Love samples? Check out PinchMe! Join PINCHme and receive free samples that you can provide feedback on.
PinchMe is awesome! Once you are signed up, they will email you reminders when new samples are about to drop, and remind you when it’s time to leave feedback.
Answer a series of questions about your household and shopping habits in the Member Profile. PinchMe learns what you like and offers samples just for you.
Once you’ve had a chance to try the samples, complete a short feedback survey to tell PinchMe what you think of the samples.
I get PinchMe samples every month. Here is a box that I recently received.
What are you waiting for? Sign up here and get on the free sample bandwagon! I’ve gotten all kinds of awesome sample/trial size items, as well as full-sized items to try out from PinchMe!
This October 1-31, kids 12 and under receive free admission at many arts, cultural, and science museums and historical sites in San Diego County.
For those of us with curious kids, this is perfect! Kids can get into over 40 museums in the San Diego area for free with paying adults (all the info can be found here).
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.
I’ve been a fan of Tryazon for about 7 years. It’s an amazing company that works with manufacturers of toys, games, food, and recreational/sporting goods. Manufacturers supply their goods to consumers to try out and review for free.
The kids and I have received toys, games, craft kits, and art supplies to test and have fun with.
Right now, Tryazon has a sampling opportunity to apply for!
Taste Republic brings premium, fresh pasta that everyone can enjoy in this Tryazon Featured TryaBox opportunity, from Taste Republic Foods! Pick two of their incredible fresh, premium pasta that cooks in 3 minutes! Taste Republic pasta is gluten free and made with the best, clean ingredients so everyone can have the same amazing pasta without sacrificing taste and texture. Pick from a wide variety of flavors including: Cauliflower Linguini, Four Cheese Tortelloni, Red Lentil Fusilli, Egg Noodles and many more!
Tryazon has 200 sampling spots open for this opportunity! Those selected get to receive a TryaBox with two coupons for FREE Taste Republic fresh pastas to be picked up at your locals store to sample and review at home – no party needed!
I was so sick last week- I didn’t have the energy to post anything on the blog, or on social media. I’m finally feeling better, and now it’s time for some awesome freebies and deals.
Here are some freebies and deals that are available year-round!
You know what I have a lot of? Paper documents that need to be shredded. I found tax returns from the early 2000’s the other day while looking for an envelope.
If you’re in the same boat, here are some free local paper shredding events coming up this fall:
Santee Fall 2026 Community Clean Up and Shred Event Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026 Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM Location: Santee City Hall, 10601 Magnolia Avenue, Santee, CA 92071 More information about the event is available here.
City of El Cajon Shred Event Date: November 14, 2026 Time: 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM Location: Wells Park, 1153 E. Madison Avenue
City residents may drop off personal documents to be shredded on site by certified shredding trucks. Limit two banker’s boxes per resident.
Be prepared to show proof of residency with a driver’s license or a utility bill. More information about the event is available here.
Residential Clean Up Event (Julian, CA) Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026 Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Location: Julian Library (1850 CA-78, Julian, CA 92036). All of the event details can be found here.
September is National Potato Month. I love potatoes- they are full of nutrients, they are inexpensive, and a bag of taters lasts a while if kept in a dry, dark cabinet.
Here are a few family recipes that involve potatoes that are the best.
September is Library Card Sign-up Month! If you don’t have a card, it’s one of the easiest things you can do to open the door to free (and cheap) entertainment.
Not only can you check out books in the library, but you can also gain access to apps like Libby, where you can borrow digital books, audiobooks, and digital magazines.
The following benefits are available from the San Diego County and City of San Diego Library networks. Check with your local library to see what benefits and events they host!
Get out on the Town: Reserve free or low-cost family day passes to local museums and attractions (like the New Children’s Museum, Museum of Us, and San Diego Museum of Art) using your San Diego Public Library or San Diego County Library card.
Digital Research Databases: Use your library card for free access to online subscriptions, language learning software, and digital archives.
Skill-Building & Wellness Classes: Access free instructional classes covering healthy aging, programs for adults with disabilities, and wellness activities like yoga or meditation.
Learning for the whole family: ABC Mouse is available for free with your library card, and it’s a great resource for young kids. There are resources for kids of all ages, including help with homework!
Free Events: Most local library systems host free events. Our local branch hosts activities for kids, families, teens (laser tag once a month at the library after hours!), and seniors. There are tons of events every month– scroll through and find something that interests you!
If you are looking for a protein product for the dairy-free person in your family, take a look at Orgain. Their products are free of animal products. My youngest doesn’t digest milk proteins too well, so when I was looking for a protein drink to supplement with (ADHD sometimes leads to delayed hunger cues, and when it’s time to consume calories, it needs to be done NOW), I turned to Orgain.
Their premade shakes are great! They come in a bunch of great flavors, and now for Labor Day, Orgain is having a sweet sale.
25% off sitewide and a FREE mystery gift on orders $100+.