Skip to main content
Advertiser Disclosure
We do receive compensation from some partners whose offers appear on this page. We have not reviewed all available products or offers. Compensation may impact the order in which offers appear on page, but our editorial opinions and ratings are not influenced by compensation.

Ascent-logo

  • Credit Cards
  • Banking
  • Brokerages
  • Loans
  • Mortgages
  • Knowledge
  • Latest Picks
  • Search Icon Click here to search

Credit Cards

Top Picks
  • Best of March 2021
  • Cash Back
  • Balance Transfer
  • Travel
  • 0% APR
  • Rewards
  • Bad Credit
Knowledge
  • Beginners Guide to Credit Cards
  • How to Rebuild Your Credit
  • Maximize Your Credit Card Rewards
  • Learn More About Credit Cards
Credit Card Tools
  • Compare Cards
Looking for a new credit card?

Explore the best credit cards in every category as of March 2021.

Get started!

Banking

Top Picks
  • Best Savings Accounts
  • Best Bank Accounts
  • Best Money Market Accounts
  • Best CDs
  • Best Checking Account Bonuses
Knowledge
  • Beginners Guide to Banking
  • Everything You Need to Know About Savings
  • Money Market Accounts Made Easy
  • Learn More About Banking
Looking for a place to park your cash?

Check out our top picks of the best online savings accounts for March 2021.

Get Started!

Brokerages

Top Picks
  • Best Brokers of March 2021
  • Best Online Brokers for Beginners
  • Best Options Brokers
  • Best IRA Accounts
  • Best Roth IRA Accounts
  • Best Robo Advisors
Knowledge
  • How to Open a Brokerage Account
  • Beginner's Guide to Brokerages
  • Learn More About Brokerage
Just getting started?

Explore our picks of the best brokerage accounts for beginners for March 2021.

Get Started!

Loans

Top Picks
  • Best Loans of March 2021
  • Best Personal Loans for Bad Credit
  • Best Loans for Debt Consolidation
  • Best Low-Interest Personal Loans
  • Best Personal Loans for Good Credit
  • Best Personal Loans for Fair Credit
Knowledge
  • Personal Loans Made Easy
  • Debt Consolidation Guide
  • How to Pay Off Debt
  • Learn More About Loans
Thinking about taking out a loan?

Before you apply for a personal loan, here's what you need to know.

Get Started!

Mortgages

Top Picks
  • Best Mortgage Lenders of March 2021
  • Best Mortgage Lenders for Poor Credit
  • Best Refinance Lenders
  • Best VA Mortgage Lenders
Knowledge
  • First Time Homebuyers Guide
  • Home Loans Made Easy
  • The Complete Guide to Refinancing
  • How to Get a Mortgage with Bad Credit
  • Learn More About Mortgages
Tools & Calculators
  • Mortgage Calculator
Compare Rates
  • Today's Mortgage Rates
  • Refinance Rates
  • 15-Year Mortgage Rates
  • 20-Year Mortgage Rates
  • 30-Year Mortgage Rates
  • Jumbo Mortgage Rates
  • VA Loan Rates
  • 5/1 ARM Rates
  • 7/1 ARM Rates
  • FHA Mortgage Rates

Knowledge

Knowledge Section
  • All Articles
  • Credit Card Articles
  • Banking Articles
  • Brokerage Articles
  • Personal Loan Articles
  • Mortgage Articles
  • Personal Finance Articles
Recent Articles
  • Senate Cuts Weekly Unemployment Boost in Stimulus Bill

    Personal Finance

    Senate Cuts Weekly Unemployment Boost in Stimulus Bill
  • Personal Finance

  • The Sad Reason U.S. Wages Are Up

    Personal Finance

    The Sad Reason U.S. Wages Are Up
  • 3 Expenses You Probably Didn’t Know You Could Charge on a Credit Card

    Credit Cards

    3 Expenses You Probably Didn’t Know You Could Charge on a Credit Card
  • The Ascent
  • Knowledge
  • Credit Cards

Why Pay for What You Can Get for Free?

by Dana George | March 10, 2020

The Ascent is reader-supported: we may earn a commission from offers on this page. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures our experts’ opinions aren’t influenced by compensation.

With so many things available for free, why spend money? 

There are those who save money out of necessity and others who chase the thrill of a deal because it makes them feel good. If you're looking for new ways to cut your expenses, here are eight ideas:

1. Enjoy a national park 

There are more than 400 national parks in the U.S. While some of them do charge an entrance fee, there are specific days of the year when you can hit any of those parks for free. Visit a new park or revisit a favorite without paying a thing to get in. Here's a schedule of free days in 2020.  

Two people lying on a rock in overlooking trees and Half Dome in Yosemite.

