food

7/3/2026 Weekly Freebies and Deals

Abby H.Leave a comment

This week was pretty chill- Lots of time on my weighted hula hoop, finished my sewing “in-box”, altered shorts for my youngest, and fixed some holes in shirts.

And we’ve been eating a lot of shaved ice. If you are looking for a good electric shaved ice machine, this is the one. 

My Birthday Freebie list can be found 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!

Looking for some summer fun for you and the kids? Here is my list of frugal fun activities in San Diego County.

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 Sample of Cat Years Lickable Treats
FREE Planet Fitness Summer Pass for Teens
FREE Pizza Hut Pan Pizza with the Book It Program
FREE $25 at IKEA After Cash Back
FREE Smackin Garlic Parm Sunflower Seeds at Love’s Travel Stops
FREE Good & Gather Samples, FREE LoveShackFancy Tote Bag & More at Target
FREE Snack Product with Rebate – Up to a $21.99 Value
FREE Handcrafted Drink Every Monday at Capital One Cafe
FREE Zicam Allergy Relief Nasal Spray
FREE Amazon Prime for Students
FREE Full-Size Essential Canine Healing or Grooming Product
FREE Dog Toys
Fourth of July Freebies, Deals & More
FREE Reward Every Week with Panda Express Wok Wednesday
FREE Wireless Zone & TCC Backpack & School Supplies Giveaway on July 26th
FREE 6 pc. Chicken Rings at White Castle
Get Free Beauty Samples in the Mail From La Roche-Posay, Dove, Hermes, Giorgio Armani and Others
2 FREE Movie Tickets to Young Washington
FREE Sample of Elta MD UV Skin Recovery SPF 50
FREE Bug or Safari Animal Magnet Craft Kit at JCPenney + 10% Off Coupon
FREE Go Kart Workshop at Home Depot
FREE Full-Size Mochi Love Mini Clouds
FREE Fan Fanatics Banners & Bracelets Craft Event at Michaels
FREE NeilMed Sinus Rinse Kit or NasaFlo Neti Pot
The Best Free Skincare Samples to Request Right Now
FREE Star-Spangled Biscuit at Hardee’s
FREE $10 Off at JCPenney – Today Only
4 FREE Frozen Drinks at Casey’s Every Friday
FREE $20 Credit at Finish Line
FREE Sample of Pedigree Pouches Dog Food & Drizzlers Savory Sauce
Save Big on the Latest Titles with the 30-Day FREE Kindle Unlimited Trial (Lots of Titles! $12/mo Value)
FREE Stars & Stripes Sprinkle Cookie at Great American Cookies for Military & Veterans on July 1st – 4th
FREE Sample of Thayers pH Balancing Cleanser
FREE Beach Bucket Toy Set at Lowe’s on July 4th
Get Free Magazine Subscriptions: No Credit Card Needed
FREE Solo Cups & Lids, Olipop, Lip Oil & More for Target Circle 360 Members
2 FREE Retro Mini Prints at Walgreens
FREE MyLowe’s Money Day Giveaway at Lowe’s on July 11th & 12th
FREE Maxx Action Back-to-School Party Pack
FREE Bloomingdale’s Little Freebies Box
FREE $5 in Groupon Bucks – 1st 200,000
FREE Ice Cream Cup or Cone at Haagen-Dazs
Free Kids’ Magazines: A Gateway to Fun and Learning

Deals

Subway BOGO Deal: New Subway Coupons for July
Amazon Basics 2-Ply Paper Towels 12-Rolls ONLY $11.92 (Reg $23)
July 4th Clearance: Up to 70% Off
Oasis Beach Towels From $10.49 w/ Coupon (Reg $30)
SKIMS Discount Codes & Coupons: Up to 30% Off an Order of Panties, Bras and Shapewear
Wicked Caboodle ONLY $14.99 at ULTA (Reg $30)
H2OGO! Kids Tropical Outdoor Inflatable Mega Bouncer ONLY $148 (Reg $300)
School Supplies From 25¢ at Target
4th of July Clothing at Walmart – Prices as low as $1.00
20 Budget-Friendly Lululemon Dupes on Amazon That Perform Just as Well
Up to 75% Off Outdoor Furniture at Wayfair + Free Shipping
School Supplies as low as $0.35 Shipped at Walmart
Prime Members Save 50¢ Per Gallon on Gas – From July 2 Through July 5
Macy’s up to 70% Off Clearance
Yoo-hoo Chocolate Drink 40-Pack ONLY $10 on Amazon
Michael Kors Marilyn Medium Signature Tote Bag ONLY $67.32 (Reg $358)
Paper Mate Pink Pearl Large Erasers ONLY $5.90 (Reg $14)
All The Best Subway Coupons and Promo Codes: New for July 2026
The Best Handbag, Purse & Clutch Deals on Sale: Michael Kors, Kate Spade, MKF Collection & Coach Up to 84% Off
Coziest Pajama Coupons and Deals This Week from Macy’s, Kohl’s, Amazon, Walmart and More
JCPenney 4th of July Sale Up to 50% Off + Extra 30% Off w/ Coupon
Wonder Nation Backpacks ONLY $4.97 at Walmart

Fetch Rewards-Bonus Point Offers and More!

