frugal living

Tryazon: Another New Exploding Kittens Game!

Abby H.

We’ve been participating in Tryazon events for three+ years. We’ve gotten to try all sorts of fun toys, games, and food.  You can learn more about Tryazon here.

Exploding Kittens is back again with another Tryazon Featured Party opportunity! Introducing Hand to Hand Wombat, a totally unique take on classic social deduction games. Players work together in teams with their eyes closed to either repair or sabotage three stacks of square towers before time runs out. The goal is to earn points, figure out who’s working against you, and get opposing players out of the game before it’s too late!

Tryaon Has 250 hosting spots open for this opportunity! Those selected get to receive a party pack with a Hand-to-Hand Wombat game and other extras to share with friends and family! Learn more and apply here.

Free Covid-19 Test Kits: Order Before 9/2/2022!

Abby H.

The federal government will cease providing free COVID-19 kits on 9/2/2022, as there will no longer be federal funding. Learn more at COVID.gov/tests.

However, in the meantime, Residential households in the U.S. are now eligible for another order of free at-home tests on USPS.com. Here’s what you need to know about your order:

  • Each order now includes 8 rapid antigen COVID-19 tests (FDA has more details about at-home tests, including extended shelf life and updated expiration dates: Authorized At-Home Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests)
  • Your order of 8 tests will come in 2 separate packages (4 tests in each package), each with its own tracking number
  • Packages will ship free

It’s easy to sign up for free kits. Order your free kits here. We ordered ours, and we test when we have been exposed, even though we are all vaccinated and boosted. COVID-19 isn’t going anywhere, and we need to do what we can to protect ourselves and our communities.

ZENB for Plant-Fueled Pasta and Sauces- Perfect for Picky Eaters!

Abby H.

I’ve got two picky eaters. The big kid has a lot of food aversions (textures, tastes/flavors), which is pretty common for people on the spectrum. The little kid will try new foods with greater frequency, but she loves noodles with butter.

We’ve tried so many different brands of pasta, trying to find something that tastes great and has good nutrition. a lot of veggie-based pasta gets weird and gummy when cooked, so has a weird flavor, and then there’s the “zero pasta” which is stinky even after you spend twenty minutes rinsing it.

Enter ZenB Pasta! Made from 100% yellow peas, including the skins. It comes in a variety of pasta varieties: Penne, Elbows, Rotini, Spaghetti, and Agile.

It’s an amazing source of protein and fiber. It’s gluten-free and vegan!

Both kids tried ZenB over the weekend and loved it. They both asked for seconds, which is unheard of. I love that it’s a great source of protein- it’s hard to get protein into kiddo sometimes.

If you want to check it out, The ZenB website currently has a free shipping offer, when you shop here.

And if you are looking for some new sauces, ZENB has the hook-up! ZENB Gourmet Pasta Sauce, made from WHOLE vegetables, for a rich depth of flavor.

 

Frugal Tips for Quality Skin Care

Abby H.
My skincare routine

I love good skincare products. Quality ingredients, no fillers, and botanicals and natural ingredients that are clinically proven to heal and nourish the skin.

These types of products can be really expensive. Here are a few tips for saving big bucks on quality skincare:

CVS sells Dermalogica, Vichy, La Roche Posay, Murad, and other Spa/luxury brands. If you are a CarePass member, you’ll score a $10 ExtraCare Bucks each month. Learn more about the CarePass program here. 

Also, CVS sends out 30% off coupons once a quarter. You can combine these coupons with any ExtraCare Bucks you might have.

I have been saving up my Fetch Rewards for CVS Gift Cards, which I combine with coupons and ExtraCare bucks to lower any out-of-pocket I may have.

CVS also has a Beauty Club, where you earn gifts and discounts when you shop.

FYI- CVS’s online selection varies from their in-store product availability.

Looking for some free stuff? I sample and review skincare products through several review programs:

  • Bzzagent- I’ve been a member for about 15-ish years. You can sign up here, and they’ll email you when they have products that might fit your needs.
  • Influenster- They partner with brands and expect you to share your samples (called voxboxes) on your socials and report back. It can be a lot of work, but they frequently send full-size luxury brand products (Charlotte Tillbury and Laura Mercier for example).
  • And to a lesser extend Smiley360, they mostly have cleaning supplies and house-type stuff, but sometimes they have skincare or cosmetics available. It’s like Infuenster.

You can find out more about these social sharing/Word of Mouth marketing companies where I get a lot of my free skincare products here.

If you are looking for a list of my favorite skincare products and tools, I’ve compiled an Amazon List here.

 

Weekly Freebies and Deals!

Abby H.

I was so busy yesterday that I forgot to post my usual Friday Freebies and Deals yesterday.

Between back to school and back to my part time job, it’s been a whirlwind week!

Mask Mandates are changing constantly in California and can vary by city and county, so please do your part if you are going to any in-person freebies.

