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1/30/26 Weekly Freebies and Deals

Abby H.Leave a comment

This week has been a mixed bag- I’m out of town on a birthday trip with some friends.

My birthday is next week, and the freebies have started rolling in, and I’ll have an updated birthday freebie list compiled and updated by mid-next week.

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, which I updated earlierthis week. It is focused on San Diego County, but additional resources are available outside my area.

Freebies:

Order Your Free 2026 Wall Calendars
FREE Febreze Odor-Fighting Fade Defy Plug-In at Target
Lots of Freebies for Moms: The Freebie List I Wish I Had When I Became a Mom
Earn $2 to $75 per Completed Survey – Ages 16+ can Apply
10 Ways to Save Big on Pet Food Delivery Services + Get Free Shipping
FREE Movie Ticket to Dracula
FREE 30-Day Supply of Ritual Synbiotic+ Supplements
FREE PURELL Sanitizer Products
FREE Penguin Mailbox Workshop at Home Depot
FREE Sample of e.l.f. Soft Glam Satin Foundation
FREE Saltair Serum Deodorant
How to Score Free P&G Samples Like a Pro
FREE Gillette Venus Smoothing Exfoliant at Walgreens
Claim Cash in the $15 Million Dollar General Class Action Settlement
FREE Loaf of Canyon Bakehouse Stay-Fresh Sourdough-Style Bread
FREE $30 Purchase at Lowe’s After Cash Back
FREE Subscription to Better Homes and Gardens Magazine
FREE Bottle of Native Pet Omega Oil + Free Shipping
FREE Pantene Fragrance-Free Shampoo
FREE Morning Made Electric Whisk
FREE Copy of the Jiffy Mix Recipe Booklet
FREE $35 Purchase at Stanley After Cash Back
FREE Welch’s Zero Sugar Beverage – Up to a $5.99 Value
How to Get More Freebies Without Wasting Time – My Tried-and-True Hacks
FREE Colgate Toothpaste
FREE 2026 Oklahoma Transportation Wall Calendar
FREE Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit at Whataburger on February 4th
FREE $20 Carl’s Jr. Promo Card Starting February 9th
FREE 3.5 – 4 lb. Bag of Zignature Dog Food
How to Score Sticker Freebies – Sticker Mule, Keds, Netflix and More
FREE Full-Size CeraVe Body Moisturizer
FREE 1/2 CT Diamond Necklace at JCPenney
FREE Pair of Mack’s Ear Plugs – Every Weekday at 11am EST
Seeing Clearly Without the Cost: A Guide to Free Contact Lenses
FREE Amazon Prime for Students
FREE Sandwich at Jimmy John’s
FREE Bvlgari Man Collection Fragrance Samples
Claim Cash in the $2 Million Michael Kors Outlet Store Class Action Settlement
FREE Sample of Mugler Alien Hypersense Eau de Parfum
FREE Galentine’s Spritz with EOS Event at Target on January 31st & February 1st
FREE Bag of OMNI Creatine Gummies
FREE Royal Canin Fresh Health Nutrition Dog Food Chatterbuy Kit

 

Deals:

Save up to 70% on Kids Coats at Macy’s
Walmart HUGE Toy Clearance with up to 80% Off Savings
Subway BOGO Deal: Buy 1, Get 1 Footlong Sub – New Subway Coupons & Reward Program Changes
Intimates Sale at JCPenney – Up to 50% Off | Prices From $4.99
50% Off Everything at Old Navy – Sweaters, Coats, Pajamas & More!
Yankee Candle Clearance: Large Jar or Tumbler Candles as low as $8.75 (Reg $35)
Affordable Fleece Hoodies and Sweatpants Under $30 From Amazon, Walmart, & Target
Nature’s Bounty Hair Skin & Nails Supplement ONLY $3.49 (Reg $8)
Target Valentine’s Day Candles as Low as $3.50 – Limited Time Only!
Birkenstock Coupons & Promo Codes: Up To 20% Off HOT Birkenstock Sandals
Coziest Pajama Coupons and Deals This Week from Macy’s, Kohl’s, Amazon, Walmart and More
Craftsman Industrial Fan ONLY $39 at Lowe’s (Reg $129)
PopCorners 20-Count Snacks Variety Pack ONLY $16 Shipped
UGG Winter Sale: Up to 50% Off + Extra 10% Off & FREE Shipping
Ninja Creami Sale: Save $30 or More on Homemade Ice Cream with the Ninja Creami Sale
Burt’s Bees Rescue Lip Relief Hydrating Balm ONLY $3 (Reg $6)
Moroccanoil Volume Travel Set ONLY $45 at Ulta (Reg $60)
Antemper 2026 Latest Android Tablet 10-Inch ONLY $89.99 (Reg $170)
How to Use Kohl’s Cash: Everything You Need to Know earn, use, and maximize
Sculpd Discount Codes – 10% Off Your First Order, 15% Off for You & a Friend, & More
Dealworthy Backpacks as Low as $3.50 at Target
Victoria’s Secret Gift Sets – Buy One Get One FREE

Do We Really Need 64 Ounces of Water and a Giveaway!

