1/30/26 Weekly Freebies and Deals

Abby H.Leave a comment

This week has been a mixed bag- I’m out of town on a birthday trip with some friends.

My birthday is next week, and the freebies have started rolling in, and I’ll have an updated birthday freebie list compiled and updated by mid-next week.

In the meantime, check out the 2025 post here. If you live outside Southern California, check out this list: Free Birthday Stuff in 2025: Get The Best 100+ Freebies on Your Birthday!

For free food resources, please refer to my comprehensive list, available here, which I updated earlierthis week. It is focused on San Diego County, but additional resources are available outside my area.

Freebies:

Order Your Free 2026 Wall Calendars
FREE Febreze Odor-Fighting Fade Defy Plug-In at Target
Lots of Freebies for Moms: The Freebie List I Wish I Had When I Became a Mom
Earn $2 to $75 per Completed Survey – Ages 16+ can Apply
10 Ways to Save Big on Pet Food Delivery Services + Get Free Shipping
FREE Movie Ticket to Dracula
FREE 30-Day Supply of Ritual Synbiotic+ Supplements
FREE PURELL Sanitizer Products
FREE Penguin Mailbox Workshop at Home Depot
FREE Sample of e.l.f. Soft Glam Satin Foundation
FREE Saltair Serum Deodorant
How to Score Free P&G Samples Like a Pro
FREE Gillette Venus Smoothing Exfoliant at Walgreens
Claim Cash in the $15 Million Dollar General Class Action Settlement
FREE Loaf of Canyon Bakehouse Stay-Fresh Sourdough-Style Bread
FREE $30 Purchase at Lowe’s After Cash Back
FREE Subscription to Better Homes and Gardens Magazine
FREE Bottle of Native Pet Omega Oil + Free Shipping
FREE Pantene Fragrance-Free Shampoo
FREE Morning Made Electric Whisk
FREE Copy of the Jiffy Mix Recipe Booklet
FREE $35 Purchase at Stanley After Cash Back
FREE Welch’s Zero Sugar Beverage – Up to a $5.99 Value
How to Get More Freebies Without Wasting Time – My Tried-and-True Hacks
FREE Colgate Toothpaste
FREE 2026 Oklahoma Transportation Wall Calendar
FREE Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit at Whataburger on February 4th
FREE $20 Carl’s Jr. Promo Card Starting February 9th
FREE 3.5 – 4 lb. Bag of Zignature Dog Food
How to Score Sticker Freebies – Sticker Mule, Keds, Netflix and More
FREE Full-Size CeraVe Body Moisturizer
FREE 1/2 CT Diamond Necklace at JCPenney
FREE Pair of Mack’s Ear Plugs – Every Weekday at 11am EST
Seeing Clearly Without the Cost: A Guide to Free Contact Lenses
FREE Amazon Prime for Students
FREE Sandwich at Jimmy John’s
FREE Bvlgari Man Collection Fragrance Samples
Claim Cash in the $2 Million Michael Kors Outlet Store Class Action Settlement
FREE Sample of Mugler Alien Hypersense Eau de Parfum
FREE Galentine’s Spritz with EOS Event at Target on January 31st & February 1st
FREE Bag of OMNI Creatine Gummies
FREE Royal Canin Fresh Health Nutrition Dog Food Chatterbuy Kit

 

Deals:

Save up to 70% on Kids Coats at Macy’s
Walmart HUGE Toy Clearance with up to 80% Off Savings
Subway BOGO Deal: Buy 1, Get 1 Footlong Sub – New Subway Coupons & Reward Program Changes
Intimates Sale at JCPenney – Up to 50% Off | Prices From $4.99
50% Off Everything at Old Navy – Sweaters, Coats, Pajamas & More!
Yankee Candle Clearance: Large Jar or Tumbler Candles as low as $8.75 (Reg $35)
Affordable Fleece Hoodies and Sweatpants Under $30 From Amazon, Walmart, & Target
Nature’s Bounty Hair Skin & Nails Supplement ONLY $3.49 (Reg $8)
Target Valentine’s Day Candles as Low as $3.50 – Limited Time Only!
Birkenstock Coupons & Promo Codes: Up To 20% Off HOT Birkenstock Sandals
Coziest Pajama Coupons and Deals This Week from Macy’s, Kohl’s, Amazon, Walmart and More
Craftsman Industrial Fan ONLY $39 at Lowe’s (Reg $129)
PopCorners 20-Count Snacks Variety Pack ONLY $16 Shipped
UGG Winter Sale: Up to 50% Off + Extra 10% Off & FREE Shipping
Ninja Creami Sale: Save $30 or More on Homemade Ice Cream with the Ninja Creami Sale
Burt’s Bees Rescue Lip Relief Hydrating Balm ONLY $3 (Reg $6)
Moroccanoil Volume Travel Set ONLY $45 at Ulta (Reg $60)
Antemper 2026 Latest Android Tablet 10-Inch ONLY $89.99 (Reg $170)
How to Use Kohl’s Cash: Everything You Need to Know earn, use, and maximize
Sculpd Discount Codes – 10% Off Your First Order, 15% Off for You & a Friend, & More
Dealworthy Backpacks as Low as $3.50 at Target
Victoria’s Secret Gift Sets – Buy One Get One FREE

