If you have a credit card (and sometimes PayPal will do), you can get your free top level domain from registrars that offer first year registration free of charge (you may also find such coupon codes on RetailMeNot). You can then cancel that registration somewhere mid-term (or simply not renew), and have domain transferred to some other, preferable, and cheaper domains provider. One location where you can place such order is Microsoft Office Live Small Business.
Some registrars may also offer free domain for $0.99 first year. Directions above apply, and $0.99 domain is still much cheaper than $10. Use different e-mail addresses.
You may also find that a free, gratis domain from OpenDomain stands well in support of your project. Or possibly you manage to get the approval of Free-Name.org (U.S. residents may need to complete offers that do not cost anything (but time)). Possibilities are endless...
Otherwise just take our free domain (co.cc).
