1. Barterquest.com & Swaptree.com
Ever wish you could get a little something for the loads of junk piled up in your closet? (Let's be honest here, you're never going to wear that sweater your aunt-who's-not-really-your-aunt Edna gave you last Christmas.) Instead of letting it pile higher, take your "junk" to Barterquest or Swaptree and find out what modern-day trading is all about! If you're looking to trade entertainment items (music, movies, etc.), head over to Swaptree. For a wider range of goods and services, check out Barterquest. They say one man's trash is another man's treasure -- so let the looting begin!
2. Bookmooch.com & Freeloadpress.com
You know those books you have stacked under the left end of your coffee table, to offset its always-lopsided leg? Or the ones you never quite got around to reading -- you know, the ones you're using as bedroom-door stops now? Well, the folks at BookMooch have a better use for them. When you join BookMooch's online community, you get to exchange your old or unused books for the ones you'd really like. Check the site out for yourself; you might be surprised at how many people actually want your paperback Danielle Steel romance novels.
As every starving college student knows, it can be hard shelling out hundreds of dollars for textbooks when you can find a million more entertaining ways to spend your money. (That 'Principles of Biology' book really pales in comparison to the pair of shoes you've been eyeing for months. Do not despair, though, there is hope: Freeload Press offers affordably priced e-books and study aids (from $0 - $40, depending on the format you choose). Life can be good once again -- new shoes, here you come!
3. Etsy.com
Let's face it, sometimes the ol' 9 to 5 just doesn't bring in the dough as much as we'd like. But if you've got a little creativity up your sleeve and want to make a few extra bucks, then Etsy could be the place for you. The only criterion is that the items you put up for sale on Etsy.com be completely handmade -- don't go buying plastic combs from your local 99 Cents Only store and expect to make a fortune on re-sales. Don't think you've got it in you? Take a look at the site, anyway. You might be pleasantly surprised.
4. Skype.com
There's a price to pay for going international ... and we're seeing it in our phone bills. A recent call to a friend in Niger, for example, cost 50 cents a minute. That limited the conversation to about 4.5 minutes, two of which were spent on our explanation that future calls would be few and far between, as a direct result of the slumping economy. Then we discovered Skype, a downloadable software that allows you to connect with all of your globe-trotting friends and family via your computer. Skype offers super-affordable rates on international calls -- even better, if both parties are Skype users, the call is totally free. We're sorry to say, you now have no excuse to avoid those nagging phone calls from your mother-in-law.
5. Travelzoo.com & Homeexchange.com
Every penny saved counts, but when you can score a four-night Las Vegas vacation that includes airfare and show tickets starting at just $120, it's time to make an exception! Find great deals like this -- as well as to destinations all over the world -- on Travelzoo. Looking to penny-pinch even more? HomeExchange, a site where travelers connect to trade homes for their vacations, is an excellent hotel alternative. The only cost is a $99 one-year membership fee, but if you don't make an exchange in your first year, you get a second year for free. The site, by the way, was featured in the romantic comedy, 'The Holiday'; Cameron Diaz used it to swap homes with Kate Winslet, and enjoyed a lovely getaway in England.
6. Mint.com & Wesabe.com
How many of us have tried (and failed) to keep our New Year's resolutions to better track our finances and balance our checkbooks? During these tough times when money is tight, it's especially important to budget wisely. To get you on track once and for all, we suggest Mint, a free online personal-finance tool that helps with bookkeeping, realistic budget-setting and money-saving tips. It's like having your very own personal financial consultant, minus the hassle and fees. And to virtually meet and mingle with other budget-conscious people like yourself, click over to Wesabe, an online community dedicated to pooling users' information to help you make more informed financial decisions.
7. Retailmenot.com
So you've been extra good with your savings lately, and maybe want to treat yourself a little. That doesn't mean you need to make a huge dent in your wallet, though. Before you buy anything, head over to Retailmenot and choose from the site's selection of discount coupons from more than 20,000 stores. And because we don't all live like the Amish and make our own toothpaste, the site's not just for splurges: You can also find great deals for everyday shopping spots like Target and Walgreens.
8. Fatwallet.com & Slickdeals.net
For the most serious deal-hunters, community-oriented sites such as FatWallet and Slickdeals feature a growing network of savvy shoppers who tirelessly scour for the very best deals, then share their discoveries on online forums. While you may not find any bargains for that 60-inch TV you've been dreaming about, you just might come across an awesome 2-for-1 deal on a memory card for your digital camera. If you've got the time and the patience, these are definitely worth a look.
Until next time ...
Happy deal-finding!
Jennifer Lee & Joyce Liao, Clear365 Bloggers
When you're done surfing the Web, come back to ClearEntertainment
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