Do We Really Need 64 Ounces of Water and a Giveaway!

Abby H.Leave a comment

Everybody knows the adage about drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water every day, but where did it come from?

According to this NPR article, in 1945, the US Food and Nutrition Board decided that 1 mL of water per calorie was what people needed to stay hydrated. This is approximately 64 ounces of fluid per day. And this stuck.

Per the Mayo Clinic, whats counts as water may surprise you: Any liquid, including foods that are high in liquid, like soups, smoothies, fruits, and vegetables like melons, citrus, and tomatoes, are excellent sources of liquid. This means you don’t need to chug a huge 64-ounce bottle of water every single day. As long as you are consuming foods that are high in liquid, you are getting enough hydration for your body

Too much of a good thing? Yes, you can be overhydrated, and that can cause an electrolyte imbalance, which can lead to cloudy thinking, nausea, vomiting, headaches, and even muscle cramps. This isn’t gonna happen unless you’re drinking over 4 L of water an hour. Overhydration does not happen often, but it can occur.

If you’re looking for ways to add hydration to your day, here are a few ways:

And now for the Giveaway! I’m giving away this 40-ounce reusable cup with a lid, and an assortment of my favorite sugar-free drink mixes!

The prizes will be mailed directly from Amazon to the winner.

To Enter:

  • Comment on this post with how you stay hydrated. (1 entry)
  • Comment on one of my previous blog posts (1 entry per blog comment)
  • Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Each one of these is 1 entry EACH.

I’ll choose a winner on February 1st in the evening. I will email or DM the winner to confirm their mailing address.

National Peanut Butter Day Recipes!

Abby H.Leave a comment

Today is National Peanut Butter Day. For those of us who love Peanut Butter, this is definately a day to celebrate.

I’ve rounded up a few recipes for y’all to try:

If you love Peanut butter but need to avoid the natural fat/oil, I use PB2 in my protein shakes. If you also need to avoid added salt, Peanut Flour is a great option in place of PB2.

I love having Peanut butter on hand in my car snack box, so I use these Jif Cups or these By Nutz pouches.

Q-insights Online Focus Groups on Students Pays $150

Abby H.Leave a comment

QI-logoNOslogan.pngQ-insights is another company where I do research groups, focus groups, and online surveys to earn extra money.

They have a lot of stuff in South Orange County and less often in San Diego County. Currently, they are conducting an online study regarding education.

Who: Individuals in the 11th and 12th grade, as well as current College students.

This is an online Focus Group that  pays $150 for 1.5 hours (90 mins)

Date: February 18th, 2026

If you are interested in participating, please fill out the survey here. A recruiter will contact you if you pre-qualify and ask additional screening questions.

Q-insights – Faith in America Study $250

Abby H.Leave a comment

QI-logoNOslogan.pngQ-insights is another company where I do research groups, focus groups, and online surveys to earn extra money.

They have a lot of stuff in South Orange County and less often in San Diego County. Currently, they are conducting a study regarding Faith in America online.

They are currently conducting two phase study regarding Faith and Spirituality in general.

Who: Respondents between the ages of 25 and 64 years old to participate.

Phase 1: This phase will be online, and it will begin Monday, February 9th. Over the course of 2 months, we will have a series of online journal assignments for you to complete about yourself, your faith, and spirituality in general.  We will post new activities about every week or so, and each activity should take about 15 minutes to complete. This study will focus on your spirituality and things that do or don’t spark your curiosity and interest in this area. The study is meant to be interactive in nature, and our hope and expectation is that you would engage weekly. The platform is available 24/7, and you can complete the activities at any time that is convenient for you.  You will receive $250 for each month ($500 total), but you must complete the whole study in order to be compensated. There will not be half compensation.

