fun

Enter to Win Hulafrog’s Family Vacation Giveaway

Abby H.

We could all use a vacation, right? Hulafrog contacted me with this contest, and I had to share. I’d love to take the kids to see some of our National Parks, and I think this trip is so amazing.

THE ULTIMATE NATIONAL PARKS FAMILY VACATION: A once-in-a-lifetime family vacation to Utah’s Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks guided by Austin Adventures, the family-owned Montana-based company that has been curating one-of-a-kind experiences for families for over 35 years.

TRIP DURATION: 6 Days, 5 Nights

VALUE: Up to $15,000

To learn more about this trip or to enter the giveaway, check out the Hulafrog website here.

Free Magazines from Mercury Magazines!

Abby H.

Most of the time when I post magazine freebies, they come from Mercury Magazines. I’ve got two offers to share today, and I’ll keep posting more as I find them.

If none of the free offers above appeal, visit Mercury Magazines directly and follow the steps below to see what other free publications are available to you.

You are just 4 quick (and I mean it) steps away from scoring free magazines:

  • Fill out a brief demographic profile
  • Your profile will determine the magazines presented.
  • Choose your magazines
  • Select up to three magazines of your choice from the list.
  • Complete subscription forms.

I receive 4 or 5 magazines each month that are 100% free. Once the subscription period is over, the magazines stop coming.

Homeschooling Parents: San Diego Gameschooling Expo 8/19/22!

Abby H.

The Stronghold is excited to present its very first San Diego Gameschooling Expo!

  • Friday, August 19, 2022
  • 10AM-2PM

Venues:

  • The Stronghold:Check-In and Primary Gaming Area for Ages 6+
  • The Dancehouse: Teen Gaming Area (Ages 13+ only)
  • Yeeha Boba: Trivia
  • Point Loma Library: Parent Conference and Vendor Fair

What’s the Expo about?

Bringing together families for a fun, interactive Gameschooling mini convention accompanied by homeschooling vendors throughout San Diego! Join them for the Parent Conference, Gameschooling activities, Vendor Fair, Prizes, and more!

What’s the cost to attend?

Adults are FREE! Kids Ages 6-12 are $15, and Teens (13 and up) are $20 a ticket. Interested in volunteering to get a free ticket for your kids? They have limited opportunities to waive up to one registration per adult.

What does the ticket include?

Ticket includes access to our Parent Conference, THREE of the Gaming Areas, including the following but not limited to Board Games, Chess, Puzzles, and Trivia. Please note they will not be having Video Gaming at this event.

To learn more about this event and secure tickets, visit their Eventbrite page here. 

 

8/12/2022 Friday Freebies and Deals

Abby H.

This week was full of errands and getting ready for school stuff. It’s so hot (already 75 degrees at 7:30am).

We went to the Natural History Museum yesterday, thanks to the free passes the kids scored doing the San Diego County Library summer reading program.

If you are looking for some frugal adventures for this summer, check out this post.

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 Kiehl’s Daily Reviving Concentrate with Registry
Free Subscription to Vogue Magazine
Text for $10 Off at Lane Bryant = Free Item
500 Free Trojan Condoms for College Students
Free Screening of Vengeance
Free Sample of SkinCeuticals Cream or Serum
Free Goody Bag at buybuy BABY Stores
Free Grenera Moringa Tea Sample
Free Mott’s & Yoo-Hoo Coloring Book at Sam’s
Free Post-It Notes Samples
Free Micellar Milk Cleanser or Hydrating Cleansing Balm
Free Oxyfresh Pet & Home Products
Free Iron Hawk Swag
Free AMONG US Mini Figures or Airship Toys
Free Downy Light Scent Booster at Select Stores
Free Peta Kids Comic Books
Free 2023 Fellowship Calendar
Free Bon Dévil Ganache
Free $10 ThredUP Credit = Free Womens & Children Items
Free Sample Pack of Exederm Ulta Sensitive Skin Care
Free Gatsby Low-Calorie Chocolate
Free Simple Mills Nut Butter Stuffed Sandwich Cookies
Free Little Bellies Organic Pick-Me Sticks
Free Millie Moon Diaper Sample Pack
Free Estee Lauder Revitalizing Supreme + Bright Power Soft Creme
Free Ice Cream at Baskin Robbins
Free Pencil Pouch at JCPenney
Free Grown Alchemist Instant Smoothing Serum Sample

