Spring 2024 Upcoming Clothing Swaps!

Abby H.

Earth Day is coming soon and that means clothing swaps!

Slow Down Party on Hourglass Field:

  • Tuesday, April 16, 2024
  • Hourglass Field House 10440 Black Mountain Road San Diego, CA 92126.
  • 5 to 7 p.m

Come by to wind down after a long day, exchange some wardrobe pieces, learn about the circular economy, and build community with fellow San Diegans. No registration is required, and walk-ins are welcome. Please bring no more than one grocery bag full of donations that are lightly used with no rips, stains, or odors. Donations are welcome, but not necessary to take home a new outfit!

Celebrate Earth Day with the Mission Trails Regional Park!

  • Monday, April 22, 2024
  • Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center 1 Father Junipero Serra Trail San Diego, CA 92119
  • 6 – 9pm

This swap is a little different because it’s a fundraiser for the park as well as a swap, but it still looks like a fun night!

Women, Men’s, and Children’s Clothing- Clothes should be clean, in wearable condition, and free of stains, rips, or tears that are not part of the clothing design. No undergarments or socks, please. All leftover clothing will be donated.

For more information, please visit the website or contact the park directly. mtrp@mtrp.org
(619) 668-3280

Porchlight clothing swap: The Porchlight clothing swap is back! Just in time for summer.

  • June 8, 2024 
  • 8878 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
  • 9:30-11:30am

For more details, check their website, or their social media. 

If you aren’t in the immediate San Diego, CA area, I suggest googling Clothing Swap (your area) 2024 and see what pops up.

For more info on clothing swaps and clothing for those in need, check out my article here. 

Tea Collection: 20% Off Sitewide!

Abby H.

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

It’s that time of year! Tea Collection is back with their 20% off Friends and Family event.

I love Tea Collection’s cute kid’s clothes, especially their dresses. Now through Sunday, April 21, 2024, save 20% sitewide.

Find everything you need for summer at vacation-friendly prices.  I’m picking up a couple of their SPF 50+ bathing suits for my little lady.

If you’ve got a kiddo from newborn-size 12, there are tons of cute pieces of clothing waiting for your kiddos!

 

4/13/2024 Weekly Freebies and Deals!

Abby H.

The 2024 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.

If you are looking for free food resources, my comprehensive list can be found here. It is focused on San Diego County, but there are additional resources outside my area as well.

We are gearing up to have work done to our home from a water loss. It’s been a long process, but we are sliding into the home stretch. I am very excited to have a new kitchen and new flooring- This weekend I’ll be packing up the kitchen.

Freebies:

Free Kona Ice on April 15th
Mack’s Free Ear Plug’s Giveaway – Every Weekday at 11am EST
Free Vita Coco Treats After Rebate
Free Sample Pack of Vitafol Ultra-FirstStep Capsules Prenatal Vitamins
Free Kids’ Guide to Helping Animals Magazine + Stickers
Free Pretzel at Philly Pretzel Factory on 26th
Free Sample of Black Forest Gummy Bears
Free Bottle of Nature’s Twist After Rebate
Free Sample of New Skin Kids Liquid Bandage Paint
Free Purina SuperPet Smart ID Tag
Free Bag of Yummers After Rebate
Free Box of HoldOn Garbage Bags After Rebate
Free 3pc Chicken Supremes Combo at Bojangles
Free 7-Day Sample of Ubiquinol CoQ10 Health Softgels
Free Cold Brew at Pilot Flying J on April 20th
Free Sample of Stem & Root PMS Relief Supplements
Free Making Minnesota Activity Book
Score 3 Free Old Spice Deodorants at Walmart
Free Pretzel at Wetzel’s Pretzel on 26th
Free Dozen Cookies at Tiff’s Treats
Free Hachette Boardgames Gamer Night Party Pack
Free Jumbo Pretzel at Ben’s Soft Pretzels on 26th
Free Coffee & Espresso Cooking Classes at Williams Sonoma
Free LEGO Creativity Workshops – Sign Up Now
Free Paper Flower Bouquet Collage Craft Event at Michaels
Free Owl Dream Catcher Craft Kit at JCPenney
Free Medium Fries w/ Any $1 Purchase at McDonalds – Every Friday
Free Cold Brew at Dunkin’ on April 20th

Safe Smartphones for Kids from Gabb

Abby H.

Have y’all heard of Gabb Phone?

Recently, we’ve been talking about getting the kids phones. They both have devices (kindles), so they don’t need another way to get online, but they do need phones since we don’t have a landline.

Gabb has smartwatches and smartphones and depending on your kids’ age and their needs, there are three different phone plans to choose from.

Receive FREE* Gabb Phone or 50% Off* Gabb Phone 3 Pro and Gabb Watch 3 and One month FREE when you purchase a Plan. That’s a pretty sweet deal.

I’ll spend the weekend looking over all of the details and plans, and then let the kids know.

 

Talk Back: Do your kids have phones?

April is Financial Literacy Month

Abby H.

Financial literacy is near and dear to my heart. I’ve spent much of my adult life working hard to save money, pay bills on time, and live within my means. It is a lot of effort and work, but, it’s made my life less stressful.

In 2020, I wrote a three-part series about making a practical budget that a family can adhere to and how to get some extra help if you need it. This was written during the pandemic, so there is a lot of information and resources, especially for those feeling the financial panic that many felt during the height of the pandemic.

If you already have a budget or feel that your spending is out of control and you aren’t to the point yet where you feel that you need a budget, I did a series of posts in late 2019 about how to reign in the out-of-control spending.

