12/5/2025 PRC Research Study Round Up!

Abby H.

PRC is a nationwide research study company. They are always conducting studies and seeking additional respondents. They email me once a week about the online studies they are looking to fill. Research studies are a great way to earn a little extra money, and most of them can be completed from the comfort of your own home, using your computer or laptop.

Topic: Houston Hospital Options (Online/Remote)
Who: Adults aged 25-65 living in the Houston, TX area
Dates: Jan 6-8, 2026
Format: Online Focus Group
Duration:90 min
Incentive: $150

If you are interested in participating, complete the intake survey here. If you pre-qualify, a recruiter from PRC will contact you via phone.

Topic: Credit Cards-January 2026 (Online/Remote)
Who: Adults aged 23-44
Dates: Jan 21-22, 2026
Format: Online Focus Group
Duration: 2 hrs
Incentive: $250

If you are interested in participating, complete the intake survey here. If you pre-qualify, a recruiter from PRC will contact you via phone.

 

A few notes about PRC:

It is recommended to use Google Chrome or Firefox to complete the pre-qualification survey.
Only one participant per household.
Our surveys are open to U.S. Residents.
Incentives are paid via Digital Incentive unless otherwise stated.
To participate in any study that requires a webcam, please use a laptop or desktop computer ONLY—No smartphones or tablets.
If you use ChatGPT or any other AI assistance for your responses/feedback during any of the research projects, please keep in mind that you will not receive compensation and will be removed from the database.
If you pre-qualify, a PRC Global Market Research recruiter will contact you via phone.

Earn Gift Cards with Surveys on MyPoints.com!

Abby H.

Last week was a no-work week for me, which is why you saw a lot more posts from me. At my 9-5 job, when we are closed, we don’t work, which means….. I don’t get paid.

Except for the holiday and the day after (it’s a floating holiday), that means I had 3 unpaid days off last week. What’s a girl to do, besides clean out the closets, steam clean the couch, take the kids to the zoo, and visit the eye doctor?

SURVEYS!

I spent my time between loads of laundry/meal prep/dishes and at 6 am every day (the cat doesn’t understand days off) doing surveys to earn a little extra money for the holidays. And Groceries.

I completed most of the surveys on MyPoints.com, which, in addition to offering a large number of surveys, also helps you save and earn money shopping online.

Here are some of the surveys available as of Monday night that I qualify for. 

 

For reference, 1600 points are equal to a $10 gift card. I usually get gift cards to stores where I can buy groceries, or I get gift cards that I can give as gifts.

I also completed surveys on Verasight, where I cashed out $10.00, and Paid ViewPoint, where I cashed out $15.00. I completed a few other misc. surveys I had in my email, including 4 software reviews on G2. Those pay $10 each. I was able to cash out about $90.00 in gift cards from My Points.

I didn’t get paid for any of the following, but I might later down the road if I get picked for a PRC research study. I post about those about once a week, or when they send me emails. They have a lot of various research studies available for people all across the US. Here are some I posted last week.

Do You Have an FSA? Don’t Leave Your Money on the Table!

Abby H.

Do you have an FSA? An FSA is a Flexible Spending Account. It is a pre-tax benefit account offered by employers that lets you set aside money from your paycheck to pay for eligible out-of-pocket healthcare or dependent care expenses.

Funds can be used for things like co-pays, deductibles, and prescriptions, which lowers your taxable income. A key feature is the “use-it-or-lose-it” rule, meaning you typically forfeit any unspent money at the end of the plan year (thanks, PayChex).

A lot of these FSA plans expire at the end of the calendar year, which means you have 31 days to spend it up. If you have already seen your doctors, refilled your prescriptions, and visited any specialists this year (don’t forget the dentist and optometrist!), one way to make sure you utilize every last cent of your FSA funds is the OTC or Over-the-Counter Benefit.

Online Glasses companies like GlassesShop are a smart way to pick up a few extra pairs of glasses on a budget to stretch those last few FSA dollars. That includes prescription sunglasses, too!

And for my readers with Medicare or Medicaid, check out my post here about OTC benefits you may not have otherwise known about.

December 2025: New Healthy Freebies From Social Nature!

Abby H.

 If you are into Organic/Natural/Healthy products, then Social Nature is right up your alley. Sign up and apply to sample products that you are interested in. I usually receive 4-6 offers/freebies per month, sometimes more if I have time to shop. And most of the time it’s full-size products, not just a tiny sample.

In addition to the offers where they mail you a coupon for a free product, Social Nature has started offering 100% cash-back, similar to Ibotta and Fetch Rewards. I love this because I can select exactly what I want, Social Nature tells me which local stores have it, and I can add it to my next shopping list.

And it’s just as easy as Ibotta and Fetch Rewards. Snap a pic and upload it. You can select Venmo, Paypal, or an Amazon Gift Card for your rebate.

