frugal living

AARP: Awesome Discounts!

Abby H.

Did you know you don’t have to be a senior citizen to join AARP?

Seriously. I’m 45 and I’ve been a member for 2 years.

Did you know that with an AARP membership, you can score discounts and deals on travel, car buying services, and even a lower price on your cell phone contract?

Perhaps my favorite deal is saving money at Denny’s. The cost of membership pays for itself when I take the kids to Denny’s twice in one year.

AARP provides many opportunities to save money, play, learn, and volunteer. And right now when you join here, you get a free gift. Your Choice-pick your FREE gift – Insulated Trunk Organizer or 6-Port Power and USB Charging Donut.

 

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8/5/2024 Weekly Meal Plan

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgThis week I’m starting the back to school prep. Littlest Kiddo’s Bestie is visiting for a few more days, and I’m trying to cram in as much summer fun as I can, while staying on budget.

Thanks to the great freebies from Social Nature and Aisle, we’ve been trying new foods lately. It’s fun to try new foods.

If you 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 good inventory of the pantry, freezer, and fridge (I try to update it after every shopping trip), so I plan meals and use up what we’ve got with little waste.

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

Breakfast: I’ve been really into protein coffee lately. It helps me hit my protein goals and keeps me full until lunch. I use premade protein shakes like these and these. The kids request bagels and fruit most mornings. The big kid is on a smoothie kick, and is favorites can be found here. 

Lunch: I have a plastic tote full of self-serve snacks. I buy treats and snacks in bulk and fill up snack-sized zip-top bags. We eat lunch at home most of the time over the summer. Sometimes we take advantage of the kid’s free summer lunches (info here).

Dinner: It’s so hot here in Southern California, that I’m trying hard not to turn on the oven. We’re enjoying a lot of ready-to-eat sides (chips and fruit), so that time in the kitchen is minimized.

  • Sunday:  Snack Trays and smoothies
  • Monday: Bean, Rice, and cheese burritos

  • Tuesday: Dream Dinner, fruit salad

  • Wednesday: Chef Salad and smoothies

  • Thursday: Breakfast for Dinner (eggs, hashbrowns, fruit, toast)

  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday: Leftover Palooza

Free Fun at JCPenney’s Kid Zone (8/10/2024 & 9/14/2024)

Abby H.1 Comment

Y’all know I love JCP. They have great sales, an incredible loyalty program, and the Kids Zone!

The Kids Zone is an in-store program where kids can make and take a free craft in-store once a month.

Parents receive a 10% off in-store coupon. The best part is that the 10% off coupon can be stacked with other JCP coupons.

August’s craft is a cute pencil pouch and notebook!

Find your closest JCP location here.

And if you are a teacher, JCP is offering a 35% off coupon. You can learn more and sign up here. 

 

Need Help with Back to School Supplies?

Abby H.

The Larry Himmel Neighborhood Foundation is here to help!

For the past eight years, they have been hosting our annual Back-To-School Haircut Drive, where kids aged 18 and under can enjoy:
Free haircuts
Free school supplies
Free food
Tickets to local attractions throughout San Diego County

Event Details:
Date: Saturday, August 10
Time: 9am – 1pm (Last haircut starts at 12:30pm)
Location: Skyline Church (11330 Campo Rd, La Mesa, CA 91941)

For more information, check out their Facebook Page. 

SMOAC is hosting a FREE BACKPACK GIVEAWAY on 8/3/2024. More info can be found here.

Free School Supplies is a website with listings by state of charities and non-profits that provide free and low-cost school supplies.

If you are a military family, check out Operation Homefront. They have Back-to-School Brigade events all over the country.

 

Free Backpack Giveaway- 8/3/2024

Abby H.1 Comment

It’s back for 2024!

This event is SUPER popular, and supplies run out quickly.

A  backpack and school supply giveaway courtesy of SMOAC on August 3, 2024 at Rio Seco School in Santee. It is a drive-thru event.

I’m working on collecting more info on Back to School giveaways, and I’ll have another post coming up soon!

Saving Money with Honey!

Abby H.

I love saving money. We all do, right? No one shows off when they overpay for something.

Lemme tell y’all about Honey! You’ve probably heard about them as they love to sponsor YouTube videos and other bloggers. Honey is a Browser extension, it takes a few minutes to download and install.

Honey has the coupon code hook up. They can help you with coupons or earning cashback. Honey works with thousands of websites from JCPenney to Walmart to Kohls.

I’ve been using Honey since 2020. I’ve saved over $1000, and earned about $300 in cash back, combined with my credit card cash back, rebate apps, and other offers I’ve combined.  What clinched Honey for me was saving $145 on my son’s bed.

I was checking my browser extensions last night, and realized I had some Honey Points sitting in my Honey account! I cashed them out for $15.29 to my Paypal account!

That’s a trip to Starbucks for me and the kiddos! They will be surprised with a fun treat, and it’s essentially free!

Honey is quick, easy, and unobtrusive. To learn more, or download the Honey Browser extension for Chrome, click here.

7/28/2024: Weekly Meal Plan!

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgI am trying hard to keep my grocery budget at $100 weekly for the foreseeable future. It’s super rough, but I’ll be cooking from scratch, and reaching into the freezer and pantry to use up what we’ve got and keep our out-of-pocket for groceries down.

I picked up a a few drinks and some smoothie ingredients courtesy of Aisle, and it’s been fun trying new beverages with my lunches.

Thanks to the great freebies from Social Nature, we’ve been trying new foods lately. It’s fun to try new foods.

If you 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 good inventory of the pantry, freezer, and fridge (I try to update it after every shopping trip), so I plan meals and use up what we’ve got with little waste.

