It’s Time! Southwest’s $59 Fare Sale!

Southwest is having a sale on fares through 11/13/25! Perfect for planning holiday travel or beyond- Travel valid December 3, 2025 through April 29, 2026.

The most important part of the fine print: 21-day advance purchase required. Purchase from November 10, 2025 at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time (“PT”) through November 13, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. PT (“Booking Period”). Continental U.S. travel only. Travel valid December 3, 2025 through April 29, 2026.

To get started, click here.

Wanna just escape your home for a weekend or longer? Is Vegas calling? Whatever and wherever, it’s a great time to pack a small carry-on/personal bag and head out of town!

And if you are a Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards member, this deal gets better- You can use your points!

Fine Print:

$59 Sale Terms and Conditions:

21-day advance purchase required. Purchase from November 10, 2025 at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time (“PT”) through November 13, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. PT (“Booking Period”). Continental U.S. travel only. Travel valid December 3, 2025 through April 29, 2026. Knoxville travel begins March 5, 2026. Santa Rosa (Sonoma County) travel begins April 7, 2026. Travel blacked out December 23, December 30, and December 31, 2025. Travel is valid on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Fares valid on nonstop service where indicated; if not indicated, fares are valid on single connecting service. Displayed prices include all U.S. and international government taxes and fees. Points bookings do not include taxes, fees, and other government/airport charges of at least $5.60 per one-way flight. Seats, days, and markets are limited. Fares may vary by destination, flight, and day of the week and won’t be available on some flights that operate during very busy travel times and holiday periods. Travel is available for one-way Basic fares unless otherwise specified. Fares may be combined with other Southwest Airlines® combinable fares. If combining with other fares, the most restrictive fare’s rules apply. Advertised fares may be available on other days of the week, but that’s not guaranteed. Basic fares are nonrefundable and non-changeable except as allowed by our 24-hour cancellation policy. Customers may be eligible for a flight credit if their flight is canceled at least 10 minutes prior to the flight’s original scheduled departure time. Failure to cancel prior to departure will result in forfeiture of remaining funds on the reservation. Any change in itinerary may result in an increase in fare. Standby travel may require a fare upgrade depending on fare purchased and Rapid Rewards® tier status. Fares are subject to change until ticketed. Offer applies only to published, scheduled service. Additional fees and charges for optional products and services may apply.

 

Give the Gift of Craftsy to the Creatives in your Life (Plus free classes!)

If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you know that I love Craftsy. Access hundreds of classes on tons of topics: Cooking, baking, sewing, crochet, knitting, painting, jewelry making- you name it, Craftsy has classes on it.

If you are looking for a different type of gift for the creative soul in your life, Craftsy has a special offer- A Premium membership at 99% off the regular price. Become a member today and get 24/7 access to all our premium classes, videos, enthusiastic experts, and step-by-step demonstrations.

As someone who does several different art and craft forms, a Craftsy membership is an incredible gift idea- even at full price.

And of course, my posts aren’t complete without a freebie offer! If you want to check out Craftsy and see what all of the excitement is about, they offer a lot of free classes. Here are just a few that I love:

Office Depot/Office Max: Savings and Deals!

Office Depot/Office Max has really beefed up their rewards program!

Are you a Teacher/Educator? EXCLUSIVE TEACHER OFFER
25% back in Bonus Rewards on a qualifying purchase.
Limit $100 back in rewards per member per week (details here).

Are you in the military? EXCLUSIVE MILITARY OFFER
25% back in Bonus Rewards on a qualifying purchase.
Limit $100 back in rewards per member per week (details here).

RECYCLING REWARDS Get $2 back in recycling Rewards the next day when you recycle your Ink & Toner Cartridge and make a $10 purchase in the same month.

Earn 2% back in Rewards on supplies, technology, furniture, and more.

And this is a new perk to me: Earn $2 Back in Rewards for reviews
Up to 3 reviews per month. Online only. Learn More

 

Veteran’s Day 2025 Freebies

Veteran’s Day is next week, and this year there are some pretty cool.

Some of these offers require proof of service either via a Military ID Card (active duty or retired) or a DD214.

Since I’m in So Cal, I choose to post offers that are available in my area, however, there are tons more offers available if you live elsewhere in the US. I suggest googling, “Veteran’s Day 2025 and your location”.

