Office freebie: Unless you absolutely need Microsoft 365, don’t waste your money. I’ve recommended LibreOffice, the free, open-source office software suite, for years, and it just got a major update. Plus, it works on Windows, Mac and Linux.
10 tech freebies to grab now: Software, phone service, logos and more
There’s never a dull moment when you own your own business. You don’t report to anyone but are on the hook for all the big decisions. You have complete control over what you spend your money on, but the bills never stop coming. Tap or click for small business tips that will save you money.
We know how tough it is for small businesses, no matter what you do. That’s why we like gathering reliable resources. It’s even better when they don’t cost you a thing.
Keep reading for 10 freebies you should take advantage of now.
1. Office software
Microsoft Office is pricey. You don’t need to pay for it if you know about this free alternative: LibreOffice. It’s a free, open-source office suite compatible with Microsoft Office files. Since it’s open-source software, the program is continually updated at no charge.
LibreOffice offers six programs that will feel instantly familiar if you’ve used Office before. Writer, Calc and Impress are equivalent to Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. They have most of the same features. You might need to poke around to find some of them.
Even better, LibreOffice can open and edit the documents you made in Office and save new files in Office formats. Download Libre Office here.
2. Accounting software upgrade
Are you fed up with QuickBooks? You’re not alone. Kim constantly hears from listeners looking for a better way to get their accounting done. That’s where our sponsor NetSuite comes in. It’s the world’s No. 1 cloud business system for a good reason.
If you’re bogged down in spreadsheets stored locally on your computer, you’ll love that you can access all your data in one place whenever you want.
The software isn’t free, but you can check it out at no cost and see if it’s right for you. And every small business owner knows the right software can save you a ton of time, which equals money.
To see it in action, head to Netsuite.com/kim and get a free product tour.
3 ways to fax documents without a fax machine — for free
Faxing seems archaic, but occasionally you may need to send one. Many businesses and organizations use them for communication. Take doctor’s offices, for example.
Sometimes, you need to share essential documents and email isn’t an option. That’s because faxes are much more secure. In comparison, email inboxes can come with spam, viruses and blocked messages. Tap or click here for our take on the best secure email providers.
Tech freebies: 15 upgrades you get for free
You’ve spent so much money already — on a laptop, tablet, computer, router, network extender, printer, and smartphone. You’ve signed up for the internet, and you’re paying monthly fees. You’ll be relieved to know that a lot of tech is free.