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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.

Baketivity: Baking fun with kids!

Abby H.

Have you heard of Baketivity? I heard about it recently, and I’m really excited to try it with the kiddos. They both love making treats in the kitchen.

  • IT’S MORE THAN JUST A BAKING KIT: Baketivity Is A Wonderful Way To Bond With Children And Build Skills In An Informal Way; It Is Easy, Fun, And Mess-Free With The Most Delicious Results!
  • WHOLESOME INGREDIENTS: Create Everlasting Memories With Fresh, Certified Kosher Ingredients That Are Manufactured In An FDA Approved Facility In The USA
  • EASY BAKING: Mix and stir in a snap with pre-measured ingredients and simple, kid-friendly instructions.
  • RECIPES BOOK: Step-by-step instructions with colorful, kid-friendly illustrations to make sure every bite comes out perfectly.
  • ENJOYABLE LEARNING: Explore exciting, colorful lessons and play educational games while your treats bake.
  • SHOPPING LIST: Detailed shopping list for the wet ingredients and baking tools you will need in each kit.
  • FREE HAT AND APRON: One size fits all Baketivity kids apron with a chef hat; it will be the best addition for your little baker!


Enjoy sweet savings today! – Use code FAMILYGUIDE to get 18% on any subscription plans today at https://baketivity.com. IT’S MORE THAN JUST A BAKING KIT: Baketivity Is A Wonderful Way To Bond With Children And Build Skills In An Informal Way; It Is Easy, Fun, And Mess-Free With The Most Delicious Results!

I can’t wait to try it out with my two chefs!

February is Fun for Seniors at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park!

Abby H.

If you have a senior in your life and you want to send them on a frugal adventure, check out this sweet deal!

The kids posing with Jefferson’s Sloth

During the month of February, all visitors age 65 and older receive free admission to the Safari Park. Enjoy the sights on an Africa Tram, see the platypuses and other Aussie species at Walkabout Australia, wander through Tiger Trail, take a stroll around Mombasa Lagoon, and relax with refreshments on the patio at Kijamii Overlook. There’s a world of sights to see—all at the Safari Park!

For more information about Seniors Free, check out the Seasonal Events section of our FAQ page.

Seniors 65+ must present valid photo ID at turnstiles for free entry. Parking is not included.

My kids love the Safari Park, and while we are waiting for our tax refund to renew our zoo/safari park membership, this deal is definitely a must-do for anyone over 65!

The kids love Meerkats.


Some frugal tips for visiting your local zoo/animal park (These are all true for the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, your local parks may differ)

  • Bring your water bottles, and fill up at the drinking fountains/filling stations all over the park.
  • Pack your own snacks/lunch. There are tons of picnic/eating areas all over the parks.
  • Bring some cash for 1 treat/toy/souvenir. With cash, you have a firm budget.
  • If you are a zoo/safari park member, you may get a discount in the shops/restaurants (check online).

Looking for Help? Check out Care.com!

Abby H.

Whether you need a babysitter, nanny, elder care, or a little help with chores/housework, care.com can help!

Care.com is the world’s largest online destination for care. They connect families with caregivers and caring companies to help you be there for the ones you love.

We’ve used Care.com to find Respite Workers to help us with the kiddos. Care.com has several plans, and they will help you find your perfect caregiver with 20% off Premium Membership (Discount applied at checkout- Use Promo Code: JOINCARE20).

It’s free to sign up and browse– I recommend that if you are looking for a helping hand around the house or an occasional date night sitter, check out Care.com.

 

East County Residents: Free kids books 12/21/22!

Abby H.

This came through my email earlier this week. Chet F. Harritt STEAM School in Santee (8120 Arlette Street, Santee, CA) is having their annual book giveaway!

  • Friday, January 21, 2022
  • Students, families, and community members are welcome.
  • All books will be displayed in front of the library from 1:00-2:30pm.

Please be aware that parking at the school and the adjacent Big Rock Park is limited. I encourage you to park along Mesa Road and use the path into the park to access the school.

Also- PLEASE follow current state masking/ face covering regulations.

Oh, and if you are looking for a way to motivate you kids to Read... Sign them up for Book It! 

Green Kids Crafts: 25% Off Select Boxes + New Numbers Lab!

Abby H.

Science & Craft Subscription Boxes for Kids ages 3-10+My kids love to get mail. They also love doing science experiments. With our winters looking kinda rainy, kinda gloomy, I’m trying to find something fun and indoorsy that’s not the usual. That leads me to Green Kids Crafts. 4-6 educator designed STEAM projects in every box. Millions choose us for our award-winning hands-on activities.

Right now, Green Kids Crafts is offering 25% off their favorite boxes!

Use code FAVORITE25 at checkout and save 25% off their select favorite monthly boxes through the end of the month.

I know that Henry will love the Volcano Kit. The Volcanoes Discovery Box contains FOUR award-winning Creativity and STEAM Science Kits! Your pint-sized volcanologists will have a blast (literally!) with these fun learning kits including Break Your Own Geode Kit, Volcano Splatter Art Kit, Exploding DIY Volcano, Crystal Making Kit, and more!

