A few days ago, I posted about today being National Give Something Away Day, and I listed a few ways we can all help our neighbors.
I decided to put my money where my mouth is and give a $25.00 Amazon Gift Card to one of you!
Entering is easy and pretty quick.
Visit my Instagram Page, click on the giveaway post (which should be the most recent post), and follow the directions.
Terms and Conditions apply; all of the rules can be found here.
Q-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. Currently, they are conducting an online study about Television and Media.
Requirements include logging on to an online community for 7 days and completing 10-20 minutes of tasks per day.
The total time commitment is up to 90 minutes over the course of a week from July 29 to August 5, 2026.
Individuals who qualify and complete the online community will receive $225 as a thank you for their time.
If you are interested in participating, please fill out the survey here. A recruiter will contact you if you pre-qualify and ask additional screening questions.
This is a great deal! Now through 9/19/2026, students and teachers (with a valid K-college student or teacher ID) can get a $12 haircut at their local JCP Salon!
And to sweeten the deal for educators, score an extra 10% off your purchase with a valid school ID.
If you know of a teacher/educator who could use a little pick-me-up in the form of a haircut, please share this deal!
National Ice Cream Day is next week!! I recommend that you download any apps required for these deals at least 1 day prior to ensure that you have the app and are all signed up for any clubs or offers. Not all of these offers are available in my specific area, but I included them because I have readers outside of San Diego.
From July 13-19, DQ Rewards members can score the classic treat with any $1 purchase made through the DQ App. https://news.dairyqueen.com/announcements/details/2026/DQ-Celebrates-National-Ice-Cream-Day-All-Week-Long-with-Free-Dilly-Bars/default.aspx
Dipping’ Dots: Dippin’ Dots is giving away FREE mini cups of Dippin’ Dots (any flavor!) during a two-hour window at their franchise locations. Find your closest location here.
Baskin-Robbins: Baskin-Robbins Rewards members can get 31% off scoops on July 31, 2026, at participating shops. Waffle cones, toppings, sundaes, and delivery orders are excluded.
Marble Slab Creamery: Download their app because on July 20, loyalty members will receive a free small Ice Cream offer, valid for seven days. Find your closest location here.
Del Taco: From July 17 – 19, Del Yeah! Rewards members can get BOGO free regular shakes at Del Taco for National Ice Cream Day.
And while there are no deals right now, check the following apps in the days before the 20th for possible freebies and deals: McDonald’s, Jack in the Box, Wendy’s, and Yogurtland.
And if you want to make your own ice cream at home, you can find my recipe here. It’s very easy, and you can make it your own with a few tweaks!
Visit any See’s Candy location for National Lollipop Day on July 20, and you’ll receive a free lollipop — no purchase necessary.
Flavor availability may vary by location, but here are the flavors you may have to choose from:
Chocolate
Vanilla
Butterscotch
Sugar Free Butterscotch
Café Latté
Cinnamon
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 of them can be completed from the comfort of your own home, using your computer or laptop.
Topic: Business Decision Makers
Who: Adults
When: July 20th – Aug 14th
Where: Via webcam
Length: 60-minute interview
Incentive: $300 digital incentive
If you are interested in participating, complete the intake survey here. If you pre-qualify, a recruiter from PRC will contact you via phone.
Topic: Club Store Members-July 2026
Who: Adults, 18+ yrs old who have a club store membership
When: July 21st-24th, 2026
Where: Virtual interview from the comfort of your home
Length: 30-mins
Incentive: $100
If you are interested in participating, complete the intake survey here. If you pre-qualify, a recruiter from PRC will contact you via phone.
Topic: Small Business Owners & Decision Makers
Who: Adults, 25-65 yrs old
When: July 15 or 22 – 29, 2026
Where: Online virtual Interview
Length: 1-Hour
Incentive: $300
If you are interested in participating, complete the intake survey here. If you pre-qualify, a recruiter from PRC will contact you via phone.
