June 23rd is National Hydration Day!

Did you know that today is National Hydration Day?

While our bodies are 70-ish% water, any sort of liquid that you consume is hydrating? That means milk, soda, juice, even coffee and tea are all hydrating.

That’s Per the Mayo Clinic. I’m not making it up.

Too much of a good thing? Yes, you can be overhydrated, and that can cause an electrolyte imbalance, which can lead to cloudy thinking, nausea, vomiting, headaches, and even muscle cramps. This isn’t gonna happen unless you’re drinking over 4 L of water an hour. Overhydration does not happen often, but it can occur.

If you’re looking for ways to add hydration to your day, here are a few ways:

  • Shaved Ice is a great hydrator! We have this machine to make shaved ice, and it gets used daily. With or without syrups, it’s really yummy.
  • Add high water, fruits, and vegetables to your diet. This includes melons, tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, strawberries, and citrus.
  • If water is boring all by itself, try sugar-free powdered drink mixes or fruit-infused water. We have a pitcher similar to this.
  • We have a Soda Stream and have had one for over 10 years. It’s a great way to may carbonated water or DIY sodas. I love using the sugar-free powdered drink mixes to make fun, fruity sodas.
  • Carry and use a reusable water bottle or cup with a lid. Remember to wash it daily. Yes, even bottles containing water can still harbor bacteria. 

6/22/2026 Weekly Meal Plan

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgI took the weekend off from blogging to hang out with the kids and work on another project.

This week is less busy than last week, so I plan on hitting up the gym for yoga as often as I can.

I did a small grocery trip yesterday morning, mostly to get popsicles and a few things that were needed for a specific meal yesterday (Father’s Day breakfast for my ex and the kids). I’m going to try to go another week without a restock shop. We will have plenty of snacks, and I’ve got ingredients to make cookies and everything on the menu for this week.

The kids will be taking advantage of the free summer lunches (find out more here) as often as we can this week.

Breakfast: The kids tend to eat cereal, a bagel, or an MBS (Mrs. Bear Special) each morning for breakfast. I usually have a proffee. I cashed in all of my points at Einstein Bros. Bagels to get a free dozen bagels. They are sliced and individually wrapped in the freezer. They are definately going to be a hit this week for breakfast.

Lunch: Between free summer lunches and the tons of snacks I’ve got in the cupboard, the kids will survive.  I have two plastic totes full of individually portioned self-serve snacks. I buy treats and snacks in bulk and fill up snack-sized zip-top bags. There are also preportioned fruits and veggies in the fridge.

Dinner: This week is another use-it-up week. We’ve got a lot of stuff in the freezer, including ground beef, nuggets, and frozen fruit.

  • Sunday:  Butter Chicken, Rice, and naan
  • Monday: Italian Night
  • Tuesday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, gravy, & veg
  • Wednesday: Smoothies and Charcuterie plates

  • Thursday: Nuggets, fruit, and chips

  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday: Leftover Palooza

Procter & Gamble: Bring Home the Best Rebate Up to $15 Back!

Everyone loves to save money, right? Check out P&G brandSAVER Perks! Save on brands you love, earn rewards, and make an impact. Here are a few of the offers/deals available:

  • NEW Bring Home the Best Rebate: Up to $15 Back when you buy your favorite Procter & Gamble Brands, including Tide, Gain, Dreft, Bounce, Olay Skin & Body, Herbal Essences, Mr. Clean, Zevo, and more!
  • Join P&G brandSAVER to unlock up to $15 back when you shop Tide and 20+ more brands.
  • Take quizzes, answer surveys, or scan your receipts featuring P&G Products.
  • Collect points for each engagement and redeem them for prizes like digital rewards and sweepstakes entries.

Meal Planning in the Summer…

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgI forgot to hit Publish on this post on Sunday night and just discovered it in my drafts. Oops.

This is my first full week of both kids being on summer break.

This week is the week of appointments for the whole family. Between the front bathroom shower being resurfaced, doctor’s appointments for me, small kid, and big kid, and the dishwasher repair guy coming- it’s a full week of running all over.

The big kid and I plan to hit the YMCA as much as possible between all of our appointments. The Small Kid will probably come with us and ride a stationary bike the whole time.

The kids will be taking advantage of the free summer lunches (find out more here) as often as we can this week.

Breakfast: The kids tend to eat cereal, a bagel, or an MBS (Mrs. Bear Special) each morning for breakfast. I usually have a proffee. I cashed in all of my points at Einstein Bros. Bagels to get a free dozen bagels. They are sliced and individually wrapped in the freezer. They are definately going to be a hit this week for breakfast.

