One Year to Save 2016

[stayhomemom77]

New Year, new thread!

Going to try to fund a trip to Europe using only "found" money because our budget can't handle a dedicated vacation allocation at this time. Aiming to save $250 a month but still have $400 to try and make up for because I didn't make the goal of $1000 from the first four months of saving.

Last post on the 2015 thread...

I've added $106.36 since I last updated because I:

earned $3.15 from quickrewards...

earned $0.45 from isay...

earned $1.49 in credit card rewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

added $6.75 to the Disney jar...

earned $0 thru Checkout 51...

earned $0 thru Snap...

added $0 to the USD cash pouch...

added $94.00 to the bank account...

So the new totals are:

$39.75 in quickrewards...
$44.75 in isay points....
$28.49 in credit card rewards...
$0.41 in credit card rewards...
$58.32 in the Disney jar...
$4.00 in Checkout 51...
$9.00 in Snap...
$21.80 in the USD pouch...
$400.00 in the bank account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $606.52!!

December goal: $600
Total Remaining: $0!!

I tossed in $60 and the handsome hubs tossed in his remaining $34. Now he's poor until January 28th but I still have $90. Best of both worlds...met my goal but still get to be greedy with 3/5 of my money.

 

[stayhomemom77]

January goal $950
Total Remaining $350

 

[stayhomemom77]

Whew...day two and I'm behind already!!

I've added $1.45 since I last updated because I:

earned $0.87 from quickrewards...

earned $0 from isay...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

earned $0.57 in credit card rewards...

added $0 to the Disney jar...

earned $0 thru Checkout 51...

earned $0 thru Snap...

added $0 to the USD cash pouch...

added $0.01 to the bank account...

So the new totals are:

$40.62 in quickrewards...
$44.75 in isay points....
$28.49 in credit card rewards...
$0.98 in credit card rewards...
$58.32 in the Disney jar...
$4.00 in Checkout 51...
$9.00 in Snap...
$21.80 in the USD pouch...
$400.01 in the bank account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $607.97!!

January goal: $950
Total Remaining: $342.03!!

Okay, not a giant start (I generally prefer to see my daily amount more in the $3 range) but, I will take it!

 

[stayhomemom77]

I've added $13.70 since I last updated because I:

earned $0 from quickrewards...

earned $0 from isay...

earned $3.96 in credit card rewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

added $2.70 to the Disney jar...

earned $0 thru Checkout 51...

earned $0 thru Snap...

added $0.05 to the USD cash pouch...

added $6.99 to the bank account...

So the new totals are:

$40.62 in quickrewards...
$44.75 in isay points....
$32.45 in credit card rewards...
$0.98 in credit card rewards...
$61.02 in the Disney jar...
$4.00 in Checkout 51...
$9.00 in Snap...
$21.85 in the USD pouch...
$407.00 in the bank account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $621.67!!

January goal: $950
Total Remaining: $328.33!!

Good day today! I went the the dollar store, so I had some cash to add to the jar, I bought a birthday present and came in under budget, so that went into the savings account, I got some credit card rewards and I found an American nickel in my daughter's room while I was putting clean sheets on her bed...so I STOLE it! Wait! It's not as bad as it seems!! I did actually take it, but went back in with a Canadian nickel. So it was a trade. And she doesn't care. So, I'm not evil.

 

[stayhomemom77]

I've added $61.00 since I last updated because I:

earned $1.50 from quickrewards...

earned $0.45 from isay...

earned $0.20 in credit card rewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

added $0.85 to the Disney jar...

earned $0 thru Checkout 51...

earned $0 thru Snap...

added $0 to the USD cash pouch...

added $8.00 to the Europe account...

added $50.00 to the Florida account...
So the new totals are:

$42.12 in quickrewards...
$45.20 in isay points....
$32.65 in credit card rewards...
$0.98 in credit card rewards...
$61.87 in the Disney jar...
$4.00 in Checkout 51...
$9.00 in Snap...
$21.85 in the USD pouch...
$50 in the Florida account
$415.00 in the Europe account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $682.67!!

