free

Receipt Hog: Hoggy Holiday Bonus Bash is Here

Abby H.

Receipt Hog is a great app for those starting out on a savings journey. It’s simple to use, and points rack up quickly.

You can download it here and get started.

In the app, snap pictures of all of your receipts from dining out to grocery trips and earn points that you can redeem for gift cards or money via Paypal. Reward options start as low as 1000 Points.

You can also connect your grocery and mass merchandiser accounts to earn extra points.  In addition to points, there is a game called Hog Slots, where you spin the wheel to win extra points.

Right now, through December 31, 2025, you can earn points and spins to earn extra points!

  • Upload 5 e-Receipts: 50 Spins
  • Upload 30 paper receipts: 25 Spins
  • Upload 15 Link Receipts- 25 Spins
  • Complete all the bonuses and earn 100 bonus coins!

 

StackInfluence: Free Products for Micro-Influencers

Abby H.

I’ve been around the micro-influencer sphere for a while.

There have been review programs for influencers since the beginning, and a lot of them have closed due to shady practices or blatant disregarding of website TOS’s.

StackInfluence is different, and pretty easy in my opinion. You sign up, select a campaign, purchase the item via the link provided, review the item as outlined in the campaign, and you are refunded your purchase price via Paypal or Venmo.

I’ve done a few campaigns with them, and reimbursement is super quick- less than an hour after you verify your social media post. And reviews can be honest. I try not to sugarcoat reviews, because if you are spending money on something I tell you is good, you can be assured that it’s genuinely good. That stain remover was not. It was stanky and made my couch look worse.

Most items are for sale on Amazon, but there are a few on Walmart.com, too.  I tend to redeem my rewards/rebate app rewards for Amazon Gift Cards and add them to my account, so when I order stuff through apps like StackInfluence, I’m not paying out of my own pocket for them!

Here are just a few of the newer campaigns I have my eye on:

I have a few artists in my family who would enjoy these Posca markers- If you’ve never used Poscas before, they are amazing Acrylic Paint pens!

And there is a certain Cryptid lover in my house who would love this BigFoot shirt.

If you have an Instagram or Tiktok account and you’d love to try new products, check out StackInfluence.

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.

11/28/2025 Freebies and Deals: Black Friday Edition

Abby H.

While I am not partaking in Black Friday, I know a lot of you do, so here are some deals (and freebies) that might excite you.

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 outside my area.

 

Freebies:

FREE Crown Royal Military Care Package for Our Troops
FREE WaterWipes Fresh & Soothed Set
FREE Snowball Classic Cookie at Insomnia Cookies + Win FREE Cookies for a Year
FREE Magnesium Spray
FREE Animal Creatine HMB+ Powder
FREE Handcrafted Beverage at Capital One Cafe
FREE 42 oz. La Colombe Cold Brew at Target
FREE $25 Purchase at Ulta After Cash Back
FREE Perdue Holiday Nuggets & Collectible Plate on November 28th
Get Free Christian Items by Mail and How These Resources Can Help Nourish Your Spiritual Journey
FREE Rare Breed Dog Treats Intro Pack
FREE Ethel Lapel Pin + FREE Shipping
List of Stores and Brands That Give Away Freebies During Black Friday: 2025
FREE Blue Buffalo Love Made Fresh Tender Meatballs Chatterbox Kit
FREE Starbucks Drink for New Rewards Members
FREE Lowe’s Bucket of Gifts on Black Friday + Chance at a FREE Major Appliance Worth $2,000
FREE McCormick Products
T-Mobile Tuesdays – FREE 8×10 at CVS, FREE 7-Select Snack & More
FREE Bvlgari Man in Black Fragrance Sample
How to Get Free Beauty Samples Without Spending a Dime
FREE Sample of EltaMD UV Clear and UV Daily Deep Tinted SPF
FREE Stonemill Kitchens Holiday Dips Chatterbuy Kit
FREE Photo with Santa at PetSmart on December 13th & 14th
FREE Coffee at Sheetz Through November 30th
Black Friday Food Deals & Freebies On Coffee, Fast Food, Gift Cards and More: 2025
FREE Beech-Nut Products
FREE Ethel Bandana + FREE Shipping

