Are you a teacher or a homeschooler? This sale is for you!
Teachers Pay Teachers is having its Back-to-School sale from Tuesday, August 5, at 12:01 a.m. ET through Wednesday, August 6, at 11:59 p.m. ET, where you can save up to 25%!
If you are new to TPT, there are numerous great resources available, and some creators offer free content.
Back-to-School is upon us! We’ve got 2 weeks, but that means 2 weeks of shenanigans between all the school prep.
Here are a few ways that we will be having fun and being frugal:
I’ve updated my list of freebies for birthdays in 2025, which you can find here.
For free food resources, please refer to my comprehensive list, available here. It is focused on San Diego County, but additional resources are outside my area.
Let’s get onto the Freebies!!
Freebies:
FREE $35 Purchase at Nike After Cash Back
FREE Up & Up Writing Item, $5 Off HeyDay or $5 Off Brightroom Storage for Target Circle 360 Members
FREE Frozen Drink at Casey’s Every Friday in May thru August
FREE SPAM Norimaki Roll or SPAM Musubi at Kroger
FREE Chocolate Chunk Cookie at Insomnia Cookies
Teachers – Possible FREE Pets in the Classroom Grant
FREE $15 to Spend on Books at Walmart After Cash Back
FREE Passport to Italy Donut at Krispy Kreme
FREE Cheesecake On a Stick at White Castle
FREE Sample of Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour HydraPlay 2-in-1 Daily Cleanser
FREE Eau Thermale Jonzac Skincare Sample + FREE Shipping
FREE Café Tango Frozen Coffee Every Tuesday in August
2 FREE 5×7 Photo Prints at Walgreens (App Only)
FREE Full-Size Wuffes Daily Probiotic for Dogs – $39 Value
FREE BtNPN Deep Relief Patches
FREE Patches, Charms & More at Target on August 2nd & 3rd
FREE Sample of Vetality Brush-Free Daily Dental Chews for Dogs
Deals
Target has School Backpacks From $5
5-Piece Character Backpacks ONLY $17.99 at JCPenney
Backpacks From $5 at Walmart
Victoria’s Secret Panties 7 For $35
Yankee Candles Buy 2 Get 2 Free: 3-Wick & Large Candles
Save Big on Your Next Move with USPS Mover Coupons
Great Clips Coupons: Get Your Next Haircut for Less with Great Clips Coupons and Promo Codes
Famous Footwear Promo Codes & Coupons: Save Big on Your Favorite Shoes From Nike, Crocs and More!
If you are into Organic/Natural/Healthy products, then Social Nature is right up your alley. Sign up and apply to sample products that you are interested in. I usually receive 4-6 offers/freebies per month, sometimes more if I have time to shop. And most of the time it’s full-size products, not just a tiny sample.
In addition to the offers where they mail you a coupon for a free product, Social Nature has started offering 100% cash-back, similar to Ibotta and Fetch Rewards. I love this because I can select exactly what I want, Social Nature tells me which local stores have it, and I can add it to my next shopping list.
And it’s just as easy as Ibotta and Fetch Rewards. Snap a pic and upload it. You can select Venmo, Paypal, or an Amazon Gift Card for your rebate.
Here are just a few of the offers available now:
I love clothing swaps- If you have read my blog, you know it’s one of my favorite ways to refresh the kid’s wardrobes (and my own).
And as always, if you are looking for more information about clothing swaps, check out my post (with other San Diego, CA area resources) here.
AUGUST 2025
Thread Bumpin’ Clothing Swap
Saturday, August 2, 2025 3:00 PM to 3:45 PM La Mesita Park 8855 Dallas St · La Mesa, CA
Only the following will be accepted:
All leftover items are distributed to people in need through an NPO.
Crave Community is hosting a clothing swap on August 3rd, from 11am-1pm at San Diego Made Factory 2031 Commercial Street, San Diego, California 92213.
Bring your gently-loved clothes, swap for something new-to-you, and enjoy a welcoming space filled with good vibes and even better company.
More information can be found on their Instagram page here.
Chingona Cambio is hosting their first-ever clothing swap at Chula Vista Bayside Park
999 Bayside Parkway Chula Vista, CA 91910
on August 30th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
More information can be found here.
Tickets may not be available, but according to social media posts by the coordinator of this event, everyone is welcome, regardless of ticketing status.
On 8/16/2025, The Flower Pot is hosting a clothing swap, entry fee is $10. More information here.
