One Year to Save!!

[stayhomemom77]

August 9th update

Added $2.86 since yesterday because I...

earned $0 from isay...

earned $0 from quickrewards...

earned $0.56 in credit card rewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

added $0 to the USD change pouch...

added $2.30 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)
$133.79 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)
$132.05 in the change jar
$1.56 American cash

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $356.03

RUNNING TOTALS:

Earned $222.41towards the Disney package, $2506.81 still needed
Earned $132.05 towards the cash amount, $367.95 still needed
Earned $0 towards the gasoline amount, $500 still needed

 

[stayhomemom77]

Added $6.67 since yesterday because I...

earned $0 from isay...

earned $1.21 from quickrewards...

earned $0.41 in credit card rewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

added $0 to the USD change pouch...

added $5.05 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)
$52.35 in quickrewards (which I will use to buy Disney gift cards)
$134.20 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)
$137.10 in the change jar
$1.57 American cash

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $362.70

RUNNING TOTALS:

Earned $224.03 towards the Disney package, $2505.19 still needed
Earned $137.10 towards the cash amount, $362.90 still needed
Earned $0 towards the gasoline amount, $500 still needed

 

[gracer9977]

Love this thread. I am joining just to keep watching your progress and the great savings ideas that you all have.

I have to raise $500.00 before the end of the year without messing up our monthly budget. Have to use "found" money. If I can save up the $500 by the end of the year then we can put it in a CD and start planning a WDW vacation for Sept/Oct 2018.

My DH won't even consider thinking about a trip to Disney till I have that money in the CD.

I have $310.00 saved so far from:

Taking $5.00 in cash back each week in grocery money
Birthday money
Having $5.00 direct deposited into a savings account.

So far I am on track. I also cash out a bunch of my vacation hours in December. I use the money for Christmas presents but I can also use that money to make my goal.

 

[stayhomemom77]

Love this thread. I am joining just to keep watching your progress and the great savings ideas that you all have.

I have to raise $500.00 before the end of the year without messing up our monthly budget. Have to use "found" money. If I can save up the $500 by the end of the year then we can put it in a CD and start planning a WDW vacation for Sept/Oct 2018.

My DH won't even consider thinking about a trip to Disney till I have that money in the CD.

I have $310.00 saved so far from:

Taking $5.00 in cash back each week in grocery money
Birthday money
Having $5.00 direct deposited into a savings account.

So far I am on track. I also cash out a bunch of my vacation hours in December. I use the money for Christmas presents but I can also use that money to make my goal.

Good for you!!

You know, October is a fantastic time to buy Christmas presents. Lots of great sales on and if you can find a way to stock up without blowing your budget...you can get great stuff at a fraction of the price. I always score great deals and then feel guilty that I spent so little on my loved ones, but they are always thrilled and never know how little I spend!!

 

[stayhomemom77]

Added $1.03 since yesterday because I...

earned $0 from isay...

earned $1.03 from quickrewards...

earned $0 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)
$53.38 in quickrewards (which I will use to buy Disney gift cards)
$134.20 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)
$137.10 in the change jar
$1.57 American cash

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $363.73

RUNNING TOTALS:

Earned $225.06 towards the Disney package, $2504.16 still needed
Earned $137.10 towards the cash amount, $362.90 still needed
Earned $0 towards the gasoline amount, $500 still needed

**I've earned a few bucks in the last 36 hours that haven't been credited yet. I-say owes me a dollar but since I've been waiting over a week to be paid, that money may never come. QR owes me over $1.50, some of which will probably show up in my account later today and some on Monday.

I'll be watching my sister's kiddies at her place beginning Thursday while she's in the Bahamas with her hubs, and her 21 month old will likely keep my busy, but I'll earn as best as I can when she is napping!!

 

[gracer9977]

Good for you!!

You know, October is a fantastic time to buy Christmas presents. Lots of great sales on and if you can find a way to stock up without blowing your budget...you can get great stuff at a fraction of the price. I always score great deals and then feel guilty that I spent so little on my loved ones, but they are always thrilled and never know how little I spend!!

