New! Claim your spot on the OhmNow waitlist!

Abby H.

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If you’ve been reading my blog for some time, you know I love earning money and saving energy with OhmConnect (You can read more about it here). OhmConnect is sweetening the deal with a new program.

 OhmNow finishes what you started with #OhmHours. Sign up for this new premium add-on service, and we’ll upgrade your OhmConnect account so your smart devices respond to extra valuable #OhmHours. You’ll get paid extra without lifting a finger.

For just $4.99 per month you can automatically save energy when electricity prices surge, even if that’s just for five minutes.

No commitment or credit card required today, you can join the waitlist here.

Working Behind the Scenes for You

OhmNow works behind the scenes so you can rest easy knowing that you’re making extra money without lifting a finger. Join OhmNow and you can earn by:

  • Connecting key appliances
  • Setting your preferences
  • Automatically reducing energy during surges

Just like the standard OhmConnect service, you don’t need to change anything on your utility account.

Disclaimer: If you aren’t a member of OhmConnect and join, I may earn extra points that will help me earn my next reward.

11/8/19- Friday Freebies and Deals!

Abby H.

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It’s Friday, and holy moly, do I have a busy weekend coming up! The Skyline Swap tomorrow morning, then I am off to a blogger mini-conference to meet with some new brands and bloggers.

But first, let’s dive into some freebies!

November is Military Family Month at the YMCA!

Abby H.

ymcaOne of the things I love about the YMCA is that they support military families with discounts and special programs. Through November 11, The San Diego County YMCA’s are directing 50 percent of new-member join fees toward financial assistance for military families.

Military families get extra membership benefits at the YMCA, including a waived join fee ($60 value), 10% off monthly membership fees, and access to child care referrals and the Exceptional Family Member Program for Navy families who have children with special needs.

If you haven’t checked out your local YMCA location recently, The Y will be free and open to all during regular hours, Monday, November 11. Veteran’s Day is just one of the many free community days the Y has throughout the year.

We love our local Y. With 2 hours of childcare each day, so I can exercise (or really, sometimes I just want to take a shower in peace), or make phone calls/catch up on emails/write in the newly remodeled lobby of our local Y (#nomomshame, I see lots of other moms do it too before or after their workouts), free classes, events, and weekly open gymnastic so the kids can play and get wiggles out- no matter the temperature outside, there is something for every family.

I’ve always got free passes too- so if you can’t make it on Monday, November 11, 2019 to your local Y, let me know and I can slip some passes your way!

Full Cart- Pantry Staples for Less!

Abby H.

 

fullcartlogo.pngI learned about Full Cart from Reddit. After doing some internet sleuthing, I have come to the conclusion that Full Cart is a great deal for those who do not have discount stores like 99 Cents Only or Grocery Outlet nearby. You can choose from one of three packages full of shelf-stable pantry staples that are quick and easy to cook.

Good news for vegetarians, they have options for you too!

Full Cart offers three packages:

Custom Box $22.99

What’s Included**

  • – 30 lunch/dinner servings
  • – 22 side dish servings
  • – 5 breakfast servings
  • – 8 snack servings
  • – 3 fresh produce items

Signature Box $19.99

What’s Included

  • – 28 lunch/dinner servings
  • – 8 side dish servings
  • – 10 breakfast servings
  • – 2 snack servings

Essentials Bag $14.99

What’s Included

  • – 25 lunch/dinner servings
  • – 10 side dish servings
  • – 5 breakfast servings

Typical items include:

Instant Oatmeal Packets, Macaroni and Cheese Kits, Stroganoff Meal Kits, Mashed Potatoes Kits, Red Lentil Jambalaya Meal Kits, Italian Veggie Pasta Meal Kit
(Bulk Bag), Loma Meat Free entrees, Tuna in pouches, Spanish Rice Meal Kit, Cheesy Pasta Meal Kit (Bulk Bag), Italian Veggie Pasta — Tomato Flavor Meal Kit
(Bulk Bag), Chicken Noodle Soup Meal Kit (Bulk Bag).  These items change frequently, so when you order, you may have other options!

Now clearly, this isn’t all that you need, you’ll still need additional items to make most of the kits/meals Full Cart sells, but any of these packages are a great way to stock your pantry for less. The meal kits area great Starting point for cooking tasty, nutritious foods for your family.

