Tryazon: Taste Republic TryaBox

Abby H.Leave a comment

I’ve been a fan of Tryazon for about 7 years. It’s an amazing company that works with manufacturers of toys, games, food, and recreational/sporting goods. Manufacturers supply their goods to consumers to try out and review for free.

The kids and I have received toys, games, craft kits, and art supplies to test and have fun with.

Right now, Tryazon has a sampling opportunity to apply for!

Taste Republic brings premium, fresh pasta that everyone can enjoy in this Tryazon Featured TryaBox opportunity, from Taste Republic Foods! Pick two of their incredible fresh, premium pasta that cooks in 3 minutes! Taste Republic pasta is gluten free and made with the best, clean ingredients so everyone can have the same amazing pasta without sacrificing taste and texture. Pick from a wide variety of flavors including: Cauliflower Linguini, Four Cheese Tortelloni, Red Lentil Fusilli, Egg Noodles and many more!

Tryazon has 200 sampling spots open for this opportunity! Those selected get to receive a TryaBox with two coupons for FREE Taste Republic fresh pastas to be picked up at your locals store to sample and review at home – no party needed!

Learn more and apply here.

 

Weekend Freebies and Deals!

Abby H.Leave a comment

I was so sick last week- I didn’t have the energy to post anything on the blog, or on social media. I’m finally feeling better, and now it’s time for some awesome freebies and deals.

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:

FREE Hand-Drawn Postcards
FREE Guerlain L’heure Bleue Fragrance Sample
Get Free Magazine Subscriptions: No Credit Card Needed
The Best Free Skincare Samples to Request Right Now
Free Dog Food Samples: Companies that Will Send You Free Dog Samples by Mail
2 FREE Nexxus Comb Thru Hairsprays at Walgreens
FREE Al Capone Koozies
FREE Carl’s Jr. Famous Star with Cheese
FREE Sample of Infiniment Coty Les Osiums Extraits de Parfum
Easy Ways To Get Free Men’s Cologne Samples
FREE Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Mini Purées Chatterbox Kit
FREE Hayek for the 21st Century Book
FREE Week of Smoothies at Tropical Smoothie Cafe
FREE $15 to Spend at CVS
FREE Hill’s Science Diet Dog Food Roll Coupon
FREE BRG Skin Regeneration Ritual Sample Pack
FREE Sample of Momcozy Plus Wipes
FREE Vintage Postcard
FREE Taste Republic Refresh TryaBox
Kids Eat Free: Big List Of Verified Restaurants Where Kids Can Eat For Free
FREE Practical Magic Digital Movie Code
10 FREE 4×6 Photo Prints at CVS
Free Perfume Samples You Can Get Right Now
FREE Glue Dots Adhesives Samples
FREE Centellian24 Trial Kit
FREE Can of Talia Foods Beans
FREE Bring Fido Bumper Sticker & Door Hanger
FREE Beauty Sample Box Giveaway at Target
Get Free Beauty Product Samples With Topbox Circle
FREE Fabric Ghosts Craft Event at Michaels
FREE Custom Illustrated Greeting Card
FREE Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF Boxes & Activity Poster
How to Get Free Beauty Samples Without Spending a Dime
FREE 6-Pack of BUBBL’R Antioxidant Water In-Store
FREE Sample of NewTrition Marine Collagen
FREE 2027 Steps to Living Healthy Calendar
Get Your Free Teeth Whitening Samples: A Brighter Smile Awaits

Deals: 

4-Pack Outdoor Chair Cushions ONLY $22.99 on Amazon (Reg $60)
Nike Reactx Women’s Slides ONLY $26 (Reg $65) + Free Shipping!
Target Circle Deal Days Are Back Starting October 6th!
Score Walmart+ Membership for ONLY $1.00 for 30 Days!
LOWEST Price Ever: Amazon Fire TV Stick HD Newest Model ONLY $15.99 (Reg $40)
Walmart Deals & More Are Coming October 5
Amazon Prime Big Deals Day is Coming: Get Ready for October 6-7!

2026 San Diego County Fall Fire Station Open Houses!

Abby H.Leave a comment

As someone who grew up in San Diego County, I know that it’s always fire season.

Teaching our kids fire safety is key. It’s more than stop, drop, and roll. I was so excited when I saw a PeachJar flyer about upcoming local fire station open houses. These are a great way for kids (and families) to learn more about fire safety and check out the local fire station.

Most of these dates coincide with National Fire Prevention Week, October 4–10, 2026. This year, the theme is preventing fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in everyday items like phones, laptops, and e-bikes.

