It's true, information should be free. Right? But it takes money and human effort to produce quality content and host and maintain a highly trafficked website. I believe that effort deserves to be compensated, and I support artists and content creators whenever I am able to.

I like the mantra that seems to pervade torrent cReWs: If you make money off of something- buy it. While it isn’t bulletproof (an argument could be made that it's still not appropriate to illegally "test before buying," even if you aren’t making money off the download), at least it is something.

For that reason and also stability, ease of updates, and peace of mind, I pay for a subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud. I am technically on my second year of a 1-year student discount plan, but I do pay none-the-less!

Hint: cancel and re-sign up with a new email address before your annual subscription renews, as the discounted pricing is only good for the first year. This transition is less feasible if you have active projects that are dependent on Typekit or other cloud-based Adobe services linked to your current account.

So really, all you need to do for these trials is sign up with a new email address and a credit/debit card that you haven't used before for that site. Here are some trials that I frequent:

1. AUDIBLE.com

Some sweet books you could be listening to rn:

The Age of Cryptocurrency: How Bitcoin and Digital Money Are Challenging the Global Economic Order

I think I am going to start this one soon...

A Clash of Kings: A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 2

Full price: $63.

Oryx & Crake

@jessandthesea recommends this.

BONUS TIP: Audible implants their files with DRM that requires you to authorize itunes or be signed into their app with the email address you "purchased" with. So here is another item I paid for: NoteBurner Audiobook Converter. It strips the DRM from Audible's proprietary .aax file and lets you save it as an MP3, so you can listen in a care-free way on whichever device you please.

2. LYNDA.com

I have done so many free Lynda trials. For me, video tutorials are a really productive way to learn new stuff. You could learn about...

Ethical Hacking

Find out how vulnerable your network is.

Bitcoin.

The basics of bitcoin.

iOS App Development

The basics of Swift 3.

BONUS TIP: Buy Total Video Downloader to download Lynda videos while you are on the trial and watch them at your own pace. Perhaps you might also get the free VLC app to watch them on your phone, because it just works and you won't have to worry about converting to special formats.

3. HBONOW.com

Because Game of Thrones. Get 30 days free here. I watched the entire series in the span of one trial, and I'm probably going to get another because SEASON 7 is coming out soon! OMG.

...

Is this level of digital-scheming morally questionable?

Yea, probably. Illegal? No. A bit crusty? Definitely. I guess I feel that occasionally capitalizing on these free trials (the educational ones, anyway) is helping me upskill and get closer to eventually reaching a more bountiful financial position in life.

In the opening of the podcast Waking Up episode #82, Sam Harris has this to say about responses he received from an online survey:

"Many people said they simply can’t afford to support [the show]. Even giving a few dollars a month would be a real sacrifice. And many felt bad about this. And my response to that is: don't be insane. That's exactly why I’m happy the podcast is free. And even if you're not in that situation... If you're giving a few dollars a month to this show and that puts you anywhere near the edge of your comfort zone- stop supporting the podcast. I don't want anyone making a tangible sacrifice to support this show.

But if you’re getting enough value from this show that you’re happy to treat it like an extra cup of coffee once a week, or once a month, and you’re fortunate enough not to have to do the math on that to see if something else in your life will be affected, well then your support is hugely appreciated, because you really are making the show possible."

DON'T FORGET: Always set a reminder in your calendar to cancel it before you are charged.

Happy trialing <3

-ks