As the creator of Online in San Francisco I am dedicated to providing readers with helpful ways to make the most of their time and money.  This article is divided into two sections:
  
                              Part 1)  Legitimate Freebies
                              Part 2)  Local Savings


Part 1)  Legitimate Freebies

It seems like whenever I try to get an Internet freebie I am sent on some cyber obstacle course, through numerous web pages, only to eat up my time and end up with nothing.  Has that ever happened to you?  If so, I wouldn't be surprised...I would imagine it is a fairly common online annoyance.  To save you a lot of grief I have put together the following list of legitimate freebies, all of which I am personally registered with or have registered with in the past.  All of these freebies are from reputable, well known companies...no annoying cyber mazes here!

FREE MONEY:

Upromise is a free service, and by simply providing them with your credit, debit or grocery card information you can begin saving money for your own, a child, a friend or family member's college education every time you shop at participating retailers.  Upromise encourages the money be used for college, but it can even be withdrawn for other purposes if you wish.  Members can earn Upromise savings when they dine out, buy gas, shop online - even when they buy or sell a house.  I signed up for this program when my daughter was an infant and every year I watch her savings grow.  It's simple, it's free... everyone should sign up for this service!  Click here for details:  Upromise - Join Upromise for free and let hundreds of America’s leading companies help you save for college

FREE ICE CREAM:

Baskin Robbins:  Join their Birthday Club and they will give you a 2.5 oz. scoop of ice cream on your birthday!  Yum!  Go to:  BaskinRobbins.com

Cold Stone Creamery:  Mmmm...become a Birthday Club member and receive a free ice cream on your big day.  Sign up at: ColdStoneCreamery.com

FREE BIRTHDAY GIFTS FOR YOUR CHILD:

Toys 'R' Us will make your child's day even more special!  Sign up your children (between the ages of 2 and 10) for Geoffrey's Birthday Club and they'll receive a birthday card, a surprise gift, and a special phone message from Geoffrey (optional) on their special day:  ToysRUs.com


BABY FREEBIES AND SAMPLES FOR EXPECTANT MOTHERS AND NEW MOTHERS:

Register with Enfamil Family Beginnings and they will send you lots of baby freebies including a free diaper bag and feeding kit:  Enfamil.com

Join Pampers.com and receive samples and valuable coupons: Pampers.com

Get money-saving checks on Good Start formula and lots of other great stuff by signing up at: VeryBestBaby.com

Join Huggies Baby Network and receive samples and money-saving coupons.  Go to: Huggies.com

Receive free samples of Similac formula, a stylish diaper bag and more:  WelcomeAddition.com

You will receive even more baby freebies by joining the Heinz Baby Club:  HeinzBaby.com

ATTEND A FREE CLASS:

Gymboree Play & Music:  They offer a free trial class for babies and kids up to age 5.

My Gym:  Another fun place for kids that also offers a free guest class.

Home Depot:  The first Saturday of each month between 9 a.m. and noon all Home Depot stores have a free workshop designed for kids ages 5-12.  Children accompanied by an adult construct projects from pre-fabricated kits such as birdhouses, toolboxes, firetrucks, etc.  In addition to the newly constructed project kit, each child receives a kid-sized orange apron, similar to The Home Depot associates' aprons, and an achievement pin.


Part 2)  Local Savings:


Jiffy Lube located in several Bay Area locations has automotive coupons on their website.

Brinks Home Security has online specials.

Omaha Steaks has online coupons.

GreatLocalCoupons.com has a wide range of coupons for San Francisco residents.

Bay City Guide has lots of coupons for local dining, entertainment, and transportation.

SF Advertiser is another source for coupons you can use at a variety of San Francisco businesses.  They have coupons for local restuarants as well as big discount coupons for auto repair, cell phones, home improvement and a lot more. I believe they have more local coupons than any other website.

Val Pak has a variety of coupons for Bay Area businesses.

SF Bay Fun has coupons for several local attractions.

Bay Areas Best has online coupons, discounts, local event information, and more!

Women Destination Club is an upscale travel business that designs tours for their clientele who love Italy!  They are making this offer to our readers:  If you create a group of friends to travel with you, your stay will be free of charge!

Save money on all types of insurance (auto, home, health, life, business, workers comp., etc.). Nanci Sparrow (David Haynes Insurance Agency) will fix you up with affordable rates and personalized customer service.  Call Nanci at (310) 379-0605 or email at nanci@hayesins.com for a FREE NO-OBLIGATION quote!


Readers:  I look forward to expanding this section!  If you are a local business owner interested in offering a discount to the readers of Online in San Fran please contact me!
--Nanci Sparrow