The best part is that there are always coupons and promo codes to bring down the shipping price further.  Because Full Cart is a non-profit, the food is free, all you pay for is for shipping. Coupon codes are to help you save on the price of shipping. Right now use coupon code AHEWES at checkout to save $3.00.  Coupon Codes are emailed out frequently when you sign up for Full Cart’s email list. You can sign up here.

Shipping prices vary on where you live, and I’ve seen reports on Reddit that depending on the coupon code, which food box you choose, and your area, boxes of food were delivered for as low as $8.00.

Talk Back: Have you tried Full Cart? What did you think?

California Residents: Unclaimed Property and Money!

Abby H.2 Comments

This is the postcard we received over the weekend. On the back is information about the State Controller’s Office, and how they are holding over NINE BILLION DOLLARS in unclaimed property (that includes money).

I checked the website and found about $27 in my name! I filled out the forms, printed them, signed them,  made copies of my ID, and mailed it all off this morning.  In 120 short days (or so, per the website), I should get my money.

It’s free to search, free to claim your property, so it is 100% worth 5-10 minutes to see if you’ve got anything waiting for you!

Click here to get started!

 

Looking for a Job? 2020 Census is Hiring!

Abby H.2 Comments

1569165357224The 2020 census is right around the corner!

That means the government is hiring for all sorts of positions to help get the census completed!

Positions provide:

  • Excellent pay ($16.50-$22.50/hr)
  • Flexible Hours
  • Paid Training
  • Close to Home

To learn more or apply, click here. I found out about this opportunity last week and I know that a lot of you are looking for part-time or temporary jobs to earn some quick cash.

I may be applying for one of these positions to earn some extra cash to help pay for a new car.

 

11/4/19 Weekly Meal Plan

Abby H.

stemarie_1650skitchen

The littlest kiddo and I went grocery shopping on Friday, and man did we stock up! I went over budget by about $10 again this week, but we picked up some pantry staples that we had run out of. They will last at least a month, so I’m not too concerned.

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 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 kitchen inventory printable, I like the kitchen inventories here. They are great printables.

You may notice a lot of plant-based meals- We are not vegetarian (well, the big kid is, but the rest of us aren’t), but I am trying to get more veggies into our diet. I do a lot of cooking from scratch- I find it easier to get veggies and fruit into recipes that I can have 100% control over.

I only post our dinner plans for the week, because our other meals are usually the same each day:

Breakfast: Coffee with heavy cream for me, and pancakes or something along those lines for the kids (they love the Kodiak Cakes Mix).  I also keep sandwich Ziploc bags of other frozen fruit on hand to make the kids smoothies when they request them (a few times per week). Berries, peaches, and mangos are pretty popular.

Lunches are leftovers, salads, or soups for me and Bitty. The big kid takes his lunch to school, but once in a while, I can convince him to buy his lunch.

For dinner, when we’ve got busy days (like Mondays), I’ll try and put something in the crockpot in the morning, or pull something I’ve already prepped out that can be quickly cooked. I did a little meal prep over the weekend, chopped and bagged veggies soups and chili, and made cookies for the kids.

  • Monday: Breakfast for dinner: Egg scramble with bacon, cheese, and veggies, hot cocoa
  • Tuesday: Leftover chicken tetrazzini, I made a huge batch last week.
  • Wednesday: Vegetable ravioli soup (recipe this week)
  • Thursday:  Taco-dillas (Quesadillas made with taco fixings), beans & rice
  • Friday: Vegetarian chili (I made a double batch last week and frozen part of it).
  • Saturday: I’ve got two events on Saturday, so I’m going to grab pizzas on the way home.
  • Sunday:   Leftover-palooza.

 

Talk Back: What are you planning to cook this week?

MommyCon San Diego is 20 Days Away!

Abby H.

Screen Shot 2019-10-10 at 8.32.03 PM.pngAre you ready? MommyCon San Diego is just 20 days away!

This multi-day event features amazing shopping, interactive workshops, inspirational speakers and so much more. I loved the goody bag that I got last year! And of course, no event for moms (and dads) is complete without a snack station with all kinds of tasty snacks and drinks from some of the sponsors.

To  buy tickets and get more info go to MommyCon.com and use code “MTAH19” for 10% off!

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Here are a couple of classes that will be available to attend:
Friday is for VIP ticket holders only:

2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m VIP Registration
3:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. How Onbuhimos Inspired Naked Panda Designs & Giveaway! ***VIP Session***
4:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. The Parenting Letdown ***VIP Session***

Screen Shot 2019-03-29 at 12.20.20 PMSaturday:
Registration opens at 8:30am
Exhibitor Hall opens at 9am

10AM:
Room 1
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Managing the Motherload

Room 2
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Nurturing the Development of your Baby’s Brain through Movement and Exploration

Room 3
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Potty Training: Answers to When? Why? and How?

