How A "Couponer" Prepares For A Disney Vacation (Or Any Vacation For That Matter)

Last summer, after our multi-day Walt Disney World trip, I wrote a post about how a “couponer” does Disney—click here to read more.  But as our summer 2014 adventure approaches, I thought I would confess/tell/share how a “couponer” prepares for a Disney vacation.

Let me begin with the fact that I know taking a family vacation to the most magical place on earth is a potential budget busting affair.  Flights, resort stay, park tickets, and dining can all add up and that isn’t even taking into consideration souvenirs or other magical experiences.  A husband of a friend was surprised to hear about how much we spend on a multi-week vacation that includes adventures on land and sea.  He was under the impression that since we save so much in other parts of our life that we would save on vacations, too.  Well, Disney hasn’t give us a trip, but we have saved by purchasing and reserving in advance, using a travel agent that can snag discounts and perks for us, and not adding extra days or privileges to our park tickets that we would not use which means we aren’t paying “full price” for our vacation.

Let me also add that our multiple trips gives us some advantages such as not having to go out and buy stuff like a misting water fan or umbrellas or ponchos or a park bag.  These items, among others, are things we already have on hand and I make sure to keep tabs on them when we return from a trip so that they are easily accessible for the next trip.  Having these items saves us money before AND during the trip.

Another caveat is that we do not, I repeat, do not, go out and buy a bunch of new clothes for a vacation.  If something new is purchased, such as a new dress for me for formal night, it is purchased well in advance, is most certainly on sale, and the purchase comes out of our regular budget.  But sometimes, other items are needed. . .

There were some new items that were needed/purchased for the upcoming trip.  Some did not cost us a thing and many of them I made money back when purchasing them!

• The husband needed a new pair of black, closed toe, fisherman sandals.  These could be worn on the ship as well as at the parks and are perfect for cruise casual evenings.  I “bought” them from Amazon using Amazon gift cards I had earned through Swagbucks.  And, not only did I not pay a thing, I MADE money, as Ebates was offering 3% back on shoe purchases on Amazon.  ChaChing—money in my pocket—cash money!  (Click here to get started with Swagbucks and click here to start earning cash back every time you shop on line with Ebates.)
• One of our planned meals for our upcoming trip is at T-Rex Café.  Again, we used Swagbucks to earn a $25 gift card AND will earn another $25 credit on our Landry Select Club account as it will be the anniversary of joining Landry Select Club.  Nothing like dining for FREE!
• Also, the husband needed some rash guards.  Those, too, were FREE with Amazon gift cards and I earned cash back—click here to read the post about the FREE rash guards.
• All three of us were in need of waterproof watches.  Enter Amazon and Swagbucks.  Again, paid zippo and earned 3% back when shopping on-line through Ebates.
• This one is a need/want, depending on your perspective.  We promised the boy a new game for his Nintendo 3DS for the trip.  He selected a game and I added it to my cart on Amazon and waited until I had enough gift cards to cover the cost.  This item is on its way!  But, the boy won’t get it until the day of the trip.  
• The boy had outgrown several of his swimsuits.  K-Mart had boys’ swimsuits 50% off ($6.49) and because I started my on-line shopping at Ebates, I earned 4% back on my purchase.
• A big cash rebate from Ebates came when we booked our stay at the Hyatt at Orlando International.  I knew we needed a reservation for two nights and I also knew that we were members of Hyatt’s Gold Passport Program.  Then, I waited.  And to our luck, Hyatt offered a “double cash” back promo on Ebates and so I got 12% cash back for our stay!  And, points earned using our Hyatt frequent stayer program.
• The boy also needed new tennis shoes.  He wanted Nikes (gulp)!  Thanks to MyCokeRewards, I snagged $50 in Nike gift cards for FREE and the boy has new black/red Nikes.
• What’s in it for me?  Well, in addition to knowing that my fellas are well taken care of, I am looking forward to a treat of a pedicure prior to our trip.  No out-of-pocket costs though, as I was given a gift certificate during the holidays AND am getting a $30 check from an on line company that pays me!

There you have it.  A family prepared for a summer vacation without breaking the bank or busting the budget.  I am so grateful for Swagbucks and Ebates—both allowing me to keep our budget in check.

Click here to get started with Swagbucks.  And, if you sign-up now and earn 1,500 Swagbucks by July 14, you'll get an addition 500 Swagbucks Bonus!

Click here to get started with Ebates—remember to start at Ebates every time you shop on line AND be sure to select your sign-up bonus!

Disney Vacation Savings Account--A New Service From Disney

In the last few days, Disney announced a new service:  Disney Vacation Account.  The service allows you to create an on-line account, set a savings goal, deposit money via credit card or debit card into the account, track your progress, and then book your Disney Vacation either on-line or via phone with Disney Reservations.  Click here to get started.

