frugal life

6/15/2024 Weekend Freebies!

Abby H.

School is over for the 2023-2024 school year! The kids have all sorts of exciting adventures planned, including sleeping in and lots of swimming.

My 2024 guide to a fun, frugal Summer Break can be found here. It’s San Diego County specific, but there are lots of great ideas if you aren’t local to me.

The 2024 Birthday Freebie post is here! Check this article out and sign up for birthday freebies at least 2-3 weeks before your birthday.

If you are looking for free food resources, my comprehensive list can be found here. It is focused on San Diego County, but there are additional resources outside my area.

Freebies:

Free Good Culture Probiotic Milk
Free 3-Piece Chicken Tenders at Hardee’s on June 13th & 18th
Free TevraPet Hemp Helpers Dog Collars or Topical Tubes
Free 60-Day Supply of Care/of Ashwagandha Supplement
Free Nurishh Animal Free Cream Cheese at Select Retailers
Free Sample of Black Forest Gummy Bears
Free Revol Greens Salad Kits, Salad Blends or Head Lettuces After Rebate
Possible Free Vital Farms Grass-Fed Butter
Free 8×10 Photo Print at Walgreens
Free Father’s Day UTV Craft for Kids at Lowe’s
Free Entree at Chipotle
Free Sacred Essentials CBD Pain Balm Sample
Free Bag of Yummers After Rebate
Free Fries Every Friday at Wendy’s
Babylist Registry Perks – 15% Off & Free Registry Box
2 Free Movie Tickets to Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot
Free Good Planet Foods Olive Oil Cheese After Rebate
Free Medium Fries w/ Any $1 Purchase at McDonalds – Every Friday
Free Frazil Slushie Every Friday in June
Cigar Aficionado Plus Additional Magazines – No Credit Card Required

Deals:

Nike – 60% Off + Extra 25% Off Coupon
QVC 20% Off Entire Cart Coupon Code

2024 Summer Fun on A Budget!

Abby H.2 Comments

Today marks the first day of summer break for my kiddos. I am usually a lot more prepared and would have posted this on the blog already, but… Life happens.

I’ve got some stuff planned for summer, but not as much as I have during previous summers. I’m having surgery next week, so a lot of our activities will be more chill.

But we will be including:

If you are looking to beat the heat and need something free, check out the Waterfront Park downtown. They have a great splash pad area for kids, a really fun playground, and a big grassy area for picnics. The only downside- is no shade trees.

If you are looking for free summer lunches, Feeding America has a great list on its website here. 

And beyond that, if you are looking for free and low-cost food resources, check my page here.

Summer Movie Deals for 2024!

Abby H.

One of the kid’s favorite summer activities is to hit up the local theater for a showing of one of their favorite movies.

Big buckets of popcorn, snuck in candy (shhhh), and a drink and they are ready for 2 hours of fun in the Air Conditioning.

In my search for theater chains offering this fun this summer, several of our old friends are not participating as of the writing of this post.

Select Reading Cinemas will have the Reel Kids program, where throughout the summer (June-August) there will be kid-approved movies for the reduced price of $1/ticket!

And perhaps my kids’ favorite,Regal Summer Movie Express is back! Express tickets are just $1 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays featuring summer movies the whole family will enjoy. Availability varies by location. My kids are excited to see Puss in Boots, Across the Spider-verse, and Angry Birds 2.

AMC has nothing planned per their website, but they do offer discounts for students and the elderly.

Cinemark (No locations near us) has 8 weeks of Movie Fun planned. More Details can be found here.

Talk Back: What summer movies are you looking forward to seeing?

$5/$25 Coupon from Grocery Outlet

Abby H.

Just in time for summer break, when your kids are so hungry all the time. Grocery Outlet is hooking us up with a $5 of $25+ purchase!

Check your email, and get your printer ready!

Summer Grill Bundles from Dream Dinners!

Abby H.

As you are all aware,  Dream Dinners is one of my favorite ways to save time and get tasty, healthy meals on the table in 45 minutes or less!

Just in time for summer, Dream Dinners is offering Grill Bundles. The perfect easy meal plan for camping, your next vacation, or a staycation. There are two Bundles, One available in June, and the second in July.

And it gets better- If you are new to Dream Dinners, order 3 or more dinners, and get a free medium Creamy Chicken Risotto as their gift to you. Use code SHARE at checkout.

If you don’t live near a Dream Dinners location, don’t fret! New Guests can receive free shipping on their first box of 4 medium dinners as a special offer just for you. Use the code FREESHIP at checkout.

