food

Shopping Smarter Matters: Rae’s Way Overdoing It Birthday Video

Abby H.

I saw this video before, but it showed up on my FYP, and while I know it’s supposed to show how crazy the costs of everything have become, I watched it and saw a chance to show everyone how to shop for a birthday party on a budget. No slight to Rae- I love her content and think she is hilarious.

In the video, Rae is at a big box store (Walmart) with a budget of $50 for a friend’s birthday.

Her shopping list included:

  • Cake
  • 2 frozen pizzas
  • 2 suitcases of mini soda cans
  • Candles
  • Plates
  • Cutlery
  • 2 pkg streamers
  • Balloons
  • Plastic tablecloth
  • Banner

At her first go round, she is over budget, so she decides to make the cake from a mix, and proceeds to finish her shop. She does end up over budget by $1.

If our friend Rae started at Dollar Tree…. It would be much different.

For a total of $22.50. With the leftover cash, pick up 2 Costco pizzas, and if there is any leftover, maybe grab 2 pints of store-brand ice cream at Dollar Tree!

I love Dollar Tree for party supplies. There is no reason to spend a lot of money on disposable party supplies. I’ve always done birthday parties on a budget!

5/4/26 Weekly Meal Plan

Abby H.

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May is a busy month for us, so it’s important to me that I plan out our meals on Sunday nights for the week.

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 skipped a grocery trip this week- We have plenty of food, and we had a  Yasukochi Family Farms CSA box subscription drop off last Monday and have plenty of fruit and veg to get us through this week. I did a quick grocery inventory on Saturday morning to make sure we’d be ok.

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 fridge and freezer clean out leftovers.

Dinner: This week, dinners are pretty simple. We have busy days, so I want to spend as much time as possible with the kids. If one of the kids ends up not liking something, they can have a sandwich or a fruit and a homemade smoothie.

This week’s available fresh fruits are: Apples (3 kinds), oranges, and bananas.

  • Sunday:  Italian Night.
  • Monday: Chicken and Veggies

  • Tuesday: Tortellini Soup, Salad, and Bread

  • Wednesday: Breakfast for Dinner (I’m teaching that night)

  • Thursday: Vegetarian chili, bread, and salad

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

2026 Teacher Appreciation Week Freebies and Deals

Abby H.

May 4-8, 2026  is Teacher Appreciation Week, and to celebrate, there are some freebies and deals around.

I have only included those in my local area, but if you are outside the Southern CA area, a quick Google search can find you some local freebies.

Chipotle: This one is pretty popular. Chipotle is saying “thank you” by giving away 100,000 FREE Burrito Cards. Enter to win by 5/12.  

Shake Shack: Teachers receive a free ShackBurger or Veggie Burger with a $10 purchase. Must show school ID.

Some Raising Cane’s locations are offering free drinks (excluding lemonade) in May. My local Raising Cane’s is not participating.  Here is the list of participating locations. 

I’ve read online that some Chick-fil-A and McDonald’s locations may do freebies or deals next week; however, I couldn’t confirm anything online.

If you are a Sonic Drive-In fan, download their app and sign up for an account. When you go to account settings and select “I’m a Teacher” to join the Teachers’ Circle.  You will be asked to verify that you are an educator. Update your profile to verify your status as faculty or staff at a K-12 school or degree-granting university. Once you verify, there will be freebies and deals added to your account throughout the year.

These next freebies are not tied to Teacher Appreciation week- these are available year-round and are pretty amazing.

Canva is free for teachers. Canva for Education

Headspace offers a free subscription for educators.

We are Teachers has free printables!

If you are looking for year-round deals, check out ID.me.

May 2026: 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.

This month, there aren’t a ton of free/100% Cashback offers available, but I’ve listed them below.

Wild Tuna in Olive Oil by Rio Mare
Multipack Sparkling Water by Sanzo

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.

5/1/2026 Friday Freebies and Deals!

Abby H.

This week has been wild. I’ll post a separate update tonight, but needless to say, I am so glad it’s Friday.

I  updated my birthday freebies for 2026- You can find the post here. The list mostly offers what you can find in Southern California.

