This tutorial will show you ways to read, edit, and create PDF files without spending any money.

Step 1: Download Software

It requires 3 different pieces of software:

1. http://www.foxitsoftware.com (PDF reading software)
2. http://www.acrosoftware.com (PDF writing software)
3. http://www.hellopdf.com (PDF editing software

Step 2: Install Foxit Reader

Foxit has a free PDF reading application that's free to download. It serves the same purpose as Adobe Acrobat Reader, but it's not as bloated and it loads a lot faster. Just download it and install it, and you will be able to open up and read PDF files. For Windows, here is a direct download link.

Step 3: Install CutePDF

PDF creation software can get into the $100 range. Adobe has on online version of PDF creation for $9.99 a month. But CutePDF allows you to create a PDF file out of anything that can be printed, including web pages. All you have to do is download it, install it, and then when you go to print a document, instead of selecting your printer, select "CutePDF Writer". You can download CutePDF here.

Step 4: Instaling HelloPDF

Up until recently, the only way to edit a PDF files was to shell out a couple hundred dollars for an editing program (Adobe's is currently running at $449). But here is an application that is free to download and allows you to convert PDF files to a Microsoft Word Document. You can then edit it and, using CutePDF, convert it back to a PDF file. You can download it over at HelloPDF.com. After you install it, all you have to do is select the PDF file you want to convert and then click "Convert to Word Document.