local event

It’s Back! Free Coupon Class in San Diego 1/24/18!

Abby H.

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It’s been a few years since I’ve taught for the San Diego Library, but they’ve asked me back, and I can’t wait to share with you all my tips and tricks to saving money with coupons and more!

Date: January 24, 2018
Time: 6:00-8:30PM
Location: North Park Library,  3795 31st St, San Diego, CA 92104

Want to learn the secrets of couponing and saving money?
You’ll learn tips and tricks in my 90 minute class!

NO MORE EXCUSES!! Saving Money is for everyone! Regardless of your budget, eating habits, or dietary concerns, you can save money (that includes those with food sensitivities/allergies, vegetarians and vegans)!

Here is what you’ll learn:

  • How to save 60-100% off regular retail prices
  • Where to find Coupons and how to organize them
  • The low down on rebate apps like Ibotta and Fetch Rewards
  • Real, useful, tips to stretch that hard earned dollar
  • How to avoid paying full price for anything ever again
  • How to find Local Groups and Programs to help you on your savings journey

The class is taught by Abby Hewes (Formerly of the blog CA Coupon Diva, now writer at Hewes Family Fun). She has taught hundreds of people how to save and is passionate about saving money. Today, with her family of 4, she spends no more than $300 a month for her Groceries & Household items (including organic produce and diapers)!

 

To Sign up for the class, call the library at (619) 533-3972 to RSVP!

Holiday Resources For Those in Need

Abby H.

thanksgivingturkey.jpgIt’s getting to be the season of giving, and for some families there isn’t the means to give this year. For some families there isn’t the means for a sit down family meal either.

Thanksgiving and Christmas are more than food and gifts, but no one should go hungry any time of year!

Here are some resources for those in San Diego County who might need some help.

Here is my post with a list of food banks/pantries in San Diego. Meet the Need at Faith Chapel has a lot of great events coming up to help you get through the holidays:

  • 11/19/: Faith Chapel is giving out Food Boxes and Turkeys starting at 10:30am.
  • 12/3: Meet the Need’s first Sunday event will be featuring a limited number of free Christmas trees in addition to the usual free lunch and bag of groceries.
  • 12/17: Faith Chapel will be distributing toys to children in need after the 10:30am service.

Feeding the Flock and several other ministries are sponsoring a Thanksgiving food box (turkey included). More information and sign ups can be found here.

You can also find local food banks/pantries from AmpleHarvest or by calling 211 in your area.

Toys 4 Tots is a well know toy charity, however their deadline to request toys is early November. If you missed the cut off, there are a few San Diego based toy charities that can help out.

Screen Shot 2017-11-13 at 1.53.34 PM.pngToys 4 Joy has 4 San Diego area events on December 9th. Toys for Joy is open to all children and families and no registration is required. One free toy will be given to all children attending the event ages 0 – 11. Free lunch will be provided in addition to free entertainment, kids activities and giveaways. All four locations have free groceries and one location has free gently used clothing available.

We Care Toy Drive provides 750 toys to local San Diego area kids. You can learn more by visiting their website.

Screen Shot 2017-06-01 at 8.09.41 AMThe Closet on 54th has a great free clothing closet you can shop at once a month, they also have a free food pantry that is open three days a week. You can find more info on their Facebook page here.

 

 

San Diego Local Moms- Upcoming Play Date!

Abby H.

As previously promised, I’ll be holding playdates every few weeks. This is a great chance for moms to meet other moms and let the kids play.

We met at the park last month and it was tons of fun, this month we’re going to be delving onto my craft stash to make some fun holiday crafts. We also  have a craft kit from Creative Hands Crafts to explore. Screen Shot 2017-10-31 at 8.29.00 PM.png

Check out the event and learn more (including the awesome giveaway I’ve got for the first 5 moms to RSVP and attend the event, go to the event page here.

 

October is Kids Free Month in San Diego!

Abby H.

Screen Shot 2017-09-26 at 8.56.48 PM.pngIt’s back, Baby!!  I love October for so many reasons (and Pumpkin Spice isn’t one), but mostly I love October  because that means it’s Kids go Free Month here in San Diego.

This is the seventh year that the program has been helping kids and families explore our awesome city and county!

For those of us with curious kids, this is perfect! Kids can get into 43 museums in the San Diego area free with paying adults (all the info can be found here).

