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!
It’s November, and I’m looking forward to some fun and shenanigans this month! We’ve got the week of Thanksgiving off, and I’m hoping to visit the zoo with my big kid.
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:
FREE Photo with Santa, Giveaways & More at Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s
FREE Butterball Buddy Giveaway on November 2nd, 9th & 16th
FREE Dunkin’ Refreshers Drink Mix Chatterbuy Kit
FREE Movie Ticket to Ramayana: Rise of a Legend
FREE Blue Buffalo Dry Dog Food Chatterbox Kit
FREE Crown Royal Military Care Package for Our Troops
FREE $25 to Spend at Nike
FREE 2027 The Gospel Changes Everything Calendar
The Best Free Sample Boxes to Request
FREE LEGO Holiday Build Event at Barnes & Noble
FREE My Soundtrack Game Night Party Pack
6 FREE 5×7 Photo Cards at Walgreens
FREE Hogwarts Express Snow Globe at JCPenney on Black Friday
FREE Holiday Bear Keychain & Hogwarts Button at Target
These Are the Best Stores Who Give Out Free Samples in Mail: Sephora, Ulta, Kohl’s and More
FREE Cookie Butter Cloud Latte at Dunkin’ on November 10th
FREE Hoskel Wellness Products
Big List of 110 Restaurants to Get Free Food
FREE $30 to Spend at Ulta
FREE Holiday Seasonal Collection Donut at Krispy Kreme
FREE Thanksgiving Dinner from Ibotta
FREE Sample of TEMPTATIONS Cat Treats
FREE Rare Beauty Rare Beginnings Eau de Parfum Sample
FREE Pet Rescue Window Decal
FREE Wildflower Seed Packet
Free Chick-fil-A: The Chick-fil-A Hacks You Need to Know – Yes, It Includes FREE Chicken!
FREE 20 oz. Mtn Dew Baja Blast
14,000 FREE Holiday Gifts from Chewy Claus + FREE Pet Adoptions
FREE Seni Products Sample Pack
FREE 2026 Fancy Feast Holiday Ornament
FREE or Low-Cost Thanksgiving Turkeys Near You
FREE Movie Ticket to Everest: The Other Side
Deals:
Target Deal of the Day Highlights & Upcoming Previews!
Kohl’s Luggage Sales & Deals: Save on Suitcases from Samsonite, American Tourist, and More
Kohl’s Black Friday – Large Yankee Candle Jars ONLY $17.49 (Reg $35)
Craftsman Shop Vacuum 16-Gallon w/ Accessories ONLY $59.98 (Reg $119)
Mainstays Propane Outdoor Patio Heater ONLY $98.50 Shipped at Walmart (Reg $197)
Kohl’s Black Friday – Women’s Boots From $7.99 w/ 20% Off Coupon
Target Early Black Friday – 40% Clothing, Shoes & Accessories (Lowest Prices of the Season!)
Target Early Black Friday Sale – Toys 50% Off + Extra 25% Coupon Stacks!
The Best Target Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deals for 2026 + Today’s Daily Deal
Babylist Universal Baby Registry: The Only Baby Registry You Need
Prime Members Save 20¢ Per Gallon on Gas Each Friday
40% Off Matching Pajamas For The Family at Target
Kohl’s Black Friday – Up to 50% Off on Nike, Adidas, Under Armour & More
CUTE Toddler Clearance Starting at $4.49 at Walmart
The Best Stroller Deals Under $108 at Amazon, Walmart, Target and Others
Best Kohl’s Black Friday 2026 is LIVE – See the Best Deals & $15 Kohl’s Cash TODAY ONLY
Disney Princess Dolls as Low as $6.59 on Amazon (Reg $12)
Best Buy Black Friday Sale is LIVE – Huge Discounts on Electronics and 3 Days of Doorbusters
Pre-Lit 7.5ft Flocked Acacia Christmas Tree ONLY $69.99 (Reg $200) + Free Shipping!
Y’all know I love a good clothing swap. I post as many as I can find and vet each month (I make sure they aren’t scammy, are actually free, etc.), but sometimes you want to do your own. Maybe you are in a fashion niche, a specialty size, or you want to have a specific type of swap.
Here are a few tips that made my clothing swaps a hit:
When you advertise your swap (either in a Facebook group, on Meetup, via email, however you decide), include any item limitations, such as the number of items. For a smaller swap, a sensible item limit is 5-10 items.