 

Deals:

Carter’s Clothing Sets ALL $8.99 – Kohl’s Black Friday Doorbuster Deal
Sephora Black Friday Sale – Gifts Under $25, 50% Off Fragrances, Free Shipping and More
We Found The Best Black Friday and Cyber Week Streaming Deals: 2025 Edition
Here Are The Best Black Friday Deals Vetted By Our Deal Experts: Amazon, Kohl’s, Walmart and More! (2025)
Toastmaster Small Appliances ONLY $8.98 at Kohl’s (Reg $25)
Black Friday Sale: Blackstone Adventure Ready 2-Burner Grill ONLY $157 (Reg $224) at Walmart
Amazon Black Friday – Up to 79% Off Beauty Products
JCPenney Black Friday Doorbuster – Bras for ONLY $9.99
Macy’s Black Friday 2025 is LIVE – Up to 80% Off Bedding, Toys, Clothing & More
The Best Target Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deals for 2025 + Today’s Daily Deal
Macy’s Black Friday – $15 Beauty Gift Sets ($75 value!)
Walgreens Black Friday 2025 – Save Up to 50% on Beauty Sets, Toys, Household & More
Walmart Black Friday Sale: Apple AirPods 4 ONLY $69 (Reg $130)
Black Friday Sale: VIZIO 65” Class 4K UHD Limited Edition Smart TV ONLY $228 (Reg $448) at Walmart
Black Friday Deal – Carote 10pc Pots and Pans Set ONLY $79.99 (Reg $139.99)

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!

OTC Benefits with Medicare and Medicaid!

Abby H.

I learned the other day that some Medicare and Medicaid plans have a benefit where you can receive an allowance to purchase OTC medicines and devices to help you stay healthy. From what I’ve found, Medi-Cal (THat’s what Medicaid in CA is called) is not included in this, sadly.

To see if your plan has an allowance called an OTC health solution or OTCHS, check with your Medicare or Medicaid plan. For those with Medicare, it is often covered under Part D.

CVS is one pharmacy where you can use your allowance. They accept the following plans:

• OTC Health Solutions

  • S3
  • OTC Network
  • Nations Benefits
  • And many more

Walgreens also offers a service similar to CVS. In fact, Walgreens has a complete section on its website where you can shop for items covered by this program.

Over-the-counter medicines like pain relievers, eye drops, gas relievers, first aid supplies, vitamins, and oral care, just to name a few.

If your plan offers this feature, have you taken advantage of it before? What types of items do you purchase?

California and Utah Residents: No Cost Wellness Kits for Medicaid members!

Abby H.

I found out about Stay Well US recently while researching for another post. This offer is 100% free and is only for those with Medicaid (Remember, in California, Medicaid is called Medi-Cal).

If you live in California or Utah and you have Medicaid, this offer is for you!

Stay Well US has three types of wellness kits available for free:

The process to obtain any of these is easy:

  • Submit a Quick Form: Tell Stay Well a little about your health needs.
  • They Verify Coverage: They work directly with Medicaid, so there’s no cost to you.
  • Receive Your Kit: Your approved COVID tests and wellness items are delivered discreetly and securely.

These offers have no out-of-pocket cost to you. As I find more deals and offers like this, I will post them.

11/15/2025 Weekly Freebies!

Abby H.

The deals this week are not dealin’, so it’s an OOPS All Freebies edition.

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 outside my area.