If you live outside Southern California, check out this list: Free Birthday Stuff: 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 Pokemon Button, Photos & More at Target
FREE Sample of Ralphs Club New York Eau De Parfum
FREE Movie Tickets to I Love Boosters
FREE John Frieda Mousse, Shampoo & Conditioner Bundle, or Frizz Control Serum
FREE Blue Square Pin
FREE Hers Hair Care Products
FREE Service of Palm Beach Tan
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library – FREE Kids Book Every Month
FREE Breakfast for Teachers at Whataburger on May 7th
FREE Mother’s Day Flower Bouquet Craft Kit at JCPenney
2026 National Pretzel Day Freebies and Deals
Get Your Free Teeth Whitening Samples: A Brighter Smile Awaits
Score a Free Babylist Hello Baby Box Filled with Samples & Full Sized Products
Free Kids’ Magazines: A Gateway to Fun and Learning
FREE Sample of SHEBA Bisque or Purée Cat Treats
FREE Movie Ticket to The Story of Everything
FREE Sample of Love, Nala Cat Food
FREE Febreze Fabric Refresher at Target
FREE Sample of Breathe Right Extra Strength Strips
FREE Ensure Max Protein Shake After Walmart Cash
FREE Petco Mother’s Day Photos + Blue Buffalo Pet Food Samples
FREE Sub at Firehouse Subs for Those Named Mike, Michael, Miguel, Michelle & More
FREE Bvlgari Eau Perfumee The Imperial Eau de Toilette Fragrance Sample
$35 Worth of FREE Books with First Book Marketplace
FREE Reward Every Week with Panda Express Wok Wednesday
FREE LEGO Star Wars Starfighter Build Event
FREE Haircut at Sport Clips If You Have a Mullet
FREE $30 to Spend on Adidas After Cash Back
FREE Sample of Pink Zebra Fragranced Wax Melts
FREE Samples of SheaMoisture Curl Stretch Collection
FREE Summer Fridays Sweet Pink Duo Lip Butter Balm at Sephora After Cash Back
How to Get Free Beauty Samples Without Spending a Dime
FREE Movie Tickets to Young Washington
FREE Pack of Stonyfield YoBaby Multipack Cups or Pouches
FREE Jackson’s Summer Snacking Party Pack
FREE Fragrance Samples from Macy’s
Get Free Beauty Product Samples With Topbox Circle

 

Deals:

Subway BOGO Deal: Buy 1, Get 1 Footlong Sub – New Subway Coupons for May
Kohl’s Up to 85% Off Clearance Sale is LIVE – Deals Start at $0.72
Prime Members Save 20¢ Per Gallon on Gas – Every Friday!
Kobalt Portable Mini Toolbox ONLY $16.98 at Lowe’s (Reg $22)
11 Things Costco Members Can Get for Free Included In Their Membership
Miracle-Gro Garden Soil On Sale for $2 at Home Depot
The 12 Best Stanley Cup Dupes You Can Buy Online on a Budget (Durable & Affordable)
Macy’s Jewelry up to 70% Off – Prices as low as $29 | Mother’s Day Gif Ideas!
The Big One Bath Towels and Pillows for $2.39 at Kohl’
CHI Infra Thermal Care Kit ONLY $17.74 Shipped (Reg $47)
Libman Spin Mop With Bucket ONLY $19.98 (Reg $40)

Meal Kit Round Up and Deals!

Abby H.

I love trying out meal kits; they are a great way to try new recipes with new ingredients that I may not already have on hand. Here are a few of the meal kits that I’ve tried, links to reviews, and any deals or coupon codes I could find.

One of my favorites is still Dream Dinners. Our local location is closed, but there is one in Northern San Diego County that offers pick-ups in La Mesa. I can order online and pick up at a location convenient to me.

 

Overall, my favorite mail-order/delivery meal kit company is Dinnerly.

They have a nice mix of kid-friendly dishes and stuff that is decidedly more “grown-up food”. I wrote a review here. In addition to having a nice mix of dishes to choose from, the other thing I like is that Dinnerly is the first subscription meal kit service to offer $4.49 per serving. My big qualm with meal kits is that the meals can sometimes be upwards of $8-$10/per serving. At that point, you might as well go out for dinner!

