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How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?

One of the greatest gifts you can give your family is adequate life insurance. Your life insurance coverage is designed, of course, to provide your loved ones with a means of support should something happen to you. A good life insurance policy can provide you with peace of mind now, and take care of your family later. But how much life insurance do you need?

Deciding How Much Life Insurance to Buy

How much life insurance do you need?Your first step is to figure out how much life insurance you need. The easiest thing to do is to use a rule of thumb. One of the most common rules of thumb is to get life insurance coverage that is ten times your annual salary. So, if you make $45,000 a year, you would need at least $450,000 in coverage.

Another rule of thumb, though, is to get enough coverage to provide your family with your yearly income each year indefinitely. A common rule is to have enough capital so that you can sustain a 4% withdrawal rate indefinitely. The idea is to put the money in an account that offers a return that allows your family to live off the interest. This way, your family will never run out of funds. In order to generate $45,000 a year in interest at 4%, you need $1.125 million in capital. So that’s the coverage you need if you follow this rule of thumb.

Finally, you can do your own assessment of what you need. In order to do that, you add up your expected expenses for the next few years. Here’s one way to do this:

  • Add up how much you need to provide your family with your annual income until your youngest child turns 18. If your youngest is five, then you need to multiply your salary by 13. In our example, that $585,000.
  • Next, add up all of your consumer debt, including student loans, car loans, and credit cards. If you have $6,000 in credit card debt, $10,000 left on your car loan, and $15,000 in student debt, that’s $31,000. If you are eligible to have your student loans paid because of your service, you might decide not to include them in your calculations, so that’s $16,000.
  • Consider your mortgage, if you have one. If you have $185,000 left on your mortgage, use that in your calculations.
  • Other items to consider include whether or not you want to help your children with college, or if you want to help with other purchases along the way. However, it’s worth noting that as your family pays down the mortgage, the money can be used for something else.

Add up everything on your list. In this case, if you leave out the student loans, and decide not to go beyond debt, the total is $786,000.

Other Considerations

Of course, not everything is black and white. You need to consider needs specific to your situation. For example, do you have a family member with special health care needs? Are you a military retiree with a pension and TRICARE for the rest of your life? If you opted for the survivor benefits plan, then you may be able to decrease your life insurance policy if your spouse will have your pension. Do you have a lot of savings and investments? Some people have enough money saved to provide for their families, even if they are no longer able to contribute to the family. The possibilities are endless, so consider all possibilities and increase or decrease your insurance policy accordingly.

Special Life Insurance Options for Military Members and Veterans

Military members and veterans have special options available to them, including the government sponsored SGLI plan, available to current military members, and the Veterans Group Life Insurance plan, which is available to veterans. Both of these are low cost plans available to military members and veterans. These plans may be a good idea, since many civilian plans don’t cover deaths caused by acts of war. You can also convert your SGLI to VGLI when you leave the service.

There are also some life insurance plans offered by civilian companies which are great options for military members and veterans. One good example is life insurance from USAA. USAA offers insurance, banking, and investment products, and limits membership to military members, their families, and children of USAA members, so they know what it means to serve. You can check your USAA eligibility here, and learn more about their financial products.

Related Content: How Much Life Insurance Should Military Members Buy?

Bottom Line

How you determine what’s adequate for your family is up to you. There are different methods of figuring out how much life insurance your family needs. Ultimately it’s up to you to decide how much coverage is right for your family. The key is choose the amount of coverage that you are comfortable with, and that you feel will provide your family with what they need, for as long as they need it.

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5 Small Credit Card Mistakes That Can Sink Your Credit Score

It’s true that a credit card can be a great financial tool. When used properly, your credit card helps you build a credit history, and quickly establish a good credit score. However, as with so many things in life, there is a downside to credit cards. Because they are such a big part of your credit history, seemingly small mistakes can add up to make a big impact on your credit score.

Be aware of how your credit score is affected by your credit card habits. Here are 5 credit card mistakes that seem small at first, but if made too frequently — or made together — can add up to overwhelm your credit score, sending it lower:

Credit Card Mistakes

These credit card mistakes can sink your credit score

1. Paying Late

Your payment history is the most important aspect of your credit score. This means that if you are late in paying, it will be noticed and affect the credit scoring algorithm. Many credit reports list your payment for each credit card every month for the past three years. One or two late payments in that period of time might be overlooked. However, if it appears that a habit is forming, you could find yourself in trouble.