 

Deals

DSW 40% Off Sneaker Coupon + Free Shipping
Kate Spade Kitt Large Tote ONLY $69 Shipped (Reg $299)
Disney Minnie Mouse Toddler Bed ONLY $59.99 (Reg $85)
Mainstays Plush Velvet Office Chair ONLY $64 (Reg $75)
Save $10 When you Buy $30 of Select Items
PowerXL Belgian Waffle Maker ONLY $15.99 (Reg $50)
Little Tikes Pack ‘n Go Trike Childs Toy ONLY $58.88 (Reg $84)
Hisense 50-Inch Smart TV ONLY $248 Shipped (Reg $348)
Free Medium Fries w/ Any $1 Purchase at McDonalds – Every Friday
Morphe Bake & Set Setting Powder ONLY $7 (Reg $14)
Sofia Vergara Top & Skirt Set ONLY $10 (Reg $40)
Barbie Pet Boutique Playset ONLY $18.97 (Reg $34)
Women’s Floral Robes ONLY $7.99 (Reg $22)

New PinchMe Samples Drop 8/9/2022!

Abby H.

Sample Tuesday is Coming on 8/9/2022- Mark your calendars, and 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!

8/5/2022 Friday Freebies and Deals

Abby H.

This week was warm and sticky. I am so done with this monsoon humidity. We swam, went for a drive, and generally hung around the house.

If you are looking for some frugal adventures for this summer, check out this post.

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 Tweezerman Emerald Shimmer Nail Care Kit
Free Slurpee for Your Birthday at 7-Eleven
Free Subscription to Bon Appetit
Free Woolite Darks Laundry Detergent at Select Stores
Free Sample of Sasmar Personal Lubricant
Free Lost Coast Roast Organic Cold Brew Coffee
Free Bio-Oil Skincare Oil
Free Subscription to GQ Magazine
Free Veeam T-Shirt
Free Pizookie at BJ’s
Free Milkshake at Steak ‘n Shake
Possible Free $125 Healthy Foods Research Study
Free Chocolate Chip Pizzert at Pizza Inn
Free LOCTITE Threadlocker Samples
Free Issue of SchoolArts Magazine for Teachers
Free Cross Stitch Craft Kit at Joann
Free Sample of Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Drops
Free Tweezerman Lash Set
Free Summer Camper from Home Depot
Free Organyc Feminine Care Pads Samples
Free Sample of Harry’s Body Wash
Free Storypod Screen-Free Learning Fun Party Pack
Free Subscription to Vogue Magazine
Free Body Skin Gel or Body Lotion
Free L’Oreal Le Color Gloss Sample
Free Roe, Roe, Roe Your Vote Sticker
Free Screen Staycation Kit
Free Canon IVY Back to School Party Kit
Free Jar of Gooey Hazelnut Cocoa Spread

 

Deals

Tools of the Trade 22-Pc Kitchen Gadget Set ONLY $21.93
Free Medium Fries w/ Any $1 Purchase at McDonalds – Every Friday
Rainbow High Color Convertible Car ONLY $14.97 (Reg $54)
Morphe Multi Palette Glitz & Glow ONLY $5.76 (Reg $16)
Ceramic Curling Iron at Walmart ONLY $26.49 (Reg. $70)
Target – Save Up to 60% OFF Amazon Devices
Wise Owl Camping Blanket ONLY $37.99 (Reg $60)
Edison Ellis Modern Corner Gaming Desk ONLY $67.14 (Reg $245)
Kids Headphones with Microphone ONLY $13.99 (Reg $27)
Clinique Even Better Makeup SPF 15 ONLY $19.30 (Reg. $31)
Clinique Eye Concentrate ONLY $4.90 (Reg. $24.99)
Kid’s Gardening Set ONLY $9.98 (Reg. $17.99)
CamelBak with Straw Top ONLY $7.99 (Reg. $17.99)
Ozark Trail Oversized Camping Chair ONLY $30 (Reg $73)
Morphe Blue Ya Away 18A Palette ONLY $3.60 (Reg $20)
Bella Pro Series Espresso Machine ONLY $34.99 (Reg $60)

