Hello blog readers and freebie seekers!
A new page was just added to ActuallyFree.info
The page describes some of the resources for getting free health care. Check it out!
Friday, August 20, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
CB from Austin wants to know how to make money online!
CB from Austin, Texas sent the following message to ActuallyFree.info:
"I would like to learn how to make money from home."
Well CB, I've got the perfect page for you. Its true that I have a free site, but its unique in that I like to think outside the box when it comes to getting freebies. I consider ways of making money online to be ways of getting free money because there are practically no start up costs. So the perfect page I was mentioning is this: A comprehensive list of making money online. This list includes everything from online sales, eBay, freelance work, and making money with a website. As I continue to find resources for making money online, those resources will be listed on the same page.
Enjoy and good luck!
"I would like to learn how to make money from home."
Well CB, I've got the perfect page for you. Its true that I have a free site, but its unique in that I like to think outside the box when it comes to getting freebies. I consider ways of making money online to be ways of getting free money because there are practically no start up costs. So the perfect page I was mentioning is this: A comprehensive list of making money online. This list includes everything from online sales, eBay, freelance work, and making money with a website. As I continue to find resources for making money online, those resources will be listed on the same page.
Enjoy and good luck!
Sunday, July 25, 2010
JS needs free credit card points or Wii points
JS (location unkown) sent the following message to ActuallyFree.info:
"need creditcard or wii points"
JS, the way that is written could mean you need a credit card. If that were the case then I would suggest a rewards card. Use it for all your PLANNED purchases; ie. groceries, gas, etc. Don't go buying extra things just to get the "rewards", you'll end up spending more than you get back. Then pay the balance in full and on time every month. Don't carry a balance or you'll pay more in interest than you'll get in rewards. I'd only suggest this if you're are a "type A" person, the strict, motivated, follow things to the letter type of person. If you're simply a fun and easy going type of person and not the numbers planner, then I suggest not using a credit card at all.
I'm assuming you actually mean credit card points and wii points. The only way I know of to get credit card points is by using your credit card and the only plan I suggest is the one I already described.
The only way I know of to get wii points for free is through programs that are similar to ones described on the Get a Free Gadget page. This also requires a "type A" personality to pull off getting it for free, if it is even still possible. That page may be outdated and I haven't checked it in a while.
Another possible way to get free Wii points is by getting free cash and then buying Wii points. Check the Free Money page and I'd especially suggest the Bank Bonuses page.
Hope this helps, I'll keep my eye open for more options.
"need creditcard or wii points"
JS, the way that is written could mean you need a credit card. If that were the case then I would suggest a rewards card. Use it for all your PLANNED purchases; ie. groceries, gas, etc. Don't go buying extra things just to get the "rewards", you'll end up spending more than you get back. Then pay the balance in full and on time every month. Don't carry a balance or you'll pay more in interest than you'll get in rewards. I'd only suggest this if you're are a "type A" person, the strict, motivated, follow things to the letter type of person. If you're simply a fun and easy going type of person and not the numbers planner, then I suggest not using a credit card at all.
I'm assuming you actually mean credit card points and wii points. The only way I know of to get credit card points is by using your credit card and the only plan I suggest is the one I already described.
The only way I know of to get wii points for free is through programs that are similar to ones described on the Get a Free Gadget page. This also requires a "type A" personality to pull off getting it for free, if it is even still possible. That page may be outdated and I haven't checked it in a while.
Another possible way to get free Wii points is by getting free cash and then buying Wii points. Check the Free Money page and I'd especially suggest the Bank Bonuses page.
Hope this helps, I'll keep my eye open for more options.
JC (no not Jesus) from St. Louis, Missouri needs Free Money
JC from St. Louis sent the following message to ActuallyFree.info:
"had back surgery out of work for three months getting only 500 dollars every two weeks to live on to pay bills and try to buy food."
JC, I hope you're healing well and doing what the doctor says to get better quicker. I'm sorry to hear about your work situation. Unemployment is more and more common these days. As the Freebie Finding Help page describes on my website, I can only offer information on how to obtain freebies, including free money; I cannot personally provide the freebies. And I actually already have tons of information that might be able to help someone in your situation. Getting the freebies will depend on how well you use the information, if you're eligible and if the freebie actually exists.
The Governement Freebies page gives tips on how to obtain government freebies. If you have a low income and possibly if your back surgery qualifies you as disabled, you could be eligible for benefits including free rent/housing, money to help pay for bills, free medical insurance, and free food (look for nutrition programs and food stamps). Government resources may be where your $1000/mo is already coming from. If it is, that doesn't necessarily mean your not eligible for other programs. If anything, it is easier to get benefits from one government program after you have already been established as eligible for another program for those with low income.
You may also find the information on the Free Money page to be helpful. This page not only lists ways to get free money, but it also lists ways to get quick cash and ways to save money or stretch your dollar to pay for more. I would suggest at least the following pages:
The Make Money Online page explains the different ways to earn money on the internet. I don't know how incapacitating your back surgery has made you, but I know that if you were able to send me an email then you are able to use a computer and you have internet access. This is basically what you need to start.
The Avoid Wasting Money page explains how to reduce costs and lighten your expenses so that you can live within a smaller budget.
And speaking of budgets, you might also be able to use a free budget spreadsheet download here or find more financial freebies.
Based on your situation, you may also be able to use some of the information found on the Free Housing page, Free Coupons, and Free Food.
Hope this helps JC. Good luck and I hope you get better soon.
"had back surgery out of work for three months getting only 500 dollars every two weeks to live on to pay bills and try to buy food."
JC, I hope you're healing well and doing what the doctor says to get better quicker. I'm sorry to hear about your work situation. Unemployment is more and more common these days. As the Freebie Finding Help page describes on my website, I can only offer information on how to obtain freebies, including free money; I cannot personally provide the freebies. And I actually already have tons of information that might be able to help someone in your situation. Getting the freebies will depend on how well you use the information, if you're eligible and if the freebie actually exists.
The Governement Freebies page gives tips on how to obtain government freebies. If you have a low income and possibly if your back surgery qualifies you as disabled, you could be eligible for benefits including free rent/housing, money to help pay for bills, free medical insurance, and free food (look for nutrition programs and food stamps). Government resources may be where your $1000/mo is already coming from. If it is, that doesn't necessarily mean your not eligible for other programs. If anything, it is easier to get benefits from one government program after you have already been established as eligible for another program for those with low income.
You may also find the information on the Free Money page to be helpful. This page not only lists ways to get free money, but it also lists ways to get quick cash and ways to save money or stretch your dollar to pay for more. I would suggest at least the following pages:
The Make Money Online page explains the different ways to earn money on the internet. I don't know how incapacitating your back surgery has made you, but I know that if you were able to send me an email then you are able to use a computer and you have internet access. This is basically what you need to start.
The Avoid Wasting Money page explains how to reduce costs and lighten your expenses so that you can live within a smaller budget.
And speaking of budgets, you might also be able to use a free budget spreadsheet download here or find more financial freebies.
Based on your situation, you may also be able to use some of the information found on the Free Housing page, Free Coupons, and Free Food.
Hope this helps JC. Good luck and I hope you get better soon.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Get FREEBIES on Earth Day!
An article on Yahoo's Green site outlines 5 freebies, 4 sweepstakes and 6 store discounts that are being offered today (April 22) in order to celebrate Earth Day.
A lot of the user comments at the bottom of the article describe even more freebies, contests and discounts than the article.
Many of the user comments are also complaining about consumerism and the fact that coupons have to be printed to get the freebies. I offer at least two possible solutions:
1. See if you can download the coupon on your mobile phone. That way you can still bring it to the store without printing it.
2. For every coupon you print, recycle 5 pieces of paper. That way you're giving back more than you take.
Other comments suggest planting a tree for Earth Day, thankfully one of those comments says where can free seeds, but this hasn't been tested.
