UCSD Eyemobile for Children- Free Eye Exams and Glasses!

The UCSD Eyemobile for Children will be making its way around San Diego County this month offering free eye exams and free eyeglasses to kids 3-16-years old. Call to make an appointment (858)822-2585.

  • Chula Vista 10/13/2020
  • National City 10/15/2020
  • City Heights 10/20/2020
  • Barrio Logan 10/22/2020
  • El Cajon 10/27/2020

For more information, please visit their website. Thanks to Lena at San Diego Regional Center for the heads up on this program!

 

And if you are looking for freebies and deals on glasses and contacts for adults, check out my post here from July 2020.

10/5/2020 Weekly Meal Plan!

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgI’ve started doing weekly meal planning on Sundays, but yesterday was a busy day, so I didn’t have a chance to post.

It’s easier to do it while I’m writing up the weekly calendar/schedule and prepping the snack box for the week.

I didn’t have a chance to shop over the weekend, so this morning after school drop off, I’m hitting up Food4Less for a few things. I stocked up on fresh fruit last week (there was a produce giveaway locally, and that filled both fruit bowls). Big Kid has requested home made apple sauce, so I’m going to make it this morning as well as Kodiak Chocolate Muffins.  The free school lunches that our school is providing gives us some yummy stuff the kids like (baby carrots, milk, and apple slices to name a few), and the stuff that they don’t care for or contains meat we share with some of our friends who have kiddos that aren’t able to stop and pick up free lunches.

For those of you that are new to meal planning, I’ve got an easy 101 style post here with super easy tips and steps. After you get that down, here is info about batch or freezer cooking.

I’ve gotten a pretty good inventory of the pantry, freezer, and fridge done (I update it after every shopping trip), so I’m able to plan meals and use up what we’ve got with little waste. If you are looking for kitchen inventory printable, I like the kitchen inventories here. They are great printables.

I only post our dinner plans for the week, because our other meals are usually the same each day.

Breakfast: Coffee with 1/2 and 1/2  for me, and pancakes or something along those lines for the kids (they love the Kodiak Cakes Mix).  I also keep sandwich Ziploc bags of other frozen fruit on hand to make the kids smoothies when they request them (a few times per week). Berries, peaches, and mangos are pretty popular. recently the Big Kid has been on a protein shake kick in the AM.

Lunches will be whatever the kids want for the time being. The big kid has lunch at school, so it’s whatever he chooses from the lunch box in the cupboard, plus some fruit and juice or milk. Since the little girl is in the morning cohort at school, she has lunch at home. Buttered noodles, yogurt, apple slices, and a popsicle are her go-to lunch.

Usually, I do a crockpot meal on Mondays, but now that we are home all the time, we’ve been having an odd combination of fully home-cooked, scratch meals, and frozen entrees and veggies. I have been posting our meal plans on Instagram too- As well as pics of stuff we are doing to keep busy.

  • Sunday:  Leftover Extravaganza
  • Monday:  Entrees & Salad
  • Tuesday:  Pancakes and fruit
  • Wednesday:   Patty Melts made with Veggie Burgers
  • Thursday: Salsa Chicken and veggies
  • Friday:  Pizza Night!
  • Saturday: Breakfast for Dinner  (I’ve been itching to make blueberry waffles with vanilla ice cream)

Please stay safe you guys! The sooner we flatten the curve, the sooner life can go back to normal- whatever that means.

Talk Back: What are you cooking for dinner this week?

10/24/2020 Free Paper Shredding Event! (San Diego and LA)

 

If you are like us, you’ve been doing a lot of cleaning and organizing during the quarantine. That might mean you’ve got a box of paperwork to dispose of. Thankfully, North Island Credit Union and California Credit Union are hosting a Shred Day on October 24, 2020 from 9am-2pm at the following locations-

LOS ANGELES

  • Glendale HQ 701 N. Brand Blvd. Glendale, CA 91203
  • Rosenell Branch 420 N. Rosenell Terrace Los Angeles, CA 90026

SAN DIEGO

  • San Diego HQ 5898 Copley Dr. San Diego, CA 92111
  • South Bay Branch 45 N. Broadway Chula Vista, CA 91910

Shred Day will be a PAPER ONLY event. No electronic items will be processed.
At this contactless drive-thru event,   all members must stay in their vehicles and have their shred items packaged in a bag(s) or box(es) in their back seat or trunk.

Earning Money with Surveys!

Kitty is on the prowl for surveys!

I know a lot of us right now are unemployed or underemployed. There are a lot of Get Rich Quick scams out there (here are few to avoid), and I wanted to share with you some ways you can earn money at home in a legit way.

I do a lot of surveys online through various companies. Some of my favorites can be found here on my Side Hustles page.

Recently, a few more survey companies have been brought to my attention, so I thought I’d share them too.

