shopping

9/5/2022 Weekly Meal Plan

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgThis past weekend was hot. And humid. We spent most of the weekend indoors, playing games, watching videos, and eating strawberries.

I hit up the grocery store Friday to pick up a few things, but we’re mostly living off the pantry and our  Yasukochi Family Farms CSA box, which was delivered this afternoon.

I did a bunch of meal prep this evening:

  • Green Salad
  • Marinated Salad
  • Mixed Veggies to roast (I’ll do that tomorrow afternoon)
  • Cauliflower to roast
  • Sliced watermelon
  • Sliced strawberries

We’ve been trying a lot of new foods lately, thanks to the really great freebies from Social Nature lately too. It’s fun to try new foods. I received a few more coupons over the weekend, so I’ll visit Sprouts sometime this week to pick up the new foods. I’m focusing on snacks and treats from Social Nature.

For those of you that are new to meal planning, I’ve got an easy 101 style post here with super easy tips and steps. After you get that down, here is info about batch or freezer cooking.

I’ve gotten a pretty good inventory of the pantry, freezer, and fridge done (I try to update it after every shopping trip), so I’m able to plan meals and use up what we’ve got with little waste.

I only post our dinner plans for the week, because our other meals are usually the same each day.

Breakfast: Coffee with 1/2 and 1/2  for me, and pancakes or something along those lines for the kids. They are also into fruit and bagels for breakfast. Lately, the big kid has been digging protein shakes in the morning. This is his favorite kind. 

Lunch: I have a plastic tote in the cupboard full of self-serve snacks. I buy treats and snacks in bulk and fill up snack-sized zip-top bags. This is really helpful for the summer when for some reason, kids are starving all the time.

Dinner: I’ve got a couple casseroles/freezer meals this week, and other than that we’re eating easy and quick stuff so I can spend time playing, coloring, building legos, and swimming, which is the plan for the week.

  • Monday: Fruit Salad, Protein Shakes

  • Tuesday:  Chef Salad (Using the green salad I made, plus bacon crumbles, hardboiled eggs, and cheese)

  • Wednesday: Crockpot Chili, cheese toast, fruit

  • Thursday:  Spaghetti with red sauce and hot Italian sausage, roasted veggies

  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday:  Leftovers
  • Sunday:  Tamales, Beans, Rice, Salad

September 2022: New Healthy Freebies From Social Nature!

Abby H.

 If you are into Organic/Natural/Healthy products, then Social Nature is right up your alley. Sign up and apply to sample products that you are interested in. I get probably 1-2 products to sample each month. And most of the time it’s full-size products, not just a tiny sample.

Social Nature has rounded up products that are available to try at a local grocery store or mass merchandiser near you.  Apply to Try the products that interest you to see if you’re a match here.

Here are some of the new sampling opportunities:

  • Non-GMO Sesamemilk by Hope & Sesame
  • Ice Cream Pints & Bars by Keto Foods
  • Fruit Spreads by Bonne Mama
  • Nitro Cold Brew Coffee by RISE Brewing Co.
  • Meatless Nuggets by Quorn Foods
  • Sustainably Made Chocolate by Ritter Sport
  • Crunchy Cluster Granola by Bakery on Main
  • Low-Calorie Chocolate Bars by Gatsby Chocolate

And More!

And one of the things I love about Social Nature is that they don’t leave our friends with food allergies out.

There are sampling offers for Gluten-free, nut-free, meat-free foods frequently.

Canadian Friends- You are in luck, there are sampling opportunities for you too! So if you love trying new products, check out Social Nature!

Frugal Tips for Quality Skin Care

Abby H.
My skincare routine

I love good skincare products. Quality ingredients, no fillers, and botanicals and natural ingredients that are clinically proven to heal and nourish the skin.

These types of products can be really expensive. Here are a few tips for saving big bucks on quality skincare:

CVS sells Dermalogica, Vichy, La Roche Posay, Murad, and other Spa/luxury brands. If you are a CarePass member, you’ll score a $10 ExtraCare Bucks each month. Learn more about the CarePass program here. 

Also, CVS sends out 30% off coupons once a quarter. You can combine these coupons with any ExtraCare Bucks you might have.