Abby H.Leave a comment

Fetch has some amazing bonus point offers.

Check your account to find more. If you aren’t already using Fetch, now is the time!

Until June 30th, you’ll start off with 2000 points after you sign up and scan your first receipt. If you are already a Fetch member, you’ll earn 4000 points when someone uses your referral code!

I cash out my Fetch Rewards points for gift cards that help me stretch my budget- grocery stores, Amazon, even Bath and Body Works!  I cashed out about $120 in rewards in 2025, and so far in 2026, I’ve cashed out about $40. I’ve been doing a lot more shopping at Aldi, so I don’t usually score the extra points for buying name brands, but every little bit helps.

 

Signing up is quick and easy if you aren’t already using Fetch Rewards! You learn more when you check out my post here.

Find the Fetch Rewards app in your app store, and when you download it and scan any receipt, use my code ND2TB when you sign up, and you’ll score 2,000 bonus points. I scan all of my receipts (grocery, mass merchandiser, gas receipts, restaurants, you name it) and take advantage of extra point offers- the points really rack up!

6/28/2026 Weekly Meal Plan

Abby H.Leave a comment

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgThis 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.

  • Sunday:  Gyro, Rice, Salad, Naan
  • Monday: Italian Night
  • Tuesday: Something with Ground Beef, salad, and mashed potatoes

  • Wednesday: Smoothies and Charcuterie plates (this has become a Wednesday special)

  • Thursday: Chicken Quesadillas, fruit, chips

  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday: Leftover Palooza

6/26/2026 Weekly Freebies and Deals

Abby H.Leave a comment

This week was incredibly busy for me. I delivered costumes for a play I partially costumed.

I also tie-dyed some cool stuff, worked through my alterations pile at home, and got back into using my weighted hula hoop.

My Birthday Freebie list can be found 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!

Looking for some summer fun for you and the kids? Here is my list of frugal fun activities in San Diego County.

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 FIFA World Cup Scarf at Home Depot on June 27th
FREE Skin Checks for World Skin Health Day on July 8th
FREE Handcrafted Drink Every Monday at Capital One Cafe
How to Score Sticker Freebies – Sticker Mule, Keds, Netflix and More
FREE 2027 Limited-Edition American Diabetes Association Calendar
FREE Full-Size Belle Aroma ScenTrio Petite Wax Warmer
FREE Beach Bucket Toy Giveaway at Lowe’s on July 4th
Get Free Samples by Mail: List of Legitimate Freebies & Free Samples From Brand Name Companies
FREE Sample of Zesty Paws Dog Supplements
FREE Coca-Cola or Levi’s Koozie Giveaway & More at Target
FREE Fourth of July Collection Donut at Krispy Kreme
FREE Vicks DayQuil & NyQuil Cold & Flu Medicine
FREE Stars & Stripes Sprinkle Cookie at Great American Cookies for Military & Veterans on July 1st – 4th
FREE Grabie Craft & Create Party Pack
FREE EXIT: The Enchanted Forest Party Pack
FREE Creed Aventus Fragrance Sample
FREE Copy of the Jiffy Mix Recipe Booklet
4 FREE Frozen Drinks at Casey’s Every Friday
FREE Frazil Slushie Every Friday in June
FREE $15 on Saltair Items at Target After Cash Back
FREE Fragrance Samples from Macy’s
FREE Original Glazed Donut at Krispy Kreme on July 4th
FREE Sample of Peak Health Digestive Enzymes Supplements
FREE Reward Every Week with Panda Express Wok Wednesday
FREE $25 at CVS After Cash Back
Here Are 6 Ways To Get Free Baby Formula Samples
Get Tons Of Free Stickers Online: Updated Monthly
FREE 6 Months of Amazon Prime for Young Adults Trial + Tons of Free Perks
4 FREE MiLB Tickets for Military, Veterans & USAA Members
FREE Olight Keychain Flashlight + FREE Shipping
FREE 15-Day Riversol Skincare Kit + FREE Shipping

Deals:

Get 50% Off an Annual Walmart+ Membership
Mario Badescu Lip Mask ONLY $7 (Reg $14)
Target Deal Days – Big Savings for Circle Members | Ends Tonight!
Wavytalk Dual Voltage Hair Dryer Brush ONLY $36.98 on Amazon (Reg $60)
Ryobi ONE+ 18V Cordless 3/8 in. Drill/Driver Kit ONLY $39.88 at Home Depot (Reg $139)
Walmart Deals & More – BIG Savings on Kitchen, Electronics and More!