Phase 2: Following completion of Phase 1, some participants will be selected to participate in the next phase of the study, which involves a one-on-one interview that will be conducted online the week of April 27th.  The interview would take about 1 hour.  The incentive will be $250.

*You must be available for both phases in case you get selected for Phase 2*

If you’re interested in participating, please click here and fill out the survey; a recruiter will contact you if you pre-qualify and ask additional screening questions.

 

1/24/26 Weekly Freebies and Deals!

Abby H.Leave a comment

We’ve got some great freebies this week!

This week was the “Oops all appointments week” after work, so I haven’t had much time to blog. I’ve got a lot of ideas in my writing book, so hang tight!

I’m currently working on my 2026 Birthday Freebies post, but in the meantime, check out the 2025 post here. If you live outside Southern California, check out this list: Free Birthday Stuff in 2025: Get The Best 100+ Freebies on Your Birthday!

For free food resources, please refer to my comprehensive list, available here. It is focused on San Diego County, but additional resources are available outside my area.

Freebies:

FREE Dolce & Gabbana The One Eau de Parfum Intense Fragrance Sample
FREE Listerine Mouthwash
FREE Pack of Goodwipes Flushable Wipes
FREE Pair of Mack’s Ear Plugs – Every Weekday at 11am EST
FREE Aveeno Body Oil Mist
FREE Birdhouse Build Event for Kids at Lowe’s
We Found The Best Birthday Freebies For Kids
FREE Paris Hilton Premium Heart Shaped Fluted Pan at Walmart After Cash Back
FREE $40 Worth of Sharpie Markers, Pens & Highlighters from Staples
Get Free Christian Items by Mail and How These Resources Can Help Nourish Your Spiritual Journey
FREE Lancome Idole Peach ‘N Roses Eau de Parfum Sample
Calm and Cozy: Free Baby Sleep Music for Restful Nights
FREE Sample of NOYZ Mylk de Parfum
FREE Accelerate Drink at Love’s Travel Stops
FREE FlavCity All-in-One Protein Smoothie Powder
FREE Pepperidge Farm Frozen Desserts, Texas Toast, Bread & More
FREE Galentine’s Glam with L’Oreal Event at Target on January 24th & 25th
FREE Krispy Kreme Donuts for A’s on Report Cards
Sephora Freebies Explained: How to Get Free Samples, Gifts & Rewards
Get Free Beauty Samples in the Mail From Dove, La Roche-Posay, Giorgio Armani and Others
FREE 2026 Proven Winners Gardener’s Idea Book
FREE Sample of Sacred Essentials CBD Infused Pain Balm
The Best Baby Registry Websites — Get Baby Freebies and Must-Haves
FREE Shoes from DREAM PAIRS Shoes
The Best Free Skincare Samples to Request Right Now
2 FREE Movie Tickets to I Can Only Imagine 2
FREE $25 to Spend on Select Categories at Walmart After Cash Back
FREE Reward Every Week with Panda Express Wok Wednesday
FREE Bottle of Sunset Lake CBD Softgels
FREE Moonpig Custom Holiday Postcard
FREE $25 to Spend on Adidas Slides After Cash Back
FREE SHII Immune Support Supplements
FREE $20 Subway Gift Card if You’re in the Middle Seat on January 27th
FREE Blue Buffalo Nudges Minis Chatterbox Kit
FREE Qork & Flip 7 With a Vengeance Game Night Party Pack
FREE Sample of Rascals Night Pants
Does Huggies Send Free Samples? Yes and Here’s How I Got Mine
FREE NotCo Veganuary Chatterbuy Kit
FREE Big Mac at McDonald’s
FREE 2026 Angler’s Almanac
FREE Handwritten Postcard
FREE Chips, Guac or Queso Reward at Chipotle
Claim Cash in the $4.85 Million Bayer Antifungal Spray Class Action Settlement
FREE Blue Buffalo True Chews Minis Chatterbox Kit
FREE Autographed Joey Iest Hero Racing Card

Deals:

CUTE Toddler Clearance Starting at $3 at Walmart
TJ Maxx Winter Clearance Up to 75% Off – Prices as low as $2
Michael Kors Gorgeous! Eau de Parfum Spray ONLY $38.98 (Reg $122)
Coach Perfumes as low as $10.21 at Walmart
Home Decor at Kohl’s 20% Off + 30% Off w/ Coupon
Women’s Sweaters From $5.72 at Kohl’s w/ Coupon
Get up to 48% Off your Stay at Great Wolf Lodge – As low as $131 Per Night
Adidas Shoes and Apparel up to 60% Off
TONYMOLY Very Berry Strawberry Valentine’s Day Gift Set ONLY $7.49 (Reg $15)
Macy’s Winter Clearance – Up to 70% Off
How Much is Amazon Prime for Seniors in 2026?
Clearance at JCPenney Up to 70% Off – Select Styles From $4
Kate Spade Carter Nylon Phone Crossbody ONLY $69 (Reg $189)
Nike Socks on Sale Up to 50% Off at Macys
Irish Spring Original Moisturizing Body Wash ONLY $4.99 (Reg $8)

JCPenney Winter Sale- Up to 60% off!

Abby H.Leave a comment

Y’all know I love JCP. Between their rewards program and their amazing clearance sales, it’s a great place to shop for household basics.

Currently, they are offering an amazing winter sale, with prices up to 60% off using the coupon code 2REFRESH at checkout.

I’m on the hunt for some 100% cotton sheets for my big kid’s bed.

The best part about these sales is that you can shop online and either have your items shipped to you or pick them up in-store. Many stores offer curbside pickup, too!

Recipe: Green Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Abby H.Leave a comment

This is a very simple recipe, and it has a lot of variations for budget, and if you are trying to use up what you have in your pantry and fridge.

I got a package of rotisserie chicken pulled off the bone from Costco not long ago. I defrosted it, and now I’m ready to start using it.  If you don’t have a rotisserie chicken, you can substitute 2 cups of shredded cooked chicken or 2 small cans/1 large can of canned chicken, drained, rinsed, and shredded.

Green Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked/shredded chicken
  • 1 19-ounce can green enchilada sauce
  • 1/3 cup sour cream
  • 2 cups shredded sheese, divided (I used 1/2 Cheddar and 1/2 Asadero)
  • 10-ish corn tortillas, cut or ripped into bite-sized pieces (You may need more or less depending on how big your pieces end up)
  • Topings/Garnishes: Salsa, Sour Cream, shredded lettuce, diced onions, or picled onions (Your choice)

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Mix together the enchilada sauce and sour cream. Taste and add any additional seasoning as desired (onion or garlic powder, white pepper).
  3. In a 13×9 pan, coat the bottom with 2-3 tablespoons of enchilada sauce.
  4. Layer tortilla pieces, chicken, cheese, tortilla, and sauce until your pan is full.
  5. Top with any remaining cheese.
  6. Tent the pan loosely with aluminum foil and bake covered for 35-40 minutes.
  7. Remove foil and cook for another 5-10 minutes until the cheese on top is browned and bubbly.
  8. Serve with toppings/garnishes as desired.

 

This meal serves 6-8, depending on the sides you choose to serve.

Leftovers can be frozen.

 

 

Score Deals with Amazon Haul!

Abby H.

I had never heard of Amazon Haul until earlier this week, when a co-worker told me she scored a box of 40 name-brand mechanical pencils for less than $10.

Amazon Haul is Amazon’s take on discount goodies, similar to Temu and Shein. Most everything is $20.00 or less. There is a section at the top of the Amazon Haul page with $1 & under deals! These items are limit 3 per customer.

I’m always on the lookout for inexpensive pencils for work and for my kids, so I had to give it a gander.

Here are a few of the sweet deals I ran across. I separated them by less than $1 and over $1.

In the $1.00 or less category-

Over $1.00, and still a good deal:

And there are thousands more deals in almost every category on Amazon Haul– It is definately worth a peek.

How to Score Free Gift Cards!

Abby H.

There truly is a National Day for everything. And today is no different, as it is National Use Your Gift Card Day.

A lot of us got Gift Cards for the recent holidays, and maybe you have some stashed. However, if you are looking to earn a few gift cards, here are some of my top tips:

Use Apps like Fetch, Receipt Hog, and Ibotta. My complete list of apps where I earn gift cards is here.

Spending a little bit of your scrolling time each day doing short surveys is how I earn the most gift cards. There is a good list of my favorite survey sites here.

I store my physical gift cards in an Ipsy pouch I got at a clothing swap in my purse. I don’t have tons, but it’s always great to have them on hand in case I go into a store or find myself at a Dairy Queen (there aren’t too many here, and I have had a DQ GC in my purse for a while).