Image source: Getty Images

2. Read to your heart's content

A library card can be invaluable. Enjoy a peaceful trip to the library and pore over tomes that interest you. Or, if your library offers the service, check out eBooks and audiobooks through an app on your smartphone (as long as you have a library card). You can also download free digital copies of books at Gutenberg.org. There are more than 61,000 to choose from, offered at no charge because their copyrights have expired. 

3. Opt for ads

Because gaming apps tend to be relatively inexpensive, it's easy to forget how quickly the costs add up. Say you're looking for a mahjong game for your smartphone. You can pay for one, or you can choose a free version that includes occasional advertisements. If you really want to save money but still have a game to play while you're waiting at the dentist's office, opt for the free version. 

4. Get those peepers checked

Google "free eye exam" and you will find a list of ophthalmologists near you who offer exams at no charge. Many (like Target) also offer low-cost options for glasses. A search for free eye exams in my area resulted in several nearby options. 

5. Discover free money

We use credit cards for everything -- from securing rental cars to buying concert tickets. Properly managed, credit cards can do much more. For example, some of the best rewards credit cards offer everything from cash back on purchases to travel insurance and various forms of purchase protection. 

Look out for cards with introductory sign-up bonuses to see whether you can get rewards for spending you were going to do anyway. And if you carry a balance on your card that you want to pay down, see whether you can qualify for a 0% balance transfer card. Some cards also offer free credit reports, access to your FICO® Scores and other benefits for those looking to build their credit. 

If you don't want to pay interest, but do want to enjoy the cash-back perk, make sure to pay off your balance in full each month. It is the very definition of free money. 

6. Dine out with the kids

Check out mykidseatfree.com. You provide the city and state in which you're looking to dine, and the site generates a list of restaurants that will feed the kids for free. The site also provides important details, like which days of the week the offer is available and any other applicable conditions. 

7. Emotional support

Sometimes when life gets you down all you need is someone to listen to what's on your heart. 7 Cups is a website that connects people with trained listeners, folks who will hear you without judging and will keep your chat confidential. 7 Cups also offers a paid program for those who wish to work with a licensed counselor, but if you're just looking for a friendly ear, the free option may be just what you need. 

8. Learn to code

If you've always wanted to learn to code, freeCodeCamp.org is a great way to increase your skillset. The program is designed for beginners, with no initial knowledge of coding. Best of all? You'll have the opportunity to earn six coding certificates that can help you land a new job. And yes, as a non-profit organization, it is absolutely free. 

Cutting your expenses doesn't mean you have to stay inside and do nothing. If you are looking to stash a bit more into your savings account, sometimes it is worth squirreling out those deals. In the end, it's your money. You can choose to spend it -- or in this case, not spend it -- in a way that benefits you.

Top credit card wipes out interest until 2022

If you have credit card debt, transferring it to this top balance transfer card can allow you to pay 0% interest for a whopping 18 months! That’s one reason our experts rate this card as a top pick to help get control of your debt. It’ll allow you to pay 0% interest on both balance transfers and new purchases until 2022, and you’ll pay no annual fee. Read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

About the Author

Dana George
Dana George icon-button-linkedin-2x

Dana has been writing about personal finance for more than 20 years, specializing in loans, debt management, investments, and business.

Share This Page
Facebook Icon This icon shares the page you are on via Facebook
Blue Twitter Icon Share this website with Twitter
LinkedIn Icon This image links to share the page over LinkedIn.
Email Icon Share this website with email

We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.

The Ascent is reader-supported: we may earn a commission from offers on this page. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures our experts’ opinions aren’t influenced by compensation.

Related Articles

Credit cards on a desk image for Best Credit Cards for 2021

Best Credit Cards for 2021

Interest spelled out on a calculator image for Compare Credit Cards Side by Side

Compare Credit Cards Side by Side

Man holding cash image for How Do Cash Back Credit Cards Work?

How Do Cash Back Credit Cards Work?

Cyber security and computer screen image for How to Protect Yourself from Credit Card Fraud

How to Protect Yourself from Credit Card Fraud

Featured Articles

Best Credit Cards for 2021

Compare Credit Cards Side by Side

How Do Cash Back Credit Cards Work?

How to Protect Yourself from Credit Card Fraud


The Ascent Logo

The Ascent is a Motley Fool service that rates and reviews essential products for your everyday money matters.

btn_facebook-yellow btn_twitter-yellow btn_instagram-yellow

Copyright © 2018 - 2021 The Ascent. All rights reserved.

About The Ascent
About Us Contact Us Newsroom How We Make Money Editorial Integrity Ratings Methodology
Legal
Terms of Use Privacy Policy Accessibility Policy Terms and Conditions Copyright, Trademark and Patent Information
Learn
Credit Cards Banking Brokerage Loans Recent Articles

By submitting your email address, you consent to us sending you money tips along with products and services that we think might interest you. You can unsubscribe at any time. Please read our Privacy Statement and Terms & Conditions.

Back to The Motley Fool