How to Live Cheap & Get Free Stuff

Living expenses can weigh heavily on your wallet if you're not careful with how you spend your money, and you can easily become overwhelmed with debt if you don't know how to live within your means. Living cheap is possible, and there are many ways to save money and get free stuff.

• 1

  Use coupons. From grocery shopping to restaurant dining and movie tickets, coupons can be found online for almost every brand and every store. Don't forget to look for coupons in the mail and in your local newspaper, too. Cut out coupons and store them until their expiration dates; you never know when you might need them. Never shop unless you've searched for these goodies first.

• 2

  Shop at garage sales and consignment stores. You can find cheap and high quality clothing, books and even furniture when you do your shopping at non-conventional stores. Bartering goes a long way, too. You can knock a couple of dollars off the asking price at both places. Shopping at 99c stores for all your kitchen and bathroom supplies will also save you money.

• 3

  Regularly check the classifieds for free stuff. Look in your local newspaper or check out online classifieds for things being given away. Everything from electronics to bookcases can be found in the classifieds. You'll have to organize your own way to pick up the items, but at least you won't have to spend a penny to get the stuff.

• 4

  Cancel your gym membership. If you want to keep fit and healthy, enjoy a jog in your local park, take a swim at the nearest beach or organize a weekend hike. You can save the money you'd be spending on your costly membership and put it toward something else.

• 5

  Visit your library for entertainment. Become a member at your local library to borrow books and also pick up new release DVDs and CDs there. You don't have to pay to be entertained if you look to the library for all your entertainment needs.

• 6

  Use free WiFi. These days it's easy to connect to the Internet without having to pay exorbitant monthly fees. Use a cafe or public space to access the Internet and let the businesses cover the cost.

• 7

  Use a pre-paid cell phone. CNN Money recommends getting a pre-paid phone since plans usually include calling, texts and Web access for as low as $40 a month. Contract and cancellation fees aren't applicable on these plans, so canceling your current contract and opting for a pre-paid phone might be a way to save money each month.

• 8

  Grow your own herbs. Don't pay for anything you can easily grow at home. Basil, mint, rosemary and oregano are all herbs that can be grown indoors. It will not only save you money on your grocery bill, it's also convenient having homegrown herbs within reach while cooking.