Tip: Always make your credit card payments on time, every time.

2. Maxed Out Credit Card

When you max out your credit card, it looks as though you have money problems. Not only that, but a maxed out credit card can mean that any sort of a fee triggers you going over your limit — and that comes with its own penalties and credit scoring problems. Try to keep your credit card spending to no more than 25% to 30% of your credit limit. With your credit utilization accounting for the second-biggest chunk of your credit score, this is important.

Tip: Only use a portion of your available credit on each card. You can do this by using more than one card, or increasing your credit limit so normal spending doesn’t bring you close to the card limit.

3. Department Store Credit Cards

The type of credit you carry matters. Major issuers are considered “better” credit card debt than others. This means that the more department store credit cards you have, the worse it looks on your credit report. Don’t apply for these cards just for a discount.

Tip: Limit your credit cards to those from major credit card issuers, banks, and credit unions.

4. A Rash of Credit Card Applications

Applying for a credit card will slightly ding your credit score because it is a hard inquiry. One or two applications probably won’t impact your score too much. However, if you apply for several credit cards all at once, all of those dings start to add up. Combine your rash of credit card applications with a growing balance on your other cards, and applications for department store credit cards, and the red flags begin to weigh on what lenders see as your creditworthiness.

Tip: Limit the number of credit cards you apply for.

5. Closing Credit Card Accounts

At first glance, closing a credit card account or two seems like it’s a good thing — not a mistake. However, closing your accounts can impact your score. First of all, it reduces how much credit you have available, which isn’t always a good thing from a creditor standpoint. Second, it reduces the length of your credit history. Your credit history length includes a consideration for your oldest account, as well as the average length of all your accounts. If you close a credit account, you affect your average. If you do end up closing a credit card account, pick a newer card to close.

Tip: Leave your credit card accounts open, but only use them a few times a year to keep the accounts active.

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Are Gift Cards the Perfect Christmas Presents?

One of my favorite gifts to give and receive is the gift the card. It allows the recipient to get what he or she wants, while at the same time conveying that you’ve thought things through a little bit when it comes to choosing the present.

Giving gift cards can also help you keep your Christmas gifts relatively inexpensive — while still being respectable. Here are some of the reasons I like gift cards:

Show your thoughtfulness: A generic gift card from Visa doesn’t really show your thoughtfulness. However, a gift card from a place you know the recipient will like does show thoughtfulness. A gift card to a favorite store, or the restaurant he or she has been dying to try out shows thoughtfulness while still allowing the recipient flexibility in spending.

Save money with discount gift cards: Not only can you should your thoughtfulness, but you can also find discount gift cards. Many web sites offer you the chance to get gift cards for less than their face value, allowing you to stretch your gift-giving dollar (or allow you to save money on every purchase if you plan well). One of the best places to buy and sell gift cards is Plastic Jungle, which offers hundreds of gift cards at substantial discounts, sometimes as much as 10-30% off face value.

Easy to send to distant loved ones: Another reason I love gift cards is the ease with which you can send them. You can drop them in an envelope, and pay regular postage. Give a gift card online, and there is no shipping at all; you don’t have to worry about it going astray or arriving late. You can send your love to distant loved ones quickly and conveniently.

Giving gift cards can be a way to improve your holiday shopping experience, and complete your transactions with ease, while also not having to worry about whether or not the recipient is receiving a duplicate gift.

Are Gift Cards Always the Best Presents?

Gift cards do have their down sides, though. For one thing, there might be terms and conditions that cause problems. For the most part, the rules in the Credit CARD Act prevents a lot of former abuses, but there are still some things to watch out for. Read the fine print when you purchase a gift card to understand the terms and conditions.

Also, realize that some gift cards come with fees for activation. When you purchase an American Express gift card, or a Visa gift card, you usually have to pay a fee up front. The recipient doesn’t pay a fee, but you do. If you buy 10 gift cards, your $3.95 activation fee for each adds up to $39.50! That’s extra spending on holiday gifts. Instead, look for gift cards that don’t come with activations fees.

Understand, too, that some people don’t like receiving gift cards. Even if you go through the effort of trying to provide a unique experience with a gift card, some recipients still feel as though gift cards are a bit impersonal. Be aware of recipient preferences as you complete your Christmas shopping.

What do you think? Are gift cards good Christmas presents?

