Enjoy Reading Magazines? Magazine Deals No Credit Card Required!

Abby H.Leave a comment

I love reading, and I love magazines, but they are so expensive. bPerx has a treat for all of us!

Once I’m done reading them, I collect them for a friend who does collages as part of her therapy practice. These magazines are perfect for collages too!

Ready to Claim Your Magazine Gifts? We just need a little info to get your gifts ready. No credit card required. The following subscriptions are gifts from bPerx.

Fine Print: US only, not available for Minnesota addresses. Users must be of age 18+ with a valid USA postal address and a valid email address.

I’ll be posting more offers like this as I find them!

Try New Fitness Classes with ClassPass for Free!

Abby H.Leave a comment

I love to exercise, and I love trying new classes; however, my current gym doesn’t have a lot of classes that are available when I’m available.

ClassPass is an app that helps you find cool new workout opportunities near you! Right now, ClassPass has a 14-day free trial so you can try different classes and fitness centers to find a good fit. I love that ClassPass is affordable too. I have a basic gym membership that’s cheaper than a pizza, and I can supplement it with ClassPass.

Whether you want to sweat it out with a HIIT class, unwind with a massage, or stream a yoga class from your home, ClassPass makes prioritizing your health and wellness easy.

ClassPass gives you worldwide access to thousands of top-rated gyms, fitness studios, salons, and spas.

Looking for something where you don’t have to leave home? Check out these free streaming videos on Amazon Prime. 

**This post may contain affiliate links. For more information about how we use affiliate links, please visit our Disclosure page.**

PRC Research: Paid 60-Minute Finance Study $200

Abby H.Leave a comment

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 adults aged 18+ to participate in an upcoming study about Shared Financial Experiences.

Topic: Consumer Payment Preferences
Who: Adults, 18+
When: November 11-25, 2026
Where: Webcam Interview
Length: 60 minutes
Incentive: $200 digital incentive

For this study, you must reside in the following areas:

  • CA: Bay Area, Sacramento, Stockton, Modesto, Fresno, Bakersfield, Los Angeles, Inland Empire, Coachella Valley, San Diego

  • KS: Greater Kansas City

  • MA: Greater Boston

  • MN: Minneapolis–St. Paul (Twin Cities)

  • NY: New York City (Manhattan & Bronx)

  • TN: Greater Nashville

  • WV: Greater Morgantown

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.

November is Gratitude Month (Free Printable Gratitude Journal)

Abby H.Leave a comment

What better way to kick off the fall and winter holiday season than with a month all about showing how grateful you are for everything around you?

You can download and print my FREE gratitude journal here; it’s a simple way to reflect on your life daily for a month. Complete with a daily challenge, coloring pages, a word search, and a gratitude jar page.

It’s made for anyone, ages about 10 and up.

If you are looking for some simple, free ways to show gratitude, here are my favorites:

Talk back: How are you going to show gratitude this month?

PRC Global Market Research 1st Time Expecting Moms—Up to $150

Abby H.Leave a comment

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 females, 18 and older, to participate in an upcoming study regarding 1st Time Expecting Moms.

Topic: 1st Time Expecting Moms
Who: Females 18 and older
When: November 16-20, 2026
Where: Online via Discuss.io
Length: 3-4 online activities/short videos + 30 min webcam interview (if chosen)
Incentive: $100 (Online activities) + $50 (30 min webcam – if chosen)

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.

FREE Winter Carnival for Families!

Abby H.Leave a comment



Another fun holiday event for families and individuals of all ages and abilities.

The Winter Fun activities include:

  • Snow Play Area
  • Petting Zoo
  • Cookie Decorating
  • Holiday Craft Stations
  • Photo Op with Santa and More!

Register by Nov. 20 for Children’s Gifts
Gifts will be provided only to registered children ages 12 and under. Participating families must register by Friday, Nov. 20, 2026, to be eligible for a gift.

Light brunch will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. This is a family and friends’ event. Parents and caregivers are responsible for supervising their children; no direct supervision is provided.

11/9/2026 Weekly Meal Plan!

Abby H.Leave a comment

It’s fall, but we are back to weather in the mid to high 80’s this coming week. I did a lot of meal prep over the weekend: Roasting veggies, cutting up fruit and veggies for lunches, making a big salad, and meal prepping my weekday lunches (Baked Ziti for 3 days and Salisbury Steak for 2 days). I also made a big batch of Apple Crisp for the week as well.

I ordered groceries from Aldi via Instacart and picked them up Friday after work (You can learn more about how it really does save you time and money here).

Breakfast: The Big Kid has joined the Protein Coffee train with me. He has his with the equivalent of 2-3 shots of espresso in it, served hot. I take my Protein Coffee iced. 1 protein shake and 20 ounces of cold brew. The littler dude is on an Einstein Bros. Bagel kick. I buy them once every few weeks, pre-sliced, then I stash them in the freezer and pull them out and toast them as needed.