A lot of the user comments at the bottom of the article describe even more freebies, contests and discounts than the article.
Many of the user comments are also complaining about consumerism and the fact that coupons have to be printed to get the freebies. I offer at least two possible solutions:
1. See if you can download the coupon on your mobile phone. That way you can still bring it to the store without printing it.
2. For every coupon you print, recycle 5 pieces of paper. That way you're giving back more than you take.
Other comments suggest planting a tree for Earth Day, thankfully one of those comments says where can free seeds, but this hasn't been tested.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
More FREE FOOD today! Tax relief celebration.
Restaurants are giving away food today to help out tax payers ease the tension of tax day. There is also a free massage offer and other restaurants are giving out coupons and discounts.
Read the article here for details.
Read the article here for details.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Free Fries from Jack in the Box on "Fryday".
FREE FOOD ANNOUNCEMENT.
Jack in the Box is giving away free fries for their "fryday" promotion this Friday, April 16th, 2010.
At the Jack in the Box website you can also find a free coupon for $1 off the new grilled sandwiches.
Webmasters can also find free Jack in the Box widgets in Jack's office on the website.
Jack in the Box is giving away free fries for their "fryday" promotion this Friday, April 16th, 2010.
At the Jack in the Box website you can also find a free coupon for $1 off the new grilled sandwiches.
Webmasters can also find free Jack in the Box widgets in Jack's office on the website.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Get help finding a SPECIFIC freebie, a service provided by ActuallyFree.info
ActuallyFree.info provides a unique service offered by no other free site - personal help, from an actual person, on finding freebies.
One of the criteria for receiving this free service is that the request for help must involve a specific freebie. Otherwise, I have no idea where to begin. ActuallyFree.info is already loaded with ideas and information that can help you find freebies. If the request is for freebies in general, then my reply to these requests is to browse my site for ideas and information that is already there.
The requests that I've considered to be successes have asked for specific things like bibles, hearing aids, wheelchairs, a guitar, and money. I consider these to be successes because I can provide specific information regarding the specific freebies that people are looking for.
The following requests are included here to show that these are the types of requests that I can't do much more to help than what I've already written on the site.
GM from Detroit, Michigan sent the following: "I would like to get free items for use in the house, for me , for the car."
GM, which items for the house, for yourself, or for the car do you need or are you looking for?
RB from Duluth, Minnesota sent the following email: "Wanting free stuff."
RB, we all want free stuff. And free stuff is available. Let me know if there is anything specific that you need.
I'm always happy to help, if I know where to begin. For freebies in general, you may want to start with the following pages on the site:
The Classified Ads
Free Samples and Gifts
Free with coupons
Free Money
I'm always open to requests, even if the requests are vague sometimes. And suggestions and comments on the site are always welcome. GM's request, though unspecific, has caused me to think about adding a couple pages or directories to the site. That's something I might consider if I find enough content that could fill those pages. So keep the emails coming and happy hunting for freebies!
One of the criteria for receiving this free service is that the request for help must involve a specific freebie. Otherwise, I have no idea where to begin. ActuallyFree.info is already loaded with ideas and information that can help you find freebies. If the request is for freebies in general, then my reply to these requests is to browse my site for ideas and information that is already there.
The requests that I've considered to be successes have asked for specific things like bibles, hearing aids, wheelchairs, a guitar, and money. I consider these to be successes because I can provide specific information regarding the specific freebies that people are looking for.
The following requests are included here to show that these are the types of requests that I can't do much more to help than what I've already written on the site.
GM from Detroit, Michigan sent the following: "I would like to get free items for use in the house, for me , for the car."
GM, which items for the house, for yourself, or for the car do you need or are you looking for?
RB from Duluth, Minnesota sent the following email: "Wanting free stuff."
RB, we all want free stuff. And free stuff is available. Let me know if there is anything specific that you need.
I'm always happy to help, if I know where to begin. For freebies in general, you may want to start with the following pages on the site:
The Classified Ads
Free Samples and Gifts
Free with coupons
Free Money
I'm always open to requests, even if the requests are vague sometimes. And suggestions and comments on the site are always welcome. GM's request, though unspecific, has caused me to think about adding a couple pages or directories to the site. That's something I might consider if I find enough content that could fill those pages. So keep the emails coming and happy hunting for freebies!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Ihop is celebrating national pancake day with FREE pancakes.
Another free food offer for Feb 2010.
Ihop will give you a free short stack of 3 pancakes on February 23, 2010 from 7 am to 10 am.
Some may think this is just Ihop's way of competing with Denny's free grand slam breakfast the Tuesday after the Super Bowl. However, Ihop has actually been doing this since 2006. They're asking for a donation to Children's Miracle Network and hope to raise $5 Million in 5 years.
Check out the offer here.
Ihop is also holding a contest where the winner will receive free pancakes for a year, specifically a free short stack of 3 pancakes for 365 days in the form of gift cards. In order to enter, submit an essay less than 250 words describing a good deed that you or someone you know performed in 2009.
Enter here. Read the contest rules here.
Read the difference between a contest and sweepstakes here.
Ihop will give you a free short stack of 3 pancakes on February 23, 2010 from 7 am to 10 am.
Some may think this is just Ihop's way of competing with Denny's free grand slam breakfast the Tuesday after the Super Bowl. However, Ihop has actually been doing this since 2006. They're asking for a donation to Children's Miracle Network and hope to raise $5 Million in 5 years.
Check out the offer here.
Ihop is also holding a contest where the winner will receive free pancakes for a year, specifically a free short stack of 3 pancakes for 365 days in the form of gift cards. In order to enter, submit an essay less than 250 words describing a good deed that you or someone you know performed in 2009.
Enter here. Read the contest rules here.
Read the difference between a contest and sweepstakes here.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Denny's is giving away a Grand Slam again!
Good news for free food addicts!
Once again, as advertised on the Super Bowl, Denny's is giving away a Grand Slam breakfast on Tuesday, February 9, from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Denny's also gives you a free Grand Slam on your Birthday.
Denny's is also having a sweepstakes for a free Grand Slam every week for a year. Check it out on their website.
Once again, as advertised on the Super Bowl, Denny's is giving away a Grand Slam breakfast on Tuesday, February 9, from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Denny's also gives you a free Grand Slam on your Birthday.
Denny's is also having a sweepstakes for a free Grand Slam every week for a year. Check it out on their website.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Excelent Video on Freebies from HowCast
I'm thinking about placing this video on the ActuallyFree.info home page because it lists in a nutshell many of the strategies that are described in detail at ActuallyFree.info. The only problem is I'm trying to avoid anything that might slow down the loading time. Until the decision is made you can enjoy it here.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Free Money Success - Free Website with Adsense
ActuallyFree.info received it's first check from Google in December! Whoo Hoo!
This demonstrates that it is possible to get free money by owning a free website and getting paid to place ads on the site.
You can find resources that offer free web space on the Webmaster Freebies page. The free website service that ActuallyFree.info uses is officelive.com. Although, if you're serious about getting a website, you might want to try some of the other resources available. Office Live is as user friendly as Microsoft Word, but its difficult to modify the website code. This limits search engine optimization.
The advertising that AF gets paid for is Google Adsense and a number of affiliate programs. All of which are free to join.
Click here to learn more about making money online.
Truth be told, I had to pay for a domain name, so AF wasn't completely free up front. And the check I received was hardly compensation for the time that I've put into the site. I could theoretically leave the site as is and continue to get paid by google. But there are many more ways to improve and continue providing freebie information for people that can use it.
This demonstrates that it is possible to get free money by owning a free website and getting paid to place ads on the site.
