Author: Abby H.

SDG&E Customers: Get up to $4,000 towards a pre-owned EV

Abby H.

Interested in an electric car? SDG&E has an awesome program.

Driving electric just got more affordable with SDG&E®’s Pre-Owned EV Rebate Program that rewards customers with rebates of up to $4,000 when you buy or lease a used EV.

Have you already made the move to driving electric? Vehicles purchased within the last 180 days qualify for the program.

Don’t miss out on your chance to save on driving costs while contributing to a cleaner, healthier environment. Bonus tip: You may also qualify for a federal Clean Vehicle Tax Credit of up to $4,000, which ends on September 30, 2025.* Now’s a great time to go electric!

*Eligibility requirements apply; see the program conditions for details.

Learn more on the SDG&E website here. 

8/14/2025 PRC Research Study Round Up!

Abby H.

PRC aka iOpinion 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: Health Insurance
Who: Participants nationwide aged 65 and above to discuss health insurance.
Dates: August 18 – September 5, 2025
Format: Webcam Interview + Mandatory pre-work assignment
Duration: 60 minutes
Incentive: $200 (full completion of interview + pre-work)
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: Hair Care
Who: Females aged 18-65 who color their hair at home, “Blonde” Shade.
Dates: August 21 – September 14, 2025 (Part 1); September 17 & 18, 2025 (Part 2 if chosen)
Format: At-home Product Trial + Online Board (Part 1); Online Focus Group (Part 2 if chosen)
Duration: 3 weeks Product Testing & Online Board (Part 1); 90-minute Online Focus Group (Part 2 if chosen)
Incentive: $250 (part 1); $150 (Part 2 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.

 
Topic: U.S. Veterans
Who: U.S. Veterans aged 25-79 nationwide. Proof of service will be required.
Dates: Various dates and times in August 2025
Format: Webcam Interviews
Duration: 60 minutes
Incentive: $150
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: Preganancy/New Moms
Who: Adults aged 18 and older.
Dates: August 18-22, 2025
Format: Webcam Interview
Duration: 60 minutes
Incentive: $115
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 the web browsers Google Chrome or Firefox to complete the pre-qualification survey.
Only one participant per household.
Our 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.
Due to the many survey responses, PRC can only contact those who seem to fit well.

Fetch Rewards: 4000 Points for Every Referral through Tonight!

Abby H.

Woo Hoo! Fetch Rewards is hooking us up with points out the wazoo! Earn an extra 4,000 points when you invite a friend to Fetch and they snap a receipt. Head to the app and share your referral code now through 08/10/2025.

I cash out my Fetch Rewards points for gift cards that help me stretch my budget- grocery stores, Amazon, even Bath and Body Works!

Signing up is quick and easy if you aren’t already using Fetch Rewards! You learn more when you check out my post here. Find the Fetch Rewards app in your app store, and when you download it and scan any receipt, use my code ND2TB when you sign up, and you’ll score 2,000 bonus points. I scan all of my receipts (grocery, mass merchandiser, gas receipts, restaurants, you name it) and take advantage of extra point offers- the points really rack up!

Fine Print: In order for you to qualify for the increased referral bonus, your friends must enter your referral code and complete a valid receipt now through 11:59 PM CDT on 08/10/2025. After 11:59 PM CDT on 08/10/2025 the referral bonus will expire.

Your custom referral code can be found in the app under My Account.

8/1/2025 Weekly Freebies and Deals!

Abby H.

My big kid starts high school on Monday! I’m not sure how I’m old enough for this to be happening.

I’ve updated my list of freebies for birthdays in 2025, which you can find here.

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

Let’s get onto the Freebies!!