Buy, Sell, and Trade Gift Cards

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Dollar Cost Averaging: Investing in Turbulent Markets

If you’ve been following the financial markets at all recently, you know that things have been turbulent. For many people, all this turbulence is scary. After all, how do you know when to put your money in the market — and when to pull it back out?

The good news is that you don’t actually have to know when to put money in and pull it out if you consider using an investing strategy called dollar cost averaging. It’s a strategy that works for long term wealth building using the stock market.

What is Dollar Cost Averaging?

Quite simply, dollar cost averaging requires you to invest a regular amount of money, at regular intervals. Many people choose to invest a set amount of money each month. A good example of this is automatic investing through your Thrift Savings Plan, 401k, or other allotments.

Most investments, whether individual stocks or funds, will allow you to buy partial shares. So, if you have $300 each month that you want to invest in an index fund with a price of $126 a share, you would be able to purchase 2.38 shares.

Every month, you invest that $300 (usually the help with automation), and you purchase as many shares as your money will buy on the day the order goes through. So, if the share price goes up to $150 a share, you will buy two shares. However, if the price falls to $100 a share, your investment will purchase three shares. The benefit is that you aren’t buying as many shares when the price is high, and you are buying more shares when the price is lower (remember, the goal is to buy low, sell high).

The idea behind dollar cost averaging is that, eventually, it all evens out in terms of overall cost. Sometimes you will pay less for your shares, and sometimes more, depending on the market. The important thing with dollar cost averaging is investing consistently.

Why Should You Consider Dollar Cost Averaging?

The reason that dollar cost averaging is so effective is due to the fact that you can get started fairly easily, and with a small amount of money, and consistently invest over time. You don’t need a huge amount of capital to get started. You can start a TSP account of 401k plan with as low as 1% of your salary, and some plans even allow you to begin investing with less than that. For example, many online brokers will let you get started with an initial deposit of between $25 and $100, and a monthly investment of between $25 and $50. You can set it up so that your investment comes out of your bank account automatically, each month, on a certain day. Most brokerages will also allow you to make a recurring investment, so your investing is totally automated.

Throughout all this time, you are investing consistently. Even when the market is down (more shares for your money!), you continue to invest. Historically, the market rises over time. With a buy and hold strategy that involves an index fund or a very carefully chosen stock (consider a dividend aristocrat; many online brokerages will automatically reinvest your dividends without charging a transaction fee), you can build your wealth gradually, benefiting from the fact that you are consistently buying shares. For most of us “regular” folks, that’s the best we can hope for — and it’s a fairly tried and true way to build wealth while limiting risks.

There is still risk involved in investing, of course, and you still need to be careful. However, you can reduce some of your risk, and build a consistent nest egg, if you follow a dollar cost averaging strategy.

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Is Your Frugality Actually Costing You?

One of the results of the recent recession has been a renewed interest in frugality. We all seem to want to know how to save money. However, sometimes being frugal can be costly in the long run. As you make an effort to be frugal, it’s important not to let the desire to save money in the short run cost you bigger in the long run. Here are some ways that you can be frugal to a fault:

Sacrificing Quality

For some things, it really doesn’t matter if you get a low-quality product. However, in some cases, saving a few bucks and sacrificing quality can add up to big losses. My husband’s shoes are a good example. We spend about $100 on his casual, everyday shoes. In an effort to save money once, we bought some lower-quality shoes for $45. In six months, those $45 shoes were worn out from all the walking he does. His $100 shoes last at least 18 months (and sometimes two years). If we spent $45 for cheaper shoes every six months, in 18 months we would have spent $135 — instead of $100 for better shoes.

Consider whether or not your penchant for cheap goods is actually costing you. If you find you are buying the same things over and over again, it might be time to spend a little more up front to save money down the road.

DIY Nightmare

You can save a great deal of money doing some things on your own. However, some projects ought not be attempted by the budding DIY-er. If you are trying to save money by working on something major, you could actually end up costing yourself a great deal. What if you mess it up? In some cases, you could mess up something serious, and then have to pay for it to be fixed. Fixing a botched project can be way more expensive than paying a professional in the first place. Know your limitations, and understand when a project is simply beyond you.

Skimping on Maintenance

There are some basic maintenance items that need to be taken care of if you want your home, car and body to last a little bit longer. Take care of home maintenance issues sooner in order to avoid paying more later when minor problems become big messes. The same is true of taking care of your car. Following regular maintenance schedules, such as changing fluids regularly, can help ensure that your car runs better, and that you spend less in the long run as major systems break down.

