Earn Rewards and Cash Back with P&G Good Everyday Rewards

I just learned about P&G Good Everyday Rewards– It’s a pretty great way to save on products you love, help others, and earn cashback!

P&G Good Everyday is a Rewards Program for your favorite brands, like Tide, Crest, Dawn Bounty, and 60 more.  Earn up to $150 + in Rewards annually for Brands you already use and love.  Enter for chances to win Free P&G Products.  And, P&G Donates to Charity on your behalf.  More participation = More Rewards and More Donations.

To learn more, click here.

 

 

 

2021- It’s Earth Day, Y’all!

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Once again, there are not too many freebies for Earth Day. Between the pandemic and stores not being open or making a lot of money, there are barely any freebies. I’m not posting deals for Earth Day, because really, do we need to go out and shop?

While the free day to visit the National Parks has passed for earth Day/National Parks Week, don’t fret. There are several other days as well. You can find the complete list here. The only National Park in San Diego is Cabrillo Monument on Point Loma. If you have a 4th grader in your home (We do!!), Check out Every Kid Outdoors. It’s a free program for 4th graders and their families to visit National Parks for free through August 2021!

The next Freebie isn’t super fun, but it might be needed. We’ve been doing a lot of deep purging and cleaning the past year, and I’ve got a bunch of papers that need to be shredded (oh hi 20-year-old tax paperwork!). Check out your local Office Max/Office Depot- Armed with this coupon (Scroll to the bottom of the page)  you can score up to 5 lbs of shredding for FREE!! This deal is valid through 4/24/2021.

And perhaps my favorite freebie this April: if you live in Southern California and have utilities with SDG&E, PG&E, or SoCal Edison, you can join OhmConnect for free and start conserving electricity and earning money (as well as saving on your utility bills). And through the end of April, when you sign up and connect your utility account (it literally takes 5 minutes), You’ll earn $25 straightaway! You can learn all about OhmConnect here. We’ve been using it for 5+ years, and have saved hundreds on our SDG&E bill, and earned almost $1000 from OhmConnect.

And once again, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but…

Despite what you read online there are NO Origin Freebies, Disney Store Freebies, Free milkshakes on the west coast, Mac Freebies, Sephora Freebies, Ice Cream Freebies, or free coffee from Starbucks. 

So, that’s it. I know, it’s kinda depressing, but I’ll be on the hunt for freebies for you this week, and I’ll report back on Friday morning.

 

Today is National Garlic Day!

Hot Damn! I love garlic. I decided to celebrate with a new recipe: Roasted Garlic (below), and a round-up of recipes that feature garlic.

Roasted Garlic is easy to make and is great in recipes that call for garlic. It’s very mellow, rich, dare I say, creamy? It’s also super good on toast or warm, crusty bread.

Roasted Garlic 

Ingredients:

  • 1 or more (I suggest more) heads of garlic
  • Your favorite cooking oil

Directions:

  1. Remove the excess papery skin on the garlic heads, leave the bulb intact.
  2. Slice off the pointy tops (about 1/4-1/2 inch)of the garlic bulbs. You want to expose the garlic.
  3. Brush the heads of garlic with oil and wrap them in foil.
  4. Bake at 400 degrees for 40-50 minutes. The garlic is cooked once it is tender (poke it with a toothpick or knife usually after 40-ish minutes). but you can continue to roast it until all of the sugars caramelize, and it turns a light brown color. This caramelization makes the garlic very mellow and slightly sweet.

You can store the garlic in the fridge for 10-14 days, but it won’t last that long. It’s good in dips (like hummus), on its own, in soups, or any recipe that calls for garlic. Use roasted garlic in recipes where garlic is called for 1:1.

Garlic Recipe Round-up:

4/16/2021 Friday Freebies and Deals

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This week I took it easy. I picked up a couple UFC’s (Unfinished Crafts) and finished them. No pics, as they are gifts.

I’ve been working so hard for the past few months and I’ve been feeling a little burned out, so this week you may have noticed fewer posts this week.

A new year means new birthday freebies. I put together a list for 2021. Check it out here.

Most of these freebies and deals are online. I am not encouraging anyone to go into stores or go out into public. Mask up, wash your paws, stay socially distanced!

