What better way to kick off the fall and winter holiday season than with a month all about showing how grateful you are for everything around you?
You can download and print my FREE gratitude journal here; it’s a simple way to reflect on your life daily for a month. Complete with a daily challenge, coloring pages, a word search, and a gratitude jar page.
It’s made for anyone, ages about 10 and up.
If you are looking for some simple, free ways to show gratitude, here are my favorites:
Talk back: How are you going to show gratitude this month?
During the month of February, all visitors age 65 and older receive free admission to the Safari Park. Enjoy the sights on an Africa Tram, see the platypuses and other Aussie species at Walkabout Australia, wander through Tiger Trail, take a stroll around Mombasa Lagoon, and relax with refreshments on the patio at Kijamii Overlook. There’s a world of sights to see—all at the Safari Park!
Parking is not free ($25), but the Safari Park is an awesome day-long adventure.
Some frugal tips for visiting your local zoo/animal park (These are all true for the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, your local parks may differ)
Bring your water bottles, and fill up at the drinking fountains/filling stations all over the park.
Pack your own snacks/lunch. There are tons of picnic/eating areas all over the parks.
Bring some cash for 1 treat/toy/souvenir. With cash, you have a firm budget.
If you are a zoo/safari park member, you may get a discount in the shops/restaurants (check online).
Taylor Research is a research company in San Diego, CA and I have done studies for them for over 20 years. I do 3 or 4 a year on various topics.
Taylor Research has a new research opportunity available for Adults with Diabetes.
• Study Topic: Diabetes Product Usability • Study Type: In-Person Interview • Study Location: San Diego, California • Target Audience: Adults diagnosed with diabetes • Available Date(s): August 13-15, 2024 • Session Duration: 4 hours • Reward Amount: $400
The research will take place at a facility in San Diego. To be considered for this study, complete the pre-screener here.
Here in San Diego, February is Museum month, and that means 50% off admission to selected museums. Digital passes good for 50% off of up to four passes can be printed here, or visit your local City of San Diego or County of San Diego Library branch location.
Don’t forget that there is also Free Museum Tuesdays all year long for San Diego Residents and military families.
If you are looking for a fun road trip, or live outside San Diego County, there is a collection of 30+ museums in the LA/OC/Santa Barbara area with free admission offers next Sunday, 2/5/23.
If you have a senior in your life and you want to send them on a frugal adventure, check out this sweet deal!
The kids posing with Jefferson’s Sloth
During the month of February, all visitors age 65 and older receive free admission to the Safari Park. Enjoy the sights on an Africa Tram, see the platypuses and other Aussie species at Walkabout Australia, wander through Tiger Trail, take a stroll around Mombasa Lagoon, and relax with refreshments on the patio at Kijamii Overlook. There’s a world of sights to see—all at the Safari Park!
For more information about Seniors Free, check out the Seasonal Events section of our FAQ page.
Seniors 65+ must present valid photo ID at turnstiles for free entry. Parking is not included.
My kids love the Safari Park, and while we are waiting for our tax refund to renew our zoo/safari park membership, this deal is definitely a must-do for anyone over 65!
The kids love Meerkats.
Some frugal tips for visiting your local zoo/animal park (These are all true for the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, your local parks may differ)
Bring your water bottles, and fill up at the drinking fountains/filling stations all over the park.
Pack your own snacks/lunch. There are tons of picnic/eating areas all over the parks.
Bring some cash for 1 treat/toy/souvenir. With cash, you have a firm budget.
If you are a zoo/safari park member, you may get a discount in the shops/restaurants (check online).
Q-insights is another company that 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. These days they are doing most of their studies online via chat or online surveys.
Right now Q-Insights is currently recruiting business owners for a 1-hour webcam interview.
This study will run from October 4th to October 8th and you will be compensated $300 as a thank you for your time.
If you are interested in participating please fill out the pre-screener survey here. If you pre-qualify, Q-Insights will call you to ask for some additional qualifying questions.
Most of us Gen X kids remember shrinky dinks. They’re still around. You can buy craft kits at Dollar Tree, Five Below, local craft stores, or on Amazon.
We were also recently given shrinkable plastic by the sheet. And this is great because you can draw your own designs, cut them out, hole punch them, shrink them in the oven, and end up with all sorts of cool stuff.
If you’re not familiar with Shrink Plastic, it is super fun and simple craft with anyone who can color can do. However, it does require adult supervision at some point during the craft, cause you have to use the oven.