I have been saving up my Fetch Rewards for CVS Gift Cards, which I combine with coupons and ExtraCare bucks to lower any out-of-pocket I may have.

CVS also has a Beauty Club, where you earn gifts and discounts when you shop.

FYI- CVS’s online selection varies from their in-store product availability.

Looking for some free stuff? I sample and review skincare products through several review programs:

  • Bzzagent- I’ve been a member for about 15-ish years. You can sign up here, and they’ll email you when they have products that might fit your needs.
  • Influenster- They partner with brands and expect you to share your samples (called voxboxes) on your socials and report back. It can be a lot of work, but they frequently send full-size luxury brand products (Charlotte Tillbury and Laura Mercier for example).
  • And to a lesser extend Smiley360, they mostly have cleaning supplies and house-type stuff, but sometimes they have skincare or cosmetics available. It’s like Infuenster.

You can find out more about these social sharing/Word of Mouth marketing companies where I get a lot of my free skincare products here.

If you are looking for a list of my favorite skincare products and tools, I’ve compiled an Amazon List here.

 

8/29/2022 Weekly Meal Plan

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgThe first week of school was great! The kids are glad to be back on schedule, and seeing their friends has made the beginning of the school year easier.

I went to the grocery store yesterday and got everything for this week plus a few extra things that were on sale for the pantry.

No CSA boxes until the weather cools down and I can be home when the boxes are delivered. With the heat and the lack of shade on my patio, if we aren’t home when it’s delivered, some of the more delicate foods can spoil.

We’ve been trying a lot of new foods lately, thanks to the really great freebies from Social Nature lately too. It’s fun to try new foods. I received a few more coupons over the weekend, so I’ll visit Sprouts sometime this week to pick up the new foods. I’m focusing on snacks and treats from Social Nature.

For those of you that are new to meal planning, I’ve got an easy 101 style post here with super easy tips and steps. After you get that down, here is info about batch or freezer cooking.

I’ve gotten a pretty good inventory of the pantry, freezer, and fridge done (I try to update it after every shopping trip), so I’m able to plan meals and use up what we’ve got with little waste.

I only post our dinner plans for the week, because our other meals are usually the same each day.

Breakfast: Coffee with 1/2 and 1/2  for me, and pancakes or something along those lines for the kids. They are also into fruit and bagels for breakfast. Lately, the big kid has been digging protein shakes in the morning. This is his favorite kind. 

Lunch: I have a plastic tote in the cupboard full of self-serve snacks. I buy treats and snacks in bulk and fill up snack-sized zip-top bags. This is really helpful for the summer when for some reason, kids are starving all the time.

Dinner: I’ve got a couple casseroles/freezer meals this week, and other than that we’re eating easy and quick stuff so I can spend time playing, coloring, building legos, and swimming, which is the plan for the week.

  • Monday: Chicken nuggets, Buttered noodles, fruit, cheese & crackers

  • Tuesday:  Marinated Salad, Rice-a-roni, crescent rolls

  • Wednesday: Lemon herbed chicken, salad, pita, hummus

  • Thursday:  Ravioli with pesto sauce, roasted vegetables

  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday:  Leftovers
  • Sunday:  Omelets, sourdough toast, fruit

Weekly Freebies and Deals!

Abby H.

I was so busy yesterday that I forgot to post my usual Friday Freebies and Deals yesterday.

Between back to school and back to my part time job, it’s been a whirlwind week!

Mask Mandates are changing constantly in California and can vary by city and county, so please do your part if you are going to any in-person freebies.

