There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but don’t tell the Internet. In fact, there are a number of products and services available at no cost, if you know where to look. Here are a few easy ways to score free stuff:

Search. Google “free stuff,” “free products” or similar variations and you can find a variety of web sites offering goods and services for free. Be careful, however, that you’re not inadvertently signing up for a costly service in order to get your free offer. Read the fine print, especially before sharing a credit card number. Don’t give it out unless the company is reputable and you understand how the information will be used. A 30-day free trial to Netflix, for example, can be a good deal, but only if you remember to cancel at the end of the trial period.

Call me. Got a computer and an Internet connection? Services like Skype may eliminate the need for a home phone line. You can chat using your computer’s microphone (and camera)—even overseas. Other services such as www.textem.net allow you to send and receive text messages over your computer for no charge.

Freecycle. Your local Freecycle group is made up of people who are giving away (and getting) all kinds of free items. Sign up (for free, of course) and find a surprising number of useful items from folks who don’t believe in throwing perfectly good items in the landfills.