Finally, don’t forget regular maintenance on your body. A yearly physical is one way to catch health problems early — before they balloon into disasters. Take care of your teeth, and make regular visits to the dentist. My husband ended up with more than $1,500 worth of work on his teeth after avoiding the dentist for seven years. He could have had problems caught sooner, and the fixes would have been less expensive, if he had gone in for regular maintenance on his teeth.

Using Coupons as an Excuse to Buy Something

While coupons can be great money savers, sometimes they are just an excuse to buy something. Sure, I can save $1.50 on a $4.50 tube of new, expensive toothpaste. But if I stick with my regular brand, I’m only paying $2.50 a tube. If I use that coupon to get the more expensive toothpaste, I’m actually spending $3.00 — that’s $0.50 more! Instead of using coupons just to use coupons, have a plan. Make your shopping list, and then find coupons that match what you would buy anyway.

What other ways can frugality cost you in the long run?

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Is It Practical to Live Life Without Debt?

One of the consequences of the recession is that more people are considering their finances, and, in many cases, deciding that it is a good idea to get out of debt. And to never use debt again. Living a life completely without might be a noble idea, but is it practical? In a lot of ways, living so that you never have debt at all is impractical.

Making Big Purchases

One of the biggest reasons that it is difficult to live a life that is completely debt free has to do with large purchases. There is a compelling argument as to why you can pay for a car entirely with cash, and no need to get a loan. After all, it is possible to find cars for less than $10,000. Even cards more expensive than that can be saved up for within a couple of years. Some purchases, though, are just too big.

Consider a home. How many people have $180,000 just sitting around? Saving up to buy a home with cash is likely to take decades, rather than mere years. Of course, if you prefer renting (and many people do), there is no need to go into debt for your housing. If you aren’t planning on buying a home, and you can save up for a car or use public transportation, living a debt free live really does become more practical.

Another issue is education. The cost of a college education continues to rise to almost prohibitive. Scholarships are scarce, and it can be difficult for students to hold down the kind of job that will pay their college costs. Of course, starting early and saving for college can help with this problem, creating a situation in which it is possible for college expenses to be covered by what has been saved up. The situation, though, can become complicated if you have more than one child. Saving up for three children may not as feasible as saving up for only one.

It is possible, with a great deal of planning, to live completely debt free. However, it may means giving some things up. For many people, it is worth the trade off to pay interest if it allows them to buy a home, get a car a little sooner, or send their kids to college.

What About Your Credit Score?

The other issue, of course, is that of building credit. Our society has become quite dependent on credit scoring and credit history. Without debt, it is very difficult to build up a credit history. But, if you plan to live completely debt free, never borrowing, does it matter if you can’t get a loan or a good rate on a loan? While it may not matter in terms of borrowing, it is important to realize that your credit history influences insurance rates, security deposits, whether or not a landlord will rent to you, and can even affect whether or not you get a job.

There are alternative measures of credit worthiness that include rent payments and utility payments, but you usually have to convince someone to report those positive actions, and the insurance company may not actually use the alternative scoring model when making its decision.

In the end, it’s all about what works best in your situation. Many find, though, that it is more practical to obtain debt they can handle, and then pay it off as quickly as possible, in order to allow them a little more flexibility in today’s financial world.

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Should You Enroll in Biweekly Mortgage Payments?

There is a lot to be said for paying off your mortgage a little bit early. One way you can do that is to enroll to have your mortgage payment deducted from your bank account on a biweekly (every two weeks) basis, rather than on a monthly schedule. Some mortgage lenders and servicers are contacting borrowers to encourage them to switch to this plan. While it seems like a good idea, you need to be careful. There are advantages to paying your mortgage biweekly, but your lender’s plan may not be the best plan for you.

Should You Enroll in Biweekly Mortgage Payments?

Advantages to a Biweekly Payment

First of all, there are advantages to a biweekly payment. Lenders simply take your current mortgage bill and halve it. Then, every two weeks, the money is debited from your account. You make 26 payments a year. This means that, by the time the year is over, you have actually made the equivalent of one extra mortgage payment. Your extra payment can knock a few years off your mortgage term, resulting in you having the mortgage paid off earlier, and savings in interest charges. While it sounds like it could be a good idea, think twice. There are some items to consider before enrolling in your lender’s biweekly mortgage payment plan.