You can find resources that offer free web space on the Webmaster Freebies page. The free website service that ActuallyFree.info uses is officelive.com. Although, if you're serious about getting a website, you might want to try some of the other resources available. Office Live is as user friendly as Microsoft Word, but its difficult to modify the website code. This limits search engine optimization.
The advertising that AF gets paid for is Google Adsense and a number of affiliate programs. All of which are free to join.
Click here to learn more about making money online.
Truth be told, I had to pay for a domain name, so AF wasn't completely free up front. And the check I received was hardly compensation for the time that I've put into the site. I could theoretically leave the site as is and continue to get paid by google. But there are many more ways to improve and continue providing freebie information for people that can use it.
ActuallyFree.info won an award!
ActuallyFree.info won a Bronze Award from NodusAwards.com!
Check it out on the About Us page
The bronze award is given to websites that have "good quality in most areas but lack a polished feel overall." They rated the site based on criteria consisting of 16 questions in 3 or 4 different categories: Appearance, Usability, Content and a Bonus Point.
In those categories ActuallyFree.info received the following:
To qualify for a silver award, a website has to score 11 points. ActuallyFree.info was only 1 point short with 10 points. Darn! . . . I realize there are lots of areas where the site can improve. Its a lot of work for one guy who barely knows his way around HTML. And to improve the site's rating, I'm certainly open to suggestions.
I was a little disappointed that they didn't give the bonus point. The question for the bonus was "For whatever reason, do you believe the site to be special and an outstanding contribution to the web?"
I'll admit that I'm bias, but ActuallyFree.info is the only free site that I've seen that offers as much freebie education (not just links but good information), that offers freebies directly and even a personal service to help people find specific freebies. I'll always believe the site is special, and an outstanding contribution because it helps people in a lot of ways.
But I'm not complaining. An award is an award! Thanks Nodus.
Check it out on the About Us page
The bronze award is given to websites that have "good quality in most areas but lack a polished feel overall." They rated the site based on criteria consisting of 16 questions in 3 or 4 different categories: Appearance, Usability, Content and a Bonus Point.
In those categories ActuallyFree.info received the following:
- Appearance - 2/5
- Usability - 3/5
- Content - 5/5
- Bonus - 0/1
To qualify for a silver award, a website has to score 11 points. ActuallyFree.info was only 1 point short with 10 points. Darn! . . . I realize there are lots of areas where the site can improve. Its a lot of work for one guy who barely knows his way around HTML. And to improve the site's rating, I'm certainly open to suggestions.
I was a little disappointed that they didn't give the bonus point. The question for the bonus was "For whatever reason, do you believe the site to be special and an outstanding contribution to the web?"
I'll admit that I'm bias, but ActuallyFree.info is the only free site that I've seen that offers as much freebie education (not just links but good information), that offers freebies directly and even a personal service to help people find specific freebies. I'll always believe the site is special, and an outstanding contribution because it helps people in a lot of ways.
But I'm not complaining. An award is an award! Thanks Nodus.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Free Piece of KFC Grilled Chicken
KFC is giving away a free piece of grilled chicken to every customer this Monday, October 26, 2009. This isn't the first time KFC has given away chicken. Read a news report here.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Free Money for Paying Off Credit Cards Update
In a previous post I answered a reader's question about getting free money for paying off credit cards.
I mentioned that some sources suggested to use a credit counseling agency to contact a lender and ask them to settle for a lower amount. I suggested AGAINST this because many of these agencies are scams and when you can actually get your lender to settle for a less amount it will negatively affect your credit score.
What I didn't mention was suggestions for lowering credit card rates. I was reading an article at Consumerist.com which suggested this and they report enough successes to make it worth trying.
I also didn't mention other ways for lowering credit card debt. That was a mistake I'll rectify here:
These were all suggestions that I found on another article at Consumerist.com. The article was titled: Reader Pays Off $14,330 In 20 Months With Our Tips. This was a great article. Very motivating and encouraging.
Hope this helps. Good luck to all those out there who are reaching for financial freedom.
I mentioned that some sources suggested to use a credit counseling agency to contact a lender and ask them to settle for a lower amount. I suggested AGAINST this because many of these agencies are scams and when you can actually get your lender to settle for a less amount it will negatively affect your credit score.
What I didn't mention was suggestions for lowering credit card rates. I was reading an article at Consumerist.com which suggested this and they report enough successes to make it worth trying.
I also didn't mention other ways for lowering credit card debt. That was a mistake I'll rectify here:
- Negotitiate Better Credit Card Rates
- Go Cash-Only, Don't Use a Credit Card except in Emergencies*
- Start a Debt Snowball (pay off one credit card at a time)
- Set Up a Budget
- Cut Back Expenses
- Give up unnessesary expenses: Cable, land line phone, gardener, gym membership, eating at restaurants, etc.
- Get items for free or by trading.
- Use Coupons and don't waste food.
These were all suggestions that I found on another article at Consumerist.com. The article was titled: Reader Pays Off $14,330 In 20 Months With Our Tips. This was a great article. Very motivating and encouraging.
Hope this helps. Good luck to all those out there who are reaching for financial freedom.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
JP from Michigan needs a free wheelchair and ramp
JP from Michigan sent the following message to ActuallyFree.info:
"Hi. I'm in need and don't know how to ask for help. I'm disabled and in need of a manual, adult, wide wheelchair. I was hit by a drunk driver many years ago and my wheelchair is broken beyond repair. I've tried to get one through United Way and they claim that they can only give me one for a month. I need it longer since I'm permanently injured and can't walk at all. I recently had back surgery which intensifies my immobility. I have a power chair but it's too big to use inside my house, so I only use it when I go out. Now I'm just scooting around on a computer chair. I also don't have a proper wheel chair ramp. The one I have is a flimsy metal ramp with no railing. I have fallen off of it before, got severely bruised, broke my ribs and had to get stitches. So I also need a wooden ramp. Please help me."
(Not an exact quote, paraphrased for clarity)
JP, wow, that is quite the medical history.
First, I should mention, as I always do and as it is stated on the site: ActuallyFree.info provides information only. I don't have the resources to provide actual items, only information on how to get actual items.
I'll provide the information that I can, but the person you should be in contact with the most is your doctor. He or she can check with your insurance provider for getting a chair.
If you are permenantly disabled, then you are probably eligible for medicare if you don't already have insurance. And medicare pays for wheelchairs. However if the electric scooter was paid for by your medical insurance then you would probably have to wait a period of time before they would pay for another one. And since you can only get around your house on a computer chair for the time being, then lets see what other options are more immediately available:
WheelchairFoundation.org - "The Wheelchair Foundation is a nonprofit organization leading an international effort to create awareness of the needs and abilities of people with physical disabilities, to promote the joy of giving, create global friendship, and to deliver a wheelchair to every child, teen and adult in the world who needs one, but cannot afford one."
LifeNets.org/wheelchair - "The goal of LifeNet's Wheelchair Project is to put wheelchairs that are not currently being used into the hands of someone who can benefit from them."
JoniAndFriends.org - "For nearly a quarter of a century, Joni and Friends has been dedicated to extending the love and message of Christ to people who are affected by disability, whether it is the disabled person, a family member, or friend. Our objective is to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of this group of people in practical ways."
There is also a list of 24 wheelchair organizations here.
There are also links for about 20 wheelchair organizations here.
Many of the above organizations work on an international scale, but they work in the US too, so they're applicaple for you, JP. For International readers I'll also mention this one:
FreeWheelchairMission.org - Their wheelchair looks ingenious. They don't provide wheelchairs in the U.S. because "in addition to private health insurance coverage, Medicare and Medicaid are available in the U.S. to help provide wheelchairs". They will however provide a list of organizations that distribute wheelchairs in the U.S. if you contact their main office.