To cultivate the best swap possible, ask attendees to leave the stained or ripped items at home. Clothing should be ready to wear. That means no clothing that is pilled, has broken zippers, or missing buttons.
No used undergarments- for hygiene reasons. You may want to ok new undergarments or socks; that’s up to you.
On the day of, arrive early to set up tables and any clothing racks. Extra hangers may be helpful; some people may not bring clothes on hangers.
Sort clothes as they arrive, by size and category, depending on how organized your swap is. This also gives you the chance to weed out anything that is not in good shape. These items can be donated or returned to the person who brought it.
Veterans Day is next week, and this year there are some pretty cool.
Some of these offers require proof of service either via a Military ID Card (active duty or retired) or a DD214.
Since I’m in So Cal, I choose to post offers that are available in my area; however, there are tons more offers available if you live elsewhere in the US. I suggest googling “Veterans Day 2025 and your location”.
As always, contact the local restaurant/store before heading out to confirm that your local locations are participating.
Chili’s: All veterans and active-duty military members get a free meal on November 11 at participating locations. Available in-restaurant only for select items.
Chipotle: On November 11, active-duty U.S. service members and veterans get free chips and their choice of guac, Queso Blanco or salsa with a $5 purchase. Guests can choose between Chipotle’s classic chips or new Chili Lime Chips. The offer is available all day on November 11 at participating locations. Show valid proof of military or veteran status at checkout.
In-n-Out Burger: On November 11, veterans, active duty military, Reserves, and National Guard get a complimentary meal, including any burger, fries, and beverage on In-N-Out Burger’s menu. All current and former members of the U.S. military will also receive a special-edition Veterans Day decal. Present proof of military service.
Sizzler: On November 11, from open until 4 p.m., veterans and active-duty service members can enjoy a complimentary lunch and non-alcoholic beverage. Guests can choose between three dishes: 6oz Tri-Tip Sirloin Steak, Malibu Chicken or half dozen Crispy Shrimp.
Buffalo Wild Wings: On November 11, veterans and active-duty service members get 10 free boneless wings and fries with valid ID. Available for dine-in or, if ordering from a Buffalo Wild Wings GO location, available for walk-in/orders placed at the counter only.
Dave & Buster’s: Free unlimited game play all day and/or free dessert (with entree purchase). Available for veterans and active-duty military with valid ID. Dine-in only.
Outback Steakhouse: Active-duty military and veterans get a free Aussie 3-course meal (starter, select entrée, dessert), dine-in Nov 10–11 with military ID.
Red Robin: Veterans and active-duty military get a complimentary Red’s Big Tavern Burger on November 11 with valid ID. Dine-in only, not valid for online or to-go orders. The free meal also comes with an endless side of steak fries.
Smash Burger: Active-duty military members and veterans get a free All-American Smash on November 11 at participating locations. Offer available only for in-store purchases during regular business hours. Store hours may vary. Show your military or veteran ID.
Free Movie Tickets — Jimmy — The Veteran Tickets Foundation has announced the release of its first $1 million in complimentary movie tickets for JIMMY, opening nationwide on November 6, 2026. The film tells the story of actor and World War II veteran Jimmy Stewart. Eligibility: Active-duty service members, veterans, first responders and their families. Restrictions: Tickets must be requested through Vet Tix. Availability depends on donated ticket allocations and participating theaters. A second ticket release is anticipated in November.
Great Clips: Free haircut on November 11, or a card for a future free haircut. Cards expire December 4, 2026.
Seaworld: Don’t forget about the Waves of Honor tickets! To show their appreciation for those who have served our country, SeaWorld San Diego is offering FREE tickets to SeaWorld San Diego for U.S. Military Veterans and up to three friends or family members. You can also purchase up to six additional tickets at 50% off.
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.
Why am I referring to them as “quests” and not “hustle“?
Hustling indicates moving quickly to earn money. This year, I’m doing a little bit every day, approximately 20 minutes on small surveys and small tasks. I may earn less daily, but overall, I can use small tasks to earn more through compounding.
October was busy! I spent a lot of time doing stuff around the house- purging closets, cleaning the garage, and helping my youngest with their Halloween Costume.
I spend about 20-30 minutes a day completing surveys, scanning receipts, and other tasks. It doesn’t take long, and it helps take a small load off our summer budget.
As always, the links above may be affiliate links, and I might earn money or points if you join any of the above apps or activities. This helps support my blog and family.
If you are interested in my full list of money-saving/money earning activites, I encourage you to check out:
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?
