I don’t usually post a lot of Black Friday Deals, but this one is close to my heart.
We’re a Lego Family, and a Star Wars Family, so when I saw this deal in my email the other day, I knew I had to share it.
Starting tomorrow 11/26/25, at Walgreens (and Walgreens.com), you can score this Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar for just $29.99. That’s 40% off the original price!! This deal is going to go super fast, so I recommend setting a timer or a reminder on your phone. I’ve already got a reminder set in my phone’s calendar with the link as the location.
I learned about Amusement Advantage from some friends who have had a blast doing secret shopping and having adventures with their families. Amusement Advantage has all sorts of fun shops: movie theatres, amusement parks, museums, and more! They have opportunities to do secret assignments in almost every state of the US and most of the Provinces in Canada.
Right now, they have assignments available at the SkyZone in San Diego! Amusement Advantage has a mystery shop available at Sky Zone – San Diego (Fran) in San Diego, CA 92126 for November!
SPECIAL WEEKDAY OPTION allowed FOR NOVEMBER ONLY: SHOP ANY DAY 11.21 – 11.30. Earlier dates are given preference.
Pay/Reimbursement: $20 + Reimbursement up to $100 + $50 Extra Pay + $5 Early Return Bonus.
$50 EXTRA PAY above the rate listed, offered on this assignment! $100 reimbursement-spend YOUR WAY-more jump time, guests, arcades, or food/drinks! Just 90 minutes required onsite – free fun and food plus profit!
Jewish Family Services is here to help those who have lost their benefits because of the government shutdown.
Emergency Nutrition Assistance
If you or someone you care about has been impacted by the government shutdown or the halting of SNAP benefits, please know that you’re not alone. Every Wednesday, JFS will provide supplemental groceries—including non-perishables, pantry staples, and fresh produce—until the shutdown ends.
Pre-registration is not required.
Wednesdays, 4:00 – 6:00pm
Supplies are limited. First-come, first-served.
Jewish Family Service
JOAN & IRWIN JACOBS CAMPUS
Turk Family Center
8804 Balboa Avenue, San Diego, CA 92123
If you are looking for other times and locations for free food distributions in San Diego County, check my page here.
One of my kids’ favorite treats is a Nothing Bundt Cake Bundlet.
If you are a member of the Nothing Bundt Cake E-Club, check your email for a Buy one, get one free offer!
Now through 11/16, you can score a free bundlet when you buy one at regular price in-store or via their app for in-store pick-up. Make sure to check your email for the coupon code/barcode to use in-store!
Hey friends- I haven’t been posting much because I’ve been doing a lot of stuff away from the computer.
The holidays are soon upon us, and I’ve been stocking up on items to donate. I’ve been using the CVS app to find the best deals and the best way to get the most bang for my buck when it comes to my monthly $10 Extra Care Pass rewards. I pay for the Extra Care Pass program annually. It has a lot of great perks, including getting my prescriptions mailed to me for free. Between that and the free $10 in-store each month, it definately pays for itself.
So far, I’ve picked up shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, and body wash, all using my October 2025 $10 reward, as well as some $4 rewards I had on my CVS account from getting the kids’ prescriptions filled.
I’ve also been taking advantage of other sales and deals at Bath & Body Works. They have a great program where you can earn free full-sized products, access to free travel-sized products, and extra percent off deals. I recently had a free full-sized product, a free travel-sized product, and an additional 25% off coupon on my account. I was able to use all three and combine the 25% off coupon with the sale on $5.95 single-wick candles. I was able to buy presents for 5 people on my holiday gift list, including stocking stuffers for the kids.
I’ve also been taking advantage of grocery sales and rebate offers through WeStock, Social Nature, and Aisle to pick up free and less than $1.00 groceries to fill the local blessing box and donate to the local high schools’ food pantry.
Yes, these are clown beads. Littlest Kiddo loves clowns.
And because the holidays are coming up soon, I’ve kicked up my sewing and jewelry making. I’m going through my dwindling stash of fabric and craft supplies to make gifts for people on my gift list. I’m committed not to buy any new craft or sewing supplies unless I have a gift card and a coupon, or in the case of fabric, I can find it at a thrift store. There is a distinct lack of fabric stores in my area. I recently had a credit on my Temu account, and I was able to pick up some really cool beads.
I spent a few hours yesterday making bracelets and a few Paternosters for holiday gifts, and I pulled out the sewing machine and finished up some stuff lingering in my sewing inbox. One of the items was a medieval tunic that I made from an upcycled cotton tablecloth- I picked it up at a thrift store on 50% off day. And the trim was from a bag of misc. craft supplies at the same thrift shop on another day.
And of course, I do have a full-time job outside of the house, and I’ve got my kids 90% of the time.
I’m spending a lot of weekends hanging with kids, baking, meal prepping for the week ahead, and trying to teach the cat tricks- the last one isn’t terribly successful.
So while I may not be posting here multiple times a day any more, I am out there doing frugal stuff and trying to help as many people as I am able.
As more information about Holiday assistance programs becomes available, I will be updating this post.
Before I get into specifics, here are a few general ways that you can find some holiday help with resources that you may already take part in:
If you receive WIC or SNAP benefits, check in with your social worker to see if they have any information on holiday help programs. Events like Toys for Joy are being held on a referral basis only. You have to receive an invitation from the event to attend. These are being given out by social workers and those with connections to the group.
If you attend church/synagogue/mosque, check with your religious leader or the secretary/office staff. They may have referrals to programs offering holiday help.
Check with your kids’ school. Talk to the school counselor, resource teacher, or school secretary.
If you frequent local food charities or co-ops, they may have some resources on holiday events or toy giveaways.
