family

Rubios- 2 Entrees for $16 Today & Tomorrow

Abby H.

If you are looking for an easy and inexpensive dinner option for tonight or tomorrow, Rubio’s has got you covered.

On 12/31 and 1/1/2025, use code NEWYEAR to receive two entrees for $16. There are a lot of great choices, and with a few extra sides, or even some chips and guac, this could be a meal for 4!

And don’t forget about their rewards program, where you can earn free food and discounts- plus they have a birthday freebie too!

Learn more about their rewards program here.

Does not include tax and gratuities. Offer not valid with other offers or discounts, including Taco Tuesday. Offer not valid on mix-n-match taco plates. Premium items available for an additional fee. Must use the code to get the offer. Additional restrictions may apply; see store for details. Manager reserves all rights.

12/20/2025 Weekend Freebies and Deals

Abby H.

For most of us, yesterday was the last day our kids were in school for 2025. I personally am looking forward to 2 weeks of fun. The littlest one and I are visiting friends in Texas, while the big one stays home with dad.

I’m done shopping for holiday gifts, and I was able to keep it under my budget of $500, which covers 6 family members and a few co-workers. And Cat. Can’t forget her!

I’ve updated my list of freebies for birthdays in 2025, which you can find 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 LINKChef Immersion Blender Set After Cash Back
FREE Hot Dog Combo at Sam’s Club
FREE 20 oz. Coca-Cola for the 1st 120,000
FREE 12-Pack of Paulaner Sunset Orange Cola
FREE Frozen Drink at Casey’s Every Friday thru December
FREE Kohl’s Cash Every Saturday (and One Sunday) in December – Up to $100
FREE Sleigh Ride Toy Build Event for Kids at Lowe’s
BOGO FREE Entrees Every Saturday at Chipotle
FREE Parfums de Marly Valaya and Althair Fragrance Samples
FREE Fries Every Week at Burger King
FREE Moonpig Custom Holiday Postcard
5 FREE 4×6 Photo Prints at Walgreens
FREE $20 Purchase at Macy’s After Cash Back
Ways To Get Free School Supplies for Students and Teachers in 2025

 

Deals:

WORX Electric Scissors ONLY $19.99 Shipped at Best Buy
Up to 50% Off Fragrances & Gift Sets at Macy’s
Tips On How To Use Kroger Digital Coupons + Ways to Coupon & Save at Kroger
Walmart Beauty Box ONLY $8.98 Shipped – Now FULL Size Items Added
50% Off Select Toys at Kohl’s – Prices as low as $2.25
Amazon Super Saturday Sale is LIVE – Last Chance for Gifts in Time at Great Prices
Zappos Sale: Up to 80% Off Women’s Clothing & Shoes, Up to 75% Off Men’s Clothing & Shoes + Coupon
Top 43 Restaurants with Senior Discounts: Updated 2025
The Pizza Hut BOGO Hacks You Need to Know (Yes, You Can Score FREE Pizza!)
Disney Princess Playdate Rapunzel Vanity ONLY $30 at Walmart (Reg $59)
Buy 1 Get 2 Free Candles, Blankets & Throws at JCPenney
Victoria’s Secret Body Care $8 Each (Reg $20) – Limited Time Only!

12/7/2025: Weekend Freebies and Deals!

Abby H.

I spent yesterday with friends at an SCA event in northern San Diego County, so I wasn’t able to post this. But today- We Freebie!

I’ve updated my list of freebies for birthdays in 2025, which you can find 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 Hair Samples: Discover Your Next Favorite Product for Free
FREE Holiday Cocoa Mug Workshop at Home Depot
We Rounded Up The Best Birthday Freebies That Are NOT Food
FREE Subway Footlong with Disney+ Perks
FREE Royal Canin Fussy Adult Dry Cat Food Chatterbuy Kit
FREE Febreze PLUG Scent Booster After Walmart Cash
FREE Edgard & Cooper Puppy & Dog Treats Chatterbuy Kit
FREE Full-Size Then I Met You Skincare Products
FREE Holiday Magic Events at Target
We’ve Done The Research, These Are The Best Companies That Send Out Free Samples
FREE Store Credit During GameStop Trade Anything Day – Today
FREE Pet Photo with Santa at Petco on December 6th
FREE $25 Purchase at Sephora After Cash Back
FREE Medium Fries at McDonalds – Every Friday
BOGO FREE Entrees Every Saturday at Chipotle
FREE Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste After Walmart Cash
FREE Keurig K-Express Essentials Plus Coffee Maker at Walmart After Cash Back
FREE Bottle of Vetality Canine Aspirin
Free Kids Activities for Creative Family Fun (Games, Crafts & More)

