If you are looking for free anti virus software you may want to consider the six listed below. They include Avira AntiVir Personal, Alwil Avast Anti Virus Home Edition, AVG 8.5 Free, Microsoft Security Essentials, PC Tools Antivirus Free Edition and Comodo Internet Security. These free apps have been tested, rated, and reviewed by PC World.

Anti Virus Program	Site to Download	PC World Rating	Review at PC World
	Download	92 Superior	pcworld.com/63548
Avira AntiVir Personal
	Download	91 Superior	pcworld.com/63550
Alwil Avast Anti Virus Home Edition
	Download	86 Very Good	pcworld.com/63551
AVG 8.5 Free
	Download	86 Very Good	pcworld.com/63552
Microsoft Security Essentials
	Download	69 Fair	pcworld.com/63553
PC Tools Antivirus Free Edition
	Download	68 Fair	pcworld.com/63554
Comodo Internet Security

 

Keep in mind that free anti virus software don’t give you everything that paid anti virus software does. Most free apps offer little to no support if you run into problems. They may provide online forums or charge you for over the phone support. AVG offers paid telephone support for $50 which isn’t worth it. 

Also, free apps tend to have less frequent updates which in today’s world with new viruses popping up all the time this maybe a problem. Free apps also provide limited features. As an example, Avira’s paid anti virus will scan traffic before it’s downloaded to your computer, but it’s free version doesn’t. 

Some free applications also give you stuff you don’t want such as toolbars and will urge you to upgrade by purchasing the paid version. For many companies the free app are used to give you a test drive, but the goal is to have you upgrade eventually.

Some of the top rated selling anti-virus products are listed below:

Symantec	Kaspersky Lab
CA	Trend Micro

Currently, FreeVirusTrial.com is offering 30-60 days antivirus trials for Symantec (Norton Internet Security 2010), Trend Micro Internet Security 2010 and Avast Antivirus Professional Edition.

Microsoft’s new search engine Bing is offering a new feature to save money when shopping online called “Double Savings Day”.  

Double Saving Days is a Bing cashback promotion where the amount of cashback offered by most stores will be doubled (up to a total cashback reward of 50%) for a limited time.

The program started on August 10, 2009 and will run to the end of the month; however, Microsoft has reserved the right to end the program early.

When you shop you will see a message that explains the Double Savings Day.  See screen shots below.

Screen Shot of Search Page

 Screen shot of Shopping Page

For more information visit Bing.com/Shopping.

If you are text messaging junkie and reduce your text messaging cost then I have some ideas for you.  Many carriers charge 20 cents per text message, which can add up to big bucks over time.  Of course, you can add a messaging plan to your service plan that will cost an additional $5 to $20 per month.  But who wants to add on extra expenses in these rough economic times?
 
You can save money with text messaging by using a PC to send the message bypassing your cell phone carrier and saving money.  One service you can use to send free messages to any mobile phone is GizmoSMS.com, which is very easy to use.  Visit the site, pick the country of the recipient, enter the cell phone number and message, a code to prevent spamming and your message if off.  All for free.

If you want 2-way communication then checkout Cherple.com.  They offer a free software program for Mac and Windows that lets users receive and send text messages.  Cherple.com allows anyone with an Internet connection, anywhere in the world; carry on a 2-way text conversation with any U.S. cell phone.

Gmail users can also send text messages for free by enabling Text Messaging (SMS) in Chat, a new Google Labs feature that adds texting capabilities in Gmail.

For iPhone users, you can purchase SMS Touch for $3 that enables you to send unlimited messages.  Replies are sent to your e-mail inbox.  Visit the Apple App Store to purchase.

You have started a new job and have to make a decision of which medical insurance plan to sign up for. Or you are about to re-enroll in your medical insurance plan. You are offered multiple options with various monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and maximum out of pocket costs.

When I started my last job, I did an analysis as to what option would save me money. I was basically offered the 3 options listed below:

This is an 80/20 plan. Once your deductible is met, the plan pays 80%, I pay 20% until the maximum out of pocket is met, and then the plan pays 100%.

The question is; which plan will cost me less money? Will like most things, it depends. However, per my analysis most people will save money with Plan C, unless their medical costs for the year is over approximately $17,000.

To figure this out, I created a spreadsheet that you can DOWNLOAD HERE and play with. You can change the spreadsheet to analyze your medical insurance options.

As an example, if your medical cost for the year is $5,000, you will save $1,744 with Plan C, or $1,040 with Plan B (see screenshot of spreadsheet below).

Screenshot of Spreadsheet Showing Medical Plan Options

The lower your medical costs for the year the more money you will save with Plan C.

Most of the saving with Plan C comes from the yearly premium. Plan C will costs $216 for the year, while Plan A costs $2,400 for the year, a savings of $2,184. That’s a big difference!

Although, the annual deductible is $800 for Plan C, one strategy to lower that cost is to put at least $800 in a Flexible Spending Account (if your plan offers it), which is not subject to payroll taxes thus lowering the cost.

See related article: Staying Healthy is Money in the Bank

Let’s face it; going to college is very expensive and can become stressful trying to figure out how to pay for it.  If borrowing for college leaves you feeling lost, be assured that you are not alone.

With so many lenders offering so many versions of basic loan types, it can be hard to find the loan that’s best for you. Having options is great. But you need a guide to set you on the right path. To accomplish this, consider SimpleTuition.

SimpleTuition is designed to help find your ideal college loan, and to help you take action. SimpleTuition allows you to compare and apply for student loans from more than 20 lenders to make the best college funding choice for you and your family.

SimpleTuition also offers an objective, sortable, online comparison solution that will make your college borrowing choices a whole lot clearer. Behind their simple, straightforward navigation, a complex engine crunches real numbers to give you real results. SimpleTuition stand behind the accuracy of our results, because they know the importance of this decision for students and families.

Another company to consider is Upromise. Whether you’re preparing for a child to someday enter college, looking to offset the costs for a child currently working toward a degree, or wanting a faster way to repay existing college loans, Upromise will guide you.

Upromise allows you to earn college savings through eligible everyday spending. You can start a college savings plan which allows you to save money on your taxes.  With Upromise you can learn about ways to pay for college and they also offers special discounts, bonuses and money-saving offers.