2022 Birthday Freebies are here!

Freebies

Free Manly Ring Sizer
Free Pair of Altra Running Shoes
Free Black Box Wines Hat, Wine Glasses & More
Free Plush Dog
Free Beetology Organic Juice at Select Stores
Free Gain Fireworks Scent Boosters at Select Stores
My Bath & Body Works – Free Products, Coupons & More
Free Week of Classes at CorePower Yoga
Free Sample of WowButter Creamy Peanut Free Toasted Soy Spread
Free IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream Sample
Verizon Up Rewards – 4 Free Movie Tickets
Free NARS Product
Free Moonshot Organic Crackers
Free Happy Hippo Kratom Sample
Free It’s My Big Big Baby
Free Bob’s Red Mill Baking Flour
Free Watercolor Bookmark Craft Event at Michaels
Free Sample of CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser
Free Set of CWPPRA Postcards
Possible Free Hasbro Toys
Free Dior J’Adore Parfum D’eau Sample
SampleSource – Free Plant Boss Southwest Plant Taco Crumbles
Free Bestway Fall Pool Party Pack
Huggies Rewards Free 4000pts for an Amazon Gift Card
Free $25 Marine Layer Credit
Free Downy Unstopables & Tide Pods at Sam’s
Free Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream Sample
Free Single Scoop Cone at Stewart’s Shops
Free Sugru or Tesa Glue & Tape
Free Cirque du Soleil 60 Minute Specials
Free Crayola Adult Coloring Pages
Free Ring of Pain PC Game

 

Deals

Disney Frozen 12-Piece Kids Nail Polish ONLY $8.99 (Reg $18)
Kate Spade Bracelet Bundle ONLY $35 (Reg $98)
Little Tikes Frog Pond Water Table ONLY $37 (Reg $60)
American Tourister Minnie Mouse Carry-On ONLY $69.99 (Reg $140)
Mainstays 5-Piece Patio Dining Set ONLY $116 (Reg $285)
Coleman Ultra Thick Insulation Soft Cooler ONLY $14.88 (Reg $35)
Buddy Biscuits Boosters Dog Treats ONLY $3.42 (Reg $8)

Carter’s Giveaway: Enter to win holiday PJs for the entire fam!

Abby H.

This came across my email today. We love Carter’s kid’s clothes, and who doesn’t love Holiday PJ’s for the whole fam?

Enter to win Carter’s festive winter holiday PJ’s for the whole family! This contest is only open today, August 25, 2022.

Five (5) grand prize winners will be selected. Each grand prize winner will receive a two hundred and fifty dollar ($250) Carter’s e-Gift Card. Prize will be fulfilled approximately 6-8 weeks after winner verification is complete. The approximate retail value (“ARV”) of each grand prize is $250. For the complete rules, etc, click here.

 

Fetch Rewards: 4000 Points for Every Referral through 8/28/22!

Abby H.

Woo Hoo! Fetch Rewards is hooking us up with points out the wazoo! Earn an extra 4,000 points when you invite a friend to Fetch and they snap a receipt. Head to the app and share your referral code now through 8/28/2022!

If you aren’t already using Fetch Rewards, signing up is quick and easy! You learn more when you check out my post here. Find the Fetch Rewards app in your app store, and when you download it and scan any receipt, use my code ND2TB when you sign up and you’ll score 2,000 bonus points. I’ve earned $163.00 so far in 2022 just by purchasing my regular groceries and scanning all of my receipts (grocery, mass merchandiser, gas receipts, restaurants, you name it).

In order for you to qualify for the increased referral bonus, your friends must enter your referral code and complete a valid receipt now through 11:59 PM CDT on 8/28/2022. After 11:59 PM CDT on 8/28/2022 the referral bonus will expire.

New TopCashback Members Score $15 to Spend at Sephora!

Abby H.

This deal is FIRE.

I saw it last night on TikTok, and after some research, it’s totally legit.

If you are not a TopCashback member, you are in luck. TopCashback is a rebate site that I’ve been using for years.

When you shop online, search for the retailer, click the link, and shop. You’ll receive cashback on your purchase. Amounts/percentages vary by retailer.   TopCashBack is free to join and can be used with over 4,000 stores!

For this $15 offer, follow these steps:

  • Create your NEW account with an email and password; then confirm your email address right away.
  • Click on the “Get Cashback” or “Get Offer Now” button and it’ll take you to Sephora so you can shop for all your favorite items (not valid on gift cards).

To get the most from this deal, I suggest checking out the “Beauty Under $20” and the “Sale & Clearance” sections. There are so many great choices.

It’ll take about 15 days or so for your TopCashBack account to be credited. Once your account has been credited, you can cash out your rebate.

I do most of my shopping online through TopCashBack and earn about $200/year. I cash out for PayPal or Target Giftcards.

To get started, click here. 

Tryazon: Mantis Game Night Party- APPLY NOW!

Abby H.

We’ve been participating in Tryazon events for three+ years. We’ve gotten to try all sorts of fun toys, games, and food.  You can learn more about Tryazon here.

It’s addictive, it’s competitive, it’s a new Tryazon Featured Party opportunity, featuring Mantis from Exploding Kittens! In this colorfully cutthroat card game of Rainbows and Revenge, there are only two rules: Steal or Score! You collect matching sets of cards by stealing from your opponents. You feel good about things, then not so good about things as opponents steal your cards back. Repeat this emotional rollercoaster until somebody wins the game!
Tryazon has 250 hosting spots open for this opportunity! Those selected get to receive a party pack with a Mantis card game and other extras to share with friends and family! Learn more and apply here.

Cents of Style: 5 BEST SELLING Tops Starting at $19.99

Abby H.

Favorite Tops** This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Cents of Style has one of my favorite shirts on sale this week!

In fact, all of their TOP 5 favorite tops are on sale this week, just in time for BACK TO SCHOOL! These tops come in TONS of colors, styles, and sizes S-3XL and are perfectly oversized and styled with literally ANYTHING! Starting at $19.99 when you use coupon code BIGFIVE at check out.

This deal is only good through  8/29/22 at midnight, and like most Cents of Style sales, once it’s gone, it’s gone. 

So if you see something you like, better get it ASAP! I’ve already picked up a few to add to my fall wardrobe.