Deals:

10% Off Target Gift Cards – Up to $500 w/ Target Circle GOOD THROUGH TODAY ONLY
Matching Family Pajamas Up to 70% Off at JCPenney
50% Off Christmas Trees at Target
Vera Bradley Belt Bag as Low as $16 – NOW 70% Off
Kohl’s Gifts under $25 + New Coupon Code & Free Store Pickup
Ralph Lauren Pillows ONLY $9.99 (reg $25)
Rubbermaid Easy Find Lids Food Storage Containers 26 Piece Set ONLY $7.97 at Walmart
Liz Claiborne Event at JCPenney – Up to 55% Off Select Styles After Coupon

Do You Have an FSA? Don’t Leave Your Money on the Table!

Abby H.

Do you have an FSA? An FSA is a Flexible Spending Account. It is a pre-tax benefit account offered by employers that lets you set aside money from your paycheck to pay for eligible out-of-pocket healthcare or dependent care expenses.

Funds can be used for things like co-pays, deductibles, and prescriptions, which lowers your taxable income. A key feature is the “use-it-or-lose-it” rule, meaning you typically forfeit any unspent money at the end of the plan year (thanks, PayChex).

A lot of these FSA plans expire at the end of the calendar year, which means you have 31 days to spend it up. If you have already seen your doctors, refilled your prescriptions, and visited any specialists this year (don’t forget the dentist and optometrist!), one way to make sure you utilize every last cent of your FSA funds is the OTC or Over-the-Counter Benefit.

Online Glasses companies like GlassesShop are a smart way to pick up a few extra pairs of glasses on a budget to stretch those last few FSA dollars. That includes prescription sunglasses, too!

And for my readers with Medicare or Medicaid, check out my post here about OTC benefits you may not have otherwise known about.

Looking for Frugal Fun for Winter Holidays? Check out Neighborhood Light Displays!

Abby H.

This is one of our family traditions, even since Bubs was a baby. My brother and I grew up doing this, too. I’m not sure if winter holiday light displays on residential properties are big in other parts of the country, but here in Southern California, it’s serious business. Some of these houses put the Griswold’s to shame.

Here are our family’s favorite neighborhoods to visit:

East County:

  • Jingle Bell Hill (also known as Pepper Dr. Lights). Solomon Ave./Pegeen Pl. and surrounding area. Off 67 & Bradley. Dec. 8-26, Mon-Th 6-9 pm, Fri-Sun 6-10 pm.
  • 10248 Paseo Palmas Dr., Nicknamed “Tinsel Town”. Dec. 1-25, 5:30-9 pm. Most of the houses on this street are very well decorated with lights and moving displays! They have a Facebook page too!
  •  Starlight Circle, East and West Glendon Circles. Through December 26th, 7-10 pm. This is extremely popular!  Starlight Circle even has a Facebook page! Starlight Circle has gotten so popular in recent years that the neighboring high school has opened its parking lot. You can park your car and walk through.

There are some neighborhoods that we have added to our list this year. Most of them have been around for years, but we have not visited them yet.

  •  Christmas Card Lane in Rancho Penasquitos 9190 Oviedo St, San Diego, CA 92129
  • Christmas Park in Clairemont Jamar Dr & Lana Dr, San Diego, CA 92117
  • Merry-tage Court in Scripps Ranch Merritage Ct & Stonebridge Pkwy, San Diego, CA 92131

And if you are looking for some family fun beyond a car ride and light peeping, Groupon has a few deals on Holiday light events, including Jingle Jets: USS Midway Museum’s Dazzling Holiday Light Display and San Diego Bay Parade of Lights Cruise on Luxury Yacht Peregrine.

11/30/2025 Clothing Swap At Porchlight Community Services!