6/22/2026 Weekly Meal Plan

Abby H.

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

Meal Planning in the Summer…

Abby H.

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

6/12/2026 Friday Freebies and Deals

Abby H.

It’s officially summer break! WOO HOO!

Today is our “day of sloth”. I’m not doing much- just catching up on laundry, making cookies, and doing some blogging.

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!

Looking for some summer fun for you and the kids? Here is my list of frugal fun activities in San Diego County.

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 Frazil Slushies every Friday in June!
FREE Full-Size Pure & Cimple Serum, Night Oil or Moisturizer
FREE Go Kart Workshop at Home Depot
4 FREE Frozen Drinks at Casey’s Every Friday
FREE Red Bull at Love’s Travel Stops – Today Only
FREE Sample of Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris Gentle Fluidity Fragrance
The Best Birthday Freebies and Free Stuff for Seniors
The Best Baby Registry Websites — Get Baby Freebies and Must-Haves
FREE Frazil Slushie Every Friday in June
FREE Starbucks Sweet Cream Now At Home Chatterbuy or House Party Kit
FREE Tea at McAlister’s Deli on July 16th
Get The Top 17 Free Baby Boxes in 2026: Walmart, Target, Amazon
FREE Sample of Chomps Original Chicken
FREE Bottle of Oh Yuk Wall & Baseboard Cleaner
FREE Sample of TERPS PLUS Fertilizer Enhancer
Free Chick-fil-A Birthday Item Every Year
Get Started on Your Wellness Goals with Free Supplement Samples
FREE Clear Whey Protein Kits on June 17th & June 21st
How to Get Free Beauty Samples Without Spending a Dime
FREE $25 Purchase at Old Navy After Cash Back
FREE L’Occitane Amande Sublime Resurfacing Body Serum
How I Get Free Samples with Free Shipping
FREE Full-Size Pura Self Organic Hair Growth Oil
Get Your Free Teeth Whitening Samples: A Brighter Smile Awaits
2 FREE Movie Tickets to Young Washington
FREE Limited Edition Tote Bag for National Outlet Shopping Day
Free Chick-fil-A: The Chick-fil-A Hacks You Need to Know – Yes, It Includes FREE Chicken!
FREE IMMORTAL Wellness Shot at Sprouts
FREE Sample of Cat Years Lickable Treats
FREE Sample of L’Oreal Age Perfect Le Duo Serum
FREE Heelys PR Box
FREE Pollinator Flower Seed Packet from National Geographic
FREE Gamer Supps GG Energy Sample Pack
FREE $30 on Select Categories at Target
FREE Lunar Lemonade at Planet Smoothie on June 21st
FREE Froyo for Dads at TCBY on June 21st
FREE LEGO Disney Sunglasses, Activity Booklet Giveaway & More at Target

Deals

How to Buy Unclaimed Packages for $1 From Amazon, Walmart and More (And Save Up to 80%)
Michaels Coupons: Our Favorite Coupons for 40% Off & More Deals
Babylist Universal Baby Registry: The Only Baby Registry You Need
Tzumi Puree Warming Coffee Mug ONLY $29.99 at Macy’s (Reg $58)
3-Speed Vinyl Record Player ONLY $37.99 on Amazon (Reg $60)
What Is a Raincheck at the Grocery Store & How To Use Them?
Women’s Sandals Starting at $16 at JCPenney
Nostalgia 32-Ounce Heated Electric Lunch Box ONLY $19.99 (Reg $35)
DEWALT 20V MAX 2-Tool Power Tool Combo Kit ONLY $169 (Reg $249)
Wonder Nation Backpacks ONLY $4.97 at Walmart
DAKIMOE Weekender Bag ONLY $10 at Walmart (Reg $19)
Shark Navigator Swivel Pro Upright Vacuum ONLY $98 at Walmart (Reg $179)
Urban Outfitters Satin Mini Dress ONLY $9.95 (Reg $69)
Carote 22-Piece Ceramic Cookware Set ONLY $39.99 (Reg $90)

6/7/2026 Weekend Freebies and Deals!

Abby H.

I’ve been really busy this week- Gearing up for the final week of school for my littlest kid, and I am costuming a play that starts in July, so I am knee deep in costume prep! I’ll post more about the play once the official notice and information is available.