Lunch: Between free summer lunches and the tons of snacks I’ve got in the cupboard, the kids will survive.  I have two plastic totes full of individually portioned self-serve snacks. I buy treats and snacks in bulk and fill up snack-sized zip-top bags. There are also preportioned fruits and veggies in the fridge.

Dinner: This week is a “use it up” week. I have a bunch of stuff leftover in the fridge from last week that didn’t get used, so this week we are leaning on what’s on hand.

  • Sunday:  Italian Night: Flatbread, Chicken Parm casserole (veggies included)
  • Monday: Breakfast for Dinner
  • Tuesday: Crockpot Meal (something with chicken)
  • Wednesday: Charcuterie Night

  • Thursday: Smoothies and Entrees

  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday: Leftover Palooza

May 2026 Monthly Side Quest Totals!

Quests require compasses and treasure chests, right?Why am I referring to them as “quests” and not “hustle“?

Hustling indicates moving quickly to earn money. This year, I’m doing a little bit every day, approximately 20 minutes on small surveys and small tasks. I may earn less daily, but overall, I can use small tasks to earn more through compounding.

Here are the ways I earned money besides my “9-5”. This month was a little bit better than last month

  • MyPoints:  $15 Amazon Gift Cards
  • PaidViewPoint:  $10.19 Venmo
  • G2:  $20 Amazon Gift Cards
  • Fetch:  $10 Amazon Gift Cards
  • Rebates (WeStockPeekageSocial Nature, and Aisle ):  $17.26 between  Social Nature and Aisle.
  • Receipt Hog: $5.00 Amazon Gift Card
  • Class action lawsuits (I use SettleMate to help me find ones that I might qualify for): $23.10 (
  • Evidation: $10 via Venmo
  • BrandClub:  $12.00
  • TPT (I make worksheets/flashcards in my spare time for special ed classrooms). This side quest is definitely a slow trickle of money. I spent a lot of time over the summer making/uploading educational materials to my TPT account. $23.70
  • Veralight: $20 via Venmo
  • OhmConnect: $3.18

As always, the links above may be affiliate links, and I might earn money or points if you join any of the above apps or activities. This helps support my blog and family.

If you are interested in my full list of money-saving/money earning activites, I encourage you to check out:

5/30/2026 Weekend Freebies and Deals!

As most of us with kids get ready for the final stretch of the school year, I’m looking forward to having more time to spend with my kids this summer- and of course blogging!

This week, there are some pretty great freebies and deals. If you are going out, make sure to bookmark this post so you don’t forget anything!

I  updated my birthday freebies for 2026- You can find the post here. The list mostly offers what you can find in Southern California.

If you live outside Southern California, check out this list: Free Birthday Stuff: 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 available outside my area.

Freebies:

FREE $30 Purchase at Lowe’s After Cash Back
FREE Sample of Pedigree Pouches Dog Food & Drizzlers Savory Sauce
The Ultimate Guide to Free Toothpaste Samples
FREE Pure Leaf Iced Tea
FREE Caudalie Beauty Elixir Sample Pack
FREE Netflix Family Magazine, Stickers & More
FREE Butterfly Bookmark Crafting Event at Lakeshore Learning
FREE Sample of Café Cielo Negro Coffee
FREE Water-Resistant Pouch Giveaway & More at Target
FREE Huel Daily Greens Drink 12-Pack, FREE T-Shirt + FREE Shipping
FREE Big Q Drink at QuikTrip
Unlock Your Wellness Journey with Free Nutrition Samples: Try Before You Buy
FREE Smile Creature Starter Pack – Keychain, Stickers & More
FREE TENA for Men Sample Pack
FREE INITIO Parfums Privés Carnal Blends Collection Fragrance Samples
FREE Pack of Sliced Cheese at Stop & Shop
FREE Set of Fishing Hooks
FREE Entree at Chick-Fil-A Cow Appreciation Day
FREE Sample of Pink Zebra Fragranced Wax Melts
FREE Burt’s Bees Garden Party Lip Balm 4-Pack at Walmart
46 Companies That Send Free Products to Review in 2026
FREE Betty Buzz Sparkling Soda
FREE Sample of Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum VI
FREE Sample of La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Dark Spot Serum
FREE Phyla Acne Products
Big List of 110 Restaurants to Get Free Food
1 Million FREE Cans of Friskies Cat Food Giveaway
FREE Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Fragrance Sample
FREE Wendy’s Merch Every Wednesday at 3pm ET
FREE Goalie Game Workshop at Home Depot
FREE Krispy Kreme Donuts for A’s on Report Cards
Have a Crumbl Cookie Birthday with a Free Gourmet Cookie! Here’s How.
FREE Frazil Slushie Every Friday in June
4 FREE Frozen Drinks at Casey’s Every Friday
FREE Reward Every Week with Panda Express Wok Wednesday
Take a Sip! Discover How You Can Get Free Drinks

