frugal

12/7/2025: Weekend Freebies and Deals!

Abby H.Leave a comment

I spent yesterday with friends at an SCA event in northern San Diego County, so I wasn’t able to post this. But today- We Freebie!

I’ve updated my list of freebies for birthdays in 2025, which you can find here. If you live outside Southern California, check out this list: Free Birthday Stuff in 2025: 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 Hair Samples: Discover Your Next Favorite Product for Free
FREE Holiday Cocoa Mug Workshop at Home Depot
We Rounded Up The Best Birthday Freebies That Are NOT Food
FREE Subway Footlong with Disney+ Perks
FREE Royal Canin Fussy Adult Dry Cat Food Chatterbuy Kit
FREE Febreze PLUG Scent Booster After Walmart Cash
FREE Edgard & Cooper Puppy & Dog Treats Chatterbuy Kit
FREE Full-Size Then I Met You Skincare Products
FREE Holiday Magic Events at Target
We’ve Done The Research, These Are The Best Companies That Send Out Free Samples
FREE Store Credit During GameStop Trade Anything Day – Today
FREE Pet Photo with Santa at Petco on December 6th
FREE $25 Purchase at Sephora After Cash Back
FREE Medium Fries at McDonalds – Every Friday
BOGO FREE Entrees Every Saturday at Chipotle
FREE Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste After Walmart Cash
FREE Keurig K-Express Essentials Plus Coffee Maker at Walmart After Cash Back
FREE Bottle of Vetality Canine Aspirin
Free Kids Activities for Creative Family Fun (Games, Crafts & More)

Deals:

10% Off Target Gift Cards – Up to $500 w/ Target Circle GOOD THROUGH TODAY ONLY
Matching Family Pajamas Up to 70% Off at JCPenney
50% Off Christmas Trees at Target
Vera Bradley Belt Bag as Low as $16 – NOW 70% Off
Kohl’s Gifts under $25 + New Coupon Code & Free Store Pickup
Ralph Lauren Pillows ONLY $9.99 (reg $25)
Rubbermaid Easy Find Lids Food Storage Containers 26 Piece Set ONLY $7.97 at Walmart
Liz Claiborne Event at JCPenney – Up to 55% Off Select Styles After Coupon

Earn Gift Cards with Surveys on MyPoints.com!

Abby H.

Last week was a no-work week for me, which is why you saw a lot more posts from me. At my 9-5 job, when we are closed, we don’t work, which means….. I don’t get paid.

Except for the holiday and the day after (it’s a floating holiday), that means I had 3 unpaid days off last week. What’s a girl to do, besides clean out the closets, steam clean the couch, take the kids to the zoo, and visit the eye doctor?

SURVEYS!

I spent my time between loads of laundry/meal prep/dishes and at 6 am every day (the cat doesn’t understand days off) doing surveys to earn a little extra money for the holidays. And Groceries.

I completed most of the surveys on MyPoints.com, which, in addition to offering a large number of surveys, also helps you save and earn money shopping online.

Here are some of the surveys available as of Monday night that I qualify for. 

 

For reference, 1600 points are equal to a $10 gift card. I usually get gift cards to stores where I can buy groceries, or I get gift cards that I can give as gifts.

I also completed surveys on Verasight, where I cashed out $10.00, and Paid ViewPoint, where I cashed out $15.00. I completed a few other misc. surveys I had in my email, including 4 software reviews on G2. Those pay $10 each. I was able to cash out about $90.00 in gift cards from My Points.

I didn’t get paid for any of the following, but I might later down the road if I get picked for a PRC research study. I post about those about once a week, or when they send me emails. They have a lot of various research studies available for people all across the US. Here are some I posted last week.

Do You Have an FSA? Don’t Leave Your Money on the Table!

Abby H.

Do you have an FSA? An FSA is a Flexible Spending Account. It is a pre-tax benefit account offered by employers that lets you set aside money from your paycheck to pay for eligible out-of-pocket healthcare or dependent care expenses.

Funds can be used for things like co-pays, deductibles, and prescriptions, which lowers your taxable income. A key feature is the “use-it-or-lose-it” rule, meaning you typically forfeit any unspent money at the end of the plan year (thanks, PayChex).

A lot of these FSA plans expire at the end of the calendar year, which means you have 31 days to spend it up. If you have already seen your doctors, refilled your prescriptions, and visited any specialists this year (don’t forget the dentist and optometrist!), one way to make sure you utilize every last cent of your FSA funds is the OTC or Over-the-Counter Benefit.

Online Glasses companies like GlassesShop are a smart way to pick up a few extra pairs of glasses on a budget to stretch those last few FSA dollars. That includes prescription sunglasses, too!