Inbox Dollars is a company where you can earn cash by doing the following:

    • Online activities: Take Surveys, Watching Videos, Shopping, and More.

And when you sign up, you get a $5 bonus!

 

Kashkick is another company that I’ve heard about from several readers and friends.

Receive cashback from Kashkick when you read emails, complete surveys, take quizzes, referring your friend, and subscribing to special promotions.

 

 

LifePoints comes highly recommended by my friend Lisa.

Join one of the largest influencer communities in the world. They’ve rewarded over $20 million to our members in the last year alone.

Share your opinions on numerous products and popular brands. Complete surveys and get paid for it!

Earn points that can be redeemed for rewards of your choice. Join today and get 10 LifePoints to kick off your earnings!

I’ve been a member of MyPoints for over 10 years. In addition to using Mypoints to shop online to use points, you can earn points for searching the web, reading emails and visiting websites.

I earn about $15/month using Mypoints for my online shopping, in addition to surveys, and reading emails from them.

 

Opinion Outpost is another company that comes highly recommended.

Someone contacted me via my Facebook page and during the course of our chat, he told me he makes approx. $400 USD per WEEK using Opinion Outpost. Ok, so obviously this isn’t common, but, if you have a lot of time to dedicate to surveys and doing work online, anything is possible!

10/2/2020 Friday Freebies & Deals

bright boxes

This Friday’s freebies and deals: This week is chock full of Freebies! I’m stoked. Both kids are back to school (part-time), so I’ve got a little wiggle room in the morning to get some writing and deal-hunting done! Also, now it’s October- Time to get Spoopy!

If you find a cool deal or freebie, please leave a comment!

Free Chips and Guacamole at Rubio’s

Free Red Chocolate Bar at Walmart

Free Digital Issue of Clean Eating Magazine

Free Ice Cream at Baskin Robbins

Free Sample of Wanderer Eau de Parfum

Free MegaFood Women’s One Daily Multivitamin Soft Chews

Make Money from Home

Free Taco at Rubio’s

Free Tub of Enfamil NeuroPro

Free $3 VUDU Movie Credit

Free Cards Direct Greeting Cards

FREE Amazon Baby Box Samples Back in Stock

Free Beauty Spatty Tools Spatula

Free Sample of Giorgio Armani My Way Fragrance

Free Sample of La Roche-Posay SPF 60 Melt-In Sunscreen Milk

Free Pint of Nightfood Ice Cream

Free 1 Year ShopRunner Membership

Free Copy of Amazing Me It’s Busy Being 3! Book

Free Coloring Book for Adults App

 

Deals:

Get A Slice for $5.00 on October 1st at The Cheesecake Factory

3 Grilled Chicken Tacos for ONLY $2.49 at Del Taco

Starting Friday 10/2, Get $10 Off $40 at Cheesecake Factory

Buy 2 Get 1 FREE Footlong Subs at Subway

Buy 1 Get 1 FREE Boneless Wings at Buffalo Wild Wings

Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub ONLY $3.69 (Reg. $9)

Germ-X Hand Sanitizer In Stock – Large 32oz Bottles NOW $3.99

LEGO Disney Frozen II Olaf Kit ONLY $7.99 (Reg. $15)

Essentials Cotton Bath Towel ONLY $2.80 (Reg $8)

Disney Toy Story 4 Add-A-Charm Jewelry Set ONLY $5.99 (Reg $15)

Gaming headsets with Noise Canceling Mic ONLY $16.99 (Reg $30)

Melissa & Doug Luke & Lucy Twin Dolls ONLY $20.99 (Reg $40)

 

Sad News! Radial Insight Receipt Rewards Program is Ending!

I received an email earlier today and I’m bummed, but honestly, I’m not all that surprised. Like all awesome programs that pay well, they have to come to an end.

Unfortunately, the Receipt Rewards program will be ending on October 1, 2020. Current members can continue to take advantage of the other great programs, including traditional email surveys and Radial Insight On Demand.

After October 1st, rewards will no longer be issued for submitted receipts. For instructions for deleting the Receipt Rewards browser extension, please click here if you use Chrome, or click here if you use Firefox.

If you are on the hunt for some easy to do rewards programs, I suggest UpVoice (more info here).

San Diego, CA Free Event! All Inclusive Day of Play & Resource Fair

The Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego is hosting its 3rd annual All Inclusive Day of Play & Resource Fair.

This Interactive Drive-Thru event is FREE for families this fall!

On Sunday, October 11 from 1 to 4 pm at the Salvation Army Kroc Center, 6845 University Avenue, San Diego, 92115 (enter off Aragon Dr.), families from around the county are invited to drive through our interactive event and gather information from resource providers for families with all abilities.

Sign up for your family’s FREE tickets on Eventbrite now! 

All attendees are encouraged to stop and participate as a family pod at themed activity stations. All families who drive through the “course” will be entered into our raffle giveaway to win fun prizes.

