Getting something for nothing

In these credit crunch times, the idea of being able to get your hands on something that's not cost you a penny is extremely attractive. Here's 10 ideas:

1.Learn to freeload

There are loads of parties, launches and other free events that 'those in the know' attend. Free food and drink and entertainment are all there for those with enough front to blag their way in. Sometimes it's just a question of getting yourself on invitation lists.

Ring up local art galleries and ask to be put on their list. Get friendly with new restaurants in your area and ask to be kept in touch about events.

Even set up your own blog in which you review concerts, theatre, music or whatever else excites you. Contact PR agencies for these and get them to send you review tickets or products.

2. Free TV

Don't panic if you've missed your favourite show. You can catch up with programmes online with the BBC iPlayer and Channel 4 oD (on demand). With the BBC iPlayer you can play programmes on the website simply by pressing the 'Click to Play' button. You can also download them and store them on your computer for 30 days. With Channel 4's 4oD you can catch up on the last 30 days TV online and watch thousands of classic episodes.

ITV has a similar system called ITV Player for catching up with programmes you've missed for up to 30 days after.

3. Free UK events

Make the most of all the UK freebies with Free-events.co.uk which lists all the free festivals, parades, carnivals etc that are going on in the UK.

Londoners can also go to Allinlondon.co.uk/whats-on for info on the many free events in the capital.

4. Free theatre

Under-26 year olds can get free theatre tickets to top UK productions with a new Arts Council scheme called 'A Night Less Ordinary'. To get the tickets you have to go to Anightlessordinary.org.uk and see what's on offer. Search by postcode to see which productions in your area have tickets available.

The site will then tell you exactly how to order - whether you can do it online or if you have to phone the box office. On the night you have to prove you're under 26 and they'll hand over the tickets.

There are all sorts of productions for kids and young adults. If you want to take your kids to a production you'll have to buy a ticket, but you can order free tickets in their name.

5. Reward card freebies

Get free travel treats with money you've already spent when you get free reward cards.

You can exchange Nectar points for Eurostar tickets or even free flights on Ebookers (the distance you can travel depends on the amount of points you have).

There are also reward credit cards which give you miles when you spend but be warned: these cards are useless unless you pay off your bill every month. You will not earn miles on outstanding balances and the interest rates tend to be higher than other cards.

British Airways has the BA American Express credit card which gives you one BA mile for every £1 you spend. You also get 1,000 BA miles the first time you use your card. This card has a typical 17.9% APR.

Another option is the Virgin Atlantic White Card where you get a Flying Club mile for every pound you spend anywhere. Plus, you get two miles for every pound spent directly with Virgin Atlantic or Virgin Holidays.

There's also a bonus 3,000 miles given to you on your first spend. The card has a typical APR of 17.9%, and offers 0% on balance transfers for the first six months.

6. House swap for a free holiday

Get a free holiday by swapping your house with another family for a few weeks. It's great because no money is exchanged at all. Go to a house swapping site like www.homeexchange.com or www.intervac.com and read other people's post descriptions of their house and facilities and exchange destination.

7. Live rent free

You could even get a house without having to pay any rent. If you're currently between jobs, or looking to change what you do, there are various jobs around that include free accommodation such as becoming a caretaker, working in the hotel trade, being a carer or nanny.

8. Free texts

Run out of credit and desperate to send a text? Head to www.cbfsms.com and text online for free! You can send as many as you like to any UK mobile.

Also, on the 02 website you can register for an account and get free text messages regardless of your mobile provider - but there is a limit of ten texts per month.

For international texts go to SendSMSNow.com which allows texts to various countries including America, Canada and India.

9. Are you in line for a windfall?

If you're no longer in contact with a family member you may be an heir to money or property if they haven't left a will. Fraser and Fraser is a company that tracks down family members of deceased individuals. Find out all about it on the Fraser and Fraser website http://www.fraserandfraser.com/uk/heirs/index.html?tag=FRheirsMore

10. Free courses

Learn a new skill and boost your job prospects for free. There are lots of free courses around for example, the BBC offers free online courses on all kinds of subjects, and Vision to Learn [http://www.creatingcareers.net/channels/index.aspx] has various free courses to hone your computer skills, moneymanagement and much more.

OpenLearn [http://www.open.ac.uk/openlearn/home.php] is another free online learning site which uses material from Open University courses - this is great if you want to supplement your education or if you just want to get a flavour of what the OU has to offer.

Jasmine Birtles is from Moneymagpie.com - the website that gives you a richer life.