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18 Government Freebies

Did you know that there are thousands of government freebies  that are available to most Americans? Many go unused because people don’t know about them. We’re highlighting 18 government freebies that could help most people.

1. Savvy Shopping Guide: The 2009 Consumer Action Handbook is packed with handy tips and tricks for the savvy shopper. You’ll find information on preventing identity theft, understanding credit, filing a consumer complaint, filing for bankruptcy, finding a lawyer and much more. Up to 10 copies for free.

2. FHA Home Loan Insurance Refund: You may be entitled to an insurance refund if you ever took out an FHA home loan. In the past, FHA loan borrowers were required to pay a set amount of insurance premiums up-front, no matter how long they planned on living in a house. You’re entitled to a refund if your insurance was terminated when a) you sold your home, b) you paid off your mortgage early, c) you refinanced your mortgage into a non-FHA loan.

3. “Recipes and Tips for Healthy, Thrifty Meals”: Forget those crash diets, expensive programs and diet books. ThisPDF guide will help you lose weight the healthy and thrifty way. All recipes are simple to prepare and don’t require a load of ingredients.

4. FTC Consumer Advice: Before you make a major purchase, be it a car, computer, TV or mortgage, read the applicable, printable publication from the Federal Trade Commission. You’ll be glad you invested the time and effort.

5. Free Credit Report: Ignore that sweet-cheeked musician on the TV ads. There’s only one truly free, official government site for free credit reports –AnnualCreditReport.com. By law, you’re entitled to receive one free report per year from each of the three major credit reporting agencies; TransUnion, Experian and Equifax.

6. Download Free Software: The National Park Service provides safe downloads of several web browser plug-ins, including Flash, Acrobat Reader and Windows Media Player.

7. Stop Telemarketers: The “National Do-Not-Call Registry” allows you to stop telemarketers from calling you at home and on your cell phone. Registering is simple and it takes roughly a month for the calls to stop. If you still receive calls, file a complaint atDoNotCall.gov.

8. “100 Free and Nearly Free Things to Do in D.C.”: This extensive list offers something for everyone, from performances at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to planetarium shows at Rock Creek Park.

9. Coloring Books: Firesafety.gov offers free publications, games, coloring books and resources for citizens, teachers and kids. Download or order copies. Available in English and Spanish. Another coloring book entitled Milk Matters teaches children about the importance of calcium in their diet. See more free coloring pages.

10. Free Income Tax Filing: The Free File Program takes you step-by-step through filing your federal income tax. When done, you can submit your return electronically through the site or download hard copies for snail mailing.

11. “How To” Consumer Publications: Detailed, downloadable publications cover everything from “How to Stretch Your Budget” to “Fraud Protection for Seniors.” A service of the Federal Citizen Information Center.

12. Children’s Fitness DVD: The government wants to do something about the raging obesity epidemic in America among children and this free DVD is one step in their plan. Use the electronic form or call 1-800-358-9295 to order up to five copies of “Max’s Magical Delivery.” (Product No. 04-0088-DVD). Targeted to children ages 5-9.
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13. Scenic Byways Map: Start planning your Blue Highways vacation across America with this free map.

14. Government-Freebie Search Engine: The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance is a gigantic listing that details in plain English nearly every government public assistance and incentive-grant program out there. Search by category, keyword or print out the entire monster publication, if you have enough ink and paper

15. Women’s Health Calendar: This full-color wall calendar from the Department of Health and Human Services provides health tips and information specifically for women. Call 1-800-994-9662 to order.

16. Teens Alcohol-Awareness DVD: “Smashed: Toxic Tales of Teens and Alcohol” comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

17. Prism Game T-shirt or Poster: Register online at the National Guard web site to play Prism and get a full-color game poster or T-shirt.

18. Girl Power Campaign: HHS developed this program to empower girls ages 8-14. Girls can apply for tons of neat freebies, including buttons, stickers, key straps, book covers and a huge, full-color poster of Dominique Dawes.

Photo by: wallyg

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