City of Santee Fire Station 4:
When: Saturday, October 10, 2026 10 AM – 2 PM
Where: 8950 Cottonwood Ave, Santee, CA 92071

City of Carlsbad Public Safety Open House:
When: Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: City of Carlsbad Safety Training Center- 5750 Orion St, Carlsbad, CA 92010
This event will feature live demonstrations and tours with the police, fire, and public works departments.

City of Coronado Fire and Police Departments
When and Where: Sunday, October 6, at their Public Safety Open House. The free event kicks off National Fire Prevention Week and takes place between 11 am and 2 pm around the main Fire Station (6th Street) and the Police Department (7th Street) on D Avenue.

City of Chula Vista Fire Station 5:
When: Saturday, October 10, 2026, 9 AM – 2 PM
Where: 341 Orange Ave, Chula Vista, CA 91911

Deer Springs Fire Protection District (Station 3):
When: Saturday, October 10, 2026, 10 AM – 1 PM
Where: 10308 Meadow Glen Way East, Escondido, CA 92026

 

Talk Back: If you know of any other Fire Station or public safety open houses in San Diego County, please leave a comment!

Today is National Peanut Day!

Abby H.Leave a comment

September 13th is National Peanut Day!

If you don’t have a peanut allergy, this is a great day to celebrate this tasty legume. The peanut isn’t botanically a nut; it is related to beans and lentils.

We can credit George Washington Carver for bringing the peanut into our everyday lives. To learn more about Carver and his incredible career in botany, check out this article.

Here are a few recipes that my family loves that feature peanut butter:

If you love Peanut butter but need to avoid the natural fat/oil, I use PB2 in my protein shakes. If you also need to avoid added salt, Peanut Flour is a great option in place of PB2.

I love having Peanut butter on hand in my car snack box, so I use these Jif Cups or these By Nutz pouches.

 

 

 

FREE Fall Shredding Events in San Diego County

Abby H.Leave a comment

You know what I have a lot of? Paper documents that need to be shredded. I found tax returns from the early 2000’s the other day while looking for an envelope.

If you’re in the same boat, here are some free local paper shredding events coming up this fall:

Santee Fall 2026 Community Clean Up and Shred Event
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Santee City Hall, 10601 Magnolia Avenue, Santee, CA 92071
More information about the event is available here.

 

City of Coronado Paper Shredding and E-Waste Collection
Date: October 17, 2026
Time: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location: City Hall, 1825 Strand Way
More information about the event is available here.

 

City of El Cajon Shred Event
Date: November 14, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: Wells Park, 1153 E. Madison Avenue
City residents may drop off personal documents to be shredded on site by certified shredding trucks. Limit two banker’s boxes per resident.
Be prepared to show proof of residency with a driver’s license or a utility bill.
More information about the event is available here.

 

Residential Clean Up Event (Julian, CA) 
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Location: Julian Library (1850 CA-78, Julian, CA 92036).
All of the event details can be found here. 

 

 

 

9/13/2026 Weekend Freebies and Deals

Abby H.Leave a comment

This weekend has been busy with SCA events, the never-ending mountain of laundry, and meal prep for the coming week.

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:

FREE Bad Sheep Yarn Birthday Mini + FREE Shipping
Free Chick-fil-A Birthday Item Every Year
FREE Full-Size BONKERS Surprise Dog Treats & Dog Toy
Get Free Samples by Mail: List of Legitimate Freebies & Free Samples From Brand Name Companies
FREE LEGO Batman Bust Build Event
Insomnia Cookies PJ Party: FREE Cookies, Merch & More
The Best Birthday Freebies and Free Stuff for Seniors
FREE Carl’s Jr. Famous Star with Cheese
FREE WHOOP Basic Health Panel – a $69 Value
FREE Fish or Chicken at Long John Silver’s on September 19th
6 FREE Cookies at Tiff’s Treats
FREE Davines Essential Haircare Samples
FREE Custom Bottle Label at Walgreens
FREE Confetti Bundtlet at Nothing Bundt Cakes on September 15th
FREE 12-Pack of Pepsi Zero Sugar
FREE Movie Ticket to The Weight
Here Are 6 Ways To Get Free Baby Formula Samples
FREE Fruit Snacks, Eucerin Samples, Hot Wheels Giveaway & More at Target
FREE $25 at Home Depot
2 FREE Movie Tickets to Tiny Fugitives
FREE ARM & HAMMER Fabric Rinse
FREE $5 Amazon Prime Video Credit
FREE Arey’s Proactive Haircare Solution Products
FREE Movie Ticket to Runner
FREE Smoke Alarm from Red Cross

Deals:

