One Year to Save 2016

[stayhomemom77]

Since the last time I updated, I added $6.69 Disney funds because I...

earned $2.69 from quickrewards...

added $0 to the USD cash pouch...

added $4.00 to the Disney jar...

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

added $0 to the Disney account...

So the new totals are:

$102.91 in quickrewards...
$37.05 in the USD pouch...
$14.00 in the Disney jar...
$10.00 in Disney gift cards...
$425.00 in the Florida account


...for a GRAND TOTAL of $588.96!!

April goal Florida:$700
Total Remaining: $111.04

I also added $6.61 to my Europe funds because I:

earned $0.90 from isay...
earned $1.51 in credit card rewards...
earned $0 in credit card rewards...
added $4.20 to the Europe jar...
earned $0 thru Checkout 51...
added $0 to the Europe account...

So the new totals are:

$25.65 in isay points....
$58.44 in credit card rewards...
$5.31 in credit card rewards...
$16.86 in the Europe jar...
$13.50 in Checkout 51...
$3677.00 in the Europe account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $3796.76!!

March goal Europe: $4000
Total Remaining: $203.24


Esso Extra Points: 3414 (5000 points is $30 in free gasoline)

Shoppers Optimum Points: 45151

8000 points is $10
22000 points is $30
38000 points is $60
50000 points is $85
95000 points is $170

Here is how the Europe trip stuff breaks down:

Flight and hotel (will likely book together via Expedia) $4100 ($4100-$3677 <funds in the bank account>=$423)
Food (700 Euros-85 Euros=615 Euros) ~$925
Transportation (255 Euros) ~$385
Entertainment (148 Euros) ~$225
Misc expenses (165 Euros) ~$250
Airport parking $60

Grand Total Needed: $5945-$240 (August money)=$5705
Total Earned/Saved so far: $3796.76

Remaining Needed: $1908.24

 

[stayhomemom77]

GUUUUUUUUYS!!!


What do I dooooooo?

Looking at options for our Disney trip over Christmas/New Year and the way I see it...we have three options. And each of those options have MORE options. I CANNOT decide which one to pursue. I need some heeeeeeelp!!

Option One
Rent DVC points

Pros
Staying at a Deluxe resort (First tier choices: AKL, BWV, OKW (not too excited about OKW)...Second Tier choices: BCV, BLT, Poly)
Studio rooms have a kitchenette, helps bring food budget stuff down a bit

Cons
Could only do Jan 1-6, so a longer stay would necessitate a split stay. Would have to stay value or off site due to budget reasons.

No guarantee we would get anything.

Possible there could be complications

Option Two
Third Party Booking

Pros
GREAT deal...10 nights at a moderate (we've only tried CBR--COR, POR and POFQ are in options in the deal available) at an amazing price...tickets included in package and we can get up to 8 days plus a water park

Booked with them last summer without incident, was able to make ADR's and Fastpasses online and all stuff was linked to My Disney account

Cons
Not a Deluxe resort

Possible there could be complications

Option Three
Book through Disney

Pros
No complications

Might be able to take advantage of free dining which would severely cut down how much we would need in the food budget

Cons
Currently only rack rates are available which means value resorts, might be able to do moderates with free dining but might not

No guarantee a deal of any kind will come out covering our dates, let alone free dining

Not a deluxe resort

*****

I can't act on any of this right now anyway...but I wish I could at least make up my mind! I can't even BEGIN to start pulling together a budget if I don't even know what our plans are.

 

[stayhomemom77]

Since the last time I updated, I added $1.41 Disney funds because I...

earned $1.41 from quickrewards...

added $0 to the USD cash pouch...

added $0 to the Disney jar...

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

added $0 to the Disney account...

So the new totals are:

$104.32 in quickrewards...
$37.05 in the USD pouch...
$14.00 in the Disney jar...
$10.00 in Disney gift cards...
$425.00 in the Florida account


...for a GRAND TOTAL of $590.37!!

April goal Florida:$700
Total Remaining: $109.63

I also added $1.67 to my Europe funds because I:

earned $0 from isay...
earned $1.67 in credit card rewards...
earned $0 in credit card rewards...
added $0 to the Europe jar...
earned $0 thru Checkout 51...
added $0 to the Europe account...

So the new totals are:

$25.65 in isay points....
$60.11 in credit card rewards...
$5.31 in credit card rewards...
$16.86 in the Europe jar...
$13.50 in Checkout 51...
$3677.00 in the Europe account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $3798.43!!

March goal Europe: $4000
Total Remaining: $201.57


Esso Extra Points: 3414 (5000 points is $30 in free gasoline)

Shoppers Optimum Points: 47151

8000 points is $10
22000 points is $30
38000 points is $60
50000 points is $85
95000 points is $170

Here is how the Europe trip stuff breaks down:

Flight and hotel (will likely book together via Expedia) $4100 ($4100-$3677 <funds in the bank account>=$423)
Food (700 Euros-85 Euros=615 Euros) ~$925
Transportation (255 Euros) ~$385
Entertainment (148 Euros) ~$225
Misc expenses (165 Euros) ~$250
Airport parking $60

Grand Total Needed: $5945-$240 (August money)=$5705
Total Earned/Saved so far: $3796.76

Remaining Needed: $1908.24

I'm working on something for May. I used up a lot of my April grocery money (already...gulp) taking advantage of sales and stocking up. We have lots of food in the house, but I'll definitely need to buy milk and produce, probably will need to buy cereal and yogurt, and possibly may need to buy eggs and the odd item or two (ketchup or such) beyond that. I am desperately low on butter and chicken breasts...so when those go on sale I'll need to take advantage of that. But otherwise, I am rationing my remaining money...trying to get what I need (and ONLY what I need) for as little as possible.

Between now and the end of the month I am certain to have accrued enough points to get myself $85 to use at Shoppers Drug Mart. Since they carry a decent amount of food products, I'm going to try to get two week's worth of dinners there (not counting produce) with that $85 during the first week of May. I plan to set aside $30 or so for fruits and veggies and toss all remaining funds into the vacation account.

This will require advanced planning as I will need to know what the regular prices are for things and then keep an eye on the sale prices for stuff as well. I already meal plan, but this two week stretch is going to have to be done extremely carefully.

I'd love to set aside just a bit a week for the essentials and then do a pantry challenge for the two weeks following that...but I'll have to wait and see before I can commit to that plan. If I can't do two weeks...I'll aim for one.

If I can't do THAT...I'm hoping to cut my grocery bill in half for the month of May. But again...it will require some SERIOUS planning and quite likely some creativity...so we'll see how it goes. I plan to do this again for the month of August...during the weeks leading up to the trip.

 

[stayhomemom77]

Since the last time I updated, I added $1.40 Disney funds because I...

earned $1.40 from quickrewards...

added $0 to the USD cash pouch...

added $0 to the Disney jar...

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

added $0 to the Disney account...

So the new totals are:

$105.72 in quickrewards...
$37.05 in the USD pouch...
$14.00 in the Disney jar...
$10.00 in Disney gift cards...
$425.00 in the Florida account


...for a GRAND TOTAL of $591.77!!

April goal Florida:$700
Total Remaining: $108.23

I also added $3.05 to my Europe funds because I:

earned $0.05 from isay...
earned $0 in credit card rewards...
earned $0 in credit card rewards...
added $0 to the Europe jar...
earned $0 thru Checkout 51...
added $3.00 to the Europe account...

So the new totals are:

$25.70 in isay points....
$58.44 in credit card rewards...
$5.31 in credit card rewards...
$16.86 in the Europe jar...
$13.50 in Checkout 51...
$3680.00 in the Europe account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $3801.48!!

March goal Europe: $4000
Total Remaining: $194.84


Esso Extra Points: 3414 (5000 points is $30 in free gasoline)

Shoppers Optimum Points: 47151

8000 points is $10
22000 points is $30
38000 points is $60
50000 points is $85
95000 points is $170

Here is how the Europe trip stuff breaks down:

Flight and hotel (will likely book together via Expedia) $4100 ($4100-$3680 <funds in the bank account>=$420)
Food (700 Euros-85 Euros=615 Euros) ~$925
Transportation (255 Euros) ~$385
Entertainment (148 Euros) ~$225
Misc expenses (165 Euros) ~$250
Airport parking $60

Grand Total Needed: $5945-$240 (August money)=$5705
Total Earned/Saved so far: $3801.48

Remaining Needed: $1903.52

 

[sunshinemelody]

This is awesome. Much luck to you!

 

[DnA2010]

GUUUUUUUUYS!!!


What do I dooooooo?

Looking at options for our Disney trip over Christmas/New Year and the way I see it...we have three options. And each of those options have MORE options. I CANNOT decide which one to pursue. I need some heeeeeeelp!!

Option One
Rent DVC points

Pros
Staying at a Deluxe resort (First tier choices: AKL, BWV, OKW (not too excited about OKW)...Second Tier choices: BCV, BLT, Poly)
Studio rooms have a kitchenette, helps bring food budget stuff down a bit

Cons
Could only do Jan 1-6, so a longer stay would necessitate a split stay. Would have to stay value or off site due to budget reasons.

No guarantee we would get anything.

Possible there could be complications

Option Two
Third Party Booking

Pros
GREAT deal...10 nights at a moderate (we've only tried CBR--COR, POR and POFQ are in options in the deal available) at an amazing price...tickets included in package and we can get up to 8 days plus a water park

Booked with them last summer without incident, was able to make ADR's and Fastpasses online and all stuff was linked to My Disney account

Cons
Not a Deluxe resort

Possible there could be complications

Option Three
Book through Disney

Pros
No complications

Might be able to take advantage of free dining which would severely cut down how much we would need in the food budget

Cons
Currently only rack rates are available which means value resorts, might be able to do moderates with free dining but might not

No guarantee a deal of any kind will come out covering our dates, let alone free dining

Not a deluxe resort

*****

I can't act on any of this right now anyway...but I wish I could at least make up my mind! I can't even BEGIN to start pulling together a budget if I don't even know what our plans are.

I must have missed something, but I thought you were doing an off-site family stay?

All your options sound great Can't comment as we stayed offsite condo 5 min away for like $65/night, so haven't ever explored onsite.

 

[stayhomemom77]

Well, my mom pulled out of that for this year. Although we were planning on going for two weeks...one offsite WITH my family and one onsite without them.

Now I'm just trying to ensure that we get the best bang for our buck between basically renting DVC points through David's or booking a package through a third party vacation company.

I doubt Disney will come out with anything that covers our dates...but that's also a possibility.

On a happier note...I got home from running errands this afternoon to have a VERY happy hubby greet me with the news that his promotion is going through...his job is secure (for at least another year) and he will be getting a $4000 or $5000 raise effective July 1st.

So I can book our Paris trip next week. SQUEEEEEEE!!

 

[stayhomemom77]

Since the last time I updated, I added $2.16 to my Disney funds because I...

earned $2.16 from quickrewards...

added $0 to the USD cash pouch...

added $0 to the Disney jar...

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

added $0 to the Disney account...

So the new totals are:

$107.88 in quickrewards...
$37.05 in the USD pouch...
$14.00 in the Disney jar...
$10.00 in Disney gift cards...
$425.00 in the Florida account


...for a GRAND TOTAL of $593.93!!

April goal Florida:$700
Total Remaining: $106.07

I also added $6.12 to my Europe funds because I:

earned $0.15 from isay...
earned $3.58 in credit card rewards...
added $2.70 to the Europe jar...
earned $0 thru Checkout 51...
added $0 to the Europe account...

So the new totals are:

$25.85 in isay points....
$63.69 in credit card rewards...
$19.56 in the Europe jar...
$13.50 in Checkout 51...
$3685.00 in the Europe account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $3807.60!!

March goal Europe: $4000
Total Remaining: $192.40


Esso Extra Points: 3414 (5000 points is $30 in free gasoline)

Shoppers Optimum Points: 51381

8000 points is $10
22000 points is $30
38000 points is $60
50000 points is $85
95000 points is $170

Here is how the Europe trip stuff breaks down:

Flight and hotel (will likely book together via Expedia) $4100 ($4100-$3685 <funds in the bank account>=$415)
Food (700 Euros-85 Euros=615 Euros) ~$925
Transportation (255 Euros) ~$385
Entertainment (148 Euros) ~$225
Misc expenses (165 Euros) ~$250
Airport parking $60

Grand Total Needed: $5945-$240 (August money)=$5705
Total Earned/Saved so far: $3807.60

Remaining Needed: $1897.40

**I'll have to rework the Paris stuff soon...we found cheaper flights that extend the trip by a day, so it's slightly more overall when you factor another night at the hotel and more for food. Pretty much everything else stays the same though. I'll do those changes when I have the chance.

**I eliminated one of my credit cards today. I hardly ever use that card so I cashed out $5 on a couple of boxes of cereal and tossed the money in the vacation account. I then wrote off the 31 cents and eliminated those lines from my tally above.

 

[DnA2010]

Well, my mom pulled out of that for this year. Although we were planning on going for two weeks...one offsite WITH my family and one onsite without them.

Now I'm just trying to ensure that we get the best bang for our buck between basically renting DVC points through David's or booking a package through a third party vacation company.

I doubt Disney will come out with anything that covers our dates...but that's also a possibility.

On a happier note...I got home from running errands this afternoon to have a VERY happy hubby greet me with the news that his promotion is going through...his job is secure (for at least another year) and he will be getting a $4000 or $5000 raise effective July 1st.

So I can book our Paris trip next week. SQUEEEEEEE!!

Ahhh!! I must have missed her pulling out, maybe another time hey.

Green with envy that you are doing Paris and WDW! (Not actually ) I'm actually thrilled that you can get things booked as YAY FOR THE CONTRACT!!!!! And RAISE!!! Whoop whoop! We got a memo from our corporate office in February that we weren't getting raises this year- boooo!! At least I made it through layoffs! Mining is a tough industry right now.

I had to use a bunch of our savings to replace DHs car- it was time. Now yo build it up again! Once I get going I'm going to break up into goals like you had

 

[stayhomemom77]

You didn't miss it...I didn't report that she'd pulled out until just that moment. They came up for a visit the weekend before last and she told me. Next year is a possibility...but I'm not holding my breath. She's worried that my sisters Cheapskate and Workaholic will pull out at the last minute or refuse to commit until it's too late or whatever. Oh well...they wouldn't vacation MY WAY anyway.

 

[stayhomemom77]

Since the last time I updated, I added $2.53 to my Disney funds because I...

earned $2.53 from quickrewards...

added $0 to the USD cash pouch...

added $0 to the Disney jar...

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

added $0 to the Disney account...

So the new totals are:

$110.41 in quickrewards...
$37.05 in the USD pouch...
$14.00 in the Disney jar...
$10.00 in Disney gift cards...
$425.00 in the Florida account


...for a GRAND TOTAL of $596.46!!

April goal Florida:$700
Total Remaining: $103.54

I also added $9.20 to my Europe funds because I:

earned $0.90 from isay...
earned $1.20 in credit card rewards...
added $0.10 to the Europe jar...
earned $7.00 thru Checkout 51...
added $0 to the Europe account...

So the new totals are:

$26.75 in isay points....
$64.89 in credit card rewards...
$19.66 in the Europe jar...
$20.50 in Checkout 51...
$3685.00 in the Europe account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $3816.80!!

March goal Europe: $4000
Total Remaining: $183.20


Esso Extra Points: 3414 (5000 points is $30 in free gasoline)

Shoppers Optimum Points: 51381

8000 points is $10
22000 points is $30
38000 points is $60
50000 points is $85
95000 points is $170

Here is how the Europe trip stuff breaks down:

Flight and hotel (will likely book together via Expedia) $4100 ($4100-$3685 <funds in the bank account>=$415)
Food (700 Euros-85 Euros=615 Euros) ~$925
Transportation (255 Euros) ~$385
Entertainment (148 Euros) ~$225
Misc expenses (165 Euros) ~$250
Airport parking $60

Grand Total Needed: $5945-$240 (August money)=$5705
Total Earned/Saved so far: $3816.80

Remaining Needed: $1883.20

**I FINALLY got enough points to cash out my checkout51 account. Once the check arrives, I'll toss the funds into the savings account and then eliminate it from my tally sheets. They never seem to have anything I buy on there anymore. In fact, I bought tide pods today (which I don't care for) just to push myself over the limit so I could cash in.

I really need to buckle down and get this money accumulating since this trip will be officially booked in just a few short days. I also need to revamp the budget since the one on here is from the original trip configuration and we've decided to fly out one day later and stay one day longer. I'll try to get to that now so I can come back and amend that stuff tomorrow.

 

[GlitteryOtters]

Well, my mom pulled out of that for this year. Although we were planning on going for two weeks...one offsite WITH my family and one onsite without them.

Now I'm just trying to ensure that we get the best bang for our buck between basically renting DVC points through David's or booking a package through a third party vacation company.

I doubt Disney will come out with anything that covers our dates...but that's also a possibility.

On a happier note...I got home from running errands this afternoon to have a VERY happy hubby greet me with the news that his promotion is going through...his job is secure (for at least another year) and he will be getting a $4000 or $5000 raise effective July 1st.

So I can book our Paris trip next week. SQUEEEEEEE!!

Wish I had thoughts/suggestions about your WDW options, but that place is such a completely different system than the park I know (Disneyland), so I can't even form an opinion there. I did want to pop in and say 1) THANK YOU for posting these updates, I try to check in at least once a week as this really inspires me & helps keep me focused on our trip savings (we are also saving for 2 trips now) & 2) give you big CONGRATS on the raise & the go ahead for the Paris trip!! That is so exciting!!


~Meg

 

[stayhomemom77]

Wish I had thoughts/suggestions about your WDW options, but that place is such a completely different system than the park I know (Disneyland), so I can't even form an opinion there. I did want to pop in and say 1) THANK YOU for posting these updates, I try to check in at least once a week as this really inspires me & helps keep me focused on our trip savings (we are also saving for 2 trips now) & 2) give you big CONGRATS on the raise & the go ahead for the Paris trip!! That is so exciting!!


~Meg

Awww...thanks!! And good luck on your end. Glad to be an inspiration!

 

[stayhomemom77]

Oops...for yesterday...

Since the last time I updated, I added $25.00 to my Disney funds because I...

earned $0 from quickrewards...

added $0 to the USD cash pouch...

added $0 to the Disney jar...

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

added $25.00 to the Disney account...

So the new totals are:

$110.41 in quickrewards...
$37.05 in the USD pouch...
$14.00 in the Disney jar...
$10.00 in Disney gift cards...
$450.00 in the Florida account


...for a GRAND TOTAL of $621.46!!

April goal Florida:$700
Total Remaining: $78.54

I also added $2.60 to my Europe funds because I:

earned $0 from isay...
earned $2.60 in credit card rewards...
added $0 to the Europe jar...
earned $0 thru Checkout 51...
added $0 to the Europe account...

So the new totals are:

$26.75 in isay points....
$67.49 in credit card rewards...
$19.66 in the Europe jar...
$20.50 in Checkout 51...
$3685.00 in the Europe account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $3819.40!!

March goal Europe: $4000
Total Remaining: $180.60


Esso Extra Points: 3451 (5000 points is $30 in free gasoline)

Shoppers Optimum Points: 51381

8000 points is $10
22000 points is $30
38000 points is $60
50000 points is $85
95000 points is $170

Here is how the Europe trip stuff breaks down:

Flight and hotel (will likely book together via Expedia) $4100 ($4100-$3685 <funds in the bank account>=$415)
Food (700 Euros-85 Euros=615 Euros) ~$925
Transportation (255 Euros) ~$385
Entertainment (148 Euros) ~$225
Misc expenses (165 Euros) ~$250
Airport parking $60

Grand Total Needed: $5945-$240 (August money)=$5705
Total Earned/Saved so far: $3816.80

Remaining Needed: $1883.20

**I got the Paris itinerary revamp started but need another day or two to finish it. Might not be til early next week though as we have a busy weekend ahead of us and I am frantically trying to get some surveys done this morning before the festivities begin this afternoon. I will be trying to book the flight/hotel package on Monday, so things hopefully will go quickly after I have that done.

 

[stayhomemom77]

Since the last time I updated, I added $2.70 to my Disney funds because I...

earned $2.70 from quickrewards...

added $0 to the USD cash pouch...

added $0 to the Disney jar...

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

added $0 to the Disney account...

So the new totals are:

$113.11 in quickrewards...
$37.05 in the USD pouch...
$14.00 in the Disney jar...
$10.00 in Disney gift cards...
$450.00 in the Florida account


...for a GRAND TOTAL of $624.16!!

April goal Florida:$700
Total Remaining: $75.84

I also added $20.09 to my Europe funds because I:

earned $0.55 from isay...
earned $0.74 in credit card rewards...
added $3.70 to the Europe jar...
earned $0 thru Checkout 51...
added $15.00 to the Europe account...

So the new totals are:

$27.30 in isay points....
$68.23 in credit card rewards...
$23.46 in the Europe jar...
$20.50 in Checkout 51...
$3700.00 in the Europe account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $3839.49!!

March goal Europe: $4000
Total Remaining: $160.51


Esso Extra Points: 3451 (5000 points is $30 in free gasoline)

Shoppers Optimum Points: 57581

8000 points is $10
22000 points is $30
38000 points is $60
50000 points is $85
95000 points is $170

Here is how the Europe trip stuff breaks down:

Flight and hotel (will likely book together via Expedia) $4284.31 ($4285-$3700 <funds in the bank account>=$585)
Food (910 Euros-85 Euros=825 Euros) ~$1238
Transportation (315 Euros) ~$475
Entertainment (148 Euros) ~$225
Misc expenses (100 Euros) ~$150
Accommodation Tax (80 Euros) ~$120
Airport parking $100
Disney Tickets (245 Euros) ~$370

Grand Total Needed: $7090-$525 (August money)=$6565
Total Earned/Saved so far: $3839.49

Remaining Needed: $2725.51

**Still fine tuning the food budget but this is what I've got for the new budget so far.

 

[stayhomemom77]

PARIS IS BOOKED!!




Gotta get the budget sorted out and get back to report all that stuff, but the flight/hotel package went up (dang it!!) so in the end we paid $4494.87. That's 4 round trip flights (Toronto to Paris) and 8 nights at a Novotel in the 12th arr for a little over $1100 each.

I had to rob Disney to pay off Paris as we only had $3700 in the account to cover the charge. I had to rob the savings account also (eek!) to make up the difference but I have already figured out how to pay it back.

Basically, I have cut my May food budget right down to the bone...only $200 to spread over 5 shopping trips...but then I get to use my Shoppers rewards $85 and my PC points (currently at $70 but will likely earn another $40 or so due to the GIANT charge I just made for our trip package) in addition to the $40 I have per week. So I'll actually have nearly $400 to spend, which is not too bad at all. Our freezer and pantry are well stocked with meat, cereal, soup, pasta and pasta sauce, etc so I'm not worried we'll run out of food. The $400 I cut from the food budget will make up for what I stole from the savings account and I'll transfer it right back in there on payday.

Because the package price went up, we are leaving the Disney costs a la carte for the moment. If we can scrounge up the money...great! But since we already owe $400 to the Christmas Disney trip fund, Disneyland Paris is taking a back seat for the moment. I still have to go over the food budget stuff to see if I can come down on my proposed budget for that category and look to see what money I can set aside each month so I have a better idea of my current deficit.

So, I'll check back in later when that is done. My tracking will change (yet again! ) to allow for the new tallies and total and goals based on these changes.

But, man...do I feel....

 

[stayhomemom77]

Since the last time I updated, I added $0 to my Disney funds (in fact I stole $400 to pay for Paris ) because I...

earned $0 from quickrewards...

added $0 to the USD cash pouch...

added $0 to the Disney jar...

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

added $0 to the Disney account...

So the new totals are:

$113.11 in quickrewards...
$37.05 in the USD pouch...
$14.00 in the Disney jar...
$10.00 in Disney gift cards...
$50.00 in the Florida account


...for a GRAND TOTAL of $224.16!!

April goal Florida:$0
Total Remaining: $0

I also added $2.03 to my Europe funds (but virtually emptied my savings account to pay for part of the booking) because I:

earned $0.05 from isay...
earned $1.97 in credit card rewards...
added $0 to the Europe jar...
earned $0 thru Checkout 51...
added $0 to the Europe account...

So the new totals are:

$27.35 in isay points....
$70.20 in credit card rewards...
$23.46 in the Europe jar...
$20.50 in Checkout 51...
$5.00 in the Europe account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $146.51!!

April goal Europe: $0
Total Remaining: $0


Esso Extra Points: 3451 (5000 points is $30 in free gasoline)

Shoppers Optimum Points: 57581

8000 points is $10
22000 points is $30
38000 points is $60
50000 points is $85
95000 points is $170

Here is how the Europe trip stuff breaks down:

Food (910 Euros-85 Euros=825 Euros) ~$1238
Transportation (255 Euros) ~$385
Entertainment (148 Euros) ~$225
Misc expenses (100 Euros) ~$150
Accommodation Tax (80 Euros) ~$120
Airport parking $100
Repay Disney $400

Grand Total Needed: $2618-$650 (August money)=$1968
Total Earned/Saved so far: $76.31 (took out PC points money as that will be used for groceries in May)

Remaining Needed: $1891.69


A LA CARTE
Disney Tickets (245 Euros) ~$370
Disney Train (60 Euros) ~90

 

[DnA2010]

OMG YAY!!!! so exciting! I think that's a great price too! Your kids are so lucky to have such a talented and thoughtful mama!

 

[stayhomemom77]

Goodness...behind again...this is for yesterday and I'll have to come back later on to report for today...

Since the last time I updated, I added $8.67 to my Disney funds because I...

earned $2.67 from quickrewards...

added $0 to the USD cash pouch...

added $6.00 to the Disney jar...

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

added $0 to the Disney account...

So the new totals are:

$115.78 in quickrewards...
$37.05 in the USD pouch...
$20.00 in the Disney jar...
$10.00 in Disney gift cards...
$50.00 in the Florida account


...for a GRAND TOTAL of $232.83!!

April goal Florida:$0
Total Remaining: $0

I also added $2.70 to my Europe funds because I:

earned $0.90 from isay...
earned $0 in credit card rewards...
added $1.80 to the Europe jar...
earned $0 thru Checkout 51...
added $0 to the Europe account...

So the new totals are:

$28.25 in isay points....
$0 in credit card rewards...
$25.26 in the Europe jar...
$20.50 in Checkout 51...
$5.00 in the Europe account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $79.01!!

April goal Europe: $0
Total Remaining: $0


Esso Extra Points: 3451 (5000 points is $30 in free gasoline)

Shoppers Optimum Points: 7581

8000 points is $10
22000 points is $30
38000 points is $60
50000 points is $85
95000 points is $170

Here is how the Europe trip stuff breaks down:

Food (780 Euros-85 Euros=695 Euros) ~$1050
Transportation (255 Euros) ~$385
Entertainment (148 Euros) ~$225
Misc expenses (100 Euros) ~$150
Accommodation Tax (80 Euros) ~$120
Airport parking $100


Grand Total Needed: $2030-$650 (August money)=$1380
Total Earned/Saved so far: $79.01

Remaining Needed: $1300.99


A LA CARTE
Disney Tickets (245 Euros) ~$370
Disney Train (60 Euros) ~$90

Still working on the food stuff...it'll take some time to get it right. Thorough research is time consuming!! But I've adjusted it to reflect the changes made thus far.

I also haven't yet attempted to make any money through surveys as yet today...that's coming soon.

However...

I temporarily suspended the credit card tracking for my PC card. They are sending me a world elite card, which will mean more earning potential on the purchases I already make! Woot!! I'm also going to try and get as far along as possible in the month of May using only what I already have in the house (and I've been stocking since September so my chest freezer is full and so are the pantry shelves) and using mostly points to cover the dairy and produce I buy weekly.

I have $200 budgeted for food for May but I'd love to put as much of that as possible towards the trip. My last official shop for April is this coming Friday. I actually went out today and picked up a few things to take advantage of some sales. I still have $10 to buy bananas (on sale Friday) and cucumbers (on sale Friday). Three cukes and a small bunch of bananas will run me about $5 so I have a small amount of wiggle room in case we find we need something else or there is a great sale we want to take advantage of at that point.

I went Monday and spent my $85 in Shoppers rewards dollars. I got 3 bags of milk, 2 dozen eggs, 2 packages of tortillas, 2 frozen lasagnas, 2 boxes of wings (about 2 lbs in each box), 3 large cans of pea soup (the hubs LOVES this stuff), 2 frozen pizzas and a bottle of honey. I need the honey to make homemade granola bars for the kids for their lunches. It's cheaper and healthier than buying several boxes of granola bars. The other stuff (in addition to what we already have at home) should do for a week's worth of dinners and some lunches.

Getting just the basics each week runs me about $35. That is generally 3 gallons of milk ($12.81), a dozen eggs ($2.49), a 3 lb bag of carrots ($2.29), 2 or 3 cucumbers ($2), bananas ($1.60), a six lb bag of apples ($5), lettuce ($2) 2 loaves of bread ($2) yogurt ($5) and tomatoes ($1). My plan is to use up $20 in rewards dollars each week I am able to and then pay for the rest out of the $200. I know for sure I will need dish soap and dishwasher soap in May as well as parchment paper and butter (if it goes on sale). I think I'm good on everything else toiletry-wise except perhaps toilet paper. Hoping to spend as little as possible short of actually going without anything. I do have to get the hubs his diet pepsi...I get the 710 ml bottles in the six packs when they go on sale for $2.49 or less. I buy a month's worth at a time. That runs me about $17.

 

[stayhomemom77]

Since the last time I updated, I added $4.60 to my Disney funds because I...

earned $0.60 from quickrewards...

added $0 to the USD cash pouch...

added $4.00 to the Disney jar...

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

added $0 to the Disney account...

So the new totals are:

$116.38 in quickrewards...
$37.05 in the USD pouch...
$24.00 in the Disney jar...
$10.00 in Disney gift cards...
$50.00 in the Florida account


...for a GRAND TOTAL of $237.43!!

April goal Florida:$0
Total Remaining: $0

I also added $1.75 to my Europe funds because I:

earned $0.05 from isay...
earned $0 in credit card rewards...
added $0.70 to the Europe jar...
earned $0 thru Checkout 51...
added $1.00 to the Europe account...

So the new totals are:

$28.30 in isay points....
$0 in credit card rewards...
$25.96 in the Europe jar...
$20.50 in Checkout 51...
$6.00 in the Europe account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $80.76!!

April goal Europe: $0
Total Remaining: $0


Esso Extra Points: 3473 (5000 points is $30 in free gasoline)

Shoppers Optimum Points: 7591

8000 points is $10
22000 points is $30
38000 points is $60
50000 points is $85
95000 points is $170

Here is how the Europe trip stuff breaks down:

Food (780 Euros-85 Euros=695 Euros) ~$1050
Transportation (255 Euros) ~$385
Entertainment (148 Euros) ~$225
Misc expenses (100 Euros) ~$150
Accommodation Tax (80 Euros) ~$120
Airport parking $100


Grand Total Needed: $2030-$650 (August money)=$1380
Total Earned/Saved so far: $79.01

Remaining Needed: $1300.99


A LA CARTE
Disney Tickets (245 Euros) ~$370
Disney Train (60 Euros) ~$90