And I think Margaret will be interested in the New Numbers Box! The Numbers Lab Box contains FOUR award-winning art and science STEAM kits! Your young mathematician will learn counting, number recognition, and matching and patterns with this sensory box that contains the following fun learning kits: Playdough Kit, Telling Time, DIY Flashcards Kit, Counting Games, and more!

What I like about Green Kids Crafts is that you can buy individual boxes or do a subscription! We’ve gotten their boxes before (when Margaret was a baby) and Henry loved them. They are great for the naturally curious kiddo in your life.

 

Starting 1/19/2022: Free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests

Abby H.

As many of you know, Covid hit our house last week and trying to find tests has been impossible. Thankfully here in our city, the school district has testing facilities for students and staff. We will be masking up and waiting in that line tomorrow morning bright and early to re-test the big kiddo and get him cleared to go back to school.

For the rest of us, starting on Wednesday, you can order Free at-home COVID-19 tests from Covidtests.org.

Every home in the U.S. can soon order 4 free at-home COVID-⁠19 tests. The tests will be completely free—there are no shipping costs and you don’t need to enter a credit card number.

The website is up, but ordering capabilities will not be available until 1/19/2022.

In the meantime, a new federal law mandates that private insurance companies must reimburse covered individuals for over-the-counter COVID-19 tests at up to $12 per test.

Consumers can either purchase the testing kits at no cost or submit receipts for reimbursement from the insurance company. For more information or specific details, contact your insurance company directly.

As always, if you are sick (with anything, not just COVID): Stay home, wash your hands frequently, throw away your used tissues, cover your nose and mouth if you must be around others, stay hydrated, and REST. I know it’s hard to give yourself permission to chill and do nothing, but sleep and rest give your body a chance to recover. Also- Chicken soup. My recipe is here. The more veggies, the better.

 

Free Craft Event at JCPenney for Kids- 12/11/2021

Abby H.

Heading to the mall this weekend? Check out this fun, free craft from JCPenney’s.

Visit the Kids Zone inside JCPenney and kids can decorate a holiday magnet.  Parents/Adults score a 10% off coupon, which can be combined with another coupon. JCP Coupons can be found here.

JCPenney hosts a fun craft event in store for kids on the second Saturday of each month.  They are easy for kids, and fun, free activity.

In-store events are only where local mandates allow.  All kids must be accompanied by an adult.

 

And looking forward to January 2022, check out this cute penguin craft:

Free Event This Saturday! 17th San Diego International Children’s Film Festival

Abby H.

This weekend is the 17th San Diego International Children’s Film Festival.

After an exciting festival opening, last Sunday at Comic-Con International Special Edition, the 17th annual San Diego International Children’s Film Festival continues from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, at the San Diego Central Library downtown, 330 Park Blvd.

There will screen dozens of short films from around the world – animation, live-action, and documentary. These films are good for all ages, from toddlers through teens and beyond. See the complete film schedule at www.childrensfilmsd.org

Admission is free for everyone, and you don’t need tickets. Just show up anytime between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and enjoy the films in the library’s beautiful Neil Morgan Auditorium on the ground level. If you have a moment, please register your planned attendance at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/206726182577. There will also be some fun giveaways at the event!

Recipe: Copycat Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole

Abby H.1 Comment

I don’t really like Cracker Barrel, and there isn’t one close to us, but these potatoes are delish. In some places, these are called Funeral Potatoes. While doing my weekly meal prep this morning, I realized I had all the ingredients and decided to make a pan. It’s a great side dish for any holiday event. I improved it a bit as well.

I’ve included substitutions to make it vegan below.

Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole

Serves 6-10

Ingredients:

  • 1 large bag frozen hashbrowns, defrosted
  • 1 can condensed cream of soup (I used cream of mushroom because I have a vegetarian in the house, other people use cream of chicken)
  • 8oz sour cream
  • 2 cups shredded cheese (I used cheddar, but Colby jack is good too), divided
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1T. butter
  • Salt and pepper to taste
After being baked. It was..sampled.

Directions:

  1. Preheat over to 350 degrees, Spray a 9×11 baking dish with spray release.
  2. In a small pan, saute onions in butter until translucent- about 5-10 minutes.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine soup, sour cream, 1 cup cheese, hashbrowns, and sauteed onions.
  4. Pour mixture into a greased baking dish, top with remaining cheese.
  5. Bake for 60-70 minutes.
  6. Serves 6 as a main dish or up to 10 as a side dish.

This casserole is great reheated and is good for up to 3 days in the fridge, but it won’t last that long.

Vegan substitutions: In lieu of dairy sour cream and cheddar cheese, use your favorite vegan brand. In place of soup, use your favorite white sauce and 1/4 cup diced mushrooms. Saute onion in your favorite spread or oil. If you need a good white sauce recipe, there are directions in this recipe.