One Year to Save!!

[disfamof7]

I personally would only book the Disney portion of the trip for now. I don't know exactly what kind of deal you found for the Universal part but I would think you might still be able to get a similar deal if you book at a later date (just not too much later when it is closer to the Holidays). That way your Disney part is still flexible and you don't have to worry about being locked into a reservation that you aren't sure about.

 

[rnorwo1]

This may not be helpful if you are trying to find a hotel as cheaply as possible, but I strongly encourage you to stay on site at universal for the express pass benefit. That will be a very busy time of the year, especially with Diagon Alley opening, and the express pass can save you an hour wait per ride! One night gets you two days with the pass, so you could do your 5-6 nights at disney, then drive over to universal very early, check in to take advantage of the early entry and then enjoy the park with no lines! The next day you check out and still have the whole park day with the express pass. You can then either start your drive home and find a cheaper hotel to break up the ride (if you're driving, sorry I can't remember the details of your trip), or you could even check into universals "value" hotel, which doesn't offer express pass, so you're still close enough to take a break in the day. We loved our on-site experience at universal so much that our next trip to Orlando will be just universal. Not waiting in lines just completely changes everything!

As for extra dining credits, you can "splurge" with a character meal or dinner show that requires two credits. Have fun planning!

 

[stayhomemom77]

Well, I'll leave it for now and revisit the issue once we get back from the cruise and know what we are dealing with.

After all...if we go over budget on that vacation...we may not be able to afford the Christmas one at all.

In the meantime...I'll keep saving.

 

[stayhomemom77]

Added $3.17 since yesterday because I...

earned $0.05 from isay...

earned $1.28 from quickrewards...

earned $1.84 in credit card rewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

added $0 to the Disney jar...

So the new totals are:

$8.90 in rewards dollars for a survey site (which I will use to buy visa cards)
$16.50 in quickrewards (which I will use to buy Disney gift cards)
$57.75 in credit card rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$4.59 in cc rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$96.75 in the change jar
$0 in the account
$150.00 Disney gift card
$1.31 American cash

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $335.80


Monthly Goal: $400
Need to Earn: $64.20

 

[disfamof7]

I thought I would just list all of my ways to save for Disney using "found" money. Currently I use Swagbucks, Savingstar, Ibotta, Ebates, and I'm trying out this new app I found out about called Rewardable. I'm not sure what I think about it yet so I'm going to give it a try for a couple weeks and see how it goes. I also have a coin jar that all of our change goes into and I also try to put any $1s we get in there as well.

I also like the idea of saving any extra money I have from under spending on groceries and putting that towards Disney money. I currently just carry it over to next month's groceries and it seems I always use it since I have it but having a clear place to use that money will really help keep me on target with our grocery spending.

 

[stayhomemom77]

Added $2.03 since yesterday because I...

earned $0.05 from isay...

earned $1.14 from quickrewards...

earned $0.84 in credit card rewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

added $0 to the Disney jar...

So the new totals are:

$8.95 in rewards dollars for a survey site (which I will use to buy visa cards)
$17.64 in quickrewards (which I will use to buy Disney gift cards)
$58.59 in credit card rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$4.59 in cc rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$96.75 in the change jar
$0 in the account
$150.00 Disney gift card
$1.31 American cash

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $337.83


Monthly Goal: $400
Need to Earn: $62.17

 

[Disney Nan]

All these tips, over here in UK really no such thing as coupons so when I come voer I love using them and watching the pennies I'm saving.

I need to get myself a jar for my WAM money, I already stick to quite a tight budget just to pay the mortgage and bills but this site is a great incentive to see what else I can save

 

[stayhomemom77]

Added $5.96 since yesterday because I...

earned $0.05 from isay...

earned $1.12 from quickrewards...

earned $4.79 in credit card rewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

added $0 to the Disney jar...

So the new totals are:

$9.00 in rewards dollars for a survey site (which I will use to buy visa cards)
$18.76 in quickrewards (which I will use to buy Disney gift cards)
$63.38 in credit card rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$4.59 in cc rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$96.75 in the change jar
$0 in the account
$150.00 Disney gift card
$1.31 American cash

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $343.79


Monthly Goal: $400
Need to Earn: $56.21

 

[stayhomemom77]

Added $6.22 since yesterday because I...

earned $2.10 from isay...

earned $0.73 from quickrewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

earned $0.94 in credit card rewards...

added $2.45 to the Disney jar...

So the new totals are:

$11.10 in rewards dollars for a survey site (which I will use to buy visa cards)
$19.49 in quickrewards (which I will use to buy Disney gift cards)
$63.38 in credit card rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$5.53 in cc rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$99.20 in the change jar
$0 in the account
$150.00 Disney gift card
$1.31 American cash

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $350.01


Monthly Goal: $400
Need to Earn: $49.99

 

[stayhomemom77]

Added $1.17 since yesterday because I...

earned $0.15 from isay...

earned $0.17 from quickrewards...

earned $0.85 in credit card rewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

added $0 to the Disney jar...

So the new totals are:

$11.25 in rewards dollars for a survey site (which I will use to buy visa cards)
$19.66 in quickrewards (which I will use to buy Disney gift cards)
$64.23 in credit card rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$5.53 in cc rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$99.20 in the change jar
$0 in the account
$150.00 Disney gift card
$1.31 American cash

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $351.18


Monthly Goal: $400
Need to Earn: $48.82

 

[stayhomemom77]

Forgot to update yesterday...

Added $0.43 since yesterday because I...

earned $0 from isay...

earned $0.43 from quickrewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

added $0 to the Disney jar...