Deals:

Anthropologie Dupes That Will Meet Your Style & Your Budget
Eucerin Sunscreen Lotion ONLY $6 on Amazon (Reg $16) + Free Shipping
Cottonelle 336-Count Flushable Wipes ONLY $7.90 (Reg $16)
Top Red Lobster Daily Specials Seafood Lovers Don’t Want to Miss
Prime Members Save 20¢ Per Gallon on Gas – Every Friday!
Top Subway Hacks for a Tastier and Cheaper Meal
Onlyone Sonic Electric Toothbrush ONLY $8.99 on Amazon (Reg. $17.98)
The Best Handbag, Purse & Clutch Deals on Sale: Michael Kors, Kate Spade, MKF Collection & Coach Up to 80% Off
Perlecare 4 Inch Queen Mattress Topper ONLY $39.98 (Reg $100)
Charmin Essentials Toilet Paper 6 Mega Rolls ONLY $4.73 Shipped (Reg $8)
Keurig K-Mini Mate Coffee Maker ONLY $59.99 at Target (Reg $80)
The Best Amazon Snack Deals to Scoop Up NOW
All The Best Subway Coupons and Promo Codes: New for May 2026
Father’s Day Gifts as low as $3 at Target – Free Store Pickup!
10×10 Pop-Up Canopy Tent ONLY $69 at Walmart + Free Shipping!
Aerie: Up to 80% Off Clearance – Sweaters, T-Shirts, Skirts & More | Prices From $9.99
Crocs Clearance at Walmart – Prices From $14.99
Art & Cook 8-Pc Round Nesting Bowl Set as low as $9.93 (Reg $30)
Inflatable Pools as low as $9.92 at Walmart
Yaheetech 3-Piece Patio Bistro Set ONLY $99 (Reg $169)

Score Free Samples from PinchMe!

Love samples? Check out PinchMe! Join PINCHme and receive free samples that you can provide feedback on.

PinchMe is awesome! Once you are signed up, they will email you reminders when new samples are about to drop, and remind you when it’s time to leave feedback.

Answer a series of questions about your household and shopping habits in the Member Profile. PinchMe learns what you like and offers samples just for you.

Once you’ve had a chance to try the samples, complete a short feedback survey to tell PinchMe what you think of the samples.

I get PinchMe samples every month. Here is what arrived at the end of September. Fiona really digs the Delectables Squeeze up Cat Treats- It’s like a gravy Capri Sun for cats!

What are you waiting for? Sign up here and get on the free sample bandwagon! I’ve gotten all kinds of awesome sample/trial size items, as well as full-sized items to try out from PinchMe!

Coffee Cake- The Best Breakfast Ever.

Coffee cake is one of my favorite breakfast quick breads. I didn’t have time to whip up a batch, but if you are looking for a tried and true recipe, check out my post here. https://hewesfamilyfun.com/2021/02/10/simple-frugal-recipe-coffee-cake/

If you’ve got a boxed coffee cake mix (Bob’s Red Mill makes a great one) and want it to taste a little more scratch-made, check out my tips here for improving boxed cake mixes.  

And if you are looking for some coffee to go with your cake, here are some easy coffee shop-style recipes you can make at home without any fancy equipment.  

And if you want your coffee on the go, or any drinks for that matter, check out the Panera Unlimited Sips Club. New subscribers who sign up for a monthly Unlimited Sip Club subscription through May 31, 2026 and enter promo code SIP3 at checkout will receive three months of an Unlimited Sip Club monthly subscription for $3/month plus tax. Remember to use Promo code: SIP3 at checkout!

5/22/26 Friday Freebies and Deals

I hope everyone has a great three day weekend! The big kid and I are off on a camping trip.

I  updated my birthday freebies for 2026- You can find the post here. The list mostly offers what you can find in Southern California.

If you live outside Southern California, check out this list: Free Birthday Stuff: 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 available outside my area.