To do this craft you will need the following items:
Permanent markers- You can also use colored pencils, but I like the vibrancy of permanent markers.
Pencils
Before…After…
You are looking to make a specific design, you will need to print that image out onto a piece of white paper. And then you will trace it onto the shrinkable plastic using a pencil. Word of advice: most shrinkable plastic shrinks significantly if you start with an image that is the size of a silver dollar, it will come out about the size of a dime.
Also important to note, punch a hole if desired, in the plastic before you shrink it. Once it has shrunk and is hard, it is almost impossible to put a hole in it. Especially without damaging the plastic.
Once your design is traced/drawn onto the plastic, color it with permanent markers. I like these markers.
Once your design is colored, punch a hole in it as desired/needed. Then cut your image/design out of the sheet, trim up any sharp/pokey edges. Use a nail file if needed. You can also file the plastic after it has been baked/shrunk and cooled down.
Most shrinkable plastic sheets will come with the heating/baking directions for the plastic, but it’s usually less than 10 minutes. And you will need to keep an eye on it. That is the step where you do not want small children around.
In the past, I’ve made wine charms, this year I made all kinds of cool stuff, including zipper pulls for the kids’ backpacks, I made keychains, I drew our family’s SCA heraldry/devices. I also made some little charms for a charm bracelet for my daughter.
Next up I will be drawing food and making little toy food for my son’s Playmobil characters to eat. While some of his sets have come with food, he is missing things like french fries, hamburgers, pizza. All things that the Playmobil guys in his adventures want to eat.
Q-insights is another company that 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. These days they are doing most of their studies online via chat or online surveys.
Right now Q-Insights is currently recruiting for an online study on the topic of Education.
Q-Insights is looking for males and females ages 22-45 for an upcoming multi-part survey.
The survey would have the following parts:
September 8 – You will need to complete a short survey and two online assessments that will take up to 2.5 hours. These can be done at your own time but must be completed on September 8th.
September 9 – You will be asked to complete another online survey and assessment that will take up to 2 hours. Again, this can be completed at your own time but must be completed on September 9th.
September 15-20 – Then between September 15th and 20th you will be sent a follow-up email with your results of the assessments and a survey about your experience, which should take no longer than 30 minutes.
If qualified and invited to participate, you will receive $375 for participating in the above 3 parts. Some participants may be asked to participate in an online interview or focus group between September 10th-16th for additional $125-$150 compensation.
To see if you qualify, please fill out the pre-screener survey here.
Flagship Research is conducting a paid research study and is looking for children 6-17 years of age and adults 18 and older who have diabetes. If you qualify it would be a 2-hour one-on-one interview for the adult and the parent would be able to attend with the child. The interview will be held online so you would need a computer with a webcam and microphone to participate. This interview will compensate the adults with the minor children $300 and the adults $200 in the form of a check that will be mailed at the completion of the project.
The details of this study are included below:
Dates: Starting Wednesday, February 3rd 2021
Times: Various times available
Duration: 2 hour
Incentive: $300 for Parents with kids, $200 for Adults
Location: Online
If you are interested and use an insulin pump please click on the link below to answer a few questions to see if you will be a good fit for this study.
Looking for something fun to do this coming weekend? Check out your local Michaels Craft Store!
Date: Saturday, February 8, 2020
Time: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Come make a Lots Of Love Vinyl Decal Shirt: Come punch designs out of vinyl to create a Valentine’s Day T-shirt. Buy the shirt, and the supplies to decorate it will be provided!
Other crafts going on include on 2/8/2020:
Valentine’s Day Cards: Create cute “love bug” or pretty watercolor cards to give loved ones! FREE, all supplies included.
Sweetheart Cookies: Learn easy ways to decorate Valentine’s Day Treats. FREE, all supplies included.
Fabulous Friendship Bracelets: Make these beaded bracelets to give to your BFF for Valentine’s Day! FREE, all supplies included.
Michael’s has all sorts of fun free and low-cost classes coming up for kids and adults. Find out about classes near you here.
Here in San Diego, 
Flagship Research is conducting a paid research study and is looking for children 6-17 years of age and adults 18 and older who have diabetes. If you qualify it would be a 2-hour one-on-one interview for the adult and the parent would be able to attend with the child. The interview will be held online so you would need a computer with a webcam and microphone to participate. This interview will compensate the adults with the minor children $300 and the adults $200 in the form of a check that will be mailed at the completion of the project.
Looking for something fun to do this coming weekend? Check out your local 