If by some strange chance you have actually tried all of these organizations, and others, and your doctor can't help you get a chair through your insurance, then you can always check classified ads websites, like Craigslist.org. You just have to be patient enough and diligent enough to find it there. Read this page for more information.
Since you're in Michigan, I also found this resource:
The Ray West Memorial Ramp Project is available to those in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. If you don't live in one of these counties then they should be able to point you to a provider where you live.
Since this is the second time I've referred you to someone else just to get more information, I'll also mention that getting something for free always takes diligence and patience. I know bureaucracies aren't fun to deal with, but that's the trade off for not having to pay anywhere from $100-$1500 for a wheelchair.
Hopfully this information will help you to make your home more comfortable and accessible. Take care, and no more falling off that ramp!
Sincerely,
Admin
ActuallyFree.info
"Hi. I'm in need and don't know how to ask for help. I'm disabled and in need of a manual, adult, wide wheelchair. I was hit by a drunk driver many years ago and my wheelchair is broken beyond repair. I've tried to get one through United Way and they claim that they can only give me one for a month. I need it longer since I'm permanently injured and can't walk at all. I recently had back surgery which intensifies my immobility. I have a power chair but it's too big to use inside my house, so I only use it when I go out. Now I'm just scooting around on a computer chair. I also don't have a proper wheel chair ramp. The one I have is a flimsy metal ramp with no railing. I have fallen off of it before, got severely bruised, broke my ribs and had to get stitches. So I also need a wooden ramp. Please help me."
(Not an exact quote, paraphrased for clarity)
JP, wow, that is quite the medical history.
First, I should mention, as I always do and as it is stated on the site: ActuallyFree.info provides information only. I don't have the resources to provide actual items, only information on how to get actual items.
I'll provide the information that I can, but the person you should be in contact with the most is your doctor. He or she can check with your insurance provider for getting a chair.
If you are permenantly disabled, then you are probably eligible for medicare if you don't already have insurance. And medicare pays for wheelchairs. However if the electric scooter was paid for by your medical insurance then you would probably have to wait a period of time before they would pay for another one. And since you can only get around your house on a computer chair for the time being, then lets see what other options are more immediately available:
WheelchairFoundation.org - "The Wheelchair Foundation is a nonprofit organization leading an international effort to create awareness of the needs and abilities of people with physical disabilities, to promote the joy of giving, create global friendship, and to deliver a wheelchair to every child, teen and adult in the world who needs one, but cannot afford one."
LifeNets.org/wheelchair - "The goal of LifeNet's Wheelchair Project is to put wheelchairs that are not currently being used into the hands of someone who can benefit from them."
JoniAndFriends.org - "For nearly a quarter of a century, Joni and Friends has been dedicated to extending the love and message of Christ to people who are affected by disability, whether it is the disabled person, a family member, or friend. Our objective is to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of this group of people in practical ways."
There is also a list of 24 wheelchair organizations here.
There are also links for about 20 wheelchair organizations here.
Many of the above organizations work on an international scale, but they work in the US too, so they're applicaple for you, JP. For International readers I'll also mention this one:
FreeWheelchairMission.org - Their wheelchair looks ingenious. They don't provide wheelchairs in the U.S. because "in addition to private health insurance coverage, Medicare and Medicaid are available in the U.S. to help provide wheelchairs". They will however provide a list of organizations that distribute wheelchairs in the U.S. if you contact their main office.
If by some strange chance you have actually tried all of these organizations, and others, and your doctor can't help you get a chair through your insurance, then you can always check classified ads websites, like Craigslist.org. You just have to be patient enough and diligent enough to find it there. Read this page for more information.
You also mentioned that you need a new ramp. In a previous post I mentioned that I found a program that provides grants and loans to those who are disabled and need to make their homes more accessible. Here is the link. If you're not eligible for this specific loan then contact your local HUD office (Housing and Urban Development) to see what else is available.
Since you're in Michigan, I also found this resource:
The Ray West Memorial Ramp Project is available to those in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. If you don't live in one of these counties then they should be able to point you to a provider where you live.
Since this is the second time I've referred you to someone else just to get more information, I'll also mention that getting something for free always takes diligence and patience. I know bureaucracies aren't fun to deal with, but that's the trade off for not having to pay anywhere from $100-$1500 for a wheelchair.
Hopfully this information will help you to make your home more comfortable and accessible. Take care, and no more falling off that ramp!
Sincerely,
Admin
ActuallyFree.info
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Free Money Success!
Recently a friend of mine at school looked over my shoulder while I was proof reading ActuallyFree.info for mistakes.
"Actually Free?" he said. "Do you really believe that?" "This website isn't real, especially that link that says 'free money'. You can't get money for free anywhere."
My friend was very surprised to find out that I was proofreading my own site! He was also much more open-minded when I told him that I have either tried what I have listed myself, cross-referenced it with a reliable third party source, or at the very least marked it with a "not tested" warning.
One of the sources that I've listed for free money is the ING Direct refer a friend program and the Virtual Bank refer a friend program. The person who signs up doesn't have to spend any money, just keep it in an account with these legitimate, FDIC-insured banks for a period of time. (The referral for Virtual Bank is for a money market account which is not FDIC insured, but checking and savings accounts at Virtual Bank are)
Someone last July requested a referral for Virtual Bank and followed up with me this week to thank me for the free $20 received (that means I received $20 too). The same person also requested a referral for ING direct, so my new "friend" will also be recieving another $25 for free (and I'll be receiving $10). Yes!
Free Money? Absolutely!
If you'd like a referral to either of these banks, don't hesitate to use the Contact Us form at ActuallyFree.info.
"Actually Free?" he said. "Do you really believe that?" "This website isn't real, especially that link that says 'free money'. You can't get money for free anywhere."
My friend was very surprised to find out that I was proofreading my own site! He was also much more open-minded when I told him that I have either tried what I have listed myself, cross-referenced it with a reliable third party source, or at the very least marked it with a "not tested" warning.
One of the sources that I've listed for free money is the ING Direct refer a friend program and the Virtual Bank refer a friend program. The person who signs up doesn't have to spend any money, just keep it in an account with these legitimate, FDIC-insured banks for a period of time. (The referral for Virtual Bank is for a money market account which is not FDIC insured, but checking and savings accounts at Virtual Bank are)
Someone last July requested a referral for Virtual Bank and followed up with me this week to thank me for the free $20 received (that means I received $20 too). The same person also requested a referral for ING direct, so my new "friend" will also be recieving another $25 for free (and I'll be receiving $10). Yes!
Free Money? Absolutely!
If you'd like a referral to either of these banks, don't hesitate to use the Contact Us form at ActuallyFree.info.
DC from Mass. needs an electric guitar, money for home remodeling and paying off credit cards.
DC from Mass. sent the following message to ActuallyFree.info:
"I am looking for an electric guitar and amplifier. I am totally disabled and cannot afford such luxuries. I am also looking for money to put in an exit to my cellar and pay off credit card bills. When you don't have much, anything will help. regards."
First, as usual, I have to mention that ActuallyFree.info only provides information, not actual items. So here is the information I have for the situation that you have presented:
Getting some help with these items, or getting them entirely for free may be possible, but it will take a lot of diligence and patience. There is no place that you can go to or call for immediate free gifts like the ones you're mentioning. Some activities you might be doing to get these items are checking a message board every day online, calling government employees for assistance, and educating yourself. Calling government employees, or going to government offices is something that particularly requires patience. They're not like a department store or restaurant where the customer is always right. They're simple workers, probably getting paid low salary, they deal with a lot of paperwork, and they basically provide what the law requires. People have to go to them to request assistance; they don't beckon with the advertising of big business.
That's just a background to get you mentally prepared. Here are my specific recommendations:
Free Electric Guitar and Amplifier
I have two suggestions for getting a free electric guitar and amplifier.
