Month: January 2026

National Spaghetti Day Recipes!

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Today is National Spaghetti Day, and what better way to celebrate than sharing some of my favorite recipes that feature the long, skinny pasta that almost everyone loves!

And if you are looking to try some different brands of spaghetti, here are a few of my favorites:

Try New Fitness Classes with ClassPass for Free!

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I’ve seen a few content creators on TikTok and IG talk about ClassPass recently, so I checked it out, and here is what I found. I just signed up for a free month myself, and I’m hoping that I can find something I enjoy that I can consistently go to!

I love to exercise, and I love trying new classes; however, I had to give up my gym membership in mid-2025 because I could only go once a week between my schedule and when the gym is open.

ClassPass is an app that helps you find cool new workout opportunities near you! Right now, ClassPass has a 30-day free trial so you can try different classes and fitness centers in your area to find a good fit. I love that ClassPass is affordable, too.

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.**

Family Recipe: Porcupine Meatballs

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Isn’t he cute? He’s a juvenile porcupine in a tree!

I feel like I need to get this out of the way first thing: This recipe does not contain any porcupine meat. It’s called porcupine meatballs because the meatballs have rice in them, and they can stick out like porcupine quills.

Ok, so now that is out of the way, these meatballs first began to appear in American kitchens during the Great Depression. The use of rice as a binder and filler meant less meat could be used.

This is right as I poured the tomato sauce and seasonings into the pan.

I love these meatballs, and they are very quick and easy to make. They are incredible as leftovers and freeze well too (after they are cooked).

I use ground pork, but ground beef or ground turkey can also be used.

Porcupine Meatballs (serves 4-5)

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground pork, turkey, or beef
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
  • 1 cup uncooked rice- I use basmati rice, but jasmine or plain white rice can also be used. Do not use parboiled or instant white rice.
  • 2 14-ish oz. Cans of Tomato sauce (or blend diced tomatoes until smooth)
  • Garlic Powder
  • Onion powder
  • 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce (to taste)
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
This is how much they expand cooking in the sauce for 25 minutes!

Directions:

  1. To make meatballs, combine the meat, egg, breadcrumbs, and uncooked rice in a mixing bowl until well combined. Shape into approximately 15 meatballs. They will increase in size as they cook.
  2. In a large oiled skillet, brown the meatballs on all sides.
  3. Once they are browned, add tomato sauce and remaining ingredients. Cover with a lid, and cook on medium-low for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings as you prefer.
  5. Serve with Texas toast/Garlic Bread/Hot French bread and a green salad or your preferred vegetable.

Tip: My youngest likes to sprinkle cheese on top.

1/2/26 First Friday Freebies and Deals Post of 2026!

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I’ve been working on my content calendar for this month, and I’m excited that January has 5 Fridays – that means 5 Freebie and Deal posts!

The littlest kid and I got back from visiting friends on Tuesday, and I was itching to get some posts up!

I’m currently working on my 2026 Birthday Freebies post, but in the meantime, check out the 2025 post here. If you live outside Southern California, check out this list: Free Birthday Stuff in 2025: Get The Best 100+ Freebies on Your Birthday!

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

Freebies:

Score a Subscription to Real Simple Magazine – No Credit Card Needed
How to Get Free Beauty Samples Without Spending a Dime
FREE $13 to Spend on Any Doormat at Target After Cash Back
FREE Target In-Store Event | Starting January 3rd
FREE Copy of the Jiffy Mix Recipe Booklet
Score a Subscription to Condé Nast Traveller Magazine – No Credit Card Needed
Get Tons Of Free Stickers Online: Updated Monthly
Unlock the Magic of Your Big Day: List Of The Best Free Wedding Samples & Freebies
FREE $25 to Spend at Columbia After Cash Back
FREE $10 Instant Bonus at Ace Hardware
FREE 8×10 Photo Prints at Walgreens
Score a Subscription to Elle Decor Magazine – No Credit Card Needed
Get Free Magazine Subscriptions: No Credit Card Needed
Save Big on the Latest Titles with the 30-Day FREE Kindle Unlimited Trial (Lots of Titles! $12/mo Value)
Get Free Seeds for Your Garden
18 Places to Find Free Moving Boxes Near You

Deals:

Coziest Pajama Coupons and Deals This Week from Macy’s, Kohl’s, Amazon, Walmart and More
Foot Locker End Off Season Sale: Up to 75% Off & Free Shipping!
Bogg Bag Original Bullseye Tote Bag ONLY $75 (Reg $100)
Score Big at the 2026 49 Cents Ross Sale – Your Ultimate Shopping Guide & Dates
Up to Extra 50% Off Clearance at Carter’s – Prices as low as $2.99
All The Best Walmart Photo Coupons and Promo Codes
Yankee Candle Semi-Annual Clearance Sale Up to 75% Off
12 of the Cheapest Fast-Food Chains + Get Coupons and Deals
Ulta Coupon: $3 Off $15
Get Sonic Deals and Specials + Money Saving Sonic Tips
Kate Spade Sadie Large Crossbody ONLY $59 (Reg $299)
Up to 80% Off Fragrances & Gift Sets at Macy’s
Bath and Body Works Semi-Annual Sale: Up to 75% Off
Women’s Boots Up to 60% Off at Macy’s
Old Navy Clearance – Save up to 75% Off | Prices Start at $1.49
Ulta Beauty: Save 50% Off Clinique, Beekman 1802, Medicube & More
Bella PRO Perfect Grind ONLY $44.99 (Reg $150)
32 Degrees End of Year Sale – Everything Must Go | Up to 90% Off
Jumbo Love Event at Ulta – Up to 45% Off Kenra, Redken, Biolage & More
Publix Digital Coupons: Learn How to Use Publix Digital Coupons + Money Saving Tips
End of Season Clearance at Toms Up to 70% Off
Kate Spade Leila Mini Zip Crossbody ONLY $69 (Reg $329)
Our Favorite Places to Score Cheap Baby Clothes + Shop Great Deals Happening Now!
Victoria’s Secret Semi-Annual Sale – Up to 60% Off | $3.99 Panties & More
Target 50% Off Clearance Sale has Begun