As always, contact the local restaurant/store before heading out to confirm that your local locations are participating.

IHOP: This November 11th, from 7am‑7pm veterans and active‑duty military get a FREE Red, White, and Blueberry Pancake Combo! Dine‑in only. (*Dine-in only. 1 per guest. Restrictions apply. Military ID or proof of service required. See restaurant for details. For a limited time at participating restaurants.)

Applebee’s: This Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11, Applebee’s is proud to honor those who serve and have served our country. All active-duty military, veterans, reservists, and National Guard members who dine in the restaurant will receive a complimentary full-size entrée from an exclusive Veterans Day menu as a heartfelt thank-you for their service. More information can be found here.

Buca di Beppo: Buca di Beppo is offering a free lunch entrée to all veterans and active-duty military with a valid ID. The offer will be available on Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11, and guests can select any pasta from the lunch specials menu.

Buffalo Wild Wings: This Veterans Day, Nov. 11, Buffalo Wild Wings is honoring past and present armed service members by offering 10 FREE Boneless Wings and Fries with valid ID. Available dine-in and walk-in at participating locations.

Chipotle: The military community can enjoy any entrée and get a second entrée for free from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. local time on Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov.11 at restaurants across the U.S. All guests with a valid military ID are eligible for the promotion. How It Works: On Tuesday, November 11 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. local time, guests who present their valid military ID at any U.S. Chipotle restaurant and enjoy an entrée in-restaurant will receive a second entrée for free.* The promotion applies to Chipotle bowls, burritos, salads and taco entrees.

IN-N-OUT Burger: This Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11, In-N-Out Burger will show its appreciation for all veterans, active-duty military, reserves, and National Guard by offering a complimentary meal, including any burger, fries, and beverage on In-N-Out Burger’s menu. All current and former members of the U.S. military will also receive a special-edition Veterans Day decal. U.S. veterans and active duty military are respectfully asked to present proof of military service to receive the complimentary made-to-order meal of choice offered at all In-N-Out Burger locations open from 10:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 11.

Little Caesars: In keeping with its longstanding tradition of giving back to those who serve, Little Caesars® is once again offering a free HOT-N-READY® Lunch Combo to veterans and active-duty military members this Veterans Day.  On Tuesday, Nov. 11, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., veterans and active military can enjoy a complimentary Lunch Combo, which includes four slices of Little Caesars signature Detroit-style Deep Dish pizza and a 20-ounce Pepsi beverage.

Olive Garden: On Nov. 11, we will offer each veteran and current member of the military who dines with us a free entrée from our special menu. We ask that veterans and active military simply show proof of military service. All entrées include freshly baked garlic breadsticks and your choice of homemade soup or our famous house salad. You may choose one of the following: Never Ending Soup, Salad, and Breadsticks, cheese ravioli, spaghetti & meatballs, fettuccine alfredo, or chicken parmigiana.

Outback Steakhouse: We’re honoring military mates with a free Aussie 3-course meal. Enjoy a starter, a choice of select entrée, and dessert when you dine in the restaurant on Nov. 10 and 11 to celebrate the Marine Corps birthday and Veterans Day. Show your military ID to your server to redeem.

Great Clips: On Tuesday, Nov. 11, veterans and active service members can visit any Great Clips salon and get a free haircut or a free haircut card to use at a later date. Non-military customers who get a haircut at Great Clips on Veterans Day will also receive a free haircut card that they can use to pay-it-forward to an active servicemember or veteran in their life as a token of thanks and appreciation. The cards can be redeemed through December 5, 2025.

Sports Clips: Sport Clips’ Help A Hero fundraiser runs until November 15. Participating stores will offer free haircuts for veterans and active duty servicemembers on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park, Calif.: Active, retired, and veteran U.S. military personnel may receive discounted admission to Knott’s Berry Farm for themselves and up to five guests during Military Tribute Days, Nov. 3-20, 2025, and Dec. 1-18, 2025. Tickets can be purchased online for $25 at Knotts.com or at the Knott’s Berry Farm ticket booths.

Discounted admission is also available at a participating Military Ticket Office. Spouses and children are not eligible to purchase these tickets without the military member present.

Holiday Feast for 10 from Aldi for $40 (Plus $10 off)

Thanksgiving is coming up, and even if you don’t celebrate it,  this is a pretty good deal to fill your pantry or the pantry of someone you know.

