Spam Mail: Many of these companies sell your information to third-party companies. You may be excited to receive a free pen and paper set, but soon you will be receiving tons of different advertisements. Some of these advertisements may even lead to phishing websites. These websites are dangerous, and can steal your identity with just a few clicks. While the free things may be a cool treat, weeding through 50 emails asking you if you want to sign up for something is more of a pain than it’s worth.

Quality of Products: Sometimes the word “free” can lead you to sign up for something you really don’t need. Just because someone is giving away a free sample of dog food doesn’t mean you need it. Especially if you don’t have a dog! Plus, when will you ever use that free vodka label?

Fake Promotions: Some websites are set up specifically to steal your information under the pretense of “free” things. These sites can be very dangerous. If your information gets into the wrong hands, your identity could be stolen, or you mailbox could be full of different catalogs for things you will never need.

While there is a downside to searching for freebies, there are ways to protect yourself, and gain some cool items.

Sign Up For What You Need: Don’t just sign up for something because it’s free. Find things that you could actually use, like samples of laundry detergent, and only get those. That way, you don’t clutter your mailbox with junk, while you still get to enjoy something for free.

Double Check Websites: Make sure the freebie is connected to a legitimate website. Some freebies link back to nothing, or their URL is spelled incorrectly. “Gain detergent” could be missing a letter. If it is, the site is most likely a fake.

Use Fake Emails and Phone Numbers: In order to avoid annoying telemarketers, or loads of spam mail, use a fake number (555-3475), and create a junk email. That way any spam mail will be sent there, and your personal email can stay nice and clear.

If you follow these tips, you can stay safe online and enjoy freebies without going overboard!

Freebies – Worth Your Time? was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

As any family knows, kids can have a great impact on household savings, provided they learn early what it means to save. We have often taken advantage of and used the freebie promotions that come our way via our child. We have registered her for several freebies and memberships and have enjoyed taking her out for free meals, free ice creams and other desserts, and the occasional free admissions to over area events. It makes her feel important and ends up saving us some cash.

There are a lot of freebies available for kids. Many retail stores, grocery stores, restaurants, museums, and amusement parks offer kid-specific specials and memberships. We have not found that signing up for the membership programs has impacted the amount of junk mail or junk email that we receive.

There are several places the promote fun kid memberships and many of them you can register for online. The freebies range in value, depending on the location and type of company. Here are some of the more popular places where kid memberships offer free stuff:

Friendly’s
This restaurant chain hosts a birthday club. All registered children aged 12 and under can receive a free meal provided there is an additional purchase of an adult meal. This can bring in a savings upwards of $6 or more and kids get a full meal, drink, plus an ice cream sundae of their choice. Registration can be completed online at the Friendly’s website.

Burger King
This fast-food chain offers the Club BK for children under the age of 13. Online registration is the only way you can sign up for membership. Kids are eligible to receive a free hamburger meal for a savings between $3-$4. You can sign your child up online at the Burger King website where kids can also play games and learn about other promotions offered at the restaurant.

Denny’s
This restaurant offers a free meal and complimentary sundae for all kids under the age of 10 as a birthday treat. Kids must redeem the birthday offer on the date of their birthday only. You can sign up for membership at any of the restaurants or you can go online to the Denny’s website to retrieve a mail-in application.

Perkins Restaurants
Kids who sign up for the Perkin’s Birthday club will receive a birthday card with a coupon for a free kid’s meal during the week of their birthday, as well as other special promotional offers for different occasions. You can register online at Perkins website.

Toys R Us
At this toy store chain, kids can receive a free birthday card and gift card for their birthday. All kids ages 10 and under are eligible. Additionally, if you visit a store on the day of your child’s birthday, they will receive a crown, a birthday balloon, and a special store-wide birthday announcement over the PA system. In preparation for the big day, parents will receive a $5 coupon prior to the birth date of their child that can help with gifts. You can register for Geoffrey’s Birthday Club on the Toys R Us website.

For even more birthday freebies, check out the following websites for:

Sonic

Red Robin

Johnny Rockets

Freebies Are Kid’s Stuff was created by and is property of American Consumer News.