No Boundaries Women’s Beach Insulated Mini Tote Bag ONLY $7.97 (Reg $16)
Dollar General Coupons: Save Money on Gain, Dove, Snuggle & More
Flash Sale: Up to 70% Off Women’s Shoes, Handbag and More at Macy’s
Silicone Cooking Utensils Set ONLY $19.97 at Walmart (Reg $38)
Top Wednesday Food Deals: Midweek Dining Discounts to Devour
Wonder Nation Backpacks ONLY $1.99 at Walmart (Reg $5)
Halloween Candy: Buy 1 Get 1 50% off M&M’s, Skittles & More at Target
Aeropostale 2 Free T-Shirts when you buy 1
SKIMS Discount Codes & Coupons: Up to 30% Off an Order of Panties, Bras and Shapewear
Nike Promina Women’s Walking Shoes ONLY $48.97 (Reg $70)
Facial Cleansing Brush Face Scrubber ONLY $4.99 (Reg $13)
KitchenAid 5-Speed Ultra Power Hand Mixer ONLY $34.98 (Reg $60)
The Best Amazon Snack Deals to Scoop Up NOW
Ulta Beauty 21 Days of Beauty Sale: Save 50% on Today’s Deals!
Thursday Food Deals to Kick Off the Almost-Weekend
Looking For An Alternative to Crocs? Check Out These Knock Off, Fake Crocs at the Lowest Prices
24-Pack Kitchen Dishcloths ONLY $5 on Amazon
Midea 0.9 cu ft 900W Microwave Oven ONLY $59.99 at Target (Reg $100)
Walmart has the VIZIO 65-Inch Class Quantum 4K Smart TV ONLY $328 (Reg $498)
Eastsport Backpacks as low as $7.99 at Walmart (Reg $25)
LEGO City Advent Calendar 2026 ONLY $25 at Walmart
Halloween Decor From $2.49 at Michaels
Bedsure Soft Fleece Throw Bed Blanket ONLY $9.98 (Reg $18)
Elle Roamer Vegan Leather Weekender Tote Bag ONLY $49.98 (Reg $88)
Chelsea Loft Pinsonic Floral Embossed 2-Piece Quilt Set ONLY $19.43 (Reg $65)
Eureka Max Swivel Deluxe Upright Vacuum ONLY $49.86 (Reg $90)
Semi-Annual Suit Sale at Macy’s: Up to 75% Off
Blink Video Doorbell + Outdoor 4 XR Wireless Smart Security Cameras ONLY $79.99 (Reg $140)
Amazon Haul Flash Deals: $2 & Under

Penzeys Sale: $35 for $50 in Gift Cards!

Abby H.

Penzeys is having a sale on $50 Gift Cards for only $35!

This is an amazing sale that only happens a few times a year. The best part: They never expire. Use them in-store or online.

This deal is back, but only until tonight- Monday, September 7, 2026. 

 

Enjoy Potatoes This September!

Abby H.

September is National Potato Month. I love potatoes- they are full of nutrients, they are inexpensive, and a bag of taters lasts a while if kept in a dry, dark cabinet.

Here are a few family recipes that involve potatoes that are the best.

 

PRC Research Study: Current or Retired Federal Employees $250!

Abby H.

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 Current or Retired Federal Employees with kids to participate in an upcoming 3-day online discussion board on health topics.

Topic: Current or Retired Federal Employees-September 2026
Who: Parents of 12- 17-year-olds
When: 9/15-17/2026
Where: From the comfort of your home
Length: 135-mins total (45-mins each day for 3 days)
Incentive: $250

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.

Score Sweet Freebies with Your Library Card!

Abby H.
Courtesy of https://arthur.fandom.com/wiki/Library_Card

September is Library Card Sign-up Month! If you don’t have a card, it’s one of the easiest things you can do to open the door to free (and cheap) entertainment.

Not only can you check out books in the library, but you can also gain access to apps like Libby, where you can borrow digital books, audiobooks, and digital magazines.

The following benefits are available from the San Diego County and City of San Diego Library networks. Check with your local library to see what benefits and events they host!

Get out on the Town: Reserve free or low-cost family day passes to local museums and attractions (like the New Children’s Museum, Museum of Us, and San Diego Museum of Art) using your San Diego Public Library or San Diego County Library card.

Get into Nature: CA State Library Parks Pass: Check out a physical vehicle-entry pass for free admission to participating California State Parks for 14 days. 

Digital Research Databases: Use your library card for free access to online subscriptions, language learning software, and digital archives.

Skill-Building & Wellness Classes: Access free instructional classes covering healthy aging, programs for adults with disabilities, and wellness activities like yoga or meditation.

Learning for the whole family: ABC Mouse is available for free with your library card, and it’s a great resource for young kids. There are resources for kids of all ages, including help with homework!

Free Events: Most local library systems host free events. Our local branch hosts activities for kids, families,  teens (laser tag once a month at the library after hours!), and seniors. There are tons of events every month– scroll through and find something that interests you!