Sleep Consultations
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Sleep Consultation: 0-12 months

11:15AM:
Room 1
11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
What to Feed Your Baby, presented by Stonyfield Organic

Room 2
11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
What to Eat When You’re Expecting, presented bythe Weston A. Price Foundation

Room 3
11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Play-Based Learning for Infants

Sleep Consultations
11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Sleep Consultation: 12-24 months

12:00-1:00PM- Lunch Break

1:00PM:
Room 1
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Preparing for your Breastfeeding Journey, presented by Kindred Bravely

Room 2
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Dental Ages Every Parent Must Know, presented by The Super Dentists

Room 3
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Babywearing 101: From SSC’s to Wrapping, presented by Ergobaby

Sleep Consultations
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Sleep Consultation: 24 months

2:00PM:
Exhibitor Hall
2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
The Ultimate Giveaway

Exhibitor Hall
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Shopping Break

3:00PM:
Room 1
3:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Peaceful Parenting

Room 2
3:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Your Baby’s First Year with Homeopathy, presented by Boiron

Sleep Consultations
3:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Sleep Consultation: All Ages Q&A

11/1/19 Friday Freebies and Deals

Abby H.

file000845666076Better late than never, eh? I had some hellacious adulting to do today, so as a result all my blogging got pushed aside until the kids were asleep and dishes were done.

I’m surprised at the number of free events this weekend, but I think that maybe in part because Halloween was on Thursday, so let’s get started!

Events/In-store goodies:

Free PetSmart Sample Saturday Event

Free Sample of Downy Unstoppables at Sam’s

Free Air Wick Scented Oil Warmer at Walmart

Free Box of Facial Tissue at Big Lots

Free Hot Wheels Breakfast Event at Pottery Barn

Free Magical Reading Wand at Lakeshore Learning

Free American Eagle at Home Depot

Panera Members – Free Bagel Everyday in November

Free Holiday Kickoff Party at Disney Store

 

Free Samples:

PINCHme – Possible Free Michel et Augustin Cookie Squares

Free Sample of Cheers Hangover Relief Supplement

Free Collagen Peptides

Free $50 Gift Card with Hyundai Test Drive

2 Free Keep Girls Safe Buttons

Free Sample of PooPeePads Dog Pads

Free Organics Family Grass Kids Whey Powder

FREE Amazon Baby Box Samples

Free Q Drinks Carbonated Mixer Beverage

Free RADIUS Children’s Toothbrush

Free Sample of Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain

 

Deals:

Crystal Love Necklace Jewelry Set ONLY $2 Shipped

Mickey Mouse 90th Anniversary ONLY $5.69 at Amazon

Fisher-Price On-The-Go Breakfast Toy ONLY $4.90 (Reg $10)

Reusable Collapsible Silicone Straws ONLY $5.12 (Reg. $16)

LEGO City Arctic Exploration Set ONLY $6.23 at Amazon (Reg $10)

Munchkin Portable Diaper Caddy ONLY $7.11 (Reg. $25)

Fisher-Price Smart Scan Word Dash ONLY $11.12 (Reg. $30)

New Month, New Coupons!

Abby H.

file000786402730Here is your monthly reminder!  A new month means new printable and electronic coupons!

Check out the following sites:

One of my favorite websites is the Sunday Coupon Review.  It helps me plot out scenarios in advance and I can email friends to ask for coupons in advance. Remember if clipping coupons isn’t your thing, but saving money is, check out my list of Smartphone apps that can save you the big bucks! New offers are added on the Smartphone Savings Apps all the time!

Here are a few of my favorite new coupons:

Save $1.25 on any ONE (1) 1850® Ground or Whole Bean Coffee Product

Save $1.50 on ONE (1) jar of Mezzetta® Pasta Sauce, 16.25 oz or larger

Save $2.00 Any ONE (1) JOHN FRIEDA® Product

Save $3.00 when you spend $18.00 on KLEENEX® Product.Expires 12/31/2019.Save $3.00.

Save $5 when you purchase $25 of Kellogg’s® Cereals (8.4 oz. or Larger, Any Flavor, Mix or Match).Expires 12/30/2019.Save $5.00.