How to Assess the Health of Your Roof
• 5 Tax Breaks for Job Seekers

How to Get Free Stuff for Your New Baby was originally featured on Quizzle Wire

Quizzle.com is the easiest way to get a complete understanding of your credit. Visit Quizzle.com to get your free credit report and score. No credit card or social security number necessary!

The recent drop in the unemployment rate is a reason to celebrate, but the job market is still tougher than it’s been in years. This likely means a lengthy – and possibly expensive – job search at a time when you can ill afford to be bleeding more money from your bank account. Thankfully, there are lots of ways you can get free job search help – some obvious, others not:

The Local Library

Besides free Internet to search job sites and submit applications, many libraries also have classes, clubs and workshops where you can network, learn new skills and get tips to help you land the job you want.

Your Alma Mater

Are you a college graduate? Well, many universities offer free lifetime career services for graduates. These can include simple things like job search strategies, help with resumes, and interview techniques, but many career services offices will also have private job listings only accessible to alumni and can even put you in contact with other alumni who have volunteered to offer career advice in your area.

Your Local Chamber of Commerce

Another opportunity to network! They also often hold job fairs and have information about job openings in the area. Find contact information in the Chamber of Commerce’s Directory.

Your State’s Department of Labor

Depending on where you live, you can find everything from free resume copying to referrals for apprenticeships. Some departments even offer free classes.

Professional Associations

Many careers have associations for working professionals in that field. Find out if you have one in your area for your line of work, because even if you don’t meet the requirements to join, there’s a good chance you can find someone there willing to mentor you. Plus, if you bring your resume along when you meet with them, they’ll know your experience and can let you know when there’s an opening.

Free Business Cards

It may seem like a small thing, but places like Vistaprint offer free business cards if you allow them to put their logo on the back of your cards. Free advertising for them and you, and you’ll have something to hand out the next time you’re networking with people in your field!

Write-offs

Technically this isn’t “free” help, but did you know that you can deduct any money you spend searching for jobs? This includes printing costs – for resumes and business cards – gas and parking costs when going to interviews, and even the drinks you purchase at any networking events you attend. It may not help right this second, but if you keep track of all your expenses, you’ll be a lot happier come tax time.

For more tips and tools to help you turn around a bad financial situation, including a Debt Payoff Planner that shows you how to get out of debt faster so you can save potentially thousands of dollars in interest, visit Quizzle.com.

Related articles:

• 3 Ways to Break Free from Debt
• Is Now a Good Time to Buy a Home?
• How to Make Money with Hubpages
• 4 Ways to Get an Inexpensive Workout
• Career and Housing Outlook: When Will We Reach the New Normal?

Free Help for the Unemployed was originally featured on Quizzle Wire

Quizzle.com is the easiest way to get a complete understanding of your credit. Visit Quizzle.com to get your free credit report and score. No credit card or social security number necessary!

Studies have shown that our animal companions improve our quality of life, helping us to stay fit and improving our mood, but anyone who has a pet doesn’t need science to tell them that! You just can’t assign a monetary value to the joy of adopting an animal, but of course, caring for your dog, cat, bird or other creature does cost money – for everything from food to veterinary care.

In these tough times, we’re all looking for ways to save a little cash. You don’t want to deny your friend the finer things in life, so we’ve compiled the list of goodies that are available for free!

Arm & Hammer® Clumping Cat Litter
Sign up for a $10.50 coupon to try out this litter which helps reduce the smell of your cat’s urine and feces.

ASPCA’s Pet Safety Pack

Keep your pet safe with this pack from the ASPCA, including a window decal that alerts rescue personnel that pets are inside your home and a magnet with the number for the Animal Poison Control Center.

All-Natural Bully Stick

This dog chew toy is all-natural and safe for your dog’s teeth and digestive system. This company gives out free bully sticks to the first 150 people who request it every month, so sign up closer to the first or try again next month!

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Sounds fancy, right? This holistic food is being marketed as a “raw meat diet in a dry kibble form.” So your dog can get the nutritional benefits without the hassle of dealing with raw meat.

Birthday Gift from PetMart

Everyone likes getting free ice cream from a restaurant on their birthday, so why shouldn’t dogs get a benefit from their celebration as well? PetMart (not to be confused with PetsSmart) will send you a card to redeem a free gift in their store.

Feline Pine Litter
Get a rebate for your first bag of this natural cat litter which uses pine instead of clay. Who knows – you might even prefer it.

