frugal

Kevin’s Natural Foods for Breakfast – New TryaBox

Abby H.Leave a comment

Kevin’s Natural Foods is back and ready for breakfast in this Tryazon Featured TryaBox opportunity, from Kevin’s Natural Foods! Try two of the following incredible freezer scramble starters: Denver-Style Ham & White Cheddar and Spinach & Bacon Florentine. Just add eggs for a clean, delicious & filling start to your day!

Tryazon has 275 sampling spots open for this opportunity! Those selected get to receive a TryaBox with two coupons for FREE Scramble Starters from Kevin’s Natural Foods to be picked up at Target, Kroger, Harris Teeter, Giant Banners, or Hannaford from the freezer aisle to sample and review at home – no party needed!

Learn more and apply here.

 

Fetch: Score 6,000 points per friend!

Abby H.Leave a comment

It’s back! Fetch Rewards is hooking us up with points. Earn an extra 6,000 points when you invite a friend to Fetch, and they snap a receipt. Head to the app and share your referral code now through 7/19/2026.

I cash out my Fetch Rewards points for gift cards that help me stretch my budget- grocery stores, Amazon, even Bath and Body Works!  I cashed out about $120 in rewards in 2025. I’ve been doing a lot more shopping at Aldi, so I don’t usually score the extra points for buying name brands, but every little bit helps.

Signing up is quick and easy if you aren’t already using Fetch Rewards! 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 scan all of my receipts (grocery, mass merchandiser, gas receipts, restaurants, you name it) and take advantage of extra point offers- the points really rack up!

 

 

 

7/17/2026 Friday Freebies and Deals

Abby H.Leave a comment

This is the point in the summer when the kids are bored, I’m bored, and there isn’t a ton of money left in the budget.  We’re looking for a bunch of fun free events, and I may have found some!

The love affair with shaved ice continues… If you are looking for a good electric shaved ice machine, this is the one. 

My Birthday Freebie list can be found here. The list mostly offers what you can find in Southern California.

If you live outside Southern California, check out this list: Free Birthday Stuff: Get The Best 100+ Freebies on Your Birthday!

Looking for some summer fun for you and the kids? Here is my list of frugal fun activities in San Diego County.

For free food resources, please refer to my comprehensive list, available here.  It is focused on San Diego County, but additional resources are available outside my area.

Freebies:

FREE Sample of Puppy’s First Shampoo
FREE Handcrafted Drink Every Monday at Capital One Cafe
4 FREE Frozen Drinks at Casey’s Every Friday
FREE Sample of Miles of Moisture Cocoa Body Butter
2 FREE Movie Tickets to Young Washington
FREE Toys R Us Play Day Event on July 18th
FREE Full-Size Snoot to Toot Digestive Chews for Dogs
FREE Starbar EZ Trap Fly Trap
FREE Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie Workshop Event for Kids at Lowe’s
Free Perfume Samples You Can Get Right Now
Text for $10 Off at Lane Bryant = FREE Item
Easy Ways To Get Free Men’s Cologne Samples
FREE Sample of Moroccanoil Lumiere du Jour Eau de Parfum
FREE simplyFUEL Fueling Families Party Pack
FREE Vacation Classic SPF 50 Lotion at CVS After Cash Back
FREE Full-Size STUCK SOAP Dog Shampoo
FREE Red Barn Creamery Premium Butter Chatterbuy or House Party Kit
FREE Blue Buffalo Nudges & True Chews Minis Chatterbox Kit
Take a Sip! Discover How You Can Get Free Drinks
FREE Carando Meatballs
FREE Jose Cuervo Margarita + Win $1,500
How to Score Free Feminine Hygiene Products and Save on Essentials
7 Weeks of FREE School Supplies at Staples
FREE Reward Every Week with Panda Express Wok Wednesday
FREE Hot Dog at QuikTrip
Free Full-Size Products from Home Tester Club
FREE Box of Jelly Drops
FREE Sample of CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Hydrating Shampoo
FREE $20 Purchase at Ulta After Cash Back
How to Score Free P&G Samples Like a Pro
National Ice Cream Day Freebies and Deals on July 19th
Unlock Your Wellness Journey with Free Nutrition Samples: Try Before You Buy
$1 Million in FREE Chipotle on July 19th
FREE Sample of IAMS PROACTIVE HEALTH Wet Pouch Dog Food
FREE Sample of TEMPTATIONS Cat Treats
FREE Week of Smoothies at Tropical Smoothie Cafe
FREE Coffee Mate Situation-Sip Mixed Fruit Flavored Creamer on July 20th & 27th

