Celebrate National Espresso Month with Coffee at Home!

Coffee at home doesn’t have to be boring. With coffee shop prices rising (and let’s be fair, McDonald’s coffees are over $5.50 each these days), making fun, festive coffees at home matters more than ever.

We shouldn’t have to sacrifice a fun coffee or a little treat because of the economy. With a little creativity, you’ll be making yummy drinks at home in no time at all.

I’ve got an Amazon list here of my favorite Coffee bar items. 

The Top Three:

  1. A good Instant Espresso. I like Café Bustelo or Nescafé.
  2. A milk frother– not just for milk; it’s great for mixing espresso and hot water together.
  3. A variety of syrups. I buy small multi-packs like these to test new flavors. Whatever flavors I don’t like, I take to work and add to the coffee bar there.

Before you go out and buy anything, check for these supplies you probably have on hand: Coffee/k-Cups, Coffee maker (or French press or Keurig), creamer, milk, cream, sweetener, flavored syrups, chocolate syrup (if you like a mocha), double-walled tumblers with lids and straws for cold drinks, and insulated hot beverage cups with lids for hot drinks.

If you are looking for a few good recipes for coffee (not espresso) based drinks, check out my post here about my favorite French Press.  It’s got a recipe for a Café Misto and a Quick and Easy Café Mocha.

I mix three shots of espresso into my Premier Protein Shake each morning along with a lot of ice.

 

 

Q-insights: Prescription eyeglasses Study $300

QI-logoNOslogan.pngQ-Insights is another company where I do research groups, focus groups, and online surveys to earn extra money.

They have a lot of stuff in South Orange County and less often in San Diego County.

They are currently seeking respondents between the ages of 18 and 54 for a nationwide online study about Prescription eyeglasses.

The study will be a virtual online focus group with other participants like yourself. It will be 90 minutes long, and you will receive $300. The study will be held the week of November 9th.

Participation is voluntary. Completing the screening questionnaire does not guarantee qualification or enrollment in the study. If selected, a recruiter may contact you to confirm eligibility and provide additional information.

If you are interested in learning more about the study and determining whether you may be eligible, please complete the screening questionnaire.

Free and Low Cost Dental Resources in San Diego!

Today is National Brush Your Teeth Day, and I thought I’d share some free and low-cost dental care resources in San Diego for those who may not have dental insurance or access to a dentist.

The UCSD School of Medicine has an extensive list of dental and other health care clinics in Southern California on their website, along with costs associated with care.

The UCSD School of Medicine also has a free dental clinic.

San Diego Mesa College has a dental school, and they offer free and low-cost services as part of their students’ training.

Children’s Dental Health Center has many programs and initiatives that help kids who may not have access to a dentist. They work closely with school nurses and staff to help identify kids in need of dental care.

OPSAM Health has low cost/sliding scale dental care at two locations in San Diego County.

If you have Medi-Cal, you automatically have Medi-Cal Dental benefits and access to dental exams, cleanings, fillings, crowns, root canals, tooth removal, dentures, and emergency services

Visit smilecalifornia.org or call (800) 322-6384 to learn about Medi-Cal Dental benefits and to locate a dental provider.

And if you are looking for some recommendations for oral care products, my Amazon Storefront has a selection of my favorites (and these all got the OK from my dentist) here.

How to Plan for Thanksgiving on a Budget

Thanksgiving in the US is in four weeks, and it can be a very expensive endeavor. Here are some ways you can still throw a tasty feast for family and friends without going into the red.

The free Thanksgiving dinner items from Ibotta start 11/3/26, with a new item dropping weekly.

In the past, these free items have included: stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy mix, pie, instant mashed potatoes, and cornbread mix.

Many other cashback apps will partner with companies to offer cashback and discounts on traditional holiday meal ingredients as well. I recommend you check out my app page here to download a few of my favorites.

Aldi is doing their Thanksgiving meal deal again this year! This contains all of the ingredients for a dinner for 10 people for $39.00! It’s a really great way to save money and have a traditional feast menu.

Start by making your menu. Not all dinners are the same. Some Thanksgiving meals include foods from a family’s cultural background, while others stick to the traditional Thanksgiving foods. After your menu is made, shop your kitchen before you head to the store. You may already have some ingredients on hand. Instead of buying everything all at once, buy a few items on your weekly trip to the store. This spreads out the expense of the meal over several weeks.

Consider a potluck meal. Ask friends and family members to bring a side or dessert. Friends who are not culinarily inclined can be asked to bring drinks.

