Probably been discussed, but I'm new to these things lol!

[tinkx3]

I am new here and have seen some threads about different ways to save up for our WDW trip but it's a little overwhelming to go thru them all...so here is my plea for help I am trying to find ways to save some money, just had a new baby so money is pretty tight, any way that I can save money, I am willing to try! So, my question is, I have an Ipod Touch and Verizon Android phone. What is the secret to all of these apps that I see people discussing for GCs and such? Can someone walk me thru it please??? Also, the Target 5% savings on Disney GCs, how does that work? Does anyone know if Lowes employees can use their employee discount for Disney GCs? Where can I get 1 of those big water cooler bottles for my change? I'm sure there are TONS more that you guys are doing, so fill me in, pretty please Thanks guys!

 

[TheRatPack]

Here is one site that shares coupons and things to help you save for Disney:
http://www.couponingtodisney.com/

 

[Jenny3]

I've done a few things..

Opened an ING Account and have $ deposited automatically into it every week (I did $25/wk - an amount we won't miss)

I opened Disney Visa cards for myself and DH when we got the offer for $200 in gift cards each

I shop online through eBates and stash away the bonus checks

I coupon and put the savings each week aside

I do surveys online to get points for gift cards (eSurveys, eMiles)

Any "found" money goes into the fund (for example, we got a new gas energy efficient boiler and converted our home from oil to gas heat this summer. Our gas company (Peco) offered substantial rebates for this - $1100!) I also got a very small bonus at work (not expected) so that went in there too.

I watch TV using the Viggle app and rack up points to convert to gift cards

I requested Disney gift cards for the kids birthdays so they had spending money

I sold merchandise on Amazon, craigslist and Facebook Yard Sale groups - anything we make goes into the fund. This can be anything from DVDs to unused kids toys to baby equipment, whatever we have laying around that we aren't using anymore. Great way to clean out the clutter too

I bought many souvenirs before our trip when they went on clearance at the Disney Store (sweatshirts for $9; tees for $3, Mickey ears, etc) I also found authentic WDW animals at our local thrift shop (2 for a quarter!). All of this I stashed away and brought with us, so the kids got a little something every day.

I researched and shopped and got the best deals possible for our airline tickets, resort (rented DVC points), did the dining plan and WDW tickets.

We decided we were going to WDW about 2.5 years before we went, so I had a lot of time to save. A little at a time adds up! My hubby and I decided to go to Universal/IOA/SeaWorld/DC trip this Fall for our anniversary, so I started the whole process over again in January. It's just the 2 of us, so the expenses aren't as high.

Good luck!

 

[tinkx3]

Ugh, I wish couponing worked around here! I'm addicted to TLC shows and LOVE Extreme Couponing, none of our stores double coupons or anything, and our local paper only comes out 3 days a week and usually only has coupon inserts on Fridays but never any good ones, and they all have size restrictions. A few years ago a lady at my church used to do the EC couponing thing and there was a newer grocery store that would give cash back on overages, but they even stopped allowing that! If something goes on sale for $.99 and you have a $1 off coupon, you will only get $.99 off that coupon, and you are only allowed to use 5 SIMILAR (not same) coupons in 1 store VISIT/day! So, you can't have more than 1 transaction either. Anyway, enough of my couponing rant, basically the restrictions around here are so horrible, I can't figure out how to use coupons to save more than a few dollars. I do use coupons for the things I need and have a coupon for, just not able to buy 100 bottles of travel size shampoo JUST because I can make money off of them Trust me, I wish I could! lol

Also, Jenny, can you tell me more about theses apps I keep hearing about, Viggle and some other ones I've heard about shopping, I guess you log inwhen you go to Target and walmart and stuff, and the surveys too...I'd LOVE to hear some of the details about how I do that! TIA

My trip isn't gonna be until the end of 2013, either Halloween or Christams hopefully, so I have some time to save, that's why I am trying to do what I can now. My plan for tickets is to go every week and buy a Disney GC from Lowes, there is 1 right by my house, and then when I get enough GCs I can use them to buy our tickets...$25 a week isn't gonna kill us!