When I first saw this service, I was skeptical, but intrigued.  There are perks—a $20 Disney Gift Card for every $1,000 deposited (and used) for a Disney Vacation that has been in the account for at least 120 days.  This is better than any interest bearing account.  The tracking system is full of visual reminders, if you need to see the progress.  You can also customize the account to make regular deposits with reminders, or one-time-only deposits of amounts that you determine.

The first step is to estimate your savings goal.  This has links to the various sites—Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Aulani Resort, even Adventures by Disney, so that you can determine how much your vacation will cost.  It even breaks down various parts of your total budget including transportation to your destination.

Creating your plan is next.  You can name your vacation, determine the time-line for your vacation, and start saving.

Then, over time, you can track your progress and book your vacation.

Sounds like a dream and makes shopping for a Disney Vacation a one-stop-shop, which is part of what we love about Disney.

The questions came next.  What about those of us who use travel agents that are authorized Disney travel specialists but not a part of Disney Reservations?  Can we use the Disney Vacation Account to make a payment on a reservation not made directly with Disney?  The answer is “yes” though it would require an extra step by contacting Disney and asking them to apply a payment from your Disney Vacation Account to your reservation.

Someone on-line was under the impression that when booking with an independent travel agent, you had to pay for your entire vacation up-front.  Nope.  We make the appropriate deposit, depending on whether we are planning a land or sea Disney vacation, then pay off our vacation by the deadline.  With the Disney Vacation Account, it makes it seem as if you have to have all of your money saved before making the reservation. 

What about various pay-off deadlines depending on your type of vacation?  The Disney Vacation Account does set the default end goal 2 months prior to when you want to take your vacation.  This works for all Walt Disney World and Disneyland vacations, but does not for Disney Cruise Line which has a minimum 75 day prior to sail date paid in full deadline.  Also, Adventures by Disney does require a paid in full when making the reservation. 

If you plan your Disney Vacation Account, which also budgets for transportation, do you also make your air reservations through Disney?  Well, you certainly can.  Disney is happy to make your airline reservations for you, though you may pay more, use various carriers for multiple legs of your trip, and not have flights at convenient times for you and your travel party. (We did this once and that is exactly what happened.)  So, you could deposit your funds for transportation into the Disney Vacation Account, and then withdraw them to pay for your transportation when you are ready.  This, sounds like extra steps to me. 

Will we be using the Disney Vacation Account?  Not yet.  One reason being is that our next Disney Vacation requires pay-off within the 120 day mark, so we will leave our money in our savings account rather than transfer it. 

If you decide to give the new service of Disney Vacation Account a try, let us know how it works for you.

How A "Couponer" Does Disney

The newspaper the husband is reading was FREE

Saving money and Disney vacations are two of my favorite things.  When I get to combine them, it is a bonus!  Here is how a “couponer” makes the most of a Disney vacation while saving money:

Rewards Programs—Let’s start here as I used at least 4 rewards programs to make the most of our vacation.  We fly frequently and belong to many frequent flier programs.  AirTran’s A+ has the best return on points for travel.  We each had earned enough A+ points for a FREE upgrade to business class.  All I had to do was phone the airline 24 hours before travel and ask to use the points for an upgrade.  We got seats in business class which meant no baggage fees, free food choices beyond pretzels, and free alcoholic beverages—which the husband took advantage of.  That one phone call saved us over $75 in baggage fees alone and we earned credit for the flights for future upgrades.

We also belong to Hilton Honors which gives us points for stays at any of the Hilton family hotels.  Our pre-flight stay was a park-n-fly at Embassy Suites in Kansas City near the airport.  While we didn’t have enough points for a free stay, we earned points and got a discount using our AAA membership.  The free breakfast and free shuttle to/from the airport added value to our stay.  And, we were still racking up points for future use.

Landry Select Club is another rewards program/membership that pays you back when you dine at Landry restaurants which include Rainforest Café and T-Rex Café, both of which can be found at Walt Disney World.  We had accumulated $50 in rewards for the club and another $100 in Landry gift cards using Swagbucks—click here to get started earning Swagbucks.  We ate at both Rainforest Café and T-Rex Café for FREE with enough gift card credit left over to get the boy a souvenir at T-Rex Café AND the Landry Select Club saved us 10% on that purchase.  Those two dining experiences only cost us the tips, which we paid in cash AND we earned points towards more rewards from Landry.

Since we were heading to Kansas City the day before we flew, we made the most of it with a trip to Schlitterbahn Water Park.  I had acquired two free tickets using MyCokeRewards points so all we had to do was pay for the boy’s ticket—which was still $33.  Imagine paying for all 3 of us!  Cha-ching!  Schlitterbahn allows guests to bring in coolers, so we packed lunch and drinks to take with us.  Parking and tube use was also free, so we had a full day for $33.

