July 2022: New Month, New Coupons!

Abby H.

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

The printable coupon market is slowly coming to an end. Smartsource no longer offers printable coupons, and you may notice that there are fewer coupon inserts in your Sunday newspaper. This is in favor of more offers available on apps. But if you love printable coupons….

  • Coupons.com (printable coupons, e-coupons, and a cashback app)

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!

July is Here! We are in the full swing of summer with Sports Equipment & Craft Supplies (things for families to do together) on sale, and of course, don’t forget July 4th! Beverages, Hot dogs, Ground Beef, BBQ sauce, Ketchup, Mustard, and Ribs (Often times there are some really great rebates WYB beer or soda) offers will abound!

For a complete list of types of foods and items that will be on sale, check out this post on the cycle of sales.

07/01/2022 Friday Freebies and Deals!

Abby H.

This week has been a hot one! Lots of swimming and eating popsicles here, and of course, our first week of summer school.  If you are looking for some frugal adventures for this summer, check out this post.

There are so many awesome freebies and deals this week, and thankfully the weather is set to cool down through the weekend and into next week!

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 Entrepreneur Magazine
Free Item at Taco Bell
Free Sample of Breathe Right Extra Strength Strips
Free Museum Admission – Bank of America/Merril Lynch Cardholders
Free Nike Products
4 Free Cinnabon BonBites + Free Birthday Treat
Free Think Baby Massage Moisture Cream Sample
Free Teaniru Tea Sample
Free ClarityRx Return to Calm Facial Mask Sample
Free Sample of Teaniru Tea
Free SMN Sampler Samples
Old Orchard Fan Club – Earn Free Juice, Gifts & More
Free Beauty Without Cruelty Leave-In Conditioner
Free Brave Robot Ice Cream After Rebate
Free Black & Decker Coffee Maker & Travel Mug
Free Clio Bars & More
Free Felt Flag Keychain Craft Event at Michaels
Books-A-Million – Free Pencil Pouch
10 Free Disney Movie Insiders Points
Kids Skate Free
Free Gratsy Birthday Sample Box
Free Sample of Enfagrow Toddler Formula
Free National Geographic Kids Books Explorer Academy
Possible Free Garlique Sample
Free $18 eGift Card
Free Love, Career, & Magic Fantasy Character Stickers
Free Schar Gluten Free Crackers
Free Schar Gluten Free Deli Style Sourdough Bread
Free Brave Robot x Coolhaus Animal-Free Ice Cream Sandwiches
Free Transfer Express Screen Printing Sample Set
25 Free Disney Movie Insiders Points
Free Crayola Fourth of July Coloring Pages
Free Fall Guys PC Game

Deals:

IMUSA Nonstick Bistro Saute Pan ONLY $5.99 (Reg $13)
Beach Towels ONLY $5 (Reg $12) + Free Shipping
Ring Video Doorbell with Echo Show 5 $84.99 (Reg $185)
Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Food Truck ONLY $39.97 (Reg $70)
KidKraft Mosaic Magnetic Play Kitchen ONLY $69 (Reg $130)
Bella Pro Series 8-Qt Air Fryer ONLY $49.99 (Reg $150)
BS-MALL Makeup Brushes 14-Piece ONLY $9.99 (Reg $20)

Q-insights Casual Wear -It pays $300

Abby H.

QI-logoNOslogan.pngQ-insights is another company where I do research groups, focus groups, and online surveys to earn extra money.

They have a lot of stuff in South Orange County, and less often San Diego County. This upcoming survey takes place virtually!

Q-Insights is currently recruiting for a 5-day online journal.

The study will run between July 12th – July 17th  and you will be compensated $300 as a thank you for your time.

If you are interested in participating, please fill out the survey here.  If you pre-qualify someone from Q-Insights will call you to ask some additional qualifying questions.

Tryazon: Host a Tapple Game Night!

Abby H.

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.

 

The creators of Telestrations and Blank Slate introduce their newest edition of Tapple in this new Tryazon Featured Party opportunity, sponsored by The OP! Tapple is an award-winning, fast-paced word game that gives the family game night a rush as they compete to beat the timer. Pick a category, say a word that fits, tap the first letter of the word, then pass the Tapple wheel. No spelling is needed so kids can play too! Bring Tapple to your next game night!

Tryazon has 150 hosting spots open for this opportunity! Those selected get to receive a party pack with two copies of Tapple, one to enjoy and one to give out as a door prize! Learn more and apply here.

Family Recipe: Tortellini Salad

Abby H.

This is a super easy recipe that my mom has been making for 25+ years. She got the idea from a recipe in a cooking magazine that started with a bag of frozen veggies that was thawed.

She subbed out the frozen veggies for fresh ones, added some cubed cheese, and tortellini salad became a family hit! It is great for picnics, potlucks, and family parties. It’s a staple at our July 4th party!

