The Save Money for Disney Thread (Tips Included)

[magik]

This is a tip to save money that only ladies would be able to take advantage of, and just as a warning, some might think it gross, but using alternative reusable menstrual products can save a ton of money in the long run. I know, I know it sounds yucky. But it can create less waste (better for the environment) *and* save you money (better for the Disney fund!).

As a conservative example, a person might go through a box of pads or tampons every other month. At $7 a box, that's $42 a year. And that's for someone with a 5 day period, changing every 6 hours.

Using something like Diva Cup, Keeper Mooncup, Mooncup UK, or Lunette can save you so much money in the long run that can be put towards Disney vacations!

Depending on the brand, you can sometimes find one for as low as $20, although they average around $35. And being made of medical grade silicone, when cared for properly, they last indefinitely! (some state 10 years, but others don't claim a set time period). So that's $35 for 10 years worth of menstrual protection versus $420 for 10 years of disposable stuff.

There are also reusable cloth pads, but the initial expenditure is much higher for things like that.

 

[Terry36]

I have not read the other pages but I would like to recommend Kidzeyes: http://www.kidzeyes.com/

This is a good way for your kids to earn money. The kids are asked to complete surveys on foods, toys and television programs. It is very safe; parents are notified by email whenever a survey has been sent to the child. DD loves it; she accumulated $50 over several months and was able to use it on her vacation 2 weeks ago. Parents are also asked to complete surveys and will also earn points.

HTH!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I read thru 7 pages to make sure no one had posted what I do!!

I save Washing Machine Change.

You know the kind that is left in pockets and ends up in the bottom of the washer! It goes straight into my Disney fund. Sometimes it just a few cents but sometimes there are a few bills.

No one gets any change back from the Washer or Dryer!! It is Disney Money!!

I have been doing this for years. I have a jar on top of my dryer and I throw all that change in there.
Don't forget couch cushions too.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I have $25 a month direct deposited into a savings acct that I set up as a vacation acct. easy way to set a side money for a trip. So does DH. And we don't miss the $50 a month.
I also take part of my tax refund and put it into this acct. So for the stimulus check of $1200 I will put the $200 into the acct. If my tax return is $4300 I take the $300 and place it into this acct as well.

 

[RichieTruxillo]

Got a bunch of PM's to answer. Just moved into our house in Roanoke. On a lesser somber note, my Homepage Friends account was either hacked or has an error, so I'm waiting to get that sorted out before I send out more invites.

Until then, it's unpacking all day and night hehe

 

[susieb16]

After reading everyone's ideas, I was determined to come up with some way to save for a trip next summer. So far my vacation fund consists of a change jar with about $38.00 in it. As I was trying to determine where I would find even the smallest bit of spare money for my fund, I had an epiphany. During the school year, my teen-age daughter takes singing lessons at school at the rate of $18.00/week. These lessons aren't offered in the summer and so that $18.00 can go into my Disney fund. There are 8 weeks of summer vacation so that amounts to $144.00 for the fund. It's not much but it's a start and it's painless. Thanks everyone for the inspiration!

 

[bettyann29]

I just counted my change in my coke bank and Im at $58.55

I checked my paypal account to see if I had any $ from Pinecone in there.. I had $5.. Just cashed that out.. Once it hits my bank, I'll take it out and put in my bank

I also checked receipts today to send in for my flexible spending account and if I remember right I have about $61!! I'll fax that in tomorrow.. Once I recv that I'll put it in my bank too

I still need to check my mypoints acct as I know I have enough to cash in for some giftcards.. I'll probably cash in for Walmart cards.. use those for groceries and the money that I save I'll take out of my weekly grocery budget and stick that in my bank..

Im planning on going thru the house this weekend and see what I can put on ebay and then doing a garage sale in 3 weeks.. All proceeds go towards our Disney trip..

 

[RichieTruxillo]

Ok Update! Got my account back and reported the person who stole the account for fraud and got it unlocked again. Moral of the story? Never log into check your account stats on a computer other than your own.

All PMs have been updated! Sold another item on Ebay. Feels good to be moved in but I have my employee orientation tomorrow. 2 weeks till I have no more time

Still awesome to be moving forward. My wife got my a mickey mouse statuette of a Doctor mickey. Was an awesome gift How she got it and hid it from me until then, I do not know but I was very excited to get it.