This first Freebie is OMG amazing, and if you live near a JCPenney and have a kid, you need to go do it! FREE LEGO Creator 3-in-1 Toucan or Monster Truck Craft Kit at JCPenney (December 13th)

Freebies:

FREE Letter Box Build Event for Kids at Lowe’s- Going on today!
FREE LEGO Tom the Turkey Build Event at Toys R Us in Macy’s– Going on today!
FREE Catalyst Protein Bar
7 FREE K-Beauty Sheet Masks
FREE Chipotle with Chipotle U Rivalry Week
FREE Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm at Sephora After Cash Back
FREE Hot Sandwich at Love’s Travel Stops
FREE Holiday Magic Events at Target
FREE LEGO Plum Blossom Flower Set After Cash Back
FREE Sample of Garlique Garlic Supplement
FREE $10 Off + FREE Shipping at e.l.f.
Free Dog Food Samples: 7 Companies that Will Send You Free Dog Samples by Mail
FREE L’Occitane Karite Confort Ultra Rich Body Cream
FREE Emergen-C Vitamin C Powder After Walmart Cash – Up to 3
Free Chick-fil-A: The Chick-fil-A Hacks You Need to Know – Yes, It Includes FREE Chicken!
Lots of Freebies for Moms: The Freebie List I Wish I Had When I Became a Mom
FREE Frozen Drink at Casey’s Every Friday thru December
Black Friday Food Deals & Freebies On Coffee, Fast Food, Gift Cards and More: 2025
FREE Amy’s Kitchen Products with Instacart – Up to $12
FREE 2026 Snort Calendar
FREE TheraBreath Toothpaste
Burger King Perks Week – FREE Chicken Sandwich, Cini Minis, Whopper Jr, Cheeseburger & More
FREE Barilla Pesto Savor The Creaminess Party Kit
We Found The Best Birthday Freebies For Kids
FREE Salonpas Lidocaine FLEX Patch Sample
FREE LUNCHABLES Kit
Big List of 110 Restaurants to Get Free Food
FREE Autobrush Sonic Pro Toothbrush for Kids or Adults
Get Free Beauty Product Samples With Topbox Circle
FREE Simply Pop Prebiotic Soda Chatterbuy Kit
FREE Medium Fries at McDonalds – Every Friday
FREE Cali XL Burger at Carl’s Jr.
FREE 6-Piece Chicken Nuggets Every Wednesday at Wendy’s
FREE Ethel-On-The-Go Luggage Tag + FREE Shipping
FREE Clorox Gift of Clean Gift Pack & a 2 Hour In-Home Cleaning Service
FREE Candy Crush Upside Down Lollipop
Free Photo with Santa, Giveaways & More at Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s

San Diego, CA Area- JFS Food Distributions!

Abby H.

Jewish Family Services is here to help those who have lost their benefits because of the government shutdown.

Emergency Nutrition Assistance

If you or someone you care about has been impacted by the government shutdown or the halting of SNAP benefits, please know that you’re not alone. Every Wednesday, JFS will provide supplemental groceries—including non-perishables, pantry staples, and fresh produce—until the shutdown ends.

 Pre-registration is not required.

Wednesdays, 4:00 – 6:00pm
Supplies are limited. First-come, first-served.

Jewish Family Service
JOAN & IRWIN JACOBS CAMPUS
Turk Family Center
8804 Balboa Avenue, San Diego, CA 92123

 

If you are looking for other times and locations for free food distributions in San Diego County, check my page here. 

Nothing Bundt Cake BOGO Free Bundlet Offer!

Abby H.

One of my kids’ favorite treats is a Nothing Bundt Cake Bundlet.

If you are a member of the Nothing Bundt Cake E-Club, check your email for a Buy one, get one free offer!

Now through 11/16, you can score a free bundlet when you buy one at regular price in-store or via their app for in-store pick-up. Make sure to check your email for the coupon code/barcode to use in-store!

And if you haven’t signed up for their e-club yet, now is a great time. In addition to BOGO deals, you also score a bundlet of your choice for your birthday!