AO Opinions: Upcoming Beverage Project $125-$275

Abby H.

AO Opinions is another Market Research company that I get information from. Right now they are recruiting for an upcoming research study on the topic of beverages (specifically coffee).

  • To be considered please complete the pre-screener survey here. 
  • Compensation: $125-$275 (if chosen)
  • Open to: 18-50 year olds
  • PART 1: Pre-Homework Thursday, April 21, 2022 – Sunday, April 24, 2022 – $125, if chosen.
    Complete an online homework prior to your group. You will be required to visit a nearby café and tell us about your experience. We will be asking you to share your responses via written, photo, or video responses and upload them to an online platform called Recollective.
  • PART 2: MUST BE AVAILABLE IF CHOSEN: $150, if chosen. Wednesday, April 27, 2022: 2:45PM-5:00PM ET / 1:45PM-4:00PM CT / 11:45AM-2:00PM PT

Kitchen Reorganization on a Budget!

Abby H.

We’re at the point in kitchen renovation where we need to put the kitchen back together. I was tired of eating out of the myriad boxes in my living room.

Being on a budget, I looked for simple and easy ways to make our kitchen work better for us. Our pantry is long (about 1 meter) and narrow. It’s such a pain. So much of it is inaccessible.

I cleaned out a bunch of the clutter as I unpacked the boxes. My mom gifted me these cool white baskets (which you can find on Amazon here).  She previously used them to store fabric. I put my label maker to good use and labeled the white baskets with the following categories:

  • Soup
  • Sauces
  • Baking Goods
  • Rice and Noodles
  • Oils and Fats
  • Canned Tomatoes
  • Canned Goods
  • Soup
  • Snack Box
  • Snacks (I use this for the overflow of snacks)

I also reorganized the spice cabinet, and I’ll be moving some of the bulk spices to these glass jars from the plastic bags they came in probably later this week.

Moving on to all of the drawers in my kitchen. Yeah. Nine Drawers of various sizes. I lined them with Contact Paper from Dollar Tree– which BTW, is so much cheaper than Amazon or the big box hardware stores. I also lined the cabinets that hold our dishes. I did not line the pantry shelves- They are really long and narrow and I can’t reach all the way to the back.

To contain all of the STUFF in each drawer, I picked up some of these skinny drawer organizers, and the drawer organizers in the picture, which are wider and medium-sized.

The Silverware has a drawer caddy (not shown in the photo, but it goes in the empty drawer), but the rest of the drawers were just a disaster. Now the cooking utensils will be corraled, the batteries rolling around the junk drawer will be contained, and all of the yummy drink powders and drink concentrates (like Mio) are corraled.

So for less than $50, I was able to reorganize the kitchen and spruce it up a bit.

After the kitchen is done and the water heater is installed, we’re having a cleaning service coming to do a post-construction clean up. There is drywall dust all over my freaking kitchen and living room. It’s so gross.

4/7/2022: Celebrate National Burrito Day with Rubio’s!

Abby H.

Burritos are the best.

They are handheld and full of comforting food, and they are good for any meal (or snack). Tomorrow celebrate National Burrito Day with Rubio’s!

Tomorrow, Thursday, April 7, is National Burrito Day and Rubio’s Coastal Grill is celebrating by offering every burrito on the menu for $6.99. Guests receive a once-a-year deal on all the popular burritos today, including the California Burrito, Shrimp and Bacon Burrito, and the Chicken Burrito Especial.

$6.99 for a burrito is an amazing deal!

Simply order online at Rubios.com, or through the app, and enter coupon code BURRITO at checkout, or scan the QR code on the coupon in restaurants. Guests are encouraged to order ahead through the Rubio’s app or Rubios.com. For more information about Rubio’s Coastal Grill and to view the menu, visit Rubio’s, Facebook, and Instagram.

I love the Burrito Especial with Grilled Veggies, but you can’t go wrong with any burrito. I know we’ll be enjoying ours from the comfort of our burrito blankies, watching a cooking show.

Talk Back: What kind of Burrito will you be getting tomorrow?

Free Food Resources for April 2022(San Diego County)

Abby H.

Usually, this gets posted the first week of the month. We’ve been dealing with a lot at home lately, so I apologize for the delay. The spring is bringing many new and improved free and low-cost food options around San Diego County!

