If you are generally wary of free stuff, I’m right there with you. Most of the time, I’ve found, free stuff is like bait. It’s a “tasty morsel,” a big tease with the clear intent of getting us to part with money we have no intention of parting with to get whatever it is that’s “free.”

But now and then, free is truly free with no strings attached. And when it’s something I find useful in my life, well, that’s a happy find.

Today I have three truly free things for you to consider. Chances are good you’ll find them downright awesome!

KITESTRING

If you, your kids or parents are on a solo trip or even out for a walk alone at night, it’s a good idea to let a loved one know you’re safe (or possibly not). Kitestring is a simple web app that checks up on you and sends a text message to your emergency contacts if you don’t respond by a designated time.

Kitestring is an SMS-based service. If you can send text messages, you can use Kitestring. That spares you the trouble of downloading another app. You don’t even need a smartphone to use Kitestring.

If necessary, you can always extend your check-in time (ETA or estimated time of arrival) or check in early. If you don’t respond to Kitestring’s text message, your emergency contact(s) will get your customizable message alerting them to the fact that you have not arrived and all may not be well.

Kitestring is a free source (15 trips per month to one emergency contact) that offers peace of mind—especially for those adventurous types and their families and friends. Instead of having to check up on each other just to say “I made it safe,” Kitestring does the checking up for you.

To learn more, take a look at the Kitestring FAQs.

MY JOB CHART

My Job Chart is an ingenious website that takes the idea of teaching kids the value of money with a job board and digitizes it while including the concepts of sharing and saving.

Simply go to the site, open a free account then add your kids to it. Next, choose from a list of chores to assign them, along with a deadline. For each chore or job, you also need to set points that your child earns upon completion.

The points become a “currency system” that My Job Chart intends will teach children more about money. Children are free to save, spend or share the points they earn. And the “spend” is linked to rewards like a bedtime story or anything they want from Amazon, which you get to add. My Job Chart also offers mobile apps.

IKEA HACKERS

Oh, this is  fun! IkeaHackers is a website devoted to amazing ideas and hows-tos for modifying and repurposing IKEA products. Think of IkeaHackers as a place with IKEA hackers from all over the globe gather to share their “geniousness.” They submit their creations, with the hope of providing alternative ideas on IKEA products.

The term “hacks,” as used at this site, may be as simple as adding an embellishment, some others may require power tools and lots of ingenuity. Think: Turning a simply IKEA framed mirror into a jewelry storage vault, by simply adding a couple of a hinges. Or a laundry organizer from IKEA kitchen cabinets.

Curious, aren’t you? Well, head on over to IkeaHackers to find out what that’s all about.

Question: Do you have a favorite web site or phone app that has truly revolutionized some area of your life? Tell us about it. We’ll be so interested to learn more, especially if it just happens to be FREE!

Caught yourself reading all the way 'til the end? Why not share with a friend.