food

Father Joe’s Villages Food Pantry- Every Friday!

Abby H.

If you are closer to downtown San Diego, this food pantry is a great option for you.

Stop by Father Joe’s Food Pantry every Friday for drive-thru or walk-in pickup at 3350 E Street, San Diego, CA 92102 (rear warehouse of St. Vincent de Paul Village).

This Food Pantry is open from 12pm-2pm every Friday.

Helpful Tip: Bring a basket with wheels, a bike with a basket, or a vehicle to help carry your items. 1 visit per household per day. Service is located at the back of the building—look for the warehouse!

For more free food resources in San Diego, check out my food resource page here. 

8/1/2025 Weekly Freebies and Deals!

Abby H.

Back-to-School is upon us! We’ve got 2 weeks, but that means 2 weeks of shenanigans between all the school prep.

Here are a few ways that we will be having fun and being frugal:

  • The Summer Library Reading Program post can be found here.
  • Fun Free Summer Activities for Tweens and Teens here.
  • The Summer Movie Deals can be found here.
  • Don’t forget about Cheap Stuff to do with Tweens and Teens here.
  • Kids Bowl Free is back for 2025- More info here.

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.

Let’s get onto the Freebies!!

Freebies:

FREE $35 Purchase at Nike After Cash Back
FREE Up & Up Writing Item, $5 Off HeyDay or $5 Off Brightroom Storage for Target Circle 360 Members
FREE Frozen Drink at Casey’s Every Friday in May thru August
FREE SPAM Norimaki Roll or SPAM Musubi at Kroger
FREE Chocolate Chunk Cookie at Insomnia Cookies
Teachers – Possible FREE Pets in the Classroom Grant
FREE $15 to Spend on Books at Walmart After Cash Back
FREE Passport to Italy Donut at Krispy Kreme
FREE Cheesecake On a Stick at White Castle
FREE Sample of Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour HydraPlay 2-in-1 Daily Cleanser
FREE Eau Thermale Jonzac Skincare Sample + FREE Shipping
FREE Café Tango Frozen Coffee Every Tuesday in August
2 FREE 5×7 Photo Prints at Walgreens (App Only)
FREE Full-Size Wuffes Daily Probiotic for Dogs – $39 Value
FREE BtNPN Deep Relief Patches
FREE Patches, Charms & More at Target on August 2nd & 3rd
FREE Sample of Vetality Brush-Free Daily Dental Chews for Dogs

 

Deals

Target has School Backpacks From $5
5-Piece Character Backpacks ONLY $17.99 at JCPenney
Backpacks From $5 at Walmart
Victoria’s Secret Panties 7 For $35
Yankee Candles Buy 2 Get 2 Free: 3-Wick & Large Candles
Save Big on Your Next Move with USPS Mover Coupons
Great Clips Coupons: Get Your Next Haircut for Less with Great Clips Coupons and Promo Codes
Famous Footwear Promo Codes & Coupons: Save Big on Your Favorite Shoes From Nike, Crocs and More!

August 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 offers available now:

  • Meatless Breakfast Patties by Nature’s Fynd
  • Gluten-Free Pasta by GOODLES
  • Gorgie Sparkling Energy Drinks
  • PURE Coconut Water by ZICO
  • Deluxe Mac & Cheese by GOODLES
  • Mental Performance Shots by Magic Mind
  • Organic Kombucha by Humm Kombucha
  • Italian Protein Pasta by BRAMI
  • Gluten-Free Cookies by Schär

Save Time and Money with Instacart and $10 off!

Abby H.

I’m not joking- I’ve been saving time and money like a boss with Instacart.

I’ve been using Instacart for about 6 months. Here is my secret: I shop at stores that feature the label “In-Store Prices”, and I select curbside pickup. For me, that’s usually Aldi, but my example pic is Walmart.

I don’t have Instacart+, just plain ol’ regular Instacart.  It’s free, no monthly fee.

How does Instacart save me money?

  1. I only buy what is on my list. I am not cruising the aisles. Nothing else “falls” into my cart.
  2.  No kids with me means I don’t have to say NO to every want and desire. No deviation from the shopping list, no upset kids.
  3. Time=Money. It saves me at least an hour of shopping, bagging, and loading into my car.

And with orders of $50+ the fee is only $1.99, for orders less than $50, the fee is $3.99. Because I’m cheap, I wait until I need $50+ in groceries to order, which is usually every 7-10 days. Spending $1.99 to save at least $20 by sticking to my list, and saving at minimum an hour is a deal in my mind.

