Are you a Teacher/Educator? EXCLUSIVE TEACHER OFFER
25% back in Bonus Rewards on a qualifying purchase.
Limit $100 back in rewards per member per week (details here).
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25% back in Bonus Rewards on a qualifying purchase.
Limit $100 back in rewards per member per week (details here).
RECYCLING REWARDS Get $2 back in recycling Rewards the next daywhen you recycle your Ink & Toner Cartridge and make a $10 purchase in the same month.
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Ibotta has an offer for new Ibotta members, where they can redeem cashback offers to make part of their Thanksgiving feast free after rebate.
If you are already an Ibotta user, have no fear- there is a freebie for you, it just requires a little work.
Existing members can earn a free turkey when they refer their friends to Ibotta to claim their 100% cash back turkey offer! Just make sure they sign up using your referral code, and your turkey offer will be available once they redeem their first offer!
If you are new to Ibotta, you will receive the following rebates loaded into the app:
New members will receive offers for:
Any brand Turkey Roast up to $13.65
McCormick Gravy Packet
Edwards Whole Pie
Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix
Idahoan Mashed Potatoes
You can download the Ibotta app here. When you use my referral code qmo4a, you will receive the amazing offers above! If you are looking for a good starter offer? Here is a free after-rebate offer I found in Ibotta!
I use Ibotta in conjunction with other apps like Fetch Rewards- I add all of my receipts to Fetch, each one gives me at least 25 points, and gets me closer to rewards like CVS Gift Cards, Darden Restaurant Gift Cards, or Vons/Albertsons Grocery Store Gift Cards.
Disclosure: this Post contains my referral code. I may earn a referral credit or bonus if you sign up through my link. I do not need the Turkey Roast, however if the offer becomes available to me because someone signs up, I will purchase it and donate it to someone in my community via my local Buy Nothing group.
We had a power outage that lasted most of the day, so while this was written at the wee hours of the morning, I wasn’t able to post it until now.
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.
Hey friends- I haven’t been posting much because I’ve been doing a lot of stuff away from the computer.
The holidays are soon upon us, and I’ve been stocking up on items to donate. I’ve been using the CVS app to find the best deals and the best way to get the most bang for my buck when it comes to my monthly $10 Extra Care Pass rewards. I pay for the Extra Care Pass program annually. It has a lot of great perks, including getting my prescriptions mailed to me for free. Between that and the free $10 in-store each month, it definately pays for itself.
So far, I’ve picked up shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, and body wash, all using my October 2025 $10 reward, as well as some $4 rewards I had on my CVS account from getting the kids’ prescriptions filled.
I’ve also been taking advantage of other sales and deals at Bath & Body Works. They have a great program where you can earn free full-sized products, access to free travel-sized products, and extra percent off deals. I recently had a free full-sized product, a free travel-sized product, and an additional 25% off coupon on my account. I was able to use all three and combine the 25% off coupon with the sale on $5.95 single-wick candles. I was able to buy presents for 5 people on my holiday gift list, including stocking stuffers for the kids.
I’ve also been taking advantage of grocery sales and rebate offers through WeStock, Social Nature, and Aisle to pick up free and less than $1.00 groceries to fill the local blessing box and donate to the local high schools’ food pantry.
Yes, these are clown beads. Littlest Kiddo loves clowns.
And because the holidays are coming up soon, I’ve kicked up my sewing and jewelry making. I’m going through my dwindling stash of fabric and craft supplies to make gifts for people on my gift list. I’m committed not to buy any new craft or sewing supplies unless I have a gift card and a coupon, or in the case of fabric, I can find it at a thrift store. There is a distinct lack of fabric stores in my area. I recently had a credit on my Temu account, and I was able to pick up some really cool beads.
I spent a few hours yesterday making bracelets and a few Paternosters for holiday gifts, and I pulled out the sewing machine and finished up some stuff lingering in my sewing inbox. One of the items was a medieval tunic that I made from an upcycled cotton tablecloth- I picked it up at a thrift store on 50% off day. And the trim was from a bag of misc. craft supplies at the same thrift shop on another day.
And of course, I do have a full-time job outside of the house, and I’ve got my kids 90% of the time.
I’m spending a lot of weekends hanging with kids, baking, meal prepping for the week ahead, and trying to teach the cat tricks- the last one isn’t terribly successful.
So while I may not be posting here multiple times a day any more, I am out there doing frugal stuff and trying to help as many people as I am able.
Costco.com has a lot of great deals and offers that aren’t available in the local warehouses. And don’t forget to check the banner at the top of the page once you get to the Groupon site for any extra coupon codes to save money!
Here are my top five Costco Bargains:
Rotisserie Chicken
Butter
Premier Protein Shakes
Kodiak Cake Flapjack Mix
Krusteaz Pancake Mix
Bananas
(Bonus) Their Gas Stations frequently are .20-.30/gallon cheaper than the “discount” stations.
This weekend was a lot. I helped a couple friends with household stuff, sewed up a couple projects, cleaned my house and tackled the mountain of laundry, and did a little meal prep for lunches.
I’m trying to get back down to my pre-covid weight- I know it’s been 5 years, but I’ve had some health and family stuff come up since then, and I had major surgery last year. Now it’s time to do it. I’m doing a lot of meal prep for lunches and snacks, and trying to keep dinners easy and light since I probably won’t be eating what the kiddos eat.
