A Madcap Quest for Free Using No Coupons, and Involving No Stores

1. TV shows--you can find them for free on Hulu.com, saving the cost of cable or satellite.

2. Curbside shopping or dumpster diving--you can find all sorts of free stuff there.

3. Freecycle.

4. Word-of-mouth advertising sometimes lands you some surprising results.

5. Use what you already have, or can get more of for free.

6. Garden seeds from food you've already paid for.

7. Sprout beans and seeds from food you've already paid for.

8. Swap stuff with a friend/neighbor. Pay particular attention to electronic gadget freaks--every time they upgrade, they tend to cast off.

9. Follow the sound of a chainsaw, and get firewood for free.

10. Don't be afraid to pick stuff up off the ground--there's money on that pavement!

11. Go to auctions, flea markets, and yard sales near the end, and score stuff that would just get thrown out anyway.