I began creating Free Mania at the adolescent age of just 14.  My Father bought a computer and force fed my Brother and I the future by placing a mouse in our hands.  I remember it was summer and I did not have much to do.  The Internet intrigued me.  Being the frugal child I was, I clipped coupons of the Sunday newspaper every Sunday since I can remember being able to hold scissors. Like many, the first term I ever typed into Yahoo was "free stuff." I must say there was not much to be found in 1996.  In my recollection, there were around 3 or 4 "freebie sites" and less then 1 million pages on the Internet; Today, there are billions.

     Back then, more than anything I wanted to play a part in this world wide web I had  discovered.  My Brother, Austen was already into creating webpages.  I asked him for his help.  He denied my request by stating... "I learned on my own and so will you."  At first I resented his words, but I have come to see how his words altered and enhanced my life forever.  I researched all day, every day... I was on the computer 12+ hours a day.  I relished every moment.

     Within my first day I figured out how to upload and create links.  I made my first page and called it Free Mania.  I named it Free Mania since the image conjured by bargains is in essence, hysteria.   The first page may not have been much, but it was proud that I created it and I continued to renovate it that same summer.

     As the year led on I found that my promotion tactics were successful.  I eventually got advertisers to sponsor me and Free Mania began making money.  However, the money did not drive me... the comments of encouragement and suggestions from visitors kept me moving.

If you create a free stuff site, I recommend the following sponsor:
http:///www.maxbounty.com

     Eventually, there were free sites popping up on every corner of the web.  A lot of the new free sites concentrated on offers they got paid to list and neglected to cater to the frugal consumer.  On Free Mania you have never and will never find cluttered banners or distasteful advertisements. 

     As I grew older, around the age of 15, I met a young man by the name of Daniel Vance.  He owned his own ISP and helped me get Free Mania where it is today.  If not for his words of encouragement, help, advice, and expertise - Free Mania might not exist to the extent that it does today. Everything happens for a reason... or so I like to say.

     Free Mania took off in 1999-2000.  It was featured in magazines and newspapers across the country.  It was incredible to open up my favorite magazine and find Free Mania listed in an article about free stuff.  In January of 1999, Free Mania was featured as Netscape's "What's Cool" site of the day.  In March of 2000, there was an article about me and Free Mania in Horizon Airlines in flight magazine that featured 3 other young entrepreneurs from across the nation. 

     After a year or so break, It is now 2003 in January and I am now more ready than ever bring Free Mania to its full potential.  Free Mania has supported my way through college... so if you are a loyal visitor ---> you can now pat yourself on the back for helping a young person get a good education.  ;-)
 

NOVEMBER 2004

I know I keep saying this.... but this project is never ending. I started this site when I was 14! I am now 21 years old, going to Cal Poly State University, and trying to tie up loose ends such as this website. Yes, I am still educating myself, and yes... I am still cheap as all hell. I am doing website marketing for Sushi Magic, a start up company selling at home sushi makers that were patented and developed in the United States and manufactured overseas.  You too can make sushi rolls and nigiri sushi at home - for your family/friends, to entertain, etc.  I have also created a web blogish thing about myself - a little hint of my narcissistic geekiness. So go to GETCHELSEA.com to learn more about me, my future aspirations, goals, friends, family, on, and on.  Thanks for continuing to visit FREE MANIA.  Party on Garth!

If you would like to contact me concerning business, email me at chelsea@freemania.net

UPDATE APRIL 2006

Free Mania has endured yet another facelift with all kinds of improvements... updates galore, and a really motivated webmaster. You will see weekly updates, new categories, a freebie forum, and even a search engine added within the next several months. Thanks for your support.

Oh, and I am finally graduating. This June 2006... wish me luck as I walk the line.