Free PhotoShop Alternatives

Got some great party photos you want to edit, but don't have the right software and can't afford to pay for PhotoShop? Stay on the right side of the law with these free alternatives:

SumoPaint is an online application from Finland:

Or you can download a freeware program called Gimp.

Think Outside The Moving Box

It may not seem like it, but spring is approaching and spring is traditionally moving season in New York. Hopefully you found a desperate landlord willing to offer you cheaper rent than your current place. If you are that lucky, continue the savings by packing up in cheap(er) reused cardboard boxes.

You can search for free or cheap boxes posted on Craigslist, or
set up an account at FreeCardboardBoxes.com.
Boxcycle.com also hooks you up with sellers near you who will sell you boxes cheaper than U-Haul (although they have a messageboard of their own you can search for reused boxes).
UsedCardboardBoxes.com allows you to buy discounted stacks and shipping kits and have them shipped directly to you.

Of course, don't forget to save on boxes by packing less stuff in the first place: figure out what you don't need and sell it on Craigslist!

Photo by Mr. Greenjeans
[via IdealBite]

Top 10 Recession Stocks

It's common knowledge that the best time to buy stocks is when the market's down, since it will eventually (hopefully) go back up.

According to The Motley Fool the following are the Top 10 Recession Stocks:

1. Southwestern Energy
2. Goldcorp
3. Apple
4. Gilead Sciences
5. Priceline.com
6. ITT Educational Services
7. Strayer Education
8. McAfee
9. Flowers Foods
10. Range Resources

You should check out their website for a full explication of what exactly "Recession Stocks" are, as well as further investing advice. We at Recession This! certainly are not qualified to recommend any stock purchase or activity on your part of any kind. But if you somehow are lucky enough to have money to invest right now, this post is a good place to start (and all but 2 of these stocks are currently priced under $100).

Blackberry Without Blackberry

Don't have a Blackberry, want the Blackberry experience but can't afford the upgrade from your plain ol' cell phone? Then look into push e-mail.

We'll admit, we don't know that much about this stuff and are only aware of it thanks to a tech-savvy pal. But if you need it and can't afford to pay for it, check it out. Some providers suggested by our source are emoze and funambol.

[Photo by John W. Macdonald]

Decrease Credit Card Debt with Multiple, Earlier Payments

If you're carrying a balance on your credit card, check out this post at Consumerist.com for details on how paying more than once a month -- even small payments -- helps beat down the interest and ultimately save you money. They also have links to spreadsheets that will help you calculate a payment schedule.

$aveNYC Tax Refund Savings Account

El Alcalde Bloomberg announced today that some New Yorkers may be eligible for a savings account that they can open with their tax refund. You get 2 to 3 percent interest on the savings, and if you save for at least a year, the City will match 50% of your savings (up to $250).

Search the nyc.gov site or call 311 for the "select Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites" where you need to go to be eligible (not everyone will be, of course) to receive this benefit.

Read the full release here.
Or, if you have 17 minutes to kill, watch the video (low bandwith) (high bandwith)

Photo by Gracey Stinson via MorgueFile.com

Quick Tips: More Free Ringtones

We know, we know: you bought your iPhone before the economy went in the crapper. That's why we're not blaming you for the expense. But at least save some money on the ringtones.
Last October we posted this how-to on making your own ringtones with iTunes. Now, via Lifehacker, we have a plethora of resources for making free ringtones. (Works for non-iPhone cell phones, too.)

Photo by Andalusia via MorgueFile.com

We Are Not Alone: UK in Recession

Although the Recession This! team saw this coming as early as July, today the news is on the BBC wires that the United Kingdom is now officially in a recession. This is the first recession to hit Britain in about 18 years, and the worst quarter-to-quarter decline in almost 30 years.
Take whatever comfort you can in knowing that our friends across the pond are now saying "Please, sir, may I have some more?"
[via ForeignPolicy.com]
Photo from New York Public Library digital collection

Get Yer Nerd On for Free

For the rest of January and February, you can browse the content of Edinburgh University Press's journals to your nerd heart's content. [via About.com's Medieval History guide -- I'm a huge nerd too, obviously.]

Photo by Kevin Rosseel via morguefile

Cross Country Drivin'

Now that Obama is officially president and is going to start cleaning up the place, maybe you will want to take a road trip across this great land of ours. Use rental car comparison site Vroom Vroom Vroom to get the best price on your rental. And they even pony up the money for carbon offsets for your rental. [via Thrilllist]

Don't forget to properly inflate your tires for the best gas mileage!

If you need to fly, check out this previous travel post. For other tips on saving on flights or rideshares, check out this previous travel post.

Photo by Clarita via Morguefile.