1 Year to SAVE!!!

[MaggieBailey]

This is so great! I have been saving slowly but surely since I had to cancel the November trip (insert sniffling here) because so much came up over the summer that it drained the emergency fund... Dead car? Medical emergency? Medical emergency for dog? And so much more... Thus, a cancellation. I was feeling kinda down, but then found this thread!! I love it! My tips from work (barista at a local coffee shop) go right into the jar... Has anyone checked out the website, couponingtodisney.com? It's so great! I've learned so much from there... Hopefully, next November we'll be able to go! Yay!

 

[Chelley00]

I really need to calculate what's in our change jar so I can keep my running total here.

We order our groceries through Peapod (LOVE THEM) I like that I can set a budget and watch my running total on the side. Then if I get close to my budget, I can delete things we really dont' need, plus there is no grabbing crap off the shelves we don't need. Yes I pay a $6.95 delivery fee, but they usually give us $2 coupons and that $4.95 for the delivery fee is probably what I pay in gas to get to the store and back (not to mention saves my sanity not having to drag 4 kids to the store with me :lol: )

Anyhow, this week the driver told me my online coupon/sale savings was $76 (the highest he had ever seen) and then I handed him $20 in coupons. The $20 coupon savings goes to savings, as does the $19 I didn't spend of the grocery budget.

 

[oopsiDAISY]

WELCOME, MaggieBailey!!!!

So sorry you had to cancel your November trip...that truly is SAD! Sounds like you really did need a trip to the happiest place on earth after all that. Glad you are joining us on this savings journey....we are hoping all roads lead to Disney!

 

[princess isabella]

Hi all,

I'm going to joinyou if that is ok. We just got back 2 weeks ago from my daughter's 1st trip and she and I are dying to go back! We are looking at 2013 since I will graduate from my master's program then.

I am currently listing stuff on e-bay and craigslist, saving change and doing my points. I may borrow some of your ideas.

I have a stupid question though I have 4 Disney gift cards with small amounts on them, randing from $ .10 to $4.08, is it silly to save them?

Thanks!!!

 

[nicki.momof3]

* Our weekly grocery budget is $100. I plan to take cash to the store and put whatever cash is left into the change jar.

Off topic - how many people are in you family may I ask. I so wish I could have a $100 a week grocery budget. No matter how hard I look for deals and so on there is no way with homemade dinners, breakfast, and packed lunches for 5.

On topic - I find a great way to save is to have $$ directly taken out of my check and put into a seperate bank account. I even trick myself more and have it put into my credit union saving for which I do not have a ATM card or checks and it is 25 minutes from my house. I never want to drve there so I never use the $$.

 

[scrappinmom]

Off topic - how many people are in you family may I ask. I so wish I could have a $100 a week grocery budget. No matter how hard I look for deals and so on there is no way with homemade dinners, breakfast, and packed lunches for 5.

We're a family of 4 - me, dh dd17 & dd12. I usually spend just a little over $100 each week on groceries. We eat out 1-2 nights a week though - which I am trying to halt. I shop at Aldi, so coupons really don't help me at all. I spent $68 today, but we'll see if I can stretch it till next week I might end up going back for more fruit.

 

[crazelion]

I love swagbucks. I get cash in 5.00 paypal gift cards, amazon gift cards, chili cards every week. The best part is I don't do surveys at all on that site. I cash out every week for a gift card. I do nothing but videos, play games, and swag tv. The poll gives one point every day, NOSO is just bunch skips pages until get the end enter the code word and gives two parts. Then take Radium One pages and tabs. I just look for the videos and that how get most of my points.


I do quickrewerds.net for my surveys. I have slack off some from that. I do a lot sites now that where I watch videos and get gift cards. I mainly wither get amazon or paypal which ever one have the best deal.

 

[Cierese]

I have a stupid question though I have 4 Disney gift cards with small amounts on them, randing from $ .10 to $4.08, is it silly to save them? QUOTE]



NOPE!! Not silly at all!!! My son had $6.37 left on a card last time we went to Disney... Nov 09. He saved it and spent it went we were there this summer! He really enjoyed that because I usually only give the kids a small small amount they can spend on 'stuff' that we don't truely need. Honestly, this last time they only got $20 each. My daughter and other son ONLY wanted potato head parts, not the body, just parts! My oldest, was thinking he was cool because he had 2 gift cards My kids have been quite enough that they really don't care too much for 'stuff' anymore.

Anyway, I think you can call the # on the back of the cards to load more $ if you want/need to. Might be good way to put aside $ so it can only be spent at Disney?

 

[bigsis1970]

Hi there - followed you from the eat at home thread.. what a great idea for a new thread..
I am going in the beginning of April 2012 - and maybe in July 2012 (still working out the details) but I have some saving to do! I do not have a set goal as my budget has the trip cost figured in - so this would just be fun $$ for when we are there

right now I am at $9.23 in change - going to make a "Mickey Jar" that will be all taped up and plan on dropping in my change and savings from the grocery store then we can't steal from it!
I am going to have tables at the "ultimate yard sale" next weekend - its held at a local fairground and you purchase a 12x12 space ($35 pd for in summer) to sell your unwanted household items! so all that will go in my jar..
Can't wait to see all the savings add up here..

Well I think I need two tallies one for my trip in April and one for the family trip in July..

$100 April birthday money I got over the weekend

$9.23+3.57 = 12.80 July for the family trip.

Our yard sale is this Saturday - that will all go towards the family trip . wish us luck

 

[nunzia]

I have just been rejected by like 20 different surveys on Sunshine Rewards. How do you earn your GC's on there???

I keep plugging away on suveys and do all my shopping there..it adds up. Yes surveys are SUPER frustrating..especially when I've been doing one for like 10 minutes then I don't qualify..really?? Anyway, if you keep trying and follow the survey tracker for green lights you can get some.

 

[reginaastralis]

Ooo ... count me in as well.

My boyfriend has never really done a huge Disney trip, so I really would like to surprise him (and my little girl). I don't think I am going to tell them about it though, so we'll see how it goes.

I don't really know what time of the year we'll go, but we are super close (only about 45 minutes away) and I can go for super cheap if I wanted. However, I'd kind of like to go a little crazy for them.

I only work about three days a week, I'm in school full time, so I think I'm going to put aside $5 per shift, and half of my paychecks. My paychecks are pretty lame since I'm a server. I spend most of my money in cash, so I'll have lots of change. I'm starting an envelope system this week as well, and whatever is left after the end of the week, I plan on putting the money in a box.

Thanks for this. I've been considering this for awhile now, and now I'm really excited to surprise the two of them.

 

[oopsiDAISY]

Off topic - how many people are in you family may I ask. I so wish I could have a $100 a week grocery budget. No matter how hard I look for deals and so on there is no way with homemade dinners, breakfast, and packed lunches for 5.

We too are a family of 5. I make breakfast, pack lunches and cook dinner at home every night. I shop at Aldi....that place is AMAZING! I just start there and then finish at Walmart. Grocery prices are up everywhere right now, so we are eating CHEAP! I try to make one or two really good meals a week, then the rest of the week the meals involve a lot of rice, beans, etc. Believe me, I know it's tough. We VERY RARELY eat out at all.

 

[oopsiDAISY]

Ooo ... count me in as well.

My boyfriend has never really done a huge Disney trip, so I really would like to surprise him (and my little girl). I don't think I am going to tell them about it though, so we'll see how it goes.

Thanks for this. I've been considering this for awhile now, and now I'm really excited to surprise the two of them.

DH and I are going to surprise our kids this time too! So fun! Good luck with your saving! We are here to cheer each other on...

 

[bigsis1970]

good luck with the surprise - I did this twice when my kids were smaller it's alot of fun!

 

[Chelley00]

I have a stupid question though I have 4 Disney gift cards with small amounts on them, randing from $ .10 to $4.08, is it silly to save them?

Thanks!!!

You can reload them, so keep them around! If you add $5 here and there, you'll have a pretty decent amount on the cards.

 

[nicki.momof3]

We too are a family of 5. I make breakfast, pack lunches and cook dinner at home every night. I shop at Aldi....that place is AMAZING! I just start there and then finish at Walmart. Grocery prices are up everywhere right now, so we are eating CHEAP! I try to make one or two really good meals a week, then the rest of the week the meals involve a lot of rice, beans, etc. Believe me, I know it's tough. We VERY RARELY eat out at all.

What really kills out budget is produce. I really believe that kids needs fruits and veggies. Beside seasonal stuff (and there is none of that in the winter) produce is so expensive.

Milk is also very high. I have 3 growing kids and they drink 4 gallons a week. I only allow milk and water - so I would never tell them no more milk.
I use walmart for staples but I find their produce section very limited.

 

[MickeyBella]

Sure! I do Opinion Outpost, Viewpoint Forum - both of those pay cash. I also do Swagbucks and MyPoints for gift cards. Oh and MySurvey for gift cards also.

MySurvey is the one where I get my gift cards mainly. But say I buy a $10 amazon gift card using points, I take the $10 I would have normally spent and put it in the Disney savings jar!

Earlier this year (for my March trip) I got over $70 from Opinion Outpost, almost $30 from Viewpoint and I got a $25 Rainforest Cafe gift card that we used for breakfast from MyPoints. I am kinda new to Swagbucks but looking forward to seeing what I can get from them also.

Great! I'm trying them out!! Thanks so much for sharing

 

[jennyf2]

I made my ticker today for August --HOPING for free dining again this year As far as saving I rec'd a $5 rebate check in the mail (can't remember what it was for & didn't recognize the name) & I did a soup taste test for $35 Every little bit helps!!

 

[MickeyBella]

What really kills out budget is produce. I really believe that kids needs fruits and veggies. Beside seasonal stuff (and there is none of that in the winter) produce is so expensive.

Milk is also very high. I have 3 growing kids and they drink 4 gallons a week. I only allow milk and water - so I would never tell them no more milk.
I use walmart for staples but I find their produce section very limited.

Do you have a Costco near you? We go through milk, eggs, veggies, etc. in our house like it's going out of style! Started saving BIG time at costco! An example I just picked up 30 eggs for $2.97 (2x18 cartons wrapped together) or you can get the bigger 3 pallets for I believe it's $4.97. We also get the 3lbs of salad mix for $2. instead of at the grocery store the small 12 oz bags for $3! We love Costco!!
Check it out

 

[Mickeyflower]

What really kills out budget is produce. I really believe that kids needs fruits and veggies. Beside seasonal stuff (and there is none of that in the winter) produce is so expensive.

Milk is also very high. I have 3 growing kids and they drink 4 gallons a week. I only allow milk and water - so I would never tell them no more milk.
I use walmart for staples but I find their produce section very limited.

I hear ya on produce. In my area there is a farmers market type of produce stand that is open until Dec. 1 (I think). It is ALL LOCAL farmers and the cost is SOOO CHEAP it's worth the 25 minute drive. It is not advertised but everyone knows about Larry's Produce Stand. I suggest you search for one of those. Also look for farmers markets that are year round.

Another good tip is to buy seasonal produce, and vacuum seal it and freeze it to be used in the off season. I do this ALL THE TIME and it's awesome!