The easiest way to get free internet, or very cheap high speed internet is to share a connection with your neighbor. If you are good friends you can agree to share your or their wireless encryption key in exchange for a part of the bill. In these tough economic times this is a win-win deal for both of you as long as you don't hog each other's bandwidth. You may be able to share a connection as far away as two miles, using long range wifi antennas. Long range wifi antennas mount outside the house and connect to your wireless adapter card or to a USB wifi adapter with external antenna.
When sharing a connection remember that whatever the other home does on your IP address is traceable to you. Avoid downloading from sites like Limewire where you may be violating copyright laws for music and movies. The owner of the IP address will be the one prosecuted.
Therefore, it is a good idea to set ground rules for sharing an internet connection up front.
You can also nearly eliminate your phone bill by using a product called Magic Jack or another called Skype. Magic Jack does come with a lot of adware which pops up on your computer and tracking cookies and that is why I avoid it. Skype is spyware free and there are a number of devices you can use with Skype that will allow you to use a regular cordless phone. One product, sold at Wal Mart, allows you to connect your cordless phone to the computer via a USB port. This works as long as the computer is on. You can use a headset on the computer as well. If you have a wireless router you can connect a Skype ready cordless phone, sold at Circuit City, to the router and make phone calls just as you normally would. In some cases you may have to dial the country code along with the area code. There are Skype and Magic jack numbers for most parts of the country and for a low fee you can keep that number for life. Skype charges $30 per year for your own number plus $30 for unlimited calls to the US and Canada. You get the convenience of a home phone and your own number for less than six dollars per month. Keep in mind that By sharing an internet connection using long range wifi antennas and using Skype or Magic Jack you can save a hundred dollars or more per month.