Looking for a fun, frugal night in?
Check out this great idea from our friends at Dollar Tree!
Host a Paint Night Party- Dollar Tree has everything you need (except the wine!) to host a sip and paint.
Shop in-store or online- You can order online and have it shipped to the store for free (hooray for saving money on shipping).
It’s Pi Day (March 14th, or 3.14 as it’s written out).
This made-up holiday is to celebrate the mathematical constant π (pi), which is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter.
Basically, it’s a way to get people to eat more pi(e).
Here are a few deals to celebrate various types of pi(e) today. I’ve only included offers with locations in Southern California, you may know of other deals, please feel free to leave a comment.
I’m pretty bummed that Marie Callendar’s Restaurant isn’t doing a deal, but you can get a whole lemon meringue pie for just $9.99.
Round Table Pizza: This is where we are headed for dinner tonight! Buy a personal-size cheese pizza for $3.14 on Pi Day at participating locations. Join the rewards clubs to take advantage of the offer (you can download their app and join- check your favorite spot to download apps).
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse: Get a mini, one-topping version of the restaurant’s deep-dish pizza for $3.14. Available all day Monday, dine-in only.
7-Eleven: Members of the 7Rewards loyalty program can buy a large pizza for $3.14 on Monday at participating stores.
Chuck E. Cheese: Chuck E. Cheese said its Spring-tastic Family Fun Pack is available through April 24 for delivery or carryout. For $34.99, get two large pizzas, Unicorn Cotton Candy, a goody bag and spring activity sheet, and 250 e-tickets for your next Chuck E. Cheese visit.
We are entering week three of no kitchen due to our water heater leak.
Our kitchen is in the middle of remediation, and it’s gotten to the point where we are just waiting for estimates to be approved by our insurance. It’s very frustrating. My oven and stove are inaccessible, so I’m relying a lot on my sweet air fryer/convection oven/toaster combo (Like this one, but ours is bigger), microwave, and fridge for this week (and probably next week too). I planned, but I’m not 100% committed to anything. I need to go to the grocery store this morning and pick up some milk and a few other things to fill in. I’m trying really hard to have food at home that the kids can eat, so we aren’t going out to eat.
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.
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, and what’s in the fridge. All of my pantry is packed up, and I don’t have access to 90% of my kitchen. I will be taking my CSA box over to my mom’s house today or tomorrow to do some prep- roasting veggies, making salad.
Uh, so the long and the short of it is that there is no meal plan this week.
Our kitchen is in the middle of remediation, due to a water heater failure two weeks ago. You can see pics on my Instagram later today. I’m taking my CSA Box to my mom’s house later and I’ll be roasting and doing veggie prep there for the week.
My oven and stove are inaccessible, so I’m relying a lot on my sweet air fryer/convection oven/toaster combo (Like this one, but ours is bigger), microwave, and fridge for the week. I planned, but I’m not 100% committed to anything other than eating roasted asparagus this week.
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 lovely bouquet of flowers (pics on IG in a bit), that I’ll be taking to my mom. We have dehumidifiers going 24/7 and I don’t want the flowers to dry out.
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, and what’s in the fridge. All of my pantry is packed up, and I don’t have access to 90% of my kitchen.
Did you know that March is National Craft Month? My daughter told me this morning and now she’s got all sorts of crafts planned for us to do.
If you need some ideas to get your creativity flowing, here are a few:
Michaels offers free online classes on a variety of crafting topics. Check out their offering here.
Dollar Tree has an amazing selection of paints, wooden items, soft crafts, craft kits, iron-ons, beads, you name it- And everything is $1.25/each or less!
AllFreeKidsCrafts Spring Crafts eBook is now available for download here. I found 3 new crafts for the kids to do today- they are going stir crazy because it’s raining here.
I know some of my readers love their wine, and if you are one of them, FaveCrafts has something just for you! Their latest free eBook, 25 Cool Things to Do with Old Wine Bottles is available here.
The week of 3/8-1/13 Craftsy, has a really great coupon to use on supplies or classes! Use MARCH15 to take $15 Off A Purchase of $25 or More!
In addition to the sweet 60% off at Craftsy, they also offer a lot of free classes. Here are just a few that I love:
We’re still in the middle of remediation and construction here- Our water heater died last week. It’s crazy and I miss hot showers. Right now all the hot water is being used for the kids to get clean. We’ve got a loaner 20-gallon water heater and it’s so small!
I’m getting y’all some top-notch freebies and deals this week- Enjoy and stay safe!
