family

Save 18% on your SDG&E Bill with the FERA discount!

Abby H.

This was in my inbox over the weekend, and this information is going to be super helpful for some of you.

The Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program can help you save money on your electric bill every month, about 18%. And with the new income limits, and adding in household sizes of 1-2, more people can qualify.

It’s quick and easy:

  • Check the new income eligibility guidelines below
  • Locate your 12-digit account number (It can be found on your SDG&E bill)
  • No additional documentation is needed
  • Applications are quick and confidential

To get started on the FERA application, all you need is your SDG&E account number (found on your bill), visit the SDG&E site here, and get started.

You may be eligible for additional assistance programs. To learn more, visit sdge.com/assistance.

And if you want more ways to save energy and money, check out Ohm Connect! We’ve been using Ohm Connect for 6+ years, saved thousands of dollars on our power bill, and earned thousands of dollars in gift cards and cash via PayPal!

10/06/25 Weekly Meal Plan

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgThis 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.

Affected by the 2025 Government Shut Down?

Abby H.

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 website here for more information on programs such as a medical baseline or low-income.
  • If you need help accessing the internet, Internet for All has resources to help here.
  • 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 Advisor has 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.
  • And the National Housing Law Project has information as well.

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 54th helps 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 Closet is 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 the Buy 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.
  • Don’t forget Freecycle.

9/29/2025 Weekly Meal Plan

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgY’all- Getting old is rough. Living through unprecedented times constantly is tiring. This week’s meal plan is another easy one.

Breakfast: We tend to eat cereal, a bagel, or an MBS (Mrs. Bear Special) each morning for breakfast. I usually have a proffee and a bagel.

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.

Dinner: This week, for dinner, I chose meals that require almost no prep, since I didn’t do a long meal prep session over the weekend. I opted for a 3-hour nap on Saturday afternoon.

I may opt for a casserole on Tuesday; we’ll see how I’m feeling and how hot it is that day.

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 and Best Salad Ever
  • Monday: Elote chicken enchiladas and green salad

  • Tuesday: Smoothies or fruit salad and grilled cheese

  • Wednesday: Sweet and Sour Chicken with broccoli and rice

  • Thursday: Chicken Tikka Masala, rice, and veggies

  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday: Leftover Palooza and fruit salad

San Diego County Fall Fire Station Open Houses!

Abby H.

As someone who grew up in San Diego County, I know that it’s always fire season.

Teaching our kids fire safety is key. It’s more than stop, drop, and roll. I was so excited when I saw a PeachJar flyer about upcoming local fire station open houses. These are a great way for kids (and families) to learn more about fire safety and check out the local fire station.

Most of these dates coincide with National Fire Prevention Week (October 5-12, 2025).

Lakeside Fire Protection District (Station 2):
When: Saturday, October 4, 2025, 10 AM – 2 PM
Where: 12216 Lakeside Ave. Lakeside, CA 92040

City of Santee Fire Station 4:
When: Saturday, October 4, 2025, 10 AM – 2 PM
Where: 8950 Cottonwood Ave, Santee, CA 92071

City of Carlsbad Public Safety Open House:
When: Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: City of Carlsbad Safety Training Center- 5750 Orion St, Carlsbad, CA 92010
This event will feature live demonstrations and tours with the police, fire, and public works departments.

City of Coronado Fire and Police Departments
When: and Where: Sunday, October 5, at their Public Safety Open House. The free event kicks off National Fire Prevention Week and takes place between 11 am and 2 pm around the main Fire Station (6th Street) and the Police Department (7th Street) on D Avenue.

Poway Fire Open House
Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The location is the Poway Fire training tower- 12335 Crosthwaite Cir, Poway, CA 92064
Activities will include CPR training, a fire safety trailer, and information on defensible space.

City of Chula Vista Fire Station 5:
When: Saturday, October 11, 2025, 9 AM – 2 PM
Where: 341 Orange Ave, Chula Vista, CA 91911

Deer Springs Fire Protection District (Station 3):
When: Saturday, October 11, 2025, 10 AM – 1 PM
Where: 10308 Meadow Glen Way East, Escondido, CA 92026

 

Talk Back: If you know of any other Fire Station or public safety open houses in San Diego County, please leave a comment!

Weekly Meal Plan Posts are Back!

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgI tried y’all.

After seven months, it’s time to bring back the weekly meal plan post. And it’s to hold myself accountable. Everyone’s been fed, so that’s not the problem. The problem lies in that unless I have something staring me in the face saying, “Hey, this is what you’re eating tonight!!” I will just ignore that and graze like a raccoon. Everybody’s fed. The kids always have a nutritious dinner, but I will just stand in front of an open cupboard and eat crackers out of a box. Or I will eat a cheese stick and handfuls of greens like it’s dinosaur time.

