The Frenzy for Bargains Will Define This Recession

While the Big Three automakers and the heads of the banks can head to Congress with their hats outstretched for donations, the rest of us are sitting and waiting for our portion of the pie, should we even get any. But that doesn't mean that we are getting left out in the cold in terms of getting hand-outs, freebies and discounts.

When we look back on this recession (laughing all the way to the bank, I hope), the lasting image is going to be of people lined up for blocks to get something free or at some big discount -- probably at a liquidation sale. Like bread lines were to the 30s and gas lines and Jimmy Carter in his cardigan were to the 70s, the frenzy for cheap stuff will be what defines us now.

The search for free stuff and great discounts has become one of the most viral elements of the web. Coupon sites spring up every day, and then coupon aggregator sites to make sense of them all. A company offers a deal and word spreads, and suddenly there are lines out the door.

Have you found yourself standing in line for a free doughnut, or a free pancake, or free pie, or a free cup of coffee in the last few months? Maybe you got out early for discounts on Black Friday, maybe even so very early that you got a doorbuster prize? Perhaps you're just willing to wait a little longer for packages to get free shipping when you might have opted for overnight a while back?

WalletPop recently visited an office of the federal Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and found out what people were willing to do to get their taxes done for free.