Europe Total: $568.70
Florida Total: $113.97

January goal: $1000
Total Remaining: $317.33!!


Though it's a VERY looooong story...basically, I have decided to save for two trips simultaneously. So, I have a running total for everything and then sub groups for the Europe trip and a Florida trip.

I'll keep my goal at $1000 for the moment and revise it once I've priced out the two vacations and have a better handle on what we will need.

 

[writermommy6]

I just want to say that your dedication is very impressive! I have been off and on of this board for several years. I am in charge of saving/earning the money for our next trip which I have scheduled for May 2016. Your posts have inspired me to get back on track with my Walmart savings catcher, receipt hog and Ibotta apps. Keep up the awesome work!

 

[stayhomemom77]

I just want to say that your dedication is very impressive! I have been off and on of this board for several years. I am in charge of saving/earning the money for our next trip which I have scheduled for May 2016. Your posts have inspired me to get back on track with my Walmart savings catcher, receipt hog and Ibotta apps. Keep up the awesome work!

I think it's fun, actually...which makes things much easier but I can say for certain that the last two trips we've taken would not have happened without this savings program I've devoted myself to lately.

Good luck with all your catchers and apps in the coming months. I hope it adds up quickly for you!!

 

[stayhomemom77]

I've added $9.82 since I last updated because I:

earned $1.38 from quickrewards...

earned $3.10 from isay...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

earned $0.34 in credit card rewards...

added $0 to the Disney jar...

earned $0 thru Checkout 51...

earned $0 thru Snap...

added $0 to the USD cash pouch...

added $5.00 to the Europe account...

added $0 to the Florida account...

So the new totals are:

$43.50 in quickrewards...
$48.30 in isay points....
$32.65 in credit card rewards...
$1.32 in credit card rewards...
$61.87 in the Disney jar...
$4.00 in Checkout 51...
$9.00 in Snap...
$21.85 in the USD pouch...
$50.00 in the Florida account
$420.00 in the Europe account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $692.49!!

Europe Total: $577.14
Florida Total: $115.35

January goal: $1000
Total Remaining: $307.51!!


Though it's a VERY looooong story...basically, I have decided to save for two trips simultaneously. So, I have a running total for everything and then sub groups for the Europe trip and a Florida trip.

I'll keep my goal at $1000 for the moment and revise it once I've priced out the two vacations and have a better handle on what we will need.

 

[stayhomemom77]

For yesterday...

I've added $4.18 since I last updated because I:

earned $1.20 from quickrewards...

earned $0.45 from isay...

earned $2.53 in credit card rewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

added $0 to the Disney jar...

earned $0 thru Checkout 51...

earned $0 thru Snap...

added $0 to the USD cash pouch...

added $0 to the Europe account...

added $0 to the Florida account...

So the new totals are:

$44.70 in quickrewards...
$48.75 in isay points....
$35.18 in credit card rewards...
$1.32 in credit card rewards...
$61.87 in the Disney jar...
$4.00 in Checkout 51...
$9.00 in Snap...
$21.85 in the USD pouch...
$50.00 in the Florida account
$420.00 in the Europe account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $696.67!!

Europe Total: $580.12
Florida Total: $116.55

January goal: $1000
Total Remaining: $303.33!!

 

[stayhomemom77]

I've added $5.79 since I last updated because I:

earned $0.26 from quickrewards...

earned $0.50 from isay...

earned $0.48 in credit card rewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

added $4.55 to the Disney jar...

earned $0 thru Checkout 51...

earned $0 thru Snap...

added $0 to the USD cash pouch...

added $0 to the Europe account...

added $0 to the Florida account...

So the new totals are:

$44.96 in quickrewards...
$49.25 in isay points....
$35.66 in credit card rewards...
$1.32 in credit card rewards...
$66.42 in the Disney jar...
$4.00 in Checkout 51...
$9.00 in Snap...
$21.85 in the USD pouch...
$50.00 in the Florida account
$420.00 in the Europe account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $702.46!!

