How to find free stuff

Monday September 24, 2:09 pm
ET By Gerri Willis, CNN

Everybody likes free stuff. So put your wallet away and get out those pencils. We went out to find the best deals out there for the taking.

1. Free Samples
   Let's face it...free stuff is the best stuff. You have to be careful of free-product programs...your inbox may be flooded with ads or there may be hidden fees. So read the fine print carefully.
   Here's one Web site that connects manufacturers with consumers who test products. That's www.startsampling.com. You'll also want to check out company Web sites directly like tide.com and olay.com to sign up for discount coupons and new-product samples.
2. Free Phone Aid
   We've all been charged for dialing 4-1-1, but now there's free directory assistance. That number is 800-FREE-411. You will have to listen to a few seconds of advertising. But you'll get your number at no charge.
   And here's another handy phone tool...If you really want to get out of a meeting...or a date, you can "receive" a fake call. Check out popularitydialer.com. Set the time you need to receive the call and which excuse you want to use...(like the "return to the office" call), and voila! you'll receive a "fake" call with a recorded message that demands you leave whatever you're doing and go back to work.
3. Free Memory
   If Post-its just aren't cutting it as your scheduling tool, there are some free tools on the Web that can help. Check out memotome.com. You'll never have to say a happy belated birthday again. Just put in your e-mail, and program in the events and dates you need to be reminded of. There's also birthdayalarm.com. Membership is free and you'll even get free invites and party planning tools.
4. Free Books
   If you're an avid reader, you may really love paperbackswap.com. All you have to do is choose a book you'd like to read from a list and you'll receive it in the mail.
   At the same time, you list the books you want to get rid of. When someone requests to read it, all you have to do is pop it in the mail. You will have to pay for postage, but it's usually around $2.13.
5. Financial Planning
   Before you invest in a financial planner, check out some of these online tools. To figure out how much you'll need in retirement, check out this calculator. All you have to do is punch in some basic info about your income and savings. If you want to take a peek inside your portfolio to see how your funds are doing, Morningstar.com has a great tool on its Web site called Instant X-ray.
   

6 Diets to Avoid

Posted by Joy Bauer, M.S., R.D., C.D.N.
on Thu, Sep 27, 2007, 10:01 pm PDT

When it comes to losing weight, everyone's in search of a magic bullet. But don't fall for the hype. Unfortunately, there's no short-term fix for long lasting weight loss.
So learn to identify these six red flags:

1. Diets that promote or promise drastic weight loss.When you start a diet, you can potentially drop a lot of weight during the first two weeks (some of which will be water weight). However, if you lose more than two pounds per week in the weeks that follow, you run the risk of losing "muscle mass," and your metabolism will slow down in response. That's why true health experts advocate losing weight slowly and gradually - so you melt away fat while sparing precious muscle.
2. Diets that claim to work because of special supplements, creams, or potions - no diet or exercise required!Or diets that make you buy mega supplements in order to follow the program. If it sounds too good to be true, it is!
3. Diets that differ entirely from the way you currently eat (or like to eat).If a plan is incompatible with your lifestyle, chances are slim you'll stick with it.
4. Diets that are less than 1,000 calories.Too difficult to sustain and can often leave you cranky, irritable, and with a bad headache. Not to mention hungry and lethargic.
5. Diets that claim they are effortless.There's no such animal. Losing weight takes focus and effort. Period.
6. Diets that cut out entire food groups, or focus on only a few foods.Not realistic for the long haul; the sign of a plan you're soon to go off.