DENVER -- A few months ago I told you about a local Web site for finding freebies and other deals, Mile High On The Cheap. It was created by journalists, Claire Walter and Laura Daily. They're now celebrating their six month anniversary with a list of advice they've learned after writing about deals for six months:

1. Loyalty pays. Sign up for eClubs or other loyalty programs at your favorite dining spots and cafes. Typically these programs offer freebies (like a free meal or dessert) just for joining and on your birthday and/or anniversary or after a certain number of purchases, and they keep you updated on special offers throughout the year. Many stores and even movie theaters also offer their own customer-loyalty programs. (Deb says: need some help getting started? Check out my articles on sign up for free food #1, sign up for free food #2, sign up for free food #3.)

2. Grocery Receipts. Read the back of your grocery store register tape. Most are imprinted with coupons from local businesses. You may find a coupon that’s a good match for your needs. If not, the company, RTUI, which produces most of those register tapes has an online coupon site with downloadable coupons. Click on Free Coupons, then enter your zip code. We did just that and found 58 coupons within a five-mile radius. Print out any that appeal. No special software required.

3. Public Attraction Free Days. Performing arts centers, museums and other cultural centers that receive city or state funding are often required to “give back” to the community. That means free admission days (usually once a month) or free performances at places like the Denver Zoo, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Children’s Museum, and Denver Center Theatre Company. Even the Denver Broncos has a special one-day ticket sale for locals as part of their contract with the city when Invesco Field at Mile High was constructed. (Deb says: for details on free days remaining in 2009, check out my article on Free things to do around Colorado.)

4. Give Twitter a try. Airlines and hotels are starting to utilize social media as a way to put heads in beds and butts in seats. We’ve found “tweets” about sales from Frontier Airlines (@FrontierSale), Southwest (@SouthwestAir), United (@UnitedAirlines), Best Western (@TheBestWestern) and Marriott (@Marriott) long before the public ever hears about them.

5. Be a joiner. Members of local recreation centers, swimming pools, golf courses, museums, zoos, etc. save big with free or heavily discounted member benefits. Of course, it’s no savings at all if you don’t use those privileges.

6. Libraries. Libraries are a wealth of knowledge, and we don’t just mean books. Libraries feature free workshops and activities for adults, teens and kids. Everything from art classes, films and cooking instruction to workshops on marketing your business, Internet research, or finding a job. And most Colorado libraries are open to all, not just those living in the immediate district. All you need is proof of Colorado residency and they’ll give you a card. So you can take advantage of programs at a dozen libraries if you like.

If you see a deal, e-mail me -- Deb Stanley (Deb_Stanley@kmgh.com).

Get the latest deals by following me on Twitter: @DebbiesDeals. And don't miss a Debbie's Deal! Sign up for a daily e-mail alert by visiting our e-mail alerts page.