Free Geekery

With listings all over the nation, Craigslist has become the go-to place for many who are looking to do everything from rent a new apartment to find a deal on a vintage sofa. But deal finding on the ‘net doesn’t have to end at Craigslist. There are plenty of other great places on the net to find all kinds of free and cheap things, no matter what you’re looking for. Here are just a few we’ve put together that may be able to help you save a bundle.

General

Find listings for just about everything on these great sites.

1. Oodle: Browse or search through listings on this classifieds site. You’ll find ads for cars, real estate, jobs, renting, stuff for sale and much more.
2. BackPage: Whether you want to place your own ad, or find things to buy, you’ll find both on this nationwide site. Choose a metro area and you’ll have access to thousands of listings for goods, services and rentals.
3. Verticlans: Verticlans allows you to create or look through user-created marketplaces. You control who has access to buying and selling so you always know who you’re getting things from, whether its a group of your closest friends, your coworkers or members of your church.
4. Gumtree: With sites in the UK, Australia and the US, this site provides loads of listings for just about anything you could want or need.
5. USFreeAds: If you want to place an ad or just look through a wide range of online ads, this site provides a great forum to do so.
6. MySpace Classifieds: MySpace doesn’t just have to be for keeping in touch with your friends, it can also be a great place to find listings on merchandise, job openings and rentals in your area. Facebook has a similar service.
7. Blurbpage: Simply choose the area that’s closest to you and start browsing through these ads, which contain listings for community activities, jobs, buying and selling, renting and more.
8. Hoobly: Get access to local classifieds with Hoobly whether you live in the United States or even Japan. You’ll be able to read announcements, get a new pet, or find a deal on a new apartment.
9. BuySellCommunity: Users can create storefronts and sell just about anything on this site. Those looking to buy and not sell can find hundreds of local listings.
10. Adoos: Find millions of classifieds on Adoos. Listings encompass everything from personals to apartment rentals.
11. Yahoo!Classifieds: Post your own ads or search through listings using part of Yahoo!’s line of services. You can search by keyword or zip code to help you find what you’re looking for.
12. CollegeClassifieds: If you’re looking for goods or services on a budget consider checking out this classifieds site designed for cash-strapped college students.

Renting

Finding a deal on an apartment can be easy through these sites.

13. Rent.com: This eBay run site contains listings for apartments and homes all over the nation. If you find and rent a place from the site you could get $100 back, and who doesn’t love free money?
14. ApartmentFinder: Search for apartments by college, military base or address using this convenient online rental site.
15. My New Place: Finding an apartment on this site could be worth some extra cash in your pocket, up to $100. Plus, you’ll have millions of listings to choose from.
16. CampusRent: Moving into your first college apartment can be exciting and you can help make sure you find just the right place with college centered listings from this site.
17. ApartmentGuide: With this site you’ll be able to search through apartments and get help finding all kinds of services to help make your move easier.
18. ApartmentSource: It won’t cost you a thing to look through the millions of rental listings on this site, and who knows, maybe you’ll find a great place at a great price.
19. ApartmentRatings: This site not only lets you search for apartments in your area but can also give you other renter’s impressions of the properties and their management.
20. Move.com: You’ll find listings for millions of residential properties on this site both to rent and to buy.

Goods

Whether you’re looking for a kitchen sink or a gift for your mom, you can find it through these sites.

21. eBay: If you don’t mind bidding against other buyers, eBay can be a great place to find bargains on just about everything from cars to vintage toys.
22. RealPeopleRealStuff: This site takes an innovative approach to listing goods by having sellers made videos that describe and showcase their items, combining elements of YouTube and Craigslist.
23. MyStore: Shop in hundreds of user created stores on this site. You’ll find stores customizing in things like handbags and jewelry and CDs and electronics.
24. Etsy: Find all kinds of handmade and unique items created by the sellers on this site, some of which are great bargains.
25. MadeIt: Similar to Etsy, this Australia based site is full of great handmade and vintage items that can make thoughtful gifts for that special someone.
26. Sell.com: You’ll find everything from the rare to the useful on this site, which gives access to free classifieds ads for sellers.
27. uShops: Users of this site can set up free shops to sell their merchandise from and you’ll be able to browse through them to find merchandise that suits your needs and interests.
28. Flippid: Here users can create a list of the things they’re looking for, from a Fraggle Rock lunchbox to a new fishing pole, and sellers can match up their items to your wants.
29. BuyOnIt: This auction site has listings for items that range from the bizarre and tacky to used cars and motorcycles.