2022 Birthday Freebies are here!

Freebies

Free Manly Ring Sizer
Free Pair of Altra Running Shoes
Free Black Box Wines Hat, Wine Glasses & More
Free Plush Dog
Free Beetology Organic Juice at Select Stores
Free Gain Fireworks Scent Boosters at Select Stores
My Bath & Body Works – Free Products, Coupons & More
Free Week of Classes at CorePower Yoga
Free Sample of WowButter Creamy Peanut Free Toasted Soy Spread
Free IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream Sample
Verizon Up Rewards – 4 Free Movie Tickets
Free NARS Product
Free Moonshot Organic Crackers
Free Happy Hippo Kratom Sample
Free It’s My Big Big Baby
Free Bob’s Red Mill Baking Flour
Free Watercolor Bookmark Craft Event at Michaels
Free Sample of CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser
Free Set of CWPPRA Postcards
Possible Free Hasbro Toys
Free Dior J’Adore Parfum D’eau Sample
SampleSource – Free Plant Boss Southwest Plant Taco Crumbles
Free Bestway Fall Pool Party Pack
Huggies Rewards Free 4000pts for an Amazon Gift Card
Free $25 Marine Layer Credit
Free Downy Unstopables & Tide Pods at Sam’s
Free Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream Sample
Free Single Scoop Cone at Stewart’s Shops
Free Sugru or Tesa Glue & Tape
Free Cirque du Soleil 60 Minute Specials
Free Crayola Adult Coloring Pages
Free Ring of Pain PC Game

 

Deals

Disney Frozen 12-Piece Kids Nail Polish ONLY $8.99 (Reg $18)
Kate Spade Bracelet Bundle ONLY $35 (Reg $98)
Little Tikes Frog Pond Water Table ONLY $37 (Reg $60)
American Tourister Minnie Mouse Carry-On ONLY $69.99 (Reg $140)
Mainstays 5-Piece Patio Dining Set ONLY $116 (Reg $285)
Coleman Ultra Thick Insulation Soft Cooler ONLY $14.88 (Reg $35)
Buddy Biscuits Boosters Dog Treats ONLY $3.42 (Reg $8)

New TopCashback Members Score $15 to Spend at Sephora!

Abby H.

This deal is FIRE.

I saw it last night on TikTok, and after some research, it’s totally legit.

If you are not a TopCashback member, you are in luck. TopCashback is a rebate site that I’ve been using for years.

When you shop online, search for the retailer, click the link, and shop. You’ll receive cashback on your purchase. Amounts/percentages vary by retailer.   TopCashBack is free to join and can be used with over 4,000 stores!

For this $15 offer, follow these steps:

  • Create your NEW account with an email and password; then confirm your email address right away.
  • Click on the “Get Cashback” or “Get Offer Now” button and it’ll take you to Sephora so you can shop for all your favorite items (not valid on gift cards).

To get the most from this deal, I suggest checking out the “Beauty Under $20” and the “Sale & Clearance” sections. There are so many great choices.

It’ll take about 15 days or so for your TopCashBack account to be credited. Once your account has been credited, you can cash out your rebate.

I do most of my shopping online through TopCashBack and earn about $200/year. I cash out for PayPal or Target Giftcards.

To get started, click here. 

8/23/2022 Weekly Meal Plan

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgYesterday was pretty busy, I didn’t get around to posting our meal plan for the week. We went to the beach and had in-home therapy.

I hit the grocery store last night but I forgot bagels, so I’ll be going back this morning.

No CSA boxes until the weather cools down and I can be home when the boxes are delivered. With the heat and the lack of shade on my patio, if we aren’t home when it’s delivered, some of the more delicate foods can spoil.

We’ve been trying a lot of new foods lately, thanks to the really great freebies from Social Nature lately too. It’s fun to try new foods.

For those of you that are new to meal planning, I’ve got an easy 101 style post here with super easy tips and steps. After you get that down, here is info about batch or freezer cooking.

I’ve gotten a pretty good inventory of the pantry, freezer, and fridge done (I try to update it after every shopping trip), so I’m able to plan meals and use up what we’ve got with little waste.

I only post our dinner plans for the week, because our other meals are usually the same each day.

Breakfast: Coffee with 1/2 and 1/2  for me, and pancakes or something along those lines for the kids. They are also into fruit and bagels for breakfast. Lately, the big kid has been digging protein shakes in the morning. This is his favorite kind. 

Lunch: I have a plastic tote in the cupboard full of self-serve snacks. I buy treats and snacks in bulk and fill up snack-sized zip-top bags. This is really helpful for the summer when for some reason, kids are starving all the time.

