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October 2026 Clothing Swaps!

Abby H.Leave a comment

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). Now that the kids have grown into adult-sized clothing, I’m always looking for a good swap with clothes in all our sizes.

And, as always, if you are looking for more information about clothing swaps, check out my post (with other San Diego, CA area resources)  here.

October has many great swaps, including Halloween costume swaps!

Porchlight Halloween costume swap

  • Date: Saturday, Oct 3, 2026
  • Time: 1–3 PM
  • Location: 8878 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, Suite F (behind Denny’s & Mic Drop Comedy)
  • Details: Please bring clean, gently used kids’ costumes, dress-up clothes, accessories, and costume pieces in good, wearable condition.

Daydreamers Landing  Halloween clothing and costume swap

  • Date: Sunday, October 4, 2026
  • Time: 2pm-6pm
  • Location: Daydreamers Landing, 8575 Los Coches rd #1, El Cajon, CA
    Details: Bring your gently used Halloween costumes and outfits (shirts, dresses, pajamas, etc.) and give them new life!

Goth Clothing Swap at San Diego Goth Picnic

  • Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
  • Time: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
  • Location: Pioneer Park (1521 Washington Place, San Diego)
  • Details: Free, all-ages community swap. Bring clean, gently used items and a blanket to display them.

Slow Down Swap Party at SD Climate Week

  • Date: Thursday, October 8, 2026
  • Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
  • Location: Garden of the Sky at the University of San Diego
  • Details: Hosted by I Love A Clean San Diego during Climate Week, featuring a free clothing swap (limit 1 grocery bag of donations), a fix-it clinic, and an upcycled fashion show

Women’s Clothing Swap in La Mesa

  • Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
  • Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  • Location: The Chapel at Grossmont (5651 Water St, La Mesa, CA 91942)
  • Details: Free swap for women’s clothing, shoes, and accessories. Items should be freshly laundered. [1]

New-to-You Clothing Swap in Spring Valley

 

The Good Loop hosts clothing swaps in Southern CA frequently, but has nothing currently planned. I recommend following them on Instagram to stay in the know.

Let’s Go Girls SD also hosts clothing swaps frequently. Check out their Instagram page.

FREE Fall Shredding Events in San Diego County

Abby H.

You know what I have a lot of? Paper documents that need to be shredded. I found tax returns from the early 2000’s the other day while looking for an envelope.

If you’re in the same boat, here are some free local paper shredding events coming up this fall:

Santee Fall 2026 Community Clean Up and Shred Event
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Santee City Hall, 10601 Magnolia Avenue, Santee, CA 92071
More information about the event is available here.

 

City of Coronado Paper Shredding and E-Waste Collection
Date: October 17, 2026
Time: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location: City Hall, 1825 Strand Way
More information about the event is available here.

 

City of El Cajon Shred Event
Date: November 14, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: Wells Park, 1153 E. Madison Avenue
City residents may drop off personal documents to be shredded on site by certified shredding trucks. Limit two banker’s boxes per resident.
Be prepared to show proof of residency with a driver’s license or a utility bill.
More information about the event is available here.

 

Residential Clean Up Event (Julian, CA) 
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Location: Julian Library (1850 CA-78, Julian, CA 92036).
All of the event details can be found here. 

 

 

 

Score Sweet Freebies with Your Library Card!

Abby H.
Courtesy of https://arthur.fandom.com/wiki/Library_Card

September is Library Card Sign-up Month! If you don’t have a card, it’s one of the easiest things you can do to open the door to free (and cheap) entertainment.

Not only can you check out books in the library, but you can also gain access to apps like Libby, where you can borrow digital books, audiobooks, and digital magazines.

The following benefits are available from the San Diego County and City of San Diego Library networks. Check with your local library to see what benefits and events they host!

Get out on the Town: Reserve free or low-cost family day passes to local museums and attractions (like the New Children’s Museum, Museum of Us, and San Diego Museum of Art) using your San Diego Public Library or San Diego County Library card.

Get into Nature: CA State Library Parks Pass: Check out a physical vehicle-entry pass for free admission to participating California State Parks for 14 days. 

Digital Research Databases: Use your library card for free access to online subscriptions, language learning software, and digital archives.

Skill-Building & Wellness Classes: Access free instructional classes covering healthy aging, programs for adults with disabilities, and wellness activities like yoga or meditation.

Learning for the whole family: ABC Mouse is available for free with your library card, and it’s a great resource for young kids. There are resources for kids of all ages, including help with homework!

Free Events: Most local library systems host free events. Our local branch hosts activities for kids, families,  teens (laser tag once a month at the library after hours!), and seniors. There are tons of events every month– scroll through and find something that interests you!

 

Fall 2026 Clothing Swaps!

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). Now that the kids have grown into adult-sized clothing, I’m always looking for a good swap that will have clothes in all of our sizes.

And as always, if you are looking for more information about clothing swaps, check out my post (with other San Diego, CA area resources)  here.

Here are the Fall 2026  Clothing Swaps in the greater San Diego, CA area:

The Good Loop hosts clothing swaps in Southern CA frequently, but has nothing currently planned. I recommend following them on Instagram to stay in the know.

Let’s Go Girls SD also hosts clothing swaps frequently. Check out their Instagram page.

Upcoming JCP Kid’s Craft Events for August and September!

Abby H.

I’m all about fun, free (and cheap) activities for kids. JCPenney has two events coming up that fit the bill! Check out these fun, free crafts from JCPenney’s.

