I confidently predict that every one of you will have a birthday some time during the next year. Let me be the first to wish you a very happy day.

A large number of businesses offer you free stuff on your birthday, ranging from ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery (or  most other ice cream chains) to free movie rentals at Hollywood Video. Some of my favorites include Red Robin, Noodles & Co., and Souper Salad, in addition to the aforementioned Cold Stone. (Did you know some Cold Stone stores have no-sugar-added Cake Batter now? This flavor will also be present in heaven, I’m sure.)  I was particularly impressed that Benihana will send you a coupon worth $30 for a free birthday dinner—I just wish our closest Benihana was less than an hour away.

Some professional sports teams offer free admission to one of their games (for your birth-month, as they may not be playing on your special day). Check out the teams where you live to see if they have a birthday club program.

Many of the birthday coupons are good for a week or two surrounding your birth date. This means that you can take advantage of more than one offer. Also, if your birthday falls on Christmas or another major holiday when most businesses are closed, it means you can still enjoy some free treats.

The vast majority of birthday offers involve some sort of food. Of course, a lot of the coupons are for appetizers or dessert only—you are expected to pay for any entrée you order. And since most people don’t like to eat out by themselves, your friends and/or family will be spending plenty of dough as well. Just because something is free doesn’t mean it’s a good deal.

Yet, there are plenty of offers worth taking. I knew about a few, but when I went searching online, I was amazed at both the variety of opportunities and the number of businesses who have some sort of e-birthday club.

Rather than give you a zillion links, I’ll let you take advantage of the numerous websites that have already collected impressive lists of freebies. Just Google “free stuff birthday” and you’ll have an abundance of options from which to choose. If you find a particularly great free birthday offer, let me know. My birthday is in only eleven more months!