North County Low Cost Food Resource- More Than Apples

I learned about More Than Apples from TikToker Becky O. She lives in Northern San Diego County and her videos came up on my FYP a few months ago. After doing some internet sleuthing I discovered her Food Mystery Boxes as she calls them come from More Than Apples.

From their website: “Every Thursday, More Than Apples collects food that would otherwise go to waste and distributes it to families in North County San Diego. Each week, our Abundance Boxes are unique and filled with a variety of packaged goods, baked items, cold items, and fresh produce.”

If you live in North County, I suggest you check out Becky’s videos linked above and see if the mystery food box is something you’d like to take advantage of!

More Than Apples has gone Viral thanks to social media coverage, and their boxes sell out quickly. There are a few other food rescues in San Diego County, including my favorite Porchlight Community Services in Clairemont. You can read about them here.

Positive Parenting: Free Online Parenting support!

This information was emailed to me by my kid’s school district.

The Santee School District and Jewish Family Services are presenting the Positive Parenting Program via Zoom.

Dates: Wednesdays: 10/9, 10/16 & 10/26, 2024
Time: 6-7:30pm (Register in advance)
Register Here

Fall 2024 Clothing Swaps (San Diego, CA area)

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

There are a few upcoming swaps that I recommend. Both are for adult clothes and accessories.

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

FREE Clothing Swap & Decor & Extra!
Location: Pioneer Park 1501 Washington Place, San Diego
Sunday, October 6, 2024
2:30 PM to 3:30 PM PDT
Bring clothes, small decor, and Unused makeups / perfumes, personal items to donate or swap. Open to all genders, ages, and sizes.
Bring your unwanted, clean, in good repair clothing and extras to take home new clothing. Take what you want and leave what you don’t want. Clothing, accessories and small personal items are accepted. * No books, or any heavy items please.

Green LOVE Clothing Swap
Location: Montezuma Hall
6075 Aztec Circle Dr · San Diego, CA
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
12:00 PM to 4:30 PM PDT
For more information, check out the website: https://as.sdsu.edu/greenlove/swapshop

Porchlight Halloween costume swap
Location: 8878 Clairemont Mesa Blvd Suite F, San Diego, CA
Saturday, October 12th
9:30 am-11:30am
For more information or to sign up to participate, check out the website: https://events.humanitix.com/kids-costume-swap

Women’s Clothing Swap
Location: The Chapel at Grossmont
5651 Water St, La Mesa, CA
Saturday, October 19, 2024
10 am-2 pm
How it works:
Bring your gently used* WOMEN’S CLOTHING, accessories, shoes, etc. and trade them for items you want to take home. No selling, no buying, just swapping. You simply drop off your items on the front table and you can start shopping for items you want to take home – free! Come and drop off all the items you want to swap and leave with items that will bring value to you.
Items can include:
-Gently used* or semi-new clothing pieces
-Gently used* or semi-new shoes
-Jewelry pieces
-Accessories: scarfs, hats, purses, belts
*Items should be freshly laundered and either on hangers or laid flat in a box (not in bags, please)

San Diego Regional Center’s 2nd Annual Family-Vendor Resource Fair!

If your child is a client of San Diego Regional Center this event is a great opportunity for you to learn about how SDRC can assist your child and family.

On 9/28/2024 at the Town and Country Hotel, SDRC is presenting its second annual Family-Vendor Resource Fait.

For more information, or to sign up, Family-Vendor Resource Fair.

Dream Dinners: $15 Off Your Next Purchase!

As you are all aware,  Dream Dinners is one of my favorite ways to save time and get tasty, healthy meals on the table in 45 minutes or less!

If you’ve never tried Dream Dinners, or if it’s been a while since you ordered, check out this awesome offer!

Use Coupon Code 15NEW24 at check out and save $15 off your next purchase, whether you pick it up in-store, or have it delivered, $15 off is a great deal.

If you aren’t familiar with Dream Dinners, check out my post with details and my review here.

 

San Diego Diabetes Study- $400

Taylor Research is a research company in San Diego, CA and I have done studies for them for over 20 years. I do 3 or 4 a year on various topics.

Taylor Research has a new research opportunity available for Adults with Diabetes.

• Study Topic: Diabetes Product Usability
• Study Type: In-Person Interview
• Study Location: San Diego, California
• Target Audience: Adults diagnosed with diabetes
• Available Date(s): August 13-15, 2024
• Session Duration: 4 hours
• Reward Amount: $400

The research will take place at a facility in San Diego. To be considered for this study, complete the pre-screener here.

 

SeaWorld: Free Tickets for U.S. Military Veterans!

This deal is back, but only through July 31st! To show their appreciation for those who have served our country, SeaWorld San Diego is offering FREE tickets to SeaWorld San Diego for U.S. Military Veterans and up to three friends or family members. You can also purchase up to six additional tickets at 50% off.

Get your tickets by verifying your military status through GovX.com here. All tickets must be used by July 31, 2024.

If you live near another SeaWorld, check their website for a similar deal.

2024 Summer Fun on A Budget!

Today marks the first day of summer break for my kiddos. I am usually a lot more prepared and would have posted this on the blog already, but… Life happens.

I’ve got some stuff planned for summer, but not as much as I have during previous summers. I’m having surgery next week, so a lot of our activities will be more chill.

But we will be including:

If you are looking to beat the heat and need something free, check out the Waterfront Park downtown. They have a great splash pad area for kids, a really fun playground, and a big grassy area for picnics. The only downside- is no shade trees.

If you are looking for free summer lunches, Feeding America has a great list on its website here. 

And beyond that, if you are looking for free and low-cost food resources, check my page here.

Summer Movie Deals for 2024!

One of the kid’s favorite summer activities is to hit up the local theater for a showing of one of their favorite movies.

Big buckets of popcorn, snuck in candy (shhhh), and a drink and they are ready for 2 hours of fun in the Air Conditioning.

In my search for theater chains offering this fun this summer, several of our old friends are not participating as of the writing of this post.

Select Reading Cinemas will have the Reel Kids program, where throughout the summer (June-August) there will be kid-approved movies for the reduced price of $1/ticket!

And perhaps my kids’ favorite,Regal Summer Movie Express is back! Express tickets are just $1 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays featuring summer movies the whole family will enjoy. Availability varies by location. My kids are excited to see Puss in Boots, Across the Spider-verse, and Angry Birds 2.

AMC has nothing planned per their website, but they do offer discounts for students and the elderly.

Cinemark (No locations near us) has 8 weeks of Movie Fun planned. More Details can be found here.

Talk Back: What summer movies are you looking forward to seeing?

Summer Grill Bundles from Dream Dinners!

As you are all aware,  Dream Dinners is one of my favorite ways to save time and get tasty, healthy meals on the table in 45 minutes or less!

Just in time for summer, Dream Dinners is offering Grill Bundles. The perfect easy meal plan for camping, your next vacation, or a staycation. There are two Bundles, One available in June, and the second in July.

And it gets better- If you are new to Dream Dinners, order 3 or more dinners, and get a free medium Creamy Chicken Risotto as their gift to you. Use code SHARE at checkout.

If you don’t live near a Dream Dinners location, don’t fret! New Guests can receive free shipping on their first box of 4 medium dinners as a special offer just for you. Use the code FREESHIP at checkout.