Children of all abilities can enjoy activity stations including a Star Wars Light Saber Craft, Ollivanders Wand Shop, a free book at the Literacy Duck Pond, and more!

All activities and resources are FREE and open to the public.

Please note! All COVID-19 guidelines will be strictly enforced, including requiring facemasks for everyone at this event (booth vendors and attendees in cars) and social distancing.

9/25/2020 Friday Freebies & Deals

bright boxes

This Friday’s freebies and deals: This week is chock full of Freebies! I’m stoked. Both kids are back to school (part time), so I’ve got a little wiggle room in the morning to get some writing and deal hunting done!

If you find a cool deal or freebie, please leave a comment!

Freebies

Free Sample of IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation
Free Sample of MMMints
Free Walmart Welcome Baby Registry Box
Free Sample of Suave Professionals for Natural Hair
Free Atelier Cologne Perfume Stories Mini Set
Free Snickers Bar (Walmart Gift Card) for Essential Workers
Free Medium Fries w/ Any $1 Purchase at McDonalds – Every Friday
Free FandangoNOW Credit for Roku Users
Free Loaf of Schar Gluten-Free Bread
Free Unbun Foods Keto-Friendly Baguette
Free Enspice Seasonings & Spices
Free Eye Drops
Free Uncle Bud’s Hemp Product

Deals:

Green Toys Flower Maker Dough Set ONLY $12.65 (Reg. $25)
Fisher-Price Baby Bunny Massage Set ONLY $15.99 (Reg. $30)
Green Toys Train ONLY $15.59 (Reg. $30)
Touchless Digital Infrared Thermometer for ONLY $9.99 RUN DEAL
LEGO Creator 3in1 Twin Rotor Helicopter ONLY $39.97 (Reg $60)
HP Chromebooks on Sale for $144 RUN
Asus 10.1-In Convertible Chromebook Flip ONLY $149.99
Acer 11.6-In Dual-Core 16GB Chromebooks From $129.99 – $144.99
Choose Your Own Adventure: House of Danger Game $13.49 (Reg $25)
Mega Bloks 80-Piece Building Set ONLY $14.90 on Amazon (Reg $25)
MUK LUKS Morty Ragg Wool Slipper Sock ONLY $23.99 (Reg. $40)
Harry Potter Pop-Up Advent Calendar ONLY $27.99 (Reg. $40)
Kalorik 12qt Analog Air Fryer Oven ONLY $49.99 (Reg $120)
Premium Original Saltine Crackers 6-Pack ONLY $11.50 Shipped
Christmas Pearl Earrings ONLY $1 Shipped
Baby Shark Kids Weighted Blanket ONLY $14.97 (Reg $50)
Disney Frozen Magical Discovery Elsa Doll ONLY $13.31 (Reg. $25)
Baby Alive Shimmer n Splash Mermaid ONLY $10 (Reg. $20)
Converse Shoes as Low as $16.00 at Kohl’s (Reg. $40)

 

October is Kids Go Free Month!

October is a great time to be a kid in San Diego!

This October 1-31, kids 12 and under receive free admission at many art, cultural, and science museums and historical sites in San Diego County. This year may be a little different with closures due to COVID-19, so please call each attraction prior to visiting.

For those of us with curious kids, this is perfect! Kids can get into over 40 museums in the San Diego area free with paying adults (all the info can be found here).

Some of the participating organizations include:

Birch Aquarium at Scripps
Fleet Science Center (Galleries only)
Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum
Heritage of the Americas Museum
Japanese Friendship Garden
Living Coast Discovery Center
Maritime Museum of San Diego
Marston House Museum & Gardens
Mingei International Museum
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
Museum of Making Music
Museum of Photographic Arts
San Diego Air & Space Museum
San Diego Automotive Museum
San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum
San Diego Chinese Historical Museum
San Diego History Center
San Diego Model Railroad Museum
San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat)
Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center
Timken Museum of Art (it’s always free for everyone FYI)
Women’s Museum of California

A full list can be found here. Oh, and as part of free October, Kids can get into the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park free when accompanied by a paying adult!  Other Kids go free attractions include: Legoland, Sea World, and the USS Midway!!

*Some museums charge fees for special exhibitions, programs or films. Some museums may limit offer use to once per month per guest. Purchase of a Balboa Park Explorer Pass does not qualify as a paid adult admission for the Kids Free in October program. Purchase of a Go San Diego Pass or card does not qualify as a paid adult admission for the Kids Free in October program at most museums; call museum(s) before visiting to enquire. 

Rubio’s: Free Kids Meal!

This popped into my inbox this morning and I had to share. Every Wednesday in September when you order an adult Entree, you can score a kids meal at Rubio’s FREE. Log onto the Rubio’s app for the QR/coupon code and for details/restrictions.

One free kids meal per order, expires 9/30/2020.

This is perfect for me and the littlest kiddo- she loves Quesadillas!