Flint River Ranch Food

Try a free sample of this oven-baked all-natural food for your dog or cat.

Two Cans of Halo “Spot’s Stew” for Your Dog or Cat

No by-products, chemicals or meat “meal” in this food.

Nature Zone Reptile Food

They have food available for iguanas, bearded dragons, tortoises, monitors, tegus, bugs, aquatic turtle, crickets and geckos.

Nature’s Select Dog Food

Try one of their holistic and natural dog food blends.

Natural Nutrition Cat Food

Get three one-ounce samples of their Gourmet entrée flavors for free.

Natural Nibbles Dog Treats

No animal by-products, fillers, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Try a sample!

$5 Store Credit at ThePaws.com

Have lots of animal-loving friends? If you refer them to the site, you’ll get $5 of credit if they place an order.

For more helpful freebies and other tools to help you make the most of your money, including a Debt Payoff Planner that shows you exactly what you need to do to get out of debt faster and save potentially thousands of dollars in interest, visit Quizzle.com.

Related articles:

• How to Have a Healthy Relationship with Your Spouse and Money
• Debt Snowball: How to Pay Your Credit Card Debt Fast!
• How to Save Money on Clothes Using One Simple Formula
• Mortgage Life Insurance: Is It Worth the Cost?
• 16 Ideas for an Exciting Staycation

Photo Credit: Friday: 12.5.2008 by Jesse757 on Flickr

Free Product Samples for Your Pet was originally featured on Quizzle Wire

Quizzle.com is the easiest way to get a complete understanding of your credit. Visit Quizzle.com to get your free credit report and score. No credit card or social security number necessary!

By: Amber Hunt

Everyone loves free stuff! There are always companies giving away free samples, prizes and services on the Internet in order to attract customers and future clients. Here are the top 5 freebies and giveaways that we’ve come across recently:

1. Thanks A Million Giveaway – If you close your mortgage with Quicken Loans by December 31, 2010, you’ll be automatically entered for a chance to have your home loan paid off – up to $250,000!  In addition to the mortgage pay off giveaway, Quicken Loans also has a Thanks A Million Sweepstakes instant win game that everyone can play for free.

2. The Great Kiwi Adventure – Zespri, the world’s largest marketer of kiwifruit, is giving away a 7-night beachfront vacation for four to New Zealand! The grand prize winner will also receive domestic flights and ground transportation between Auckland, Tauranga and Bay of Plenty. There is an additional chance to win if you’re a blogger. Simply compose a blog entry about the benefits of kiwifruit or why New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty is appropriately named for another chance to win.

3. $20,000 Well Spent Sweepstakes – This sweepstakes comes to us from Better Homes & Gardens, which often has several sweepstakes available to enter at any given time. Their top sweepstakes at the moment is a $20,000 giveaway.  And the winner will be able to spend the money however they choose!  You can also browse Better Homes & Gardens other giveaways here.

4. $30,000 Roofing & Windows Sweepstakes – Interlock Lifetime Roofing Systems is giving away new Lifetime Roofing or Energy Efficient Windows. If you win this contest, not only will you receive a new roof or windows, but you’ll save money each month on your energy bills!

5. Organize in Style Sweepstakes – A well-organized life is a happy life.  You can bring beauty, ease and order to your life by winning the grand prize in this sweepstakes from The Container Store: a $1,500 closet makeover!

There is never a shortage of online contests and giveaways. Remember to read the fine print of any sweepstakes before you enter. There are legitimate giveaways like those listed here, but there are also scams and exaggerated claims that you should be aware of before you enter any personal information online. If you do your research and stick with trustworthy companies, you should be able to avoid an unpleasant experience.  Good luck!

For more money-saving tips and tools, check out Quizzle.com, where you’ll learn how to achieve your credit potential and get out of debt faster. And check out these other great articles:

• 8 Laws of Investing from the Millionaire Next Door
• Playing Parent to Your Finances
• 6 Steps to Take Control of Your Debt
• Shop Early for the Holidays and Save
• Easy Budget Planning for Couples

5 Freebies and Giveaways You Can’t Miss was originally featured on Quizzle Wire

Quizzle.com is the easiest way to get a complete understanding of your credit. Visit Quizzle.com to get your free credit report and score. No credit card or social security number necessary!

Whenever I hear the word “free,” the first question I ask is: “What’s the catch?”

Unfortunately, the reputation of “free” has been sullied by scams looking to take advantage of people. But, while free may have gotten a bad rap, its definition remains the same: “Provided without, or not subject to, a charge or payment.”