And for my readers with Medicare or Medicaid, check out my post here about OTC benefits you may not have otherwise known about.

December 2025: New Healthy Freebies From Social Nature!

Abby H.

 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 Free/100% Cashback offers available now:

  • George’s Farmers Market Humanely-Raised Chicken
  • ZICO PURE Coconut Water
  • Señor Rico Chocolate Natilla Custard
  • Tia Lupita Low Sodium Sauces
  • Rio Mare Wild Tuna in Olive Oil
  • Vgan Organic Chocolates
  • Truly Indian Indian Street Wraps

Dollar Tree: Free Shipping Through 12/2/25!

Abby H.

Dollar Tree is one of my favorite places to shop for goodies. They have great skin care dupes, their Bath Bombs are very good, and they have great sugar-free drink mixes.

Now through 12/2/25, you can score free shipping with promo code NOFEEWISH at checkout. Dollar Tree’s website is perfect for those of us who are making gift baskets or stuffing stockings.

If you follow Dollar Tree Dinners on Social Media and are making her meal kits to donate, this coupon code is a great way to have all the supplies delivered to you!

I am making stockings for the kids at my work who receive the weekend food backpacks, so this coupon code will come in handy! I’ve got all kinds of ideas, and this coupon code will save me time and money. I can do all my shopping online at Dollar Tree’s website, and it will be shipped to my door.

If you aren’t sure what to buy at Dollar Tree, check out my post here with my Top Ten Grocery Items from Dollar Tree!

 

Receipt Hog: Hoggy Holiday Bonus Bash is Here

Abby H.

Receipt Hog is a great app for those starting out on a savings journey. It’s simple to use, and points rack up quickly.

You can download it here and get started.

In the app, snap pictures of all of your receipts from dining out to grocery trips and earn points that you can redeem for gift cards or money via Paypal. Reward options start as low as 1000 Points.

You can also connect your grocery and mass merchandiser accounts to earn extra points.  In addition to points, there is a game called Hog Slots, where you spin the wheel to win extra points.

Right now, through December 31, 2025, you can earn points and spins to earn extra points!

  • Upload 5 e-Receipts: 50 Spins
  • Upload 30 paper receipts: 25 Spins
  • Upload 15 Link Receipts- 25 Spins
  • Complete all the bonuses and earn 100 bonus coins!

 

StackInfluence: Free Products for Micro-Influencers

Abby H.

I’ve been around the micro-influencer sphere for a while.

There have been review programs for influencers since the beginning, and a lot of them have closed due to shady practices or blatant disregarding of website TOS’s.

StackInfluence is different, and pretty easy in my opinion. You sign up, select a campaign, purchase the item via the link provided, review the item as outlined in the campaign, and you are refunded your purchase price via Paypal or Venmo.

I’ve done a few campaigns with them (including this horrible upholstry stain remover), and reimbursement is super quick- less than an hour after you verify your social media post. And reviews can be honest. I try not to sugarcoat reviews, because if you are spending money on something I tell you is good, you better believe that it’s good. That stain remover was not. It was stanky and made my couch look worse.

Most items are for sale on Amazon, but there are a few on Walmart.com too.  I tend to redeem my rewards/rebate app rewards for Amazon Gift Cards and add them to my account, so when I order stuff through apps like StackInfluence, I’m not paying out of my own pocket for them!

Here are just a few of the newer campaigns I have my eye on:

I have a few artists in my family who would enjoy these Posca markers- If you’ve never used Poscas before, they are amazing Acrylic Paint pens!

And there is a certain Cryptid lover in my house who would love this BigFoot shirt.

If you have an Instagram or Tiktok account and you’d love to try new products, check out StackInfluence.

11/28/2025 Freebies and Deals: Black Friday Edition

Abby H.

While I am not partaking in Black Friday, I know a lot of you do, so here are some deals (and freebies) that might excite you.

I’ve updated my list of freebies for birthdays in 2025, which you can find here. If you live outside Southern California, check out this list: Free Birthday Stuff in 2025: 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 outside my area.