Forgo expensive dishes or dishes that are not very popular (looking at you, green bean casserole. I’m not a fan).

If you are having a small dinner or don’t want leftovers, consider a roasted chicken instead of a whole turkey, or a turkey breast. Both are smaller and more cost-effective.

 

Talk Back- How do you save money on traditional holiday dinners?

 

10/30/2026 Friday Freebies and Deals!

October is officially the longest month of the year. At least, it feels that way. I’m tired. And I’m glad it’s Friday!

Here are some freebies and deals that are available year-round!

For free food resources, see my comprehensive list here.  It is focused on San Diego County, but additional resources are available outside my area.

Freebies:

Spooktacular Halloween Food Deals & Food Freebies You Can’t Miss in 2026: Pizza, Fast Food, and More
Free 2026 National Parks Entrance Days
FREE Sample of Edna Day Moisture Cream & Overnight Cream
FREE PhotoJoy Photo Postcard
FREE Sample of Kiehl’s 1cc CollaShot Plumping Serum
FREE $15 to Spend at CVS
Get Free Samples by Mail: List of Legitimate Freebies & Free Samples From Brand Name Companies
FREE 2027 Wall Calendars
Free Baby Samples & Full Sized Products from Amazon
FREE Holiday Engine Kit Workshop Event at Lowe’s
FREE 8×10 Zombie Print at CVS
FREE Sample of YSL Libre Santal Couture Fragrance
FREE Sample of Earth’s Care Eczema Lotion
FREE Playing Cards from Black & Mild
Here’s How to Score FREE or Cheap Photo Prints: 2026
Get Free Magazine Subscriptions: No Credit Card Needed
FREE Rare Beauty Hydrating Eye Patches at Ulta
FREE Sample of CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Hydrating Shampoo
FREE Actispot II Cat Flea Treatment
FREE Pokemon Trick or Trade BOOster Pack at GameStop on 10/31
FREE Lysol Sample Pouch at Target
FREE Week of Smoothies at Tropical Smoothie Cafe Nov. 2 – 8
FREE Sample of Soluvia Shield Dissolvable Mouth Comfort Patch
FREE $15 to Spend at Walmart
Unlock the Magic of Your Big Day: List Of The Best Free Wedding Samples & Freebies
FREE GREENIES Dental Chew Treats
FREE Beech-Nut Product
Get 5,000 FREE American Airlines Miles – First 65,000 People
FREE Injinji Socks
FREE $30 Purchase at UGG
FREE 2027 Unity Calendar
FREE Bag of Happy Candy at Target
FREE Cuddle Clones Custom Pet Pajamas
FREE Big Buford Burger at Checkers & Rally’s
FREE Box of Keebler Cookies at 12pm EST – Daily Through Oct. 31st

 

Deals:

CHI Original Ceramic Flat Iron ONLY $38.49 (Reg $100)
Old Navy 50% Off Giftober Deals + Extra 10% Off
Top Tips for Shopping Walmart Hidden Clearance Sale in 2026
SKIMS Dupes That Will Flatter You, But Not Flatten Your Wallet
Sling TV Deals: Save Money With Affordable Live TV Packages
Valvoline $15 Off Instant Oil Change
Snag Your Krispy Kreme Deals Here + Ways to Save & Get Free Krispy Kreme Donuts
Best Walmart Cash Freebies and Deals This Week: Tide Detergent, Vicks VapoRub, Bounty & More
The Best Walmart Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deals for 2026 – Dates Released
Step2 My First Christmas Tree 12-Piece $44.99 Shipped (Reg $60)
Digital Calendar 10.1 Inch ONLY $59.99 (Reg $100)
How to Use Kohl’s Cash: Everything You Need to Know earn, use, and maximize
Coach Outlet Wristlet as low as $35 (Reg $88)
Acqua di Gioia Eau de Parfum ONLY $60 at Ulta (Reg $120) + FREE Beauty Break 6 Piece Gift Set
Regency Heights Queen Size Comforter Set 9-Piece ONLY $42.84 (Reg $130)
50 Dog Toys UNDER $5 on Amazon – Prices Start at Only $2.89 Shipped

2026 Halloween Candy Buy Back!

Now that you’ve started all of the Halloween 2026 fun with carnivals, trunk-or-treats, and community events, do you have a pile of unwanted candy?

The best part of trick-or-treating is candy.

The worst part can be candy that your kids (and you) don’t like, goes against your family’s dietary restrictions, or that you’re allergic to.

