frugal living

Tryazon: Gabby’s Dollhouse TryaBox

Abby H.

We’ve been participating in Tryazon events for three+ years. We’ve gotten to try all sorts of fun toys, games, and food.  You can learn more about Tryazon here.

Discover magic and surprise with this purrfect Tryazon TryaBox opportunity from Spin Master featuring Gabby’s Purrfect Dollhouse! Live in the meow with Gabby, Pandy Paws, and the rest of the Gabby Cats from DreamWorks Gabby’s Dollhouse, now streaming on Netflix! With its cat-inspired shape and colorful details, it looks just like the show! Drop-in and receive dollhouse deliveries from the cat-tail tower, ride the cat-a-vator to each floor, discover hidden surprises in rooms and so much more!

Tryazon has 250 participant spots open this time and those chosen will receive Gabby’s Purrfect Dollhouse to sample and review at home! No party required! Learn more and apply here: https://www.tryazon.com/spin-master-gabbys-dollhouse-tryabox/

Free Food Resources for March 2022(San Diego County)

Abby H.

The spring is bringing many new and improved free and low-cost food options around San Diego County!

Keep in mind there are still supply chain issues, so there may not be a lot of food at some distributions, especially those that serve a large portion of the community.

I recommend showing up a little early with a bottle of water and a book and waiting in line. Time passes quickly in these lines, and it’s a great time to learn from others about community food options. Remember to socially distance and follow local masking regulations.

You can find resources here for Central and East County, and Here for North County.

Our friends at Faith Chapel are super ahead of the game and sent out information regarding their 2022 food distributions early on in the year.

If you are located outside San Diego County, call 211. If you are not familiar with 211, here is their website and it can point you in the right direction.

San Diego Food Bank Distributions for March 2022 can be found here. Enter your address (or just your zip code) and the map will show you all of the distributions in your area or closest to you. You can filter by the days of the week to find food when you are available. If there is an income requirement/limit to participate, each location/listing will say such.

Neighbor distributions are intermixed with the San Diego Food Bank Distributions, however, they have no income requirements, and you come as you are. These Distributions are primarily fruits & veg, however, some locations may also distribute canned goods, dairy, and bread.

Super Pantry Locations can be found here (this listing is countywide). The San Diego Foodbank website also has resources for Diaper banks, free food resources for seniors, and more.

All kids in public school K-12 in the State of California are eligible for free breakfasts and lunches at school. More information can be found here. 

If you know of other resources, please leave a comment! And feel free to share this post with anyone you may know in need.

March Sprouts Farmers Market Monthly Freebies!

Abby H.

Sprouts is hooking us up and helping us stay healthy! Every month on the Sprouts app in the Digital Coupon section, there are between 4-6 free items (they are marked “SAMPLING PROGRAM”).

Quantities are limited on the app, so if you are interested in any of these, I recommend that you add these coupons (by opening the Sprouts app, click on digital coupons, and click on each coupon in the lower corner where the little green circle is) to your app ASAP.

Not all Sprouts locations will have these freebies, so I suggest trying larger Sprouts locations in your area.

These are full-sized freebies- not small sample-sized products. they are located in the store with the other products of the same type.

Not all accounts will receive all the same products.

This month the following items are available:

  • Keto Krisp Almond Butter & Blackberry Jelly Plant-Based Bar
  • Bitchin’ Snack Products
  • Copper Cow Coffee Pour Over Latte Kit
  • Endangered Species Chocolate Caribou Bar
  • Nairns Flat Bread Cracker

I only got the Keto Crisp freebie this month. 

 

3/1/2022 National Pancake Day at IHOP

Abby H.

It’s National Pancake Day! Traditionally known as Shrove Tuesday, This is the last Tuesday before Lent. More information about the holiday can be found here.

It’s time to celebrate today at your local IHOP. Today only, you get a FREE short stack of pancakes from 7am – 4pm** at your local IHOP®! In return, we encourage you to donate to children’s hospitals.  Dine-in only. One free short stack (three buttermilk pancakes) per guest.

If you can’t make it again, Get 20% Off Your First Online Order With Code IHOP20^.

**Hours may vary by restaurant. Contact your local IHOP for more information.
§For a limited time. Hours of availability and price, participation and selection may vary by location. Dine-in only, except at limited locations. Tax and gratuity excluded. Not valid with other discounts, coupons or offers.

 

New PinchMe Samples Drop 3/8/2022

Abby H.