Abby H.

Looking to engage in some sustainable fun this weekend? Check out Porchlight Community Services’ end-of-year clothing swap this Sunday, November 30th, from 1pm-4pm.

Details can be found here.

They also have an upcoming toy swap on 12/6/2025, just in time for the holidays!

I love Porchlight. In addition to hosting swaps, they help keep food from ending up in landfills, and getting food into the hands (and bellies) of San Diegans in need. You can learn more about Porchlight’s mission here.

Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar $29.99 (Starting Tomorrow)

Abby H.

I don’t usually post a lot of Black Friday Deals, but this one is close to my heart.

We’re a Lego Family, and a Star Wars Family, so when I saw this deal in my email the other day, I knew I had to share it.

Starting tomorrow 11/26/25, at Walgreens (and Walgreens.com), you can score this Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar for just $29.99. That’s 40% off the original price!! This deal is going to go super fast, so I recommend setting a timer or a reminder on your phone. I’ve already got a reminder set in my phone’s calendar with the link as the location.

This is going to be a great Advent Calendar for my oldest!

Earn More Fetch Points with the Fetch American Express Card!

Abby H.

Did you know that Fetch (my favorite cash back app of all time) has a co-branded American Express Card?

Those of us who know about rewards credit cards agree this is a great deal- BUT- only if you can use it responsibly. Credit cards like this are a tool.

The Fetch Card earns 10X points¹ on groceries—with no annual fee².

Apply now and get a 50,000-point bonus³ 
if you’re approved and spend $150 with the Fetch Card.  $150 on groceries isn’t hard to do these days.

As someone with an American Express Card, I see this opportunity as a great deal. 50,000 points is about a $50 Gift Card Reward in the Fetch App.

If you are new to Fetch, use my code ND2TB when you sign up, and you’ll earn Bonus Points (amounts vary from 1500 to 4000, depending on the current promotion).

And to learn more about how Fetch works, check out my post here.

$10 off Family Meals at Luna Grill (In-App)

Abby H.

This is a deal I can get behind.

I love Luna Grill; it replaced Daphne’s in our area as the fast casual Mediterranean restaurant.

App Exclusive: $10 off Family Meals

Redeem by 12/31 in the Luna Grill app for $10 off Family Meals portioned for 4 or 6.

I love these family meals. They are great for take-out night or for meal prep. Sometimes I want grilled chicken for lunch during the week, but I don’t want to fire up the grill. I pick up the Family Meal for 4 and portion it out in my lunchwear for the entire week. The meals for 4 (and 6) and super generous and can definately stretch a few more servings.  I usually get 6 lunches from a Family Meal for 4.

The family meals include your choice of kabobs served with seasonal veggies, rice, salad, pita, and a choice of hummus or sauce.

Discount applies to the base price of Family Meal for 4 or 6. Valid in the Luna Grill app through 12/31/2025. *Limit (1) offer per guest per visit. No cash value. Must be presented at time of purchase. Not valid with any other offers or promotions. No substitutions.

 

San Diego, CA area Secret Shops at SkyZone Earn $50+!

Abby H.

Y’all know I love to secret shop!

I learned about Amusement Advantage from some friends who have had a blast doing secret shopping and having adventures with their families. Amusement Advantage has all sorts of fun shops: movie theatres, amusement parks, museums, and more! They have opportunities to do secret assignments in almost every state of the US and most of the Provinces in Canada.

Right now, they have assignments available at the SkyZone in San Diego! Amusement Advantage has a mystery shop available at Sky Zone – San Diego (Fran) in San Diego, CA 92126 for November!

SPECIAL WEEKDAY OPTION allowed FOR NOVEMBER ONLY: SHOP ANY DAY 11.21 – 11.30. Earlier dates are given preference.

Pay/Reimbursement: $20 + Reimbursement up to $100 + $50 Extra Pay + $5 Early Return Bonus.

$50 EXTRA PAY above the rate listed, offered on this assignment! $100 reimbursement-spend YOUR WAY-more jump time, guests, arcades, or food/drinks! Just 90 minutes required onsite – free fun and food plus profit!

They now pay via PayPal in 21-28 days.

CLICK HERE to view the details and apply!