How to Get Free Food

By Suzanne Arant Wells

Getting free food from restaurants, coffee houses, and fast food places is easy if you know how. The key is to plan ahead, stay informed, and constantly be on the lookout for freebies that you and your family can use. Learn how to tap into resources and stay "in the know" on how to get free food.

Join groups and forums where members post freebies and deals. There is power in numbers - thousands of eyes and ears are everywhere seeking out deals and posting them on forums. Sites such as SlickDeals.net and Anything4Free.com have thousands of members who are watchdogs for freebies. New deals are posted daily and the members post links to printable coupons, online advertisements, or just spread the word about deals they have seen or heard about. Some of the deals are for a limited time only or in certain geographic locations, so check the forums often and see which deals will work for you.

Read blogs such as Money Saving Mom and Sisterly Savings. The women who write these blogs have a huge following of readers who help them stay in the know about freebies of all kinds - coupons in the Sunday inserts, online deals, local specials, you name it. Information about freebies are constantly being added to these sites. Subscribe to these blogs so that the updates are delivered to you by email. What could be better than receiving freebies in your inbox every day?

Visit the website http://www.familyfriendlyamerica.com/kidseatfree.html for a huge list of restaurants and fast food establishments where kids can eat free. The website outlines what days and times kids eat free, so you can plan eating out around the best deals.

Join restaurant and fast food loyalty programs. Many sandwich, coffee, and ice cream shops have punch cards where you receive a credit for each purchase. When your card is full of punches, you will be granted a free item. If you are eating out anyway, take advantage of these frequent customer programs and rack up free food.

Watch your mail for the ValueMailer type envelopes full of coupons. Our family uses these all the time. You will find offers for BOGO meals, free beverages, or a free dessert with purchase. The BOGO meal deals will save you the most money.

Check the Sunday paper coupon inserts. National chains like IHOP, Hardees, and Pizza Hut usually have coupons in the Sunday inserts for BOGO deals or free items with purchase.

Pay attention to your local TV, radio, and newspapers. Local restaurants have all kinds of specials. You've probably seen specials like this: Celebrate our 10th anniversary - Get a free sandwich from 5-7 on Tuesday! Wear your team jersey and get a free appetizer from 3-5 during the game! Halloween Madness - wear your costume and get a free dessert! National Coffee Day - get a free cappuccino on Friday! Watch for these types of special promotions in your community.

Eat free on your birthday, or take someone out so they can eat free on their birthday. Go to http://www.frugalliving.tv/free-stuff/birthday-freebies.html. Some freebie deals require that you join a birthday club in which case coupons will be mailed. You can literally drive around all day on your birthday getting free meals, coffee, snacks, and desserts. I've done it!