Hy-Vee Fuel Saver Rewards program also saved us tons of money on gas driving to and from Kansas City.  We paid $20 for gas—total—to make the round trip drive!

Coupons:  Yes, you can use coupons and vouchers while traveling to Disney! 

After our day at Schlitterbahn, we needed dinner.  I had printed out coupons on Amazon Local for buy one, get one free Whoppers from Burger King, which was just a few blocks from Schlitterbahn.  Guess what we had for dinner?  We combined that with the free Manager’s Reception at Embassy Suites for a lovely evening.

Our AAA package contained vouchers for various purchases and experiences.  The boy played in the resort arcade for free using one of the vouchers.  We also brought home souvenirs from Planet Hollywood for free, AND had an afternoon snack there for FREE using the $15 food voucher located in our travel packet.  And, by using AAA to book our vacation, we are earning AAA Travel Rewards for discounts off future travel.

Getting the most out of your park tickets and dining plans:  For our trip was had a 9 day base ticket (the more days you have the less you pay per day) so we had great value in our park tickets, then we added Water Parks and More Fun for $59 per ticket.  Because we had a 9 day ticket, adding Water Parks and More Fun gave us 9 additional entries to Water Parks, DisneyQuest, miniature golf, or Wide World of Sports per person.  Given that entry to the Water Parks and DisneyQuest is $45 per person per day and we went to two water parks and DisneyQuest, we can out ahead by adding the Water Parks and More Fun option to our tickets.  If we had only used that option once, we would have lost money.

We also had the basic dining plan on our tickets—one table service credit, one quick service credit, and one snack credit per person per night of stay.  We zeroed out all of the credits.  I had lost track of the quick service credits somewhere in the middle of our stay and phoned our resort front desk.  A check on the computer gave the total and we were in good shape for the rest of our stay. 

When we were checking out of our resort, the Cast Member checked our “account” to notice that we had no room charges and had no dining or snack credits left over.  I was overhearing other conversations about room charges while people were checking their bills or even limiting room charges.  We did good. . . especially for 11 nights/12 days!

Strategically planning your stay:  We strategically planned our stay to be less expensive.  Huh? How do you do that?  Well, the most expensive nights at a Disney Resort are Friday and Saturday nights.  We checked in on a Monday and left the following Friday, only having one week-end during our stay.  This also allowed us to fly on a Monday (less expensive day to fly) and a Friday (which was also less than flying on a Saturday or Sunday).

We also took advantage of a percentage off special for our resort stay which then gave us a refund which we then used towards our Photopass + prepurchase of $149.  Both Photopass and Photopass + are available for purchase prior to your vacation at a discount.  Let’s do the math. . . $149 for 980 photos before editing. . .that makes it about 15 cents per photo AND we brought home five 8 X 10 dining photos that are sold for $35 each.  Yeah, we came out ahead on this one!

When Bell Services picked us and our luggage up (there is no charge for this, just a tip) when we checked out of the resort, we were the first pick-up and it was 8:15 am.  That means the resort wasn’t doing banner business, at least for Bell Services.  I inquired as to why that might be and was told “the economy” and how it can be expensive for a family to travel to Walt Disney World.  Yes, it CAN be expensive, but it doesn’t HAVE to be expensive.  

Don’t get me wrong, we didn’t pinch pennies, only watched them carefully.  The boy came home with new toys including Lego’s which were partially purchased using Lego VIP rewards points which also allowed us to get a FREE Lego set.  We also brought home souvenirs, but they were purchased using a 20% off discount code found on a Quick Service receipt.  One receipt was from an order for 3 glasses of ice water which were FREE and then that receipt was used to save over $30 on souvenir purchases and we paid cash rather than “charging” them to our room.

I am going to venture to guess that the thinking or brain power behind some of our savings can be too cumbersome for some folks and they get caught up in the adventure or overwhelmed by the sites and sounds that are inevitable at Disney (I will write another post about the noise level).  Yet, by doing a bit of planning and strategizing, savings can be had and some significant savings at that.

There Is Such A Thing As A Free Lunch--Well, Breakfast Anyway!

That’s us at the Hyatt at Orlando International Airport ready to eat our free breakfast before catching our Disney Cruise Line bus to the port.  Did I tell you the breakfast was free?  Well, it was free for the adults and we got a great deal paying for the boy’s breakfast.  How did we get a free breakfast?  It was included in the fantastic rate our travel agent got for our room and I wasn’t going to turn down a free meal, frugal as I am. 

That same frugality is what got me into the coupon game and now the coupon game has turned into teaching coupon classes!  A friend and I have teamed up and have taught two rounds of classes so far with three more starting this month!  We were even featured in the local newspaper—click here to read more.