2024 Summer Reading Programs!

Abby H.1 Comment

Summer break from school means summer reading programs from the local library systems, plus a few other places.

Here are a few of our favorite summer reading programs. I’ve listed the prizes that I could find, but at the time this post was published, not all of the prizes were known.

Unless specifically stated, the programs start June 1st.

Book It has a summer program called Camp Book it, where kids can read, and earn free personal pan pizzas from Pizza Hut! Book It is the FAVORITE reading program in my house. parents can enroll their kids for the summer!

The City of San Diego Library system program has published its prizes this year, and lemme tell you, it’s pretty amazing.

Children (Ages 0- 11)

  • 1 Book
  • Pass for 2 for The San Diego Natural History Museum (the NAT)
  • Pass for 2 for The San Diego Model Railroad Museum
  • Pass for 2 for the San Diego Automotive Museum
  • Pass for 4 for The San Diego New Children’s Museum
  • Free 3 oz yogurt from Yogurtland
  • Free kid’s meal from Mendocino Farms
  • Free kid’s meal from Panda Express

Teens (Ages 12-17)

  • 1 Book
  • Pass for 2 for The San Diego Natural History Museum (the NAT)
  • Pass for 2 for The San Diego Model Railroad Museum
  • Pass for 2 for the San Diego Automotive Museum
  • Free 3 oz yogurt from Yogurtland

Adults (Ages 18+)

  • Free book at participating Friends of the Library Book Sales and Used Bookstores
  • Pass for 2 for The San Diego Natural History Museum (the NAT)
  • 1 reusable utensil kit

For more information or to sign up, click here. 

The County of San Diego Library summer reading program started June 1st. They have all sorts of prizes for kids and adults.

If you want your family to experience a multicultural world through reading, I  recommend PJ Library.  PJ Library sends free, award-winning books that celebrate Jewish values and culture to families with children from birth through 12 years old.

My kids love learning about faraway places and experiences different from their own. The PJ library books have opened their eyes to new holidays, customs, and ways of life.

Read Conmigo provides free books for kids by mail in Spanish and English to children ages preschool to fifth grade. They are only available to kids in CA, TX, and Florida. We used to receive the books, and they are ok, but my kids aren’t interested in learning Spanish. The books were super useful for me learning to read in Spanish (Beyond what Duolingo teaches).

Barnes and Noble have a summer reading program starting July 1st. More info here.

Dolly Parton has established the Imagination Library, it is available in select regions (sadly not available in San Diego California), and those who live in participating areas can receive one book for their kids every month via mail.

Weekly Freebies and Deals!

Abby H.

The 2024 Birthday Freebie post is here! Check this article out and sign up for birthday freebies at least 2-3 weeks before your birthday.

If you are looking for free food resources, my comprehensive list can be found here. It is focused on San Diego County, but there are additional resources outside my area.

Part of my kitchen is done, but the contractors are waiting on two cabinets. School is over in less than two weeks, and I am looking forward to my summer of fun with the kids.

Freebies:

Free Sample of L’Oreal Revitalift 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Free Kokada Coconut Spread After Rebate
Free Grilling Cooking Classes at Williams Sonoma
Free Real Food From The Ground Up Snack Product After Rebate
Free Shark FlexBreeze Fan
Free Sample of Geaux Nuts White Chocolate Crunch
Free Museum Admission for Bank of America/Merril Lynch Cardholders – This Weekend
Free Prepare with Pedro: Disaster Preparedness Activity Book
Free Celsius Energy Drink at Select Stores
Domino’s is Giving Away $10 Million in Free Pizza
Free Nurishh Animal Free Cream Cheese at Select Retailers
Free Peace Out Limited-Edition Pride Acne Healing Dots
Free Screwdriver, Work Gloves, or Cable Ties at Harbor Freight
Free Tovolo Summer Freeze Party Pack
2 Free Bottles of Barcode Fitness Water After Rebate
Free Amazon Prime for Students for 6 Months
Free Medium Fries w/ Any $1 Purchase at McDonalds – Every Friday
Free Sample of NYX Marshmellow 10-In-1 Smoothing Primer
Free Safe Infant Sleep DVD
Free Fries Every Friday at Wendy’s
Free Good Culture Probiotic Milk
Free Grill Gift Card Box Workshop at Home Depot
Free 5-Piece Scotch Porter Beard Collection Sample Set
Free OREO Movie Night Party Kit

 

Deals:

Covergirl Perfect Blend Pencil ONLY $0.79 (Reg $5.79)
Jordan Sneakers up to 50% Off with Extra 25% Off Coupon Code
Michael Kors up to 60% Off + New 25% Off Coupon, Purses start at $67!
Scott Toilet Paper 12-Pk ONLY $3 (Reg. $5)
Bic Flex 3 Razor ONLY $0.99 (Reg. $4.99)

5/11/2024 Weekend Freebies!

