Free Tools to Make Your New Year Shine!

One of the best things about owning your own business is being able to create new items for business use.  The only thing that isn't awesome about that is that many of the programs that give you the most ability cost a significant amount of money.  The purpose of this post is to give you free alternatives (most of which I use myself) to allow you to create professional-looking graphics, documents, etc.  If you have tools that aren't mentioned, please post a description of the program and a link to where you can get it in a comment!

• GIMP - The GNU Image Manipulation Program has virtually all of the tools and utilities of Adobe Photoshop except for the price!
• OpenOffice - Apache OpenOffice is an Office Suite with all the capabilities of Microsoft Word.  In fact, it can open MS office documents and save in their formats.  When you download it, it comes with a whole ton of options including:  Writer (equivlent of Word), Calc (equivalent of Excel), Impress (equivalent of PowerPoint), Draw (better than Paint ever tried to be), Base (equivalent of Access), and Math (does mathematical formulas; not sure there's a MS equivalent).
• CutePDF - The CutePDF Writer allows you to take a single page (or pages) out of any PDF document and save them individually.  Their Editor allows you to combine multiple PDF documents into one and save it.
• CollageIt - This photo collage maker can randomize collages of your nails, pictures from parties, or anything and make them look amazing.  I use this at least once a week!
• WiseStamp - This free program creates a custom, professional email signature that you can add to your emails.  Mine looks like this
  

  Jennifer Forbes Independent Consultant Jamberry Nails | m: (250)858-6605 | e: fairefaerie@gmail.com | w: http://jarner.jamberrynails.net

Websites

• MailChimp - Mail Chimp can help you create amazing mailings to your clients for absolutely free!
• Pinterest - Seriously, you can get amazing graphics on Pinterest that you can't find anywhere else!
• Jamberry Documents - This Facebook Page is the second best place to get graphics!  If you can't access it, request me to add you to the group. 

Homework:  Post which, if any of these websites and programs you think you'll use in the next year.  Due tomorrow.