Author: Abby H.

San Diego Residents: Hiking with The Cayoneers and The NAT!

Abby H.


One of my favorite aspects of living in San Diego County is the abundance of public open spaces available. That’s why I had to share this information straight from The NAT (That’s the Natural History Museum in Balboa Park).

Canyoneers are looking forward to launching their 52nd hiking season on September 7. The new season features 60 unique hiking opportunities between now and June 2026, allowing people to enjoy, explore, and discover San Diego’s natural landscapes. Hikes are led by the Canyoneers, volunteer naturalists trained by Museum scientists, to teach participants about our region’s rich flora and fauna, diverse landscapes, and natural history.

This year, 14 new hikes have been added to the schedule. Bridge to Nowhere in Eagle Peak Preserve, Kwaamii Point in Cleveland National Forest, and Ash Wash in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park are just a few examples of the new trails they’ll be exploring. Hikes are free, but advance registration is appreciated. Participants can register here.

The long-awaited second edition of Coast to Cactus: The Canyoneer Trail Guide to San Diego Outdoors is also being released in early September. This hiking guide was originally published in 2016 and sold 12,000 copies.

For more information about the Canyoneers, a complete schedule of hikes, and to register, visit the Canyoneer website here. 

Thanks to Paula at the NAT for this amazing information- I hope to meet some of you on San Diego’s trails!

Dollar Tree Via UberEats!

Abby H.

Have you heard that you can order Dollar Tree via UberEats? I checked it out and it’s true. Same in-store prices, just pay the UberEats fee and you can shop Dollar Tree from your phone.

Order essentials from Dollar Tree with Uber Eats and get same-day delivery, that’s pretty sweet! And I found a coupon code in my email to share! Use code DOLLAR10 for $10 off orders over $30. Valid until 9/30/2025. Restrictions apply.

And if you aren’t sure what’s a good buy at Dollar Tree, check out my Top 10 Grocery Items from Dollar Tree here. 

Don’t Forget the Fine Print:
Expires 9/30/2025. $10 off Dollar Tree orders of $30+ on Uber Eats. Taxes and fees still apply. Order min before taxes and fees. Must apply promo code in app before completing order. Cannot be combined. Valid only in US where Uber Eats is available. Exclusions may apply. See app for details.

Prices and selection may vary by store and online. Quantities are limited to stock on hand. We reserve the right to limit quantities.

8/23/2025 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: IT Managers/Directors
Who: IT Managers/Directors from large companies that use Google Workspace as their main productivity suite platform.
Dates: Now – December 2025
Format: Online (interviews and surveys)
Duration: 1-6 months
Incentive: $225 per 60-minute interview; $75 per 15-minute survey
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: Urinary Incontinence (Patients)
Who: Patients aged 18-74 diagnosed with urinary incontinence. Proof of diagnosis will be required..
Dates: Various dates and times in September 2025
Format: Online Webcam Session
Duration: 60 minutes
Incentive: $175 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: Meal Choices
Who: Adults aged 18 and older.
Dates: September 4-6, 2025
Format: Online Bulletin Board
Duration: 3 hours (1 hour per day)
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: Fitness and Lifestyle
Who: Adults aged 21 and older.
Dates: September 8-10, 2025
Format: Online Virtual Focus Group (must be on a laptop or desktop computer)
Duration: 90 minutes
Incentive: $150 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: Individual Wellbeing
Who: Nationwide residents aged 45 and older.
Dates: September 8-22, 2025
Format: Online Webcam interview
Duration: 90-minute webcam interview followed by 2 weeks of video activities (max 4 hours total)
Incentive: $500 digital incentive for full completion of all activities
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: Personal Health
Who: Adults aged 18 and older.
Dates: September 15-18, 2025
Format: Online Focus Group + post-group survey
Duration: 90 minutes
Incentive: $175 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: Mental Health and Experiences
Who: Adults aged 18 and older.
Dates: September 15-26, 2025
Format: Online Virtual Interview (webcam required)
Duration: 75 minutes
Incentive: $175 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.

 

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.

8/23/2025 Weekend Freebies and Deals!

Abby H.

This week was my first week back to work, and it’s been busy.

It has also been so hot here, over 90 degrees each day, and it’s going to stay hot for a while.

