(This entry was first posted on my other blog.)

I am a voracious reader but in today’s economic situation, buying or subscribing to magazines is out of the question. However, that doesn’t mean I would stop reading and give up the chance to improve my knowledge on different topics. I have discovered and used creative ways on not spending a cent on quality subscriptions yet still enjoy reading.

• Borrow from friends and colleagues - I’m sure you know somebody who subscribe to international magazines such as Reader’s Digest and Time. Why not borrow from them? Ask your friends to lend you magazine issues which they have already finished reading. Just take care of the magazines as if they were you’re own and return promptly.
• Read whatever magazine your office is subscribing - Most offices somehow subscribe to at least one publication, be it newspaper or magazine. Management would not subscribe to it unless they consider it important in your trade. So grab the chance to read for free and you also give the Boss the impression that you are seriously improving your knowledge.
  
• Subscribe to free magazine- There are loads of magazines on the Internet which you can subscribe for free. There are sites which offer free delivered magazine and online edition. I personally subscribe to the following magazines:
  • Development Magazine - a development oriented magazine which is published quarterly and delivered at your doorstep for free.
  • Questex Media - publisher of IT related magazines in Asia such as Telecom Asia, Wireless Asia and Network World Asia. Has free online and printed edition for qualified subscribers
  • TradePub - has an extensive list of free Business, Computer, Engineering and Trade magazines, white papers, downloads and podcasts to find the titles that best match your skills and interests; topics include management, marketing, operations, sales, and technology. Has free published online and printed edition for qualified subscribers.

  Here are some tips in getting qualified for a subscription;

1. You have to be geographically qualified;
2. You must be working in the industry related to the magazine you’re subscribing;
3. You have a bigger chance of getting approved if you are in a position to approve purchases and are planning on purchasing a product in the your industry;
4. You also have a bigger chance of getting approved if you are working in a company with more employees and you have people under you.

I hope I was able to give you some useful tips. Happy reading!

Image credit: cesarastudillo