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 Perfume Samples You Can Get Right Now
FREE Salonpas Lidocaine FLEX Patch Sample
FREE Car Wash for First Responders at GO Car Wash
FREE Full-Size Pack of WaterWipes Feminine Wipes
FREE Emergen-C Samples + Sticker Giveaway & More at Target
FREE Lipton Fusions Lemonade Iced Tea
FREE Box of Splenda
$1 Million in FREE Domino’s Emergency Pizzas
FREE Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Set at Sephora After Cash Back
FREE 22 oz. Iced Tea at Raising Cane’s
FREE Sample of Diptyque Eau des Sens Eau de Toilette
FREE Hallmark Card Every Month
FREE Is It a Stroke Magnet
FREE Frazil Slushie Every Friday in June
We Found The Best Birthday Freebies For Kids
FREE innisfree Energy Sheet Mask
2 FREE Movie Tickets to The Furious
FREE The Forward Bar
FREE Vanilla Shake at Wayback Burgers on June 20th
FREE Fishing Days 2026
FREE Sample of CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Hydrating Shampoo
Join Ask Mom for Product Tests and Survey Cash
Chipotle Summer of Extras – FREE Chipotle, Points & More
100,000 FREE Pints of Kroger Ice Cream on June 19th
Get Free Nike Gear: How to Become a Nike Product Tester
10 Ways to Save Big on Pet Food Delivery Services + Get Free Shipping
FREE Svinka Hand-Drawn Art Postcard
FREE Bedsure Dog Bed
FREE Starbucks Coffee or Cookie for Target Circle Members on June 23rd
FREE Reward Every Week with Panda Express Wok Wednesday
FREE Sample of SheaMoisture Silk Press in a Bottle
FREE Sample of SHEBA Perfect Portions Kitten Food
FREE Ello Flip & Fill Insulated Water Bottle at Walmart
FREE Fragrance Samples from Macy’s
FREE Animal Creatine HMB+ Powder
53,000 FREE Chipotle Burritos After the NBA Finals
FREE Goalie Game Workshop at Home Depot
FREE Sample of Chomps Original Chicken

 

Deals:

Save With the Lululemon Military Discount: Get 15% Off
Kohl’s Clearance Sale is at 85% Off – Deals as low as $1.35 after Extra 50% Off
Kohl’s Sandals as Low as $8 – Lowest Price of the Season
Ann Taylor Coupons & Deals: 50% Off Coupon + Extra 40% Off Clearance
Amazon Hand Soap 6-Pack on Sale for ONLY $3.75 – That’s $0.62 Each
Womens Casual Dresses as low as $9 on Amazon

2026 Summer Lunch Programs for Kids (And Other Free Food Resources in San Diego)

Abby H.2 Comments

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I’m back with as many free summer lunch resources as I could find for 2026! I’ve been finding these resources and posting them for 7+ years. I hope these resources stretch your summer budget.

Y’all know I love to keep everyone’s kids fed.

The San Diego Unified School District has partnered with the San Diego Parks and Recreation to have food available at neighborhood schools and Recreation centers throughout the city of San Diego. The complete list of locations can be found here. Times vary by location.

Feeding San Diego has a list of locations in San Diego County offering free food for kids 0-18 here.

Feeding San Diego has many other programs to help families and individuals all over San Diego County. You can learn more about all of their programs here.

Lunch at the library: The City of San Diego library has two locations participating; more information and hours/times can be found here.

County of San Diego library locations include Ramona, Casa de Oro, and Spring Valley. Check to see if your county library branch is participating here.

Lunch at the Park is hosted by several libraries throughout the City of San Diego!

To find schools near you participating in free summer lunches for kids, the California Department of Education website has a map for the entire state of CA, separated by County with free lunch locations for children.

And if you are low-income or meet certain requirements, check out California’s Summer EBT program, known as SUN Bucks. Families will get $120 for each eligible child to buy groceries during the summer. SUN Bucks will not affect immigration status. If you have received SUN Bucks previously, make sure your mailing address is current with your school and with the county, so your SUN Bucks are sent to the right place! Most families will begin receiving their SUN Bucks cards in mid-June through August. SUN Bucks Helpline (household inquiries): (877) 328-9677

If you need assistance feeding yourself and/or your family beyond these free meals, and you are looking for free and low-cost food resources, check my page here.

FREE Frazil Slushie Every Friday in June

Abby H.1 Comment

It’s back for 2026! Free Frazil Friday! If you aren’t familiar, a Frazil is a cold slushy drink available at gas stations and convenience stores nationwide.

Every Friday in June, you can score a free Frazil Slushy drink at a convenience store near you. To find your local participating location, click the link here. Many Jackson’s locations have Frazil machines.

If you are wondering about flavors, here is a complete list- most locations only have 2-3 flavors.

Lemonberry
Smashberry
Pina Colada
Orange Cream
Tiger’s Blood
Simply Mango
Blue Razzmatazz
Georgia Peach
Green Apple
Lemon Ice
Tangerango
Horchata
Lemonberry
Root Beer Float
Wildberry
Bermuda Triangle
Rock N’ Roll
Limonade
Smashberry
Pina Colada

This is a great summer freebie to add into your weekly rotation of freebies and deals in June!