One Year to Save 2016

[stayhomemom77]

Since my last update I have added $3.75 to my Disney funds because I...

added $0.20 in Isay rewards...
earned $2.80 in credit card rewards...
earned $0 cash back through Checkout 51...
added $0 in the Disney jar...
earned $0.75 from quickrewards...

So the new totals are:

$5.25 in Isay rewards...
$15.84 in credit card rewards...
$29.75 in Checkout 51...
$76.87 in the Disney jar...
$3.98 in quickrewards...
$25.00 gift card from QR that I ordered but have not yet received...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $131.69!!

Esso Extra Points: 4025
Points needed for $30 in free gasoline: 975

Shoppers Optimum Points: 821

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


Savings goal: $505.85
Total Remaining: $369.16

 

[stayhomemom77]

Since my last update I have added $8.75 to my Disney funds because I...

added $0 in Isay rewards...
earned $0 in credit card rewards...
earned $5.00 cash back through Checkout 51...
added $3.75 in the Disney jar...
earned $0 from quickrewards...

So the new totals are:

$5.25 in Isay rewards...
$15.84 in credit card rewards...
$34.75 in Checkout 51...
$80.62 in the Disney jar...
$3.98 in quickrewards...
$25.00 gift card from QR that I ordered but have not yet received...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $140.44!!

Esso Extra Points: 4025
Points needed for $30 in free gasoline: 975

Shoppers Optimum Points: 821

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


Savings goal: $505.85
Total Remaining: $365.41

**DH told me last night that he was anticipating putting some of his spending money towards the trip each month, so I'm sure we'll be able to gather enough together. He also told me that he doesn't need anything in terms of presents, so whatever money we CAN swing for gifts can just be used on the kids. I've barely had any personal spending money all year long and he's had most of his, so I think I'll try to give myself the month off for December if I can and just keep all or most of that spending money for myself. It would be quite a nice change to actually have some money in my pocket for once.

 

[stayhomemom77]

Where to begin? It's been a busy week. We added a day to the trip as I mention earlier and I got THAT reconciled but then I realized that my conversion rate for USD to CAD was too low, so I had to adjust that this week. That pushed the total up somewhat.

Also, there's been the whole saga of trying to decide where to stay on that extra night. We considered the Poly but that was way too much money, then we looked at Beach Club which was only slightly cheaper and now I'm trying to decide if I want to book Coronado Springs or not.

The real problem is that I am feeling like I'd like to treat myself. I've been working so hard for so long on earning/saving for our trips (which I do not begrudge in ANY way, shape or form) that I'm feeling like treating myself for a change. And it's been VERY hard to argue against treating myself to a night at a deluxe resort.

It's also been very hard to rationalize the extra expense for this treat. Hence, my dilemma. I"m going to keep mulling it over and see how it goes.

Anyway, I added $10.79 on Monday and $4.81 on Tuesday and I'll put today's earnings below:

Since my last update I have added $1.95 to my Disney funds because I...

added $0.50 in Isay rewards...
earned $0.55 in credit card rewards...
earned $0 cash back through Checkout 51...
added $0.15 in the Disney jar...
earned $0.75 from quickrewards...

So the new totals are:

$6.25 in Isay rewards...
$20.18 in credit card rewards...
$35.75 in Checkout 51...
$13.12 in the Disney jar...
$7.69 in quickrewards...
$25.00 gift card from QR that I ordered but have not yet received...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $82.99!!

Esso Extra Points: 4025
Points needed for $30 in free gasoline: 975

Shoppers Optimum Points: 821

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


Savings goal: $390.00
Total Remaining: $307.01

*This total will go up if I chose to book a more expensive hotel.

**This is going to be a very lean month...I had to come up with the money to pay for the passports, which means there is very little wiggle room in my budget and I have some anticipated expenses. For one thing, it's DH's and my anniversary...at present, I haven't one red cent to go towards celebrating that. Second, we have to buy Scout popcorn from DS...and DH wants the $50 package...ouch! On top of that are Halloween expenses and Thanksgiving expenses. On the bright side...November is going to feel quite decadent by comparison.

 

[stayhomemom77]

Okay, on Thursday I went through the budget again, separated out what is in (and going to be going in) the vacation account, because that is the money we need to finish paying off the package. We also took care of our passport renewals, so I removed that from the totals as well. I also cashed in most of the money from the change jar and put that towards the vacation account. Basically, I made a mess and then cleaned it back up. But it took me a few days.