Lunch:  Monday through Friday, I pack my own and the kids’ lunches. I bring 5 lunches to work on Monday and stash them in the fridge. I pack the kids’ lunches each night before bed, except for the cold stuff and ice pack- those I put in when I get up in the morning. This week I meal prepped lunches over the weekend to last me all week. In addition to main dishes, I also have cut-up cantaloupe and iced tea. The big kid has basically the same lunch every day: Sandwich, drink, Quest Protein Chips, and a couple of cookies or whatever I made this week. The little dude has cheesy popcorn, mandarin oranges (2), a cheese stick, a yogurt drink, a cookie, and a fruit snack. Whatever keeps them fed!

Dinner: It’s a mixed bag of crockpot meals and quick-cook, easy dinners this week.

  • Monday: Breakfast for Dinner (Breakfast Sandwiches, fruit salad, and hot cocoa)
  • Tuesday: Crockpot meal-chicken chili (recipe forthcoming)

  • Wednesday: Smoothies and Charcuterie plates (this has become a Wednesday special)

  • Thursday: Chicken nuggets, mozzarella sticks, fruit salad

  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday: Leftover Palooza
  • Sunday:  Quesadillas, beans and rice

Tryazon: My Soundtrack Game Night Opportunity!

Abby H.Leave a comment

I’ve been a fan of Tryazon for about 9 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 an opportunity to apply for!

Come together to create the soundtrack of your life with this Tryazon Featured Party opportunity featuring My Soundtrack Game! My Soundtrack is the party game where your life has a playlist! What was the theme of your awkward middle school years, or what song do you hear when you’re in an interview? Pick the songs you think fit best!  Easy to learn and easy to play party game!

They have 50 hosting spots open for this opportunity! Those selected will receive a free My Soundtrack Game party pack to sample and play with friends and family.

Learn more and apply here.

This Week is National Young Reader Week!

Abby H.Leave a comment

This Week is National Young Reader Week, a week to celebrate and encourage kids’ and teens’ literacy.

As the granddaughter of a school librarian, I loved going to the library as a kid, and I still love reading and going to the library today. And the local library is more than just books. This post talks all about the fun free stuff at your local library. 

Reading doesn’t have to be expensive either. In addition to Little Free Libraries all over the world, here are a few ways you can get free books sent to your mailbox:

  • If you want your family to experience a multicultural world through reading, I  recommend PJ Library.  PJ Library sends free, award-winning books that celebrate Jewish values and culture to families with children from birth through 12 years old. My kids love learning about faraway places and experiences different from their own. The PJ library books have opened their eyes to new holidays, customs, and ways of life.
  • Read Conmigo provides free books for kids by mail in Spanish and English to children ages preschool to fifth grade. They are only available to kids in CA, TX, and Florida. We used to receive the books, and they are ok, but my kids aren’t interested in learning Spanish. The books were super useful for me in learning to read in Spanish (Beyond what Duolingo teaches).
  • Dolly Parton has established the Imagination Library, which is available in select regions, and those who live in participating areas can receive one book for their kids every month via mail.

If you have a Kindle (or a Fire Tablet), there are always tons of free kindle books on Amazon, both for kids and adults.

 

Santee School District Care Closet Donation Drive

Abby H.Leave a comment

If you live in East County, now through November 20, 2020, the district care closet is hosting a care closet donation drive to help students and their families.

The closets offer clothing, toiletries, and household items to families in need throughout the school district.

Now is the perfect time to go through your kids’ closets and donate any clothes in good or like-new condition (without rips, tears, or stains). Clothing donations for all ages and sizes are accepted; however,  there is an emphasis on clothing donations for students TK-8.

The following types of clothing are always needed:

  • Shirts
  • Long sleeve
  • Short sleeve
  • Tank tops
  • Pants
  • Jeans
  • Leggings
  • Sweatpants
  • Skirts
  • Shorts
  • Athletic
  • Jean
  • Dresses
  • Shoes
  • NEW underwear
  • NEW socks
  • Dress shirts
  • Dress Pants
  • Sweatshirts
  • Coats

They are also collecting New, Unopened Toiletries:

  • Children’s toothbrushes
  • Adult toothbrushes
  • Toothpaste (mint or flavored)
  • Body Wash
  • Bars of Soap
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • New Hair ties/other hair accessories
  • New Hair Brushes
  • New Combs
  • Hand Soap
  • Perfume/Body Mist
  • Deodorant
  • Hair Detangler Spray
  • Facewash
  • Sunscreen (face and body)
  • Lotion
  • Contact Solution/Cases
  • Feminine Products (pads with wings, tampons, liners)

Household Goods

  • Laundry Detergent
  • Dishwasher soap
  • Dish Soap (dawn, palmolive, etc.)
  • All-purpose cleaners
  • Cotton Balls
  • Q-tips
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Trashbags

To donate,  visit any of the Donation Drop-off Locations:

  • Front office at Chet F. Harritt and PRIDE Academy
  • Santee School District ERC Building: 9619 Cuyamaca Street, Santee, CA 92071

I’ve got a bag of toiletries I started to donate next week!