Participating organizations include:

1. Barona Cultural Center & Museum
2. Birch Aquarium at Scripps
3. Cabrillo National Monument
4. California Center for the Arts Museum
5. California Surf Museum
6. Coronado Museum of History & Art
7. Fleet Science Center (Galleries only)
8. Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum
9. Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House
10. Heritage of the Americas Museum
11. Japanese Friendship Garden
12. La Jolla Historical Society
13. Living Coast Discovery Center
14. Lux Art Institute
15. Maritime Museum of San Diego
16. Marston House Museum & Gardens
17. Mingei International Museum
18. Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum
19. Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
20. Museum of Making Music
21. Museum of Photographic Arts
22. New Americans Museum
23. Oceanside Museum of Art
24. San Diego Air & Space Museum
25. San Diego Archaeological Center
26. San Diego Art Institute
27. San Diego Automotive Museum
28. San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum
29. San Diego Chinese Historical Museum
30. San Diego History Center
31. San Diego Model Railroad Museum
32. San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat)
33. Serra Museum
34. The New Children’s Museum
35. The San Diego Museum of Art
36. The Water Conservation Garden
37. Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center
38. Timken Museum of Art (it’s always free for everyone FYI)
39. USS Midway Museum
40. Veterans Museum at Balboa Park
41. Visions Art Museum
42. Warner-Carrillo Ranch House
43. Women’s Museum of California

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!  WOO HOO!

More info can be found here, and other fun, free stuff for kids can be found here and here.

 

LEGO NINJAGO®Days – September 23-24, 2017!

Abby H.

Henry is so excited for the new Lego Ninjago Movie, which opens Friday September 22, 2017. To celebrate, Legoland California is having Lego Ninjago Days September 23 and 24!

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There will be so many fun activities to celebrate, in addition to all of the rad stuff that happens at Legoland daily!

The kids can become a ninja with fun activities throughout the day.

THE LEGO® NINJAGO® MOVIE™ Character Meet & Greets
Meet the stars of the movie in LEGO® NINJAGO® World!

Mystery Mosaic LEGO® Build
First come, first serve. Work together to build a LEGO mosaic and check out our FB page to see it completed!

Miniland Scavenger Hunt
Find the ninjas in Miniland U.S.A. and complete your entry form for a chance to win a LEGO® NINJAGO® prize pack!

WB Family GameSpace featuring THE LEGO® NINJAGO® MOVIE™ Video Game
Master new skills and upgrade your weapons in your training to find your inner ninja in this brand new video game.

We’ll be there on the 23rd and I’ll be posting photos on Instagram throughout the day, so make sure to follow me!

Free Food Boxes from Feeding the Flock

Abby H.

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San Diego, CA area readers, this post is a huge blessing for those who may be facing a little food insecurity right now. Feeding the Flock is a local 501c3 non profit organization. Their goal is to “feed you physically and spiritually.”

Two Fridays a month they are offering free food boxes containing various fresh and shelf-stable food, perfect for anyone who may need a just a little help.

There is no proof of need required, just sign up here.  When you pick up your box, don’t forget your ID.

You can also check up with Feeding the Flock on Facebook. They have lots of great local events helping those in need and the under served. They are looking for volunteers for their events, so if you aren’t in need, but want to help (with time or supplies), contact them!

Looking for some new digs? Check out the Grand Opening of Nickel Creek Townhomes in Ramona!

Abby H.

NickelCreek-logoColorSome of you may know that we moved into a condo last January. We house hunted for over 6 months, looking at listings online and driving all over the place. It was nuts. The awesome folks at KirE builders are proud to present the Grand Opening of Nickel Creek Townhomes in Ramona on February 27th. Just in time for those of you starting your house hunt in Eastern San Diego County.

There are so many things I love about living in East County:

  • Great Parks: including parks with cheap or free water fixtures for the kids to play in during the hot months.
  • Small Town Feel: most Eastern San Diego County cities and towns average about 60k residents or less each, but most have a great small town vibe with local activities sponsored by chambers of commerce, civic organizations, and local parks and rec commissions.
  • Many opportunities to Get Into Nature: We love discovering nature!  San Diego has a ton of great trails and ecological preserves, several of them are in Eastern San Diego County, and are family friendly!

Even though we’re not in the market for a new home, I’ll be checking out the Grand Opening of Nickel Creek Townhomes in Ramona. We’ve got some friends that are looking to buy in East County and I’ll be doing leg work for them!

I’m pretty excited! Besides the tours of the new townhomes, there will be lunch, a gourmet dessert truck, face painting, and music will be complimentary for all in attendance starting at 11am!

Bring your kids and they can flex their creative muscle and enter to win! Check out the coloring sheet below that kids can color and turn in that day at Nickel Creek, to win 2 tickets to Disneyland, a Kindle Fire, or a $50 gift card!

coloring sheet FINAL FINAL

 

If you can’t make it, but would like more info, check out the  Nickel Creek Interest List.

NickelCreek-Flyer_Back What I like about Nickel Creek is that even though it’s in Ramona, which is know for being pretty east in East County, it’s near the center of town: Tons of opportunities to shop and dine. Oh, and Ramona has a Dunkin’ Donuts. SHHHH- don’t tell my husband!

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I’ll be live tweeting and Instagramming from the event, make sure to check it out! And I’ll report back with photos and details!