Abby H.

The 2024 Birthday Freebie post is here! Make sure to check this article out and sign up for birthday freebies at least 2-3 weeks before your birthday.

If you are looking for free food resources, my comprehensive list can be found here. It is focused on San Diego County, but there are additional resources outside my area as well.

I packed up my kitchen this week, and the flooring will be here next week! I am so happy that my house will be put back together soon!

Freebies:

Free Jovial Truffle Mac & Cheese After Rebate
Free 8×10 Photo Print at Walgreens
Free Pear Foods Gourmet Spice Blend
Free Made By Dentists Stickers
Free Pack of Pampers Wipes Free & Gentle Offer
Free Celsius Energy Drink at Select Stores
Free Lil’ Gourmets Pouch After Rebate
Free Acne Balm Recovery Cream + $45 eGift Card
Free Donuts, Coffee & More with Krispy Kreme Dozen Days of Deals
Free Fries Every Friday at Wendy’s
Free Monster Energy Drink at Pilot Flying J
Free Perrigo Store Brand Products – Includes Walmart Equate & Target Up&Up
Possible Free Ocean’s Halo Organic Seaweed Snack

Deals:

Kohl’s Mother’s Day Gifts as low as $10 + Free Store Pickup
Did You get The 40% Off Kohl’s Coupon?
Shaving Kit 50% Off Pay ONLY $4.50 + Free Shipping
Mother’s Day Jewelry Sale as low as $6 or Less at Kohl’s + Free Store Pickup

JCPenneys has a New Rewards Program!

Abby H.

Y’all know I love JCP.

They have amazing sales and deals, their towels are my favorite. They have clothing for the entire family, even tall sizes. We’re a tall family, and JCP is a go to for pants for all of us.

They’ve revamped their rewards program, and it’s looking pretty sharp.

Check it out:

  • The fastest way to earn points is to have a JCP or JCP Mastercard! Earn 1.5 points for every $1.00 spent at JCP or 1 point for every $5 spent at other merchants if you have a JCP Mastercard! If you use a different payment method, you will receive 1 CashPass Point for each $1 spent on a qualifying purchase up to the Point Maximum.
  • 200 Points is a $10 CashPass Reward!
  •  $10 JCPenney CashPass Reward (200 points) will be added to your Rewards Program account on your Birthday (requires member provide Birthdate within their JCPenney Rewards account.)
  • With each purchase at JCPenney stores, simply provide the phone number or email address linked to your JCPenney Rewards account at checkout to ensure earned CashPass points are assigned to your profile.
  • When shopping online, sign in to your jcp.com account before checking out on jcp.com to earn CashPass points on your purchase.

More questions can be answered on the JCP FAQ page here.

If you are new to JCP Rewards, sign up here and score a $10 CashPass just for signing up!

On Medi-Cal? Free Produce boxes from Project Food Box!

Abby H.

I found this on Reddit of all places, but after doing some research, it’s totes legit.

While not something that my San Diego friends can take advantage of, for those who are eligible, this is an amazing opportunity.

Project Food Box ships boxes of produce and healthy food straight to your door- At no charge.  This program is not for everyone, and their range is limited, but, this is such an incredible program. I had to share it.

Eligibility- You are a Medi-Cal Member residing in one of the following counties:

• Fresno
•Kings
•Madera
•San Bernadino
•Riverside
• Imperial
• Los Angeles
• Orange

Qualifying health conditions include but are not limited to diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, congestive heart failure, stroke, chronic lung disorders, HIV, cancer, gestational diabetes, or other high-risk perinatal conditions, and chronic or disabling mental/behavioral health disorders. Individuals being discharged from the hospital or a skilled nursing facility or at high risk of hospitalization or nursing facility placement. Individuals with extensive care coordination needs.

You will need the Medi-cal CIN for the person signing up, as well as Checking yes to the  “have a chronic condition” to be eligible for the program.

They even have recipes on their website to help you use the foods in your box!

To sign up or learn more, visit their website.