To keep my grocery budget down, I shop at Aldi (using Instacart, I wrote about how to do it here), our local Grocery Outlet, and use cashback rebates that offer a lot of 100% back (I write a post about some of my favorite apps here).
Breakfast: The kids tend to eat cereal, a bagel, or an MBS (Mrs. Bear Special) each morning for breakfast. I usually have a proffee and a slice of toast or a mini Cliff bar.
Lunch: M-F I pack myself 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 my lunch is Chicken Divan casserole with lots of broccoli.
Dinner: This week, dinners are lots of salads, fresh fruits, lean meats, and noodles. Mostly for the kids. They love them some starches.
I love me a good old-fashioned casserole, and so does the little one. The big one not so much, but he’ll drink a smoothie any day of the week, so I’m not terribly concerned about him not getting something nutritious in his belly.
Sunday: Pizza for the kids (home-made of course), and I had fruit salad and a couple of hard-boiled eggs.
Monday: Cheddar brat pigs in a blanket, and fruit
Tuesday: Soup and Salad (and possibly garlic flatbread too)
Wednesday: Sweet and Sour Chicken with broccoli and rice
Thursday: Chicken Tikka Masala, rice, and veggies (it was so good last week, and I have another jar of sauce in the cupboard)
Friday: Takeout night!
Saturday: Leftover Palooza and whatever leftover fruit is hanging around.
I know there are so many families in San Diego that are affected by the government shutdown. I wanted to post a small roundup to try and help those who may need help with groceries, clothes, or help with paying bills.
Food:
Here is my page about San Diego, CA area food banks, food pantries, and produce distributions. You can also call 211, or visit the 211 website. They have tons of great resources, including information on housing, utility assistance, and transportation.
SNAP will continue through the end of October without interruption (SOURCE).
Per Reuters, WIC may run short on funding (SOURCE).
For those of us with pets, the San Diego Humane Society has a community pet pantry that runs at several of its locations. More information, including hours, can be found here.
Utilities:
Need help paying your power bills? SDG&E has several options, based on your situation. Visit their websitehere for more information on programs such as a medical baseline or low-income.
Contact your local water municipality for payment options. There are too many to list in San Diego County.
Congresswoman Lateefah Simon from the 12th district of California has a lot of information on her website here. This website is updated frequently as more information becomes available.
Housing:
If you are having financial struggles that affect your ability to pay your rent or mortgage, there are resources available.
Homeowners: Contact your mortgage carrier and let them know you are affected by the government shutdown. They may offer forbearances or other programs to help keep you in your home.
Renters: CPA Advisorhas information and some tips (some of which are interesting) about how to handle the shutdown when rent comes due and you are without a paycheck due to the shutdown.
If you are in section 8 housing or receive vouchers for housing, the NAHRO has details and information here.
Insurance: If you are having a hard time paying your insurance (auto, renters, homeowners, etc), check with your insurance carriers.
Vehicle Loans: If you are worried about paying your auto loan during the government shutdown, contact your loan servicer. During previous shutdowns, companies such as Toyota Financial Services offered assistance to those who used their services.
USAA members can learn more about zero-interest loans here.
Clothing, household goods:
Closet of 54thhelps those in need with clothes. They are open a few times each month. You can find them on Facebook. They are located at the Calvary Lutheran Church, 3060 54th Street, San Diego, CA. Contact The Closet at thecloseton54th@gmail.com.
Naomi’s Closetis located in Santee, and they provide clothing and toiletries to women in need.
Also not strictly clothing-related, but one of my favorite give-back orgs is theBuy Nothing Project. There are chapters all over the US, and we have a few here in San Diego. You would be surprised at how much your neighbors are willing to share.
This October 1-31, kids 12 and under receive free admission at many arts, cultural, and science museums and historical sites in San Diego County.
For those of us with curious kids, this is perfect! Kids can get into over 40 museums in the San Diego area for free with paying adults (all the info can be found here).
A full list can be found here. Oh, and as part of free October, Kids can get into the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park free when accompanied by a paying adult! Other Kids go free attractions include: Legoland, Sea World, and the USS Midway!!
*Some museums charge fees for special exhibitions, programs or films. Some museums may limit offer use to once per month per guest. Purchase of a Balboa Park Explorer Pass does not qualify as a paid adult admission for the Kids Free in October program. Purchase of a Go San Diego Pass or card does not qualify as a paid adult admission for the Kids Free in October program at most museums; call museum(s) before visiting to enquire.
The past two weeks have been busy. Between feeling under the weather and being busy with end-of-the-month activities, I am glad the end of the quarter is upon us.
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.
Don’t forget that tomorrow is National Coffee Day – Freebies and Deals can be found here.
We had a power outage that lasted most of the day, so while this was written at the wee hours of the morning, I wasn’t able to post it until now.
I’ve also been taking advantage of other sales and deals at 
And of course, I do have a full-time job outside of the house, and I’ve got my kids 90% of the time.
This weekend was a lot. I helped a couple friends with household stuff, sewed up a couple projects, cleaned my house and tackled the mountain of laundry, and did a little meal prep for lunches.
I know there are so many families in San Diego that are affected by the government shutdown. I wanted to post a small roundup to try and help those who may need help with groceries, clothes, or help with paying bills.
October is a great time to be a kid in San Diego!
Hewes Family Fun 