The funny thing is...I may have to do that one more time if I do change up where we are staying on the 28th. In the meantime, though...this is the updated and correct tally. I'll catch up first and then do today's later on.


THURSDAY
Since my last update I have added $8.32 to my Disney funds because I...

added $0 in Isay rewards...
earned $1.36 in credit card rewards...
earned $1.00 cash back through Checkout 51/Zweet...
earned $0 cash back through Caddle...
added $6.05 in the Disney jar...
earned $0 from quickrewards...

So the new totals are:

$6.25 in Isay rewards...
$21.54 in credit card rewards...
$36.75 in Checkout 51/Zweet...
$19.17 in the Disney jar...
$0 in the Caddle...
$7.60 in quickrewards...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $91.31!!

Esso Extra Points: 4063
Points needed for $30 in free gasoline: 947

Shoppers Optimum Points: 991

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


Savings goal: $390.00
Total Remaining: $298.69

*I recently came across two new cash back apps and am adding them in to reflect what I have earned from them so far. I have to reach $20 before I can cash them out, so I may not achieve that in time, but I'll keep tracking it just in case.

 

[stayhomemom77]

FRIDAY

Since my last update I have added $1.10 to my Disney funds because I...

added $0 in Isay rewards...
earned $0 in credit card rewards...
earned $0 cash back through Checkout 51/Zweet...
earned $1.10 cash back through Caddle...
added $0 in the Disney jar...
earned $0 from quickrewards...

So the new totals are:

$6.25 in Isay rewards...
$21.54 in credit card rewards...
$36.75 in Checkout 51/Zweet...
$19.17 in the Disney jar...
$1.10 in the Caddle...
$7.60 in quickrewards...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $92.41!!

Esso Extra Points: 4063
Points needed for $30 in free gasoline: 947

Shoppers Optimum Points: 991

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


Savings goal: $390.00
Total Remaining: $297.59

 

[stayhomemom77]

SATURDAY

Since my last update I have added $3.26 to my Disney funds because I...

added $0 in Isay rewards...
earned $0.76 in credit card rewards...
earned $0 cash back through Checkout 51/Zweet...
earned $0 cash back through Caddle...
added $2.50 in the Disney jar...
earned $0 from quickrewards...

So the new totals are:

$6.25 in Isay rewards...
$22.30 in credit card rewards...
$36.75 in Checkout 51/Zweet...
$21.67 in the Disney jar...
$1.10 in the Caddle...
$7.60 in quickrewards...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $95.67!!

Esso Extra Points: 4063
Points needed for $30 in free gasoline: 947

Shoppers Optimum Points: 991

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


Savings goal: $390.00
Total Remaining: $294.33

 

[stayhomemom77]

Since my last update I have added $21.41 to my Disney fund because I...

earned $1.40 from quickrewards...
added $0.50 in Isay rewards...
earned $2.94 in credit card rewards...
earned $0 cash back through Checkout 51
earned $0 cash back through Zweet...
earned $0 cash back through Caddle...
added $1.55 in the Disney jar...
added $15.00 to the Disney account...

So the new totals are:

$9.00 in quickrewards...
$6.75 in Isay rewards...
$25.26 in credit card rewards...
$36.25 in Checkout 51
$0.50 in Zweet...
$1.10 in the Caddle...
$23.22 in the Disney jar...
$15.00 in the Disney account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $117.08!!

Esso Extra Points: 4063
Points needed for $30 in free gasoline: 947

Shoppers Optimum Points: 991

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


Savings goal: $390.00
Total Remaining: $272.92

 

[stayhomemom77]

Since my last update I have added $6.80 to my Disney fund because I...

earned $0 from quickrewards...
added $3.05 in Isay rewards...
earned $0 in credit card rewards...
earned $0 cash back through Checkout 51
earned $0 cash back through Zweet...
earned $0.75 cash back through Caddle...
added $3.00 in the Disney jar...
added $0 to the Disney account...

So the new totals are:

$9.00 in quickrewards...
$9.80 in Isay rewards...
$25.26 in credit card rewards...
$36.25 in Checkout 51
$0.50 in Zweet...
$1.85 in the Caddle...
$26.22 in the Disney jar...
$15.00 in the Disney account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $123.88!!

