Websites You Never Knew You Needed

One of my favorite things about the Internet is that you can find information about anything and if you're persistent enough, you can probably find it for free. These are a few of my most widely recommended websites that you can't afford to miss.

Topix

If you need to stay up-to-date with the headlines but you don't have time to wade through the typical spin and nonsense, then Topix has the site for you. News is such a subjective thing and it can be difficult to find everything you need in one place. With literally hundreds of editors and at least as many 'net trolling robots, if you can't find it here, wait five minutes. The brilliance of the Topix game plan is that their editors aren't driven by money or notoriety. I'm the least money or notoriety-driven guy I know and even I'm an editor. In fact, if you've got the time, the passion and the desire, you can probably be part of their volunteer editorial staff too.

The Hunger Site

The Internet has perpetuated more laziness and lethargy than decades of television ever could. Now you can be lazy and get your charitable itches scratched at the same time. The Hunger Site was the first of a series of one-click-to-help websites that use advertising revenue to raise money to help with everything from ending starvation to funding breast exams. It doesn't take any effort whatsoever and in less time than it takes to find the remote, you'll know that you've done something with your Internet time that will positively impact someone else. The best part is that you can do it all again tomorrow and "every little click helps".

Do Not Call Registry (US only)

There's nothing more annoying than telemarketing calls. Okay, so the 5,000 spam mails I get in my inbox every hour are a little more annoying but I don't have to listen to them and at least there's something I can do to greatly reduce the number of telemarketing calls I get. A quick visit to the Do Not Call Registry will remove your number from the lists used by many telemarketing firms around the country. It won't stop the calls altogether, but it will make dinnertime a little more peaceful.

Annual Free Credit Report (US only)