Starting Off 2022 Right!

For years I have written year-end articles to help save money, earn money, live frugally.

As the years go on, these articles have evolved and older articles contain outdated or no longer relevant tips (like clipping coupons- Sorry friends, 99% of your savings and deals will now come from apps).

So as 2021 draws to a close, let’s focus on how we can make 2022 great!

The 7 days of greatness will include:

  1. Starting fresh in 2022
  2. Budgeting 101
  3. How to save money at the grocery store and beyond.
  4. Making Money without driving your car as part of a hustle.
  5. TikTok “hustles” tested.
  6. Using time wisely (Saving time vs. Saving Money)
  7. Setting yourself up for Sucess in 2022 and beyond

These posts will be up throughout the next two weeks. I’ll be taking time off to hang out and play with the kids, so I don’t have a set schedule yet, but there will be a lot of great info coming your way before 2022 starts!

ADA Foundation: Give Kids A Smile Program!

This came into my email from the kid’s school yesterday.

Dental screenings, sealants, and fluoride varnish at no cost to families! Dental sealants and fluoride varnish are a safe and painless way to help present cavities. This program is for children 1-18 years of age at participating offices from February 14 – March 7, 2022. To find out more information, click here.

These services are done by appointment only. Find a list of participating dentists here.

Tryazon: Wiley Wallaby Back with Gluten-Free, Low Sugar Licorice

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.

Wiley Wallaby is back again with another tasty Tryazon Featured Party opportunity.  Introducing Very Berry, the new Gluten-Free, Low-Sugar licorice that is oh so berry berry delicious! Very Berry has just 1 gram of sugar per serving, and is free from artificial colors and flavors, gluten, eggs, dairy, tree nuts, and high fructose corn syrup! Sweetened with allulose and stevia, Very Berry contains no sugar alcohols and has only 9 grams of net carbs per serving. This is the better for you candy you have been waiting for!

Tryazon has 100 hosting spots open for this opportunity! Those chosen will receive a party pack with a sample of Wiley Wallaby Very Berry licorice to showcase and sample with friends and family!  Learn more and apply here.

New Freebies from Try Products!

I posted about Try Products over the summer. There are a few new freebies from Try Products now. Try Products has amazing products for you to try absolutely FREE.  It’s 100% Free. No credit card is required EVER!

Here are the latest new offers:

12/17/2021 Friday Freebies!

This was my busy week. Doctor’s appointments, Bitty getting her casts off (and into walking braces/casts), an IEP meeting, and the last week of school for the year! WOO! The kids are looking forward to decorating cookies, going to look at Xmas lights, going to the zoo, and playing Legos.

There are still more holiday events going on around town. For more information and resources click here.

If you are looking for birthday freebies, fret not! I put together a list new for 2021- Check it out here.

There are some pretty cool freebies this week!

Freebies:

Free Josh Bilicki Racing Hero Card
Allure Beauty Enthusiasts – Free Beauty Products
Free MaryRuth’s Megadose Vitamin C Liposomal
Free $20 Dessert Credit with Philadelphia Cream Cheese
Free CleanWell Botanical Disinfecting Wipes
Free Wiley Wallaby Gluten-Free, Low-Sugar Party Pack
Free St. Jude Patient-Art-Inspired Sticker Pack
Free Dude Wipes at Walmart
Free Tinted Acne Patch Treatment + $40 eGift Card
Free Combo Meal at White Castle
Free Stop Soldier Suicide T-Shirt
Free Eucerin Sunscreen Sample Kit
Free débutante Taste of Japan Cooking Party Kit
Free Pack of Siete Tortillas Product Coupon
Free Noosa Yogurt Product Coupon – 1st 500
10 Free Disney Movie Insiders Points
Free Medium Fries w/ Any $1 Purchase at McDonalds – Every Friday
Free Subscription to The Red Bulletin Magazine
Free 30-Day EverTears Self-Heating Eye Compress & Heating Pads
Text for $10 Off at Lane Bryant = Free Item
Free Kindra Essentials Kit
Free Subscription to Hudson Valley Magazine
Possible Free $200 Senior Citizens & Weight Loss Research Study
Free Sun-Maid Recipe Booklets
Free Snickers, Milky Way, or Three Musketeers at Casey’s
$3 for 1 Year of Healthy U TV (reg. $69)
Free Thermo Pro Food Thermometers
Free Froyo for Your Birthday at SweetFrog
Free Charlie Moore Autographed Card

Looking for a Holiday Gift? Give the Gift of a Stress-Free Meal!

