Holiday Crafts at Dollar Tree!

Abby H.Leave a comment

45 days until Christmas, and you know I’ve already started planning holiday crafts.  Thanks to Dollar Tree, I’ve been able to find some great supplies and craft kits (for my day job).

Whether you shop in-store for a few items or online for bulk items, Dollar Tree has some of the best craft supplies out there.

Here are a few of my favorites:

These acrylic ornament balls are great for faux stained-glass painting or filling with glitter, pom poms, or these fun ornament filler kits.

Most Dollar Tree locations have several shapes and sizes of these clear acrylic ornaments

If this seems too messy, there are several other ornament kits available. These paintable ornaments are always a hit with kids.

If painting isn’t your speed, the felt ornament kits, like these, are fun and easy. You can either use fabric glue or glue dots.

Regardless of what crafts you choose, you are only limited by your imagination!

California Residents: Unclaimed Property and Money!

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Did you know that the State Controller’s Office holds over NINE BILLION DOLLARS in unclaimed property (that includes money) in California? For some of us, it’s small amounts (in my case), and for others, it could be hundreds of dollars!

I checked the website and found about $75 in my name! I filled out the forms, printed them, signed them,  made copies of my ID, and mailed it all off this morning.  In 120 short days (or so, per the website), I should get my money.

It’s free to search, and free to claim your property, so it is 100% worth 5-10 minutes to see if you’ve got anything waiting for you!

Click here to get started!

If you live outside California, most other states have something similar- Google your state and unclaimed funds. This process should ALWAYS BE FREE, and if you are being asked to pay for a service, it is not your state controller/comptroller/treasurers office.

 

Enjoy Reading Magazines? Magazine Deals No Credit Card Required!

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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!

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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

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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)

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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!

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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!

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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.