On the TODAY SHOW & MSNBC we're talking about things you can score for free. It's marketing magic and just the right price for today's weary consumers ... FREE. No cost, nada, zip, zilch. Searching for "free" things on the Internet isn't always a winning proposition, but we've got THREE SITES for finding legitimate freebies:

1) www.when.com

The site name refers to"when" something is happening in your area. In response to a rapid spike in interest for affordable things to do, they've added a Free Events category right on the front screen.


By zip code you'll easily find things you could spend hours searching for on the web, like:

- Apple Camp at select Apple Retail Stores: Your kids can learn to make a movie, put together a slide show, write & record a song and build show-stopper presentations that'll knock the socks off their teachers when school resumes. Each FREE workshop lasts about 3 hours. They supply the equipment or you can bring some of your own if you'd prefer. Recommended for ages 8-12. More details here: Apple - Retail - Camp

- Kids Bowl FREE: Participating bowling centers across the country are offering children two free games a day as part of the first-ever "Kids Bowl Free" program. You can register your children online in a matter of seconds and you'll instantly get printable coupons. From there, each week they'll email you more. When you register your kids, you'll immediately be offered a Family Pass for $23.95. It's a fairly aggressive upsell, but you do not have to make the purchase to take advantage of the free kids program. One is not contingent on the other. If you're bringing your kids everyday, the Family Pass (which covers four adults) could be a real steal. If you bowl every week this summer and taking your family bowling generally runs about $20-30, you could be looking at saving hundreds of dollars. More details here: kidsbowlfree.com

- Target has a list of "Sponsored Happenings" offering FREE admission to museums across the country. It's an impressive list aimed at "making the arts available to everyone." There are ongoing FREE days and times at venues across the country, including the Chicago Children's Museum, the Museum of Modern and the John F Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. You may be amazed at the culture you can take it, without spending a cent. More details here: Target : Community : Sponsored Happenings List

- Regal Theaters FREE Family Film Festival includes nine weeks of movies for kids & parents. Select G & PG movies start at 10 am Tuesday & Wednesdays. They've got a list of theaters and the movies, so you can plan ahead. First come, first serve. Free Family Film Festival | Regal Theaters. More details here: Regal Free Family Fun Film Festival

2) www.walletpop.com

This site has a "Fantastic Freebies"area in the ECONOMIZER section with and play-by-play directions on how to take advantage of free offers -- everything from two-for-one & rebate deals to free product samples. The offers tend to change quickly and usually have an expiration date, so it's a smart site to check frequently.


The site's editors also do a good job of pointing out hurdles you may have to jump through before the free part kicks in. Sometimes it's just a matter of printing a FREE TRIAL coupon, or it could mean filling out an online survey or subscribing to a newsletter. It depends on the end-goal of the company or organization handing over the goods. Done correctly, it can be a win/win for the player footing the bill and the consumer who scores the freebie. More details here: Fantastic Freebies -- WalletPop


3) www.snagfilms.com

This groundbreaking site lets you watch full-length documentary films for FREE. There's a library of more than 600 films you can "snag" & watch in your own, free virtual movie theater. They're the kind of titles you might find at renowned film festivals, many of them award-winning.


The film starts playing as soon as you select it. There's almost no download time and it's easy to pause at any time and resume where you left off. You can also easily share titles with friends and family which doesn't cost you, or them, a cent. It's a great discovery and most people are pleasantly surprised when they learn of this relatively new & entirely free distribution vehicle.