There are some people who are impossible to shop for. They either have everything, or they don’t need/want stuff.  Well, I’ve got a great solution!

Everyone has to eat! Gift your family and friends near and far with easy, delicious meals from Dream Dinners. There is nothing better than filling their freezer with meals and giving them a break from the kitchen.

You have a couple options:

  • Have Dream Dinners Delivered: Ship four delicious dinners directly to their home. *Available in select states and zip codes.
  • Dinner for the Night: Add an extra meal or two to your monthly order to gift to friends and family.
  • Gift Card: Not sure what meals they would enjoy? A Dream Dinners gift card is the perfect solution.

And if you’ve never tried Dream Dinners, now is a great time! January time slots are filling up fast and there are a lot of great options in January’s menu (including lower-calorie options if part of your 2022 plans includes losing weight/eating less).

I’ll be writing more about Dream Dinners later this Month and into January. I’m really excited that they have more vegetarian options! If you are a San Diego, CA area local, keep your eyes peeled on my Facebook page for more information about a Dream Dinners event in January at the location in La Mesa, CA. 

Yoga with Jennie Olson Six: December and January Class Schedule

My friend Jennie Olson Six is an amazing, nurturing Yogini. She is always sharing her love of yoga and making it accessible to anyone. She sent out an email with some of her upcoming classes for December and January, and I thought I’d share it. For some of us (myself included), it’s hard to get out and “go do” yoga or other classes, especially when kids are out of school. If you want to learn more about Jennie (who she is, what she offers, etc), here is her website.

CLASS SCHEDULE UPDATES 
Monday Night Gentle Hatha Yoga 5:30-6:30pm PST
This is a more active practice but ends with a guided relaxation.
Great for those that are ending at the office and don’t want to jump in the car and commute.
ZOOM LINK

Meeting ID: 894 0930 3345
Passcode: RELEASE

THURSDAY SLEEP WELL YOGA NO CLASS DECEMBER 23RD.
Thursday Night 7:30-8:30pm PST
This class is for those that want a really gentle experience with guided relaxation as the emphasis for the practice.

ZOOM LINK

Meeting ID: 829 5139 5706
Passcode: SLEEPWELL

As always these are by donation or free if you need it to be.
paypal.me/Jennieolson478

Please feel free to share with a friend. 

STARTING JANUARY 
Gentle Yoga with UC San Diego on Zoom
Saturdays 11:30a-12:25pm
Cost $15 per quarter
includes ALL ONLINE CLASSES
CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION 

12/13/2021 Weekly Meal Plan

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgThis past weekend was BUSY! I haven’t had a chance to go to the store, but I think we’ll be able to stretch it for a few more days until I have some free time. This week is looking busy too. Little Bit gets her casts off Wednesday after school- Hooray!

I did some cooking yesterday- I made some side dishes, including Roasted veggies, Rice a Roni. I made lunches for the adults, and re-organized the lunch/snack basket for the kids in the pantry. I also used up some of the wilting fruit to make some zipsicle style popsicles (strawberry and banana, and pineapple). And I made cookies!

Since this week is so busy, we’ll be having a lot of quick-prep dinners, or we’ll be relying on the foods I prepped yesterday.

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 done (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. If you are looking for a kitchen inventory printable, I have made my own and you can find them for sale here on my Etsy Store.

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. The Ancient Grain bagels from Einstein Bros. are the current family favorite. I pick them up on Mondays when a dozen is only $7. I slice them and freeze them to keep them from going bad too quickly.

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. I’m back to packing lunches again. However, school lunches are free this year, but so far, there is nothing on the menu that appeals to the kids.

Dinner: I am planning some great meals this week. I did some batch cooking yesterday and got the fridge organized.

  • Monday: Nuggets, fresh fruit (orange and apple slices are on tap), rice a roni
  • Tuesday: Soup and Cheese Toast, Fruit, Roasted Veggies
  • Wednesday:  Waffles or Pancakes (kids choice), Fruit, Eggs- And maybe Beyond Meat sausages
  • Thursday:   Bean, Rice, Cheese, and Roasted Veggie bowls
  • Friday: take out (Usually pizza and Chinese food)
  • Saturday:  Leftovers
  • Sunday: Fritatta, Salad

Please stay safe you guys!

