Free restaurant food? You just need to know where to look

KUSA - Lea Ann Stundins is a mom on a budget who blogs about where to find great deals at many of the most popular chain restaurants.

"TGI Friday's, Chili's, Applebee's," she said, rattling off places where she rarely pays for everything she orders. "I just couldn't believe how much free stuff there is."

Among Stundins' strategies:

Look for deals on restaurant Web sites. You often find printable coupons.

Join restaurant birthday clubs. Many restaurants will feed you free on your birthday.

Sign up for restaurant e-mail lists. You often get free food for signing up, and you're the first to know about future deals.

Buy entertainment books. The coupons inside more than pay for the cost of the book.

Stundins tracks restaurant deals on her blog: http://mommyswishlist.blogspot.com.

She even shows users how to feed their children for free every night of the week.

"It's really fun, and it's very addicting!" Stundins said.