So, thanks for all of the ideas!

 

[worm761]

Also, Jenny, can you tell me more about theses apps I keep hearing about, Viggle and some other ones I've heard about shopping, I guess you log inwhen you go to Target and walmart and stuff, and the surveys too...I'd LOVE to hear some of the details about how I do that! TIA

So, thanks for all of the ideas!

The apps you want for in store are Shopkick and Field Agent (only for iPhone right now).

 

[tinkx3]

The apps you want for in store are Shopkick and Field Agent (only for iPhone right now).

Not for the itouch?

 

[of2dbeach]

I am in Fl they dont double coupons here either ( not sure where your from ) . This is what I do. I want till there is a BOGO sale on say cereal. Then I stack coupons using a target coupon with a Man coupon. I shop at Publix and they allow me to use both Go to couponwizzard, couponingtodisney,coupons.com, target.com etc to get coupons and print them out. Also I buy 2-4 papers depending on what coupons are in them. I get 2 diffrent papers because they have diffrent coupons. I am also on the coupon train here , My mom sends me coupons and you can print coupons 2 at each computer. if you need more help let me know. I save on average $60-$70 per week and we have 5 living at home.

 

[sol4J]

I’m all for using coupons as much as possible and would prefer not to pay the full price. Just wanted to mention the program I use to save money – if you check out the Focus on the Family website (a group I’m with) and type Focus on Finances in the search box, there are various articles regarding planning and also a free envelope budgeting system that has helped to track my expenses and income. Hope you’ll check it out. Best to you!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

I wouldn't get one of the big water jug jars. Those take forever to fill and looking at how empty they are can be a bit of a let down.
I bought one of the big piggy banks at Target and fill that.

http://www.target.com/s?searchTerm=piggy+bank&category=0|All|matchallpartial|all+categories

I think we had about $200 in change when it was 3/4 of the way full.

Another way to save is this, you could do $5's or $1's.
http://www.mommysavers.com/c/t/197913/the-5-savings-plan-have-you-tried-it

here is a list of other tips

http://www.thebudgetdiet.com/cut-your-spending-by-400-a-month

 

[worm761]

Not for the itouch?

No because you need internet for both. Shopkick can be done on an Android though. We do it and are up to a $25 gift card. Not sure what we will use it for though. Thinking to help with Christmas.

 

[Pigeon]

I do better focusing on not spending. I'd be thinking about putting change in a bowl I already own rather than spending on a big jug. If you won't save much with coupons, buy generic and think about what you can do without.

 

[tinkx3]

OK, not sure how to muti quote and respond, so...
Pigeon- I agree, I was hoping there would be a suggestion about where I might be able to pick up a used jug, for free, since I have seen many people post about having them as trip fund jugs. And, I def buy generic when I can on most things, as well as BJs and just buying in bulk in general.
Worm- Thanks, looking into that!
Bernard- I hear ya, but I was going to wrap the jug in decorative duct tape so I would never see how empty it was lol! Thank you for the links, I will def check them out.
Sol- Thanks for the tip, I love Focus on the Family!
Of2d- Thank you soooo much on the offer! I'm sure I will bombard you with questions and advice lol, I am in MD.

Checking out Viggle now! It was compatible to my DBFs LG phone, not yet compatible with mine, apparently
Have to find the charger for my itouch so I can figure out the apps on that!
I am also going thru EVERYTHING and gathering what I need to get rid of and posting whatever I can on some "mom swap" groups that I am in on FB, hoping to make a little money doing that

Again, thanks guys!!!

 

[bearloch]

I have a mickey jar that the change gos into Lol and I use coupons too! again any thing I resell goe and any time I can buy something needed at a discount the savings goes into my account which is for vacs and entertainment! to help me not touch it when things get bad its at a differnt bank BUT i linked my bill pays from are main account to it so I can transfer Money without haveing to go and actually get the cash and drive over lol

also tax returns are split in half and half goes to vac account and half to a bid ticket item we are needed or repair etc.