Here are just a few of the Free/100% Cashback offers available now:

  • George’s Farmers Market Humanely-Raised Chicken
  • ZICO PURE Coconut Water
  • Señor Rico Chocolate Natilla Custard
  • Tia Lupita Low Sodium Sauces
  • Rio Mare Wild Tuna in Olive Oil
  • Vgan Organic Chocolates
  • Truly Indian Indian Street Wraps

Dollar Tree: Free Shipping Through 12/2/25!

Abby H.

Dollar Tree is one of my favorite places to shop for goodies. They have great skin care dupes, their Bath Bombs are very good, and they have great sugar-free drink mixes.

Now through 12/2/25, you can score free shipping with promo code NOFEEWISH at checkout. Dollar Tree’s website is perfect for those of us who are making gift baskets or stuffing stockings.

If you follow Dollar Tree Dinners on Social Media and are making her meal kits to donate, this coupon code is a great way to have all the supplies delivered to you!

I am making stockings for the kids at my work who receive the weekend food backpacks, so this coupon code will come in handy! I’ve got all kinds of ideas, and this coupon code will save me time and money. I can do all my shopping online at Dollar Tree’s website, and it will be shipped to my door.

If you aren’t sure what to buy at Dollar Tree, check out my post here with my Top Ten Grocery Items from Dollar Tree!

 

Receipt Hog: Hoggy Holiday Bonus Bash is Here

Abby H.

Receipt Hog is a great app for those starting out on a savings journey. It’s simple to use, and points rack up quickly.

You can download it here and get started.

In the app, snap pictures of all of your receipts from dining out to grocery trips and earn points that you can redeem for gift cards or money via Paypal. Reward options start as low as 1000 Points.

You can also connect your grocery and mass merchandiser accounts to earn extra points.  In addition to points, there is a game called Hog Slots, where you spin the wheel to win extra points.

Right now, through December 31, 2025, you can earn points and spins to earn extra points!

  • Upload 5 e-Receipts: 50 Spins
  • Upload 30 paper receipts: 25 Spins
  • Upload 15 Link Receipts- 25 Spins
  • Complete all the bonuses and earn 100 bonus coins!

 

StackInfluence: Free Products for Micro-Influencers

Abby H.

I’ve been around the micro-influencer sphere for a while.

There have been review programs for influencers since the beginning, and a lot of them have closed due to shady practices or blatant disregarding of website TOS’s.

StackInfluence is different, and pretty easy in my opinion. You sign up, select a campaign, purchase the item via the link provided, review the item as outlined in the campaign, and you are refunded your purchase price via Paypal or Venmo.

I’ve done a few campaigns with them (including this horrible upholstry stain remover), and reimbursement is super quick- less than an hour after you verify your social media post. And reviews can be honest. I try not to sugarcoat reviews, because if you are spending money on something I tell you is good, you better believe that it’s good. That stain remover was not. It was stanky and made my couch look worse.

Most items are for sale on Amazon, but there are a few on Walmart.com too.  I tend to redeem my rewards/rebate app rewards for Amazon Gift Cards and add them to my account, so when I order stuff through apps like StackInfluence, I’m not paying out of my own pocket for them!

Here are just a few of the newer campaigns I have my eye on:

I have a few artists in my family who would enjoy these Posca markers- If you’ve never used Poscas before, they are amazing Acrylic Paint pens!

And there is a certain Cryptid lover in my house who would love this BigFoot shirt.

If you have an Instagram or Tiktok account and you’d love to try new products, check out StackInfluence.

Looking for Frugal Fun for Winter Holidays? Check out Neighborhood Light Displays!

Abby H.

This is one of our family traditions, even since Bubs was a baby. My brother and I grew up doing this, too. I’m not sure if winter holiday light displays on residential properties are big in other parts of the country, but here in Southern California, it’s serious business. Some of these houses put the Griswold’s to shame.

Here are our family’s favorite neighborhoods to visit:

East County:

  • Jingle Bell Hill (also known as Pepper Dr. Lights). Solomon Ave./Pegeen Pl. and surrounding area. Off 67 & Bradley. Dec. 8-26, Mon-Th 6-9 pm, Fri-Sun 6-10 pm.
  • 10248 Paseo Palmas Dr., Nicknamed “Tinsel Town”. Dec. 1-25, 5:30-9 pm. Most of the houses on this street are very well decorated with lights and moving displays! They have a Facebook page too!
  •  Starlight Circle, East and West Glendon Circles. Through December 26th, 7-10 pm. This is extremely popular!  Starlight Circle even has a Facebook page! Starlight Circle has gotten so popular in recent years that the neighboring high school has opened its parking lot. You can park your car and walk through.

There are some neighborhoods that we have added to our list this year. Most of them have been around for years, but we have not visited them yet.