Europe Total: $585.65
Florida Total: $116.81

January goal: $1000
Total Remaining: $297.54!!

 

[stayhomemom77]

So today I went on the Disney Movie Rewards website for the first time in a bit to see if they had Disney Gift cards in stock. I pop in every month or so and they never have them available so I was WILD with delight when I was able to order one today! In 2-4 weeks, I should have a $10 gift card in my possession and I will add it to the totals then. I've added a line for it in the tally sheet though and I also added a new line for a change jar specific to Disney. Our change jar will go the Europe vacation but the other little jar will be Disney specific. I've been super frugal with my groceries this month so as to enable me to put some change in that little jar. I also told DH about my Disney side project and for a wonder, he was on board with it and even offered to help fund it with some of his spending money. I don't plan to take him up on it. He always offers his money out, forgets and then spends it. Too disappointing to count on it and then not get it. Since the Disney trip is tied to my weight loss and fitness goals it's WIN, WIN, WIN!!

 

[stayhomemom77]

I've added $23.10 since I last updated because I:

earned $0 from quickrewards...

earned $0 from isay...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

added $3.10 to the Europe jar...

added $20.00 to the Disney jar...

earned $0 thru Checkout 51...

earned $0 thru Snap...

added $0 to the USD cash pouch...

added $0 to the Europe account...

added $0 to the Florida account...

earned/received $0 in Disney gift cards...

So the new totals are:

$44.96 in quickrewards...
$49.25 in isay points....
$35.66 in credit card rewards...
$1.32 in credit card rewards...
$69.52 in the Europe jar...
$20.00 in the Disney jar...
$4.00 in Checkout 51...
$9.00 in Snap...
$21.85 in the USD pouch...
$0 in Disney gift cards...
$50.00 in the Florida account
$420.00 in the Europe account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $725.56!!

Europe Total: $588.75
Florida Total: $136.81

January goal: $1000
Total Remaining: $274.44!!

 

[stayhomemom77]

I've added $10.81 since I last updated because I:

earned $0 from quickrewards...

earned $0 from isay...

earned $1.88 in credit card rewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

added $0.95 to the Europe jar...

added $6.00 to the Disney jar...

earned $0 thru Checkout 51...

earned $0 thru Snap...

added $0 to the USD cash pouch...

added $2.00 to the Europe account...

added $0 to the Florida account...

earned/received $0 in Disney gift cards...

So the new totals are:

$44.96 in quickrewards...
$49.25 in isay points....
$37.54 in credit card rewards...
$1.32 in credit card rewards...
$15.45 in the Europe jar...
$26.00 in the Disney jar...
$4.00 in Checkout 51...
$9.00 in Snap...
$21.85 in the USD pouch...
$0 in Disney gift cards...
$50.00 in the Florida account
$477.00 in the Europe account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $736.37!!

Europe Total: $593.56
Florida Total: $142.81

January goal: $1000
Total Remaining: $263.63!!

**Cashed in $55 from the vacation jar and tossed it into the savings account. The bank clerk kept trying to talk me into setting up an automatic transfer. I told her TWICE that the vacation money was "found" money (and I explained the concept the first time so she'd know what I meant) and that I couldn't automatically transfer ANY amount because it didn't officially exist in our budget. She really got on my nerves when she then said, "Did you know that $25 a week equals $1300 a year?" What the H E double hockey stick lady? Are you getting a bonus for signing people up for automatic transfers?? I DON'T WANT ONE! GEEZ!!! (Couldn't take it out on her, so I had to take it out on you!)

 

[stayhomemom77]

I've been trying to set my goals for the last three days now and whenever I try and set aside the time to crunch some numbers...something comes up and prevents me. I'm going to do it NOW and then come back and edit this post.

I'm thinking $200 a month is a realistic expectation for the vacation account. Of course, I not-so-secretly hope for more, but $200 should be easily attainable and averages out to about $46 a week.