So my hope is that when I  write out this whiteboard weekly meal plan, I will hold myself to it.

The whiteboard has been repurposed yet again, and it’s ready for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Breakfast: We tend to eat cereal, a bagel, or an MBS (Mrs. Bear Special) each morning for breakfast. I usually have a proffee and a bagel.

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.

Dinner: This week, for dinner, I chose some easier options to ease back into meal planning.

Now that it is fall and it is officially soup time (even though it’s like 90° outside most of the time) I will be making a big batch of soup once a week, so I will have soup for lunches and for dinner at least one to two nights during the week. This week’s soup is Zuppa Toscana. I also have a casserole planned for this week.

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:  Soup and fruit salad
  • Monday: Pizza, Pasta, and Salad

  • Tuesday: Chicken, Rice, & Broccoli Casserole with Cheese Toast

  • Wednesday:  Sandwiches or Smoothies

  • Thursday: Quesadillas, Beans & Rice

  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday: Leftover Palooza and fruit salad

BrightLife Kids: Free Behavioral Health Coaching for Kids 0-12 in California!

Abby H.

This information was sent home with my littlest kid, and it is an amazing resource for California Families.

Brightlife Kids is fully paid for by the State of California. Working to ensure all California families can find the behavioral health support they need when they need it. You qualify if you have a California zip code and a child ages 0–12.

Kids ages 0–12 get free, expert coaching for the following issues:

  • Tough transitions like divorce, moving, new classroom/school, new sibling.
  • Tantrums and big emotions (anxiety, anger)
  • Focus and Organizational Skills
  • And more

Check out their website for more information and to see if Brightlife is a good fit for your family.

September 2025: New Healthy Freebies From Social Nature!

Abby H.

 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 the 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.

Here are just a few of the Free/100% Cashback offers available now:

  • Dairy-Free Cheese by Daiya Foods
  • Gluten-Free Snack Foods by Feel Good Foods
  • Mental Performance Shots by Magic Mind
  • High Protein Pasta Case by BRAMI
  • Soft Baked Fibre Snacks by Good to Go
  • Shots: Energy/Focus/Relax by RYDE
  • Premium Cold Brew Coffee by Cameron’s Coffee
  • Gorgie Sparkling Energy Drinks
  • Wild Tuna in Olive Oil by Rio Mare
  • Gluten-Free Cookies by Schär
  • Crumbled Tajín Feta Cheese by Athenos
  • Meatless Breakfast Patties by Nature’s Fynd

JCPenney: Buy 1, Get 2 Free Towels!!

Abby H.

This sale is amazing and comes at a great time. This weekend only, through 9/14/25, all towels (kitchen and bath) and bath rugs are buy 1, get 2 free.

This is a great deal, and if you have JCP rewards cash to spend, pick up some free/cheap towels!

I got three bath sheets (30×60) for $2.16 after the sale and $20 in JCP Rewards cash.

I like the Home Expressions Quick Dri® Benzoyl Peroxide Friendly Bath Towel because certain people in my house use oxy pads (yes those still exist) and other face products that contain Benzoyl Peroxide, and that can bleach out other towels. I also like white towels because you can bleach them.

So if you need to refresh your linen closet this weekend, JCP is a great place to start!

September 2025: First of the Month Savings!

Abby H.

Back in the “olden times” of couponing, the first of the month was the best day for money savers. New coupons would be available to print; the first Sunday of the month (barring any holidays) would have a lot of new high-value coupons.

The first of the month means apps have refreshed their deals. For the complete list of apps I use and recommend, check out my apps page here. My top two favorites are Fetch and Ibotta.

Coupons.com is still around, but they don’t have too many high-value coupons. The same company owns the app Checkout51, which tends to have a better selection of offers.

Store apps have also refreshed their offers and coupons. If you have not downloaded your favorite stores’ apps, go do it. You are leaving money on the table.

Rebate apps like Aisle and  WeStock also refresh and add new offers on the first of each month.  Social Nature frequently adds new offers at the beginning of each month.

If you are a drugstore shopper, check your drugstore apps for new coupons- I suggest “clipping” the coupons for brands you like as soon as you see them. They may go on sale sometime during the month, and you’ll have your savings locked and loaded!

Instead of reaching for our newspapers and scissors, we use our phones to select our offers. Think of modern couponing as saving both time and money!