Esso Extra Points: 4063
Points needed for $30 in free gasoline: 947

Shoppers Optimum Points: 991

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


Savings goal: $390.00
Total Remaining: $266.12

 

[stayhomemom77]

Since my last update I have added $8.37 to my Disney fund because I...

earned $1.50 from quickrewards...
added $0.05 in Isay rewards...
earned $5.77 in credit card rewards...
earned $0 cash back through Checkout 51
earned $0 cash back through Zweet...
earned $0 cash back through Caddle...
added $1.05 in the Disney jar...
added $0 to the Disney account...

So the new totals are:

$10.50 in quickrewards...
$9.85 in Isay rewards...
$31.03 in credit card rewards...
$36.25 in Checkout 51
$0.50 in Zweet...
$1.85 in the Caddle...
$27.27 in the Disney jar...
$15.00 in the Disney account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $132.25!!

Esso Extra Points: 4063
Points needed for $30 in free gasoline: 947

Shoppers Optimum Points: 991

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


Savings goal: $390.00
Total Remaining: $257.75

 

[DnA2010]

Haven't had a chance to check in for a while. But you are doing great! What about booking the dessert party or wishes cruise as a treat if you are struggling on booking the deluxe resort?

 

[stayhomemom77]

Hooray! You're back. I was wondering when you'd find the time to check in. How is life with a newborn?? Is it a little man or a little lady? Babies are the best!

We DID talk about doing the Wishes cruise but the kids didn't seem to care for the idea and I don't care for the dessert party idea. LOL I have to run a 5K the following weekend!

I just left everything the way it was for the time being...we have a little time to keep mulling this over...the kids think we should just book the night at Coronado Springs since it's only $100 more than what we have already budgeted and they think the pool area and food court look really cool. And we may end up doing this...but it doesn't really feel like a treat to me.

I'll see where we are financially at the end of the month and then make the call.

Thank you for the suggestions...it's made me realize that there are other ways to treat myself besides accommodations!

 

[stayhomemom77]

Since my last update I have added $5.72 to my Disney fund because I...

earned $0 from quickrewards...
added $0.90 in Isay rewards...
earned $4.62 in credit card rewards...
earned $0 cash back through Checkout 51
earned $0 cash back through Zweet...
earned $0.20 cash back through Caddle...
added $0 in the Disney jar...
added $0 to the Disney account...

So the new totals are:

$10.50 in quickrewards...
$10.75 in Isay rewards...
$35.65 in credit card rewards...
$36.25 in Checkout 51
$0.50 in Zweet...
$2.05 in the Caddle...
$27.27 in the Disney jar...
$15.00 in the Disney account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $137.97!!

Esso Extra Points: 4063
Points needed for $30 in free gasoline: 947

Shoppers Optimum Points: 991

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


Savings goal: $390.00
Total Remaining: $252.03


This is Thanksgiving weekend for us Canadians! So I am heading out of town after dinner tonight. I have a lot to accomplish today, but I will try and get through some surveys and get updated here for today's earnings. The above accounting was for yesterday. We just got DH a new phone (and gave his old one to our teenager, who is THRILLED to have her first cell phone) and we are paying for car repairs this weekend. All the necessary money is in the savings account but we used (and will be using) the credit card to earn rewards. They'll be awarded over the course of next week, likely. It's adding up!

 

[stayhomemom77]

For the 7th...

Since my last update I have added $1.81 to my Disney fund because I...

earned $0 from quickrewards...
added $0.55 in Isay rewards...
earned $1.26 in credit card rewards...
earned $0 cash back through Checkout 51
earned $0 cash back through Zweet...
earned $0 cash back through Caddle...
added $0 in the Disney jar...
added $0 to the Disney account...

So the new totals are:

$10.50 in quickrewards...
$11.30 in Isay rewards...
$36.91 in credit card rewards...
$36.25 in Checkout 51
$0.50 in Zweet...
$2.05 in the Caddle...
$27.27 in the Disney jar...
$15.00 in the Disney account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $139.78!!

Esso Extra Points: 4134
Points needed for $30 in free gasoline: 866

Shoppers Optimum Points: 1321

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


Savings goal: $390.00
Total Remaining: $250.22

 

[stayhomemom77]

Since my last update I have added $9.94 to my Disney fund because I...

earned $0 from quickrewards...
added $0.15 in Isay rewards...
earned $7.84 in credit card rewards...
earned $0 cash back through Checkout 51
earned $0 cash back through Zweet...
earned $0 cash back through Caddle...
added $1.95 in the Disney jar...
added $0 to the Disney account...