The first suggestion is to check the free section on Craigslist.org every day until someone posts it for free. I've found that no matter what I'm looking for, someone always posts it. Not necessarily today, or tomorrow, but eventually it happens. You just have to be ready for it when it happens and be the first to request the item. You can also download software that you can set up to alert you when the item is listed. I had a free resource for this type of software listed on my classified ads page, but those who provided that resource are now charging for it. I'm currently looking for a free alternative. Also, if you have something to trade, then make the offer on craigslist to see if anyone is interested.
The second suggestion I have for getting a free guitar and amplifier is to join Freecycle.org. You can send a request to Freecycle members in your area, and if anyone has a guitar and amplifier that they're willing to give away then they'll respond.
A guitar is a little more specialized than other electronics so you may have to wait longer than usual, but I can imagine someone out there who decided they wanted to learn how to play, but for whatever reason were not able to. And their guitar and amplifier is just sitting there, gathering dust, and taking up space in the garage when the wife wants to clear it out. Or some similar situation.
You could also try a contest give away like the one here, but I haven't tried it myself, so I can't recommend it. It's a contest give away so there's only one winner.
You can get more tips for using classified ads to get free stuff on the classified ads page.
Free Money for Home Remodeling.
Possibly the government will provide money to remodel part of your home, especially since you mentioned you're disabled, and especially if the remodeling is related to your disability.
Usually when people want to know what kind of housing-related assistance the government provides, I think of Hud.gov.
When I went to hud.gov to find out if they have anything for you, I clicked on "home improvements" and then "rural home improvement and repair."
I eventually found a home repair loan and grant program that you may be eligible for. "The Home Repair Program provides funds to make a home accessible to someone with disabilities." The link is here.
If you're not eligible for this assitance program, you can try contacting your local HUD office to see if they can provide you with more information. Find the contact info here.
You can also shoot for the moon by applying to the TV show Extreme Makeover Home Edition. If you get selected they'll remodel you're whole house and send you on a trip for free. The chance of getting selected is probably slim, but it never hurts to apply if you're willing to be filmed.
Free Money for Paying Off Credit Cards
I'm not really qualified to offer credit card advice. It seems like you need someone to help you with this that's more qualified than me, but I'm not sure in which direction to point you.
I tried to get info on things like credit counseling agencies, but I found some conflicting information. A couple of articles at kiplinger.com (one here and the other here) suggested to use a specific counseling agency, which may help you negotiate with your lender to settle for a lower amount than you owe. But an article from the federal trade commission said to be careful with these because they're often scams; also negotiating for a lower amount will lower your credit score. I'd be very cautious about this.
Here are a couple more links from the Federal Trade Commission which might help:
Credit & Loans
Knee Deep in Debt
I'm guessing you'll be able to find free counseling somewhere, probably from the government, but I doubt you'll find any free money to pay credit card bills. You are generally expected to pay for what you owe.
You may however be eligible for money because you are disabled. Try Grants.gov.
You're welcome to look at the Free Money pages of ActuallyFree.info, but these are certainly not solutions for credit card debt.
Sorry this credit card section probably isn't what you were hoping for, but this is a serious issue in our country right now. Only the government would consider paying for other people's credit card debt, and when or if they do it the taxpayers have to pay for it. If anyone besides the government offers to do it, then somehow, I bet it will mean you are simply changing the debt to someone else. You will owe them something that may be worse or it will be a scam.
Good luck on all three of these items (guitar, remodeling, credi card debt). I hoped this information helped to get you started towards accomplishing your goals.
Admin
ActuallyFree.info
"I am looking for an electric guitar and amplifier. I am totally disabled and cannot afford such luxuries. I am also looking for money to put in an exit to my cellar and pay off credit card bills. When you don't have much, anything will help. regards."
First, as usual, I have to mention that ActuallyFree.info only provides information, not actual items. So here is the information I have for the situation that you have presented:
Getting some help with these items, or getting them entirely for free may be possible, but it will take a lot of diligence and patience. There is no place that you can go to or call for immediate free gifts like the ones you're mentioning. Some activities you might be doing to get these items are checking a message board every day online, calling government employees for assistance, and educating yourself. Calling government employees, or going to government offices is something that particularly requires patience. They're not like a department store or restaurant where the customer is always right. They're simple workers, probably getting paid low salary, they deal with a lot of paperwork, and they basically provide what the law requires. People have to go to them to request assistance; they don't beckon with the advertising of big business.
That's just a background to get you mentally prepared. Here are my specific recommendations:
Free Electric Guitar and Amplifier
I have two suggestions for getting a free electric guitar and amplifier.
The first suggestion is to check the free section on Craigslist.org every day until someone posts it for free. I've found that no matter what I'm looking for, someone always posts it. Not necessarily today, or tomorrow, but eventually it happens. You just have to be ready for it when it happens and be the first to request the item. You can also download software that you can set up to alert you when the item is listed. I had a free resource for this type of software listed on my classified ads page, but those who provided that resource are now charging for it. I'm currently looking for a free alternative. Also, if you have something to trade, then make the offer on craigslist to see if anyone is interested.
The second suggestion I have for getting a free guitar and amplifier is to join Freecycle.org. You can send a request to Freecycle members in your area, and if anyone has a guitar and amplifier that they're willing to give away then they'll respond.
A guitar is a little more specialized than other electronics so you may have to wait longer than usual, but I can imagine someone out there who decided they wanted to learn how to play, but for whatever reason were not able to. And their guitar and amplifier is just sitting there, gathering dust, and taking up space in the garage when the wife wants to clear it out. Or some similar situation.
You could also try a contest give away like the one here, but I haven't tried it myself, so I can't recommend it. It's a contest give away so there's only one winner.
You can get more tips for using classified ads to get free stuff on the classified ads page.
Free Money for Home Remodeling.
Possibly the government will provide money to remodel part of your home, especially since you mentioned you're disabled, and especially if the remodeling is related to your disability.
Usually when people want to know what kind of housing-related assistance the government provides, I think of Hud.gov.
When I went to hud.gov to find out if they have anything for you, I clicked on "home improvements" and then "rural home improvement and repair."
I eventually found a home repair loan and grant program that you may be eligible for. "The Home Repair Program provides funds to make a home accessible to someone with disabilities." The link is here.
If you're not eligible for this assitance program, you can try contacting your local HUD office to see if they can provide you with more information. Find the contact info here.
You can also shoot for the moon by applying to the TV show Extreme Makeover Home Edition. If you get selected they'll remodel you're whole house and send you on a trip for free. The chance of getting selected is probably slim, but it never hurts to apply if you're willing to be filmed.
Free Money for Paying Off Credit Cards
I'm not really qualified to offer credit card advice. It seems like you need someone to help you with this that's more qualified than me, but I'm not sure in which direction to point you.
I tried to get info on things like credit counseling agencies, but I found some conflicting information. A couple of articles at kiplinger.com (one here and the other here) suggested to use a specific counseling agency, which may help you negotiate with your lender to settle for a lower amount than you owe. But an article from the federal trade commission said to be careful with these because they're often scams; also negotiating for a lower amount will lower your credit score. I'd be very cautious about this.
Here are a couple more links from the Federal Trade Commission which might help:
Credit & Loans
Knee Deep in Debt
I'm guessing you'll be able to find free counseling somewhere, probably from the government, but I doubt you'll find any free money to pay credit card bills. You are generally expected to pay for what you owe.
You may however be eligible for money because you are disabled. Try Grants.gov.
You're welcome to look at the Free Money pages of ActuallyFree.info, but these are certainly not solutions for credit card debt.
Sorry this credit card section probably isn't what you were hoping for, but this is a serious issue in our country right now. Only the government would consider paying for other people's credit card debt, and when or if they do it the taxpayers have to pay for it. If anyone besides the government offers to do it, then somehow, I bet it will mean you are simply changing the debt to someone else. You will owe them something that may be worse or it will be a scam.