Think Twice Before Signing Up for a Biweekly Mortgage Payment

Before you commit to your lender’s biweekly mortgage payment program, find out how the mortgage works and whether or not there are fees associated with your enrollment. A biweekly payment means that the lender loses out on some of the money it would have received if you fulfilled the original mortgage terms. To make up for this, some lenders charge a monthly plan fee, or charge an upfront enrollment fee. Another thing to be wary of is a prepayment penalty. Double check your mortgage; it a prepayment penalty is involved, enrolling in a biweekly plan could be counterproductive.

If there is an enrollment fee for the plan, and you can get around it in some cases with a little math. Take your monthly payment and divide it by 12. So, if you have a monthly mortgage payment of $1,200, you will divide it by 12 to get $100. That is how much you need to pay extra each month to equal the extra amount you would be paying in a biweekly plan. Just add that amount to your monthly mortgage payment, and there is no need to enroll in a special plan.

Other Ways to Use the Money

You should also consider other uses for the extra money you’ll be putting toward your mortgage if you sign up for biweekly payments. If you still have other debt with higher interest rates, it might be in your best interest to pay that down first. Any savings you get from making a biweekly mortgage payment could be negated by the higher interest you are paying on credit cards. You might be better off putting that extra mortgage payment toward debt reduction.

Another consideration is to build an emergency fund. If you already have an emergency fund in place, then consider how that money could be working harder for you. In some cases, you might decide it would be better to put that extra mortgage payment amount in your retirement account. There is a chance that you will see better returns on that money, offsetting the interest you might have saved with biweekly mortgage payments and an early mortgage payoff.

In the end, it’s about figuring out the best use for your money. Consider your financial goals, and what you are willing to risk. You should only enroll for a biweekly mortgage payment plan if it makes sense in your situation.

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25 Ways to Eat For Free (Really): Get Free Food!

In tough economic times, we start thinking about how we can cut back when it comes to costs. We’re looking for good deals and even trying to see if we can get anything for free. Every little bit helps. And this includes food. If you are looking to get free food, here are 25 ways that you can eat for free.

Ways to get a free meal

If you do a little legwork and a little research, it should be possible for you to get a free meal. Here are some ways to earn yourself free food.

  1. Forage. Look for wild growing foods. Nuts, fruits, and other plants can provide sustenance for free. My husband’s grandmother used to make a salad composed solely of greens foraged from around her house. She called it “dandelion salad”, but dandelion leaves were just one of the greens included. Foraging can also be a fun family activity. Just make sure you understand what is safe to eat, and what is not. Check locally to find out if wild food tours are offered, or if there is a master gardener, agricultural extension or horticulturist on hand to help you identify edible plants. If foraging seems too risky, spend a few dollars for a range of seeds and plant a garden.
  2. Fish. “Teach a man to fish…” I love fishing. And I love eating what I catch. It does cost something for a fishing license, I suppose, but it’s not that much, and if you get a yearly license, it more than pays for itself. Learn how to clean and prepare fish, and you can prepare a free meal easily. Something else that is related: Hunting. But the gear and the license costs more, and many people are not comfortable with this option.
  3. Go to church. I live in Utah, one of the capitals of all things church. There is almost always free food when you go to an activity during the week. But no matter where you live, there is likely a church event that you can attend — one that includes food. My husband’s parents’ parish in rural New York offers free donuts and coffee the first Sunday of every month. Many other religious denominations offer free food at activities ranging from scripture study to fellowshipping events to holiday programs.
  4. Mystery shopping. My mom was a mystery shopper for a while, and sometimes she was asked to try out a restaurant in town. That means a free meal. Mom had to pay for the meal up front, but she was reimbursed the full cost and then paid for her report on the restaurant. Watch out for scams, however. Not all mystery shopping opportunities are legitimate.
  5. Barter. Bartering is actually making a bit of a comeback right now as the recession deepens. If you have skills and knowledge that others can use, trade them for a free meal or for some kind of foodstuffs.
  6. Free grocery samples. Have you ever been to a Sam’s Club on a Saturday afternoon? You can eat an entire meal for free by moving around the samples stations. Many stores offer free samples, and many of them do it predictably. Get a feel for when stores are offering freebies, and get in line.
  7. Go home. Nothing beats a home-cooked, free meal from mom. And you’ll get in some quality bonding time.
  8. Continental breakfast. When you travel, check to see whether the hotel offers a free continental breakfast. This usually includes cold cereal, bread products and juice. When I traveled as a child, we always stayed in hotels that offered free breakfasts.
  9. Special promotions. Keep an eye out for special promotions. Many restaurants have them — especially fast food restaurants. Senior promotions for those 55 and older, college student promotions with school ID, and promotions recently run by chains like Quizzno’s (first 1 million people get a free sub) and Denny’s (free Grand Slam breakfast) can provide sustenance for no cost to you.
  10. Coupons. Careful couponing can lead to free food. Buy food on sale with coupons. I’m not a coupon maven, but I hear that if you know how to properly use your coupons, you can get your groceries for very, very little — and some items for free. And, of course, there are those coupons that allow you a buy one, get one free on some items, as well as restaurant coupons that help you get a free entree or drink.
  11. Become a freegan. Perhaps you’ve heard about freeganism. It’s all about foraging for used, still in good condition items, from urban dumping grounds. It’s extreme, and many people are uncomfortable with it. Perfectly good — or nearly perfectly good — food is often tossed out from grocery stores and restaurants. I think you know where this is going.

