It’s Time for Some Freebies!

8101f95433a1458fa8c2371f3b11b849I missed my usual Freebie Post on Friday, so let’s see what’s going on in the world of freebies this Tuesday afternoon.

Free Backpacks with School Supplies at Boost Mobile

Free Lancome Monsieur Big Mascara & Foundation Samples at Ulta

Free Box of Palm Oil Free Products

Free Back to School Event at Walmart  – No locations in CA

Free Glade PlugIns Scented Oil Warmer at Sam’s Club

Verizon Up Rewards Members – Free $3-$5 Amazon Gift Card

Free Sample of Qunol Turmeric Instant Drink Mix

Free Sample of Garnier Fructis Sleek Shot In-Shower Styler

Lowe’s Build & Grow Clinic – Free Build-a-Saurus

Free Scarecrow Planter at Home Depot

Free Duracell & Energizer Batteries at Office Depot & Office Max

Free Hallmark Greeting Card

8/5/19 Meal Plan Monday

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The past week has been crazy! Running around, having adventures, trying to beat the heat. This week I’m trying to finish up a couple pieces, get some new content researched, and get the house ready for out of town guests who arrive early next week. If you’ve got kids, you feel me on the “It takes a week to get your house ready” vibe.

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, so I’m able to plan meals and use up what we’ve got with little waste. If you are looking for kitchen inventory printable, I like the kitchen inventories here. They are great printables.

You may notice a lot of plant-based meals- We are not vegetarian, but I am trying to get more veggies into our diet. I do a lot of cooking from scratch- I find it easier to get veggies and fruit into recipes that I can have 100% control over.

I only post our dinner plans for the week, because our other meals are usually the same each day:

Breakfast: Coffee with heavy cream for me, and pancakes or something along those lines for the kids (they love the Kodiak Cakes Mix).  I also keep sandwich Ziploc bags of other frozen fruit on hand to make the kids smoothies when they request them (a few times per week). Berries, peaches, and mangos are pretty popular.

Lunches are leftovers, salads, or soups for me. The kids will be enjoying free lunches all over the county with free activities and playtime before or after lunch.

For dinner, when we’ve got busy days (like Mondays), I’ll try and put something in the crockpot (I am picking up my new crockpot this week) in the morning, or pull something I’ve already prepped out that can be quickly cooked.

  • Monday: I won’t lie.. We went to Costco and had pizza and churros.
  • Tuesday:  Leftover Night- There is leftover Spanish Rice, Beans, chicken breasts and salad lurking in the fridge.
  • Wednesday: Grilled cheese and Quinoa Tri-color pepper salad
  • Thursday: Something cool- it’s supposed to be really hot Thursday. I’m thinking about sandwiches and fruit salad.
  • Friday:  Date Night! I’ve got a Gift card to Smash Burger to use!
  • Saturday: Homemade Pizza Night
  • Sunday: Crockpot Enchilada- It’s a new recipe. If it turns out well I’ll share it.

 

Talk Back: What are you planning to cook this week?

August: New Month, New Coupons!

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

Check out the following sites:

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!

Here are a few of my favorite new coupons:

Save $2.00 TWO (2) BOOST® Nutritional Drink or Drink Mix

Save $0.75 on ONE (1) 32 fl. oz. Simply Smoothie™, any variety

Save $0.75 on ONE (1) Monk Fruit In The Raw® 40 Count Box or 4.8oz Bakers Bag

Save $1.00 when you buy ONE any flavor EPIC™ meat bar OR Rise & Grind™ bar

Save $2.00 on ONE (1) pint of So Delicious Dairy Free™ Frozen Mousse

Save $3.00 on any ONE (1) Rimmel Eye Product

7/31/19- National Avocado Day Freebies!

1cfc2e992b806a2617c9f84e087bd794.jpgLiving in California, every day is avocado day! Everyone knows someone- a friend, neighbor, relative who has an avocado tree (or 4).

For everyone else, REJOICE!! Tomorrow, July 31st is National Avocado Day and here are a couple freebies and deals for you.

Head to Rubio’s tomorrow with this coupon, and score a free Guacamole and Chips with any order. We’ll be hitting up Rubio’s tomorrow. The kids received free kid’s meal coupons in their Summer Reading prize packs from the county library.

If you don’t have a Rubio’s nearby, grab your phone and pull up the Chipotle app! Tomorrow you can score free guacamole on any order placed via website or mobile app.

I’ll be donning my sweet ‘Cado socks and chowing down!

Talk Back: Are you looking forward to National Avocado Day?

Back to School Deals!

Ok, so as much as I’ve been posting about summer fun and adventures, Back To School is lurking around the corner.

Here are some awesome deals and freebies:

Office Depot has a great selection of $10 backpacks, some of them (like the two above) come with pencil cases, lunch bags, and water bottles too!

Most office supply stores have great deals on markers, crayons, and markers right now too.  Deals are changing weekly.  If you don’t have time to chase deals, I’ve found a couple decent deals. Prices on Amazon change quickly, so I haven’t listed them, but you can click on each link and check them out.

 AmazonBasics Pre-sharpened Wood Cased #2 HB Pencils, 150 Pack
Elmer’s All Purpose School Glue Sticks, Washable, 7 Gram, 30 Count
Crayola Crayons Bulk, 24 Box Classpack, 24 Assorted Colors

If you are a teacher/educator, check out these three freebies:

If your kids are like mine, they lose stuff all the time, so I’ve invested in The back to school pack of label set from Mabel’s Labels.