I also started to play the lottery just the dollar cards 2x a week and have won a little there and that money is helping!

lastly I stopped paying for things i could do like cutting hubbys hair, hemming pants, etc and Ive learned to say NO to school fundraisers instead of the high priced junk I just make a much smaller donation!

also im not ashamed to tell the school/doc/ dentist no I can afford that cost and it surprises me that they come back with something much cheaper!! of free!! ( samples)

good luck!

 

[katiepants325]

My husband and I used to have a rule that every night you emptied anything under a five from your wallet into the piggy bank. We also weren't allowed to spend change. The piggy bank we used usually was between 60 and 100 dollars full, and it would get full every three weeks. That money went in to a special account that we never looked at so we forgot about it. When we went to go use it, it was always a small shock how much money was in there.

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

You mentioned you work for Lowe's and have Verizon..

Verizon offers a plan discount for Lowe's employees. Take a current pay stub to a store and they'll set it up for you.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

OK, not sure how to muti quote and respond, so...
Pigeon- I agree, I was hoping there would be a suggestion about where I might be able to pick up a used jug, for free, since I have seen many people post about having them as trip fund jugs. And, I def buy generic when I can on most things, as well as BJs and just buying in bulk in general.
Worm- Thanks, looking into that!
Bernard- I hear ya, but I was going to wrap the jug in decorative duct tape so I would never see how empty it was lol! Thank you for the links, I will def check them out.
Sol- Thanks for the tip, I love Focus on the Family!
Of2d- Thank you soooo much on the offer! I'm sure I will bombard you with questions and advice lol, I am in MD.

Checking out Viggle now! It was compatible to my DBFs LG phone, not yet compatible with mine, apparently
Have to find the charger for my itouch so I can figure out the apps on that!
I am also going thru EVERYTHING and gathering what I need to get rid of and posting whatever I can on some "mom swap" groups that I am in on FB, hoping to make a little money doing that

Again, thanks guys!!!

To multi quote, just click the plus sign next to each quote button you want to quote, then hit reply. You can type in between each quote.
OR the easier thing to do is just respond like you did and bold each person's name.

Other money saving tips:
We can redeem soda and water bottles so I take that money and add that to the vacation jar or use it as coupons at the store.
My grocery store tallies my savings on the end of the receipt so that money goes into savings. It's almost like a game to see how much I save.
Also the grocery store and Target give you 5 cents off for every reusable bag you use. Sometimes Target people forget but I will remind them, those nickels add up!!
I also get gas points with my grocery store card, so when I use that the difference gets banked.
It's money you would have spent anyway so I don't really feel like it's cutting back, just shopping smarter.

 

[TheRatPack]

Ugh, I wish couponing worked around here! I'm addicted to TLC shows and LOVE Extreme Couponing, none of our stores double coupons or anything, and our local paper only comes out 3 days a week and usually only has coupon inserts on Fridays but never any good ones, and they all have size restrictions.

That site isn't all about couponing....it's just named that ,maybe that's how it started out. They post deals for online shopping that save you money, some points programs like ShopAtHome and other things that you can participate in that will save you money for your Disney fund

 

[Jill in Chicago]

Cooking from scratch is a great way to save money. Consider how cheap it is to make chicken soup and some bisquits. If you buy Biquick on sale you can make all kinds of tastey things.

Cooking from scratch doesn't have to be an everynight thing so that you are overwhelmed. Choose nights just to have pasta ($1.00 or less a box) and red sauce (on sale).

Use your freezer. Have a few cooked vegetables left? Throw them in the freezer. When you are making soup toss them in. Some with a small amount of cooked chicken. Freeze it and you are ready to make chicken tacos, just add some spices.

Examine your grocery receipts. What are the pricey items? How could you buy or make something different? For instance make a batch of muffins at home.

Figure out what "goes bad," or that you pitch each week. Again, freeze it, or stop buying it.

I promise this will be an easy way to spend less money each week.