Ah, the Randall Museum... that glorious savior of parents with bored kids on a rainy day!

This week marks the begining of the Ask the Cheap Bastard series.  You may have noticed the new links in our header:  Ask the Cheap Bastard, and Browse Question.
Well, if you're wondering where to get the best deal on 10 pounds of raw olives, or just find a decent hotel and a cheap meal, Ask the Cheap Bastard!

San Francisco, one of the great food cities of the world has a highly developed restaurant scene.  A lot of these places are very expensive, but even in these recessionary times, we can get some good grub at a Cheap Bastard price! What are your recommendations for the best Cheap Restaurants in San Francisco?

Open mic nights are a great way to get in some free entertainment, and this one, a singer-songwriter night at one of my favorite bars, The Hotel Utah, is a great way to spend a Monday night!  Admission's free, songs are free, beer's a bit higher-priced (but you still may have enough change in the cushions of your couch to afford some brew).
Cheap Bastard says Check it out!

While we'd hate to think that buzz-killing chemicals would ruin the fun of Lead-Filled Barbie or Thomas the Toxic Tank Engine, I guess it's better to know, right?  Well, SF's Department of the Environment agrees with you.  And to sate the curiosity of the public, they are offering free toy testing on Thursday, January 22, 11am to 1pm, at their offices on 11 Grove Stree

It's that time of year again - all wranglers of sprogs get in free to 32 various museums and attractions around town on Sunday, January 11.  Some high-priced gems, too, like the Academy of Sciences and the de Young, and the new Contemporary Jewish Museum.  Steal yourself a toddler and muse

Drastic times call for drastic measures. Since everyone is universally agreeing that the holidays totally suck this year, if you and yours are still in agrement to exchange gifts, this is a great way to save some loot.

Way back when I was in college at the University of Florida, the local troupe of Hare Krishna devotees would set up in the Plaza offering free food to all who were hungry (which was basically all of us students!). There was definitely something to be desired about the quality of their curried offerings, though -- you can get a bit tired of ghee-soaked potatoes day in day out.

Real cheapskates ride public transportation (and they buy the discounted tickets in advance , too, but that's another post).