If you need some help obtaining school supplies for your kiddos, there is help out there for you.

Free Backpacks with School Supplies at Boost Mobile

If you are an East County Area Resident (San Diego County), check out this awesome offer from the Santee Mobilehome Owners Association, INC (SMOAC) is handing out backpacks full of supplies for kids Kindergarten and up. Each backpack has age/grade-appropriate supplies.  This event takes place at the Santee Library from 10 AM until they run out. In addition, there will be free haircuts for girls and boys and many other surprises that day.

Talk Back: If you know of any free school supplies or deal, please share!

Tomorrow is National Cheesecake Day!

01407.jpgI just told the Boy Child and he was so excited about this “holiday”, he almost burst.

July 30th is National Cheesecake day and there are all kinds of awesome deals to help you enjoy:

Cheesecake Factory is celebrating by offering dine-in guests any slice of its more than 30 legendary flavors of cheesecake for half price at all of its restaurants nationwide.
unnamed.jpgIf you are in San Diego, stop by DZ Akin’s for $5.00 Cheesecake slices (and their slices are HUGE).

I personally am most excited about this deal. Their cheesecake is so good, and I will also grab some Matzo Ball Soup to go as well!

If you want to make your own at home but it’s too hot to turn on the oven, I love this Philadephia cheesecake filling in a graham cracker crust. You can top with your favorite fruits, or sprinkle chocolate shavings on top.

It also comes in Chocolate or Key Lime. Check your local grocery store.

If you are watching what you eat and still want to celebrate, I love the Cheesecake Jello Pudding mix. Make it as the directions indicate, or add 1-2 tablespoons of the powder to your favorite protein shake powder and blend with water, ice cubes, and fruit.

And I saw this while browsing Amazon, but I’ve never tried it. It’s Sans Sucre Cheesecake Mousse Mix. It looks interesting.

Talk Back: Are you planning on celebrating with a slice of cheesecake tomorrow?

 

Weekend Freebies!

8101f95433a1458fa8c2371f3b11b849I didn’t get a chance to post my usual Freebie Friday Round up- I was busy doing other stuff (mostly making costumes for an upcoming production of Treasure Island at Pickwick Players in Santee).

But it’s never too late for fun free stuff!

Samples

Food

Magazines

 

New Savingstar Rebates

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SavingStarhas some awesome new rebates available.

If you are new to SavingStar, it’s different from traditional couponing!

What makes SavingStar different is that you don’t receive money off at the register.  The savings in held in your SavingStar account, and once you reach at least $20.00 in savings you can transfer it to your Paypal Account or donate your savings to charity!

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SavingStaris the first national, fully digital, grocery eCoupon service, available for free at www.savingstar.com and on iPhone and Android mobile apps. There’s nothing to clip, nothing to print. Chose offers, shop, and save! SavingStar is currently available at over 70,000 locations!

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Here are the latest offers:

SAVE $2.00 off any ONE (1) Nexium® 24HR Product.Expires 8/20/2019.Save $2.00.

SAVE $5.00 off any ONE (1) 28 ct. or 42 ct. Nexium® 24HR Product.Expires 8/4/2019.Save $5.00.

Save $3.00 when you spend $15.00 on any So Delicious® Dairy Free Yogurt Alternative.Expires 9/15/2019.Save $3.00.

Buy ONE (1) Pure Leaf® Tea Pack (6 pack, any flavor / variety) and get ONE (1) FREE Stacy’s® Pita Thins (up to $3.00, 6.75 oz, any flavor / variety).Expires 8/30/2019.Save $0.00.

Save $1.50 when you purchase ANY TWO (2) BUSH’S® Baked Beans 16oz or BUSH’S® Savory Beans. Any Variety. Items must appear on the same receipt..Expires 8/29/2019.Save $1.50.

Save $1.00 when you purchase ANY ONE (1) Whole Fruit® Frozen Novelties. Any variety..Expires 8/22/2019.Save $1.00.

Save $2.00 when you purchase ANY ONE (1) Scotch® Brand Packaging Tape Multi-packs. Any Variety..Expires 8/21/2019.Save $2.00.(Only at Home Depot, Lowe’s Home Improvement, Target, Walmart)

Save $0.50 when you purchase ANY ONE (1) Scotch® Brand Packaging Tape Singles. Any Variety..Expires 8/21/2019.Save $0.50.(Only at Home Depot, Lowe’s Home Improvement, Target, Walmart)

7/5/19 Freebie Friday Round up!

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I hope you all had a great Fourth of July! Let’s keep the fun four day weekend rolling with some freebies and deals!

It’s a pretty light freebie week, but it’s a holiday weekend, and it’s the middle of summer, so get out and enjoy the fresh air! If you are looking for ideas, check out my article here.

It’s IHOP’s Anniversary! 58¢ Short Stacks!

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It’s that time of year! Celebrate IHOP’s 58th Anniversary with 58¢ Short Stacks on July 16th, from 7am-7pm.

Pancakes for breakfast- CHECK!

Pancakes for lunch- CHECK!

Pancakes for dinner- CHECK!

Whenever you go to enjoy pancakes on the 16th, it’s one helluva deal!

And you can RSVP here on Facebook!

Talk Back: What do you put on your pancakes? Butter, syrup, both, neither?