Computer Tip: Use "Ecofont" to saves your Ink

If you're really pinching pennies, or just a self-proclaimed eco-freak doing everything you can to save the earth, check out Ecofont. Ecofont is a computer font designed with pinprick holes throughout each character, thus allegedly saving 20% ink use over regular fonts. I think "draft mode" probably accomplishes a similar goal, but the idea is pretty clever. 

Ecofont is a free download for personal use so it can't hurt to give it a shot.  If you've got any thoughts on the matter, leave them in the comments.

Cell Phone Tip: How to get Free Texting on your Web-enabled Phone

I don't know about you, but it annoys the crap out of me that that my mobile provider can hit me twice for what should be a single unlimited-use charge:  $30 for an unlimited data plan, and another $20 for unlimited texting.  Really? What am I paying for??  Let's review:

Texting plan features:

• Send text/picture messages with a 160 character limit
  

Data plan features:

• Browse websites
• Send/receive email
• IM
• Social Networking
• Blogging
• Watch my freaking cable TV (Slingbox)
  
• And more...

So why the hell should I pay 2/3 as much for texts as I do for data?  Well, now we don't have to.

There are lots of ways to send text messages using a computer, but until recently none of them were practical for both sending AND receiving messages, especially on a phone.  Fortunately, a solution has arrived:  Google Voice.

If you don't know what Google Voice is, read the feature page...it's pretty cool stuff.  Even if you've got no interest in the other features, it's worth it to sign up (FREE) just for the SMS(texting) feature.

After you've done so, setting up free texting is easy:

• Go to Settings>Voicemail & SMS and check "Forward SMS messages to my email." 
• Then go to Phones>Edit and make sure "Receive SMS on this phone" is unchecked.  That way you'll only receive texts in your email, not your SMS inbox.

That's it!  Just make sure friends know to use your Google Voice number (at least for texting purposes). When they send you an SMS, instead of a text you'll get an email!  You can reply to that email like you would a regular email and it will be transmitted back to your friend-who-likes-paying-for-texts' phone as an SMS.


Voila! Now you're texting for free.

Avoid Texting Fees.  Send SMS to your e-mail with Google Voice
[Google Voice]

Online Rewards: Blingo.com (Search-and-Win)

One aforementioned rewards site (my favorite) pays you just for searching the web, but it turns out there are others that do the same!  Blingo is run byPublishers Clearing House (the people who do the "Prize Patrol") and is another site that delivers on its premise.

If you use Blingo as your search engine, you'll automatically be in the running for some pretty sweet prizes.  You might win infrequently, but when you do it's an instant prize, not points.  Each search (up to 25 daily) is a chance to win anything from a $5 Amazon Gift Card to a Ford Mustang.  Even better, if you refer your friends and a referral wins, you win the same prize...even if it's a car!

Blingo combines Ask, Yahoo, and Bing.com search technologies so results tend to be pretty good once you get past a few ads which present themselves at the top of your results.

Since my favorite search-and-win site tends to work best if your searches are scattered over the course of the day, my recommended strategy is to start your day with this one, and switch over to Blingo after you win a point (since nobody seems to get search-points in succession).  It might seem complicated, but it's really not if you make use of the toolbars/embedded browser search functions that both programs offer.

Try Blingo today!

Blingo.com [website]

Today-Only Deal: All AT&T Phones $0.01 at Amazon (except iPhone)

Heads-up to those wanting to switch to AT&T for wireless service but don't want an iPhone: Today only, with the exception of the iPhone, Amazon.com offers any AT&T phone for only 1 cent with 2-year agreement (the typical activation fee of $36 is waived to boot).

Note that the deal only works with NEW contracts (i.e. switching providers, not upgrades/extensions).

If you want to switch to AT&T and don't care for Apple, today's your day.

Today Only -- All AT&T Phones for a Penny with New 2-Year Service Plan
[Amazon.com]

Coupons: Groupon.com

If you live in or around a major city and like discounted fun...you'll love Groupon.com.  A Groupon is simply an emailed local deal that you can purchase (like a heavily discounted gift-card). There are Groupons for all sorts of things... restaurants, spas, specialty stores, night/sports clubs, cooking classes, you name it.  Who could turn down half price sushi? =)

The best part of Groupon, other than the deals themselves, is not having to hunt for them.  They come to you!  It's Easy:

1. Sign up for the mailing list (click "never miss a groupon" at the top, and make sure you've select the correct locale)
2. Get one great local deal in your email each day.
3. If you like a particular day's offer, buy the "Groupon" and use it before the expiration date
   
4. If you don't like the deal, don't do anything (no need to "opt out")...it's free and there's no risk!

The only caveat is that a Groupon only goes through if enough people claim it (usually just under 100 people or so need to). 99% of the time, the deal goes through anyway, but worst case scenario? The deal is canceled and you pay nothing.

Get on the mailing list today!


Learn How Groupon Works! from The Point on Vimeo.

Groupon.com [website]

Online Rewards: Lockerz

It's got a cheesy name, but this site has a lot of potential.  Lockerz.com is another completely free site that can earn you prizes.  It appears to be in an unofficial *beta* testing stage since most parts of the site don't work yet, but the concept is (will be) pretty simple:

Watch exclusive video, discover new music, play games, connect with friends, and get rewarded for it. The more often you visit, the more opportunities you have to earn PTZ (or “Pointz”), Lockerz’ own form of currency.

Could be fun. But the best part (and what all the kids are saying about it on youtube) is how few PTZ the prizes costs.  Redeem for anything from handbags to motor scooters, and cheap.  How cheap you ask?

• iPhone Skins: 35 PTZ
• Wii and Xbox 360 games: 100 PTZ 
• The complete Beatles Rockband package: 375 PTZ

For some perspective, I easily made 30+ PTZ in my first visit to the site.

Unfortunately, the only way to get a Lockerz membership is to get an email referral from a current member, but send me your email via Gchat (click the bubble below when I'm online) and I'll happily forward you one.[I will not use your email address for any other purpose]



Lockerz is probably trying to hook people early and raise the cost of each prize later...so get in NOW! =)


Lockerz [website]

Cell Phone Tip: Break Contract without early termination fees.

Are you stuck in a 2-year cell phone agreement and desperately want to switch carriers?  Cell carriers can charge astronomically high Early Termination Fees (some $200+) if you try to "get out" early, so what can you do?

Well you have a few options:

1. Get out FAST.  If you've been with the provider less than 30 days, you can probably get out without penalty.  Check the fine print in your contract.
   
   
2. Roam Excessively.  Deliberately use your phone out of network (set your phone to roam) and use "Night and Weekends" minutes out-of-network.  Apparently this can cause your cell provider to rack up a huge bill on your behalf and inspire them to cut you loose.
   
   
3. Look for contract changes.  If your provider makes a change to your contract (you should get a note in the mail), there's usually fine print stating that you may abandon your contract without a fee.
   
   
4. Complain!  Though unlikely, you may be able to get out of your contract if your service is truly awful and you complain about it often, and in a detail-oriented fashion.
   
   
5. Swap your plan. Find someone who wants to start a plan with your provider and transfer liability for your contract to them.  The incentive for them is that they'll get a *free* phone without being bound to a full 2-year contract term.

Watch the video for details!

How to get out of your cellphone contract for free
[Howcast via Lifehacker]