SEPTEMBER AND BEYOND
In partnership with I Love a Clean San Diego, the San Diego County library branch in La Mesa is hosting a Sustainable Saturday: Clothing Swap on the following dates:
Bring one bag of unwanted clothes and accessories (for all ages!) to the library and leave with a fresh, new-to-you wardrobe! Items must be in good condition; no rips, tears, or stains.
I find clothing swaps by joining local area clothing swap groups, both through Facebook and Meetup.
I’ve been a fan of Tryazon for about 7 years. It’s an amazing company that works with manufacturers of toys, games, food, and recreational/sporting goods. Manufacturers supply their goods to consumers to try out and review for free.
The kids and I have received toys, games, craft kits, and art supplies to test and have fun with.
Right now, Tryazon has a tasty sampling opportunity to apply for!
They have 300 hosting spots open for this opportunity! Those selected will receive a party pack for free with this updated version of Telestrations, along with two bonus games to share with friends and family.
When you join the Rubio’s Rewards Program (download the app found wherever you get apps), you can score a FREE KIDS MEAL every Thursday in July.
Sounds like a pretty decent deal to me, especially if you and your munchkin like Rubio’s!
For Rewards Members Only. Offer valid for one (1) free kids’ meal with purchase of any entrée. Entrées include two taco plates, burritos, salads, bowls, Shrimp Trio, and The Coastal Trio®. Excludes tasting plates and kids’ meals. Not available for third-party delivery orders. Not valid with any other offer or discount. One offer permitted per transaction. Upcharges for extras and premium items may apply. No substitutions. No cash value. Valid at participating restaurants only. Only valid on the following days: 7/3, 7/10, 7/17, 7/24, and 7/31/2025
July 28 is National Waterpark Day, and if your kids are anything like mine, they love swimming and splashing.
Here are some of the local splash pads that my kids love:
Hilton Head Park (wristband costs $4)
Santee Lakes (you can walk in for free, but there is a cost for the wristband $4)
Santee YMCA– This is only a good deal if you are a YMCA member or live in Santee. On certain days, Santee Residents can enjoy the pool and splashpad for free.
Civita Park– small, but free and the playground at the top of the hill is super fun.
The city of San Diego Parks and Recreation department has info about all of the city-run splash pads and pools here.
Groupon has offers for the Southern California area here.
Legoland has a fun waterpark, and the kids and I recently went and had a blast. Here is our review.
The Plunge at Belmont Park is a fun indoor pool and water playground.
Sesame Place– I was not a fan of this place when we went right after they opened. The water isn’t heated, so on overcast summer days, it can be pretty chilly. Sometimes they have Groupons available.
Visit any See’s Candy location for National Lollipop Day on July 20, and you’ll receive a free lollipop — no purchase necessary.
Flavor availability may vary by location, but here are the flavors you may have to choose from:
Chocolate
Vanilla
Butterscotch
Sugar Free Butterscotch
Café Latté
Cinnamon
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.
Dairy Queen: Score a free Dilly® Bar on any order of $1 or more.
Exclusively through the DQ® app and website, DQ® rewards members can enjoy the delicious sweet treat (one per fan) from July 14 to 20. Order digitally, earn rewards, and unlock more all summer!
Dipping’ Dots: Dippin’ Dots is giving away FREE mini cups of Dippin’ Dots (any flavor!) during a two-hour window at their franchise locations. Plus, the first 100 people in line will score a super cool, collectible take-home cup, in addition to the free mini cup of Dippin’ Dots. Find your closest location here.
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:
Burger King: Check your app for this offer- free soft serve with a purchase of $1 or more at Burger King on National Ice Cream Day, Sunday, July 20.
Baskin-Robbins: Check your Baskin-Robbins app for an offer; offers may vary by app, including a discount on ice cream cakes or shakes.
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, Del Taco, 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!
In California, those who have Medi-Cal may be eligible to receive free food delivered to their home if they have certain health conditions.
Several programs partner with Medi-Cal that deliver pre-cooked meals or fresh fruits and veggies. To qualify, check with each program listed below. Each program has its own perimeters and availability.
The following programs appear to be available throughout Southern California. I recommend verifying that they are available in your county.
To find out about the Food is Medicine movement and medically tailored meals, I recommend checking out the California Food is Medicine Coalition and the California Department of Health Services website here.
If you have questions, it’s best to contact your Medi-Cal provider, as they know all of the details of your specific plan.
If you need help finding free or low-cost food resources near you, check out my page here.
Hewes Family Fun 