Here’s a tip that will save you hundreds of dollars plus give you something really cool.  It’s no secret that we live in a Microsoft Office world.  The problem is, purchasing Microsoft Office costs hundreds of dollars and not everyone has the budget for that, especially nowadays. 

If you’ve never heard of Open Office, then you’re going to love me for this post.  Open Office is a free package software that gives you a word processor, (like Word) a spreadsheet (like Excel) presentation software (like Power Point) plus database management and graphic design software.

The first thing you might be wondering is how is this all free?  The simple answer is that it is ‘Open Source’ software.  This means that no one individual owns the license to the products.  The products were designed by volunteers who use an online community forum to write, improve and grow the software under development. 

There are those in this world who believe no one company should control and profit from software.  As a result lots of computer geeks formed relationships and began creating and sometimes even improving on trademarked software such as Microsoft Office.  In fact, Microsoft has been known to borrow some of the ideas that this online group of Bohemians have created, and utilize the features into Microsofts own products.

Here’s the link to Open Office which is completely free to download and use.  It has versions for Windows, MAC and Linux.  You can’t beat free and if you know how to run Microsoft Office, then Open Office will have a pretty easy learning curve.  The video below gives you a brief run down of Open Office’s features.

Technorati Tags: free microsoft office alternative, free office, free software, microsoft office alternative

Here is a great way to earn some extra money from home. It allows you to work as hard or as little as you want to, with some great potential income. With the current credit crunch, many people are looking for a credit card company that will approve them for a credit card.

You have the ability to help people find a card that will work for their needs, and for referring them, you get paid a commission ranging from $30 - $121. The company helps you sign up prospects by providing you a website and the marketing education for bringing traffic to your website.

The company will pay you every 30 days for your signups. They are currently offering an introduction package that costs you $1.97 (to weed out people who aren’t serious) to join. That gives you a fully functional website with everything you need to get started. You will have 14 days to evaluate your new business. If it doesn’t work for you then you can cancel with no further obligation.

If you decide to continue, you will be billed $37.50 a month until you have 2 approved applications. From there the business won’t cost you a dime! The reason they charge you until you get two approvals is because they don’t want someone signing up and then being lazy and do nothing else. The good news is that you and any family members can be included in those two approvals.

You might wonder how they can potentially give you a completely free website and resources after your 2 approvals. The reason is, because while you are paid $30 - $121 for each approved application, they are paid a commission for referring their affiliates (you) to the different banks offering credit cards.

It is one of the best, nearly free businesses I’ve come across and I wanted my readers to know about it. You don’t have to know HTML (website design) or know anything special about marketing because they provide a ton of resources for you to learn what you need to know and how to get people to your website to sign up.

The Company is called My Credit Card Cash and this is a great time of year to get signups.

Technorati Tags: Business Opportunity, Credit Cards, make money, www.mycreditcardcash.com

This tip is really so simple, yet often underutilized.  Most people have heard of Craigslist.  It is a FREE classifieds style website with city chapters all over the world.  I have sold tons of stuff on this great website, from cars to speakers, to electronics and freezers.  Even if you have stuff you just want to get rid of for free, there’s a category for that too. 

I’ve noticed that you can get more for your stuff on Craigslist than in a garage sale.  The reason for this is because a person goes to a garage sale to look for something that might catch their eye. People are usually not going to a garage sale with one specific thing to buy and therefore their motivation to buy is lukewarm.  Craigslist however is being combed over by Buyers looking for specific items…and let’s face it, when your looking for something specific, you usually are willing to pay more for it.

Furniture, inexpensive cars, appliances and electronics do really well.  There is a category for tons of different products.  I think some people are aware of Craigslist but don’t know how to use it, and as a result give up before they’ve even tried.  Here’s a video on how to post an ad on Craigslist.  One other tip…BE SURE to post a picture of whatever you are selling.  Your response will triple with a picture.  All’s you have left to do is go out to that garage and dig through your closets for things that will bring you some extra dough!

Technorati Tags: Craigslist, make money

OK…think of the number of times you’ve been out and about and need to call your favorite Chinese restaurant for take-out, or call a business to get directions (while you’re driving round the block trying to find it), or call the dry cleaners to see if you’re clothes are ready to pick up. 

The only problem is you don’t have the number of the business. Inevitably, you dial 411 and pay $0.50 or more to get the number.  Here’s a SAVE MONEY tip.  Google launched a business 411 directory that costs you $0.00.  That’s right, absolutely nothing!  Keep in mind, its a service for looking up businesses only, but I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before it includes residential listings as well.  You can also text message Google the name of the business and it will text you back the contact info  Here’s a nifty video that show’s you how to take advantage of it.  I figure that saves you at least $15 to $30 a year.

Technorati Tags: Free 411 calls

Well friends, this is something I’ve been meaning to put together for a while now.  The economic climate we find outselves in has everyone cinching up their belt and looking for ways to both make and save a little extra cash.

I’ve found some great ways to supplement my income and I am devoting this blog to helping others bring in a few more dollars a month as well as looking for ways to save for the future.  Some of us may be looking for a job, others might be facing retirement, some of you might be going to college.  Whatever the case might be; we all could use a little extra money.

My first tip for bringing in a few dollars more, was presented to me a few months ago.  We’ve all heard of Nielsen Ratings.  Best known for monitoring what is popular on television through statistical sampling of about 5000 homes across the U.S.  My wife and I actually got to be part of the Nielsen Ratings Family back in 1992.  We were paid a few bucks for our assistance.

As it turns out, Nielsen Ratings has expanded into monitoring the Internet too.  That makes sense when you figure that Internet use has exploded and the way I figure it, will probably merge with what we know as the TV anyway.

The reason I bring Nielsen Ratings up is because they are now accepting volunteers for their Internet Project.  They pay a small sum of money each quarter for volunteering.  The best part is, you don’t have to log or report anything.  They have software that you download that keeps track of the data.  They also give you a chance at winning some much larger prizes that could give you a heck of a lot more than the quarterly payment your guaranteed for your participation.  The way I see it, it’s free money without any work involved.  Plus it’s sorta cool to casually mention to your friends that your a Nielsen Ratings family member.  If you’d like to check into it, here is the info page on applying.

I’ve got lots more tips and tricks on making and saving money and I look forward to sharing them with you.  Feel free to post things that you’ve found helpful in doing the same.

Technorati Tags: easy money, Nielsen Ratings