Deals:

Up to 70% Off Men’s Suits, Blazers and More at Macy’s
Birkenstock Coupons & Promo Codes: Up To 20% Off HOT Birkenstock Sandals
Mechanical Pencil Set with Case ONLY $5.39 (Reg $9)
Step Into and Step Out In These Golden Goose Dupes
Disney The Big One Minnie Mouse Buddy & Throw ONLY $12.59 (Reg $35)
Radio Flyer 3-in-1 All-Terrain EZ Fold Wagon w/ Canopy ONLY $90 (Reg $168)
Dream On Me Flora Baby Bassinet ONLY $63 (Reg $175)
PowerXL Vortex Pro Air Fryer ONLY $49.99 (Reg $120)
Women’s Boots as low as $6.71 at Walmart
Amazon Haul Sale: Tech & Gadgets From $3 on Amazon
Travelhouse 4-Piece Luggage Set ONLY $89.98 (Reg $200)
CVS Photo Coupons & Promo Codes – 65% Off Drinkware, 65% Off Posters & More
Armani 2-Pc. Acqua di Giò Eau de Toilette Gift Set ONLY $25 (Reg $50)
Get Red Seal Coupons and Save on Smokeless Tobacco
Wayfair 72-Hour Clear-Out Sale Is Live: The Best Cheap Finds for Your Home
Dad Gang Co. Discount Codes – 20% Off, $10 Credit & More
How to Stack Coupons on SHEIN + Coupon Hacks (Save Up to 80%)
How to Coupon: An In-Depth Beginner’s Guide to Couponing
Up to 70% Off Women’s Dresses at Old Navy – Prices Starting at $5.99
COLOR WOW Dream Coat Supernatural Spray ONLY $5.00 on Amazon (Reg $14)
Home Expressions Microfiber Sheet Set as low as $9 (Reg $35)

7/17/2026 All-Inclusive Day of Play & Resource Fair!

Abby H.Leave a comment

It’s back! If you have special needs kids in your life, you need to check out this FREE community event with interactive booths, games, resources, crafts, prizes, and shopping for families of all ages and abilities!

 

What: All Inclusive Day of Play & Resource Fair

When: Friday, July 17, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: Miramar Hourglass Recreation Center, 10440 Black Mountain Road, San Diego, 92126.

This free community event is an amazing day for families to have fun, connect, and explore helpful resources together, brought to you by the Special Needs Resource Foundation.

What’s planned for the day:

  • Family resources for every stage, from infancy through adulthood
  • Activity stations
  • Prizes
  • Crafts
  • Character meet and greets
  • Networking
  • Shopping
  • Games
  • Free parking
  • And More!

Activity stations include favorites: Mini Golf Course, Padres Pitching Challenge, Super Hero City Speedway, Elmo’s Sensory Station, a Wicked Photo Op, Minecraft Fort, and more!

Character meet and greets: Say hello to Princess Elsa, Buddy the Elf, and other beloved characters at this fun-filled event.

Family resources and networking: Resource and service providers will be on-site to answer questions and share helpful information with all parents and caregivers. Visit our new Transition to Adulthood area to connect with organizations that support teens, young adults, adults, and their families. Be sure to pick up a copy of Flourishing Families at the Special Needs Resource Foundation booth.

ShopAble Bazaar: Stop by to browse and buy amazing products and valuable services from business owners with disabilities, which is located in the Transition to Adulthood area.

Sensory Time: From 11 to 11:30 a.m., families who need a quieter environment can enjoy the event with just one opening announcement and no music to create a calm atmosphere.

Win a $25.00 Amazon Gift Card for National Give Something Away Day!

Abby H.Leave a comment

A few days ago, I posted about today being National Give Something Away Day, and I listed a few ways we can all help our neighbors.

I decided to put my money where my mouth is and give a $25.00 Amazon Gift Card to one of you!

Entering is easy and pretty quick.

Visit my Instagram Page, click on the giveaway post (which should be the most recent post), and follow the directions.

Terms and Conditions apply; all of the rules can be found here.

JCPenney- $12 Haircuts for Students and Teachers!!

Abby H.Leave a comment

This is a great deal! Now through 9/19/2026, students and teachers (with a valid K-college student or teacher ID) can get a $12 haircut at their local JCP Salon!

And to sweeten the deal for educators, score an extra 10% off your purchase with a valid school ID.

If you know of a teacher/educator who could use a little pick-me-up in the form of a haircut, please share this deal!

Freebies and Deals- 7/20 is National Ice Cream Day!