Freebies:

10 Free Disney Movie Insiders Points
Free BBQ with Rollors Party
Free Ultra Slim Computer Monitor
Possible Free Bliss Skincare Products
Possible Free 12 Piece Makeup Pencil Set
Free Ellenos Real Greek Yogurt
Free Lamination of COVID-19 Vaccine Card at Office Depot/Max
Free Bai Boost at Select Stores
Free Lane Bryant Gift Card Giveaway
Free Planters
Free Rise Brewing Co. Nitro Cold Brew Coffee
Free AHC Sensitive Antiperspirant Pads Sample Pack
Free Dentemp Oral Care Product
Free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Magnet
Free Life is Better with Clean Hands Magnet
Free Xyron Glue Gun
Free Maker’s Mark Ambassador Gifts Every Year
Free Hunter Athletics Products
Possible Free $150 Restaurants Research Study
Free Life is Better with Clean Hands Window Cling
Free $5 Debit Card for Those Who are Vaccinated
Free Subscription to Entrepreneur Magazine
Free La’Re Boudoir Beauty Body Balm & Mocha Scrub Sample
Free Moosejaw Flag
Free Sample of Michael Kors Wonderlust Sublime
Free Subscription to Cosmopolitan Magazine
Free 8×10 Photo Print at Walgreens
Free Urban Decay All Night Setting Spray – TikTok Users
Possible Free IL MAKIAGE Skincare Products
Free Gardening Gifts at Lowes in April
Free InfinitiPRO by Conair Luxe Pro Dryer
Free Jr. NBA Magnet
Teachers – Free School Mate Planners, Agendas, Folders & More
Free Sample of Astroglide Toy ‘N Joy

 

Deals:

My First Library Board Book Block 12-Book Set $9.59 (Reg. $16)
Fingerprint Smart Deadbolt Door Lock ONLY $134.99 (Reg $240)
Minimalist RFID Blocking Wallet ONLY $4.99 (Reg. $20)
Outdoor Tackle Box ONLY $9.88 (Reg. $19)
MUK LUKS Women’s Cheyenne Slippers ONLY $18.99 (Reg. $40)
Lunch Box Stove ONLY $34.95 Shipped (Reg. $60)
Time and Tru Women’s Feather Flats ONLY $9.00 (Reg. $15)
Mom Heart Shape Pendant Necklace ONLY $15 (Reg $75)
Comfort Insole Slip-on Sneakers ONLY $16.99 (Reg $50)
MUK LUKS Women’s Chiara Slippers ONLY $14.99 (Reg. $30)
ionvac SmartClean 2000 Robovac ONLY $99 (Reg. $180)
BioShock The Collection for Nintendo Switch $19.99 (Reg. $50)
MUK LUKS Women’s Groove Music Sandals ONLY $29.99 (Reg $60)
Rubbermaid 42-Piece Food Storage Set ONLY $19.98 at Walmart
Mom Heart Bangle Bracelet ONLY $15.99 at JCPenney (Reg $60)
Shark ION Robot Vacuum ONLY $149 (Reg $300)
Instant Pot VIVA 6-Qt 9-in-1 Multi-Cooker ONLY $59 (reg $99)

4/9/2021 Friday Freebies and Deals!

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By the time this post goes live, we’ll know if our kids here in my town are going back to school full-time for the rest of the year. I’m really excited for them. I have full faith in our local school district- they have the kids’ (and teachers’) best interests in mind.

The highlight of this week is that I got my first dose of the Covid-19 Vaccine (Team Pfizer here). If you are still waiting for your vaccine, or are having a hard time finding a vaccine appointment, keep at it! More vaccines and appointments are becoming more available each week.

A new year means new birthday freebies. I put together a list for 2021. Check it out here.

Most of these freebies and deals are online. I am not encouraging anyone to go into stores or go out into public. Mask up, wash your paws, stay socially distanced!

Freebies:

Free Subscription to LEGO Life Magazine
Free LifeToGo Sampler Pack
Free Subscription to HGTV Magazine
Free Subscription to Parents Magazine
Free Hercolubus or Red Planet Book
Free Coffee Wednesdays at Dunkin
Free Doc Hale’s Unflavored Protein Powder Sample
FREE Amazon Baby Box Samples Back in Stock
Free Mr. Lee’s Congee Rice Porridge
Free Medela Breastfeeding Product Sample Box
Possible Free Pair of Haggar Pants
Free Kratom Wave Sample Pack
Free Werther’s Original Caramels at Select Stores
Free Subscription to People en Espanol
Free Subscription to People Magazine
Free $7 from Samuel Adams Beer Starting April 12
Free Sample of Xyzal Allergy 24H
Free 3 Pack of Complete Essentials Vitamin Packets
Free Subscription to Food Network Magazine

Deals:

Sesame Street Abby’s Butterfly Maker ONLY $6.75 (Reg. $20)
Outward Hound Fun Feeder ONLY $10.75 (Reg. $20)
Electronic Interactive Alphabet Wall Chart $21.20 (Reg. $40)
Disney Ideas Book: More than 100 Disney Crafts $10.99 (Reg. $25)
KidKraft Children’s Pastel Coffee Set ONLY $8.99 (Reg. $20)
DYMO LabelWriter Labels 220-Count ONLY $16.07 (Reg. $41)
Plackers Dental Floss Picks & Travel Case ONLY $1.61 (Reg. $7)
Kids Headphones ONLY $10.99 (Reg. $17)
LEGO BrickHeadz Easter Sheep ONLY $9.99 on Amazon
Disney Moana Sound Book ONLY $6.79 (Reg. $14)
Paint by Sticker Kids: Christmas ONLY $5.02 (Reg. $10)
Martha Stewart 8-Piece Bowl Set w/ Lids ONLY $14.99 (Reg $50)
Martha Stewart 7-Pc Utensil Set w/ Stand ONLY $5.99 (Reg $22)
Heated Neck & Back Massager ONLY $31.99 Shipped (Reg $50)
Hempz Herbal Body Lotion ONLY $9.99 (Reg $20)
The Big One Solid Bath Towel ONLY $3.39 (Reg $10)
Lego Sale up to 50% Off + Extra 15% Off
Sonoma Ankle Leggings ONLY $7.99 (Reg $20)

April is Financial Literacy Month! Budgeting and Savings Tips

Today I learned that April is Financial Literacy Month. Which is just in time for tax day (which has been extended this year, but it traditionally April 15th).

One of my favorite topics for this blog is how to save money. So I thought I’d put together a post with links to some of my best ways to save money and throw out some tips and tricks that work for me.

Last year I wrote a three-part series about making a practical budget that a family can adhere to and how to get some extra help if you need it. This was written during the pandemic, so there is a lot of information and resources especially for those feeling the financial panic that many felt during the height of the pandemic last year.

If you already have a budget or feel that your spending is out of control and you aren’t to the point yet where you feel that you need a budget, I did a series of posts in late 2019 about how to reign in the out-of-control spending.

  • Part One- Start in the Kitchen
  • Part Two- Entertainment Some of these tips may not be applicable right now, as so many public places are still closed or have limited services (Like gyms and libraries).
  • Part Three- Shopping Around to Save. Internet, cell phones, health insurance (and that’s just three examples), a lot of times you can save money with a few clicks or a phone call.

Keeping an eye on your Credit Score is another great way to be financially literate. I wrote this morning about Credit Sesame, which I personally have used for at least 9 years.

And finally, if you feel like you need a little more help than the posts above to get a handle on your finances, check out Simplifi by Quicken. To celebrate Financial Literacy Month, Simplifi is offering a 30-day FREE Trial of Simplifi by Quicken.

  • Simplifi by Quicken was named the Best Budgeting App & Tool by the New York Times’ Wirecutter!
  • The app helps you stay on top of your money in less than 5 minutes per week.
  • After your free 30-day trial save 38% off the regular price. That’s $29.99 billed annually for the first year. For the cost of one lunch date, you can have a year of budgeting at your fingertips.

Talkback: What are your tips and tricks to saving money and staying on budget?

Today is National Beer Day!

Today is National Beer Day! What better way to celebrate an awesome day than with my favorite beer-related recipes, crafts, and DIY fun?

  1. Beer Bread. Seriously- It’ll change your life. It’s quick, easy, versatile.
  2. Ever buy a six-pack and realize after a beer or two that it isn’t your cup of tea? Beer makes great snail and slug bait. Pour one out into a shallow pan (like a disposable pie tin) and set it in your garden. Turbo and his buddies will be drawn to the smell and fall in. No poison, no gross traps to deal with, and if the neighborhood squirrels or gophers find it, they will just get a little drunk.
  3. If you don’t have a garden but have an unwanted beer, take it into the shower with you! Because most beer has an average pH of 4 (acidic), it makes a great clarifier for hair that gets a lot of styling products in it daily. Wash with your regular shampoo, rinse with water, apply beer and allow to sit in your hair for a few minutes, rinse out and follow up with your conditioner. If that’s not your bag, Amazon sells a lot of beer-based shampoo and conditioner. 
  4. More than ever, beer bottles are being painted or printed on instead of a glued-on label. Some bottles have cool art. Instead of saving the bottles to gather dust on a shelf, why not use a glass cutting kit like this one, and make cool glasses or a vase?  I have a friend who does this, and she has a collection of incredible beer glasses.
  5. All this talk of beer got you thirsty? My favorite beer cocktail is a shandy. Depending on where you are from a shandy is either beer and lemonade or beer and lemon-lime soda or ginger ale. It’s delicious.  A lager or pilsner are the best choices for beer. Something light (in color). Its 1/2 beer and half lemonade/lemon-lime soda/ginger ale.