I will check out kidzeyes.com when I get some time. That is a very interesting concept indeed!

-Richie

 

[terri01p]

What I have done is :

I do save all my change, so far I have about 45.00 for my WDW trip next year. Also I have envelopes for certain things that I want to do because we won't be getting the dining plan I have an envelope for Beach and Cream, I have never been there and really would like to go, what I did was set a certain amount set it kinda high like 100.00 for that and start putting in money here and there whenever I finish getting the 100.00 put in I seal it up and start another envelope for something else.

Sunday after church instead of stopping by Taco Bell like we normally do we just came home an ate a sandwich and I put 20.00 in the envelope. I try and not touch the money once it goes in an envelope it's gone in my eyes. This can be alot of fun and give you something to look forward too. The creative board has some awesome envelope designs you can print out for fun .

 

[Gisele]

Good job Terri, and everyone else too! I rather like the idea of saving funds via envelopes and then perhaps depositing the money into a savings or at least a checking account.
Taco Bell is fun and tasty, however even there, the price can add up, so less trips there is a good idea.
Eating at home definitely can save money, I still dine at Taco Bell etc. just less often.
Have you made tacos or tostadas at home? they are quick and easy to prepare, and cook. I like to do that, and I have recipes, if you are interested.

 

[RichieTruxillo]

Well I found out at Orientation today that we are getting paid for it. This is great news as I'll get an additional 8 days pay on my first check. Haven't told the wifey yet, but she'll be happy

I found some more information on kidzeyes and will add it to the front page. I've also had people with a considerable interest in Ebay stores. I'd be willing to do a write up on it on a blog, but it takes too long to explain for a post. I will throw it in since I generate some money with it.

 

[RichieTruxillo]

First page updated with new material. Added Kidzeyes, Rebates, Ebay Affiliate Stores. More to come!

 

[eyor44]

Here are some of the things I am doing.
Each pay day I take all of the change from my purse and put it in the piggy bank. When the bank is full, I put the change in the savings account for Disney.
Also on payday, I take out any $1 bills in my purse and put them in a special envelope for Disney.
I recycle alum cans and the $$ I receive goes in the Disney envelope.
Any time I get a gift card that can be used at WDW I save it also.
Then there is the Disney Reward Card. I use it instead of my Debit card. So far $56. Daycare, WalMart, son's car repairs, etc., all go on the card and taken straight out of the check book.
DS's allowance goes straight into his savings for Disney.
DD puts any change she gets into her bank for Disney.
Wish I would have thought to start all of this before March.

 

[bettyann29]

at work yesterday they handed everyone a $15 walmart giftcard to help with gas..

Im going to use it when I grocery shop this week so I took that $15 out and put in my bank.. with the $58.55 that I had in my bank I now have $73.55

 

[RichieTruxillo]

Awesome, keep banking stuff away guys. I am stuck in an Electronic Medical records session all day. Got any more suggestions for me?
-Richie

 

[abish19]

Here's a question related to saving gift cards...

Is it appropriate to ask for Disney gift cards for holidays or birthdays? I don't want to ask grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. for this for my kids' gifts, but what about my own? I'd rather get that than something I already have enough of.

What do you think? I don't have an opinion one way or the other, but I'm trying to form one!

I've been diligently hanging the laundry outside to line dry for the last few weeks. How do I bank that savings? I thought maybe I could compare electrical usage to last year's, then take the difference?

Love this thread! Good luck with the training, Richie!

 

[TPCShauna]

I don't think there is anything wrong with putting the word out that Disney Dollars/Gift Cards would be much appreciated for the whole family. That way, the kids would have money to spend on the trip and it's an easy gift for most people to access.

I would definitely not hesitate to add this to the top of my list. I would basically let everyone know when they first ask that it was my number one and then give other options if they want them.

 

[RichieTruxillo]

I think it would be appropriate to ask for Disney Gift Cards. People love giving gift cards instead of money because they have a specific purpose!

 

[i<3tink]

Thanks so much for this thread it is giving me lots of great ideas!!

 

[RichieTruxillo]

Glad to hear it I<3tink. That's the idea, brainstorm, put our heads together and find a way to visit the Mouse again! hehe