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!!
FREE Gallon of Nature’s Touch Milk & a FREE Muffin at Kwik Trip (these are in the Midwest)
FREE VOL.U.LIFT Volume Skin Firming Treatment Sample
FREE Thames & Kosmos Dice Words Game Night Party Pack
FREE Food at SONIC Every Friday Through August 29th
FREE Touchland Power Mist Hydrating Hand Sanitizer at Sephora After Cash Back
Free Kids’ Magazines: A Gateway to Fun and Learning
Claim Cash in the $2.5 Million HexClad Cookware Class Action Settlement
FREE Jergens Body Moisturizer
FREE Dog Bandana & Pup Cups at Scooter’s Coffee on August 23rd & 26th
FREE LYSOL Lemon & Lime Blossom Disinfecting Wipes ReFUNd with Ripple Street
FREE Football Spirit Board for Kids at Lowe’s
FREE Hemp Helpers Dog Collars or Topical Tubes
FREE Frozen Drink at Casey’s Every Friday in May thru December
FREE Mainstays 2-Slice Toaster at Walmart After Cash Back
FREE Amouage Guidance Fragrance Sample
FREE Jergens Shea Fusion Body Lotion
FREE $20 Purchase at Sephora After Cash Back
FREE ShineWater Enhanced Hydration Water for Kids Chatterbuy Kit
FREE Soteri Skin Eczema Starter Kit
2 FREE Movie Tickets to Light of the World
FREE Sample of New Skin Kids Liquid Bandage Paint
FREE Febreze PLUG Warmer at Costco –  9/13
FREE 6-Piece Chicken Nuggets Every Wednesday at Wendy’s
FREE Aramis Intuition Men’s Eau de Parfum Fragrance Sample
Chipotle U Rewards – 1,000 FREE Points for College Students
FREE Naked Juice Coupon + Sweepstakes
Get Free Beauty Product Samples With Topbox Circle
Earn $2 to $75 per Completed Survey – Ages 16+ can Apply
FREE 12 oz. Can of Poppi Prebiotic Soda

 

Deals

Swiffer Sweep & Mop Deluxe ONLY $17 on Amazon
No Boundaries T-Shirt Bras ONLY $5.98 at Walmart
Target has School Backpacks From $5
Coldwater Creek up to 70% Off Sale + Fresh Fall Styles
4 Piece Hardside Luggage Set ONLY $98 at Macy’s (Reg $300)
Arched Full Length Mirror ONLY $34 (Reg $60) at Amazon
Doorbusters Sale at JCPenney: Save up to 65% Off Select Styles
Mainstays 6-Piece Outdoor Patio Dining Set ONLY $67 at Walmart (Reg $109)

Looking for School Fundraisers without selling?

Abby H.

I’m a mom of two, and for us, that means a near-constant parade of fundraisers once the first month of school has passed. I usually donate money to the school after I get my first paycheck after school starts.

There is only so much candy, plastic junk, wrapping paper, and spirit wear one family needs. I’ve been conducting research on other fundraisers and have found two possibilities that do not involve selling anything.

Fiber/clothing/rag recycling: There are a few companies that recycle fiber (like yarn or fabric), clothing, and rags (old towels and sheets), and they have fundraising programs.  Here are just a few companies that I have found:

If you are interested in doing a shoe recycling fundraiser:

 

If your school or other non-profit has done either of these, I’d love to hear about how they have worked in the past- Please leave a comment!

Credit Karma: FREE Credit Score, tools, & tips to help you understand your scores!

Abby H.

If you’ve followed my blog for some time, you know I am a big proponent of keeping an eye on your credit score.

I maintain a high credit score and keep my debt-to-income ratio low by using Credit Karma to monitor my scores with all three major credit bureaus.

I can check to see if there is anything on there that doesn’t belong and clear up any issues as soon as I see them.

It’s never too early  (or late) to start monitoring your credit.

Young adults should take a peek at their credit, and Credit Karma offers tips and tricks to help build their credit.  Good Credit is important- it’s the gatekeeper to so many things in life! Good credit gives you better access to better APRs for credit cards, mortgages, car loans, and lines of credit.

Regardless of your age, Credit Karma is here to help you FOR FREE!

  • Compare personalized offers for credit cards, loans and more without hurting your scores.
  • Get alerted when there’s an important change on your reports.
  • Learn what affects your credit scores and what you can do to improve them.
  • See personalized recommendations for ways to use your credit more wisely

Did you know that the recent FTC study found that over 20% of Americans, or 40 million credit reports, have reporting errors that are costing consumers money in credit card interest rates and loans?

Make sure that your credit report does not contain erroneous information that could be impacting your credit score. Keep tabs on your credit report activities and your score by signing up for free credit monitoring and score services like Credit Karma, so that you can easily protect your financial good standing.