 

Gobble has a really great deal. Choose your meals and receive a Gobble box for $36 for 6 meals. I recently ordered this, so we’ll see how it turns out! Here is why I decided to try it:

    • Choose your meals from our diverse weekly menu. Gluten-free, dairy-free, low-carb, & vegetarian options are available.
    • Their team of chefs does all the tedious prep work for you — no more chopping, measuring, or a sink full of dishes
  • Your freshly made 15-minute dinner kits will arrive in a refrigerated box to your doorstep. No commitment. Adjustable to your schedule.

Talk Back: I’d love to hear about any meal kits that you or your family have tried and liked. 

Weekend Freebies and Deals!

Abby H.

I finally updated my birthday freebies for 2026- You can find the post here. The list is mostly offers  that you can find in Southern California.

If you live outside Southern California, check out this list: Free Birthday Stuff: 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 Groomer’s Choice Sample Box
FREE Goldback 24K Currency Bill
FREE 5 lbs Shredding at Office Depot OfficeMax
8 Ways to Get Free Books for Kids
FREE Ranch or Spicy Snack Wrap at McDonald’s
2026 National Pretzel Day Freebies and Deals
FREE Japonesque Fingernail Clippers at Walgreens
FREE $25 Purchase at Hobby Lobby After Cash Back
FREE Sample of Pedigree Pouches Dog Food & Drizzlers Savory Sauce
We Rounded Up Our Favorite Free Samples for Women
FREE BBQ Pork, Turkey or Chicken Sandwich for Nurses at Sonny’s BBQ
FREE Stickers, Sample Pouch & More at Target
FREE Medium Sub at Firehouse Subs
FREE Spring Seasonal Collection Donut at Krispy Kreme
Claim Cash in the $87.5 Million Beef Class Action Settlement
FREE Sample of MG Plus Protein Supplements
FREE 60-Day Supply of Broc Shot Capsules
Here’s How to Score FREE or Cheap Photo Prints: 2026
FREE 1-Year Membership to Youth on Course Golfing – 1st 150,000
FREE Fragrance Samples from Macy’s
FREE Hat at Tractor Supply Co.
FREE $25 on Spring Decor at Michaels After Cash Back
FREE Blue Buffalo Wilderness Wild Protein Powered Meals Chatterbox Kit
FREE Sample of L’Oreal Age Perfect Le Duo Serum
FREE Mtn Dew Baja Blast Every Time an MLB Player Hits a 420+ ft Home Run
Get Tons Of Free Stickers Online: Updated Monthly
How I Get Free Samples with Free Shipping
FREE Sample of Pataday Once Daily Relief Eye Allergy Itch Relief
FREE Mini Sheet of Stamps
Free Chick-fil-A: The Chick-fil-A Hacks You Need to Know – Yes, It Includes FREE Chicken!
FREE Sample of OGX ProGrowth + Peptide Shampoo & Conditioner
FREE Sample of Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash
Claim Cash in the $2.9 Million Tom’s of Maine Toothpaste Class Action Settlement
FREE Full-Size Plain. Urolithin A + Creatine Well-Aging Supplement
FREE Sample of Clive Christian Strange Heavens Out of the Blue Fragrance
FREE Rare Beauty Rare Eau de Parfum Sample

Deals:

Dad Gang Co. Discount Codes – 25% Off, $10 Credit & More
Prime Members Save 20¢ Per Gallon on Gas – Every Friday!
Sephora Savings Event – Up to 20% Off for Rouge Members + Extra 30% Off Sephora Collection
American Tourister Stratum 3.0 Carry-On ONLY $62.99 (Reg $180)
Tom’s of Maine Whitening Toothpaste 3-Pack ONLY $2.99 at Target (Reg $14)
Academy Sports Coupons: New $15 Off $15 Order! Save on Nike, Adidas, Under Armour & More
Best Places To Buy Cheap & Affordable Furniture Online: 2026
Clearance at JCPenney Up to 80% Off – Select Styles From $1.19
TODAY: Old Navy Women’s Tank Tops on Sale for ONLY $3
Lofka Patio Rocking Chairs Set w/ Glass Coffee Table, 3-Piece ONLY $79 (Reg $140)
Roku Streaming Stick HD ONLY $25 (Reg $40)
The Big One Bath Towel ONLY $2.96 at Kohl’s
Fantaslok Plaid Flannel Women’s Shirt ONLY $14 (Reg $24)

2026 Birthday Freebies!

Abby H.1 Comment

This year, I focused on picking up birthday freebies that I really wanted. And that the kids would like too, because really, I couldn’t eat everything that was offered to me!