Do you use SNAP/EBT?  If you use EBT SNAP to buy groceries at participating stores on Instacart and skip the delivery or pickup fee. New customers enjoy $0 delivery fee* on their first 3 grocery orders. And exclusive for EBT customers, get 50% off Instacart+ for one year**.

*Service fees apply. **Terms apply. More information and details can be found here.

If you are new to Instacart, I’ve got a deal for you! Get $10 off your first Instacart order! Use my code AHEWES1A5 at checkout!  Terms apply.

7/25/2025 Weekly Freebies and Deals!

Abby H.

This week has been a whirlwind of adventures. Today, we are doing some thrift store adventures for porcelain dolls and back-to-school shopping.

Here are a few ways that we will be having fun and being frugal:

  • The Summer Library Reading Program post can be found here.
  • Fun Free Summer Activities for Tweens and Teens here.
  • The Summer Movie Deals can be found here.
  • Don’t forget about Cheap Stuff to do with Tweens and Teens here.
  • Kids Bowl Free is back for 2025- More info here.

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.

Let’s get onto the Freebies!!

Freebies:

FREE $30 Purchase at DICK’S After Cash Back
100,000+ FREE Labubu Toy Giveaway
FREE Everyone You Love, with Everything You Have Book
FREE Fries Every Week at Burger King
FREE Space Odyssey Workshop at Home Depot
FREE Educational Comic Books, Activity Books, Posters & More
FREE 2pk Fancy Feast Gems
FREE Yankee Candle on August 16th
2 FREE Movie Tickets to She Rides Shotgun
FREE Kinship LittleKin Puppy or Kitten Sample Pack – $200 Value
FREE Earth Animal No Hide Dog Chew
FREE Dermoplast 3-in-1 Medicated First Aid Cloths Sample
FREE Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Fragrance Sample
FREE Ice Cream or Frozen Novelty Treats Every Friday in July
$50 Worth of FREE Books
FREE Shelfy – Fall into Freshness Party Pack
Unlock Your Wellness Journey with Free Nutrition Samples: Try Before You Buy
FREE LEGO 3-in-1 Parrot Set at Walmart After Cash Back
FREE 8×10 Photo Print at Walgreens
FREE $25 Off $25 on Your Next Meal
FREE Kids’ Soccer Ball at Lowe’s on August 2nd
FREE Hartz Groomer’s Best Professionals Dog Shampoo
FREE Pet Station Craft for Kids at Lowe’s
Free Perfume Samples You Can Get Right Now
FREE Lysol Minilabs Science Kits
FREE Cookie This Week at Chick-fil-A

Deals:

Gap Factory 60% Off Clearance + Extra 20% Off Coupon Stack & Free Shipping
Walgreens Photo Coupons & Promo Codes: 50% Off Everything Photo, 50% Off Metal Panels & More
Sandals For The Family Buy 1 Get 2 Free at JCPenney
Touchland Hand Sanitizers Dupes ONLY $3 at Walmart
Mary Ruth Products up to 50% Off on Amazon!
Back To School Sale at Macy’s Up to 60% Off
Shop Lowe’s Scratch and Dent Appliances & Save Up to 50%
Reversible 8-Pc Comforter Sets ONLY $29.93 at Macy’s (Reg $100)
JCPenney Home Sale – Up to 50% Off + Extra 30% Off w/ Coupon
Cat and Jack School Uniforms From $6 at Target
Disney Store: 30% Off Back to School Essentials – Prices start at $4.98
Women’s Pajamas From $9.99 at Macy’s
Laundry Coupons: Shop the Laundry Detergent Aisle with These Coupons and Deals
Save Money with Valvoline Coupons: Up to $25 Off
Tag Freehold 5-Piece Softside Luggage Set ONLY $67.99 (Reg $240)
Top 20 Fast Food Deals, Coupons and Promotions Happening NOW
Kids Polo Shirts $5 & Up at The Children’s Place
Get Red Seal Coupons and Save on Smokeless Tobacco
Join and Get 2 Months of FREE Drinks with This Panera Unlimited Sip Club Promo

Kids Eat Free at Rubio’s Thursdays in July!

Abby H.

When you join the Rubio’s Rewards Program (download the app found wherever you get apps), you can score a FREE KIDS MEAL every Thursday in July.

Sounds like a pretty decent deal to me, especially if you and your munchkin like Rubio’s!

For Rewards Members Only. Offer valid for one (1) free kids’ meal with purchase of any entrée. Entrées include two taco plates, burritos, salads, bowls, Shrimp Trio, and The Coastal Trio®. Excludes tasting plates and kids’ meals. Not available for third-party delivery orders. Not valid with any other offer or discount. One offer permitted per transaction. Upcharges for extras and premium items may apply. No substitutions. No cash value. Valid at participating restaurants only. Only valid on the following days: 7/3, 7/10, 7/17, 7/24, and 7/31/2025

7/19/2025 Weekly Freebies and Deals

Abby H.

