Top 5 Surprising Things You Can Get For Free

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DALLAS (CBS11)  - You've likely heard it before. "There's no such thing as a free lunch."

While it's often true, it's not always true.

"Sometimes there's no catch," said Jenifer Scott, author of the blog Fort Worth on the Cheap. "Sometime it's just free."

Scott said go into any offer with a critical eye and read the fine print, but said if you know where to look you can find plenty of things for free.

With her help, we came up with our top five surprising things you can get for free.

1. Energy Audits - Many energy companies, like Co-Serv, will come out to home and inspect your windows, doors, attics, appliances, and heating and cooling units to see what you can do to lower your energy use.

Plus, many North Texas cities like, like Frisco, will also do the same for your irrigation system to ensure you're not wasting water. The services are not just free but could lower your bills.

2. Movies - Many libraries around town offer free movie nights for kids and teenagers.

Additionally, if you sign up for the email lists at places like the Angelika Theater, you can get free offers to screenings of new movies.

3. Classes - Want to learn how to lay title, install a faucet, or redo an entire room; Home Depot offers these types of classes free nearly every month.

Other stores do the same. William-Sonoma offers cooking technique classes on selected weekends and junior chef cooking classes free of charge.

4. E-books - You can download for free on your iPad classic books that are too old to still have their copyright at the Project Gutenberg website.
Newer books, just with lesser known authors, can be found for free at www.free-ebooks.net

5. Samples - There are several websites where you can sign up to have free sample sent to your mailbox. (www.pgeveryday.com, samples.target.com/, www.sweetfreestuff.com/free-samples/, www.lorealparisusa.com/en/offers/samples/advanced-haircare2/register.aspx)

You can get things like shampoo, toothpaste, and over-the-counter medication. However, when you sign-up for the free samples be prepared to have your inbox and mailbox to be full of ads.

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