Free and Trade

Why pay for what you can get for free? These sites can help you get all kinds of stuff at a steal.

30. Freecycle: Trade goods with other members of this group in your area. It keeps stuff out of landfills and allows you to get great free stuff.
31. Freesharing: Get rid of old stuff you don’t want any more and get free items from others trying to clean out their stuff on this site.
32. PaperbackSwap: Want some new reading material? Don’t head to your local bookstore, sign up for this site and you can swap your old books for new titles.
33. AroundAgain: Find a local chapter of this organization in your area to get and trade goods without spending a small fortune.
34. FreeMesa: Whether you need to get rid of your own stuff or find some cheap or free goods for your home you can do both through this organization.
35. ReUseIt Network: Meet members of your community that are giving away all kinds of useful stuff on this site.
36. MakeUp Alley: Ever bought a shade of lipstick you hated after trying it on? Now you can keep from wasting it by trading it with others who’ve had similar experiences on this site.
37. Gigoit: Find used items being given away all over the world through this great organization’s site.
38. LocalDataPlace: Place an ad for items you no longer need or find things that people in your area are giving away on this site.
39. SwitchPlanet: Add some new DVDs or video games to your library with this site, which allows users to swap free of cost.
40. TextSwap: Textbooks can be a big expense for college students, especially for those with less than deep pockets. You can save a few bucks by trading your old textbooks for new books you need on this site.

Services

These sites provide listings for help doing everything from walking your dog to remodeling your kitchen.

41. MovingHelp.com: Moving can be a huge pain to do on your own. Find hourly labor to help you out with ads listed on this site.
42. International Listings: If you are selling your luxury home, use this site to advertise to an international audience. Or, if you’re on the market, browse through their listings to find the property of your wildest dreams.
43. Find a Dogwalker: Don’t let your furry friend have to hold it all day long. Find a friendly dog walker in your area through the listings on this site.
44. Find Me a Tech: Computers and other high tech gadgets can be difficult to fix on your own, so find a tech expert to help you out through this site.
45. FolioFinder: Hiring a qualified graphic designer or illustrator can make or break your company’s reputation, so ensure you’re getting the best by searching through portfolios on this design site.
46. Mechanic Finders: If your car needs some work find listings for ever kind of mechanic in your area through the search tool offered on this website.
47. GenieTown: Listings on this site can help you find help with anything from pet sitting to personal chefs.
48. ContractorFindUSA: This site make it easy to find a contractor to help your remodel your kitchen, finish your basement or anything else you need help with.
49. FlatDoor: List the services you need help with on this site and providers can bid to provide you with services, helping you get the best deal possible.
50. BizReef: Post your project on this site and freelancers can send you offers to complete it for you. Listings range from business services and marketing to photography and website development.

These days, everyone seems so scared of the RIAA that they’re relegated to using paid services like iTunes and Napster, but it doesn’t have to be that way. There are a number of legal and mostly-legal sources that offer great music from both established and emerging artists, and they’re happy to share downloads with you for free. We’ve compiled a list of 100 of these sources for your downloading enjoyment here. Variety If you’d like to spice up your music collection with loads of different tunes, these sites have a wide variety to offer.

1. MP3.com: This favorite site features free tracks from artists like Paul Oakenfold and the B-52′s.
2. Oddio Overplay: On Oddio Overplay, you’ll get access to radio, original music, old recordings, and loads more.
3. fluctu8: On this site, you’ll find podcasts for jazz, international music, and more.
4. iSound: iSound has lots of great bands, and a feature that lets you find artists based on groups that you already like.
5. Epitonic: On this site, you’ll not only find lots of music to download, you’ll also find great write-ups, a community, and lots of links.
6. Better Propaganda: On Better Propaganda, you’ll find tons of new music to download for free.
7. AvidBeauty: This site has lots of audio and video downloads, including mp3 and music.
8. Soundlift: Soundlift features music from loads of different genres, like pop, classical, and jazz.
9. Peoplesound: Visit this site for downloads from emerging artists in blues, dance, pop, and more.
10. We7: We7 has downloads for everything from country to reggae, and even features unsigned artists.
11. SpiralFrog: This site has more than 1 million free downloads from artists like Mariah Carey, 3 Doors Down, and Sugarland, all rated and recommended.