Eating free in college

College students are notoriously hungry — and poor. I know that I was always looking for a little free food in college. Here are some places you can go if you are looking for a free meal in college:

  1. Campus food services. I worked at the campus cafeteria for two years while in college. At the end of every shift, workers were allowed to have a free meal. If there were enough leftovers, we could even box up some of the food and take it home. Many campuses also have grills, cafes and catering services. Even working in a restaurant off-campus can lead to free food (this works even if you aren’t in college).
  2. Clubs. Join a club, get free food. Many clubs include some money for food at events in their budgets. Attend an “information” meeting, and you’ll most likely see some form of free food.
  3. Art openings and films. Student art shows and film festivals are great places to score free food. Most of the time, a “reception” is held with food and beverage. You can go gnosh a little and enjoy the arts.
  4. Get to know your professors. Lots of professors like to be buddies with their students. If you show initiative in class, and an interest in the subject matter, you might find yourself invited over for dinner. I had one professor that made it a point to have his students and their families over for dinner.
  5. Conferences and seminars. Many campuses host professional and academic conferences and seminars. In many cases, students are allowed to some of the sessions. It is often possible to get free food at a reception or meeting during the course of the conference or meeting.
  6. Open houses and orientations. Many organizations on campus offer open houses. Greek societies, honor societies, new buildings recently constructed and new programs recently begun all offer open houses so that you can visit the premises. And one of the draws is free food. Orientations offer similar opportunities. Even as a senior, it is possible to score free food when you attend freshman orientation.

Web sites to help you find free food

Thanks to the Internet, it is possible to find even more free food. Go online to find good deals and places where you can eat free. Here are some Web sites that can help you enjoy food at little to no cost.

  1. My Kids Eat Free provides a list of more than 2,500 locations in all 50 states that allow your kids to eat free. You can get free kids meals and more when you look for the right deals. (Locally, check for “kid’s night” at buffets, pancakes houses and other restaurants.)
  2. TheFreeSite.com includes a list of freebie Web sites that can point you to special offers on food. And there’s more than just food here — there are freebies on a number of other products and services.
  3. Restaurant.com Can help you find great deals and get you restaurant gift certificates on discount. You can get $25 certificates by paying $10. That’s $15 of free food!
  4. FreeMania can help you find free food from grocery stores, restaurants and other sources. Plus, there are free recipes (to help you cook your free food) and other savings. FreeMania also offers directories to other free items.
  5. Grocery Coupon Guide helps you develop strategies to maximize your grocery (and other) coupons to help you get the most bang for buck — and even get items for free.
  6. FreakyFreddies.com provides access to free food samples. A great list of food manufacturers and restaurants from Quaker, Betty Crocker, Splenda, Red Bull, Starbucks, Chili’s, Arby’s and much, much more.
  7. ShotAtHome.com provides coupons and other savings from a number of stores — including grocery stores and health food stores and co-ops. Sign up for emails for free coupons and other savings.
  8. FreeRice.com is an interesting and fun site for wordsmiths who want to help provide free food for others. Answer a series of questions about word meanings, and every time you get one right, ten grains of rice are donated to the UN World Food Program. A free way to help others get free food.
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