I’m all about fun, free (and cheap) activities for kids. JCPenney has an upcoming event that fits the bill! Check out this fun, free craft from JCPenney’s.
Visit the Kids Zone inside JCPenney on Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 11 a.m. to noon and create your own 3D turkey craft.
All materials are provided but are only available while supplies last.
Plus, parents get a free 10% off coupon (and it can be combined with other JCP coupons!)
As more information about Holiday assistance programs becomes available, I will be updating this post.
Before I get into specifics, here are a few general ways that you can find some holiday help with resources that you may already take part in:
Resources in San Diego County:
Toy swaps are a great way to share old toys and get new ones.
Talk Back: If you know of any additional resources for holiday help in San Diego County, please leave a comment!
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 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.
This month, there aren’t many free/100% Cashback offers available, but I’ve listed them below.
There are a lot more offers for BOGO or a percentage off, including brands like Daiyo, Ripple, Calafia Farms, SunButter, Back to Nature, and Javvy Coffee, to name a few.
If you are looking for other rebate sites, similar to Social Nature, check out Aisle, WeStock, or Peekage.
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). Now that the kids have grown into adult-sized clothing, I’m always looking for a good swap with clothes in all our sizes.
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.
November 6, 2026 2-3pm
Let’s Go Girls Monthly Clothing Swap
Golden Hills Park (Near the restrooms)
November 7, 2026 1pm-4pm
Baddie Clothes Swap
Mujeres Brew House 1983 Julian Avenue San Diego, CA 92113
November 8, 2026 10am – 1pm
City of La Mesa Clothing and Toy Swap
La Mesa Library 8074 Allison Ave La Mesa, CA 91942
November 12, 2026 6pm – 7:30pm
Conscious Closets: Clothing Swap & Sewing Workshop
Magdalena Ecke YMCA 200 Saxony Rd Encinitas, CA 92024
November 12, 2026 3pm–5pm
Clothing Swap
Potrero County Library 24883 Potrero Valley Road Potrero, CA 91963
November 28, 2026 10am-2pm
Water and Kindness Clothing Swap and Community Fair
Pop Up Winona 4951 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92115
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.
Today is National Brush Your Teeth Day, and I thought I’d share some free and low-cost dental care resources in San Diego for those who may not have dental insurance or access to a dentist.
The UCSD School of Medicine has an extensive list of dental and other health care clinics in Southern California on their website, along with costs associated with care.
The UCSD School of Medicine also has a free dental clinic.
San Diego Mesa College has a dental school, and they offer free and low-cost services as part of their students’ training.
Children’s Dental Health Center has many programs and initiatives that help kids who may not have access to a dentist. They work closely with school nurses and staff to help identify kids in need of dental care.
OPSAM Health has low cost/sliding scale dental care at two locations in San Diego County.
If you have Medi-Cal, you automatically have Medi-Cal Dental benefits and access to dental exams, cleanings, fillings, crowns, root canals, tooth removal, dentures, and emergency services
Visit smilecalifornia.org or call (800) 322-6384 to learn about Medi-Cal Dental benefits and to locate a dental provider.
And if you are looking for some recommendations for oral care products, my Amazon Storefront has a selection of my favorites (and these all got the OK from my dentist) here.
Thanksgiving in the US is in four weeks, and it can be a very expensive endeavor. Here are some ways you can still throw a tasty feast for family and friends without going into the red.
The free Thanksgiving dinner items from Ibotta start 11/3/26, with a new item dropping weekly.
In the past, these free items have included: stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy mix, pie, instant mashed potatoes, and cornbread mix.
Many other cashback apps will partner with companies to offer cashback and discounts on traditional holiday meal ingredients as well. I recommend you check out my app page here to download a few of my favorites.
Aldi is doing their Thanksgiving meal deal again this year! This contains all of the ingredients for a dinner for 10 people for $39.00! It’s a really great way to save money and have a traditional feast menu.
Start by making your menu. Not all dinners are the same. Some Thanksgiving meals include foods from a family’s cultural background, while others stick to the traditional Thanksgiving foods. After your menu is made, shop your kitchen before you head to the store. You may already have some ingredients on hand. Instead of buying everything all at once, buy a few items on your weekly trip to the store. This spreads out the expense of the meal over several weeks.
Consider a potluck meal. Ask friends and family members to bring a side or dessert. Friends who are not culinarily inclined can be asked to bring drinks.
Forgo expensive dishes or dishes that are not very popular (looking at you, green bean casserole. I’m not a fan).
If you are having a small dinner or don’t want leftovers, consider a roasted chicken instead of a whole turkey, or a turkey breast. Both are smaller and more cost-effective.
Talk Back- How do you save money on traditional holiday dinners?
October is officially the longest month of the year. At least, it feels that way. I’m tired. And I’m glad it’s Friday!
Here are some freebies and deals that are available year-round!
For free food resources, see my comprehensive list here. It is focused on San Diego County, but additional resources are available outside my area.