Daily Download Check out these sites that feature a new, free download each and every day.

12. mp3 Jackpot: This site features a new song on their mp3 Jackpot every day.
13. eMusic: eMusic offers a review and a new download every day.
14. iSound: On iSound, you’ll find a new download every day, and a list of the last 100 featured.

Search Engines Armed with the power of these search engines, you can find just about any song your heart desires.

15. SeeqPod: SeeqPod is a useful search engine that finds media files on the web and offers lots of extras.
16. G2P: Use G2P to find what you’re looking for on Google.
17. The Hype Machine: This site finds music from blogs, and provides links to each post where you can download the original track.
18. Meloditrax: Use this music search engine to find old favorites and discover new ones.
19. AirMp3: Visit AirMp3 to get results from several music sites at once.
20. Mp3Realm: This search engine is specifically dedicated to finding mp3s.
21. ICkStuff: Visit ICkStuff to download music, as well as video and other media while you’re at it.
22. Dogpile: Dogpile performs a metasearch for audio across all of the major search engines.
23. Online Media Finder: With Online Media Finder, it’s easy to find artist tracks by search or tag.
24. eSpew: Check out eSpew for an easy to use, advanced music search engine.
25. Jimmyr: Jimmyr serves up an easy way to search Google for free downloads.
26. BeeMP3: BeeMP3 provides an easy, no frills way to download mp3s.
27. CCHits: This search engine exclusively features music that’s released under Creative Commons.
28. cr3ation b3ta: This service offers a handy music search.
29. SkreemR: SkreemR aggregates music from all over the Internet and offers easy download links for songs.
30. Musgle: Musgle is an ultra-simple Google for music.

Community Music is a very social art, so it’s no wonder that these communities have formed to share free downloads and discussions.

31. Haystack: On Haystack, you can view artist profiles, and use this hack to download free music.
32. Del.icio.us: This social bookmarking site regularly has good popular mp3 links.
33. WebJay: This playlist community creates lists of songs for you to download and enjoy.
34. alonetone: Check out alonetone for awesome artist-led albums and playlists for downloading.
35. Purevolume: Find new and emerging artists on this music community site.
36. mp3 4U: Visit this site, where excellent sources recommend songs to download.
37. Mp3Board: Find the latest news and downloads on this Digg-style site for music.
38. Opsound: Check out this pool of music for sounds that are free and open for anyone to download and use.
39. Soundclick: Soundclick highlights artists, members, and more, all with free downloads.
40. Starfrosch: On this site, you can share, download, and vote for music.
41. Jamendo: As a Jamendo member, you can make your own playlists, offer reviews, and discuss artists in the forum.
42. AudioStreet: In this community, you can chat on the forums, hear about news, and check out featured artists.
43. Dance-Industries: Here you’ll be able to check out artist ratings and vote on your own favorites.

World Music Stay on top of music from around the world with these sources.

44. Digital Sounds: On this site, you’ll find new German downloads and more.
45. Venzero Mixtape: This German site offers a mixtape with some of their favorite bands.
46. Sangeetix: Visit Sangeetix to find Hindi music and lyrics.
47. Dogmazic: Dogmazic has loads of French tracks and beyond.
48. Tonspion: This site has lots of German artists, as well as other popular tracks from around the world.
49. Muzic9: Check out this site for new tracks from Asia.
50. Cantaria: This site offers tracks of traditional Western European folk.
51. Deezer: Deezer features both established and emerging artists on their French site.
52. ElectroBel: Hear electronic music from Belgium, Luxembourg, and beyond on this site.

Shows & Festivals These sites make it easy for you to get your live music fix.

53. SXSW: Here you can download showcase music from the SXSW festival in Austin.
54. CBC Radio 3 Sessions: CBC’s Sessions podcast offers live recordings of excellent Canadian independent artists.
55. Live Music Archive: On this archive, you’ll be able to download recordings from bands that don’t mind if their performances are distributed.
56. Songza: Check out Songza for live recordings, but be patient when searching for free downloads.
57. bt.etree.org: This community tracks live concert recordings of artists that allow free downloads.

Blogs Visit these blogs to stay on top of the latest downloads, plus insightful commentary.

