frugal

Zero Sugar Vitaminwater® Chatterbox!

Abby H.

Check out this awesome party opportunity from Chatterbox!  Be one of the first to try vitaminwater®‘s two new delicious zero-sugar flavors: with love raspberry dark chocolate and forever you coconut lime. Whether you’re craving an indulgent pick-me-up or a refreshing tropical beverage break, vitaminwater® has you covered. Now made with monk fruit and stevia, plant-based sweetener.

Selected participants of this Chatterbox will receive a Walmart gift card to try both new flavors! In return, you’ll be asked to write reviews of each flavor and share photos of your experience.

To apply, click here!

Shop Mabel’s Labels’ Friends & Family Sale- 20% off!

Abby H.

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

I love Mabel’s Labels. Each kid has a set, I have a set (unicorns if you had to know), and we have a family set for our bigger pool toys and camping equipment.

The Friends and Family sale is going on NOW – 4/30/23. You will save 20% OFF select Mabel’s Labels’ products MOST recommended to Friends & Family. And the best part-Enjoy FREE standard shipping on ALL orders with no minimum spend required!

4/17/2023 Weekly Meal Plan!

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgThis past week was PACKED. I finally sat down to write up my meal plan yesterday, and forgot to hit submit until right now!

Spring break is over and we are all back to school and work. Out-of-town guests have gone home, and we are back to our regular routine!

I did a little meal prep yesterday, including testing out a new pizza dough recipe, but the real prep will be this afternoon!

Our Yasukochi Family Farms  CSA box is delivered on Mondays, and that is a huge help when it comes to meal planning.

We’ve got a few Dream Dinners for the week, and I’m really looking forward to Somona Steaks!

We’ve been trying a lot of new foods lately, thanks to the really great freebies from Social Nature lately too. It’s fun to try new foods.

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 (I try to update it after every shopping trip), so I’m able to 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 each day.

Breakfast: Coffee with 1/2 and 1/2  for me, and pancakes or something along those lines for the kids. They are also into fruit and bagels for breakfast. Lately, the big kid has been digging protein shakes in the morning. This is his favorite kind. 

Lunch: I have a plastic tote in the cupboard full of self-serve snacks. I buy treats and snacks in bulk and fill up snack-sized zip-top bags. The big kid brings his lunch every day, and the little one buys her lunch about half the time. Dinner: I’m making sure to start our meals with lots of veggies. Now that I’m back in the gym and the kids are both in Martial Arts, we need to fuel our bodies properly.

  • Sunday: Clean out the Fridge Night!
  • Monday: Dream Dinner, Rice, Roasted Veggies

  • Tuesday:  Fritatta, Fruit Salad, toast

  • Wednesday: Nuggets, mac n’ cheese, fruit, cheese and crackers

  • Thursday: Dream Dinner (Steaks), Green Salad, Roasted Veggies

  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday: Homemade pizza, salad, veggie tray

Book It: Enrollment is Open for the 2023-24 School Year!

Abby H.

It’s that time of year!

Book It is still alive and well! Enrollment is now open for the 2023-24 BOOK IT! Program year. Parents can now enroll their homeschool children!

PreK students (age 4 by Sept. 1st, 2023) are now eligible for BOOK IT! Be sure to include those students in your enrollment!

Another awesome feature of the 2023-2024 school year is that your entire school doesn’t have to participate, teachers can sign up for their individual classes!

Please share this post with the parents and teachers in your life! More info about Book It and FAQ can be found here.

 

4/9/2023 Weekly Freebies and Deals

Abby H.

We finished up our first week of spring break! Next week we’re hitting up the zoo or Safari Park, maybe a few museums at Balboa Park, and if it stays warm, we may go swimming at our community pool.

The 2023 Birthday Freebie post is here! Make sure to check this article out and sign up for birthday freebies at least 2-3 weeks before your birthday.

There are some pretty sweet freebies this week- Let’s Dive In!