The savings on everyday things from gasoline to haircuts allows us to enjoy our trips to Disney.  And, if we need to tighten the belt a bit due to an unexpected expense, I know our freezer and pantry can tide us over.

The whole family is in on the savings game from packing food from our house instead of eating out when we are on the go, looking for deals on needed items, and clipping coupons.  A few days ago the boy asked if I had any toy coupons and the husband sent me a text this morning indicating he had saved over $35 when purchasing gas using a local grocery store’s fuel saver program. 

In addition to saving on everyday purchases, I have made a goal to not spend any money out of pocket for holiday gifts this year.  I’ve already started with my first “acquisition” (I can’t really say purchase) of an 11 X 14 collage photo print that only required a small shipping fee and will eventually need a frame.  I also have Amazon gift cards stacking up by using Swagbucks to earn daily while searching the web—click here to get started with Swagbucks.  (Click here to read about the free gifts last holiday season.)

While some would see Disney travel and saving money as somewhat juxtaposed opposites, I actually see them as collaborative partners.  By saving money, we have more money for Disney AND I have figured out ways to save money on Disney travel.  For example, our next trip will be 11 nights Monday through the following Thursday.  I know that the most expensive nights to stay on property are Friday and Saturday nights, therefore, we only have one Friday and Saturday night during our stay.  I also know that Saturday and Sunday flights are more expensive, so we are flying on a Monday and Friday.  Just by adjusting our stay, even though it is lengthy, we saved money on our stay and our flights.  And, by having such a long stay, the cost per day of our park tickets is minimized and becomes more economical—more savings!  Just imagine how many Photopass photos we will be able to squeeze in during such a long trip!  Shazam!  Our cost per photo on a pre-ordered (at a savings) Photopass CD just went down!

Yes, there are ways to save for and on a Disney vacation.  But since we are still months away, I think I’ll concentrate on everyday savings.  Coupons, anyone?

Ebates--Get Money Back When You Shop On-line

I want to talk about Ebates.  Ebates is an on-line hub with links to your favorite on-line stores where you can earn cash back for shopping on-line.  I joined in February 2011 have earned $135 in cash back for my on-line purchases.  Ebates mails me a "Big Fat Check" four times a year for my earnings.  Joining is FREE and all it requires is an email address.  You can make up your own password.

I am still amazed by the tech savvy folks who shop on-line regularly who have yet to use Ebates.  Consider this a tutorial of sorts.

Start here by clicking on this link.  It will take you to the new member screen for Ebates and you will get to select your Bonus!  You will earn your selected Bonus after you make your first qualifying purchase.

After you select your Bonus, you will be directed to a login screen where you enter your email and password.  This is also the screen you will see when you login after your initial visit to Ebates.

Once you have joined and are logged in, you start shopping.  Check out the list of stores by clicking on "Shop All Stores" button featured in the upper left hand side of the screen.  Clicking here will give you an alphabetical list of all the stores featured on Ebates.  And, great news, Ebay is back!

For this shopping trip, I am going to pretend that I want to make a purchase at Disneystore.com.  (You knew I would get it in there somewhere, now didn't you?)  So, after clicking on "Shop All Stores" I would find Disney Store in the list.  (Once you become familiar with the stores, just type the name of the store in the Search box on the screen.)

Wow, shopping at the Disney Store through Ebates will allow me to earn 3% back on my purchase.  I then click on the store name as it will take me to a list of on-line codes for even more savings!

If I wanted to purchase a Disney Dooney and Bourke bag, I could save 10% using the on-line code provided on Ebates.  Each store will have a listing of codes and offers.  You may have to enter the Code in the Promotion Code box during check-out when making your on-line purchase if it isn't already linked to the transaction.

Click "Shop Now" on the screen.  You will see an Ebates Tracking Ticket open on the screen, but usually for just a few seconds.  Don't worry.  Ebates automatically stores the Ticket number in your account. . . just in case you need it later.  Here's what the Ticket looks like:

Once the Tracking Ticket disappears from the computer screen, you will then see the homepage for the on-line store.  In this case, Disneystore.com.

Go ahead and shop!  Your transaction will be linked to your Ebates account and your 3% will be credited to your account within a few days.

If your shopping gets interrupted, no problem.  Just log back into Ebates and make your way to your on-line store again, even if it means multiple Tracking Tickets for the same store.  The only tracking ticket that matters is the one connected to the purchase transaction.

In addition to Disney Store and Ebay, there are other opportunities, like LivingSocial and Groupon.  There is even a "Gift Card" section on Ebates where you can earn money back for purchasing Gift Cards--great for holiday gift giving!  Check out travel offers with cash back being available for hotel, airline, and rental car purchases, too!

If you want to check the status of your account, click on "My Ebates" on the screen.  Here's a screen shot of my account:

I'll get my next "Big Fat Check" in February!  More cash to apply towards our next trip to Disney!