For those in CA, TX, NV, AZ, FL, NM, SC, or NC, check out eBirthdayClub. There are TONS of great freebies on this site.

If you live outside the San Diego, CA area, I recommend that you check out the birthday freebie list from MySavings. Their Freebies on Your Birthday list is pretty long. This list has a separate section towards the bottom of the page with Birthday Freebies for Kids, too!!!

Non-food Birthday Goodies:

  • Torrid: Members of the DivaStyle Club will receive $10 off their next purchase of $10+
  • Dave & Buster’s: $10 in free gameplay for those in the D&B Rewards Club.
  • Free goodies at Sephora (It changes every year)
  • DSW Shoe Warehouse: $5 off birthday coupon
  • Hot Topic:  Hot Topic Rewards members receive a $5 coupon for your birthday every year.

  • Bath and Body Works: Download their app and complete the Account Details section with your birthday. You will receive an offer for a free travel-sized item.

Free Food Birthday Goodies:

  • El Torito: A free entree for your birthday.

  • McDonald’s: Download their app and enter your birthdate when you sign up. You can get a free item for your birthday from a list of about 20 options. I chose the large iced coffee so that I could take it home and mix it with my protein shake for breakfast the next morning.

  • Jamba Juice: Download their app and enter your birthdate when you sign up, and receive a free Large Smoothie for your birthday! No other purchase needed. We have Jamba about once a month, so I’m not sure if a previous purchase is required.

  • Sombrero’s Mexican Food: Score a free burrito for your birthday!  

  • Starbucks: Download their app and get a free birthday handcrafted beverage of your choice on your birthday only.
  • Denny’s: Free Grand Slam for your Birthday. They also email out other freebies and coupons.
  • Bj’s Brewhouse: Rewards members receive a free Pizookie for their birthday.
  • Jersey Mike’s: Free Sub for your Birthday! (No matter what you read online, there is no Subway or Submarina birthday Freebies- Those deals are DEAD)
  • Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt: When you sign up for a Smile-age Account, you’ll score a free Fro Yo for your B-day!  (I love Menchie’s!)
  • Nothing Bundt Cakes: Join their email list and receive a FREE Bundlet on your Birthday. (look for the link at the bottom of their website)
  • Mary’s Donuts: East County peeps know what I’m talking about! Free drink and TWO Donuts! 
  • Habit Burger Grill’s CharClub: Score a free Charburger on your birthday.
  • Panera: Sign up for MyPanera and get a free pastry or sweet on your birthday.
  • Buffalo Wild Wings: Sign up for Blazin’ Rewards to get six free birthday wings during your birth month
  • Cinnabon: Download their app and sign up for Cinnabon Rewards to get a free iced coffee on your birthday and a free order of BonBites for signing up.

Here are some offers that I did not include because I feel like they are a Freebie with a catch:

  • Dairy Queen: You must download their app and use it to make a purchase at least 30 days before your birthday. When you download the app, make sure to complete the section where it asks for your birthday.
  • Red Robin: You must spend at least $10 during the previous year to receive their birthday freebie.
  • Edible Arrangements: You must spend at least $29 during the prior year to receive their birthday freebie.

Places I read online that gave freebies, but I did not receive:

  • Dunkin’: I’m not a big Dunkin’ fan, so I was not upset to find that I did not get a free coffee or an offer with a % off for my birthday.

There are tons of other birthday freebie lists, but they may include offers that are not available here or may include stuff that I don’t consider worth it (like the Aveda “freebie”- pay $10 and receive a product valued at $23+… No thanks.)

Another deal that everyone and their mama goes nuts about is Benihana Japanese Restaurant – a complimentary meal up to $30 when you purchase an Adult meal at Regular Price (You must sign up for The Chef’s Table club). This used to be a FREE meal, no strings attached, but it has changed to basically a BOGO. That’s a no-go for me, but it may still get you excited.