Visit the Kids Zone inside JCPenney on August 8, 2026, from 11 AM to Noon, and kids can create an axolotl pouch. The Craft includes a pencil pouch, markers, and a small notebook. Great for back to school!

If you are busy that day, there is an event in September!

On September 12, 2026, from 11 AM to Noon, kids can come create a cabin picture frame.  This craft includes wood sticks, foam pieces, glue dots, a marker, and a magnet.

Free Backpacks & School Supply Round Up (San Diego County)

Abby H.1 Comment

It’s that time of year- Back to school is looming. School supplies and backpacks are getting more expensive. However, there are several opportunities in the San Diego, CA area for free backpacks, school supplies, and even free haircuts for kids at selected events. For more information about each event, click the links or images (they are linked to the events).

Back 2 School Jam – Spring Valley School supplies, backpacks,  and resources.

Back 2 School Jam – Spring Valley School supplies, backpacks,  and resources.
Spring Valley Gymnasium, 838 Kempton St, Spring Valley, CA 91977
Sat, August 1, 2026 10:00 AM –1:30 PM

 NAACP’s 24th Annual Back 2 School Stay in School Rally
MiraCosta College (Clock Tower Area), 1 Barnard Drive, Oceanside, CA 92056
Sat, August 1, 2026 10:30 AM –12:30 PM

Buddy’s Backpacks is WILDLY popular here in East County. It starts at 9am, but last year, when we drove by at 8 am, there were already over 200 people in line. If you are dedicated to attending this event, consider arriving very early.

Backpack & School Supplies Giveaway
Radiant Life Church, 10060 Carmel Mountain Road, San Diego, 92129
Sat, August 1, 2026 10:00 AM –12:00 PM

Southern Indian Health Council – Back to School Bash
Golden Acorn Casino & Travel Center, 1800 Golden Acorn Way, Campo, CA 91906
Sat, August 1, 2026 11:00 AM –2:00 PM
CCAE is in Central Escondido, CA. This is a newer event, and they have supplies for 200 students. There will be backpacks, school supplies, haircuts, and more. 

Back 2 School Jam – Lakeside.  School supplies, backpacks,  and resources.
Lakeside Teen/REC Center, 9911 Vine St, Lakeside, CA 92040
Fri, August 7, 2026 3:00 PM –6:00 PM

 

 

 

 

 

Super Saturday | CSAM ’26 Community Event Backpacks, school supplies, and resources.
County of San Diego Child Support Services, 3666 Kearny Villa Rd, San Diego, CA 92123
Sat, August 8, 2026 9:00 AM –1:00 PM

Backpack Giveaway and Family Resource Fair
The O’Farrell Charter School (outdoors lower lot), 6130 Skyline Dr, San Diego, CA 92114
Sat, August 8, 2026 8:00 AM –10:00 AM

Talk Back: If you know of other similar events, please leave a comment!

July 14th is Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-fil-a!

Abby H.

Are you ready? Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-Fil-A is coming up on July 14th! The kids love it, so we are prepping to go. You can check out my past post here on how to DIY a quick costume using items you may already have around the house.

Every customer who dresses like a cow can receive one free entrée from the following list, subject to availability*:

Breakfast: Chick-fil-A® Chicken Biscuit (Original) or 4-count Chick-n-Minis®.
Lunch/Dinner: Chick-fil-A® Chicken Sandwich (Original or Spicy); 8-count Nuggets (Original or Grilled); or 3-count Chick-n-Strips.
Kids: A 5-count Nuggets Kids’ Meal (Original or Grilled), which includes a side, drink, and premium.

Please check with your local Chick-fil-A to confirm participation.

Have a Fun, Frugal Daycation with ResortPass!

Abby H.

Are you looking to try something new without packing the family up for the weekend and heading out of town or spending a ton of money?

I recently discovered ResortPass through a friend who was telling me about their “daycation”.

They got a Day Room, and for less than $250, the family got access to the pool (which included water slides!), a room to shower/relax in. It sounded amazing!

Whether you want to relax poolside, rent a cabana, or get a day room, there are all sorts of hotels and resorts worldwide that are part of ResortPass.

Upcoming JCP Kid’s Craft Events for June & July!

Abby H.

I’m all about fun, free (and cheap) summer activities for kids. JCPenney has two events coming up that fit the bill! Check out these fun, free crafts from JCPenney’s.

Visit the Kids Zone inside JCPenney on June 13, 2026, from 11 AM to Noon, and kids can create a Super Hero Plaque.

If you are busy that day, there is an event in July too!

On July 11, 2026, from 11 AM to Noon, kids can come create a bug or safari animal magnet.

Kids aren’t the only ones who get something.  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 a fun, free activity.

While you are there, make sure to join their Rewards Program. There are a lot of great benefits, and it’s free to join. I do a lot of our shopping at JCP. They are very size-inclusive, have great prices/sales, and support diversity in the communities in which they are located.

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

May 2026 Clothing Swaps

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). Now that the kids have grown into adult-sized clothing, I’m always looking for a good swap that will have clothes in all of our sizes.

And as always, if you are looking for more information about clothing swaps, check out my post (with other San Diego, CA area resources)  here.

Here are the May 2026 Clothing Swaps in the greater San Diego, CA area:

The Good Loop hosts clothing swaps in Southern CA frequently, but has nothing currently planned. I recommend following them on Instagram to stay in the know.

Let’s Go Girls SD also hosts clothing swaps frequently. Check out their Instagram page.