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.

A newspaper only costs fifty cents. And if you'd bought yesterday's paper, you would have gotten your money's worth. They say these are free kid-centric activities to whittle away the summer months, but many of these great Bay Area giveaways appeal to cash-hoarders of all ages. Check it here:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2008/05/26/DDAB10PSH...

When you're craving sugar and coming off the 24 bus at Castro and Market, you needn't beg from crumbs. Stop at Hot Cookie and chow down on their day old cookies - just $.85 each or three for $2.50, about a third of the price of a regular "hot" cookie. Trust me, these babies aren't like stale bread - they are totally still sinful and choco-nutty the next day.

Check it - media kudos for the book. Thank you, Eye On The Bay, who said this:

READ THIS
The Cheap Bastard's Guide To San Francisco
By Karen Solomon
In Bookstores Now

I'm reposting this from a mailing list that I'm on, so I truly hope I don't get sued (or worse, flamed).

Hey y'all...Me and my cheap ideas are on this website spin-off of Bay Area Backroads. Check out Karen's ancient, but still cheap, tips for some fun around town:

I began to realize that even though the site promises information on cheap haircuts in San Francisco, there actually is no posting on the subject here on cheapbastardsf.com. For that, you have to but the book, but, this being a site dedicated to all things cheap, a lot of you aren't going to shell out the $15 for that!

So here are few real cheap options taken from the book. I'll add more ideas in the future. In the meantime, feel free to add your own tips!

--------------------------

San Francisco Barber College
64 Sixth Street
(415) 621-6802

Looking at art is the cheapskate's pearl necklace on a pig: You stand there looking suave, biding your time until you can request your fourth glass of Yellow Tail and a seventeenth Trader Joe's cheese cube without rousing suspicion. Because, after all, this is ART, dammit, in a super slick GALLERY, and everyone is a sophisticate.