In the modern world, we are surrounded by businesses and people who want us to buy stuff. Whether it be physical businesses or sellers we encounter online, the possibilities for spending money that we are faced with each day really add up. And so do the purchases – even if they’re just $.99. So, what can be done to find entertainment without breaking the bank? Better yet, where can you find entertainment that is completely free? Here are three sources of online entertainment that require just a computer and internet access. 

Please note these are based on the user being located in the United States… some countries won’t be able to download or stream media from some websites! 

Hulu and network websites

If you’re not ready to subscribe to the likes of Netflix or Amazon Prime, Hulu makes for a great, free alternative for recently released TV shows. Many of the shows that you can find one of the subscription services (Hulu has a subscription version called Hulu Plus that grants you access to additional content) are available on Hulu, and typically you can view some of the most recent episodes for free.

Many networks also release free episodes of their programs, such as NBC, ABC, and TBS. Just head to the site and click on the “Full Episodes” link.

Free e-books and audiobooks

If you’re looking to get the greatest bang for your I’m-not-going-to-spend-a-buck, check out the free e-books on the Free E-Books website. Consider how much enjoyment you can get out of a book — the hours upon hours, depending on how quickly you read. And the best thing about this site is that most of the classics are waiting here for you. Also, there are loads of stories by up and coming writers.

You can also head to Books Should Be Free for more free e-books and a pile of audiobooks. The audiobooks are narrated by non-professional readers which can range from entertaining to distracting, or, depending on where you’re from, exotic.

YouTube Channels

In addition to funny, useful videos, YouTube is home to a variety of content channels. There was a big push from YouTube a few years ago to push original content on the site. Though they’ve gotten away from that, there remain lots of original content and channels you can sift through! For technology videos, visit the CNet channel. For comedy, visit College Humor. For thought provoking information, visit Ted. For gaming information, visit Machinima.

So, the next time you find yourself wondering what you can do to entertain yourself for an evening, don’t think that means you have to spend a lot of money. You can find a great book or something to watch without spending any of your hard earned money. So give one of these options a try, and sit back and be entertained by the results.

The world of currency has changed a great deal over the past several decades.

Gone are the days when it would be typical to see someone writing a check at the check-out counter or counting out change to pay for a major purchase. Here are the days of Debit cards, Credit cards, and even methods of payment that use only a smart phone.

It’s convenient, but that convenience can come at a cost. Using cash as your payment method can actually minimize or totally remove these costs, though. Here are three ways that cash can save you money.

Never incur an overdraft fee again.

We’ve all made the mistake of thinking that there was more money in our account than there really was. Oops! But that financial mistake can be expensive.

 Overdraft fees to the tune of $30 are not unusual, and that can really add up. And every one of your dollars that goes toward an overdraft fee is a dollar that you worked for and will not be able to spend it on anything that you would like to.

If you operate in cash, you can easily see how much money you have, and once it’s gone, it’s gone.

Have physical control over your money. 

Using debit or credit cards can make it difficult to stick to a budget, because you do not see your money leaving your account, and going to the places you planned that it would go.

But when you use cash, you can divvy your money up into different sections of your wallet or into envelopes.

Who you are and where you are in your life influences what your sections are, but some general ones are gas, just-for-fun money, rent, and groceries.

Divide your money into these sections then hold yourself to the system. If you plan for your money to go toward something, be sure that it goes there. And once the money is gone, it’s gone.

 Have a physical attachment to your money.

When you make a purchase using a Debit or Credit card, it can be easy to think of the transaction as not really affecting your bank account.

You didn’t actually see any of the money that you work so hard for leave your account, so it doesn’t seem real. But when you use cash, you see exactly how much you have, and how much you will have left after making a purchase.

Many times, if you go into an establishment with cash, planning to make a purchase, you might realize that you would rather hang on to your money than have it disappear into a cash register.

Even though using cash in your everyday life can be less convenient than swiping something plastic, it’s pros outweigh its cons.

Use cash to help you avoid overdraft fees, and tame your money and help it to stay put in your account until you really want to use it.