I love to buy Christmas Presents all year round and you are right about the deals in October, I think it's because usually that is when bank Christmas Savings Clubs release the money.

I tend to buy a lot of presents in the days right after Christmas (all those huge sales) and then something every month of the year. This drives my husband bananas but he is always happy when Christmas comes around and I have presents taken care of for just about everyone and then with my the money from cashing out my vacation time we have the money to buy all the last minute stuff and we never need to touch our paychecks.

We don't have any credit cards and pay for everything in cash. My husband and I aren't good with money. Wish that wasn't the case but having a credit card would be bad news. This is also why I will be putting the money for Disney in a CD so neither of us can touch it.

Love watching your progress and all the work that you are putting into your savings. Just wanted to let you know I think you are doing an awesome job!!!

 

[stayhomemom77]

I love to buy Christmas Presents all year round and you are right about the deals in October, I think it's because usually that is when bank Christmas Savings Clubs release the money.

I tend to buy a lot of presents in the days right after Christmas (all those huge sales) and then something every month of the year. This drives my husband bananas but he is always happy when Christmas comes around and I have presents taken care of for just about everyone and then with my the money from cashing out my vacation time we have the money to buy all the last minute stuff and we never need to touch our paychecks.

We don't have any credit cards and pay for everything in cash. My husband and I aren't good with money. Wish that wasn't the case but having a credit card would be bad news. This is also why I will be putting the money for Disney in a CD so neither of us can touch it.

Love watching your progress and all the work that you are putting into your savings. Just wanted to let you know I think you are doing an awesome job!!!

Thanks! I confess I sometimes reread this thread and gloat over how much has added up over the months. I can't WAIT to start this process all over again next January!

 

[stayhomemom77]

Added $1.61 since yesterday because I...

earned $0.45 from isay...

earned $1.07 from quickrewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

earned $0.09 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:

$24.70 in rewards dollars for a survey site (which I will use to buy visa cards)
$54.45 in quickrewards (which I will use to buy Disney gift cards)
$134.20 in credit card rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$13.32 in cc rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$137.10 in the change jar
$1.57 American cash

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $365.34

RUNNING TOTALS:

Earned $226.67 towards the Disney package, $2502.55 still needed
Earned $137.10 towards the cash amount, $362.90 still needed
Earned $0 towards the gasoline amount, $500 still needed

 

[stayhomemom77]

For yesterday...

Added $9.13 since yesterday because I...

earned $0.10 from isay...

earned $0.46 from quickrewards...

earned $8.57 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:

$24.80 in rewards dollars for a survey site (which I will use to buy visa cards)
$54.91 in quickrewards (which I will use to buy Disney gift cards)
$142.77 in credit card rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$13.32 in cc rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$137.10 in the change jar
$1.57 American cash

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $374.47

RUNNING TOTALS:

Earned $235.80 towards the Disney package, $2493.42 still needed
Earned $137.10 towards the cash amount, $362.90 still needed
Earned $0 towards the gasoline amount, $500 still needed

 

[stayhomemom77]

Added $2.37 since yesterday because I...

earned $0.05 from isay...

earned $1.40 from quickrewards...

earned $0.69 in credit card rewards...

earned $0.23 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:

$24.85 in rewards dollars for a survey site (which I will use to buy visa cards)
$56.31 in quickrewards (which I will use to buy Disney gift cards)
$143.46 in credit card rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$13.55 in cc rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$137.10 in the change jar
$1.57 American cash

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $376.84

RUNNING TOTALS:

Earned $238.17 towards the Disney package, $2491.05 still needed
Earned $137.10 towards the cash amount, $362.90 still needed
Earned $0 towards the gasoline amount, $500 still needed

 

[stayhomemom77]

Added $5.91 since yesterday because I...

earned $0.05 from isay...

earned $1.06 from quickrewards...

earned $4.80 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:

$24.90 in rewards dollars for a survey site (which I will use to buy visa cards)
$57.37 in quickrewards (which I will use to buy Disney gift cards)
$148.26 in credit card rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$13.55 in cc rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$137.10 in the change jar
$1.57 American cash

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $382.75

RUNNING TOTALS:

Earned $244.08 towards the Disney package, $2485.14 still needed
Earned $137.10 towards the cash amount, $362.90 still needed
Earned $0 towards the gasoline amount, $500 still needed

 

[stayhomemom77]

Added $1.90 since yesterday because I...

earned $0 from isay...

earned $1.82 from quickrewards...

earned $0.08 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:

$24.90 in rewards dollars for a survey site (which I will use to buy visa cards)
$59.19 in quickrewards (which I will use to buy Disney gift cards)
$148.34 in credit card rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$13.55 in cc rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$137.10 in the change jar
$1.57 American cash

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $384.65

RUNNING TOTALS:

Earned $245.98 towards the Disney package, $2483.24 still needed
Earned $137.10 towards the cash amount, $362.90 still needed
Earned $0 towards the gasoline amount, $500 still needed

 

[stayhomemom77]

Added $1.06 since yesterday because I...

earned $0 from isay...

earned $1.06 from quickrewards...

earned $0 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:

$24.90 in rewards dollars for a survey site (which I will use to buy visa cards)
$60.25 in quickrewards (which I will use to buy Disney gift cards)
$148.34 in credit card rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$13.55 in cc rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$137.10 in the change jar
$1.57 American cash

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $385.71

RUNNING TOTALS:

Earned $247.04 towards the Disney package, $2482.18 still needed
Earned $137.10 towards the cash amount, $362.90 still needed
Earned $0 towards the gasoline amount, $500 still needed

 

[stayhomemom77]

Added $4.49 since yesterday because I...

earned $0 from isay...

earned $1.75 from quickrewards...

earned $1.74 in credit card rewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

added $0 to the USD change pouch...

added $0 to the Disney jar...

added $1.00 to the bank account...

So the new totals are:

$24.90 in rewards dollars for a survey site (which I will use to buy visa cards)
$62.00 in quickrewards (which I will use to buy Disney gift cards)
$150.08 in credit card rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$13.55 in cc rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$137.10 in the change jar
$1.57 American cash
$1.00 in the bank account

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $390.20

RUNNING TOTALS:

Earned $250.53 towards the Disney package, $2478.69 still needed
Earned $137.10 towards the cash amount, $362.90 still needed
Earned $1.00 towards the gasoline amount, $499.00 still needed

**I seldom use my debit card. Most of the time I use my credit card for purchases so I can rack up the rewards points, but once in a blue moon, I or the hubs end up paying via debit. Many years ago we set it up to have $1 automatically moved to the savings account each time there is a debit transaction. This past weekend I went thru the McDonalds drive thru for the kiddies as we were heading to my nephew's baseball game. I still can't explain what possessed me to pull out the debit card instead of my mastercard, but this transaction explains the laughable addition of $1 into the savings account. In a way, I'm glad because I now no longer have a zero balance going towards the gasoline budget. Even though it's only a buck...it feels like progress!

**I do have a few dollars in my change purse but I'm not going to be able to add it to the change jar until we are back home. This addition should be reflected in the totals come Monday morning.

 

[stayhomemom77]

Added $4.58 since yesterday because I...

earned $0.95 from isay...

earned $0.40 from quickrewards...

earned $3.23 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:

$25.85 in rewards dollars for a survey site (which I will use to buy visa cards)
$62.40 in quickrewards (which I will use to buy Disney gift cards)
$153.31 in credit card rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$13.55 in cc rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$137.10 in the change jar
$1.57 American cash
$1.00 in the bank account

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $394.78

RUNNING TOTALS:

Earned $255.11 towards the Disney package, $2474.11 still needed
Earned $137.10 towards the cash amount, $362.90 still needed
Earned $1.00 towards the gasoline amount, $499.00 still needed

Although it has been challenging to stick to my usual routine whilst watching a toddler, I think I've managed to earn a respectable amount for Disney while I've been away from home this last week. Having said that...I can't wait to get back to normal come Saturday night!