Keep in mind there are still supply chain issues, so there may not be a lot of food at some distributions, especially those that serve a large portion of the community.

I recommend showing up a little early with a bottle of water and a book and waiting in line. Time passes quickly in these lines, and it’s a great time to learn from others about community food options. Remember to socially distance and follow local masking regulations.

You can find resources here for Central and East County, and Here for North County.

Our friends at Faith Chapel are super ahead of the game and sent out information regarding their 2022 food distributions early on in the year.

If you are located outside San Diego County, call 211. If you are not familiar with 211, here is their website and it can point you in the right direction.

San Diego Food Bank Distributions for March 2022 can be found here. Enter your address (or just your zip code) and the map will show you all of the distributions in your area or closest to you. You can filter by the days of the week to find food when you are available. If there is an income requirement/limit to participate, each location/listing will say such.

Neighbor distributions are intermixed with the San Diego Food Bank Distributions, however, they have no income requirements, and you come as you are. These Distributions are primarily fruits & veg, however, some locations may also distribute canned goods, dairy, and bread.

Super Pantry Locations can be found here (this listing is countywide). The San Diego Foodbank website also has resources for Diaper banks, free food resources for seniors, and more.

All kids in public school K-12 in the State of California are eligible for free breakfasts and lunches at school. More information can be found here. 

If you know of other resources, please leave a comment! And feel free to share this post with anyone you may know in need.

Free Small Entree at Panda Express

Abby H.

This offer was in my inbox this morning. I’m allergic to shrimp, but hopefully one of you will take advantage of this deal!

When you order Wok-Fired Shrimp with your meal on the Panda Express app, you can get any small entrée free*.
Try it now as the offer ends 4/17. Online only.

1. Order Wok-Fired Shrimp with your meal
2. Add any small a la carte entrée
3. Use code “WOKFIRED” at checkout

*Offer ends 4/17/2022. Limit one free small entrée per order. Order must include Wok-Fired Shrimp as part of a bowl, plate, bigger plate, cub meal or family meal. Discount applies after a small a la carte entrée is added to the order and code ‘WOKFIRED’ is successfully applied prior to checkout. Valid only for online orders via Panda Express website and app at participating Panda Express® locations. Tax, service, delivery and other fees still apply. Tax included for free small entrée. Offer subject to availability. Offer is not valid on catering or for corporate accounts and cannot be combined with discounts or cash. Panda Express reserves the right to cancel, suspend, and modify the offer, or any part of it, for any reason at any time without notice, including, without limitation, if any fraud or technical failure impairs the integrity or proper functioning of the offer. Additional restrictions may apply. Void where prohibited.

No Meal Plan this Week!

Abby H.

Our floor has been installed in the kitchen, and the stove has been reinstalled. Check out my lovely new tile, and my stunning kitchen rug. We have the same pattern rugs in different sizes in the hallway and the entryway.

We’re waiting on cabinets, which will be here tomorrow, then the fridge can be reinstalled, and the water heater will be installed next week and then we are done!

Because we’re still without 100% kitchen, there is no meal plan this week. We’ll be eating a lot of salads, sandwiches, cereal, and snacks. Not too exciting, but we’re playing it by ear.

April Sprouts Farmers Market Monthly Freebies!

Abby H.

Sprouts is hooking us up and helping us stay healthy! Every month on the Sprouts app in the Digital Coupon section, there are between 4-6 free items (they are marked “SAMPLING PROGRAM”).

Quantities are limited on the app, so if you are interested in any of these, I recommend that you add these coupons (by opening the Sprouts app, click on digital coupons, and click on each coupon in the lower corner where the little green circle is) to your app ASAP.

Not all Sprouts locations will have these freebies, so I suggest trying larger Sprouts locations in your area.

These are full-sized freebies- not small sample-sized products. they are located in the store with the other products of the same type.

Not all accounts will receive all the same products.

This month the following items are available:

  • Plant Boss Product
  • HighKey Mini Cookies
  •  Hoplark Sparkling HopTea, Non-Alcoholic (The Citra Bomb One, The Calm One or The Green Tea One, 16 oz.)
  • Bob’s Red Mill Bar (1.76 oz.)
  • Koia Low Sugar Fruit Smoothie

And because April is Earth Month, make sure to check the coupon section of the Sprouts apps for all kinds of High Value and BOGO coupons for your favorite earth-loving products. 

