Best FREE Private Online E-mail

So, in light of the whole Snowden affair, I'm trying to upgrade my online security in most every way I can think of, outside of putting an aluminum hat on my PC tower.

I've already changed my browser to Comodo's Ice Dragon, and using their VPN feature. I'm also using MaskMe that (for lack of better phrase) generates a fake IP. I've also started using StartPage exclusively as my Search Engine. After all of that, I realize I'm a sitting duck using a gmail acct.

I've read, and researched quite a bit about all of the different private online email services that incl. Hushmail, Startmail, GMX, and some others. Right now, although, it's not free, Startmail seems to be the best, most committed service when they finally release it to the public. Just wondering if anyone here can share an informed opinion on these or others I didn't mention.

Finally, are there any other privacy/security tools I should use that don't weigh down my speed, or cause unnecessary redundancy. Please provide links if it's not too much trouble.

Tanx,
GPL