Ebates. . . it's FREE, easy, and you earn cash back doing the on-line shopping that you would normally do.  Yes, some things in life ARE free!  The trick is remembering to start at Ebates every time you shop on-line.

Happy shopping!

Have You Tried Ebates Yet?

Have you tried Ebates yet?  If you have, you already know that you can get money back when you shop on-line.  If you haven’t tried Ebates yet, what is stopping you?

Here’s how to use Ebates::

• Click here to get started.  You get to pick a $10 gift card as your bonus with first qualifying purchase of $25.  All you need is an e-mail address.

• Start at Ebates.com every time you shop on-line.  Chose from the extensive list of stores.  On-line discount codes will also be listed with each store.

• Click the “Shop Now” button and watch as an Ebates ticket window opens.  Just let the screen  change to show the store you have chosen.
• Shop!
• Your Ebates account will automatically be credited within a few days.  The percent of cash back varies by store.

• Look for your Ebates Big Fat Check in the mail.  Checks are mailed four times a year.

To date, I have received over $100 in Cash Back from Ebates.  It really works!  For example, the boy is getting a new handheld electronic game for his birthday.  I checked all of the on-line stores for the one with the highest percent of cash back for the purchase and will make the purchase from that on-line store.  I am also keeping my eye out for the Daily Doubles where a new store is chosen each day for double the percent of cash back—I get an email each day telling me which store is the designated Daily Double.

Recently, I made a purchase from Disneystore.com.  I went to Ebates first and discovered a 25% off coupon code to apply to my purchase and got 4% cash back into my Ebates account.  Win, win, win!

I also earn money back from Ebates when I make a digital photo book after a Disney vacation as My Publisher is one of the stores on Ebates.

Ebates has a wide variety of stores.  Need skin cream or make-up?  There are drug stores on Ebates.  Need flea/tick treatments for your pets?  Ebates has pet stores, including those that offer pet medicine (you know, the one with the phone number!).  Want Walgreens to make photo prints or photo gifts?  Start at Ebates and get cash back.  Toys, purses, clothing, luggage, hotel rooms, car rental, restaurants, even automobile accessories can be found in stores on Ebates.  I got cash back when I purchased our new checks.  There is even a section on Ebates where you can get cash back for purchasing gift cards!

With the holiday season fast approaching; wouldn’t it be great to get money back on your purchases?  Click here to get started!

Williams Family Part of the National Consumer Panel

One way we save money is to find creative ways to pay for what we want or need.  That’s why we are now part of the National Consumer Panel.

I had joined a few weeks ago and had received follow-up emails asking if we would be willing to be part of the panel and scan purchased items and upload the data.  When I learned that the uploads along with survey responses earn points that can be redeemed for various prizes I said sure!

An e-mail came a bit later saying that we were on the waiting list for a scanner and that as soon as one was available it would be shipped to us.  Within days another e-mail came saying the scanner had been shipped.

Soon, the package arrived via FedEx with the scanner and directions.  I waited until the week-end to hook everything up and give it a try.  The scanner is plugged into an outlet near our computer and another cord—for data transmission—is connected to the base device and our router.  It was easy to hook up.

Then it was time to scan purchases made at the grocery store before putting them away.  I even got to enter where the purchases were made, who I shopped with, whether or not I used coupons, and the total amount of the sale.  I finished by uploading or transmitting the data just to see if I could do it—data is only required to be transmitted weekly.  All went well and the scanner beeped at me when it was done and then shut off.

Now, the real test begins.  We need to scan anything that comes into our house via purchase.  And, I do mean anything!  If we are out and stop by a convenience store for a soda and slice of pizza—scan it.  If we purchase gas for the car—scan it (there’s a special way to do it).  Pet supplies—scan them too. 

The husband and I read through the provided material and he asked really good questions and we worked out how to respond to them.  He even asked about purchases made on vacation.  Yep, those too.  So, those Disney trading pins he is planning to buy?  He will have to save the little cards that they come with so we can scan them when we get home.  But alas, there’s a way to tell the panel that you won’t be transmitting as you are gone on vacation, too.  There's also a way to tell the National Consumer Panel that you didn't make any purchases during a week and transmit that data.

I can already tell this is going to be a test for my memory as I have to enter the coupon amounts if coupons were used to purchase items.  I don’t intend to shorten my coupon stack so I will have to rely on my memory. 

The husband is one his own for errands and a bit of shopping so we’ll see how it goes.  I’m sure he will do just fine.

While goods are certainly a huge component of the data collection, I noticed services are not.  If I got a massage—no data entry.  Haircut—no data entry.  And while a suitcase purchase would be scanned, the airline reservations that the suitcase will be used on do not require data collection.