So the new totals are:

$10.50 in quickrewards...
$11.45 in Isay rewards...
$44.75 in credit card rewards...
$36.25 in Checkout 51
$0.50 in Zweet...
$2.05 in the Caddle...
$29.22 in the Disney jar...
$15.00 in the Disney account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $149.72!!

Esso Extra Points: 4134
Points needed for $30 in free gasoline: 866

Shoppers Optimum Points: 1321

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


Savings goal: $390.00
Total Remaining: $240.28

 

[DnA2010]

Hooray! You're back. I was wondering when you'd find the time to check in. How is life with a newborn?? Is it a little man or a little lady? Babies are the best!

We DID talk about doing the Wishes cruise but the kids didn't seem to care for the idea and I don't care for the dessert party idea. LOL I have to run a 5K the following weekend!

I just left everything the way it was for the time being...we have a little time to keep mulling this over...the kids think we should just book the night at Coronado Springs since it's only $100 more than what we have already budgeted and they think the pool area and food court look really cool. And we may end up doing this...but it doesn't really feel like a treat to me.

I'll see where we are financially at the end of the month and then make the call.

Thank you for the suggestions...it's made me realize that there are other ways to treat myself besides accommodations!

Aww thanks! We've got a little lady she hadn't been (and still isn't!) easy but love her dearly of course! Lately she seems to have forgotten how to sleep day or night!
Did you guys do DL when you were out west?

 

[stayhomemom77]

Aww thanks! We've got a little lady she hadn't been (and still isn't!) easy but love her dearly of course! Lately she seems to have forgotten how to sleep day or night!
Did you guys do DL when you were out west?

LOL I remember those days. I couldn't put my little lass down for more than an hour or she'd scream her bloody head off!! Thankfully, that was done by about the six month mark but it was rough going there for a while.

Yes, we hit up Disneyland one summer, but I still prefer the World!

We knew our time on the west coast was limited, so we made the most of it. We moved out at the beginning of September, so the following July (2012) we did a west coast trip. Three weeks through like 9 (?) states and we saw Yellowstone and Vegas and the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon. And we did a few days at DL and then did Hollywood and San Diego and then drove up through San Francisco and saw the giant trees and hit Portland and Seattle before heading home. I may have missed some stuff--we saw things in Montana, Idaho and Utah also! It was epic.

We did Calgary and Edmonton on separate trips and saw most of interior BC (we did TONS of weekend getaways to Kelowna and Sun Peaks and stuff like that) as well as Vancouver but we never did get to Whistler OR the Island...so we have to do that at some point.

I do love road trips!

 

[stayhomemom77]

Okay, so I got behind again...

We did decide to go ahead and add the extra night on to the front of our reservation. We will be staying at Coronado Springs for one night and then we'll move over to Port Orleans French Quarter for our eight night reservation. I had to adjust the budget to allow for the increase in that night's stay (the original booking was at a cheaper, offsite hotel) and I also had to adjust our dining choices on those dates as well. THEN, DH expressed dissatisfaction over the fact that we were going to be drinking water at all meals on our park days--even though we ALWAYS get water when we dine out at home (heaven grant me patience!!) so I had to add in some soda purchases to our QS meals in the parks and adjust the budget once again.

Anyway...on to the update.

This is for yesterday:

Since my last update I have added $14.48 to my Disney fund because I...

earned $0 from quickrewards...
added $0 in Isay rewards...
earned $8.57 in credit card rewards...
earned $0 cash back through Checkout 51
earned $0 cash back through Zweet...
earned $0.50 cash back through Caddle...
added $0 in the Disney jar...
added $5.00 to the Disney account...

So the new totals are:

$14.16 in quickrewards...
$12.95 in Isay rewards...
$58.03 in credit card rewards...
$36.25 in Checkout 51
$0.50 in Zweet...
$3.50 in the Caddle...
$29.22 in the Disney jar...
$20.00 in the Disney account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $174.61!!