 

 

Stocking up on Beverages for less with Cash Back Apps!

Abby H.
All of these drinks were free after rebates.

Last night I did a little rebate shopping. I went to Target and Sprouts, and it took less than 20 minutes between the two stores.

I’ve a beverage girl. I need at least 2 beverages at all times. One is water, but the second one needs to be functional. So, a protein coffee, a vitamin, or an electrolyte drink.

Recently, my favorite apps,  WeStock,  Social Nature, and Aisle all have had great rebates and deals on beverages and snacks.

The only one of these drinks I’ve had before was the Trip Calming beverage, and it was really good. I’m not a big adaptogen/mushroom person, but it was not at all earthy/mushroomy.

These drinks, the Heywell and Stur, were buy one, get one free. And since I need some back-to-school beverages, I picked them up. The Sturs will go into my lunch box, and the Heywells will get stashed in the fridge at work for mornings when I need a little extra pick-me-up.

If you haven’t checked out WeStock,  Social Nature, and Aisle yet, now is a great time. There are tons of offers available, and reimbursement is super easy and can be done from your phone in a matter of minutes.

These apps allow me to treat myself to something new and fun without breaking the bank. I pay with my Venmo debit card, and all of the apps pay via Venmo, so I’m able to roll my rebate money forward.

Pineapple Strawberry Dole Whip Copycat Recipe!

Abby H.
Behold- Breakfast!

Thanks to Orgain for sending me a full-size container of their Organic Protein™ & Greens Plant-Based Protein Powder in the Vanilla Bean flavor to facilitate this review!

I’m always on the lookout for new protein shakes, especially with our new early morning schedule to get the big kid to the bus stop in time. He’s been having a protein shake for breakfast for some time now, and I love mixing it up with new shake flavors.

Orgain uses plant-based protein: organic peas, brown rice, and chia seeds, to provide a complete protein with all nine essential amino acids.  While we are not vegetarians, I do appreciate that there are brands that use various sources of protein.

For this breakfast, I used a recipe I saw on social media as a base, but made a couple of additions to make it more delicious and filling.

strawberries not shown in pic.

Pineapple Strawberry Dole Whip Copycat

Ingredients:

  • 1/3 cup Greek Yogurt
  • 1/3 cup frozen pineapple chunks
  • 1/4 cup frozen strawberries (I used strawberries from my CSA box)
  • 1 frozen banana
  • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
  • Splash of milk (a little bit less than an ounce)- You may need to add a bit more, depending on how thicc your shake is and your blender’s capabilities
  • 2 handfuls of ice cubes

Directions:

  1. In a blender or blender cup, add all ingredients.
  2. Blend until the mixture is thick and uniform in consistency (a little more liquid may be needed).
  3. Serve in a bowl or a cup. I put ours in blender bottles with boba straws so we could enjoy them on the go.

To make this vegan, swap yogurt and milk with your favorite vegan options. 

This was so filling and packed with protein! You can’t taste the greens at all! The best part is that it has over 20 grams of protein- that’s 1/3 of your needed protein intake for the day! Plus 2 servings of fruit- a perfect way to start your day!

If you want to try Organic Protein™ & Greens Plant-Based Protein Powder or any of their other offerings, you can visit their website here and use the coupon code ABBYH15 at checkout to receive 15% off your order!

 

Merryfield- The app that rewards you for healthy eating!

Abby H.

Have you heard of Merryfield? It’s a cashback app that partners with healthy food brands (the complete list can be found here) to offer you cashback when you make purchases.

What I like about Merryfield is that it is not store-specific in most cases, but it does have a few store-specific deals.

The app also offers to automatically connect and scan your receipts from retailers, including Amazon, Instacart, Target, Walmart, Sprouts, Kroger, and Albertsons.

You can select specific offers to earn specific point values. See the picture with a few of the deals.

My favorite is that you can select from the list of brands here, make purchases, and receive points or cashback.

Points and cashback can be redeemed in the app for gift cards. Currently, there are 23 gift cards to choose from. Redemptions start at $5 (5000 points).

Here are just a few examples of the brands that Merryfield has partnered with and the value of their redemptions:

  • Alaffia 1 point per $1
  • Alice Mushrooms 5% cash back
  • Allagash 5% cash back
  • Amy’s Kitchen 1 point per $1
  • Applegate 5% cash back
  • Artisan Tropic 5% cash back
  • Athletic Brewing 1 point per $1
  • Barilla 5% cash back
  • Califia Farms 2.5% cash back
  • Canyon Bakehouse 1 point per $1
  • Caulipower 5% cash back
  • Cerebelly 1 point per $1
  • CLEAN Cause 5% cash back
  • Cleveland Kitchen 5% cash back

With over 80 brands partnering with Merryfield, there are sure to be brands that you regularly buy!

