FOOL'S EYE VIEW
Even More Things You Can Get For Free!

By Alison Hunt (TMFAlly)
January 26, 2006

Who doesn't like a freebie? Well, judging from the response to my previous article Things You Can Get For Free, not many! So without further ado, here are some more of the items and services that you can get for free (or almost free)!

1. Free Noodles and Entertainment

This weekend marks the start of the Chinese New Year and there will be celebrations galore taking place in cities all over the UK. If you live near Birmingham, Manchester or London head on down to one of these locations (note that Birmingham's celebrations occur between 11am and 5pm on Friday). Not only can you join in the festivities, and watch free performances by the Beijing National Opera and the UK's Chinese Elvis, as well as the Chopstick Challenge, you'll get a free lunch too as Sharwood's will give everyone who turns up a free noodle box!

And if you happen to be in London at the weekend, don't forget to check out the free Chinese New Year celebrations -- you can see dragon parades, lion dances and firework displays in Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square, this Sunday. The Victoria & Albert museum is also giving away free tickets on Sunday to see performances of Shaolin Kung Fu, Chinese acrobats and opera as well as offering tea tasting -- but you'll have to be quick as they're on a first come, first served basis.

2. Half Price Sky

OK, this one isn't quite free, but Sky is offering any new subscribers to its satellite TV packages half price Sky for four months, with free installation and equipment.

3. Free Books

Ever read a book and thought that although it was good, you'll never read it again -- and now you need to spend at least £6 to buy another? Well, first things first, why not consider joining your local library and borrowing all the books you like, for free?

However, if finding the time to get to the library proves elusive, why not take part in Read it Swap it and get a whole load of new books for free, simply by swapping your old ones? Simply sign up and register any books that you've read and would be happy to swap. Then, check out the ReadItSwapIt database of over 9,000 books and select one that takes your fancy. That ReadItSwapIt member will then be informed and will check out your books. If one of yours takes their fancy, a swap is arranged and you both pop the books in the post (second class) and away you go! And as more than one person is usually willing to swap the same book, you're bound to find someone to swap with -- you may never have to buy a book again.

4. Free Cinema Tickets and DVD Rental

If you enjoy watching DVDs but find returning them to the rental shop a supreme nuisance, this offer may be right up your street. To launch the new Time Out DVD rental service (in conjunction with ScreenSelect) it's offering all new subscribers five free DVD rentals. You need to sign up with a credit or debit card but, as long as you cancel before the end of the 21-day free trial, it's absolutely free. Plus, all new subscribers who join before the 23 February will also get two free Vue cinema tickets, which can be used in any Vue cinema (except the West End).

5. More Free Films

Anyone who watched the Golden Globes will know that Reese Witherspoon's performance in Walk the Line won her one of the aforementioned statuettes for Best Actress. And if you fancy seeing the film, The Times is holding 20 free advanced screenings next Tuesday as part of Film First. Find out how to snap up a couple of free tickets by checking out The Knowledge in The Times on Saturday.

6. Free Restaurant voucher

Download this free voucher and two adults will get £5 off their meal, when they dine at Brewer's Fayre.

7. Free tickets to TV shows

If you fancy grabbing some free tickets to the recordings of popular TV shows, find out how at the BBC and Granada websites or register with TV Recordings or the Applause Store.

8. Free Baby Stuff

Register with Pampers, Huggies or BabiesRUs and you'll receive free money off vouchers. And if you shop at Tesco regularly, sign up for its Baby and Toddler club and not only will you receive money-saving vouchers; you'll also get a special parking permit for Tesco car parks.

9. Free call credit

Orange is offering its Pay As You Go customers up to 50% of their top ups back each month. Register by calling 450 from your phone and your account will be assessed each month -- you'll then be sent a text to let you know how much bonus credit you've been awarded.

10. Free Offers

Sign up to Pigsback and you'll be able to take advantage of a number of free offers (including two for one on cinema tickets). Plus, you'll earn 10 points for every £1 you spend at retailers such as Lastminute, Blockbuster, and John Lewis, which can be traded in for Arcadia vouchers (accepted in Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfrdige and Dorothy Perkins, amongst others).

11. Free Lipstick

And hot from our Money-Saving Tips board is the offer of a free Calvin Klein lipstick. Simply follow the instructions here, entering the code CKR5 and you'll only have to pay the postage and packing (£2.95) for a £12 lipstick! Thanks to HCWS82 for the post.

So there you have it, eleven more things you can get or see for free, or nearly free. Enjoy!

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