Topic: Fidelity, HealthEquity or Optum Health Insurance spending/reimbursement account holders
Who: Adults, 18-64 yrs old
When: June 24 – July 17, 2026
Where: Online virtual Interview
Length: 1-hour
Incentive: $125
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.
This upcoming Wednesday, July 15, is National Give Something Away Day. This is a great opportunity to share things that you no longer need from your home. Here are several ways that I will be celebrating this day.
I will be posting items to my buy, nothing group. I am not in an official by nothing group, but there are several offshoots of the official group in my area, and I participate in them regularly.
Speaking of Facebook, there are several local Facebook groups. I’m in for specific hobbies and causes that I care about. And I will definitely be posting some items to give away in those groups as well.
Is there a local nonprofit that you support? This would be a great time to reach out to them and see if there’s anything you have that you’re looking to get rid of that they might need.
Even though school is out, if you have a teacher in your life, and you have some excess office/school supplies, definitely hit them up. When school starts back up at the end of August or beginning of September, teachers will be needing school supplies, such as number two pencils, markers, Crayons, and lined notebook paper.
There are a lot of people around us who need help right now in our communities. There are so many ways to help neighbors, and I’ve collected a few of the ways that my family helps in the hopes it will inspire you to do the same.
You’re probably aware of mutual aid sites like GoFundMe, but do you know that there are other ways that you can help your friends and neighbors without breaking the bank or charging on your credit card?
Mutual aid is more than giving cash. It’s giving your time, goods from your home, or offering to help with chores or errands.
Blessing Boxes/Free Little Pantries. When I go to the grocery store, I allot $5-$10 to pick up canned goods or shell stable foods that are either ready to eat and have a pop top or require just the addition of water and heat. Things like chili, canned soup, water, only mac & cheese, Ramen, peanut butter, bread. These items are donated to our local Blessing Box, which helps our neighbors in need.
Filling a Free Little Library. You probably have a couple of books around your house that you read once, maybe twice, and you’re never gonna read again, or your kids have leveled up beyond picture books, and you’re not quite sure what to do with them. Look for a little library in your area. There are tons of them in my town, and I am always putting a paper back or two or a couple of kids’ books in when I see one that needs a couple more books in it
Check out your local Buy Nothing or Buy Nothing Like group. Check and see if there is a neighbor in need who needs something that you have. Either something in your home that is physical, maybe they need assistance with a project, or they are asking to borrow a tool.
I just finished up doing some summer cleaning and posted all sorts of items to share. I have gotten rid of a broken computer (someone was excited to use it for parts), an extra monitor, some blankets, and old sheets that are in great repair, but my son does not like the texture.
There are all kinds of ways that we can help our neighbors with what we have and the skills that we possess.
Talk Back: How have you helped in your community?
Why am I referring to them as “quests” and not “hustle“?
Hustling indicates moving quickly to earn money. This year, I’m doing a little bit every day, approximately 20 minutes on small surveys and small tasks. I may earn less daily, but overall, I can use small tasks to earn more through compounding.
June was a busy month for me to work on Side Quests. I sat down and really buckled down, as my regular day job was ending for the next two-ish months, and I wanted to ensure I had the funds for adventures with the kids.
I spend about 20-30 minutes a day completing surveys, scanning receipts, and other tasks. It doesn’t take long, and it helps take a small load off our summer budget.
As always, the links above may be affiliate links, and I might earn money or points if you join any of the above apps or activities. This helps support my blog and family.
If you are interested in my full list of money-saving/money earning activites, I encourage you to check out:
7-Eleven is celebrating its 99th birthday and the 60th anniversary of the Slurpee by handing out free small Slurpees nationwide on Saturday, July 11, 2026.
The giveaway runs from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at participating 7-Eleven, Speedway, and Stripes stores, while supplies last. No purchase is necessary.
To find your closest location or for more details, visit their website.
Talk back: What is your favorite Slurpee flavor? I love a frosty Coke Slurpee, but any citrus flavor is a close second.
Hewes Family Fun 