Tortellini Salad 

Ingredients:

  • 1 package cheese tortellini, cooked per package directions, drained, and rinsed.
  • 1 cup of your favorite Italian Salad Dressing
  • 1 cup cubed mozzarella cheese
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped into bite-size pieces
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped into bite-size pieces
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped into bite-size pieces
  • 1 jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained. and chopped into bite-size pieces
  • 1 small package pepperoni (or salami- your choiceof), cut into bite-size pieces
  • 1 small can sliced black olives, drained

Directions:

  1. In a large bowl combine the cooked and cooled tortellini, cheese, veggies, meat, and salad dressing.
  2. Store in the fridge covered for at least overnight before serving it. Add additional dressing as needed (sometimes the tortellini soaks up a little bit of dressing).
  3. As a side dish, it serves 6-8, and as a main dish 3-4.

 

Substitutions:

  • If you are vegan, sub out vegan tortellini and vegan cheese.
  • If you are Gluten Free, sub out GF tortellini.

If you like tomatoes, it’s also great with about 1 cup of cherry/grape tomatoes (I slice them in half).

 

AO Opinions: Upcoming Project on Health $150

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 subject of Health.

I’m kinda bummed that I don’t qualify for this one… I’m too old.

  • To be considered, complete the pre-screener survey here. 
  • Compensation: $150 (if chosen)
  • Open to: 25-60 year olds

Q-Insights: Online Blog pays $200

Abby H.

QI-logoNOslogan.pngQ-insights is another company where I do research groups, focus groups, and online surveys to earn extra money.

They have a lot of stuff in South Orange County, and less often San Diego County. This upcoming survey takes place virtually!

Q-Insights is currently recruiting for an online blogging study.  Activities would include answering questions, posting photos/videos, etc..

The study would take place between July 11 through August 7. The time commitment is approximately 30 minutes per week or 2 hours total.

As a thank you for your participation, you will receive $200 for completing all activities.  The incentive is redeemable as a digital or physical gift card via Visa, Amazon, or 93 other retailers.

If you are interested in participating, please fill out the survey here.  If you pre-qualify someone from Q-Insights will call you to ask some additional qualifying questions.

Craftsy Fourth of July Sale and Free Classes!

Abby H.

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

Now through July 6, 2022, Craftsy is having an awesome summer sale! Save  70% Off All Classes with code USA70!

If you are new to Craftsy and want to check it out, they also offer a lot of free classes. Here are just a few that I love:

Q-insights Prescription Glasses/Snacks Study

Abby H.

QI-logoNOslogan.pngQ-insights is another company where I do research groups, focus groups, and online surveys to earn extra money.

They have a lot of stuff in South Orange County, and less often San Diego County. This upcoming survey takes place virtually!

Q-Insights is currently recruiting for an online interview about Prescription Glasses/Snacks.

Prescription study will run from run between July 7th-July 13th

Snacks study will run from July 7th- July 8th

If you are interested in participating please fill out the survey here. If you pre-qualify someone from Q-Insights will call you to ask some additional qualifying questions.

6/27/2022 Weekly Meal Plan

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgSummer break is here! We’ve got all sorts of adventures planned, you can check out some of our adventures here.

Summer school started, and I’m back on campus helping teachers and kiddos for the next month.

We went to Knott’s Berry Farm over the weekend and had a really fun time.

I did no meal planning over the weekend- It was all hanging out with kiddos and playing/swimming. So tonight I’ll hit the store and grab some stuff (thankfully we don’t need too many items this week).

Our veggies and fruit are delivered by Yasukochi Family Farms CSA. For $28, it’s a great deal. I don’t have to pick anything, go to the store, or carry it upstairs. I can’t go to the store and get the same amount we get weekly for $28. Seriously. It’s a deal. They email a preview of what will be in the boxes over the weekend, so I can start thinking about what I’d like to make.

With the increase in food costs, we are leaning more and more on our CSA box each week as the base of most of our meals.

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. I received a few more coupons over the weekend, so I’ll visit Sprouts sometime this week to pick up the new foods. I’m focusing on snacks and treats from Social Nature.

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.

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. Lately, the big kid has been digging protein shakes in the morning. This is his favorite kind. 

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. This is really helpful for the summer when for some reason, kids are starving all the time. The kids get free lunch at summer school too!

Dinner: We finished our last Dream Dinner last week! I’ll be ordering more next month once the new menu comes out. I’m trying to get us to eat together as a family more often and get the kids into eating more fruits and veg, so you’ll notice that our meals are pretty simple this week.

  • Monday: Nuggets, fruit (apples or oranges), chips or crackers
  • Tuesday: Meatloaf sandwiches, salad, fruit
  • Wednesday:  Sonoma Grilled Steaks, Roasted broccoli
  • Thursday: Protein shakes and fruit
  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday:  Leftovers
  • Sunday:  Peach Bourbon Chicken with Almond Green Beans