Sample Tuesday is Coming 3/8/2022- Mark your calendars, set an alarm on your phone!

Don’t have any idea what I am talking about? PinchMe! Join PINCHme and receive free samples that you can provide feedback on.

PinchMe is awesome! Once you are signed up, they will email you reminders when new samples are about to drop, and remind you when it’s time to leave feedback.

Answer a series of questions about your household and shopping habits in the Member Profile. PinchMe learns what you like and offer samples just for you.

Once you’ve had a chance to try the samples, complete a short feedback survey to tell PinchMe what you think of the samples.

I get PinchMe samples every month. Here is what arrived at the end of June for the June 2021 boxes. The One Bar was really good.

What are you waiting for? Sign up here and get on the free sample bandwagon! I’ve gotten all kinds of awesome sample/trial size items, as well as full-sized items to try out from PinchMe!

2/28/2022 Weekly Meal Plan

Abby H.

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This week I lagged on the meal plan, and as a result, this post is a little later than usual.

I chopped, peeled, and prepped fruits and veggies this afternoon after work.  Our veggies and fruit are delivered by Yasukochi Family Farms CSA. For $28, it’s a great deal. I don’t have to pick anything, go to the store, or carry it upstairs. I can’t go to the store and get the same amount we get weekly for $25. Seriously. It’s a deal. They email a preview of what will be in the boxes over the weekend, so I can start thinking about what I’d like to make.

This week I also got a jar of Strawberry jam. I can’t wait to slather it all over popover (recipe coming up this week).

We’ve been trying a lot of new foods lately, thanks to the really great freebies from Social Nature lately too. It’s fun to try new foods.

For those of you that are new to meal planning, I’ve got an easy 101 style post here with super easy tips and steps. After you get that down, here is info about batch or freezer cooking.

I’ve gotten a pretty good inventory of the pantry, freezer, and fridge done (I try to update it after every shopping trip), so I’m able to plan meals and use up what we’ve got with little waste.

I only post our dinner plans for the week, because our other meals are usually the same each day.

Breakfast: Coffee with 1/2 and 1/2  for me, and pancakes or something along those lines for the kids. They are also into fruit and bagels for breakfast. Lately, the big kid has been digging protein shakes in the morning. This is his favorite kind. 

Lunch: I have a plastic tote in the cupboard full of self-serve snacks. I buy treats and snacks in bulk and fill up snack-sized zip-top bags. I’m back to packing lunches again. However, school lunches are free this year- Little Bit has been buying her lunch and expanding her palate.

Dinner: I’m leaning heavily on the CSA box this week, Dream Dinners, and what we’ve got in the house. I didn’t do a big shop this week, just milk and popsicles.

Join the Disney Movie Club and get 4 Disney Movies for $1!

Abby H.

I love sharing this deal. We’ve been members of The Disney Movie Club for a decade (at least).

We always select the DVD + Bluray +Digital download sets. That way we can share the movie with friends or family, and the downloaded movies are available on household devices (perfect for when we travel and there is no wifi).

    • Get Started With 4 Movies For $1.00 Each And Start Building Your Disney Dream Collection.
    • About every 4 weeks we’ll notify you of the new Featured Title. If you want the Featured Title, do nothing – it will be sent to you automatically. If you want a different movie or nothing at all, simply let us know within 10 days.
  • Cancel Anytime After Buying Any 4 Movies At Regular Price within 2 years. Starting at $19.95

Oh, and this deal gets better- Each movie you select comes with a Disney Movie Insiders Points Code- Earn Points and redeem them for Disney-related gifts, DVDs, gift cards, and more. I try to post free codes weekly when I find them online.

2/25/2022 Friday Freebies and Deals

Abby H.

This week has been a crazy one: Between helping my mom with life insurance and pension stuff, trying to get our taxes done, and her, and now my water heater is dying… I’m up to my armpits in stuff.

Never fear friends- I can’t leave y’all high and dry without the freebies and deals of the week.

Mask Mandates are changing constantly in California and can vary by city and county, so please do your part if you are going to any in-person freebies.

