A few days ago, I posted about today being National Give Something Away Day, and I listed a few ways we can all help our neighbors.
I decided to put my money where my mouth is and give a $25.00 Amazon Gift Card to one of you!
Entering is easy and pretty quick.
Visit my Instagram Page, click on the giveaway post (which should be the most recent post), and follow the directions.
Terms and Conditions apply; all of the rules can be found here.
National Ice Cream Day is next week!! I recommend that you download any apps required for these deals at least 1 day prior to ensure that you have the app and are all signed up for any clubs or offers. Not all of these offers are available in my specific area, but I included them because I have readers outside of San Diego.
From July 13-19, DQ Rewards members can score the classic treat with any $1 purchase made through the DQ App. https://news.dairyqueen.com/announcements/details/2026/DQ-Celebrates-National-Ice-Cream-Day-All-Week-Long-with-Free-Dilly-Bars/default.aspx
Dipping’ Dots: Dippin’ Dots is giving away FREE mini cups of Dippin’ Dots (any flavor!) during a two-hour window at their franchise locations. Find your closest location here.
Baskin-Robbins: Baskin-Robbins Rewards members can get 31% off scoops on July 31, 2026, at participating shops. Waffle cones, toppings, sundaes, and delivery orders are excluded.
Marble Slab Creamery: Download their app because on July 20, loyalty members will receive a free small Ice Cream offer, valid for seven days. Find your closest location here.
Del Taco: From July 17 – 19, Del Yeah! Rewards members can get BOGO free regular shakes at Del Taco for National Ice Cream Day.
And while there are no deals right now, check the following apps in the days before the 20th for possible freebies and deals: McDonald’s, Jack in the Box, Wendy’s, and Yogurtland.
And if you want to make your own ice cream at home, you can find my recipe here. It’s very easy, and you can make it your own with a few tweaks!
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.
June was a busy month for me to work on Side Quests. I sat down and really buckled down, as my regular day job was ending for the next two-ish months, and I wanted to ensure I had the funds for adventures with the kids.
I spend about 20-30 minutes a day completing surveys, scanning receipts, and other tasks. It doesn’t take long, and it helps take a small load off our summer budget.
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:
I’ve posted about Upromise before, and it is a great way to save for college for yourself or your kids, and earn cash back. I received an email this morning that you can earn an extra $5 on top of your dining cash back rewards when you reserve and dine at a Upromise® Dining participating restaurant—for up to 8 times or $40 bonus per calendar month!
There are a lot of local resturants in my area that participate in Upromise Dining too. Find restaurants near you here.
If you are interested in learning more about all of the great ways you can save money for college with Upromise, check out their website.
Here are all of the fine print details:
| *This Reservation Completion Bonus (this “Bonus”) offer is open to all members of Upromise® Dining who: login to their Upromise Dining account, book a reservation on the Upromise Dining website via the reservations widget, check-in for their reservation directly at the participating location at the day and time of the reservation as confirmed by the third-party reservation provider, and pay the check for the dine associated with the reservation with a credit and/or debit card linked to their Upromise Dining account (a “complete reservation” or “completed reservation”). For clarity, Members must complete a qualified dine at the time of their reservation to earn this Bonus. Members must remain opted-into emails from Upromise Dining with a valid, deliverable email address to earn this Bonus. Members will receive $5 cash back rewards for each completed reservation. This Bonus is limited to 1 completed reservation per day and may be earned a maximum of 8 times per calendar month for completed reservations made within the same calendar month. This Bonus offer is combinable with other Upromise Dining bonuses. Please allow up to eight weeks from the date of a completed reservation for any bonus to post to your Upromise Dining account. Please note that some participating locations offer rewards only on certain days of the week, and you may not earn your standard cash back rewards on the day and time of your completed reservation. For complete program Terms of Use, guidelines and restrictions, and the latest rewards calendar, visit our website. Other limitations may apply. These terms and conditions are subject to change (including termination of this Bonus opportunity) in our sole discretion and without notice to you. This Bonus opportunity is for a limited time only. Void where prohibited. |
This weekend, I am on the ball and getting the meal plan posted on Sunday!
My goal of not doing a big grocery shop was foiled last week. I ended up going grocery shopping at Walmart when I needed to order a few things for the house- like washcloths. I have no idea where they all went. It was only $40, still well below my usual weekly grocery bill.
In the summer, we get into a groove when it comes to dinners. Easy, quick foods that are tried and true.
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: I’m doing lunch meal prep for the week today- Beans and Rice bowls for myself. And a batch of Mac n’ cheese for the youngest. The big kid usually doesn’t eat a big lunch. He’ll snack or have a bag of Quest Protein chips and a sandwich. We’ll be escaping the house on some adventures. The kids will be taking advantage of the free summer lunches (find out more here) while we are out and about.
Dinner: Because of the heat, I didn’t end up making meatloaf, so we may grill burgers instead, or make Salisbury steaks. I’m not sure which.
Wednesday: Smoothies and Charcuterie plates (this has become a Wednesday special)
Thursday: Chicken Quesadillas, fruit, chips
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:
I 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.
Wednesday: Smoothies and Charcuterie plates
Thursday: Nuggets, fruit, and chips
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:
I 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.
Wednesday: Charcuterie Night
Thursday: Smoothies and Entrees
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
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:
Hewes Family Fun 