Dinner: I’ve got a couple casseroles/freezer meals this week, and other than that we’re eating easy and quick stuff so I can spend time playing, coloring, building legos, and swimming, which is the plan for the week.

  • Monday: Pancakes and fruit

  • Tuesday: Chef Salad (It was popular last week!)

  • Wednesday:  Frittata, toast, fruit

  • Thursday:  Baked pasta, roasted veggies

  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday:  Leftovers
  • Sunday:  Bean, rice, and cheese bowls

8/19/2022 Friday Freebies and Deals!

Abby H.

This week was a mix of shenanigans and staying home to beat the heat. Today the high is only 87, so we’ll see if we can leave the house and have some adventures.

We’ll be getting free backpacks tomorrow, Courtesy of SMOAC. You can learn more here.

Mask Mandates are changing constantly in California and can vary by city and county, so please do your part if you are going to any in-person freebies.

2022 Birthday Freebies are here!

Freebies

Free Ripple Plant-Based Dairy-Free Product Samples
Free L’Oreal Unbelievabrow Brow Gel Sample
Free Giorgio Armani My Way Fragrance Sample
Free Tasty Bite Entrees at Select Retailers
Free Life’s Grape Snack Pack at Whole Foods
Free Popcorn at Whole Foods
Free KOS Naturals Grass-Fed Protein Sample
Free Kat Von D Makeup
Free Sample of AloeMD Pain Relief & Recovery Cream
SampleSource – Free Full-Size Bag of Greenies Dental Treats
Free Kids Sunscreen Spray SPF 70+
Free Dunham’s Gift Card Giveaway
Free Blue Stop Max Gel at Sam’s Club
Free Bag of Blue Buffalo Dog or Cat Treats
Free Far Out Toys Products
Free Bakery on Main Crunchy Cluster Granola
Free Air Wick Oil Warmer at Sam’s
Free Sample of Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream
Sam’s Club – 50 Free 4×6 Prints
Free Chickapea Organic Spirals
New Free Samples from Sampler
Lane Bryant Covert Client Program – Free Clothes, Points & More
Free SampleSource Fall Sample Boxes Coming Soon
Free Simple Mills Protein Pancake Mix
PrismPop – Free Beauty Products
Hidden Valley Ranchology Rewards – Free Samples, Tote Bag & More
Free Allies of Skin 35% Vitamin C+ Perfecting Serum
Free Lancome Idole Eau de Parfum Nectar Sample
Free NeilMed Sinus Rinse or NasaFlo Neti Pot

 

Deals:

Wireless Charging Station ONLY $20 (Reg. $36.99)
Women’s Studded Gladiator Sandals ONLY $9.99 (Reg. $26)
Bathroom Countertop Organizer ONLY $15 (Reg. $30)
Women’s Biker Shorts ONLY $9.49 (Reg. $18.99)
Women’s Active Jacket With UPF 50+ ONLY $6.81 (Reg. $30.99)
Mickey Mouse Americana Backpack ONLY $18 (Reg $30)
Women’s Gold Invicta Watch ONLY $108.96 (Reg. $495)
VR Worlds – PlayStation VR ONLY $7.99 (Reg $20)
onn. 30-In Sound Bar ONLY $29 (Reg $59)
Beats Studio Buds ONLY $99.99 (Reg $150)
Adidas Cloudfoam Women’s Sneakers ONLY $35 (Reg $75)
Arctic King 7-Cu ft Chest Freezer ONLY $169 (Reg $227)

8/15/2022 Weekly Meal Plan

Abby H.

0a5e9dab796cea8a07eabe4eb4795b9e.jpgThis is our last full week of Summer Break. We have zoo, beach, swimming with friends, and a few other things to do before we start school.

I went to the grocery store on Saturday and picked up milk and bread, other than that we should be good. I re-organized the freezer and found a few things I forgot we had (and were not on the freezer inventory).

No CSA boxes until the weather cools down and I can be home when the boxes are delivered. With the heat and the lack of shade on my patio, if we aren’t home when it’s delivered, some of the more delicate foods can spoil.

We’ve been trying a lot of new foods lately, thanks to the really great freebies from Social Nature lately too. It’s fun to try new foods. I received a few more coupons over the weekend, so I’ll visit Sprouts sometime this week to pick up the new foods. I’m focusing on snacks and treats from Social Nature.