Freebies:

Unlock the Magic of Your Big Day: List Of The Best Free Wedding Samples & Freebies
FREE Subscription to LEGO Magazine
FREE Grill Spatula Giveaway at Lowe’s on June 20th
$1 Million in FREE Domino’s Emergency Pizzas
FREE $20 Purchase at Sephora After Cash Back
FREE Wendy’s Merch Every Wednesday at 3pm ET
FREE Mesothelioma Cookbook + FREE Shipping
Sweet Surprises: How to Score Free Chocolate
FREE Sample of Stopain Extra Strength Pain Relieving Gel
Kids Bowl FREE All Summer
FREE Buffet & Beverage for Graduates at Golden Corral
FREE $25 Purchase at Target After Cash Back
Memorial Day Freebies & Deals RoundUp
FREE Hero Micropoint Patch
FREE Moonpig Greeting Card + FREE Shipping
FREE Grüns x Popsicle Gummies
FREE Sample of New Skin Kids Liquid Bandage Paint
FREE Planet Fitness Summer Pass for Teens
FREE Sample of Vagisil Coconut Water Lily Feminine Wash
FREE Pint of HALO TOP Ice Cream
FREE Ozark Trail Soft Cooler at Walmart After Cash Back
Get Tons Of Free Stickers Online: Updated Monthly
FREE Samples of YSL Myslf Eau de Toilette Intense & Y Iced Cologne
Here Are 6 Ways To Get Free Baby Formula Samples

Deals:

Save With the Lululemon First Responder Discount: Get 15% Off
Carote 19-Piece Pots and Pans Set ONLY $39.98 (Reg $140)
50% Off Everything at Old Navy – T-Shirts, Shorts, Pants & More!
Aeropostale Jeans & Shorts Buy 1 Get 1 Free
Walgreens Photo Coupons & Promo Codes: 50% Off Gifts, 50% Off Posters & Banners, 50% Off Photo Books & More
Beautiful 4 Qt Digital Slow Cooker ONLY $25.97 (Reg $50)
Dollar General Coupons: Save Money on Gain, Dove Men+Care Body Wash & More
Disney Minnie Mouse Book & Toy Organizer ONLY $25 at Walmart
Cuisinart Toaster Oven Broiler ONLY $59 at Walmart (Reg $89)
Best Cheap Sewing Machines for Advanced and Basic Sewing Projects in 2026
P&G Rebates: Get Up to $15 For Buying Your Favorite P&G Brands
Thermos Funtainer Insulated Food Jar ONLY $10 (Reg $21)
P&G brandSAVER Coupons: Get Digital & Printable Coupons From Your Favorite P&G Brands
Tweezers Set ONLY $3.99 on Amazon (Reg $10)

5/10/2026 Weekly Meal Plan!

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpg

May is a busy month for us, so it’s important to me that I plan out our meals on Sunday nights for the week.

To keep my grocery budget down, I shop at Aldi (using Instacart, I wrote about how to do it here), our local Grocery Outlet, and use cashback rebates that offer a lot of 100% back (I wrote a post about some of my favorite apps here).

I skipped a grocery trip this week- We have plenty of food, and we had a  Yasukochi Family Farms CSA box subscription drop off last Monday and have plenty of fruit and veg to get us through this week. I did a quick grocery inventory on Saturday morning to make sure we’d be ok.

Breakfast: The kids tend to eat cereal, a bagel, or an MBS (Mrs. Bear Special) each morning for breakfast. I usually have a proffee and a slice of toast with goat cheese and spicy honey.

Lunch: Monday through Friday, I pack my own and the kids’ lunches. I bring 5 lunches to work on Monday and stash them in the fridge. I pack the kids’ lunches each night before bed, except for the cold stuff and ice pack- those I put in when I get up in the morning. This week, my lunch is a fridge clean-out. I saw a friend from out of town this weekend, and I have a lot of leftovers from cooking, plus some soup my mom gave me.

Dinner: This week, dinners are pretty simple. We have busy days, so I want to spend as much time as possible with the kids. If one of the kids ends up not liking something, they can have a sandwich, a fruit, and a homemade smoothie.

This week’s available fresh fruits are: Gala Apples, cherries, and strawberries.

  • Sunday: Leftovers (We had a lot this week)
  • Monday: Cheesy Brats, chips, fruit, and smoothies
  • Tuesday: Breakfast for dinner (bacon and eggs)

  • Wednesday: Breakfast for Dinner (I’m teaching that night)

  • Thursday: Quesadillas, beans/rice, fruit

  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday: Leftover Palooza and whatever leftover fruit is hanging around.