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:
25 Free Disney Movie Insiders Points
Free Bizzy Coffee Stickers
Free Charger, Docking Station & More
Free NeilMed Sinus Rinse Kit
Free Bandages, First Aid Kits or Antiseptic Cleaners
Free Box of Kodiak Cakes Flapjack & Waffle Mix Coupon
Free Hope & Sesame Non-GMO Sesamemilk
Free Acne Facial Cleanser or Acne Patches
Free Sample of Ralph Lauren Ralph’s Club Fragrance
Free Medium Fries w/ Any $1 Purchase at McDonalds – Every Friday
Free Lancome Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum Sample
Free Drink or Food Item at Starbucks
Banfield Pet Hospital – Free Office Visit & Consultation
Free Milton’s Craft Bakers Cauliflower Crust Pizza in Stores
Free Sample of Hit! Balm Extra Strength or Daily Relief
Free 6 or 12-Pack Blue Moon LightSky
Free COVID Antiviral Treatments
Free Sample of Malin + Goetz SPF 30 Face Moisturizer
Free Sample of Replenix Redness Reducing Triple AOX Cream
4 Free Cinnabon BonBites + Free Birthday Treat
Free Save Earth Save Us Sticker
2 Free Skincare Products + $50 Amazon eGift Card
Free Items with Vogue Insiders
Free Bubbies Gluten-Free Mochi Ice Cream
Free PawPrint Magazine
Free Subscription to Cigar Aficionado Magazine
Free Hallmark Card Every Month
Free Books, Journals, Stickers & More
Free Ocean’s Halo Organic Soy-Free Dressing
25 Free Disney Movie Insiders Points
Deals:
75% Off PicassoTiles Magnetic Building Blocks + Extra 10% Off
NERF Headset with Communication Mic ONLY $9.99 (Reg. $20)
Barbie Color Reveal Surprise Party Set ONLY $27.19 (Reg. $50)
Unisex Hooded Puffer Jacket ONLY $49.59 (Reg $125)
Rachael Ray 12-Pc Nonstick Pots and Pans Set ONLY $89 (Reg $198)
Fryin’ Flyin Donuts Family Game ONLY $3.97 on Amazon
Multipurpose Drawstring Trash Bags 50-Count as Low as $5.61
Sofia Vergara Clearance as Low as $5.00 (Reg. $22)
Threshold Salt and Pepper Grinders ONLY $7.50 (Reg. $15)
Women’s Apparel Clearance as Low as $5.00
Kathy Ireland Daffodil Moccasin ONLY $18.99 (Reg. $44)
Fisher-Price Blaze and the Monster Machines $17.49 (Reg. $35)
75% Off Active in Jogger Leggings + Extra 10% Off at Checkout
Ozark Trail 22-Piece Camping Set ONLY $115 (Reg $169)
This popped into my inbox last night. I’m so glad it’s back.
Looking for something fun, air-conditioned, and cheap to do this summer? Yeah, you are!
Kids Bowl Free has been around for years, and it’s a great way to get kids active even when it’s hot outside. I’m so excited it’s back for 2021!
Kids 2-18 can bowl 2 games for free each day the program is running at participating bowling centers all across the US and Canada. All you pay for is shoe rental- or bring your own if you have them!
This program is available all over the US and Canada. The complete list can be found here. Sign up is quick and easy. To get started, register here.
I encourage everyone to take advantage of this deal! It’s one of our favorite summer activities.
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/
Here is your monthly reminder! A new month means new printable and electronic coupons!
The printable coupon market is slowly coming to an end. Smartsource no longer offers printable coupons, and you may notice that there are fewer coupon inserts in your Sunday newspaper. This is in favor of more offers available on apps. But if you love printable coupons….
One of my favorite websites is the Sunday Coupon Review. It helps me plot out scenarios in advance and I can email friends to ask for coupons in advance. Remember if clipping coupons isn’t your thing, but saving money is, check out my list of Smartphone apps that can save you the big bucks! New offers are added on the Smartphone Savings Apps all the time!
Some of the food on sale throughout March includes:
For a complete list of types of foods and items that will be on sale, check out this post on the cycle of sales.
Here are a few of my favorite new coupons:
Save $2.00 on any ONE (1) Ito En Matcha Green Tea bag (20ct) OR Any ONE (1) matcha LOVE Japanese Matcha + Green Tea Teabags (10ct)
Save $1.25 on any THREE (3) Del Monte® Fruit Cup® snacks, 4-pack
Save $1.25 on ONE (1) Silk® Oat Milk, 64oz
Save $0.75 on any ONE (1) Del Monte® Veggieful™ Riced Veggies, any style
Save $0.55 any ONE (1) OIKOS 5.3oz Single Serve (Core, Pro and Triple Zero)
Save $2.00 on any (1) TYLENOL® PM product, SIMPLY SLEEP® product, or ZARBEE’S® Adult Sleep item (excludes travel & trial sizes)
Save $2.00 ONE (1) PHYSICIANS FORMULA® Product
Save $3.75 on ONE (1) 3 lb or larger bag of Beyond® Dry Dog Food
Save $3.75 on ONE (1) 3 lb or larger bag of Beyond® Dry Cat Food
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.