We are just launching into this journey.  For now it is an adventure--something fun and new.  The husband and I did check out all the possible rewards.  I’ve got my eye on a new vacuum cleaner.  Glamorous, I know.  And, I would have to scan it upon arrival!

We can stop at any time and ship the scanner back to the National Consumer Panel.  Directions along with a label came in the box.  I put the box in a safe place just for that purpose.

If you would like to join the panel--click here.

Creative Ways to Save and Spend

With back to school shopping and holiday shopping just around the corner, it’s no wonder our budget feels tight.  The boy’s birthday is also coming soon.  And, we are saving for our upcoming Disney holiday vacation.  This means finding creative ways to spend and save.

Let’s begin with Swagbucks.  Right now, I’m “swagging” my way to a new camera.  Yes, it is neither a back to school basic or holiday gift.  It is for me, well, for the family.  I want an upgraded point and shoot that will go underwater. 

Swagbucks awards it’s users for searching, just like you would if you were searching on Google.  I downloaded the Swagbucks toolbar (I get 1 Swagbuck every day just for having the toolbar) and use the toolbar to do my internet searchers.  I typically get awarded Swagbucks for searching twice a day. . . in the morning after 2-7 searches and again later in the day.  There are other ways to earn Swagbucks such as taking surveys, watching videos, playing games, etc.  There are also Swag Codes that can be found at various times and contests.

The Swagbucks I earn can then be redeemed for various gifts and prices at the Swag Store.  My favorite is to redeem 450 Swagbucks—which you can earn in less than 2 weeks, for a $5 Amazon.com gift card.  The cards are then added to my Amazon.com account and NEVER expire.  Right now, I have earned enough Swagbucks to purchase eight gift cards and have $40 in my Amazon.com account waiting to be used for the purchase of that new camera!

It’s easy to get started with Swagbucks.  Just click here and get 30 Swagbucks for signing up.  Then, happy searching and earning!

There’s another internet application that will let me know when the price of the camera changes without me checking regularly and that is ShoppingNotes.com.  I just create an account using my e-mail, paste in the URL’s of the items I am dreaming of purchasing, and ShoppingNotes.com will continually check the prices and send me an e-mail when the price changes. . . and hopefully goes down!  I have the cameras I’m dreaming of already on ShoppingNotes.com along with a blouse I’ve had my eye on.  The boy wants a Nintendo 3DS XL which is released on Aug. 19, 2012, for his birthday.  Trust me, that URL will go into ShoppingNotes.com to help me find the best on-line price.  ShoppingNotes.com checks prices like Kayak.com checks airfare rates. 

When the price is right and I am ready to purchase, I check to see if the on-line store is on Ebates.com.  Each time I shop on-line at a store on Ebates.com, I get money back.  For example, our computer security software was about to expire and the store that sold the software was on Ebates.com.  I went to Ebates.com, found the store and clicked “Shop Now.”  A ticket window opened—just wait—then the on-line store appeared.  I made the purchase using a 50% code offered on Ebates.com, downloaded the new software right from the site, and got 25% of the price back in cash in my Ebates.com account.  I get a check from Ebates.com four times a year.  So far, Ebates has sent me $92.

Back to school shopping at Target.com?  Go to Ebates first and get money back!  Booking a hotel for a  Labor Day get-a-way?  Go to Ebates first and get money back!  Printing photos at Walgreens.com?  Go to Ebates first and get money back!  Needing pet supplies?  Got to Ebates first and get money back!

So, when the boy’s Nintendo 3DS XL comes on the market, I’ll have ShoppingNotes.com search for prices, then make my purchase through a store on Ebates.com, which will most likely have a discount code and get money back!  Sounds/reads complicated, but it is easy.  Easy, fun, and less expensive!  And, I’m not using my time to search various stores or sites for the best prices or using gas driving from one location to another.  The internet is doing the work for me, for free.

These are just some of the creative ways to save and spend money.  And, yes, I was skeptically at first, too.  But I tried them and they really work without gimmicks or hidden fees.  What’s stopping you?  Get started!

Click here to get started with Swagbucks.

Click here to get started with Ebates.com.

Click here to get started with ShoppingNotes.com. 

One Phone Call Saves Us $30

We have a budget at our house that allows for living comfortably and yet saving money for our Disney vacations.  So when I went to purchase a new cell phone I was surprised that there was a $30 activation fee.  Very surprised!

Our cell phone carrier allows a certain amount of time between phone upgrades.  Based on our multiple line family plan, it was time for me to upgrade my phone.  I had stopped at the carrier’s local store twice, just checking prices, specials, etc.  The whole thing gives me anxiety as I never know which phone price is mine—in the list of 3-4 prices of each phone.  So, on my second visit, I decided on a phone.  The clerk assured me that contacts in my phone could be transferred and microSD card removed and put in the new phone etc.  This was after I knew for sure which price of the phone I would be paying on the list with various prices. 