2022 Birthday Freebies are here!

Freebies:

Free Dr. Barbara Sturm Better B Niacinamide Serum Sample
Free Estee Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+ Youth Power Creme Sample
Free Medium Cold Brew at Dunkin
Free Vamos Instant Coffee Sample
Free Museum Admission – Bank of America/Merril Lynch Cardholders
Free Sample of Zignature Dog Food
Free Lucky Charms The Magic Inside Book
Free Lemonade, Quick Chick & Trio Upgrade at Chicken Salad Chick
Free LED Portable Worklight at Harbor Freight
Free Sample of CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
Free Costa Brazil Face Serum Sample
Free Air Wick Oil Warmer at Walmart
Free Tea at DAVIDsTEA
Free Medium Fries w/ Any $1 Purchase at McDonalds – Every Friday
Free Original Chick Meal at Chicken Salad Chick
Free Goldthread Plant-Based Tonics
Free Owala Reusable Water Bottle on 3/16
Free Abstract Art Craft Kit at Michael’s
Free It Cosmetics Products
Free Bookmarks, Posters, Activity Sheets & More
Free EPA Activity Books
Free Smartfood White Cheddar Popcorn at Target
Free Sample of Kona Red Mountain Coffee
Free Racial Justice Poster
Free Treat at Applebee’s

 

Deals:

Disney Mickey Mouse Backpack ONLY $27.99 (Reg $70)
Up to 70% Off ZOOGS Kids Boots + Extra 10% Off at Checkout
Paw Patrol Chase Rescue Track Set ONLY $9.40 (Reg. $20)
70% Off Bally Total Fitness + Extra 10% Off at Checkout
MUK LUKS Women’s Alyx Boots ONLY $21.99 (Reg. $60)
Tek Gear Boys Fleece Hoodie ONLY $14.39 (Reg $30)
Fashion Crossbody Cell Phone Wallet ONLY $21.99 (Reg $45)
Insignia 70-Inch Fire TV ONLY $549.99 (Reg $650)
Stainless Steel Manicure Set 7-Pieces ONLY $12.99 (Reg $36)
St. John’s Bay Men’s Fleece Sweater ONLY $8.99 (Reg $30)
Women’s Pajama Pants 2-Pack ONLY $7.88 (Reg $16)
MKF Collection Victoria Weekender ONLY $53.82 (Reg $299)
Razer Cynosa Chroma Gaming Keyboard ONLY $32.99 (Reg $60)
Timberland Big Boys Tree Zip Hoodie ONLY $17.83 (Reg $60)
FREE Apple AirTag With Your First Super Chewer Box
Skechers Toddler Boys Razor Flex Shoes ONLY $22.50 (Reg $45)
Disney Booster Car Seat ONLY $54.83 (Reg $85)
MUK LUKS Women’s Leigh Bootie Slippers ONLY $19.99 (Reg. $40)
MKF Collection Small Wallet ONLY $19.62 (Reg $109)

 

Vegetarian Recipe Round Up

Abby H.

It’s time for some yummy veggie meals!

Most of these are vegetarian, not vegan. These are recipes that I feed my family, so they are kid-approved and don’t require any weird, expensive ingredients.

And as a bonus, many of the ingredients for these ingredients are frequently given out in Neighborhood Distributions.

Inflation Sucks: Stretching your Grocery Budget

Abby H.

Inflation is taking its toll across the board. Wherever you look, prices are going up, up, up.

It’s horrible because Cost of Living increases are not keeping up, so we are working as hard as ever, and our money is buying less.

Depressing to say the least. Here are some ways to stretch your money further and keep your family fed. And this is all practical stuff, I’m not going to tell you to grow a garden or dumpster dive. If you want to do those things, by all means, go ahead.

  • Take advantage of local food distributions. I post information about them each month for locations in San Diego County. Here is the list for February 2022.
  • Inventory your Pantry, Fridge, and Freezer. Knowing what you already have is a good first step. Here is a link to my Inventory Sheets on Canva.
  • Go Meatless 1-3 times a week. Meat is getting crazy expensive, and there are so many tasty, meatless meals out there. I’ll be doing a meatless recipe round-up later this week.
  • When cooking meat, add additional protein to your meals by incorporating lentils or beans into your recipes. I love adding in a can of drained/rinsed kidney or black beans when I make ground beef tacos. I use 1 15-ish ounce can per 1/2 lb of ground meat.
  • If beans and lentils aren’t your jam, bulk up meals with rice, noodles (I love the protein noodles), or a grain like quinoa (which is also high in protein).
  • Bulk up meals with fruits and veggies. Canned, frozen, or fresh- whichever is in your budget. Stores like 99 cents only and Grocery Outlet have great deals on fresh and frozen produce.
  • If you have kids in school, take advantage of free breakfasts and lunches. In California, there will be free lunches for school-aged children permanently. Other states have similar programs.