Resources in San Diego County:
The Salvation Army does an Angel Tree program to gather gifts for children in need. For more information about this program, contact your local Salvation Army location.
211 San Diego has a listing of all sorts of holiday assistance, from food to toys, and events- all free. Some programs/events require proof of need, but not all.
Hope for San Diego helps with many non-profits throughout the holiday season. For more information on events they sponsor, visit their website.
If you live in Santee and need help with food and gifts for the holiday, contact Santee Santas. Applications are done online and are available in multiple languages.
Talk Back: If you know of any additional resources for holiday help in San Diego County, Please leave a comment!
It’s that time of year: Spooky Season! We’ve got our Halloween decor up, and I’ve been working on Halloween costumes.
My kids have always loved wearing their costumes as much as possible, so we’re always on the lookout for fun Halloween events.
Here are just a few events that are free and seasonal.
10/17/2025
HauntFest 2025, El Cajon’s ultimate Halloween block party and the largest free Halloween event in San Diego County! Happening Friday, October 17, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Downtown El Cajon, this family-friendly festival draws thousands each year with costume contests, amusement rides, a haunted maze, trick-or-treating, trunk-or-treat with classic cars, live entertainment, and a family outdoor movie.
I’ve been a fan of Tryazon for about 7 years. It’s an amazing company that works with manufacturers of toys, games, food, and recreational/sporting goods. Manufacturers supply their goods to consumers to try out and review for free.
The kids and I have received toys, games, craft kits, and art supplies to test and have fun with.
Right now, Tryazon has a tasty sampling opportunity to apply for!
Pick the pack you are into! Introducing games about everything you are into with this Tryazon Featured Party opportunity, from Top Trumps! Stitch Goddit is a brand new, high-energy card game. 55 unique puzzle cards and zero time to waste! Top Trumps Match is a crazy cube game challenge trying to line up the characters while pushing out your opponents. Top Trumps Quiz will put your knowledge to the test with 500 questions to challenge every fan! Top Trumps classic is a family favorite across the world. Each card features stories and facts to take fans deeper into their passion! Which pack will you choose?!?
There are 500 hosting spots open for this opportunity! Those selected get to receive one of three party packs (your choice!) for free with a variety of games to share with friends and family!
This weekend was a lot. I helped a couple friends with household stuff, sewed up a couple projects, cleaned my house and tackled the mountain of laundry, and did a little meal prep for lunches.
I’m trying to get back down to my pre-covid weight- I know it’s been 5 years, but I’ve had some health and family stuff come up since then, and I had major surgery last year. Now it’s time to do it. I’m doing a lot of meal prep for lunches and snacks, and trying to keep dinners easy and light since I probably won’t be eating what the kiddos eat.
To keep my grocery budget down, I shop at Aldi (using Instacart, I wrote about how to do it here), our local Grocery Outlet, and use cashback rebates that offer a lot of 100% back (I write a post about some of my favorite apps here).
Breakfast: The kids tend to eat cereal, a bagel, or an MBS (Mrs. Bear Special) each morning for breakfast. I usually have a proffee and a slice of toast or a mini Cliff bar.
Lunch: M-F I pack myself and the kids’ lunches. I bring 5 lunches to work on Monday and stash them in the fridge. I pack the kids’ lunches each night before bed, except for the cold stuff and ice pack- those I put in when I get up in the morning. This week my lunch is Chicken Divan casserole with lots of broccoli.
Dinner: This week, dinners are lots of salads, fresh fruits, lean meats, and noodles. Mostly for the kids. They love them some starches.
I love me a good old-fashioned casserole, and so does the little one. The big one not so much, but he’ll drink a smoothie any day of the week, so I’m not terribly concerned about him not getting something nutritious in his belly.
Sunday: Pizza for the kids (home-made of course), and I had fruit salad and a couple of hard-boiled eggs.
Monday: Cheddar brat pigs in a blanket, and fruit
Tuesday: Soup and Salad (and possibly garlic flatbread too)
Wednesday: Sweet and Sour Chicken with broccoli and rice
Thursday: Chicken Tikka Masala, rice, and veggies (it was so good last week, and I have another jar of sauce in the cupboard)
Friday: Takeout night!
Saturday: Leftover Palooza and whatever leftover fruit is hanging around.
This October 1-31, kids 12 and under receive free admission at many arts, cultural, and science museums and historical sites in San Diego County.
For those of us with curious kids, this is perfect! Kids can get into over 40 museums in the San Diego area for free with paying adults (all the info can be found here).
A full list can be found here. Oh, and as part of free October, Kids can get into the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park free when accompanied by a paying adult! Other Kids go free attractions include: Legoland, Sea World, and the USS Midway!!
*Some museums charge fees for special exhibitions, programs or films. Some museums may limit offer use to once per month per guest. Purchase of a Balboa Park Explorer Pass does not qualify as a paid adult admission for the Kids Free in October program. Purchase of a Go San Diego Pass or card does not qualify as a paid adult admission for the Kids Free in October program at most museums; call museum(s) before visiting to enquire.
I don’t usually post a lot of Black Friday Deals, but this one is close to my heart.
Y’all know I love to secret shop!
Jewish Family Services
One of my kids’ favorite treats is a Nothing Bundt Cake Bundlet.
I’ve also been taking advantage of other sales and deals at 
And of course, I do have a full-time job outside of the house, and I’ve got my kids 90% of the time.
As more information about Holiday assistance programs becomes available, I will be updating this post.
It’s that time of year: Spooky Season! We’ve got our Halloween decor up, and I’ve been working on Halloween costumes.
This weekend was a lot. I helped a couple friends with household stuff, sewed up a couple projects, cleaned my house and tackled the mountain of laundry, and did a little meal prep for lunches.
October is a great time to be a kid in San Diego!
Hewes Family Fun 