After the clerk had my phone and we were sitting down, that anxiety tang was in my stomach.  I asked if there were any other costs for the phone.  Yes, a $30 activation fee.  What?  I asked where that was written, displayed, etc.  I was told it wasn’t written anywhere, it just is and as of July 1. . . I had stopped listening.  I hadn’t planned on spending an addition $30.  It wasn’t in the budget.  I asked for my phone back.  Grateful that the transaction hadn’t gone any farther and wondering when I was going to be told of the unwritten, unpublicized activation fee I left the store.

A few days later, I phoned the customer service department for our cell phone carrier and inquired about the $30 activation fee.  I asked if it could be waived.  I was told it could under certain circumstances.  I asked which circumstances.  I was told that years with the carrier could be considered.  I suggested that my account be considered as I had been with the company over a decade.  I was put on hold.

After a couple of minutes the customer service representative returned on the line and informed me that the activation fee would be waived for my line only and not our other line.  Fine.  I asked how this would be known when I went to shop for a phone.  She told me that the waived fee would be noted in my account.  Good.  I thanked her.

Now what?  Well, I still don’t have a new phone.  I’m waiting a bit. . . for more of a selection and better prices and trying to make peace with my current phone.  So for those of you who I have talked to over my phone and had the buzzing and ringing during our conversations, I apologize.  And, it may be a while before I get a new phone that doesn’t do that anymore.  But at least the transaction will be just for the cost of the phone.

NOTE:  We take advantage of all the discounts offered by our cell phone carrier for a significant monthly savings.  Check your carrier for all available discounts that may apply for you.

It can be worth it to contact your “monthly subscription” providers about discounts or specials that are available.  We locked in a lower fee with our cable/internet/phone provider for agreeing to a two year commitment including a penalty if we disconnect services prior to the two years.  Consider gym memberships and video rental subscriptions and ask about discounts that might be available.  

Click here to read more about how our "frugal" lifestyle supports our Disney habit.

Ways To Save For Family Vacations

I just read an alarming statistic.  According to Bankrate.com the typical family with children under the age of 6 spends $239 per month going out to eat.  What? 

The context of the article was about saving money for a family vacation or summer vacation and included various ideas for reducing every day expenses so that more money could be directed towards the vacation fund.  To combat the funds being used for dining out, the article suggested eating meals at home or having a “pantry” week where you don’t go to the grocery store and just eat from the supplies you already have at home.  Both ideas seem reasonable at least to me.

Let’s start with the $239 per month for dining out.  While our child is now 9 and the article didn’t give any statistics about families with children over 6, I’m guessing the monthly amount increases.  I’m envisioning this money being spent on quick meals at drive-through restaurants and pizza nights in addition to an every now and then family goes into a restaurant for a sit down meal.  As children get older and are involved in more activities on week-ends and after schools, I imagine that the dining out gets more frequent.

The frugal side of me just can’t seem to grasp this concept.  Yes, there are times when it would be easier or more convenient to hit a drive-through than to prepare a quick meal.  For example, earlier this spring, the boy was involved in play.  Rehearsals began at 6:00 pm.  At least one night a week he also had swimming lessons which ran from 4:30-5:15.  The locations for the swimming lessons and rehearsals were 2 blocks apart.  So, a sack dinner was prepared in advance for both the boy and the husband—who typically took him to swim lessons and then rehearsal—so that they could both eat before rehearsal.  Imagine the savings from doing that for 6 weeks in addition to the gas savings of driving to/from a drive-through to purchase meals. 

When the calendar calls for a particularly busy week of activities, I cook ahead over the week-end—getting the most out of my oven use by baking a ham, chicken breasts, potatoes, muffins, and anything else that might be beneficial for the week.  This makes it easier to prepare meals at home or for on the go throughout the rest of the week. 

So, our family has mostly mastered the “eat at home” for savings concept.

Now let’s tackle the “pantry” week.  I’m going to add “freezer” to the pantry category.  We typically do this especially before a vacation when going to the grocery store seems frivolous.  (I get even more frugal right before a trip.)  Since I stock up on sale items, the husband was making fun of the number of cans of pork-n-beans on our pantry shelves.  I was banned from buying any more even when they were a great deal.  Just last night he joked about some militia coming because we were hoarding food and if they took it we would still be left with cans of beans.  I reminded him of the uneasy feeling he gets when the shelves are bare.  And, just last night, I did a little shopping for food in our “freezer” and found bacon and shredded cheese.

Yep, we’ve got the idea of a “pantry” week that minimizes grocery shopping.