Esso Extra Points: 4134
Points needed for $30 in free gasoline: 866

Shoppers Optimum Points: 1321

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


Savings goal: $426.00
Total Remaining: $251.39

 

[stayhomemom77]

Monday:

Since my last update I have added $17.43 to my Disney fund because I...

earned $0 from quickrewards...
added $1.00 in Isay rewards...
earned $1.18 in credit card rewards...
earned $0 cash back through Checkout 51
earned $0.25 cash back through Zweet...
earned $0 cash back through Caddle...
added $0 in the Disney jar...
added $15.00 to the Disney account...

So the new totals are:

$14.16 in quickrewards...
$13.95 in Isay rewards...
$59.21 in credit card rewards...
$36.25 in Checkout 51
$0.75 in Zweet...
$3.50 in the Caddle...
$29.22 in the Disney jar...
$35.00 in the Disney account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $192.04!!

Esso Extra Points: 4134
Points needed for $30 in free gasoline: 866

Shoppers Optimum Points: 1421

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


Savings goal: $426.00
Total Remaining: $233.96

 

[stayhomemom77]

Since my last update I have added $40.75 to my Disney fund because I...

earned $0.75 from quickrewards...
added $0 in Isay rewards...
earned $0 in credit card rewards...
earned $0 cash back through Checkout 51
earned $0 cash back through Zweet...
earned $0 cash back through Caddle...
added $0 in the Disney jar...
added $40.00 to the Disney account...

So the new totals are:

$14.91 in quickrewards...
$13.95 in Isay rewards...
$59.21 in credit card rewards...
$36.25 in Checkout 51
$0.75 in Zweet...
$3.50 in the Caddle...
$29.22 in the Disney jar...
$75.00 in the Disney account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $232.79!!

Esso Extra Points: 4134
Points needed for $30 in free gasoline: 866

Shoppers Optimum Points: 1561

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


Savings goal: $426.00
Total Remaining: $193.21

 

[stayhomemom77]

Wow...I really fell off the updating wagon there, didn't I?

Sorry about that. For one thing...our car died. Well, not so much died as just needs a new transmission. To the tune of $3500. And that account was just wiped clean when we got DH his new phone and got the shocks replaced on the car. For about a week, we weren't sure if we were even going to be able to take this trip and though I was stressed and dealing with the car issues, I WAS still earning/saving to some degree...just not all out.

Our car is older, paid for and has been driven quite a bit...so she was definitely going to need a fair amount of money to continue to maintain her. Our hope was that she would last another six months but the transmission upset that. In the end, we decided not to put anymore money into her and just get a new car instead. It's a lease, so the payments are low and the dealership is making the payments for the first three months.

That means the trip can go forward as scheduled.

On the way to the dealership to pick up the new car, DH and I were discussing the trip. We are leaving straight from his parent's place for Florida. When we stay with them, we sleep on a VERY uncomfortable pull out couch in the basement. I was lamenting the fact that we were going to have to stay there two nights in a row. I told him I wished we could just head out after lunch on December 26th and drive five or six hours, so we could sleep in a nice, comfy queen size bed in a nice hotel just off the I-75.

His response? "Well...why don't we?"

In all honesty, I actually expected him to say that we would have to just suck it up. But, it's been a rough semester for him so far (he's doing five courses instead of his usual four because there was no one else qualified to teach one of them and they basically forced him to take it on now and then he'd only do three next semester) and I think he's looking forward to the break. Dealing with these car issues smack dab in the middle of midterms has really elevated his stress levels this past week, so it was a good time to bring it up, I guess.

Anyway...I haven't yet had the chance to price that out and add it in...but I think we're just going to wiggle the money for that out of the regular budget, so it shouldn't affect my numbers here.

In the vacation account, I have what I need to pay off the balance of the package. That's due in two weeks.

I have a certain amount of money from December's pay going towards the vacation, so I just need to earn/save enough here to cover the shortfall...which sits at about $500.

I figure I need to get to $25 on QR so I can cash out for another $25 Disney gift card. Then I'll have $200 in gift cards and those will go towards food.

I also need to get to $25 on Isay, so I can cash in for an Amazon gift card and trade that for cash from my MISC budget.

I also need to get to $20 on my husband's Checkout 51 account, so I can cash that in. My account has more than $20 and can be cashed in at any time.

And lastly, I need to get to 200,000 PC points which equals $200 in free groceries.

I can then cash in or trade in these earnings and, combined with my other sources of income, will bring me pretty close to the total I need.

So, game on!!