For those of you that are new to meal planning, I’ve got an easy 101 style post here with super easy tips and steps. After you get that down, here is info about batch or freezer cooking.

I’ve gotten a pretty good inventory of the pantry, freezer, and fridge done (I try to update it after every shopping trip), so I’m able to plan meals and use up what we’ve got with little waste.

I only post our dinner plans for the week, because our other meals are usually the same each day.

Breakfast: Coffee with 1/2 and 1/2  for me, and pancakes or something along those lines for the kids. They are also into fruit and bagels for breakfast. Lately, the big kid has been digging protein shakes in the morning. This is his favorite kind. 

Lunch: I have a plastic tote in the cupboard full of self-serve snacks. I buy treats and snacks in bulk and fill up snack-sized zip-top bags. This is really helpful for the summer when for some reason, kids are starving all the time.

Dinner: I’ve got a couple casseroles/freezer meals this week, and other than that we’re eating easy and quick stuff so I can spend time playing, coloring, building legos, and swimming, which is the plan for the week.

  • Monday: Chicken nuggets, Buttered noodles, fruit, cheese & crackers

  • Tuesday: pollo asada tacos, grilled veggies, rice, refried beans

  • Wednesday: Chef Salad, quesadillas

  • Thursday: Protein shakes and bagels

  • Friday: Takeout night!
  • Saturday:  Leftovers
  • Sunday: Breakfast for dinner (eggs, hashbrowns, crescent rolls, fruit)

The Back To School Countdown has Begun!

Abby H.1 Comment

I know some of your kids have already started school for the 2022-2023 school year, but my kiddos don’t start for another few weeks.

The Back to School countdown has begun, and here is how we are saving money.

School Supplies: Most schools’ public supply lists by class on their website. Once you know who your child’s teacher is going to be, you can purchase supplies. Most teachers like trusted name-brand supplies like Ticonderoga pencils, Crayola crayons, Crayola washable markers, and Expo whiteboard markers.  Here are a few of the stores that have great prices on school supplies!

Target: School supplies starting at $0.25
Walmart: Up to 75% off select school supplies
Office Depot and Office Max: Up to 60% off bestselling school supplies. Save 25% off on backpacks excluding Jansport
Michaels: Teacher Must-Haves, Art Supplies, and more all under $10.00

There will be several backpack giveaways throughout August. There is one tomorrow in Lemon Grove. Information can be found here. 

There will be a backpack and school supply giveaway courtesy of SMOAC on August 20, 2022 at Rio Seco School in Santee. It is a drive-thru event.

Clothing/Shoes: If you are like me, you grab kids’ clothes at swaps all year, but there are some things that you need to buy new. Once you’ve set your budget for clothes/shoes/accessories, keep an eye out for BTS sales (which are in full swing right now).

Because Southern California doesn’t get chilly in the fall, a lot of the standard BTS clothing fare isn’t great for our kids- long pants, turtlenecks, sweaters, jean jackets- I’m sweating just thinking about those! Don’t forget to scope out the sale and clearance racks for shorts and short sleeve shirts!

I love shopping Kohl’s and JCPenney. They frequently have sales, coupon codes, and deals where you can earn Kohl’s Cash/JCP Rewards for future purchases. Earn even more cashback when you shop online and opt for in-store pickup. I like shopping through Mypoints or Ibotta (make sure to check out both of their browser extensions to help you earn points/cashback). This is also a hot tip for Target and Walmart shoppers!

If your budget is a little too tight, check out local clothing swaps! Porchlight is holding one on 8/27/2022 for womens’ and kids’ clothing. More information can be found here.

We also shop a lot at thrift stores- Amvets and DAV are two of my favorites here in San Diego.

Food: I know this might be weird to include, but kiddos have to have healthy food to function and grow. Thanks to the California Universal Meals program, all kids in k-12 education settings will receive free breakfast and lunch if wanted. And I will continue to post about free opportunities for food each month, and more often as they come across my desk. Feeding San Diego Tour is a great resource that has locations all over San Diego County!