 A big part of financial literacy is tracking where you stand financially. With identity theft happening to 22% of Americans (per a 2022 Bureau of Justice Statistics study), knowing what’s on your credit is important.  Obtaining your free annual credit report is easy.  Free Annual Credit Report is the site that I use.

Once you receive it, go over and verify all of the open accounts are yours. Contact the credit bureaus immediately if there are any incorrect names, addresses, or accounts.

If you are saving for your future, or your kid’s future, here are two great savings opportunities:

Savings bonds- Savings Bonds: The gift that keeps on giving!

529’s/ Educational Savings Accounts- September Is College Savings Month!

Magazine Subscriptions: no credit card required from bPerx!

Abby H.

bPerx is gifting some Magazine subscriptions! No credit card is required!

Ready to Claim Your Magazine Gifts? bPerx just needs a little info to get your gifts ready.

Recipe: Chicken Fajita Veggie Skillet (GF)

Abby H.

Even though we are still without a kitchen, I recently made this yummy skillet.

I used a lot of pre-cut/precooked stuff, but if you have a kitchen, feel free to chop and cook yourself.

Chicken Fajita Veggie  Skillet 

  • 9 oz. Foster FarmsRefrigerated Grilled Chicken Breast Strips or 9 oz. Cooked, bite-sized chicken breast
  • 1 cup diced green bell peppers
  • 1 cup diced onions 
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1.5 cups cooked basmati rice
  • 1 packet of fajita seasoning
  • 1/2 cup water (or chicken broth)
  • 1 can Ro*tel Tomatoes
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Top with:

  • 2 tablespoons plain Greek Yogurt or light sour cream
  • Hot sauce

Directions

  1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and sauté chicken, onion, and peppers until onions are translucent.
  2. Add in rotel, canned tomatoes, water, and fajita seasoning. Cook over medium, stirring gently frequently until mixture is slightly thickened.
  3. Gently fold in cooked rice.
  4. Once combined, top with cheese. Remove from heat, cover skillet with lid, and allow the cheese to melt (about 5-10 minutes),
  5. Serve with plain Greek yogurt or sour cream and hot sauce. Freezes well, and is a great meal prep option. 

Serves 5

If you are looking to boost your protein intake, substitute basmati rice for cooked RightRice or quinoa.

4/7/2024 PRC Research Study Round-Up!

Abby H.

PRC aka iOpinion is a nationwide research study company. They are always running studies and looking for more respondents. They email me once a week with online studies they are looking to fill. Here are the latest studies:

Subject: Smartwatch Users
Pays $650
Who: Adults nationwide aged 18 and older to participate in an upcoming online bulletin board about smartwatches.
Location: US Nationwide Residents
Dates: April – May 2024, various dates and times
Study Format: Online Bulletin Board
Commitment: 4 weeks
If you are interested in participating, complete the intake survey here. If you pre-qualify, a recruiter from PRC will contact you via phone.

Subject: National Voters-April 2024
Pays $200
Who: CEOs, Professors, Doctors, Lawyers, Owners, Senior Advisors, etc., to participate in an upcoming online focus group about voting.
Location: US Nationwide Residents
Dates: April 16, 2024, various times
Study Format: Online Focus Group
Commitment: 1.75 hours (plus 15 minute early check-in)
If you are interested in participating, complete the intake survey here. If you pre-qualify, a recruiter from PRC will contact you via phone.

Subject: Skincare
Pays $175
Who: Females nationwide aged 25-50 to participate in an upcoming online focus group about skincare.
Location: US Nationwide Residents
Dates: April 29 – May 1, 2024, various times
Study Format: Online Focus Group
Commitment: 2 hours
If you are interested in participating, complete the intake survey here. If you pre-qualify, a recruiter from PRC will contact you via phone.

 

 

Regal Cinemas $5 Mystery Movie Tickets!

Abby H.

Did y’all know that Regal Cinemas has Mystery Movie Mondays for only $5?? Buy your tickets online and find out what the movie is when you reach the theatre!

From their website: Shhh! Be the first to see this NEW movie before its official release date for only $5… We just can’t tell you the title!

There are upcoming $5 Mystery Mondays on 4/8, 4/15, and 4/22! All of our local theatres have start times of 7:00pm for these movies.

This would make a fun, frugal date.

 

 

 

3/30/2024 PRC Research Study Round-Up!

Abby H.

PRC aka iOpinion is a nationwide research study company. They are always running studies and looking for more respondents. They email me once a week with online studies they are looking to fill. Here are the latest studies:

Restaurant Opinions Payment varies
Who: Ages 18-50 to participate in an upcoming online focus group regarding restaurant Options.
Location: US Nationwide Residents
Dates: April 15-16, 2024, various times
Study Format: Virtual Focus Group
Commitment: 1.5 hours + 30 minute mandatory homework
If you are interested in participating, complete the intake survey here. If you pre-qualify, a recruiter from PRC will contact you via phone.

Family Caregivers $150
Who: California residents aged 18 and older to participate in an upcoming virtual interview regarding family caretakers.
Location: California
Dates: April 9-18, 2024, various times
Study Format: Online Interview
Commitment: 90 minutes
If you are interested in participating, complete the intake survey here. If you pre-qualify, a recruiter from PRC will contact you via phone.

Skincare $175
Who: Females aged 25-50 years old who live on the East Coast or West Coast to participate in an upcoming online focus group regarding Skincare.
Location: East Coast and West Coast Residents
Dates: April 29 – May 1, 2024, various times
Study Format: Online Focus Group
Commitment: 2 hours.
If you are interested in participating, complete the intake survey here. If you pre-qualify, a recruiter from PRC will contact you via phone.