12/10/2021 Friday Freebies!

We’ve had a busy week- Decorating our tree, checking out local lights, and wrapping gifts! And the kids and I are going through our closets and cleaning out the clothes that no longer fit or serve us to share with others- I’m a big fan of hand-me-downs.

There are a bunch of events coming up over the next week. Toy exchange tomorrow, and more information and resources here.

If you are looking for birthday freebies, fret not! I put together a list new for 2021- Check it out here.

There are some pretty cool freebies this week!

Freebies:

Free Fresh Cravings Hummus
Mack’s Free Ear Plug’s Giveaway – Every Weekday at 11am EST
Free 2022 Snort Calendar
Free Sample of CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
Free Coffee or Tea at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Claim $25 in the Godiva Class Action Settlement
Free Special K Protein Meal Bars Chatterbox Kit
Free Olly Sleep Gummy Vitamins at Select Stores
Free Sample of Chanel Perfume
Free Farmacy Beauty 3-Day Healthy Skin Sample Set
Free Doritos Locos Taco at Taco Bell
Free Holiday Chocolate Candy at Big Lots
Free $50 Charity Donation Card
Free Medium Fries w/ Any $1 Purchase at McDonalds – Every Friday
Free Subscription to Vanity Fair Magazine
25 Free Disney Movie Insiders Points
Free Toasted Breakfast Burrito at Taco Bell – Today
Free Coffee or Fountain Drink at Pilot Flying J
Free Happy Hippo Kratom Sample
Free Subscription to Cosmopolitan Magazine
Free Samples of Astroglide Lubricant
Free Sample of Derma E Hydrating Day and Night Cream Duo
Free $25 Teens Research Study
Free Rockstar Energy Drink at Casey’s
Free Catit Creamy Cat Treats
Free Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sample
Free Church Mutual 2022 Calendar
Free $5 Amazon Prime Video Credit
Free Brown Scapular
Free Hot or Iced Coffee at Pret A Manger on Fridays
Free 2022 Erie & Arts Calendar
Free $200 Household Appliances Research Study
Free Lane Bryant Gift Card Giveaway
Free Youtheory Daily Fat Burner

Deals:

New Apple AirPods 3rd Generation ONLY $139.99 (Reg $179)
Arizona Men’s Graphic Hoodie ONLY $10.49 (Reg $44)
Disney Minnie Mouse Phone and Camera ONLY $10.99 (Reg. $22)
Funkoverse Marvel 100 4-Pack ONLY $20.15 (Reg. $40)
Kate Spade Glitter Crystal Stud Earrings ONLY $19.99 (Reg $32)
Fortnite Early Game Survival Kit Figure Pack $9.93 (Reg. $20)
Martha Stewart Mattress Pad ONLY $16.99 (Reg $40) – Any Size!
Hot Tools Mid-Size Pink Hair Dryer ONLY $17.99 (Reg $50)
My Little Pony Izzy Moonbow Set ONLY $5 (Reg $15)
Kate Spade Lexy Shoulder Bag ONLY $89 (Reg $399)
Disney Raya Fashion Doll ONLY $6.05 (Reg. $16)
Minnie Mouse Cell Phone & Camera Set ONLY $10.99 (Reg $22)
50% OFF Sweatshirts and Sweatpants at Old Navy

SDG&E: Save $500 on a new water heater!

Are you an SDG&E customer? Do you need a new water heater?

Energy Star

Now through 12/31/2021, SDG&E customers can save up to $500 instantly when you purchase a qualifying electric heat pump water heater, plus additional savings:

  • Energy Star
  • Save up to $350* per year on energy bills
  • Up to $3,750* in savings over the operational lifetime
  • Efficient and environmentally friendly

To take advantage of this deal:

  1. Visit sdge.com/rebates for eligible models and participating locations.
  2. Rebate will automatically be deducted during checkout.

Additional savings may be available through tax credits.

Check your eligibility before purchase.

*Based on the average family of four. ENERGY STAR®. March 19, 2020. US Environmental Protection Agency and US Department of Energy. See website for full details.

Offer is available only to SDG&E® residential customers. Coupons may only be redeemed for the product you preselected at the retail or distributor location chosen during coupon sign-up. Offers and deals differ by brand and by-product.

This program is funded by California utility customers and administered by SDG&E under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission. Rebates and incentives are provided on a first-come, first-served basis until program funds are no longer available.