  •  Christmas Card Lane in Rancho Penasquitos 9190 Oviedo St, San Diego, CA 92129
  • Christmas Park in Clairemont Jamar Dr & Lana Dr, San Diego, CA 92117
  • Merry-tage Court in Scripps Ranch Merritage Ct & Stonebridge Pkwy, San Diego, CA 92131

And if you are looking for some family fun beyond a car ride and light peeping, Groupon has a few deals on Holiday light events, including Jingle Jets: USS Midway Museum’s Dazzling Holiday Light Display and San Diego Bay Parade of Lights Cruise on Luxury Yacht Peregrine.

11/28/2025 Freebies and Deals: Black Friday Edition

Abby H.

While I am not partaking in Black Friday, I know a lot of you do, so here are some deals (and freebies) that might excite you.

I’ve updated my list of freebies for birthdays in 2025, which you can find here. If you live outside Southern California, check out this list: Free Birthday Stuff in 2025: Get The Best 100+ Freebies on Your Birthday!

For free food resources, please refer to my comprehensive list, available here. It is focused on San Diego County, but additional resources are outside my area.

 

Freebies:

FREE Crown Royal Military Care Package for Our Troops
FREE WaterWipes Fresh & Soothed Set
FREE Snowball Classic Cookie at Insomnia Cookies + Win FREE Cookies for a Year
FREE Magnesium Spray
FREE Animal Creatine HMB+ Powder
FREE Handcrafted Beverage at Capital One Cafe
FREE 42 oz. La Colombe Cold Brew at Target
FREE $25 Purchase at Ulta After Cash Back
FREE Perdue Holiday Nuggets & Collectible Plate on November 28th
Get Free Christian Items by Mail and How These Resources Can Help Nourish Your Spiritual Journey
FREE Rare Breed Dog Treats Intro Pack
FREE Ethel Lapel Pin + FREE Shipping
List of Stores and Brands That Give Away Freebies During Black Friday: 2025
FREE Blue Buffalo Love Made Fresh Tender Meatballs Chatterbox Kit
FREE Starbucks Drink for New Rewards Members
FREE Lowe’s Bucket of Gifts on Black Friday + Chance at a FREE Major Appliance Worth $2,000
FREE McCormick Products
T-Mobile Tuesdays – FREE 8×10 at CVS, FREE 7-Select Snack & More
FREE Bvlgari Man in Black Fragrance Sample
How to Get Free Beauty Samples Without Spending a Dime
FREE Sample of EltaMD UV Clear and UV Daily Deep Tinted SPF
FREE Stonemill Kitchens Holiday Dips Chatterbuy Kit
FREE Photo with Santa at PetSmart on December 13th & 14th
FREE Coffee at Sheetz Through November 30th
Black Friday Food Deals & Freebies On Coffee, Fast Food, Gift Cards and More: 2025
FREE Beech-Nut Products
FREE Ethel Bandana + FREE Shipping

 

Deals:

Carter’s Clothing Sets ALL $8.99 – Kohl’s Black Friday Doorbuster Deal
Sephora Black Friday Sale – Gifts Under $25, 50% Off Fragrances, Free Shipping and More
We Found The Best Black Friday and Cyber Week Streaming Deals: 2025 Edition
Here Are The Best Black Friday Deals Vetted By Our Deal Experts: Amazon, Kohl’s, Walmart and More! (2025)
Toastmaster Small Appliances ONLY $8.98 at Kohl’s (Reg $25)
Black Friday Sale: Blackstone Adventure Ready 2-Burner Grill ONLY $157 (Reg $224) at Walmart
Amazon Black Friday – Up to 79% Off Beauty Products
JCPenney Black Friday Doorbuster – Bras for ONLY $9.99
Macy’s Black Friday 2025 is LIVE – Up to 80% Off Bedding, Toys, Clothing & More
The Best Target Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deals for 2025 + Today’s Daily Deal
Macy’s Black Friday – $15 Beauty Gift Sets ($75 value!)
Walgreens Black Friday 2025 – Save Up to 50% on Beauty Sets, Toys, Household & More
Walmart Black Friday Sale: Apple AirPods 4 ONLY $69 (Reg $130)
Black Friday Sale: VIZIO 65” Class 4K UHD Limited Edition Smart TV ONLY $228 (Reg $448) at Walmart
Black Friday Deal – Carote 10pc Pots and Pans Set ONLY $79.99 (Reg $139.99)

11/30/2025 Clothing Swap At Porchlight Community Services!

Abby H.

Looking to engage in some sustainable fun this weekend? Check out Porchlight Community Services’ end-of-year clothing swap this Sunday, November 30th, from 1pm-4pm.

Details can be found here.

They also have an upcoming toy swap on 12/6/2025, just in time for the holidays!

I love Porchlight. In addition to hosting swaps, they help keep food from ending up in landfills, and getting food into the hands (and bellies) of San Diegans in need. You can learn more about Porchlight’s mission here.