Good luck on all three of these items (guitar, remodeling, credi card debt). I hoped this information helped to get you started towards accomplishing your goals.
Admin
ActuallyFree.info
Saturday, September 5, 2009
How to find out if an emailed link is legit or a scam.
JLV from southern California sent the following message to ActuallyFree.info:
"I came across this site: getmetobangkok.com. They are giving away two airline tickets free to Bangkok from anywhere in the world. Maybe you might want to include it."
This blog entry will serve two purposes. 1. It will show readers and fans out there that I actually check into links that are sent in and/or added to ActuallyFree.info directories. 2. It can educate others on how to check to see if an emailed link is legitimate or a scam.
One question that I could ask myself is "what is the motive of the person who sent the email?"
I don't know JLV personally, so he could be someone who is actually trying help me out, or he could be someone who is trying to promote the link because he has a vested interest in it. (JLV, if you're out there reading this, no offense is intended. This is just a great opportunity to show others how to handle emailed links) The link was a simple .com link, so I can see that it wasn't a referral link. If it ended with /ref#123 or something like that, then the sender would probably be getting a commission for promoting the link. That doesn't mean the product is not worth looking at; it simply means the sender's motive is more to earn money than it is to share the best product by word of mouth. Worst case scenario is this link leads to JLV's website (or the sender's website, again no offense intended if JLV is reading), and its loaded with spyware that downloads to my computer. Once that happens JLV has all kinds of ways of making illegal money off of my computer.
A common phishing scam is to send emails that look like they're from eBay, PayPal, Facebook, MySpace or some other popular website that requires membership. The phishing email says something like "dear user, please follow this link to update your account and avoid deletion or fees." The person clicks on the link and they're brought to a website that looks like the real deal, but its not. When the person fills out the form provided, they're not updating their account on a legitimate site, they're submitting their personal information to the "phisherman", which is then sold for profit, and can even be used for identity theft. Or the login information is used to log into their actual account on the actual site, and their facebook profile or myspace profile is used to send spam and ads to all the person's friends.
The two most common ways to avoid phishing scams are: 1. If its from the legitimate site, they'll use the name that you used to sign up, not "dear user". 2. Don't follow any links provided by email. Type the actual domain name into the browser (www.ebay.com, www.facebook.com, etc.) to get to the site. All of these sites have message services. If they sent you the email, it will also show up on your profile when you login to the real site (using the domain name that you know)
JLV's email could have been a phishing scam. The site probably tells me I have to submit personal information in order to get the free tickets. But what if its an actual, legitimate drawing? I'm open-minded enough to try it if its legitimate, and hopefully win.
First I have to make sure the website itself is safe if I'm going to visit the site. The best way to make sure a site is safe is to have updated anti-virus protection. Most anti-virus softwares (including free anti-virus software) will not permit someone to click through to a dangerous site. Since I don't have updated software on my older computer, which I was using at the time I read the email, I can also check the link at McAfee SiteAdvisor (www.siteadvisor.com). McAfee keeps a database of reports on millions of websites that they test. The reports are free and open to the public. You can also download the software for free to get an advisory band during google searches, but it slowed down my computer when I tried it. So I just go to their site to read the reports. If McAfee site advisor says that the website is at least safe, then I would type the link into the browser and see what the site has to offer. Maybe I would even try to find the name of a company so I could do some research on that.
McAfee SiteAdvisor didn't have a report on getmetobangkok.com. I submitted it for review, but getting a report isn't immediate (understandable since McAfee gets tons of submissions per day).
The next strategy I can try is to look up who owns the domain name on a WhoIs search. Sometimes a WhoIs search only reveals information for a proxy registration. This means that the person who actually owns the domain name is using the proxy's information in order to not reveal personal information. This is great for individuals who want personal websites without revealing personal information, but its a very bad sign when a "business" uses a proxy registration.
I used the WhoIs search provided by GoDaddy.com to find out that the domain name "getmetobangkok.com" is owned by a company called "c2p print design Pty Ltd" and its located in Australia. If this was a USA-based business, I would then check to see if the business has a report at the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org). Since it is located in Australia, I had to find out who their BBB equivalent is. Their BBB is called the Office of Fair Trading, and their website has a Business Names Details check. Here is the report for C2P Print Design.
Since I now know C2P Print Design is a legitimate business, I would feel comfortable using the domain name getmetobangkok.com. If there was no business registered under that name, then my last step, just to see if the website was safe, would be to go to a public computer at a library or school, not my own, and click the link. If a public computer gets a virus, no data is lost, because my files and information aren't stored on the public computer. The administrator simply re-installs the operating system and the computer is as good as new. Of course, going to a public computer is something I would only do if I really, really wanted to find out what the site had to offer. It is still possible that the site is legit even if they don't have a report with the better business bureau, or even if they have proxy registration information for the domain name. I just wouldn't know how to verify if it was legit or not until I went to a public computer to see if the site was safe and to find more information on the site itself.
When I went to getmetobangkok.com, I found an offer for 2 free tickets to Bangkok from anywhere in the world, just like JLV had mentioned in his email. This type of freebie falls under the category of "drawings, contests, prizes, sweepstakes, etc." The key to getting any freebie offered as a prize in a contest or sweepstakes is to follow all the directions when submitting your entry. This means reading all the fine print and following it to the letter. If the contest allows more than one entry, then by all means, submit more than one entry to improve your chances. More information can be found at the Contests and Sweepstakes page of ActuallyFree.info.
Although I've established that the domain name "getmetobankok.com" is owned by a legitimate company (C2P Print Design in Australia), I will throw up at least one red flag when analyzing the site. They don't have a separate page describing a privacy policy. They do have one sentence on the main page describing a "no spam" policy, but one sentence certainly isn't enough for legitimate sites in the USA. Also, the separate page describing the rules of the game doesn't provide very much information. These are things to be cautious about when submitting personal information. In all fairness, the site and company appear to be new and starting up.
JLV - once again, sorry for making you the guinea pig, and no offense intended. I appreciate the submission and encourage all other readers to submit freebies as well.
For more ways to verify the safety of a site and legitimacy of an organization, freebie, or program, click here.
"I came across this site: getmetobangkok.com. They are giving away two airline tickets free to Bangkok from anywhere in the world. Maybe you might want to include it."
This blog entry will serve two purposes. 1. It will show readers and fans out there that I actually check into links that are sent in and/or added to ActuallyFree.info directories. 2. It can educate others on how to check to see if an emailed link is legitimate or a scam.
One question that I could ask myself is "what is the motive of the person who sent the email?"
I don't know JLV personally, so he could be someone who is actually trying help me out, or he could be someone who is trying to promote the link because he has a vested interest in it. (JLV, if you're out there reading this, no offense is intended. This is just a great opportunity to show others how to handle emailed links) The link was a simple .com link, so I can see that it wasn't a referral link. If it ended with /ref#123 or something like that, then the sender would probably be getting a commission for promoting the link. That doesn't mean the product is not worth looking at; it simply means the sender's motive is more to earn money than it is to share the best product by word of mouth. Worst case scenario is this link leads to JLV's website (or the sender's website, again no offense intended if JLV is reading), and its loaded with spyware that downloads to my computer. Once that happens JLV has all kinds of ways of making illegal money off of my computer.
A common phishing scam is to send emails that look like they're from eBay, PayPal, Facebook, MySpace or some other popular website that requires membership. The phishing email says something like "dear user, please follow this link to update your account and avoid deletion or fees." The person clicks on the link and they're brought to a website that looks like the real deal, but its not. When the person fills out the form provided, they're not updating their account on a legitimate site, they're submitting their personal information to the "phisherman", which is then sold for profit, and can even be used for identity theft. Or the login information is used to log into their actual account on the actual site, and their facebook profile or myspace profile is used to send spam and ads to all the person's friends.