And as far as I know, you can combine offers on Merryfield with other apps and cash back rebates (such as  WeStock, Peekage, Social Nature, and Aisle) to maximize your savings.

To get started, search for Merryfield wherever you get apps. There is no referral code needed!

8/15/2025 Weekly Freebies and Deals!

Abby H.

It’s my last weekend before I head back to work, and the smaller kid heads back to school.

This week has been full of adjustments, including getting up at 5:45 each morning to get my big kid ready for high school.

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 Sample of Kombat Klean Laundry Detergent
2 FREE Movie Tickets to Trust
FREE Sample of Zarbee’s Kids Triple Action Hydration Electrolyte Drink
FREE Valspar Paint or Stain Sample at Lowe’s
FREE Gillette Men’s Razor at CVS
FREE Pet Station Craft for Kids at Lowe’s
FREE Lancome La vie est belle Vanille Nude Fragrance Sample
FREE 20 oz. Starry or Starry Zero Sugar If It Hits 100°
FREE VCF Sample
FREE 16 oz. Monster Ultra at Pilot Flying J
How to Score Sticker Freebies – Sticker Mule, Keds, Netflix and More
FREE Kerasal Nail and Foot Care Products
FREE Football Tic-Tac-Toe Board Craft Kit at JCPenney
FREE Handcrafted Beverage at Capital One Cafe
FREE Brita Large Water Pitcher at Walmart After Cash Back
FREE Café Tango Frozen Coffee Every Tuesday in August
FREE Jean Paul Gaultier Divine Elixir Fragrance Sample
FREE Gift from Target & ULTA Beauty – Fenty Beauty, Origins, BONDI BOOST or Divi
FREE Food & Beverage Products from the Nestle GoodNes Community
FREE 8-Pack of Post-It Notes at Staples
FREE Kraft Classic Ranch Dressing Chatterbuy Kit
FREE Original Glazed Donut at Krispy Kreme on August 23rd
FREE Welch’s Juicefuls Fusions ReFUNd with Ripple Street
FREE $25 Purchase at Staples After Cash Back
FREE Movie Ticket to Eden
FREE Pumpkin Spice Latte Pup Cups at Petco on August 26th
Get Tons Of Free Stickers Online: Updated Monthly
6 FREE 5×7 Photo Cards at Walgreens – Last Day
FREE LYSOL Brand New Day Lavender & Cotton Blossom Disinfecting Wipes ReFUNd with Ripple Street
Chipotle IQ Test – Over $1 Million in FREE Chipotle
10 Ways to Save Big on Pet Food Delivery Services + Get Free Shipping
FREE Hartz Nature’s Shield Flea & Tick Cat Spray
FREE 4-Pack of OLIPOP Pineapple Paradise – 1st 500 at 3pm est Each Day
FREE 4-Pack of ProGo Protein & Energy Bars
FREE Hartz Delectables Kitten Treats
FREE Bimbo Global Race Drawstring Bag, Headband, Wallet & Finishers Medal

 

Deals:

23 Zara Fragrance Dupes that Smell Just Like Designer Perfumes
Cooks 30-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set ONLY $50 (Reg $180)
Women’s Tees From $7.99 at Kohl’s
Two Days ONLY: 50% Off Women’s Sweatshirts at Old Navy
Save 20% on Walgreens Senior Day Each Month
Macy’s Jewelry up to 70% Off
JCPenney Scented Jar Candles ONLY $10 (Reg $26)
Step Into and Step Out In These Golden Goose Dupes
The Best Amazon Snack Deals to Scoop Up NOW
Papa Murphy’s Pizza Coupons and Promo Codes: 30% Off, $5 Off & More!
Up to 30% Off Select Shoes at Target
How to Save $100s with NEW brandSAVER Coupons Right From Your Phone
The Children’s Place: Up to 50% Off Entire Site + Extra 20% Off w/ Coupon
Kate Spade Madison Phone Crossbody ONLY $69 (Reg $199)
One Day Sale – Up to 60% Off Sitewide at Macy’s – Prices as Low as $4
Mainstays Albany Lane 6-Piece Outdoor Patio Dining Set ONLY $64 (Reg $109)
Dorm Move-In Essentials: 5 Must-Have Finds at Bed Bath & Beyond