I know that having regular and reliable internet access costs some money but like me, I am sure you will find it hard to admit that the internet has not enhanced your life or your ability to be frugal and save money.

Here is a list of some of the websites that we use regularly that help us enjoy life and still save money:

• Food Network – with cooking being our hobby and our effort to prepare meals at home and not eat out, we constantly reference this site for recipe and meal inspiration. We also use it for tips on cooking methods or flavour combinations.
• Women’s Health – I used to subscribe to this magazine and enjoyed reading it but it wouldn’t take long for me to get behind in my readings and the magazines would pile up. In my effort to be frugal and reduce clutter I decided to cancel my subscription. Now I subscribe to the email updates and I go one the site to search for specific topics. I don’t get bogged down with ads or articles that don’t interest me. Plus, it’s free.
• Skype – I love to stay in touch with friends and family and skype has allowed me to do this for free. My laptop has a built in webcam and microphone so I don’t have to carry around extra equipment. With my brother living in another province than me and my best friend living out of the city, Skype has allowed me to keep in touch regularly without having a killer phone bill. Plus, the video option adds to the conversation compared to just a voice on the phone. My friend and I even have dinner dates like we used to but now they are via Skype. Skype has allowed me to get as creative as I want when interacting with those important to me and once again, it’s free.
• Smart Canucks – this is where my husband and I find all of the current deals, coupons, and giveaways for where we live. Instead of our mailbox being cluttered with flyers for stores we wouldn’t shop at, we can go to this site and pull up the weekly flyer for the stores we want. We don’t have to pay a membership fee or anything; it’s just free, green, information.

These are just a few of the sites that we find useful. Check them out. I will post more in a future post.

So what sites do you find helpful? Please share. I want to check them out too.