Other ideas the article had for reducing everyday costs to support vacation funds were:

• Reduce subscription services—such as cell phone, cable, etc. We’ve maximized our savings with all the discounts we could find to apply to our monthly cell phone bill.  In addition to the monthly “points” that can be used for products and services, we get a 25% discount by combining various discounts for our carrier.  As far as the cable bill, I phone our company at least once a year to negotiate the price for our cable/phone/internet package.  I then lock in a discounted price by agreeing to a length of service.  If I disconnect service before the end of the agreement, I would pay a penalty.  Win/Win—the cable company knows they are going to get paid and I get a reduced rate for services.  The last time, I negotiated for a two year term of service.  No more surprises when opening the bill either!
• Sell your stuff.  A garage sale may be on the agenda for later this summer!
• Consider cutting back on non-essentials—like going to the movies.  This is similar to the “eat at home” idea for reducing costs.  Our movie going is infrequent.  The husband and the boy did go see The Avengers but they went during a matinee, which is less expensive, and I stayed home which reduced admission costs.  Manicures and pedicures might fall into this category, too.  I went all last year without a pedicure.  I did get one recently as I received a gift card for Mother’s Day and used it to treat myself to a pedicure.
• Use your tax refund now—meaning that you change your withholding on your W-4 to reduce the amount of taxes being withheld from your paycheck.  Your paycheck will increase almost immediately.  Do the math carefully as there is a fine balance as you don’t want to end up paying taxes if not enough is taken out.  We made this change a year ago.  We did not have to pay taxes, but our refund was smaller as we had that money monthly on our paychecks.
• Use rewards and miles from credit cards to support your trip.  We have taken advantage of frequent flier miles and frequent stayer incentives to support our travel and help us save money.  My advice—sign up for frequent flier programs and frequent stayer programs on your very first flight or stay—or even before.  We are flying US Air for our next trip and have already signed up for their frequent flier program and have it attached to our flight reservations.  Often people think it isn’t worth it or that they aren’t going to do this again or they will sign up next time.  It is easier to get points/miles for flights if you are signed up before than during or after your flight as you have to provide boarding passes as proof of flights.  Sign-up early!

The boy’s first flight was when he was three weeks old and the husband and I had been traveling before that and we’ve continued ever since.  It’s a priority for us to save money for family vacations and we have learned a thing or two along the way and continue to learn something from each trip or experience.  If you have a special travel savings tip, please share with us via comments.

Our "Cheap" Lifestyle Supports Our Disney Habit

Our family has a Disney reputation, especially after so many trips.  Yet, we have another reputation, well, especially me, of being cheap.  It is our thriftiness that supports our Disney habit.

Last week-end at soccer, I realized our son was wearing a hand-me-down jersey that he has worn since he started soccer two years ago.  It still fits and is in good condition.  No need to spend money on a new jersey.  He also has hand-me-down goalie jerseys and his soccer shoes were purchased during a Payless BOGO sale.  We packed our own snacks and drinks to avoid spending money at the concession stand.  And the gas in our car to get to soccer was purchased during a special “cents off” sale. 

Another way we save is by eating at home.  We rarely go out to eat, unless we have coupons or there are special “kids eat free” evenings. . . usually a combination of both.  For lunches, the boy and I both take our lunches and the husband is able to come home for lunch each day.  When packing the boy’s lunch, I use recycled plastic tubs to pack his chips and fruit rather than use expensive bags that have individual servings. 

We use coupons and take advantage of sales at the grocery store.  When I went to the grocery store last night, an employee greeted me at the door and asked about my strategy.  He later rang up my grocery order and told me that he often printed a duplicate receipt of my transaction so that he could see how well I had done with saving.  He said that he looked forward to my shopping and made it fun for him to watch me save money.

When it comes to gift giving, there are plenty of ways to save.  I got a free Mother’s Day card on-line the other day.  The Easter Bunny brought 14 Matchbox Cars that were obtained at with a coupon and discounted price!  Our extended family got customized t-shirts for Christmas and most of them were free as were customized photo calendars for grandparents and a photo mug.  Sales on-line for holiday gifts are frequent, but they start in October.  We even got our photo holiday cards for free last Christmas.  A web-site I use to notify me daily via e-mail of specials is Couponing to Disney. 

I also use Ebates.com to save even more when I shop on-line AND get money back.  Click here to read more about how Ebates works.  My next “Big Fat Check” will be coming soon!

The boy needed some new shorts for the summer, so I was able to buy 5 pairs of shorts, swim trunks and matching rash guard, a pair of shoes for the boy and a pair of shoes for me at Kmart.com for $50.  Most items were on sale and I obtained a special discount code that made for additional savings.  The total also allowed for free shipping.  Had I gone to the store, the items I wanted may not have been in stock, I wouldn’t have been able to use the discount code, and I might have purchased other items I didn’t need.  Plus, I got money back in my Ebates account.

It takes some planning to save money, but for us, it is worth it, as our cheap lifestyle supports our Disney habit!