Web Wonders: Five Free Programs Your Office Needs

Want to save both time and money? Check out these five free web-based treasures:

OpenOffice: This online office suite is easy to use and includes word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, databases, and more. Its software is open-source, which means users can make changes to the software, request new features or report bugs. It's like using Microsoft Office - only better.

In addition, OpenOffice features an international, open-standard format and is available in several languages. This suite has read-and-write capabilities from other software such as Microsoft Word, Access, Excel, and more. Upon signing up for OpenOffice, you will join millions of other users who receive 24/7 support. To learn more, visit OpenOffice. IBM also offers Lotus Symphony, which has been called a "prettier" version of OpenOffice. Be sure to check that out, too.

Google Docs: Google offers a highly beneficial application that allows users to create online presentations, word documents, spreadsheets and forms. The beauty of this application is that people can work in real-time with other users. Documents can then be sent via e-mail or downloaded to the user's personal computer.

In addition, the documents are automatically saved to Google's server, which ensures that your disc space is not compromised and that backups are always available. The application saves copies of the documents as revisions are made. Another benefit is that documents are available to be viewed on mobile browsers. As with any online document management tool, the biggest downside is file size constraints, and Google Docs caps out at 500,000 per document. Google Docs supports Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari, Google Chrome, and Opera web browsers.

Mint: This money-management site isn't too time-consuming since you aren't required to enter every transaction - unlike Money or Quicken. Instead, users download bank activity, and the site analyzes your finances. The site will also send alerts and tips on a regular basis, help you create and maintain a budget, prepare you for tax season, and more.

As a former user of MS Money, I think it's a great tool. However, its limitation is that you can only access the software on the computer on which it is loaded. But, since Mint is web-based, you can access accounts anywhere. If you're like me, and finances aren't your forte, you can look like a hero by utilizing all of the free information this site provides. For instance, learn highly beneficial financial skills, such as how to reduce debt and lower credit card interest. After all, who doesn't want to look like a hero at work?

Remember the Milk: Never forget another grocery item - or anything else, for that matter - thanks to Remember the Milk. This extensive online task manager will send you reminders via e-mail, text message or instant message. While its title suggests that this site is for remembering your groceries, it's actually so much more than that. Users can add tasks on the fly, set schedules, and utilize Smart Lists so tasks can inherit other task properties. Users can also add notes to tasks and share them with others.

Personally, I appreciate the ability to enter locations and sort tasks accordingly. Also, for added convenience, they appear on a map. Remember, this is a very complex and professional site; don't let the cartoon cow fool you!

Passpack: One necessary evil that all professionals deal with on a daily basis is password management. We have passwords for bank and e-mail accounts, online photo-viewing, social networking, and more. Although these parameters are implemented to protect us, remembering and maintaining user IDs and passwords can be a nightmare. Even worse, some networks - such as the hospital system I maintain - require users to change their passwords every 90 days.

Passpack offers a secure place to store and maintain all user IDs, passwords and associated website addresses. It also has an option to edit your entries so that IDs are kept current. Remember, it's an online application, which means it's accessible anywhere an Internet connection is available. Also, users can insert as many as 100 entries in their password list. Secure messages can also be exchanged in a Ring of Trust. The mutual relationship you establish with fellow users protects your privacy and prevents e-mail messages from getting lost in spam boxes.

Be sure to check out these valuable tools when you have a moment. Highly beneficial, they're likely to save you both time and money.