In addition to meaning zero dollars, “free,” in my opinion, does not include an obligation – Whether it’s an obligation to try this or purchase that. Free is unhampered, no strings attached.

To help you navigate through the confusing and varying uses of “free,” here’s a list of really, truly FREE STUFF that you can find online. Not free as in sorta free or free as in it’s free now, but you’ll be charged later for something you didn’t want. I’m talking about TOTALLY FREE STUFF:

Free Credit Report & Free Credit Score

There are few web-based businesses that so callously take advantage of the word “free” than those that claim to offer a “free” credit report and/or “free” credit score, then require that you sign up for a trial of a fee-based service in order to get your freebie. Remember: “Free” means $0, no obligation.

While you should be on your guard when it comes to “free” credit report websites, there are spots where you can really get a report for free, no strings attached:

• AnnualCreditReport.com: The official site, as mandated by law, where you can get one free credit report each year from each of the three main credit bureaus.
• Quizzle.com: The only website that gives you both a free credit report and free credit score, no catches, no trial subscriptions, no credit card required.

Good rule of thumb: If a website requires that you enter your credit card number to get your freebie, think twice! If it’s really free, then a credit card shouldn’t be necessary.

Free Business Cards

If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind design that’s sure to turn heads (or water mouths, as the case may be) like the bacon business card, it’ll cost you. But if you’re content with basic business cards that do the job – i.e. allow you to easily give out your digits – then free is the way to go:

• Vistaprint: Get 250 free full-color business cards (just pay shipping costs, starting at $5.67).

Free E-Cards

Traditional paper cards and snail mail are so 20th century. Opt to send creative – and often knee-slapping hilarious – e-cards for the holidays and special occasions instead:

• Hipster Cards
• Some eCards

Free Household Goods

Get the goods on free home-goods in your home town from these networks of people who seek to keep the good stuff out of landfills:

• The Freecycle Network
• Throwplace.com

Free Games

If you can’t afford to shell out a few hundred bucks for the newest game system and accessories, go the way of free online games:

• Newgrounds.com
• Pogo
• Yahoo! Games

Free Graphic Design Stuff

Whether you like to doodle or dabble in the graphic arts, here are some free resources to help you in your pursuits:

• dafont.com: Free fonts.
• Iconspedia: Free icons.
• Photoshop: A free online version of Photoshop with some cool extras to organize, edit or enhance images.

Free Video Conferencing

It’s all the rage with long-distance grannies who don’t want to miss important moments in their grandchildren’s lives and small business owners who need to communicate coast-to-coast on a shoe-string budget. When ear-to-ear isn’t enough, get on your computer and enjoy free video conferencing with these truly free services:

• OoVoo.com: Free video conferencing (ad-supported).
• Skype.com: Free PC-to-PC calls with Skype’s free software.

Free TV and Movie Content

Axe the cable bill and get your favorite TV shows (plus movies too!) with just a click of your mouse:

• Hulu.com
• Joost.com

Free Music

Listen to the music YOU like when near a computer or even on the go (through your iPhone or Blackberry). These free music sites use “inspiration music” you’ve entered to find similar tunes that you’re sure to jam to all day long:

• Blip.FM
• Last.FM
• Pandora Radio
• Slacker.com

Nothing beats free stuff that’s really and truly free. While you should always keep your eye out for the fake free stuff, don’t let that spoil you from enjoying the genuine finds. What are your favorite sites for free stuff?

For more money-saving tips and tools, check out Quizzle.com, where you’ll find out your potential for credit improvement and get the most affordable credit monitoring on the web.

Also, check out these other great money-saving articles from the QuizzleWire:

• Go Green: Save Money and Energy this Winter
• Save like Scrooge: Money Saving Ideas for the Holidays
• 8 Ways to Stretch Money as a College Student

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephendann/ / CC BY-SA 2.0

Useful Freebies You Can Find Online was originally featured on Quizzle Wire

Quizzle.com is the easiest way to get a complete understanding of your credit. Visit Quizzle.com to get your free credit report and score. No credit card or social security number necessary!

Just like free food always tastes better, free stuff from the government is more savory too.

We’ve compiled a list of some of the best freebies from Uncle Sam to help you with everything from smart shopping and educating your children, to damaged bills and unclaimed money from the IRS:

Become a Smart Shopper

To help you become a savvy shopper, the government has created a guide chock full of handy tips and tricks. The 2009 Consumer Action Handbook includes information about preventing identity theft, understanding credit, filing a consumer complaint, filing for bankruptcy, finding a lawyer and much more. You can order up to 10 copies for free.