Freebies:

FREE Whopper at Burger King with Walmart+
FREE Rubbermaid 40 pc. Food Storage Set at Walmart After Cash Back
FREE Sample of e.l.f. Halo Glow Liquid Filter
FREE JLo Limitless Fragrance Sample
FREE Sample Bag of IAMS Kitten Food
FREE Sample of Organifi Happy Drops Gummies
Free Chick-fil-A: The Chick-fil-A Hacks You Need to Know – Yes, It Includes FREE Chicken!
FREE Sample of CeraVe AM Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
FREE Frozen Drink at Casey’s Every Friday in May thru August
FREE $35 Purchase at Walmart After Cash Back
FREE Kool-Aid Jammers Chatterbuy Kit
FREE Café Tango Frozen Coffee Every Tuesday in August
FREE Sample Bag of IAMS Puppy Food
FREE Food at SONIC Every Friday Through August 29th
FREE Rascals Diapers or Training Pants
FREE Art of Tea Premium Tea Sampler
Claim Cash in the $6.94 Million Vending Machine Class Action Settlement
FREE Hallmark Card Every Month
FREE Movie Tickets to Americana
FREE Full-Size Twist + Lick Dog Dental Gel
FREE Fries Every Day in August at Arby’s
FREE Wax Service at European Wax Center
FREE Sample of Hiccupops Hiccup-Stopping Lollipops
FREE Summer Wrap Up BOS Party Pack
FREE Pork Big Deal for Teachers at Sonny’s BBQ
FREE 2pk Better Homes & Gardens Glass Tumblers at Walmart After Cash Back
FREE 6-Piece Chicken Nuggets Every Wednesday at Wendy’s
FREE hello Deodorant Chatterbuy Kit

Deals:

The Children’s Place: Graphic Tees ONLY $3.99 (Reg $12)
DICK’S Sporting Goods Coupons & Promo Codes: 75% Off, $60 Off, 50% Off and More
Planet Fitness New Coupons & Promo Codes: Free Membership, $1 Enrollment, $10 Off & More
Ulta Coupon: $3 off $15
Grab These Best Shoe Deals on Sale For Women, Men & Kids, Up to 70% Off
15 Essential Costco Warehouse Savings Tips for Smarter Shopping
$6 Women’s and $4 Girls Leggings at Old Navy
Target 20% Off Coupon for Students & Teachers
Macy’s 10 Days of Glam Sale – 50% Off Top Beauty Deals
AAA Batteries 24-Pack ONLY $6.64 (Reg $16)
CVS Photo Coupons & Promo Codes – 50% Off Prints, 50% Off Gifts & More
Crayola 24-ct Crayons ONLY 50¢ (Reg $1.49) at Target
Tarte Cosmetics Sets on Sale: Prices From $17
Score 3 Subway Footlong Subs for Only $17.99 with Coupon

Inexpensive Accessories for Back-to-School!

Abby H.

My youngest is a fashionista, and the current obsession is jewelry, specifically bracelets. While we usually make them together, sometimes it’s just easier to have a few on my “order later” list on Amazon and slip a few into the cart.

Here are some of the accessories that I’ve picked up for this year’s back-to-school.

Ornaland Heishi Stretch Bracelets for Women Surfer Stackable Stretch Bracelets 

This is my favorite stack- Right now it’s less than $5.00 for a stack of $8!

If you like wearing the Nazar (evil eye), this next stack is right up your alley.

 

It’s less than $5 for 14 bracelets- that’s a bargain.

 SUPERFINDINGS 14Pcs Heishi Stretch Bracelet Colorful Evil Eye Polymer Clay Stackable Charm Y2K Summer Bracelets

These multi-stack bracelet sets don’t have to be worn together.

We’ve got a bracelet display rack similar to this one, which is perfect for storing bracelets without getting them tangled up.

I also like to pick up bracelet sets for holidays. These are great in a pinch for spirit days, such as:

 

Recipe: Southwest Chipotle Dense Bean Salad

Abby H.

Our Yasukochi Family Farms CSA box arrived on Monday, and I’ve been trying to figure out how to incorporate a bunch of the veggies into a dense bean salad.

Last night I was struck by inspiration, and I got to chopping.

This salad came together in less than 15 minutes, and it’s so good. I’ll be having it for lunch for the next few days.