SDG&E: Get Paid To Plant a Tree!

Abby H.

This popped into my inbox this afternoon and I thought I would share. This is such a great idea and you do not have to be a homeowner to do it!

Trees and plants provide important environmental, health, and community benefits. SDG&E’s Community Tree Rebate Program is designed to build our region’s tree canopy in neighborhoods where trees are needed most to clean the air, conserve water, and provide shade canopy to help reduce energy usage.

Qualifying SDG&E customers can receive a $35 rebate for planting or potting 1- or 5-gallon tree/plant species, up to five (5) rebates annually. You do not need a yard to qualify, as trees or other plant species can be planted in large containers on outdoor balconies or patio areas.

• Check your eligibility
• See what trees/species qualify
• Purchase up to five eligible trees or plant species; only 1- or 5-gallon sizes are eligible.
• Plant and purchase the tree(s) or plant specie(s) at your home by 10/31/2022 – make sure to keep your receipts!
• Take one photo per tree/specie planted in the ground or in a sufficient container.
• Upload application with receipt(s) and photo(s) to our tree rebate portal by 11/15/2022.
• Receive $35 rebate per tree/specie.

While this program is for a limited number of San Diego County Zip Codes, if you live outside the Zip Codes for this program, you may be eligible for other tree programs. More information on other programs may be found here.

7/29/2022 Friday Freebies and Deals

Abby H.

This week was a little slow for me. I have eustachian Tube Disfunction, my head is stuffed up and I feel like I’m underwater. Thankfully, one ear “popped” and the tube drained this morning, so I’m feeling a little more human.  I’ve been trying to follow doctor’s orders and relax and rest. It’s hard.

Big kid is done at camp and now we have 4 weeks of nothing to do. They are really looking forward to it.

If you are looking for some frugal adventures for this summer, check out this post.

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 Rosary
Free Zeal Creamery Fresh Grass-Fed Chocolate Milk
Free Infantino Baby Products
Free Sample of YSL Beauty Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara
Free Organicville Organic Ketchup
Free Gatorade Zero with Protein at Kroger
Free Bang Cookies & Brownies
Free Vitamin C Clay Mask + $25 Amazon eGift Card
Free Like Air Puffcorn Snack from Sam’s Club
Free Sample of Clinical Skin Vitamin C Pro-Collagen Serum
Free 256GB SSD at Micro Center
Free Eggland‘s Best Superior Hero Party Kit
Huggies Rewards Free 4000pts for an Amazon Gift Card
Free VFW Still Serving Dog Bandana or Patch
Free B.Shaye Happiness Nail Polish
Free Makeup, Bath or Manicure Set
Free Timberland Products
Free $10 Every Friday with Samuel Adams
Free Wireless Zone Backpack & School Supplies Giveaway
Free Fragrance Samples from Macy’s
Free Key at a MinuteKEY Kiosk
Free Woolite Darks Laundry Detergent at Select Stores
Free Pink Bath Set
Free TruCup Coffee Sample
Free Access to MyHeritage Ancestry Tools for 2 Weeks
Free Makeup Brush Set
Free Ferris Bueller’s Day Off for Xfinity Rewards Members
250 Free Kool Rewards Points
Free Lawn Mowing Simulator PC Game
Free Cirque du Soleil 60 Minute Specials
1-Year Subscription to Apple TV+

 