Freebies:
Spooktacular Halloween Food Deals & Food Freebies You Can’t Miss in 2026: Pizza, Fast Food, and More
Free 2026 National Parks Entrance Days
FREE Sample of Edna Day Moisture Cream & Overnight Cream
FREE PhotoJoy Photo Postcard
FREE Sample of Kiehl’s 1cc CollaShot Plumping Serum
FREE $15 to Spend at CVS
Get Free Samples by Mail: List of Legitimate Freebies & Free Samples From Brand Name Companies
FREE 2027 Wall Calendars
Free Baby Samples & Full Sized Products from Amazon
FREE Holiday Engine Kit Workshop Event at Lowe’s
FREE 8×10 Zombie Print at CVS
FREE Sample of YSL Libre Santal Couture Fragrance
FREE Sample of Earth’s Care Eczema Lotion
FREE Playing Cards from Black & Mild
Here’s How to Score FREE or Cheap Photo Prints: 2026
Get Free Magazine Subscriptions: No Credit Card Needed
FREE Rare Beauty Hydrating Eye Patches at Ulta
FREE Sample of CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Hydrating Shampoo
FREE Actispot II Cat Flea Treatment
FREE Pokemon Trick or Trade BOOster Pack at GameStop on 10/31
FREE Lysol Sample Pouch at Target
FREE Week of Smoothies at Tropical Smoothie Cafe Nov. 2 – 8
FREE Sample of Soluvia Shield Dissolvable Mouth Comfort Patch
FREE $15 to Spend at Walmart
Unlock the Magic of Your Big Day: List Of The Best Free Wedding Samples & Freebies
FREE GREENIES Dental Chew Treats
FREE Beech-Nut Product
Get 5,000 FREE American Airlines Miles – First 65,000 People
FREE Injinji Socks
FREE $30 Purchase at UGG
FREE 2027 Unity Calendar
FREE Bag of Happy Candy at Target
FREE Cuddle Clones Custom Pet Pajamas
FREE Big Buford Burger at Checkers & Rally’s
FREE Box of Keebler Cookies at 12pm EST – Daily Through Oct. 31st
Deals:
CHI Original Ceramic Flat Iron ONLY $38.49 (Reg $100)
Old Navy 50% Off Giftober Deals + Extra 10% Off
Top Tips for Shopping Walmart Hidden Clearance Sale in 2026
SKIMS Dupes That Will Flatter You, But Not Flatten Your Wallet
Sling TV Deals: Save Money With Affordable Live TV Packages
Valvoline $15 Off Instant Oil Change
Snag Your Krispy Kreme Deals Here + Ways to Save & Get Free Krispy Kreme Donuts
Best Walmart Cash Freebies and Deals This Week: Tide Detergent, Vicks VapoRub, Bounty & More
The Best Walmart Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deals for 2026 – Dates Released
Step2 My First Christmas Tree 12-Piece $44.99 Shipped (Reg $60)
Digital Calendar 10.1 Inch ONLY $59.99 (Reg $100)
How to Use Kohl’s Cash: Everything You Need to Know earn, use, and maximize
Coach Outlet Wristlet as low as $35 (Reg $88)
Acqua di Gioia Eau de Parfum ONLY $60 at Ulta (Reg $120) + FREE Beauty Break 6 Piece Gift Set
Regency Heights Queen Size Comforter Set 9-Piece ONLY $42.84 (Reg $130)
50 Dog Toys UNDER $5 on Amazon – Prices Start at Only $2.89 Shipped
Now that you’ve started all of the Halloween 2026 fun with carnivals, trunk-or-treats, and community events, do you have a pile of unwanted candy?
The best part of trick-or-treating is candy.
The worst part can be candy that your kids (and you) don’t like, goes against your family’s dietary restrictions, or that you’re allergic to.
If you are looking for something to do with unwanted candy, here are a few ways your kids can turn Tootsie Rolls into something your kids will like (cash).
Candy Buybacks are a way businesses, usually dentist offices, can get unwanted candy out of families’ hands. Businesses usually donate the candy to the USO or nonprofits like Soldiers’ Angels, which collect candy and ship it overseas.
Here are a few located in San Diego County for Halloween 2026:
Today is National Oatmeal Day, and oatmeal can be a forgotten ingredient in the kitchen.
In addition to a nutritious breakfast, it can also stand in place of breadcrumbs in Meatloaf and meatballs, or be ground in a food processor to be used in place of AP flour in baking recipes.
Here are a few of my favorite recipes using oatmeal:
October 29th is National Cat Day; however, if you own a cat (or are owned by a cat), you know EVERY DAY is Cat Day.
To help you celebrate your fierce feline, Fiona the cat helped me compile a list of her favorite treats, toys, and grooming essentials.
Treats:
Toys:
Grooming:
Just for fun, I made a kitty coloring packet. You can download the PDF for free here.
Talk Back: I want to hear about your kitties must haves!