January 2026: New Healthy Freebies From Social Nature!

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 If you are into Organic/Natural/Healthy products, then Social Nature is right up your alley. Sign up and apply to sample products that you are interested in. I usually receive 4-6 offers/freebies per month, sometimes more if I have time to shop. And most of the time it’s full-size products, not just a tiny sample.

In addition to the offers where they mail you a coupon for a free product, Social Nature has started offering 100% cash-back, similar to Ibotta and Fetch Rewards. I love this because I can select exactly what I want, Social Nature tells me which local stores have it, and I can add it to my next shopping list.

And it’s just as easy as Ibotta and Fetch Rewards. Snap a pic and upload it. You can select Venmo, Paypal, or an Amazon Gift Card for your rebate.

There are so many offers this month! Here are the Free/100% Cashback offers available now:

Zero Calorie Sweeteners by Whole Earth Brands
Organic Chocolates by VGAN
Chocolate Natilla Custard by Senor Rico
Protein Packed Feta by Athenos
Gluten-Free Whipped Feta by Athenos
Alpine Cheese Blend by Roth
Caffeine-Free Herbal Teas by Teeccino
Low Sodium Sauces by Tia Lupita
Zero Sugar Rice Pudding by Senor Rico
Protein Pasta by BRAMI
Fresh Microgreens by 80 Acres Farms
PAW Patrol Gel Cups by Winky Desserts
Non-GMO Crackers by Back to Nature
PURE Coconut Water by ZICO
Crisp + Clean Salad Kits by 80 Acres Farms
Bold & Rich Latin Coffee by Sello Rojo
Shots: Energy/Focus/Relax by RYDE
Premium Cold Brew Coffee by Cameron’s Coffee

Not all offers are available in all areas. 

Early 2026 San Diego Clothing Swaps

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I love clothing swaps- If you have read my blog, you know it’s one of my favorite ways to refresh the kids’ wardrobes (and my own).

And as always, if you are looking for more information about clothing swaps, check out my post (with other San Diego, CA area resources)  here.

Here are just a few Q1 Clothing Swaps in the greater San Diego, CA area:

 

The Good Loop hosts clothing swaps in Southern CA frequently, but has nothing currently planned. I recommend following them on Instagram to stay in the know.

Let’s Go Girls SD also hosts clothing swaps frequently. Check out their Instagram page.

Project Pan 2026: Use It Up, Wear It Out, Or Do Without

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After seeing so many people with varying levels of success in 2025, I’ve decided that in 2026, I’ll be joining in on Project Pan.

What is Project Pan? It started out with cosmetic wearers wanting to “hit pan,” meaning the metal cup is pressed in, but this phrase has been applied to any sort of “use it up” beauty product challenge.

The term can be used for any sort of beauty product, skincare, haircare, or even cleaning supplies.

It’s a more modern way of saying, “Make do, use it up, go without.”

My Project Pan 2026 goals:

  • Go through the cosmetics and skin care I have, discard anything expired/smelly/separated.
  • Organize my cosmetics and skin care so that it is easy to see and use.
  • Keep track of what I use daily, and make sure to rotate unused items in as I “hit pan”.
  • I have cosmetics spatulas like these to help scoop out any liquids/gels that are stubbornly clinging to the sides of bottles and jars.
  • I will also be cleaning my makeup brushes more often. Some of them I’ve used very vivid colors, and they really need a deep cleaning before I use them again.

I will not be purchasing any new:

  • Perfumes/Body Sprays/EDT
  • Face Wash
  • Exfoliants
  • Masks
  • Serums
  • Eye creams
  • Lotions (I don’t use lotion too often to start with)
  • Body Wash

Things I will be purchasing:

  • Shampoo and Conditioner- With three people in my house, we go through a bottle of each about once a month. I’ll be using my free $10 from CVS Care Pass each month, combined with deals and Extra Care Bucks offers, to buy Shampoo and conditioner. Hopefully, I’ll get some good deals and be able to stock up and not have to use my $10 on hair care products each month. I currently have 3 bottles of shampoo and no conditioner in my stockpile.
  • Deodorant: I use a specific type of deodorant, and it’s not on sale very often, so I usually only buy 1 stick at a time. Upside- a stick lasts 3-4 months. If I see it on sale, I might buy 2.

Talk Back: Have you ever done anything like this before?