So the new totals are:

$11.25 in rewards dollars for a survey site (which I will use to buy visa cards)
$20.09 in quickrewards (which I will use to buy Disney gift cards)
$64.23 in credit card rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$5.53 in cc rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$99.20 in the change jar
$0 in the account
$150.00 Disney gift card
$1.31 American cash

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $351.61


Monthly Goal: $400
Need to Earn: $48.39

 

[stayhomemom77]

Added $5.75 since yesterday because I...

earned $0.90 from isay...

earned $0.37 from quickrewards...

earned $3.66 in credit card rewards...

earned $0.82 in credit card rewards...

added $0 to the Disney jar...

So the new totals are:

$12.15 in rewards dollars for a survey site (which I will use to buy visa cards)
$20.46 in quickrewards (which I will use to buy Disney gift cards)
$67.89 in credit card rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$6.35 in cc rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$99.20 in the change jar
$0 in the account
$150.00 Disney gift card
$1.31 American cash

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $357.36


Monthly Goal: $400
Need to Earn: $42.64

 

[Carina]

have you tried Swagbucks or Perk

I am averaging $1 a day each or more on both those sites

 

[salemnews]

Hello everyone,
Just wanted to jump on board. I started the one-year savings challenge April 1, 2014. I've been using many methods of savings
1 I use Swagbucks on a daily basis, over 100 bucks so far
2 I use Perk TV on a daily basis over 60 bucks so far
3 I do shopkick as often as I can usually 4 to 5 days a week 75 bucks
4 Change Jar 120 Bucks
5 Target Gift Cards for Shopping at Target 100 Bucks so far. I have a few big purchases coming up in the near future so I will be using Swagbucks for those i.e. hotel i.e. jewelry,
Our Disney trip is not until September 2015 going to be getting a lot of target gift cards so I can use them to get Disney gift cards

 

[stayhomemom77]

have you tried Swagbucks or Perk

I am averaging $1 a day each or more on both those sites

I've looked into both of them but haven't earned anything on them.

What do you cash them in for?

 

[stayhomemom77]

Added $6.47 since Friday because I...

earned $0.05 from isay...

earned $4.67 from quickrewards...

earned $0.70 in credit card rewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

added $1.05 to the Disney jar...

So the new totals are:

$12.20 in rewards dollars for a survey site (which I will use to buy visa cards)
$25.13 in quickrewards (which I will use to buy Disney gift cards)
$68.59 in credit card rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$6.35 in cc rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$100.25 in the change jar
$0 in the account
$150.00 Disney gift card
$1.31 American cash

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $363.83


Monthly Goal: $400
Need to Earn: $36.17

**Isay was down all of Saturday which was annoying as I couldn't do any surveys but also, I did a couple on Friday (one I finished for $0.75 and one for which I didn't qualify for $0.05) and then got another today I didn't qualify for and I haven't yet been paid. I'm wondering if their problems mean I won't be. I guess I just wait and see.

 

[stayhomemom77]

Added $0.99 since yesterday because I...

earned $0.10 from isay...

earned $0.89 from quickrewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

added $0 to the Disney jar...

So the new totals are:

$12.30 in rewards dollars for a survey site (which I will use to buy visa cards)
$26.02 in quickrewards (which I will use to buy Disney gift cards)
$68.59 in credit card rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$6.35 in cc rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$100.25 in the change jar
$0 in the account
$150.00 Disney gift card
$1.31 American cash

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $364.82


Monthly Goal: $400
Need to Earn: $35.18

 

[stayhomemom77]

Added $0.78 since yesterday because I...

earned $0 from isay...

earned $0.43 from quickrewards...

earned $0.35 in credit card rewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

added $0 to the Disney jar...

So the new totals are:

$12.30 in rewards dollars for a survey site (which I will use to buy visa cards)
$26.45 in quickrewards (which I will use to buy Disney gift cards)
$68.94 in credit card rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$6.35 in cc rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$100.25 in the change jar
$0 in the account
$150.00 Disney gift card
$1.31 American cash

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $365.60


Monthly Goal: $400
Need to Earn: $34.40

 

[stayhomemom77]

Added $1.06 since yesterday because I...

earned $0 from isay...

earned $0.58 from quickrewards...

earned $0.48 in credit card rewards...

earned $0 in credit card rewards...

added $0 to the Disney jar...

So the new totals are:

$12.30 in rewards dollars for a survey site (which I will use to buy visa cards)
$27.03 in quickrewards (which I will use to buy Disney gift cards)
$69.42 in credit card rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$6.35 in cc rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$100.25 in the change jar
$0 in the account
$150.00 Disney gift card
$1.31 American cash

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $366.66


Monthly Goal: $400
Need to Earn: $33.34

 

[stayhomemom77]

Added $9.38 since yesterday because I...

earned $1.65 from isay...

earned $1.28 from quickrewards...

earned $0.46 in credit card rewards...

earned $0.39 in credit card rewards...

added $5.60 to the Disney jar...

So the new totals are:

$13.95 in rewards dollars for a survey site (which I will use to buy visa cards)
$28.31 in quickrewards (which I will use to buy Disney gift cards)
$69.88 in credit card rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$6.74 in cc rewards (which I will use for groceries, freeing up the cash)
$105.85 in the change jar
$0 in the account
$150.00 Disney gift card
$1.31 American cash

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $376.04


Monthly Goal: $400
Need to Earn: $23.96

**It was a productive day today...there's a bit more I earned but haven't been credited yet. That should show up in tomorrow's tally.

I am going to attempt to earn a bit Monday thru Wednesday next week, but since Tuesday is Canada Day (and we will be out and about) and we leave Thursday for the cruise, I'll be busy cleaning and packing Wednesday and likely won't make much those days.

After that I will be taking a 2 week hiatus from July 4th to July 18th while I am in Europe. I plan to update on July 19th though, as there should be some credit card rewards accruing while we are in a spending frenzy on vacation.