The two most common ways to avoid phishing scams are: 1. If its from the legitimate site, they'll use the name that you used to sign up, not "dear user". 2. Don't follow any links provided by email. Type the actual domain name into the browser (www.ebay.com, www.facebook.com, etc.) to get to the site. All of these sites have message services. If they sent you the email, it will also show up on your profile when you login to the real site (using the domain name that you know)
JLV's email could have been a phishing scam. The site probably tells me I have to submit personal information in order to get the free tickets. But what if its an actual, legitimate drawing? I'm open-minded enough to try it if its legitimate, and hopefully win.
First I have to make sure the website itself is safe if I'm going to visit the site. The best way to make sure a site is safe is to have updated anti-virus protection. Most anti-virus softwares (including free anti-virus software) will not permit someone to click through to a dangerous site. Since I don't have updated software on my older computer, which I was using at the time I read the email, I can also check the link at McAfee SiteAdvisor (www.siteadvisor.com). McAfee keeps a database of reports on millions of websites that they test. The reports are free and open to the public. You can also download the software for free to get an advisory band during google searches, but it slowed down my computer when I tried it. So I just go to their site to read the reports. If McAfee site advisor says that the website is at least safe, then I would type the link into the browser and see what the site has to offer. Maybe I would even try to find the name of a company so I could do some research on that.
McAfee SiteAdvisor didn't have a report on getmetobangkok.com. I submitted it for review, but getting a report isn't immediate (understandable since McAfee gets tons of submissions per day).
The next strategy I can try is to look up who owns the domain name on a WhoIs search. Sometimes a WhoIs search only reveals information for a proxy registration. This means that the person who actually owns the domain name is using the proxy's information in order to not reveal personal information. This is great for individuals who want personal websites without revealing personal information, but its a very bad sign when a "business" uses a proxy registration.
I used the WhoIs search provided by GoDaddy.com to find out that the domain name "getmetobangkok.com" is owned by a company called "c2p print design Pty Ltd" and its located in Australia. If this was a USA-based business, I would then check to see if the business has a report at the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org). Since it is located in Australia, I had to find out who their BBB equivalent is. Their BBB is called the Office of Fair Trading, and their website has a Business Names Details check. Here is the report for C2P Print Design.
Since I now know C2P Print Design is a legitimate business, I would feel comfortable using the domain name getmetobangkok.com. If there was no business registered under that name, then my last step, just to see if the website was safe, would be to go to a public computer at a library or school, not my own, and click the link. If a public computer gets a virus, no data is lost, because my files and information aren't stored on the public computer. The administrator simply re-installs the operating system and the computer is as good as new. Of course, going to a public computer is something I would only do if I really, really wanted to find out what the site had to offer. It is still possible that the site is legit even if they don't have a report with the better business bureau, or even if they have proxy registration information for the domain name. I just wouldn't know how to verify if it was legit or not until I went to a public computer to see if the site was safe and to find more information on the site itself.
When I went to getmetobangkok.com, I found an offer for 2 free tickets to Bangkok from anywhere in the world, just like JLV had mentioned in his email. This type of freebie falls under the category of "drawings, contests, prizes, sweepstakes, etc." The key to getting any freebie offered as a prize in a contest or sweepstakes is to follow all the directions when submitting your entry. This means reading all the fine print and following it to the letter. If the contest allows more than one entry, then by all means, submit more than one entry to improve your chances. More information can be found at the Contests and Sweepstakes page of ActuallyFree.info.
Although I've established that the domain name "getmetobankok.com" is owned by a legitimate company (C2P Print Design in Australia), I will throw up at least one red flag when analyzing the site. They don't have a separate page describing a privacy policy. They do have one sentence on the main page describing a "no spam" policy, but one sentence certainly isn't enough for legitimate sites in the USA. Also, the separate page describing the rules of the game doesn't provide very much information. These are things to be cautious about when submitting personal information. In all fairness, the site and company appear to be new and starting up.
JLV - once again, sorry for making you the guinea pig, and no offense intended. I appreciate the submission and encourage all other readers to submit freebies as well.
For more ways to verify the safety of a site and legitimacy of an organization, freebie, or program, click here.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
TN from Fonda, Iowa needs a free Large Print ESV Bible
Note to readers of non-Christian faiths: I welcome all requests for free information as long as they are family friendly.
TN from Fonda, Iowa sent the following message:
"I need a free extra large print standard English version Bible. I'm a 44-year-old dedicated Christian that lives in a nursing home because I have very severe diabetes. The diabetes has taken it's toll on my vision so that I can no longer finish reading GOD'S WORD. Could you please help me with this request?"
Here is my reply:
TN
As a fellow Christian (though probably not of your denomination), I believe you should get your Bible. Since I'm a poor student myself, I'm unable to personally provide one. The clearly-stated goal of ActuallyFree.info is to provide the necessary information so that people can get what they need for free. And its a pleasure to provide the following information to one who won't allow a visual impairment to keep him from reading the Bible.
The minute I opened your message in my inbox I began to search for free Large Print English Standard Version (ESV) Bibles. Someone on Yahoo! answers suggested the Gideons (the same organization that leaves Bibles in motel rooms). However the gideons do not distribute Bibles to individuals, only to organizations that can accept large quantities (hotels, motels, hospitals, nursing homes, shelters, colleges, etc.). Since you live in a nursing home, you might be able to ask one of the workers if there is someone who can contact the Gideons to request a whole batch of large print Bibles. This would not only benefit you, but others that live in the nursing home as well. If the nursing home is able to do that, they can find the contact information for the Gideons here: www.gideons.org
An article that I read offered the following suggestions for obtaining a free Bible: Contact a local church, download free bible software, use a free online Bible, request a Bible from websites that offer free Bibles, and contact a Bible society (who may or may not be able to offer a free Bible).
I think "contacting a local church" was the first suggestion because that's probably the best resource you can go to that will adjust to your personal needs. As far as the other resources go, I've checked a couple of them out and listed them below. Most "free Bible" sites don't say much about providing for the visually impaired. In my search I tried to keep your specific situation in mind but I also included other sources for the benefit of other readers.
You can read the English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible for free online and adjust the size of the font so that its easier to read.
Go here for the ESV Bible: www.gnpcb.org/esv/browse
You can use the following help pages to learn how to adjust the font size for your internet browser:
Another excellent online Bible website is www.biblegateway.com. You can compare texts of different versions of the Bible. They also have audio versions of the bible, including free audio of the English Standard version here.
Online text bibles, which can become large print with simple font-changing steps, and online audio Bibles seem to be great options for the visually impaired. I've included more of these sources below. On the matter of getting an actual, printed copy of the ESV Bible in large print, I'm sorry to report that I wasn't able to find a resource specifically for that purpose. However, I've included other resources for free Bibles below. Some of these listed resources may be able to provide you with a free ESV Bible in large print.
May God bless you in your search for a Bible suitable to your needs, and may your continued Bible reading bring you closer to His presence.