 

[stayhomemom77]

Added $1.67 since yesterday because I...

earned $0 from isay...

earned $0.43 from quickrewards...

earned $1.24 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:

$25.85 in rewards dollars for a survey site (which I will use to buy visa cards)
$62.83 in quickrewards (which I will use to buy Disney gift cards)
$154.55 in credit card rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$13.55 in cc rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$137.10 in the change jar
$1.57 American cash
$1.00 in the bank account

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $396.45

RUNNING TOTALS:

Earned $256.78 towards the Disney package, $2472.44 still needed
Earned $137.10 towards the cash amount, $362.90 still needed
Earned $1.00 towards the gasoline amount, $499.00 still needed

 

[stayhomemom77]

Added $2.48 since yesterday because I...

earned $0 from isay...

earned $0.48 from quickrewards...

earned $2.00 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:

$25.85 in rewards dollars for a survey site (which I will use to buy visa cards)
$63.31 in quickrewards (which I will use to buy Disney gift cards)
$156.55 in credit card rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$13.55 in cc rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$137.10 in the change jar
$1.57 American cash
$1.00 in the bank account

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $398.93

RUNNING TOTALS:

Earned $259.26 towards the Disney package, $2469.96 still needed
Earned $137.10 towards the cash amount, $362.90 still needed
Earned $1.00 towards the gasoline amount, $499.00 still needed

 

[stayhomemom77]

Added $130.58 since yesterday because I...

earned $0 from isay...

earned $0.79 from quickrewards...

earned $1.24 in credit card rewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

added $0 to the USD change pouch...

added $3.55 to the Disney jar...

added $100 to the bank account...

received my $25 Disney gift card...

So the new totals are:

$25.85 in rewards dollars for a survey site
$64.10 in quickrewards (but not really because I put $50 of it on my Disney package)
$157.79 in credit card rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$13.55 in cc rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$140.65 in the change jar
$1.57 American cash
$101.00 in the bank account (but not really because I put it on my Disney package)
$25 Disney gift card reward (but not really because I put it on my Disney package)

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $529.51

RUNNING TOTALS:

Have $211.29 towards the Disney package, $2338.71 still needed
Have $140.65 towards the cash amount, $359.35 still needed
Have $1.00 towards the gasoline amount, $499.00 still needed

**My $25 Disney gift card came today for doing that DVC phone tour and my sister (who's kids I watched for 9 days while she and her hubs were in the Bahamas) gave me $100 to go towards our trip as a thank you. And finally, while we were away, a $50 gift card from QR came, so my total really now is $14.10 since I cashed $50 out.

So, I applied the $100 from my sister, and the $75 in gift cards and deducted them from both totals so that it would all be correct.

**Also our universal tickets arrived in the mail...which has nothing to do with the money countdown, but is exciting!! LOL

 

[stayhomemom77]

Added $1.13 since yesterday because I...

earned $0 from isay...

earned $0.13 from quickrewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

added $0 to the USD change pouch...

added $0 to the Disney jar...

added $1.00 to the bank account...

So the new totals are:

$25.85 in rewards dollars for a survey site
$14.23 in quickrewards
$157.79 in credit card rewards
$13.55 in cc rewards
$140.65 in the change jar
$1.57 American cash
$2.00 in the bank account


...for a GRAND TOTAL of $355.64

RUNNING TOTALS:

Have $211.42 towards the Disney package, $2338.58 still needed
Have $140.65 towards the cash amount, $359.35 still needed
Have $2.00 towards the gasoline amount, $498.00 still needed

 

[stayhomemom77]

Added $5.77 since yesterday because I...

earned $0.90 from isay...

earned $0.85 from quickrewards...

earned $0.64 in credit card rewards...

earned $0.38 in credit card rewards...

added $0 to the USD change pouch...

added $0 to the Disney jar...

added $3.00 to the bank account...

So the new totals are:

$26.75 in rewards dollars for a survey site
$15.08 in quickrewards
$158.43 in credit card rewards
$13.93 in cc rewards
$140.65 in the change jar
$1.57 American cash
$5.00 in the bank account


...for a GRAND TOTAL of $361.41

RUNNING TOTALS:

Have $214.19 towards the Disney package, $2335.81 still needed
Have $140.65 towards the cash amount, $359.35 still needed
Have $5.00 towards the gasoline amount, $495.00 still needed