4/1/2022 Friday Freebies and Deals- No Joke!

Abby H.

We’re getting towards the end of our reconstruction. I know I said that last week, but there isn’t much left.  The cabinets will be installed next, and then the water heater can be installed.

I’m getting y’all some top-notch freebies and deals this week- Enjoy and stay safe!

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 Subscription to ELLE Magazine
Free Freestyle Diapers
Free EZVIZ Smart Home Security Products
Free Mossy Oak Cheese Straws
Free Primal Kitchen Dips
25 Free Disney Movie Insiders Points
Free Lancome Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum Sample
Free NotCo Plant-Based Milk Alternative
Au Bon Pain – Free Travel Mug, Birthday Lunch & More
Free Sample of Strivectin Super C Retinol Serum
Free MESH01 Footwear, Apparel, Equipment & Other Products
Free United Soybean Board Hat
Free Sensory Play Toys
Free LMNT Electrolyte Drink Mix Samples
Free $5 at Corner Bakery Cafe
Possible Free $300 TV Research Study
Free Medium Fries w/ Any $1 Purchase at McDonalds – Every Friday
Free Sample of ECOS Liquidless Laundry Sheets
Free Pair of Mack’s Ear Plugs – Every Weekday
Possible Free $200 Pet Food Study
Phantom Fireworks – Free Pack of 6 Gold Sparklers
Free Baby, Kids, Household & Other Products
Free Keracell, Your Best Face, ClarityRX & Teri Love Serum
2 Free Boxes of Crayons at Crayola Stores – Select States
Southern Marsh Ambassadors – Free Products
Possible Free $400 Lawn Care Study
Free Toothbrush
Free Baby Samples & Full Sized Products from Amazon
Free 2-in-1 Tablet Stand
Lane Bryant Covert Client Program – Free Clothes, Points & More
Free Dianella Deep Conditioning Mask

 

Deals:

Up to 65% Off Beach Towels + Extra 10% Off at Checkout
Outward Hound Squeaker Ballz ONLY $3.99 (Reg. $8)
Barbie Leopard Rainbow Hair Doll ONLY $7.99 (Reg. $20)
Air Fryers 50% Off at Target
Bella Mini Waffle Maker ONLY $6.49 (Reg $13)
Disney’s Minnie Mouse Wristlet ONLY $14.40 (Reg $24)
Kate Spade Slide Tote ONLY $89 (Reg $359)
Cuddl Duds Plush Throw ONLY $19.99 (Reg $50)
Carter’s Girls Pajamas ONLY $7 at Macy’s (Reg $20)
Personalized Glass Lantern ONLY $29.99 (Reg $50)
Funko Pop McDonald’s Rockstar Nugget ONLY $4.72 (Reg. $11)
Up to 60% Off Timberland & More + Extra 10% Off at Checkout

Free Food Distribution Monday April 4th, 2022

Abby H.

Per my email from Pastor Josiah- Food Distribution is going down, this Monday, April 4th at Faith Chapel.  Thank you for registering ahead of time to help the line move faster.

And as a reminder:

Faith Chapel will be having free food distributions on the 1st & 3rd Mondays throughout 2022 at 10:00am.

Faith Chapel
9400 Campo Rd.
Spring Valley, CA 91977

This is a drive-thru-style event, so you don’t have to leave your vehicles. The types of food vary, but in the past, there has been milk, cheese, eggs, canned goods, seasonal fresh produce, shelf-stable dry goods (beans, pasta, etc.).

In addition to free food, there is also a boutique open to be shopped at during these distribution times. Everything in our boutique is FREE and available to any guests that come through. You can find everything from clothes to household furnishings, kitchenware, toys, etc.

AO Opinions: Upcoming Parent Project $125

Abby H.

AO Opinions is another Market Research company that I get information from. Right now they are recruiting for an upcoming research study on the topic of Children’s Toys. From the questions asked, I am surmising it’s going to be about Dollhouses or other closely related toys.

  • To be considered, complete the pre-screener survey here. 
  • Compensation: $125 (if chosen)
  • Open to: Parents of children under 10 years old (Specifically girls 3-6)
  • Wednesday, April 13th, 2022. Multiple Times Available or Thursday, April 14th, 2022. Multiple Times Available