 

Chipotle Dense Bean Salad

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 purple onion, diced and soaked in ice water
  • 2 small cucumbers, chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 large tomato, chopped into bite-sized pieces and deseeded
  • 1 bell pepper (I used green, use whatever you’ve got), diced
  • The corn from 1 ear of corn
  • 1 15 oz. can of kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 cup cubed cheddar cheese

Directions:

  1. Chop the veggie ingredients and combine in a mixing bowl.
  2. Add 1/4-1/2 cup of dressing (recipe below), toss salad, and add in cheese cubes.
  3. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving.

Chipotle Dressing:

  • 1/2 cup lemon juice
  • 3 T. Honey or agave syrup
  • 1/2 cup olive oil (or your favorite neutral oil)
  • 2 chipotle peppers (from a can in adobo sauce)
  • 3 T. adobo sauce
  • 2-3 garlic cloves, minced (or the equivalent in jarlic)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. In a blender or food processor, add all of the ingredients and blend until smooth.
  2. Store the unused portion in the fridge for up to a week.

The nice part about this salad is that it easily made vegan by swapping honey for agave syrup, and omitting the cheese or swapping in a vegan cheese substitute.

The salad is naturally Gluten Free and vegetarian.

Taylor Research Stroke Patient Study- $250

Abby H.

Taylor Research is a research company based in the San Diego, CA area. I have taken part in their studies for 15+ years.

Frequently, they will send out emails requesting referrals for studies that are hard to fill. This is one of those cases.

• Study Topic: Stroke Patient
• Study Type: One-on-one session
• Study Location: Mission Valley, San Diego
• Available Date(s): TBD
• Session Duration: 1.5 Hours
• Reward Amount:$250

To sign up, please complete the form here. In the referral box, enter my name Abby Hewes. If you are selected and participate, I may earn a referral bonus!

Please feel free to share this- $250 for 90 minutes of your time is pretty sweet!

Father Joe’s Villages Food Pantry- Every Friday!

Abby H.

If you are closer to downtown San Diego, this food pantry is a great option for you.

Stop by Father Joe’s Food Pantry every Friday for drive-thru or walk-in pickup at 3350 E Street, San Diego, CA 92102 (rear warehouse of St. Vincent de Paul Village).

This Food Pantry is open from 12pm-2pm every Friday.

Helpful Tip: Bring a basket with wheels, a bike with a basket, or a vehicle to help carry your items. 1 visit per household per day. Service is located at the back of the building—look for the warehouse!

For more free food resources in San Diego, check out my food resource page here. 

Back to School Haircuts and Supplies 8/9/2025!

Abby H.

It’s back!

The Larry Himmel Neighborhood Foundation’s biggest event is back!

Saturday, August 9, 2025

9AM -1PM at Skyline Church in La Mesa11330 Campo Road La Mesa, CA 91941

It’s the annual Back-to-School Haircut Event — a day dedicated to supporting local families with free haircuts, school supplies, food, and fun.

Last year’s event was a huge success. Over 1,000 kids attended, and more than 400 walked away with fresh haircuts — ready to start the school year with confidence.

This year, It’s even bigger and better. Here’s what you can expect:

  • Free school supplies for students

  • Free haircuts for kids

  • Free tickets to local attractions — including Padres games

  • Live DJ, games, and kids’ activities

  • Free food for the whole family

This is a first-come, first-served event — so be sure to arrive early and enjoy the festivities while supplies last.

​

Free Backpack Giveaway- 8/9/2025

Abby H.

It’s back- 10 years and going strong!

This event is SUPER popular, and supplies run out quickly.

A  backpack and school supply giveaway courtesy of SMOAC on August 9, 2025, at Rio Seco School in Santee, starting at 9AM. It is a drive-thru event. People start lining up as early as 7:30AM, and the line moves FAST!

I’m working on collecting more info on Back to School supply giveaways, and I’ll have another post coming up soon!