Aldi, my favorite grocery store as of late, has a pretty amazing deal, and with Instacart store pickup, it’s even sweeter.

For $40, you can buy the following to create a tasty feast, or honestly, several great meals. I see ingredients that would make a few meals and hearty dishes, besides the usual holiday feast.

  • Whole Turkey
  • Chicken Broth
  • Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup
  • Evaporated Milk
  • Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
  • Miniature Marshmallows
  • Cut Green Beans (x2)
  • 100% Pure Canned Pumpkin
  • Shells & Cheese (x2)
  • Brown Gravy Mix (x3)
  • Poultry Spices & Herbs
  • French Fried Onions
  • Pie Crust
  • Chicken or Cornbread Stuffing (x2)
  • Whipped Dairy Topping
  • Yellow Onions (3 lbs.)
  • Baby Peeled Carrots
  • Celery
  • Cranberries
  • Sweet Potatoes (3 lbs.)
  • Russet Potatoes (10 lbs.)

All of this is about $40 at your local Aldi. If you use Instacart store pickup through the Instacart app, you’ll save yourself about an hour of shopping (maybe a little more), and the groceries will be packed and loaded into your car for only $3.99

If you are new to Instacart, I’ve got a deal for you! Get $10 off your first Instacart order! Use my code AHEWES1A5 at checkout!  Terms apply.

And yes, if you have any remaining SNAP/EBT benefits available to you, there is no pickup fee.

2025: New Ibotta Accounts can Score Free Thanksgiving Dinner!

Ibotta has an offer for new Ibotta members, where they can redeem cashback offers to make part of their Thanksgiving feast free after rebate.

If you are already an Ibotta user, have no fear- there is a freebie for you, it just requires a little work.

Existing members can earn a free turkey when they refer their friends to Ibotta to claim their 100% cash back turkey offer! Just make sure they sign up using your referral code, and your turkey offer will be available once they redeem their first offer!

If you are new to Ibotta, you will receive the following rebates loaded into the app:

New members will receive offers for:

  • Any brand Turkey Roast up to $13.65
  • McCormick Gravy Packet
  • Edwards Whole Pie
  • Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix
  • Idahoan Mashed Potatoes

You can download the Ibotta app here. When you use my referral code qmo4a, you will receive the amazing offers above! If you are looking for a good starter offer? Here is a free after-rebate offer I found in Ibotta!

I use Ibotta in conjunction with other apps like Fetch Rewards- I add all of my receipts to Fetch, each one gives me at least 25 points, and gets me closer to rewards like CVS Gift Cards, Darden Restaurant Gift Cards, or Vons/Albertsons Grocery Store Gift Cards.

Disclosure: this Post contains my referral code. I may earn a referral credit or bonus if you sign up through my link. I do not need the Turkey Roast, however if the offer becomes available to me because someone signs up, I will purchase it and donate it to someone in my community via my local Buy Nothing group.

I’ve Been Busy

Hey friends- I haven’t been posting much because I’ve been doing a lot of stuff away from the computer.

The holidays are soon upon us, and I’ve been stocking up on items to donate. I’ve been using the CVS app to find the best deals and the best way to get the most bang for my buck when it comes to my monthly $10 Extra Care Pass rewards. I pay for the Extra Care Pass program annually. It has a lot of great perks, including getting my prescriptions mailed to me for free. Between that and the free $10 in-store each month, it definately pays for itself.

So far, I’ve picked up shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, and body wash, all using my October 2025 $10 reward, as well as some $4 rewards I had on my CVS account from getting the kids’ prescriptions filled.

I’ve also been taking advantage of other sales and deals at Bath & Body Works. They have a great program where you can earn free full-sized products, access to free travel-sized products, and extra percent off deals. I recently had a free full-sized product, a free travel-sized product, and an additional 25% off coupon on my account. I was able to use all three and combine the 25% off coupon with the sale on $5.95 single-wick candles. I was able to buy presents for 5 people on my holiday gift list, including stocking stuffers for the kids.

I’ve also been taking advantage of grocery sales and rebate offers through  WeStock,  Social Nature, and Aisle to pick up free and less than $1.00 groceries to fill the local blessing box and donate to the local high schools’ food pantry.

Yes, these are clown beads. Littlest Kiddo loves clowns.