Deals

Muscle Tank Tops for ONLY $7.99 (Reg. $16)
Cushioned Cloud Slides ONLY $23.99 (Reg. $36)
Glass Food Storage Containers ONLY $6.34 (Reg. $16.13)
Wireless Earbuds ONLY $19.99 (Reg. $39.99)
Bed Sheets ONLY $23.99 (Reg. $40)
Gap Home Bath Rug ONLY $12.90 (Reg. $19.98)
Ugg Women’s Slippers ONLY $35 (Reg. $120)
The North Face Apparel up to 65% Off
Birkenstock Dupes starting as low as ONLY $13.99
Barbie Pool Set ONLY $8.27 (Reg. $20)
Self Inflating Camping Mattress ONLY $25 (Reg. $60)
Segmented Velvet Ottoman ONLY $12 (Reg $48)
Free Medium Fries w/ Any $1 Purchase at McDonalds – Every Friday
Wild Sage Utility Cart in Iris ONLY $16 (Reg $80)
Amazon Basics Magnifying Vanity Mirror ONLY $13.78 (Reg $21)
Disney Kermit & Piggy 2-Piece Plush Set ONLY $8.02 (Reg $20)
Folding LED Desk Lamp ONLY $9.99 (Reg $30)
Igloo SpongeBob 7-Quart Cooler ONLY $18.88 (Reg $40)

2 Upcoming Clothing Swaps in San Diego!

Abby H.

I love clothing swaps- If you have read my blog, you know it’s one of my favorite ways to refresh the kids wardrobes (and my own).

There haven’t been too many clothing swaps since the pandemic started, but I have found two coming up that are going to be GREAT!

Saturday, August 06, 2022, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Foothills Church 365 W Bradley Ave, El Cajon CA

The women’s ministry is hosting a FREE clothing exchange! You can swap gently used women’s & children’s clothing and infant essentials. They have limited space, so please no toys or books. There will be no childcare available, so keep that in mind. If you want to drop off items early, Look for the bins in their lobby. I’m dropping off items tomorrow.

August 27, 2022 Porchlight Community Services, Inc. 8888 Clairemont Mesa Blvd Suite B San Diego, CA
Clothing Swap
From their site “We invite you to be part of our SWAP PARTY! Bring clothing, accessories, personal hygiene, or toiletries, OR you’re welcome to donate a bag of canned/shelf-stable food to participate. *Expired food will not be accepted*”

This is a fundraising event, donate what you can ($5 suggested) or you can bring canned goods to donate on the event date to participate. We will gladly accept them on the day of the event.

Please drop off items to swap in advance: 8/25 Thursday 10 am-5 pm or 8/27 Saturday *Before 9 am.  For more information, check out the event page here. And to learn more about Porchlight Community Services, check out their website.

And if you are looking for more information about clothing swaps, check out my post from earlier this year here.

Family Recipe: $100 Brownies

Abby H.

This is an easy, decadent recipe that impresses guests.

Inspired by a friend’s brownie recipe that once fetched $100 at an auction, this dessert will disappear before your eyes. These brownies are so rich, so don’t forget the milk or cuppa Joe.

 

$100 Brownies

Ingredients 

  • 1 brownie mix 
  • Milk
  • Eggs
  • Melted butter
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter (your favorite variety)
  • 1/2 bag (about 6 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips 

Directions:

  1. Mix up the brownie recipe per directions in the box. Substitute milk for water, and melted butter for oil in the directions. Use eggs as directed on the box.
  2. Bake brownies as directed.
  3. As soon as they are down, remove them from the oven and immediately top with peanut butter and chocolate chips.
  4. Allow PB and chips to melt atop the hot brownies, about 5-10 minutes.
  5. Using a silicone spatula, carefully mix and spread PB and melted chips to form and even layer a top the brownies.
  6. Once brownies have cooled to room temp, store them in the fridge for at least 1 hour prior to serving.

Makes 18 small brownies- these are very rich, and a little goes a long way.

Substitutions:

  • If you are Gluten Free, substitute your favorite GF brownie mix.