My Disney fund is going to be much lower. I have fewer sources to pull from, so it won't build nearly as fast. I think $100 a month is all I can reasonably expect to scrounge up, if I toss my personal spending money into the pot. I will probably save some of that for Disney each month, I may do all of it sometimes. I do want to get back to the mouse ASAP, after all.

I've set up the Disney jar to house only toonies. Which is a Canadian $2 coin. We have coins for $2 and $1 and we did away with pennies over a year ago. Might be two years. I forget. Anyway, all the $1 coins and the silver change (quarter, dimes, nickels) go in the vacation jar and all the $2 coins in the Disney jar.

Any American change that is accidentally mixed in with ours (it happens from time to time) gets tossed in the USD change purse (but that stuff is few and far between) and then whatever I make through Quick Rewards is for Disney. I am debating keeping the leftover grocery money for Disney as well. Or perhaps just half of it. I have been focusing on stocking up the pantry, so there hasn't been any unspent grocery budget thus far but I think going forward, I'll try to hold a bit back.

Okay, so $200 a month for Europe means I should have $1000 by the end of January. Dang! Why was I so stupid in the fall and let myself get behind? Might take a bit of time to catch up but the goal is $1000 for Europe by February 1st. We need about $6000 for our trip, which looks like we will be taking in the summer of 2017.

And $100 a month for Disney (gulp. that's going to take a looooong time to accumulate) means I should have $100 by February 1st. But I'd like to double that if I can. $200 a month would be far better...just not sure if it's doable. Anyway, I need about $4000 (just over $3000 USD) for a little Disney getaway. It's tied into my weight loss...so not sure when we'd take that one.

Okay...got a plan, now GAME ON!!

 

[stayhomemom77]

I've added $4.93 since I last updated because I:

earned $0.26 from quickrewards...

earned $0 from isay...

earned $1.02 in credit card rewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

added $1.65 to the Europe jar...

added $2.00 to the Disney jar...

earned $0 thru Checkout 51...

earned $0 thru Snap...

added $0 to the USD cash pouch...

added $0 to the Europe account...

added $0 to the Florida account...

earned/received $0 in Disney gift cards...

So the new totals are:

$45.22 in quickrewards...
$49.25 in isay points....
$38.56 in credit card rewards...
$1.32 in credit card rewards...
$17.10 in the Europe jar...
$28.00 in the Disney jar...
$4.00 in Checkout 51...
$9.00 in Snap...
$21.85 in the USD pouch...
$0 in Disney gift cards...
$50.00 in the Florida account
$477.00 in the Europe account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $741.30!!

Europe Total: $596.23
Florida Total: $145.07

January goal: $1200 ($1000 Europe + $200 Florida)
Total Remaining: $458.70!!

**I increased the goal for Florida since I was starting with over $100 already between the QR earnings and the existing US cash. Of course, those sources HAD been included in the Europe total, which means I'm now down ever further on that front. DOH!! If I am still short of $1000 by February 1st (and it looks as though I will be) then I'll just keep trying to erase the shortfall in March.

 

[stayhomemom77]

I've added $1.16 since I last updated because I:

earned $1.01 from quickrewards...

earned $0.05 from isay...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

added $0.10 to the Europe jar...

added $0 to the Disney jar...

earned $0 thru Checkout 51...

earned $0 thru Snap...

added $0 to the USD cash pouch...

added $0 to the Europe account...

added $0 to the Florida account...

earned/received $0 in Disney gift cards...

So the new totals are:

$46.23 in quickrewards...
$49.30 in isay points....
$38.56 in credit card rewards...
$1.32 in credit card rewards...
$17.20 in the Europe jar...
$28.00 in the Disney jar...
$4.00 in Checkout 51...
$9.00 in Snap...
$21.85 in the USD pouch...
$0 in Disney gift cards...
$50.00 in the Florida account
$477.00 in the Europe account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $742.46!!

Europe Total: $596.38
Florida Total: $146.08

January goal: $1200 ($1000 Europe + $200 Florida)
Total Remaining: $457.54!!

