Nowadays, a call to 411 (directory assistance) will cost you $1.99. Almost TWO DOLLARS to find a phone number! Here’s a little parenting tip that will save your a few bucks.Unless you have resorted to toting your yellow pages around with you, there appears to be no other alternative if you need to look up a phone number when you are on the road. (And parents chauffeurs are always on the road, aren’t they?)Now there is a choice. There is a service called 1-800-FREE411 (1-800-373-3411) that provides you with free directory assistance. Of course, if you call from a cell phone your carrier will still charge you for airtime. But there is no fee for using the service.

What’s the catch? - you ask. Well, it works a lot like regular directory assistance but before they reveal the number that you have requested, they will play a short, approx. 15 sec ad that you must listen to. To me, that’s worth the $1.99 savings - especially if I have more than one number to look up.

You can visit them at www.free411.com to see what they are all about.