My smallest kiddos’ bestie is coming to stay with us for the next 10 days, and we are so stoked. I’ve got tons of fun, frugal adventures planned. I can’t wait to go get her from the airport this morning, but first- Freebies!

Here are a few ways that we will be having fun and being frugal:

  • The Summer Library Reading Program post can be found here.
  • Fun Free Summer Activities for Tweens and Teens here.
  • The Summer Movie Deals can be found here.
  • Don’t forget about Cheap Stuff to do with Tweens and Teens here.
  • Kids Bowl Free is back for 2025- More info here.

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.

Let’s get onto the Freebies!!

Freebies:

FREE RYZE Coffee, Chai, Hot Cocoa & More
2 FREE 5×7 Photo Prints at Walgreens
Get Free Catalogs by Mail: No Credit Card Needed
FREE Capri Sun Single Serve Chatterbuy Kit
FREE Sample of Nature’s Recipe Wet Dog Food
FREE Hallmark Card Every Month
FREE Internet for 5 Years and a FREE Hotspot for Students
Free 20 oz. Bottle of Starry Soda
FREE Svinka Art Postcard
FREE Royal Canin Chewable Supplements for Puppies Chatterbox Kit
FREE 4-Pack of Gutzy Fruit & Veggie Pouches After Walmart Cash
FREE Movie Ticket to The Home
FREE L’Occitane Almond Supple Skin Oil
FREE Wireless Zone Backpack & School Supplies Giveaway (Closest Location in SoCal is Ontario)
FREE Food at SONIC Every Friday Through August 29th
FREE Promensil Peri-Menopause Supplements
FREE Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Acne Patch
Possible FREE Bag of Lay’s Potato Chips

 

Deals:

Sandals & Flip Flops From $2.99 at JCPenney
P&G Coupons: Get Digital & Printable Coupons From Your Favorite P&G Brands

7/20/2025 National Lollipop Day- Celebrate with See’s!

Abby H.

Visit any See’s Candy location for National Lollipop Day on July 20, and you’ll receive a free lollipop — no purchase necessary.

Flavor availability may vary by location, but here are the flavors you may have to choose from:

Chocolate
Vanilla
Butterscotch
Sugar Free Butterscotch
Café Latté
Cinnamon

Freebies and Deals- 7/20 is National Ice Cream Day!

Abby H.

National Ice Cream Day is next week!! I recommend that you download any apps required for these deals at least 1 day prior to ensure that you have the app and are all signed up for any clubs or offers. Not all of these offers are available in my specific area, but I included them because I have readers outside of San Diego.

Dairy Queen: Score a free Dilly® Bar on any order of $1 or more.
Exclusively through the DQ® app and website, DQ® rewards members can enjoy the delicious sweet treat (one per fan) from July 14 to 20. Order digitally, earn rewards, and unlock more all summer!

Dipping’ Dots: Dippin’ Dots is giving away FREE mini cups of Dippin’ Dots (any flavor!) during a two-hour window at their franchise locations. Plus, the first 100 people in line will score a super cool, collectible take-home cup, in addition to the free mini cup of Dippin’ Dots. Find your closest location here.

Marble Slab Creamery: Download their app because on July 20, loyalty members will receive a free small Ice Cream offer, valid for seven days. Find your closest location here:

Burger King: Check your app for this offer- free soft serve with a purchase of $1 or more at Burger King on National Ice Cream Day, Sunday, July 20.

Baskin-Robbins: Check your Baskin-Robbins app for an offer; offers may vary by app, including a discount on ice cream cakes or shakes.

And while there are no deals right now, check the following apps in the days before the 20th for possible freebies and deals: McDonald’s, Jack in the Box, Del Taco, Wendy’s, and Yogurtland.

And if you want to make your own ice cream at home, you can find my recipe here. It’s very easy, and you can make it your own with a few tweaks!

Score Free Groceries with Rebates!

Abby H.

Rebates have been around forever.

I remember my grandmother doing rebates when I was a kid. However, nowadays, you don’t need to send in a form with proof of purchase/UPC and a receipt; most rebates can be completed online or via text.

Sometimes you get lucky and get 100% back rebates, making your item free. You will find a lot of those with apps and websites like:

Ripple Street has tons of reFUNd programs where you can buy a product and receive the purchase price back. These are only available via their app.

If you consume alcohol, check out BYBE.  It is available in most states. This app has rebates for beer, wine, and liquor.

Here are a few current rebates I found out about this week while starting my Back to school shopping: