One Year to Save!!

[stayhomemom77]

Added $2.91 since Saturday because I...

earned $0.45 from isay...

earned $2.02 from quickrewards...

earned $0.44 in credit card rewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

added $0 to the Disney jar...

added $0 to the bank account...

So the new totals are:

$21.20 in rewards dollars for a survey site (which I will use to buy visa cards)
$43.31 in quickrewards (which I will use to buy Disney gift cards)
$114.03 in credit card rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$11.02 in cc rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$122.25 in the change jar
$35.00 in the account
$150.00 Disney gift card
$1.31 American cash

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $498.12


Monthly Goal: $600
Need to Earn: $101.88

 

[stayhomemom77]

Added $5.20 since yesterday because I...

earned $1.50 from isay...

earned $1.77 from quickrewards...

earned $1.93 in credit card rewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

added $0 to the Disney jar...

added $0 to the bank account...

So the new totals are:

$21.20 in rewards dollars for a survey site (which I will use to buy visa cards)
$43.31 in quickrewards (which I will use to buy Disney gift cards)
$114.03 in credit card rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$11.02 in cc rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$122.25 in the change jar
$35.00 in the account
$150.00 Disney gift card
$1.31 American cash

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $503.32


Monthly Goal: $600
Need to Earn: $96.68

 

[stayhomemom77]

Added $206.53 since yesterday because I...

earned $0.10 from isay...

earned $0.31 from quickrewards...

earned $3.79 in credit card rewards...

earned $0.93 in credit card rewards...

added $1.40 to the Disney jar...

added $200 to the bank account...

So the new totals are:

$22.80 in rewards dollars for a survey site (which I will use to buy visa cards)
$45.39 in quickrewards (which I will use to buy Disney gift cards)
$119.75 in credit card rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$11.95 in cc rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$123.65 in the change jar
$235.00 in the account
$150.00 Disney gift card
$1.31 American cash

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $709.85


September 1st Goal: $1000
Need to Earn: $290.15

Alright!! Now we are cooking with gas!! Today was payday and once we paid the final charges from the cruise, I had a little left to put towards Disney. I've changed the goal to reflect what I'd like to have in found money by the end of August but since we will be putting the vacation money towards Disney from now on, we're going to see nice healthy jumps in savings when payday rolls around.

At this point, the trip is pretty much a lock. DH has resigned himself to it and I think might even be looking forward to it and there isn't any reason why we shouldn't have all the money we need for it by the end of the year, as long as I keep up the hard work.

Soon, I will be making out an itemized budget and then trying to cross things off as we get them saved for or paid off. I will need to book the offsite hotel soon or there won't be any affordable rooms left!

So excited!!

 

[stayhomemom77]

Added $3.32 since yesterday because I...

earned $0.90 from isay...

earned $0.91 from quickrewards...

earned $0.51 in credit card rewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

added $0 to the Disney jar...

added $1 to the bank account...

So the new totals are:

$23.70 in rewards dollars for a survey site (which I will use to buy visa cards)
$46.30 in quickrewards (which I will use to buy Disney gift cards)
$120.26 in credit card rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$11.95 in cc rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$123.65 in the change jar
$236.00 in the account
$150.00 Disney gift card
$1.31 American cash

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $713.17


September 1st Goal: $1000
Need to Earn: $286.83

Booked the offsite hotel last night so I'll need to pay for that soon. I guess as we go along here, the account balance will be revolving a little bit as I pay for things. I think what I'll do is make the balance the total I need for the trip and then as things are paid off, adjust that total accordingly.

 

[stayhomemom77]

Added $5.25 since yesterday because I...

earned $0.45 from isay...

earned $0.61 from quickrewards...

earned $4.19 in credit card rewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

added $0 to the Disney jar...

added $0 to the bank account...

So the new totals are:

$24.15 in rewards dollars for a survey site (which I will use to buy visa cards)
$46.91 in quickrewards (which I will use to buy Disney gift cards)
$124.45 in credit card rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$11.95 in cc rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$123.65 in the change jar
$236.00 in the account
$150.00 Disney gift card
$1.31 American cash

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $718.42


September 1st Goal: $1000
Need to Earn: $281.58

 

[stayhomemom77]

Alright! So, I've broken everything down and I'm going to be doing things a little bit differently from now on.

I'm going to divide everything up into categories and as I achieve the required amount for each one, I'll remove it. For today though, I'll put it all down...just so we can see what was needed and what has already been achieved.

So here is what I need:

Disney package-$3229.22 ($200 deposit paid) $3029.22 OWING
Universal tickets-$600 (2 day base tickets, hoping to get them cheaper)
Off site hotel for Universal days-$265.84 PAID
Tips for Dining Plan-$175 (gift cards to cover)
Universal Dining-$200
Gasoline-$500
Misc. expenses-$150 (includes tolls, parking fees for universal, etc)

So the next thing I'm going to do is work towards getting the universal tickets. Then I'll get to work paying down the Disney package balance and then pull together the gasoline, universal dining and misc. expenses money.

So excited!!

 

[Mom2DisneyKids]

I got our ADR's all booked Tuesday and I'm pretty well satisfied with them. I am hoping to switch my Chef Mickey reservation from a brunch to a dinner and my Sci Fi from lunch to dinner...but otherwise, I think we're pretty happy with what we got. I'll put them here just for fun:

Dec 21 Dinner at Beaches and Cream
Dec 22 Lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern
Dec 23 Dinner at Raglan Road
Dec 24 Lunch at Sci Fi
Dec 25 Dinner at Boma
Dec 26 Lunch at Akershus
Dec 27 Lunch at Chef Mickey (late breakfast seating)

We will be at CBR Dec 17-26, but none of our ADR's are the same. I love your motivating posts! I've been selling things on local Facebook selling sites, and have made quite a bit of money just simply selling things I was setting aside for a garage sale. Clutter gone and cash in my pocket!

 

[stayhomemom77]

We will be at CBR Dec 17-26, but none of our ADR's are the same. I love your motivating posts! I've been selling things on local Facebook selling sites, and have made quite a bit of money just simply selling things I was setting aside for a garage sale. Clutter gone and cash in my pocket!

NICE!

We moved cross country a year ago, so I have nothing and I do mean NOTHING to sell, more's the pity. I'd love to make some cash that way.

CONFESSION TIME!!

I now must admit, that I changed most of our ADR's already. I do this every time. I have a problem. DD is newly 11 and will not polish off an entire entree and dessert herself, so I worked out some meals that we will share and added a couple more ADR's to use up the credits. So, I had to shift some things around.

New schedule:

Dec 22-lunch at LLT (sharing)
Dec 23-dinner at Boma
Dec 24-lunch at Sci Fi (sharing)
Dec 25-dinner at Beaches and Cream (sharing)
Dec 26-breakfast at Akershus, dinner at Via Napoli
Dec 27-breakfast at Ohana, dinner at Cape May Cafe

I'm pretty happy with these and I'm going to try and leave it this time.

 

[stayhomemom77]

Added $8.05 since yesterday because I...

earned $0.05 from isay...

earned $0.37 from quickrewards...

earned $1.38 in credit card rewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

added $0.25 to the USD change pouch...

added $6.00 to the Disney jar...

added $0 to the bank account...

So the new totals are:

$24.20 in rewards dollars for a survey site (which I will use to buy visa cards)
$47.28 in quickrewards (which I will use to buy Disney gift cards)
$125.83 in credit card rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$11.95 in cc rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$129.65 in the change jar
$150.00 Disney gift card
$1.56 American cash

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $490.47

**I used the money in the savings account to pay for the universal hotel.

Going forward, I have broken down the budget into the following four categories:

1. Disney package
2. Universal tickets
3. Cash (for all tips, tolls, parking fees, food costs at universal and misc expenses)
4. Gasoline

1. I used the $150 in Disney gift cards (from QuickRewards) towards the balance on my Disney package. It was super easy to do online and now I only owe $2979.22. I will continue to do this until the balance is paid in full. I nearly have enough to order another $50 card from QR and I should be getting my $25 card from the DVC phone tour sometime next week. I will also use the vacation money we budget each month and pay it down until the final payment is due and the package is paid off.

2. I will watch for a deal with UT or someone, but these are going to have to wait a bit before they can be purchased. I have some money going towards them from the vacation budget, once the Disney package is paid off...but that will only be roughly half of what I will need. The other half will have to come primarily from the isay earnings and the credit card rewards. I'm hoping to have this half by the end of September, but we'll just have to wait and see!

3. The cash expenses will be funded by the change jar and I am a bit nervous about this one because I have a long way to go! However, I think if I'm frugal with my cash purchases over the next four and a half months, I can get the money I need!!

4. The gasoline costs will be fully funded by the final paycheck for 2014.

 

[Mom2DisneyKids]

CONFESSION TIME!!

I now must admit, that I changed most of our ADR's already. I do this every time. I have a problem.

I change everything countless times too! Once the 60 day window opens for Fastpasses, I will probably change things around a bit more too. I know which restaurants I want ADR's at, but might need to flip flop days around.

 

[lauradis]

op just wanted to say your doing a great job making those pennies add up.



I come and read your thread ever so often.

 

[stayhomemom77]

Added $4.15 since yesterday because I...

earned $0 from isay...

earned $1.07 from quickrewards...

earned $2.98 in credit card rewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

added $0 to the USD change pouch...

added $0.10 to the Disney jar...

added $0 to the bank account...

So the new totals are:

$24.20 in rewards dollars for a survey site (which I will use to buy visa cards)
$48.35 in quickrewards (which I will use to buy Disney gift cards)
$128.81 in credit card rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$11.95 in cc rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$129.75 in the change jar
$1.56 American cash

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $344.62

RUNNING TOTALS:

Earned $48.35 towards the Disney package, $2680.87 still needed
Earned $164.96 towards the Universal tickets, $435.04 still needed
Earned $129.75 towards the cash amount, $370.25 still needed
Earned $0 towards the gasoline amount, $500 still needed

 

[Monykalyn]

Love reading how you are doing! I broke our vacation down into categories last night too with it spelled out what we need and what is already paid. DH is now saying he doesn't think we can swing a June trip (he didn't rule out a trip just not in June) but that would mean 1) either it is really hot!! or 2) we would have to pull kids out of school-and next year oldest DD will be a senior (although...Christmas decorations at the world are cool...) Hence-the worksheet. Heck-we have 3 people coming up on maternity leave in the next 2 months so I can easily pick up more work days and pay for it myself by december (I work 24hrs/wk so that is doable)
Soooo-i have started a "bill" jar and have committed to putting extra $5 in there-every time I buy something I will get cashback and immediately put $5 away. have $20 already lol

 

[stayhomemom77]

Love reading how you are doing! I broke our vacation down into categories last night too with it spelled out what we need and what is already paid. DH is now saying he doesn't think we can swing a June trip (he didn't rule out a trip just not in June) but that would mean 1) either it is really hot!! or 2) we would have to pull kids out of school-and next year oldest DD will be a senior (although...Christmas decorations at the world are cool...) Hence-the worksheet. Heck-we have 3 people coming up on maternity leave in the next 2 months so I can easily pick up more work days and pay for it myself by december (I work 24hrs/wk so that is doable)
Soooo-i have started a "bill" jar and have committed to putting extra $5 in there-every time I buy something I will get cashback and immediately put $5 away. have $20 already lol

Good for you!

I know people come on here and think...wow! But really, it's just making the commitment that saving for the trip is a priority and then plugging away at it. And we aren't sacrificing anything much on a day to day basis...just the little unanticipated splurges that we might at one time have said yes to...we usually now say no to. And in the end, we will get an amazing trip!!

 

[stayhomemom77]

op just wanted to say your doing a great job making those pennies add up.



I come and read your thread ever so often.

Thanks! I love that old adage..."where there's a will, there's a way!"

 

[stayhomemom77]

Added $2.06 since yesterday because I...

earned $0 from isay...

earned $1.06 from quickrewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

earned $1.00 in credit card rewards...

added $0 to the USD change pouch...

added $0 to the Disney jar...

added $0 to the bank account...

So the new totals are:

$24.20 in rewards dollars for a survey site (which I will use to buy visa cards)
$49.41 in quickrewards (which I will use to buy Disney gift cards)
$128.81 in credit card rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$12.95 in cc rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$129.75 in the change jar
$1.56 American cash

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $346.69

RUNNING TOTALS:

Earned $49.41 towards the Disney package, $2679.81still needed
Earned $165.96 towards the Universal tickets, $434.04 still needed
Earned $129.75 towards the cash amount, $370.25 still needed
Earned $0 towards the gasoline amount, $500 still needed

 

[stayhomemom77]

Added $2.40 since yesterday because I...

earned $0 from isay...

earned $1.08 from quickrewards...

earned $1.22 in credit card rewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

added $0 to the USD change pouch...

added $0 to the Disney jar...

added $0 to the bank account...

So the new totals are:

$24.20 in rewards dollars for a survey site (which I will use to buy visa cards)
$50.59 in quickrewards (which I will use to buy Disney gift cards)
$130.03 in credit card rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$12.95 in cc rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$129.75 in the change jar
$1.56 American cash

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $349.09

RUNNING TOTALS:

Earned $50.56 towards the Disney package, $2679.81still needed
Earned $167.18 towards the Universal tickets, $432.82 still needed
Earned $129.75 towards the cash amount, $370.25 still needed
Earned $0 towards the gasoline amount, $500 still needed

**I've done two surveys and been rejected for one on isay but it has not yet credited. Since they usually credit immediately, I'm a little worried that I am not going to be compensated. However, there are some occasions when the money comes later, I'm hoping this is one of those times. Fingers crossed the money comes through soon.

 

[Mom2DisneyKids]

These posts really have me thinking about how a few bucks here and there can really add up to some significant savings. Over the last weeks, I have saved $180 by selling things through Facebook groups, bringing on our popcans, and adding my extra cash to the pile! Wow! I still have some things to list, and I'm feeling super motivated by the extra cash!

I also signed up to sell plasma in a few weeks. I have done it before to raise money for a group fundraiser, but figured I could earn some easy cash this way too! The current "promotion" is if you go 4 times within 30 days, you will earn $250!

One of the "hidden costs" for our trip is paying for our three dogs to be boarded. That adds up to about $50/day, so $500 for our upcoming trip. It's alot, but I should have that covered with my current savings and plasma.

I also want to have all of our tip money saved up since that is another "hidden cost."

I LOVE seeing how these dollars and pennies add up to something MUCH bigger!

 

[stayhomemom77]

Added $0.88 since yesterday because I...

earned $0.05 from isay...

earned $0.55 from quickrewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

earned $0.28 in credit card rewards...

added $0 to the USD change pouch...

added $0 to the Disney jar...

added $0 to the bank account...

So the new totals are:

$24.25 in rewards dollars for a survey site (which I will use to buy visa cards)
$51.14 in quickrewards (which I will use to buy Disney gift cards)
$130.03 in credit card rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$13.23 in cc rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$129.75 in the change jar
$1.56 American cash

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $349.97

RUNNING TOTALS:

Earned $51.14 towards the Disney package, $2678.08still needed
Earned $167.51 towards the Universal tickets, $432.49 still needed
Earned $129.75 towards the cash amount, $370.25 still needed
Earned $0 towards the gasoline amount, $500 still needed

 

[stayhomemom77]

GOOD GRIEF!! I'm behind again! Was out of town for the weekend so not a ton of money was made, but I've got some small earnings to report.

ALSO! BIG NEWS!! I ordered our Universal tickets through UT and got a deal, partly due to the Mousesavers link and partly due to a limited time promotion they have on the UT website. I got two day park to park passes with a third day...

















FOR FREE!!!


Anyway, I had to adjust things a bit so now ALL the earnings that were going to these tickets will be now going towards paying down the Disney package balance and the vacation money that would have gone to the Disney package now goes to pay off these tickets.

So, I'll update for the 8th, then the next post the 9th and THEN for today after that one!

August 8th update

Added $3.20 since yesterday because I...

earned $0 from isay...

earned $0 from quickrewards...

earned $3.20 in credit card rewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

added $0 to the USD change pouch...

added $0 to the Disney jar...

added $0 to the bank account...

So the new totals are:

$24.25 in rewards dollars for a survey site (which I will use to buy visa cards)
$51.14 in quickrewards (which I will use to buy Disney gift cards)
$133.23 in credit card rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$13.23 in cc rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$129.75 in the change jar
$1.56 American cash

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $353.17

RUNNING TOTALS:

Earned $221.85 towards the Disney package, $2507.37 still needed
Earned $129.75 towards the cash amount, $370.25 still needed
Earned $0 towards the gasoline amount, $500 still needed