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

Breakfast: I’ve been really into protein coffee lately. It helps me hit my protein goals and keeps me full until lunch. I use premade protein shakes like these and these. The kids request bagels and fruit most mornings. The big kid is on a smoothie kick, and is favorites can be found here. 

Lunch: I have a plastic tote full of self-serve snacks. I buy treats and snacks in bulk and fill up snack-sized zip-top bags. We eat lunch at home most of the time over the summer. Sometimes we take advantage of the kid’s free summer lunches (info here).

Dinner: It’s so hot here in Southern California, that I’m trying hard not to turn on the oven. We’re enjoying a lot of ready-to-eat sides (chips and fruit), so that time in the kitchen is minimized.

  • Sunday:  Quesadillas, rice, fruit
  • Monday: Grilled Cheese sandwiches (cheese of your choice), fruit, chips

  • Tuesday: Dream Dinner, fruit salad

  • Wednesday: Tamales,  beans & rice

  • Thursday: Turkey Sandwiches, chips, fruit

  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday: Leftover Palooza

7/26/2024 Weekend Freebies and Deals!

Abby H.

This week was a lot- Half Price games at Dave & Buster’s on Wednesday, Playing with friends at the park, swimming, and of course, trying to stay cool while we have some hot (and moist) summer weather.

If you are looking for stuff to do this summer, check out my 2024 guide to a fun, frugal Summer Break. It’s San Diego County-specific, but there are many great ideas if you aren’t local to me.

The 2024 Birthday Freebie post is here! Check this article out and sign up for birthday freebies at least 2-3 weeks before your birthday.

My comprehensive list can be found here if you are looking for free food resources. It is focused on San Diego County, but additional resources are outside my area.

This week the freebies are a bit light, but with school starting soon, I think the freebies will start ramping up.

Freebies:

Free Cinnamon Sugar or Original Pretzel at Auntie Anne’s – Today
Free Burger Every Friday at Burger King
Free Pulled Pork Sandwich Dickey’s Barbecue Pit – Today Only
Free 8×10 Photo Print at Walgreens – Last Day
Free Sample of Beggin Dog Treats, EverRoot Soft Chews, Fancy Feast Broths & NEW Purina ONE Wet Food Coupon
Free Sample of Avatara Kombucha The Wake-Up Call Eye Cream
Free Donut Every Tuesday & Free Iced Coffee Every Friday in July at Krispy Kreme
Free Sample of Organifi Green Juice 15
Free Air-Dry Clay Rings Craft Event at Michaels
Free Medium Fries w/ Any $1 Purchase at McDonalds – Every Friday
Free Can of Doctor D’s Sparkling Probiotic Drink After Coupon Rebate
Free The Last Kids on Earth Welcome Kit
Score a Subscription to Real Simple Magazine – No Credit Card Needed
Free Fries Every Friday at Wendy’s

Deals:

Free Axe Body Wash
Up to 60% Off Outdoor Furniture + Free Shipping
Kate Spade Kristi Crossbody ONLY $69 (Reg $249)
Wet n Wild Makeup & Brushes as low as $0.60 Shipped on Amazon
Target Kid Boots as low as $14
Style & Co Women’s Boots as low as $9.93 at Macy’s
Melissa and Doug Toys up to 70% Off
Flash Sale: 60% Off Swimwear for the Family
Wayfair: Up to 80% Off Area Rugs + Free Shipping
Arm and Hammer Detergent Buy 1 Get 2 Free
Doorbusters Sale at JCPenney: Save up to 60% Off Select Styles

It’s Dinner Time: Weekly Meal Plan

Abby H.

This week;s dinner are going to slap. I think that’s what the kids say.

I picked up a bunch of free drinks courtesy of Aisle, and it’s been fun trying new beverages with my lunches.

Thanks to the great freebies from Social Nature, we’ve been trying new foods lately. It’s fun to try new foods.

If you 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 good inventory of the pantry, freezer, and fridge (I try to update it after every shopping trip), so I plan meals and use up what we’ve got with little waste.

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

Breakfast: I’ve been really into protein coffee lately. It helps me hit my protein goals and keeps me full until lunch. I use premade protein shakes like these and these. The kids request bagels and fruit most mornings. Lately, the big kid has been digging protein shakes in the morning. This is his favorite kind. 

Lunch: I have a plastic tote full of self-serve snacks. I buy treats and snacks in bulk and fill up snack-sized zip-top bags. We eat lunch at home most of the time over the summer. Sometimes we take advantage of the kid’s free summer lunches (info here).

Dinner: I’m back in the kitchen again and the CSA boxes are coming weekly. I’ve got all kinds of plans for batch-cooking soups and stews over the coming weeks.

  • Sunday:  Sloppy Joes, chips, fruit
  • Monday: Breakfast for dinner: eggs, hashbrowns, bacon, apples slices

  • Tuesday: Dream Dinner

  • Wednesday: Grilled Cheese sandwiches (cheese of your choice), fruit, chips

  • Thursday: Ravioli with red sauce and salad or fruit

  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday: Leftover Palooza

July- New Offers from Social Nature!

Abby H.

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.

Here are just a few of the offers available now:

    • Period Cramp Relief Cream by Control
    • Organic Fruit Jerky by Solely
    • Organic Fruit Gummies by Solely
    • Natural Coconut Spread by Kokada
    • Organic Iced Tea by Eat the Change
    • Instant Boba Drinks by BOBABAM

 

 

 

And one of the things I love about Social Nature is that they don’t leave our friends with food allergies out.

There are sampling offers for Gluten-free, nut-free, and meat-free foods.

Canadian Friends- You are in luck! There are sampling opportunities for you too! So if you love trying new products, check out Social Nature!

FTC Disclosure: As with some offers I post, I receive payments for clicks, purchases, and/or registrations made through affiliate links in this post.