And because the holidays are coming up soon, I’ve kicked up my sewing and jewelry making. I’m going through my dwindling stash of fabric and craft supplies to make gifts for people on my gift list. I’m committed not to buy any new craft or sewing supplies unless I have a gift card and a coupon, or in the case of fabric, I can find it at a thrift store. There is a distinct lack of fabric stores in my area. I recently had a credit on my Temu account, and I was able to pick up some really cool beads.

I spent a few hours yesterday making bracelets and a few Paternosters for holiday gifts, and I pulled out the sewing machine and finished up some stuff lingering in my sewing inbox. One of the items was a medieval tunic that I made from an upcycled cotton tablecloth- I picked it up at a thrift store on 50% off day. And the trim was from a bag of misc. craft supplies at the same thrift shop on another day.

And of course, I do have a full-time job outside of the house, and I’ve got my kids 90% of the time.

I’m spending a lot of weekends hanging with kids, baking, meal prepping for the week ahead, and trying to teach the cat tricks- the last one isn’t terribly successful.

So while I may not be posting here multiple times a day any more, I am out there doing frugal stuff and trying to help as many people as I am able.

 

 

Groupon: Costco Membership Deal!

Costco is one of my favorite places to stock up on essentials. If you haven’t been in a while, it’s time to mask up and head over!

Groupon has a great deal on Costco Memberships. There are two options, both are pretty solid deals.

Costco Gold Star Membership + $100 off $200 on Costco.com from $65
or
Costco Executive Membership + $100 off $200 on Costco.com from $130

Costco.com has a lot of great deals and offers that aren’t available in the local warehouses. And don’t forget to check the banner at the top of the page once you get to the Groupon site for any extra coupon codes to save money!

Here are my top five Costco Bargains:

  1. Rotisserie Chicken
  2. Butter
  3. Premier Protein Shakes
  4. Kodiak Cake Flapjack Mix
  5. Krusteaz Pancake Mix
  6. Bananas
  7. (Bonus) Their Gas Stations frequently are .20-.30/gallon cheaper than the “discount” stations.

October is Kids Go Free Month 2025 Edition!

October is a great time to be a kid in San Diego!

This October 1-31, kids 12 and under receive free admission at many arts, cultural, and science museums and historical sites in San Diego County.

For those of us with curious kids, this is perfect! Kids can get into over 40 museums in the San Diego area for free with paying adults (all the info can be found here).

Some of the participating organizations include:

Birch Aquarium at Scripps
Fleet Science Center (Galleries only)
Heritage of the Americas Museum
Japanese Friendship Garden
Living Coast Discovery Center
Maritime Museum of San Diego
Marston House Museum & Gardens
Mingei International Museum
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
Museum of Making Music
Museum of Photographic Arts
San Diego Air & Space Museum
San Diego Automotive Museum
San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum
San Diego Chinese Historical Museum
San Diego History Center
San Diego Model Railroad Museum
San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat)
Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center
Timken Museum of Art (it’s always free for everyone, FYI)
Women’s Museum of California

A full list can be found here. Oh, and as part of free October, Kids can get into the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park free when accompanied by a paying adult!  Other Kids go free attractions include: Legoland, Sea World, and the USS Midway!!

*Some museums charge fees for special exhibitions, programs or films. Some museums may limit offer use to once per month per guest. Purchase of a Balboa Park Explorer Pass does not qualify as a paid adult admission for the Kids Free in October program. Purchase of a Go San Diego Pass or card does not qualify as a paid adult admission for the Kids Free in October program at most museums; call museum(s) before visiting to enquire. 

Sprouts Rewards is coming soon to California- 10/07/2025!

Have you heard??

Sprouts Rewards is coming to California* on October 7th, and you’ll automatically become a member if you have the Sprouts App!

Check out what Sprouts Rewards has to offer:

  • Points: Earn 10 points for every dollar you spend* at Sprouts. (*Purchases at Sprouts in Chula Vista are excluded from Sprouts Rewards.)
  • Access: Be the first to get the scoop on new brands and products​​.
  • Offers: Redeem member-only digital coupons, plus offers made just for you​.
  • Classes: Nourish your mind with expert-led wellness classes​.
  • Recipes: Discover good-for-you, member-only recipes
  • Influence: Weigh in on next-gen products from emerging brands to hit the shelves.