Abby H.Leave a comment

National Ice Cream Day is next week!! I recommend that you download any apps required for these deals at least 1 day prior to ensure that you have the app and are all signed up for any clubs or offers. Not all of these offers are available in my specific area, but I included them because I have readers outside of San Diego.

From July 13-19, DQ Rewards members can score the classic treat with any $1 purchase made through the DQ App. https://news.dairyqueen.com/announcements/details/2026/DQ-Celebrates-National-Ice-Cream-Day-All-Week-Long-with-Free-Dilly-Bars/default.aspx

Dipping’ Dots: Dippin’ Dots is giving away FREE mini cups of Dippin’ Dots (any flavor!) during a two-hour window at their franchise locations. Find your closest location here.

Baskin-Robbins: Baskin-Robbins Rewards members can get 31% off scoops on July 31, 2026, at participating shops. Waffle cones, toppings, sundaes, and delivery orders are excluded.

Marble Slab Creamery: Download their app because on July 20, loyalty members will receive a free small Ice Cream offer, valid for seven days. Find your closest location here.

Del Taco: From July 17 – 19, Del Yeah! Rewards members can get BOGO free regular shakes at Del Taco for National Ice Cream Day.

And while there are no deals right now, check the following apps in the days before the 20th for possible freebies and deals: McDonald’s, Jack in the Box, Wendy’s, and Yogurtland.

And if you want to make your own ice cream at home, you can find my recipe here. It’s very easy, and you can make it your own with a few tweaks!

7/20/2026 National Lollipop Day- Celebrate with See’s!

Abby H.Leave a comment

Visit any See’s Candy location for National Lollipop Day on July 20, and you’ll receive a free lollipop — no purchase necessary.

Flavor availability may vary by location, but here are the flavors you may have to choose from:

Chocolate
Vanilla
Butterscotch
Sugar Free Butterscotch
Café Latté
Cinnamon

7/15/2026 is National Give Something Away Day

Abby H.Leave a comment

This upcoming Wednesday, July 15, is National Give Something Away Day. This is a great opportunity to share things that you no longer need from your home. Here are several ways that I will be celebrating this day.

I will be posting items to my buy, nothing group. I am not in an official by nothing group, but there are several offshoots of the official group in my area, and I participate in them regularly.

Speaking of Facebook, there are several local Facebook groups. I’m in for specific hobbies and causes that I care about. And I will definitely be posting some items to give away in those groups as well.

Is there a local nonprofit that you support? This would be a great time to reach out to them and see if there’s anything you have that you’re looking to get rid of that they might need.

Even though school is out, if you have a teacher in your life, and you have some excess office/school supplies, definitely hit them up. When school starts back up at the end of August or beginning of September, teachers will be needing school supplies, such as number two pencils, markers, Crayons, and lined notebook paper.

Helpling Neighbors without Breaking the Bank

Abby H.Leave a comment

There are a lot of people around us who need help right now in our communities. There are so many ways to help neighbors, and I’ve collected a few of the ways that my family helps in the hopes it will inspire you to do the same.

You’re probably aware of mutual aid sites like GoFundMe, but do you know that there are other ways that you can help your friends and neighbors without breaking the bank or charging on your credit card?

Mutual aid is more than giving cash. It’s giving your time, goods from your home, or offering to help with chores or errands.

Blessing Boxes/Free Little Pantries. When I go to the grocery store, I allot $5-$10 to pick up canned goods or shell stable foods that are either ready to eat and have a pop top or require just the addition of water and heat. Things like chili, canned soup, water, only mac & cheese, Ramen, peanut butter, bread. These items are donated to our local Blessing Box, which helps our neighbors in need.

Filling a Free Little Library.  You probably have a couple of books around your house that you read once, maybe twice, and you’re never gonna read again, or your kids have leveled up beyond picture books, and you’re not quite sure what to do with them. Look for a little library in your area. There are tons of them in my town, and I am always putting a paper back or two or a couple of kids’ books in when I see one that needs a couple more books in it

Check out your local Buy Nothing or Buy Nothing Like group. Check and see if there is a neighbor in need who needs something that you have. Either something in your home that is physical, maybe they need assistance with a project, or they are asking to borrow a tool.

I just finished up doing some summer cleaning and posted all sorts of items to share. I have gotten rid of a broken computer (someone was excited to use it for parts), an extra monitor, some blankets, and old sheets that are in great repair, but my son does not like the texture.

There are all kinds of ways that we can help our neighbors with what we have and the skills that we possess.

Talk Back: How have you helped in your community?