Admin
ActuallyFree.info
Read the Bible for free online:
http://scriptures.lds.org/
http://www.biblegateway.com/
http://sacred-texts.com/index.htm
http://www.biblestudytools.com/
http://www.blueletterbible.org/
http://www.searchgodsword.org/
Free Bible audio online (streaming or download):
http://www.biblegateway.com/
http://www.lds.org/mp3/newarchive/0,18615,5249-1,00.html#TheScriptures (Old Testament here: http://www.lds.org/mp3/display/0,18692,5297-62,00.html, New Testament here: http://www.lds.org/mp3/display/0,18692,5297-45,00.html)
http://www.biblebible.com/bible-audio/
http://www.faithcomesbyhearing.com/ambassador/free-audio-bible-download (New Testament only, doesn't say which version)
Free Bible software:
http://www.e-sword.net/index.html
http://bibleocean.com/
http://www.theophilos.sk/
http://www.crosswire.org/sword/index.jsp
Bible software from Download.com
Free Bible CD:
http://bibleocean.com/
Receive a Bible for free in the mail:
Bibles specifically for the visually impaired:
http://www.lbwinc.org/order/ (specifically offers braile or large print bibles, write, call or email for their catelog)
http://www.low-vision.org/?dispage=53 (Find Large Print Bible phone number under "Large Print Periodicals", doesn't mention which version)
Free Bible sources that don't say what version they offer:
http://www.biblefreegift.org/ (It appears they accept bible donations, so they probably distribute whatever versions are donated)
http://www.lesea.com/needabible.cfm (Non-USA requests only)
http://www.freebibles.net/ (Can't guarantee a specific version, but will probably work with those who are visually impaired)
http://www.americanbible.org/pages/about-contactus (Contact us form for United Bible Society in USA)
http://www.biblesociety.org/ (United Bible Society's international site)
http://www.tfwoc.com/freestuff.htm (Each of the 4 gospels available as pamphlets)
http://freebiblesociety.org/index.htm
http://www.getyourfreebible.com/index.htm (Africa and Philipines residents only, Bibles available in English, Tagalog and Hiligaynon. New Testament only.)
King James Version:
http://www.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/basic-beliefs/free-media/free-media
http://www.spirit1.us/dir_06/
New King James Version:
http://www.freebibleproject.com/index.php?requestbible
American Standard Version:
http://www.spirit1.us/dir_06/
New International Version:
http://www.myfreebible.org/ (New Testament only)
Other Free resources:
http://www.bibles.com/Category/Bibles/ABS_NEW/StandAloneCategories_FreeResources.aspx?search=StandAloneCategories_FreeResources
http://www.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/basic-beliefs/free-media/free-media
http://www.tfwoc.com/freestuff.htm
National Bible Society Websites: http://www.biblesociety.org/old/bibsocs.htm
TN from Fonda, Iowa sent the following message:
"I need a free extra large print standard English version Bible. I'm a 44-year-old dedicated Christian that lives in a nursing home because I have very severe diabetes. The diabetes has taken it's toll on my vision so that I can no longer finish reading GOD'S WORD. Could you please help me with this request?"
Here is my reply:
TN
As a fellow Christian (though probably not of your denomination), I believe you should get your Bible. Since I'm a poor student myself, I'm unable to personally provide one. The clearly-stated goal of ActuallyFree.info is to provide the necessary information so that people can get what they need for free. And its a pleasure to provide the following information to one who won't allow a visual impairment to keep him from reading the Bible.
The minute I opened your message in my inbox I began to search for free Large Print English Standard Version (ESV) Bibles. Someone on Yahoo! answers suggested the Gideons (the same organization that leaves Bibles in motel rooms). However the gideons do not distribute Bibles to individuals, only to organizations that can accept large quantities (hotels, motels, hospitals, nursing homes, shelters, colleges, etc.). Since you live in a nursing home, you might be able to ask one of the workers if there is someone who can contact the Gideons to request a whole batch of large print Bibles. This would not only benefit you, but others that live in the nursing home as well. If the nursing home is able to do that, they can find the contact information for the Gideons here: www.gideons.org
An article that I read offered the following suggestions for obtaining a free Bible: Contact a local church, download free bible software, use a free online Bible, request a Bible from websites that offer free Bibles, and contact a Bible society (who may or may not be able to offer a free Bible).
I think "contacting a local church" was the first suggestion because that's probably the best resource you can go to that will adjust to your personal needs. As far as the other resources go, I've checked a couple of them out and listed them below. Most "free Bible" sites don't say much about providing for the visually impaired. In my search I tried to keep your specific situation in mind but I also included other sources for the benefit of other readers.
You can read the English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible for free online and adjust the size of the font so that its easier to read.
Go here for the ESV Bible: www.gnpcb.org/esv/browse
You can use the following help pages to learn how to adjust the font size for your internet browser:
- For most web browsers try typing "Ctrl+" or "Ctrl-"
- Adjusting font for Firefox users
- Adjusting font for Internet Explorer users
- Adjusting font for Google Chrome Users
- All users (including Netscape users) can also try instructions on this page
Another excellent online Bible website is www.biblegateway.com. You can compare texts of different versions of the Bible. They also have audio versions of the bible, including free audio of the English Standard version here.
Online text bibles, which can become large print with simple font-changing steps, and online audio Bibles seem to be great options for the visually impaired. I've included more of these sources below. On the matter of getting an actual, printed copy of the ESV Bible in large print, I'm sorry to report that I wasn't able to find a resource specifically for that purpose. However, I've included other resources for free Bibles below. Some of these listed resources may be able to provide you with a free ESV Bible in large print.
May God bless you in your search for a Bible suitable to your needs, and may your continued Bible reading bring you closer to His presence.
Admin
ActuallyFree.info
Read the Bible for free online:
http://scriptures.lds.org/
http://www.biblegateway.com/
http://sacred-texts.com/index.htm
http://www.biblestudytools.com/
http://www.blueletterbible.org/
http://www.searchgodsword.org/
Free Bible audio online (streaming or download):
http://www.biblegateway.com/
http://www.lds.org/mp3/newarchive/0,18615,5249-1,00.html#TheScriptures (Old Testament here: http://www.lds.org/mp3/display/0,18692,5297-62,00.html, New Testament here: http://www.lds.org/mp3/display/0,18692,5297-45,00.html)
http://www.biblebible.com/bible-audio/
http://www.faithcomesbyhearing.com/ambassador/free-audio-bible-download (New Testament only, doesn't say which version)
Free Bible software:
http://www.e-sword.net/index.html
http://bibleocean.com/
http://www.theophilos.sk/
http://www.crosswire.org/sword/index.jsp
Bible software from Download.com
Free Bible CD:
http://bibleocean.com/
Receive a Bible for free in the mail:
Bibles specifically for the visually impaired:
http://www.lbwinc.org/order/ (specifically offers braile or large print bibles, write, call or email for their catelog)
http://www.low-vision.org/?dispage=53 (Find Large Print Bible phone number under "Large Print Periodicals", doesn't mention which version)
Free Bible sources that don't say what version they offer:
http://www.biblefreegift.org/ (It appears they accept bible donations, so they probably distribute whatever versions are donated)
http://www.lesea.com/needabible.cfm (Non-USA requests only)
http://www.freebibles.net/ (Can't guarantee a specific version, but will probably work with those who are visually impaired)
http://www.americanbible.org/pages/about-contactus (Contact us form for United Bible Society in USA)
http://www.biblesociety.org/ (United Bible Society's international site)
http://www.tfwoc.com/freestuff.htm (Each of the 4 gospels available as pamphlets)
http://freebiblesociety.org/index.htm
http://www.getyourfreebible.com/index.htm (Africa and Philipines residents only, Bibles available in English, Tagalog and Hiligaynon. New Testament only.)
King James Version:
http://www.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/basic-beliefs/free-media/free-media
http://www.spirit1.us/dir_06/
New King James Version:
http://www.freebibleproject.com/index.php?requestbible
American Standard Version:
http://www.spirit1.us/dir_06/
New International Version:
http://www.myfreebible.org/ (New Testament only)
Other Free resources:
http://www.bibles.com/Category/Bibles/ABS_NEW/StandAloneCategories_FreeResources.aspx?search=StandAloneCategories_FreeResources
http://www.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/basic-beliefs/free-media/free-media
http://www.tfwoc.com/freestuff.htm
National Bible Society Websites: http://www.biblesociety.org/old/bibsocs.htm
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