58. Free iTunes Downloads: This blog keeps readers up to date on free downloads that are available on the iTunes music store.
59. Stereogum: Stereogum serves up awesome music, news and commentary.
60. Bradley’s Almanac: Bradley’s Almanac features loads of music, specifically special tracks from Boston.
61. Giga Tracks: This blog features mostly indie musicians, and offers descriptions of familiar artists they sound like. The blog also offers lots of industry news.
62. Molly O’Poverty’s Guide to (Mostly) Free Music: Although the blog is closed, you can check out Molly’s archives for lots of great links to free downloads.
63. Free Metal Albums: Here you can download free, legal albums from high quality, obscure metal artists.
64. Totally Free Music: Totally Free Music has music…that’s totally free, including loads of Nine Inch Nails.
65. largehearted boy: On largehearted boy, you’ll find daily links to free downloadable music.
66. 3hive: 3hive links to official labels and artist websites that want to share mp3s.
67. Audiofile: Although Salon’s Audiofile blog has been discontinued, they’ve still left up a great collection of free songs to download.
68. Free Albums Galore: On Free Albums Galore, you’ll be able to download entire albums from indie artists and more.
69. Spinner: Here you’ll find a new mp3 nearly everyday, plus free download roundups.
70. Gratisvibes: Check out this blog that features free licensed music from around the world.

Labels Get free music straight from the source with these record labels that offer free downloads.

71. Internet Archive: Netlabels: Check out this "netlabel" collection to find techno music and more.
72. Misantrof Antirecords: Visit the Misantrof Music Archives to find a historical collection of music to download.
73. Metronomicon Audio: Visit Metronomicon Audio to download lots of artist tracks in both mp3 and ogg.
74. Matador Records: Matador now features zipped files of their "Intended Play" collections.
75. Mush Records: Visit Mush Records to get access to loads upon loads of free downloads from their artists.
76. Loca Records: Download these awesome tracks from Loca Records.
77. Barsuk: Get free mp3s from Barsuk Records artists like Nada Surf and Jim Noir.
78. w00tw0t0 Records: Check out this label’s many downloads of independent electronic music.
79. Vice Records: Vice’s blog now offers free downloads from their artists on a regular basis.

Classical & Public Domain Many older and classical works are available as public domain, and these sites have used the freedom afforded by this classification to offer free downloads.

80. Musopen: On this site, you can download classical music from performers from around the world, well organized and easy to find.
81. Classic Cat: Classic Cat is a directory that links to composers online.
82. Karadar: Karadar offers an easy way to find free downloads for classical pieces.
83. Wikipedia: This list features a number of public doman musical works available for download on Wikipedia.
84. Piano Society: Check out these recordings and biographies from composers.
85. Columbia University Orchestra: Find free downloads for this orchestra’s performances of pieces by Beethoven, Mozart, and more.
86. The Classical Archives: Check out thee archives to get access to more than 40,000 files by classical composers, including live recordings and MIDI files.
87. PublicDomain4U: This site stays on top of public domain songs, featuring artists like Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Irving Berlin.

General Here you’ll find loads of interesting downloads, from holiday songs to free remix sites.

88. ccMixter: On this site, you’ll find remixes that are licensed to be sampled, mashed-up and more.
89. freesound: Check out freesound, where you’ll get access to all sorts of free Creative Commons licensed sounds.
90. Kahvi Collective: Visit the Kahvi Collective for "free electronic grooves."
91. Free Christmas Music: Check out this site that offers free mp3 downloads of holiday songs.
92. Free kids music: Find contemporary and traditional music for children on this site.
93. LegalTorrents: This torrent site offers legal downloads of mp3s, netlabel music, sounds, and more.
94. OverClocked ReMix: Check out this community that offers remixes of video game music.
95. UnExotica: The songs featured on this site are from Amoga Games and demo soundtracks.
96. Free Jazz Downloads: All About Jazz has daily downloads of jazz music and more.
97. MTV: MTV regularly features a nul.i8mber of freebie downloads from different popular genres.
98. GarageBand: In this community, you can check out independent music from online musicians.
99. Amie Street: On Amie Street, you’ll find loads of free tracks from independent artists.
100. NovemberStar Entertainment: On NovemberStar, you can check out an extensive database of talented independent artists.