If you are looking for something to do with unwanted candy, here are a few ways your kids can turn Tootsie Rolls into something your kids will like (cash).

Candy Buybacks are a way businesses, usually dentist offices, can get unwanted candy out of families’ hands. Businesses usually donate the candy to the USO or nonprofits like Soldiers’ Angels, which collect candy and ship it overseas.

Here are a few located in San Diego County for Halloween 2026:

 

PRC Global Market Research High School Juniors & Seniors pays $150

PRC is a nationwide research study company. They are always conducting studies and seeking additional respondents. They email me once a week about the online studies they are looking to fill. Research studies are a great way to earn a little extra money, and most can be completed from the comfort of your home using your computer or laptop.

 

Currently, they are looking for high school students, Juniors and Seniors, to participate in an upcoming study regarding Prospective Students.

This survey must be completed by the High School Student.

Topic: High School Juniors & Seniors
Who: High School Juniors & Seniors
When: November 10, 2026
Where: Online Virtual Group
Length: 90-minute Zoom
Incentive: $150

If you are interested in participating, complete the intake survey here. If you pre-qualify, a recruiter from PRC will contact you via phone.

A few notes about PRC:

It is recommended to use Google Chrome or Firefox to complete the pre-qualification survey.
Only one participant per household.
Their surveys are open to U.S. Residents.
Incentives are paid via Digital Incentive unless otherwise stated.
To participate in any study that requires a webcam, please use a laptop or desktop computer ONLY—No smartphones or tablets.
If you use ChatGPT or any other AI assistance for your responses/feedback during any of the research projects, please keep in mind that you will not receive compensation and will be removed from the database.
If you pre-qualify, a PRC Global Market Research recruiter will contact you via phone.

Oatmeal Recipe Round Up- National Oatmeal Day

Today is National Oatmeal Day, and oatmeal can be a forgotten ingredient in the kitchen.

In addition to a nutritious breakfast, it can also stand in place of breadcrumbs in Meatloaf and meatballs, or be ground in a food processor to be used in place of AP flour in baking recipes.

Here are a few of my favorite recipes using oatmeal:

Recipe: Oatmeal Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Recipe: Oatmeal Mix

Tasty Chewy Brown Sugar Oatmeal Cookies!

Recipe: Oat Flour Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Stockpile Cooking: Yummy Strudel Pumpkin Muffins

Oat Flour Banana Bread Recipe

Family Recipe: Apple Crisp

10/29/2026 National Cat Day!

October 29th is National Cat Day; however, if you own a cat (or are owned by a cat), you know EVERY DAY is Cat Day.

To help you celebrate your fierce feline, Fiona the cat helped me compile a list of her favorite treats, toys, and grooming essentials.

Treats:

Toys:

  • Silvervine Sticks for Cats. These are her favorite toys. She carries them around, meows, and gnaws on them.
  • Bird Toys (with Catnip)- She “hunts” these and brings them to us.
  • Cat Laser– the classic toy, still a favorite.

Grooming:

  • Brush with a fur-release button
  • Equigroomer– I discovered this from the Girl with Dogs, and it’s really great for getting the undercoat out in the spring or when the weather changes. It’s also good for dogs (and horses).
  • Grooming wipes– Sometimes Fiona is stinky and needs to be cleaned up, but a full bath isn’t feasible. These wipes definately help.

Just for fun, I made a kitty coloring packet. You can download the PDF for free here.

Talk Back: I want to hear about your kitties must haves!

Q-Insights 10-Week Research Study – Receive up to $675 in compensation

QI-logoNOslogan.pngQ-Insights is another company where I do research groups, focus groups, and online surveys to earn extra money.

They have a lot of stuff in South Orange County and less often in San Diego County.

They are currently seeking adults to participate in a research study about consumer products. This study is expected to last approximately 10 weeks and will involve completing online surveys and evaluating a study product at home. Participants who qualify and enroll may receive study products shipped directly to their residence at no cost. Study details are described in the informed consent form and study materials

Study activities may include:
Completing an online screening questionnaire to determine eligibility
Completing a baseline assessment questionnaire
Completing up to 10 online surveys over approximately 10 weeks

Participants who qualify, enroll, and complete study activities may receive compensation of up to $675, based on completed study tasks. Compensation is not related to product use and is based solely on participation in study activities.
Participation is voluntary. Completing the screening questionnaire does not guarantee qualification or enrollment in the study. If selected, a recruiter may contact you to confirm eligibility and provide additional information.
If you are interested in learning more about the study and determining whether you may be eligible, please complete the screening questionnaire.