 

Freebies:

FREE Crown Royal Military Care Package for Our Troops
FREE WaterWipes Fresh & Soothed Set
FREE Snowball Classic Cookie at Insomnia Cookies + Win FREE Cookies for a Year
FREE Magnesium Spray
FREE Animal Creatine HMB+ Powder
FREE Handcrafted Beverage at Capital One Cafe
FREE 42 oz. La Colombe Cold Brew at Target
FREE $25 Purchase at Ulta After Cash Back
FREE Perdue Holiday Nuggets & Collectible Plate on November 28th
Get Free Christian Items by Mail and How These Resources Can Help Nourish Your Spiritual Journey
FREE Rare Breed Dog Treats Intro Pack
FREE Ethel Lapel Pin + FREE Shipping
List of Stores and Brands That Give Away Freebies During Black Friday: 2025
FREE Blue Buffalo Love Made Fresh Tender Meatballs Chatterbox Kit
FREE Starbucks Drink for New Rewards Members
FREE Lowe’s Bucket of Gifts on Black Friday + Chance at a FREE Major Appliance Worth $2,000
FREE McCormick Products
T-Mobile Tuesdays – FREE 8×10 at CVS, FREE 7-Select Snack & More
FREE Bvlgari Man in Black Fragrance Sample
How to Get Free Beauty Samples Without Spending a Dime
FREE Sample of EltaMD UV Clear and UV Daily Deep Tinted SPF
FREE Stonemill Kitchens Holiday Dips Chatterbuy Kit
FREE Photo with Santa at PetSmart on December 13th & 14th
FREE Coffee at Sheetz Through November 30th
Black Friday Food Deals & Freebies On Coffee, Fast Food, Gift Cards and More: 2025
FREE Beech-Nut Products
FREE Ethel Bandana + FREE Shipping

 

Deals:

Carter’s Clothing Sets ALL $8.99 – Kohl’s Black Friday Doorbuster Deal
Sephora Black Friday Sale – Gifts Under $25, 50% Off Fragrances, Free Shipping and More
We Found The Best Black Friday and Cyber Week Streaming Deals: 2025 Edition
Here Are The Best Black Friday Deals Vetted By Our Deal Experts: Amazon, Kohl’s, Walmart and More! (2025)
Toastmaster Small Appliances ONLY $8.98 at Kohl’s (Reg $25)
Black Friday Sale: Blackstone Adventure Ready 2-Burner Grill ONLY $157 (Reg $224) at Walmart
Amazon Black Friday – Up to 79% Off Beauty Products
JCPenney Black Friday Doorbuster – Bras for ONLY $9.99
Macy’s Black Friday 2025 is LIVE – Up to 80% Off Bedding, Toys, Clothing & More
The Best Target Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deals for 2025 + Today’s Daily Deal
Macy’s Black Friday – $15 Beauty Gift Sets ($75 value!)
Walgreens Black Friday 2025 – Save Up to 50% on Beauty Sets, Toys, Household & More
Walmart Black Friday Sale: Apple AirPods 4 ONLY $69 (Reg $130)
Black Friday Sale: VIZIO 65” Class 4K UHD Limited Edition Smart TV ONLY $228 (Reg $448) at Walmart
Black Friday Deal – Carote 10pc Pots and Pans Set ONLY $79.99 (Reg $139.99)

11/30/2025 Clothing Swap At Porchlight Community Services!

Abby H.

Looking to engage in some sustainable fun this weekend? Check out Porchlight Community Services’ end-of-year clothing swap this Sunday, November 30th, from 1pm-4pm.

Details can be found here.

They also have an upcoming toy swap on 12/6/2025, just in time for the holidays!

I love Porchlight. In addition to hosting swaps, they help keep food from ending up in landfills, and getting food into the hands (and bellies) of San Diegans in need. You can learn more about Porchlight’s mission here.

Black Friday Deals at Thrift Stores!

Abby H.

Thrift stores are getting in on the Black Friday Sales, too. And why not? With more people on a tighter budget, thrift stores are a great way to save money while shopping, support a charity, and keep clothing and home goods out of landfills.

Goodwill:

Black Friday (11/28)
Shop Goodwill SoCal stores and receive a free scarf with a minimum $30 purchase.*
All Weekend Long (11/28-12/1)
The first 25 people in line each day at Goodwill SoCal’s Retail Stores and Boutiques will receive a coupon for 20% off a future purchase of $30 or more.**
Enter for a chance to win a $2,000 gift voucher for our Goodwill SoCal ebay Shop!*** Learn more and enter to win at a Goodwill SoCal store near you.

Goodwill also has a VIP program where you can score a 20% off coupon- Sign up here. 

Amvets: All items are $3.00, excluding clearance items. This deal is valid all day on November 28, 2025, at all AmVets locations. Locations can be found here.

Amvets is one of my favorite thrift stores; they always have great clothes and craft supplies.

Salvation Army is also having a Black Friday sale, but theirs is limited in time, unlike Amvets. Enjoy 50% 0ff the entire store on Friday, November 28, 2025, 8am-12pm.

If you can’t make it then, but are on the hunt for clothes- GOOD NEWS! All clothing will be 50% off Friday-Saturday, November 28-29, 2025.  Find your location Salvation Army Thrift store here. 

 

There may be other thrift stores having sales, but my internet searches were not that fruitful. I was aware of both of these because I had seen signs in stores recently.