My Favorite FREE Things

Here is a list of my favorite FREE things of 2010.  These 6 things have changed my life by making it easier, better, fuller, and more enjoyable.  The great thing is, if you are reading this then you have access to all of these things as well!  The items are in random order.


1.  The Library - I recently rediscovered the library and have literally saved hundreds of dollars.  Obviously you are aware that you can check out books for free and even audio books on request.  Books are $15-$30 these days and that adds up.  However, did you know that you can check out most major CD's and Movies as well?  They may not have them in stock but you can request them and they will order them for you.  It's unbelievable!  On top of that,  most major library systems are getting electronic copies of books for the iPad and other e-readers so you can temporarily download books!  Head to your local library and rediscover it's greatness!

2.  A Million Miles In A Thousand Years - This is my favorite book of 2010 and borderline my favorite book of all time.  Author Donald Miller writes about how to live a better story.  It is an easy read but very thought provoking and challenging.  I literally couldn't put it down and read it in 2 settings.  Check it out for FREE @ your local library or if you have to buy it you can get it for less than 20 bones online or at your local bookstore.  You can learn more about the book and the author at donmilleris.com.


3.  Twitter - There is so much more to Twitter than telling people your every move.  Twitter guru @ScottWilliams describes Twitter as a river of constantly flowing information.  This year I read more via Twitter than I read books or magazines combined.  Twitter also allows me to learn directly from high profile leaders that I wouldn't normally come into contact with on a regular basis.  Words of wisdom from leaders such as Seth Godin, Rick Warren, Rev Run, Kevin East, Andy Stanley, David Busic, Craig Groeschel, Scott Williams, etc... are at my fingertips.  You can also stay current with friends, celebrities, professional athletes, and your favorite organizations.  Twitter also keeps me up to date on national and local news, sports scores, and the latest coupons.  Open a free account online at twitter.com.

4.  Air-1 Radio - I found out about Air-1 about 4 years ago and I haven't listened to another radio station since.  (Unless I'm in the Dallas area and I listen to Mix 102.9 to hear the velvet voice of my good friend Josh Hart.)  All the music they play is uplifting, encouraging, and positive.  My day is better when I listen to Air-1.  In OKC it's 90.9 FM but you can check the station in your area or listen online at Air1.com.  

5.  Groupon - Okay this really hasn't changed my life that much but I had to include it because the idea is so genius.  Groupon provides consumers half-price coupons to restaurants, spas, stores, and other services while providing customers and major advertisement to vendors.  Talk about a win-win situation!  This is great for everyone involved.  I personally like it because it allows me to take my wife on dates to upscale restaurants that we would never go to if it weren't for the half price Groupons.  For more information check out groupon.com.

6.  Google - This seems obvious because Google has changed the life of everyone with a computer.  However, did you know that Google is SO MUCH MORE than a search engine?  Google Earth is mind blowing!  Their e-mail service is the best in the business.  You can create Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents and have access to them online with Google Docs.  You can create online invitations, sign-ups, surveys, and teachers can even create online tests for free with Google Forms.  This blog is even powered by Google!  These are just the few features that I have used.  Check out all that Google has to offer here.

What FREE  things have changed your life this year?

My Favorite Things

One day I will be a billionaire and be able to give away my favorite things to my friends and random people like Oprah does.  Until then, I'm going to simply make a list of my favorite things for you to put on your Christmas list so that someone else can buy it for you.

These 5 things have changed my life by making it easier, better, fuller, and more enjoyable.  The items are in random order.


1.  Sleep Number Bed - This is the ingenious idea where you can control how soft or firm your side of the bed is.  This is perfect for Katy and I because I like a hard mattress and she likes it super soft.  Soft or firm, it is by far the most comfortable bed and the bad thing is we have trouble getting out of it in the mornings!

2.  You're Beautiful Bracelet- My wife Katy has a passion for helping girls realize their true beauty.  We live in a world where the media defines beauty by looks and external appearance.  My wife and her assistants want girls to believe that they are beautiful because they are God's beautiful creation.  One way to spread this belief is by making bracelets that simply say YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL with the scripture Psalms 45:11 "The King is enthralled by your Beauty."  This bracelet serves as a daily reminder to girls of all ages that their true beauty is found in Christ and not in looks, style, weight, boys, their past or any other lies. Although I do not wear one myself, I love seeing people wear them and love observing the conversations that arise because of them.  

If you would like to purchase a You're Beautiful bracelet for yourself or a special girl in your life they are $5 and all of the proceeds go to support organizations that support true beauty.  I'm giving away 5 of them here on my blog.  Simply leave a comment below and you will be entered into a random drawing.  The drawing will be Sunday, December 26 @ 10pm.  If you're a winner I will contact you to get your information and you should have your bracelet before 2011. 

3.  iPhone - I hate to be that guy but I can honestly say my life is different because of the iPhone.  It is an iPod, phone, e-mail, GPS, gaming device, Facebook, Twitter, planner, Bible, notepad, newspaper, alarm, TV, and so much more all on one sleek piece of equipment.  Although I prefer the iPhone, I'm sure most smart phones do the same these days.

4.  Mission Trip - My wife and I spent 10 life changing days in Costa Rica this summer with Pine Cove's ONE:8 Trips.  We learned what it was like to be immersed into a completely different culture where we could not rely on our own strength.  It is something that totally changed our perspectives and we are forever different because of this experiences.  A mission trip doesn't have to be in a different country.  Spend some time out of your comfort zone and in another culture or sub-culture in your own city or state.  Volunteering at a soup kitchen, homeless shelter, or any other place where there are people in need is equally as challenging and rewarding.

Katy and I at a volcano in Costa Rica.

5. Visiting History - I realize that not everyone likes history as much as I do (former social studies teacher).  But there is something about being able to see the places that we read about and be in the setting of which epic stories took place.  I love the Star Spangled Banner but now even more so after visiting Fort McHenry in Baltimore where the famous battle took place that caused the song to be written.  I recommend Washington D.C. because basically all of the museums and monuments are free to explore.  Any place on the East Coast should be filled with history but you could visit a place in your city or state with some historical significance. 

Flag @ Fort McHenry in Baltimore

Again, I wish I could afford to buy all of you gifts or send you on trips so that your life could also be changed for the better.  Be on the lookout for my future post which is My Favorite Things: Free Edition.

Remember to comment below if you're interested in winning a YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL bracelet.

What are some of you're favorite things?