Celebrate Día de los Niños All April Long with The San Diego County Library!

 

Día de los Niños is a celebration of children, families, and reading that culminates yearly on April 30. The celebration emphasizes the importance of literacy for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds. San Diego County Library extends its celebration of Día throughout April.

At 19 parks throughout the county, you can read stories and enjoy nature at San Diego County Library Story Trails! These original stories were written and designed by library staff and we are so excited to share them with you. Choose your location, choose your Story Trail! Each site has two stories for your enjoyment. To find the park closest to you, click here.

And kids and teens 18 and under can stop by your local County Library location any time in April and pick up a Dia de los Ninos activity pack! I’m taking the kids to get theirs this week!

 

Remote and Flexible Jobs with FlexJobs!

There are a lot of people looking for flexible work these days.

FlexJobs is a game-changing resource if you are interested in a professional job that also offers some kind of work flexibility – such as remote options, a flexible schedule, freelance work, or a part-time schedule.

For those of us who have kiddos doing remote learning, or are caring for family, or otherwise can’t do an in-person 9-5 or part-time job, FlexJobs may be a great opportunity for you.

Access to FlexJobs full service starts at $14.95/month and comes with a Satisfaction Guarantee. And when you use coupon code SPRING, you will receive up to 50% OFF.

If you are looking for other gigs, check out my post here for more ideas (and tips to avoid scams).

4/2/2021 Friday Freebies and Deals!

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The second week of spring break is in the books. We went to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, played with friends in our bubble, had an egg hunt, and we’ll be doing some crafts today.

A new year means new birthday freebies. I put together a list for 2021. Check it out here.

Most of these freebies and deals are online. I am not encouraging anyone to go into stores or go out into public. Mask up, wash your paws, stay socially distanced!

Freebies:

Free Subscription to Cosmopolitan Magazine
Free Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation
Free CBD Unscented Deodorant + $25 Amazon Gift Card
Free ClarityRX Probiotic Serum
Free Wish Garden Herbs Herbal Sleep Supplement
Free Gardening Gifts at Lowes in April
Free P.F. Chang’s Home Menu Dressing at Walmart
Free Hot or Iced Coffee at Pret A Manger on Fridays
Free Febreze Plug-In at Walmart
Possible Free Quay Polarized After Hours Sunglasses
Free Dr. DZEC Daily Immune Support Gummies Sample
Free Alpha Foods Chik’n Nuggets
Free Wild Cherry Luna Bar
Free Medium Fries w/ Any $1 Purchase at McDonalds – Every Friday
Free Women’s Incontinence Products
Free Cold-Eeze Chewable Gels or Lozenges
Free Bud Light Seltzer Out Of Office Chatterbox Kit
Free The Honest Stand Plant-Based Dip
Free Goody Bag at buybuy BABY Stores
Free Rip Van Wafel Cookies
Verizon Up Rewards – Free $3-$5 Gift Card
Free Eco Lips Mongo Kiss Lip Balm at Walmart

 

Deals:

Stanley Classic Thermos ONLY $19.82 (Reg. $40)
Tonka Mighty Metal Fleet Garbage Truck ONLY $8.24 on Amazon
Pampers Splashers Swim Diapers ONLY $5.97 on Amazon
Tonka Mighty Metal Fleet Dump Truck ONLY $7.49 (Reg. $15)
MUK LUKS Slipper Socks With Tassels ONLY $9.99 (Reg. $22)
Melissa & Doug Mega Race-Car Carrier $16.30 (Reg. $30)
Home Expressions Bath Towels ONLY $3.49 at JCPenney
Double Heart Necklace ONLY $1.25 Shipped
3-Piece Set Chain Link Bracelets ONLY $9.96 (Reg $75)
Men’s Adam Duck Boots ONLY $36.99 (Reg $75)
Nintendo Switch Super Mario Case ONLY $10.99 (Reg $20)
Dove Men+Care Soap Bars 14-Pack ONLY $9.08 Shipped
Fisher-Price Giant Rock-a-Stack ONLY $10 (Reg $20)
Peter Rabbit Book and Toy ONLY $9.98 (Reg. $17)
Motivational 1-Gallon Water Bottle ONLY $11.39 (Reg. $19)
Primrose Sterling Silver Cubic Zirconia Earrings ONLY $20.40
Zodiac 10-In Forged Aluminum Frypan ONLY $14.99 (Reg $40)
L.O.L. Surprise! Electronic Journal ONLY $10.99 (Reg $25)