I have not included Ulta in my list because you have to make a purchase the year previous (and it needs to be a certain amount- I’ve been told different amounts by various Ulta Employees, anywhere from $5-$50), so for me, that’s not a freebie. If I have to buy something to receive something, that’s a BOGO deal.

Remember to read the fine print for these offers. Most of them are for adults, ages 18+ (19 in some states). Some offers require the coupon/offer to be printed out, and for some, you can just show your phone.

 

 

April 2026: 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.

There are so many offers this month! Here are the Free/100% Cashback offers available now:

Organic Chocolates by VGAN
Fluoride-Free Toothpaste by Davids
KBBQ Fried Rice Roll by Ocean’s Halo
Organic XL Seaweed Snacks by Ocean’s Halo
0 Sugar Grape Energy Drink by Black Rifle Coffee
0 Sugar Energy Drink by Black Rifle Coffee
Ready-to-Drink Cold Brew by Black Rifle Coffee
Lightly Sweet Biscuits by Effie’s Homemade
Whipped Feta dip and Spread by Athenos
Skipjack Wild Tuna by Wild Planet
Wild Tuna in Olive Oil by Rio Mare
Neuro+ Smoothie Blends by Brainiac Foods

Programs I Use to Find Legit Freebies

Abby H.

Who doesn’t love free stuff?

I’m always on the lookout for good, quality freebies. What I mean by that is items that have value. Not just monetarily, but also items that I will use. That can be anything from free food to a brand new washing machine and dryer.

Many of the freebie programs I have used in the past are no longer available (for example, Tryit and JCPenney Insiders were both acquired by Influenster), so those are not included in my list.

However, here are some that I use today and recommend to others.

This list does not include rebate apps or any other programs where you incur an out-of-pocket expense that is reimbursed later.

Home Tester Club is pretty cool. They are one of my new favorites. You sign up to review items, and they send you something. A lot of the time, they don’t notify you before shipping. You’ll get a package in the mail, and a few days later, you’ll get an email notifying you that you were selected and a link to the survey to complete once you have sampled the product. I’ve received all sorts of great skincare, cosmetics, food, and clothing from Home Tester Club.

Tryazon: The kids and I have been participating in Tryazon events for 8-ish years. We’ve gotten to try all sorts of fun toys, games, organizational products, and food.

Influenster: To get all of the products and free stuff offered by Influenster, you have to download the app.  When they send an offer for a free product, you have to jump on it right away. Their offers go fast! I’ve gotten clothing, cosmetics, perfume, and household appliances through Influenster.

Ripple Street: this company rebranded recently and was previously known as House Party. You can learn about them here. 

Smiley360  is a Word of Mouth (WOM) marketing website. Sign up for campaigns, and you will receive samples to use and coupons to share with friends. Report your sharing and earn points! I’ve received Laundry detergent (full-sized bottles), vitamins, supplements, tampons, and razors in the past.

Kitchen Insiders: Kitchen Insiders is an online community where food lovers can get a sneak peek at what we’re cooking up in the Kitchen. As a member, you’ll have the opportunity to try some of the latest and greatest snack foods for free in exchange for your honest product feedback. You can even earn points and badges for participating. Joining us in the Kitchen is completely free!

Can Fan Community: A vibrant place where we come together to learn, share, and appreciate the wonders of canned fruits and tomatoes! We’re committed to delivering the freshest, tastiest products, grown here in the USA!  Join the movement of individuals who appreciate the unmatched nutritional value, sustainability, and beyond! Together, we can shout out the message and spread the love for these pantry staples to the world!

Life Hack Collective:  As part of our community, you’ll be able to participate in engaging Missions that may include trying new products, participating in discussions with your fellow community members, and sharing your opinion on your favorite social media platforms. By completing surveys, they’ll be able to best match you with Missions you’ll hopefully find interesting and fun.

If a company or brand offers you a freebie or a rebate to purchase an item on Amazon in exchange for a review- DECLINE THE OFFER. This is a common scam for new sellers on Amazon to receive reviews, which can put your Amazon account in jeopardy. 

Stack Influence: This is a website and app that offers you products with up to a 100% rebate after you post about it on social media. I wrote about it here. I’ve used it before, and reimbursement is quick. 

If you are looking for apps or companies that offer 100% rebates on food, check my post here.

Talk back: What is your favorite website for getting free stuff?