Abby H.Leave a comment

Everybody knows the adage about drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water every day, but where did it come from?

According to this NPR article, in 1945, the US Food and Nutrition Board decided that 1 mL of water per calorie was what people needed to stay hydrated. This is approximately 64 ounces of fluid per day. And this stuck.

Per the Mayo Clinic, whats counts as water may surprise you: Any liquid, including foods that are high in liquid, like soups, smoothies, fruits, and vegetables like melons, citrus, and tomatoes, are excellent sources of liquid. This means you don’t need to chug a huge 64-ounce bottle of water every single day. As long as you are consuming foods that are high in liquid, you are getting enough hydration for your body

Too much of a good thing? Yes, you can be overhydrated, and that can cause an electrolyte imbalance, which can lead to cloudy thinking, nausea, vomiting, headaches, and even muscle cramps. This isn’t gonna happen unless you’re drinking over 4 L of water an hour. Overhydration does not happen often, but it can occur.

If you’re looking for ways to add hydration to your day, here are a few ways:

And now for the Giveaway! I’m giving away this 40-ounce reusable cup with a lid, and an assortment of my favorite sugar-free drink mixes!

The prizes will be mailed directly from Amazon to the winner.

To Enter:

  • Comment on this post with how you stay hydrated. (1 entry)
  • Comment on one of my previous blog posts (1 entry per blog comment)
  • Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Each one of these is 1 entry EACH.

I’ll choose a winner on February 1st in the evening. I will email or DM the winner to confirm their mailing address.

National Peanut Butter Day Recipes!

Abby H.Leave a comment

Today is National Peanut Butter Day. For those of us who love Peanut Butter, this is definately a day to celebrate.

I’ve rounded up a few recipes for y’all to try:

If you love Peanut butter but need to avoid the natural fat/oil, I use PB2 in my protein shakes. If you also need to avoid added salt, Peanut Flour is a great option in place of PB2.

I love having Peanut butter on hand in my car snack box, so I use these Jif Cups or these By Nutz pouches.

JCPenney Winter Sale- Up to 60% off!

Abby H.

Y’all know I love JCP. Between their rewards program and their amazing clearance sales, it’s a great place to shop for household basics.

Currently, they are offering an amazing winter sale, with prices up to 60% off using the coupon code 2REFRESH at checkout.

I’m on the hunt for some 100% cotton sheets for my big kid’s bed.

The best part about these sales is that you can shop online and either have your items shipped to you or pick them up in-store. Many stores offer curbside pickup, too!

Recipe: Green Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Abby H.

This is a very simple recipe, and it has a lot of variations for budget, and if you are trying to use up what you have in your pantry and fridge.

I got a package of rotisserie chicken pulled off the bone from Costco not long ago. I defrosted it, and now I’m ready to start using it.  If you don’t have a rotisserie chicken, you can substitute 2 cups of shredded cooked chicken or 2 small cans/1 large can of canned chicken, drained, rinsed, and shredded.

Green Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked/shredded chicken
  • 1 19-ounce can green enchilada sauce
  • 1/3 cup sour cream
  • 2 cups shredded sheese, divided (I used 1/2 Cheddar and 1/2 Asadero)
  • 10-ish corn tortillas, cut or ripped into bite-sized pieces (You may need more or less depending on how big your pieces end up)
  • Topings/Garnishes: Salsa, Sour Cream, shredded lettuce, diced onions, or picled onions (Your choice)

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Mix together the enchilada sauce and sour cream. Taste and add any additional seasoning as desired (onion or garlic powder, white pepper).
  3. In a 13×9 pan, coat the bottom with 2-3 tablespoons of enchilada sauce.
  4. Layer tortilla pieces, chicken, cheese, tortilla, and sauce until your pan is full.
  5. Top with any remaining cheese.
  6. Tent the pan loosely with aluminum foil and bake covered for 35-40 minutes.
  7. Remove foil and cook for another 5-10 minutes until the cheese on top is browned and bubbly.
  8. Serve with toppings/garnishes as desired.

 

This meal serves 6-8, depending on the sides you choose to serve.

Leftovers can be frozen.

 

 

1/16/2026 Friday Freebies and Deals!

Abby H.

This week has been wild. The new year has had a lot going on, and I’m doing what I can to keep my head above water.

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:

Free Dog Food Samples: 6 Companies that Will Send You Free Dog Samples by Mail
FREE Sample of Otis and Pearly Freeze Dried Pet Treats
FREE Rosary & Sticker
FREE $40 Worth of Post-It Products from Staples
FREE Fragrance Samples from Macy’s
FREE Wellness Event at Walmart on January 24th
FREE Full-Size DedCool Laundry Detergent, Dryer Sheets, Room + Linen Spray or Eau de Parfum
FREE Cantina Chicken Crispy Taco, Beefy 5-Layer Burrito, Soft Taco or Crispy Chicken Soft Taco at Taco Bell
FREE $30 Purchase at Alo Yoga After Cash Back
FREE Cascade Dishwasher Detergent
FREE Sample of e.l.f. PLZ Clarify Facial Oil
FREE Handcrafted Beverage at Capital One Cafe
FREE Can of Red Bull Zero
FREE Scoop of Classic Carol at Chicken Salad Chick on January 22nd
The Ultimate Guide to Free Toothpaste Samples
FREE $20 Verizon Account Credit
Free Baby Stuff – Ultimate Guide to Get Free Baby Stuff
Easy Ways To Get Free Men’s Cologne Samples
FREE Sample of Dermoplast 3-in-1 Medicated First Aid Cloths
FREE 2-Pack of PicklePro MAX Pickleballs
FREE 5×7 Folded Card from Walgreens
FREE Sample of Kinesio Tape
FREE Movie Ticket to Atropia
FREE Barilla Pesto Sweet & Spicy Pepper ReFUNd
Have a Crumbl Cookie Birthday with a Free Gourmet Cookie! Here’s How.
FREE Washing Machine Bank Build Event for Kids at Lowe’s
FREE Lash Curler
FREE Let Animals Be Free Circus Activity Book, Poster & Stickers
FREE Croissant at Paris Baguette
FREE $25 at CVS After Cash Back
FREE Neutrogena Evenly Clear Products
FREE Educational Comic Books, Activity Books, Posters & More
FREE Carton of Yogi Tea
FREE Bottle of Stem & Root Skin Defense Supplement
FREE Fries at White Castle
Here Are 6 Ways To Get Free Baby Formula Samples
Get Your Free Teeth Whitening Samples: A Brighter Smile Awaits
Big List of 110 Restaurants to Get Free Food
FREE Zolli Powered Niche Nation Game Night Party Pack

Deals:

Crock-Pot 4.5qt Slow Cooker ONLY $19.99 (Reg $30)
All The Best Subway Coupons and Promo Codes: New for January 2026
Subway BOGO Deal: Buy 1, Get 1 Footlong Sub – New Subway Coupons & Reward Program Changes
Kate Spade Jewelry: Save Up to 70% Off + Extra 20% Off – Prices as low as $12
The Best Handbag, Purse & Clutch Deals on Sale: Michael Kors, Kate Spade, MKF Collection & Coach Up to 82% Off
Walgreens 11×14 Photo Poster ONLY $1.99 (Reg $13) – HOT Deal!
Valentine’s Day Tees for Toddlers From $4.98
Ulta Coupon: $3 Off $15
The Walmart Bogg Bag Dupe You Gotta Check Out!
Babylist Universal Baby Registry: The Only Baby Registry You Need
Flash Sale: Up to 60% Off Women’s Dresses at Macy’s
Lululemon Factory Outlet Stores – Your Favorite Brand at a Fraction of the Cost!
Up to 50% Off Fragrance & Beauty at Macy’s
Ulta Beauty Love Your Skin Event: Save 50% Off Lancome, Kiehl’s, Clarins & More
Women’s Boots Up to 60% Off at Macy’s
Dollar General Coupons: Save Money on Zzz Products, Lotions & More
Better Homes & Gardens 6-Piece Bath Towel Sets ONLY $7.74 (Reg $39)
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus (Newest Model) ONLY $34.99 (Reg $50)
Olay Beauty Bar 12-Pack ONLY $6.63 (Reg $13) + Free Shipping!
Armor All Car Cleaning Kit for Car Detailing 8-Piece Set ONLY $19.97 (Reg $31)

1/11/26 Weekly Meal Plan

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgMeal Prep and Meal Planning is back for 2026!

I prepped Taco bowls for my work week lunches, I’ll taco home made guac and tortilla chips with me as well.

I’ll post the taco bowl recipe this week. They are super good (I had one yesterday for lunch).

I also cut up a lot of fruit for the week- I’ve found if it’s grab and go, the kids and I are more likely to eat it,

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 wrote a post about some of my favorite apps here).

I hit up Aldi on Saturday and restocked a lot of pantry staples- canned tomatoes in various forms, several types of beans, and rice. I also picked up corn tortillas, cheese, and bread. We go through a lot of bread because my oldest has a sandwich every day for lunch. I was out the door for $74.13, just under my budget of $75.00.

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 with goat cheese and spicy honey.

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 taco bowls.

Dinner: This week, dinners are pretty simple. I’m easing back into meal planning in 2026, and not planning any complicated dinners that involve a lot of steps.

If there is something that one of the kids ends up not liking, they can have a sandwich or a fruit and yogurt smoothie.

  • Sunday:  Homemade Soup (thanks mom!), and homemade bread. The big kid had a smoothie.
  • Monday: Mac n’ Cheese, Meatloaf, and Fruit

  • Tuesday: Breakfast for Dinner (Waffles, Eggs, & Fruit)

  • Wednesday: Skillet meal- Maybe Chicken Tetrazini

  • Thursday: Chicken strips, mashed potatoes, fruit smoothies

  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday: Leftover Palooza and whatever leftover fruit is hanging around.

National Spaghetti Day Recipes!

Abby H.

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:

Family Recipe: Porcupine Meatballs

Abby H.
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!

Abby H.

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