Freebies:

Free Hershey’s Kisses at Select Stores
Free Flock Chicken Skin Crisps After Rebate
Free His Only Son Movie Ticket
Free Braille Book Every Month
Free Enjoy Life Breakfast Ovals
Free Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Temporary Tattoo
Free Pack of Once Again Cracker Sandwiches
Free Halfday Tea After Rebate
Free 8×10 Photo Print at CVS
Free Albanese Gummi Bears Sample at Sam’s
Free Gamer Supps GG Energy Sample Pack
Free La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk Sunscreen Sample
Free Bottle of Pedialyte at Walmart
Free Minute Maid Aguas Frescas Chatterbox
Free Sample of AERIN Amber Musk Eau de Parfum
Hidden Valley Ranchology Rewards – Free Samples, Tote Bag & More
Free Mexican Fruit Fly Temporary Tattoo
Free 6 oz. Colgate Max Fresh Toothpaste at Big Lots
Free Innisfree Intensive Hydrating Serum Sample

 

Deals:

Shea Moisture Recovery Masque ONLY $1.46 (Reg $3.29)
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 ONLY $169 (Reg $349.99)
Today ONLY: $10 Women’s and Girls Shorts at Old Navy
Nexxus Travel Shampoo ONLY $1.99 (Reg $4.99)
Titan Deep Freeze 8qt Roll Top Cooler ONLY $14.99 (Reg $24.99)
Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop ONLY $69 (Reg $100)
Kate Spade Harlow Crossbody ONLY $59 (Reg $279)

San Diego Area Upcoming Clothing Swaps

Abby H.

I love clothing swaps- If you have read my blog, you know it’s one of my favorite ways to refresh the kid’s wardrobes (and my own).

There are a few upcoming swaps that I recommend. Both are for adult clothes and accessories.

 

April 8, 2023 Porchlight Community Services, Inc. 8888 Clairemont Mesa Blvd From their site “We invite you to be part of our SWAP PARTY! Bring clothing, accessories, personal hygiene, or toiletries.

There is a $5 fee, however, it goes to offset the cost of their programs, which are incredible.

The Second event is my personal favorite: Spring Swap for extended sizes 14 and up on May 7, 2023.

I always find cute clothes at this swap, and I love it because it’s all plus-size clothes. I always fill my Ikea Bag with clothes, accessories (and usually shoes too).

And if you are looking for more information about clothing swaps, check out my post (with other San Diego, CA area resources)  here.

Cents of Style- My Favorite Shirt on Sale!

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.

I am so excited. These are seriously my favorite shirts. I wore the one I tie-dyed yesterday.

There are three styles on sale through 4/9/2023: Jagger (in NEW colors), Danielle, and Wyatt, all  Starting Under $12 w/code: BEBOLD

These shirts come in sizes S-3X and tons of colors.  I already ordered a couple in my favorite colors.

Free Arts & Crafts Classes at Michaels

Abby H.

I love Michaels! Not only do they have great sales and coupons, but they also have free Arts and Crafts classes at many locations. Our local location has three free classes coming up in April- I’ve signed up for all three. I love learning new craft techniques.

Did you also know that Michaels has a rewards club? Sign up for Michaels Rewards today and earn $5 in Rewards when you spend $25 or more!

 

Dream Dinners: Lower Minimum Order, Lots of Tasty Options!

Abby H.

Dream Dinners is one of my favorite ways to save time and get tasty, healthy meals on the table in 45 minutes or less!

If you haven’t tried Dream Dinners yet, now is the perfect time! They have lowered their minimum orders to three meals. And April has some of my favorite meals:

  • Chicken with Honey, Garlic, and Orange with Oven Roasted Broccoli
  • Chateau Chicken with Almond Butter Sauce
  • Sonoma Grilled Steak
  • Tuscan Chicken Bake
  • Classic French Dip and Au Jus

I am picking up my Dream Dinners order tomorrow afternoon, and it is definitely coming in the clutch over spring break. We’ll be able to have our usual fun adventures and I’ll be able to get dinner on the table.

If you want to learn more, find your local Dream Dinner location, or place an order, click here.

Free Covid-19 Tests Delivered to Your Door!

Abby H.

I don’t know about you, but we’re still using Covid-19 tests on the regular. After visits to busy places, after traveling, and when the kids’ and I have someone in their class test positive.

Running out to the drugstore at the last minute- No Thanks!

With this offer, Request your COVID-19 Tests NOW, and don’t pay last-minute prices at the Store. They verify your insurance, and you receive Covid-19 Test Kits automatically each month at NO COST to you!

I did it this morning, and the test kits are on their way!

To get started, click here.