Whether you're a freelancer who works from your laptop while traveling, an email addict who must check your inbox 100 times a day, a bargain hunter who enjoys combing the web for fun, or you're just looking for free Wi-Fi when you're in an unfamiliar city, there are several tools you can use to help find the closest hot spot. Simply enlist your smart phone and you'll be connection to Wi-Fi in no time.

Here are a few of our top choices for smart phone apps that can help you find an Internet connection wherever life takes you:

•    WiFi Finder – With this app, you can search for free and paid Wi-Fi anywhere in the world. The app scours a database of nearly 500,000 hotspots to find something nearby. You can search by cost (free or paid), location type (coffee shop, library, etc.) and even by provider. Clicking on a venue will give you details including the location, contact information, and directions to the business. And, if you ever find a hot spot that’s not listed, you can submit it directly through the app.

•    Hotspotr – This well known website has helped thousands of users find Wi-Fi hot spots in cities around the United States. It's available as an app on the iPhone – or, if you have another carrier, you can just open the mobile site on your smart phone. The site is user-driven, as they're the ones to submit Wi-Fi hot spots in their city. If you find one that's not on the list, you can submit it to help others in their search for a connection.

•    Starbucks – If you're an AT&T customer, don't forget that you get free Wi-Fi at AT&T hotspots like Starbucks. The app tracks your location and finds you the closest Starbucks – or, you can search by amenities. As an added bonus, the app gives you access to information about its whole bean coffee and related nutrition information. Note: Your AT&T data plan may also get you free access to hot spots in universities, convention centers, restaurants, bookstores, and more.

•    Yelp – Yelp is one of the most popular mobile apps for finding restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and more nearby – and learning what other travelers have to say about the venue. But, did you know it can also be used to find Wi-Fi hot spots? Simply search by category (like coffee shops or restaurants) and when you click on a venue, the app will tell you whether it has Wi-Fi.

Before heading out on your next trip, whether for business or leisure, consider downloading one of the above apps so you'll have access to Wi-Fi when you need it most.

About the Author:
Laura Murphy could never be considered a homebody – in fact, she is quite the opposite. She has traveled all over the world, never staying in one place too long and always anxious to explore new territory. A gig like hers –writing for the cheap car hire site NovaCarHire.com – is a dream come true! She hopes you'll continue to follow her as she explores the globe...and who knows? Maybe you'll even learn a thing or two about budget traveling!