Take Advantage of FREE Educational Resources

If you’re a teacher, you know how expensive educational resources can be. To lend you a hand, Uncle Sam has put together the Federal Resources for Education Excellence (FREE) website (free.ed.gov).

FREE is among the most popular K-12 websites maintained by the U.S Department of Education because of all the great resources being offered by contributing federal agencies. At FREE, you’ll get access to more than 1,500 federally supported teaching and learning resources from dozens of federal agencies.

Trade In Your Damaged Bills

Do you have a few damaged bills, dog-eared and torn, that have found a permanent home in your wallet? Turn that money in for usable currency.  The Bureau of Engraving and Printing will trade in your shredded and mutilated currency for money you can actually use. Every year the U.S. Treasury handles approximately 30,000 claims and redeems mutilated currency valued at over $30 million.

Once you send your currency to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, experts will examine it and approve the issuance of a Treasury check for the value of the currency determined to be redeemable.

Find out If You’re Entitled to Money from the IRS

If you’ve filed taxes recently, you may have some free money sitting at the IRS. Millions of taxpayers never receive their refund. This is mainly due to an error with the address or direct deposit information you provided, or a recent move to a new address. If you didn’t receive your refund this year, you can check the IRS – Where’s My Refund to see if cash is waiting for you.

There are also over 5 million unclaimed economic stimulus checks being held by the IRS. Many of the unclaimed checks belong to people who do not normally file tax returns, such as those whose only source of income is Social Security. If you think you may have unclaimed stimulus funds owed to you, find out for sure by visiting the IRS Stimulus payment tracker.

Get a FHA Home Loan Insurance Refund

If you had an FHA home loan in the past, you may be entitled to an insurance refund. FHA loan borrowers were previously required to pay a set amount of insurance premiums up-front, regardless of how long they were going to live in the home. Homeowners are entitled to the refund if their insurance was terminated when a) they sold their home, b) they paid off their mortgage early or, c) the they refinanced their mortgage into a non-FHA loan.

You may be entitled to a refund under the follow circumstances:

Premium Refund

• Acquired loan after September 1, 1983
• Paid up-front mortgage insurance premium at closing
• Did not default on your mortgage payments

Distributive Share

• Originated your loan before September 1, 1983
• Paid on your loan for more than 7 years
• Has FHA insurance terminated before November 5, 1990

Give Your Kids the Gift of Free Stuff

The government offers several free publications for children. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development offers a free Milk Matters Coloring Book. Milk Matters is a public health education campaign to promote calcium consumption.  Parents can order the FREE coloring book and either download it from the Internet or have it delivered in the mail.

Firesafety.gov is another great resource for families to help educate kids about fire safety and prevention. Parents can visit the website to download free publications for their children. Available in both English and Spanish, the site offers coloring book, word searches, and escape plan diagrams.

For more money-saving tips and tools, check out Quizzle.com, where you’ll find out your potential for credit improvement and get the most affordable credit monitoring on the web.

For more helpful money saving tips, check out the QuizzleWire:

• Plan the Perfect Wedding on the Cheap
• How to Save for a Down Payment on a Home
• 8 Ways to Stretch Your Money as a Poor, Broke College Student
• 55 Money Saving Tips (Your Wallet Will Thank You)
• Protect Your Credit during the Holidays with these 7 Tips

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/a2community/

Free Stuff from Uncle Sam was originally featured on Quizzle Wire

Quizzle.com is the easiest way to get a complete understanding of your credit. Visit Quizzle.com to get your free credit report and score. No credit card or social security number necessary!

So, here is a very cool freebie from TV Queen Oprah and her favorite finance expert, Suze Orman. From now until Thursday (January 15), you can download Suze’s new book, the “2009 Action Plan,” for free! It’s  over 200 pages and goes over everything from credit to real estate to 401k to saving for college.  Pretty awesome!

But you do have to hurry – it won’t be available after Thursday. So get over to Oprah.com and download it! Heck, with your free credit report in Quizzle and Suze’s advice, you can totally get yourself on the right financial path in 2009!

Quizzle Tip: Download Suze Orman’s “2009 Action Plan” Free at Oprah.com! was originally featured on Quizzle Wire

Quizzle.com is the easiest way to get a complete understanding of your credit. Visit Quizzle.com to get your free credit report and score. No credit card or social security number necessary!