 

[stayhomemom77]

I've added $1.21 since I last updated because I:

earned $1.02 from quickrewards...

earned $0 from isay...

earned $0.19 in credit card rewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

added $0 to the Europe jar...

added $0 to the Disney jar...

earned $0 thru Checkout 51...

earned $0 thru Snap...

added $0 to the USD cash pouch...

added $0 to the Europe account...

added $0 to the Florida account...

earned/received $0 in Disney gift cards...

So the new totals are:

$47.25 in quickrewards...
$49.30 in isay points....
$38.75 in credit card rewards...
$1.32 in credit card rewards...
$17.20 in the Europe jar...
$28.00 in the Disney jar...
$4.00 in Checkout 51...
$9.00 in Snap...
$21.85 in the USD pouch...
$0 in Disney gift cards...
$50.00 in the Florida account
$477.00 in the Europe account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $743.67!!

Europe Total: $596.57
Florida Total: $147.10

January goal: $1200 ($1000 Europe + $200 Florida)
Total Remaining: $456.33

 

[stayhomemom77]

I've added $21.52 since I last updated because I:

earned $0.26 from quickrewards...

earned $0 from isay...

earned $1.20 in credit card rewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

added $3.06 to the Europe jar...

added $9 to the Disney jar...

earned $0 thru Checkout 51...

earned $0 thru Snap...

added $0 to the USD cash pouch...

added $3.00 to the Europe account...

added $5.00 to the Florida account...

earned/received $0 in Disney gift cards...

So the new totals are:

$47.51 in quickrewards...
$49.30 in isay points....
$39.95 in credit card rewards...
$1.32 in credit card rewards...
$20.26 in the Europe jar...
$37.00 in the Disney jar...
$4.00 in Checkout 51...
$9.00 in Snap...
$21.85 in the USD pouch...
$0 in Disney gift cards...
$55.00 in the Florida account
$480.00 in the Europe account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $765.19!!

Europe Total: $603.83
Florida Total: $161.36

January goal: $1200 ($1000 Europe + $200 Florida)
Total Remaining: $434.81

 

[stayhomemom77]

I've added $1.25 since I last updated because I:

earned $0.75 from quickrewards...

earned $0.50 from isay...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

added $0 to the Europe jar...

added $0 to the Disney jar...

earned $0 thru Checkout 51...

earned $0 thru Snap...

added $0 to the USD cash pouch...

added $0 to the Europe account...

added $0 to the Florida account...

earned/received $0 in Disney gift cards...

So the new totals are:

$48.26 in quickrewards...
$49.80 in isay points....
$39.95 in credit card rewards...
$1.32 in credit card rewards...
$20.26 in the Europe jar...
$37.00 in the Disney jar...
$4.00 in Checkout 51...
$9.00 in Snap...
$21.85 in the USD pouch...
$0 in Disney gift cards...
$55.00 in the Florida account
$480.00 in the Europe account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $766.44!!

Europe Total: $604.33
Florida Total: $162.11

January goal: $1200 ($1000 Europe + $200 Florida)
Total Remaining: $433.56

 

[stayhomemom77]

I've added $1.92 since I last updated because I:

earned $1.35 from quickrewards...

earned $0 from isay...

earned $0.57 in credit card rewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

added $0 to the Europe jar...

added $0 to the Disney jar...

earned $0 thru Checkout 51...

earned $0 thru Snap...

added $0 to the USD cash pouch...

added $0 to the Europe account...

added $0 to the Florida account...

earned/received $0 in Disney gift cards...

So the new totals are:

$49.61 in quickrewards...
$49.80 in isay points....
$40.52 in credit card rewards...
$1.32 in credit card rewards...
$20.26 in the Europe jar...
$37.00 in the Disney jar...
$4.00 in Checkout 51...
$9.00 in Snap...
$21.85 in the USD pouch...
$0 in Disney gift cards...
$55.00 in the Florida account
$480.00 in the Europe account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $768.36!!

Europe Total: $604.90
Florida Total: $163.46

January goal: $1200 ($1000 Europe + $200 Florida)
Total Remaining: $431.64