Enjoy the Entertainment Capital of the Midwest – Couponing to Disney |  |
- Enjoy the Entertainment Capital of the Midwest
- Crocs – Kids Starfish and Blowfish shoes for $8.99 shipped + Free Jibbitz!
- Sneak peek of next week’s Target ad
- Just got back from Toy Story 3
- Let’s Clean the House 1 pm check in
- Giveaway: Everyone gets a free 1 month membership to Smart Rents plus more…
- Let’s Clean The House – 11 am check in
- Rebate of the Day: Thompson’s Water Seal
- Giveaway: Enter to win a $20 gift card to Walmart!
- Bloggers: Link up your blog!
- Taking the kids to the movies…
- CVS – 50 free prints is back!
- What’s for dinner tonight?
- Let’s Clean The House – 9 am check in!
- Free events this Saturday for the whole family!
- *NEW* 10 point Pampers Gift to Grow Code!
- It’s Time To Minniemize!
- Day 2 of No Dining July!
- And that’s a wrap!
- Day 10 recap
- Well I promised….. My planning spreadsheets
- Disney World Training – Mexico, Norway and China
- Introducing the deal calendar….
- Rebate of the Day: Snapple Iced Tea
- Introducing my Rebate Database!
- Giveaway: Enter to win Mickey and Donald Duck hairbows!
- New Feature: Let’s Clean The House!
- New Feature: What did $10 get you this week?
- Giveaway: Win a custom monogrammed Disney tote!
- New Feature: Let’s Make Childhood Magical…
- Giveaway: Win this super cute Disney bank I got you in Disney!
- Deposit into the Disney Fund 7.1.10
- Giveaway: Win your very own Disney Budget Book!
- Your Disney Fund: A Breakdown of my own weekly budget….
- How to get started with your own Disney fund…..
- Introducing the Couponing to Disney forum!
- Couponing to Disney is now Mobile Friendly!
- Giveaway: Enter to win a $25 Disney gift card (can be used in the parks!)
- New Feature: Minniemize for the Mouse!
- New Feature: Disney Photo Of The Day
- Print now: Keebler Bakers Treasures Soft Cookie
- Giveaway: Win a Coupon Clutch plus a DELUXE Coupon Organizer insert package!
- Introducing a new series…. Couponing to a better budget!
- 5 A Day 7.1.10
- Introducing 12 a day for 31 days….
- Giveaway: Is emailing companies worth it?
- I am taking the 5 A Day program to a whole new level!
- Harris Teeter is coming!
- Winn-Dixie 6.30 to 7.6 (38 under $1!)
- Wegmans 6.27 to 7.3 (7 under $1!)
| Enjoy the Entertainment Capital of the Midwest Posted: 02 Jul 2010 01:02 PM PDT
This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Hiltons of Branson. All opinions are 100% mine. I’m sure you have all heard of Branson, Missouri. The entertainment capital of the Midwest. It’s one of the vacation destinations that is at the top o my husband’s list. He loves anything and everything music and he thinks it would be a fun place to visit. But when picking a hotel, you have to make sure it is going to fit what your family needs. Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel
Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing
The Branson Landing is a huge shopping center with some of our favorite stores like Bass Pro Shops and most of the stores you find at your local mall. But what I would really like to see is the 7.5 million dollar WATER fountain! Now that would be something interesting to see! As far as the entertainment goes… we would definitely go to the Dixie Stampede (love that place!) We would also love to see the Grand Country’s amazing pets show. That sounds like something the kids would love! And we wouldn’t be able to leave Branson without seeing The Legends show. I saw this show when I was a teenager and I was blown away by it! So has anyone been to Branson? What did you think of it?
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| Crocs – Kids Starfish and Blowfish shoes for $8.99 shipped + Free Jibbitz! Posted: 02 Jul 2010 12:41 PM PDT
Crocs.com has an awesome deal on their super cute Starfish and Blowfish shoes. You can get a pair for $9.99 + you get a free Jibbitz. But it gets better… you can enter the codes FABSAVE10 and springfreeship at checkout and save an additional 10%. That makes these cute shoes just $8.99 shipped! (Thanks Bucktown Bargains!) Like this? Share it with someone. |
| Sneak peek of next week’s Target ad Posted: 02 Jul 2010 12:15 PM PDT
The sneak peek of next week’s Target ad is up! Head over to Totally Target to check it out! Like this? Share it with someone. |
| Just got back from Toy Story 3 Posted: 02 Jul 2010 12:08 PM PDT And my 6 year old is devastated. We left the theater and she started crying saying “I thought it was going to be good….but it was scary!” It took her a good hour to calm down (drama queen!). She keeps telling me that she doesn’t want to see the movie again until she’s 18. The 3 year old enjoyed about 50% of the movie. The other 50% was spent kicking the seat and talking loud and being a three year old. Luckily there were only 2 other families in the theater and I moved as far away from them as possible so we didn’t bother them. I liked the movie. I thought it was really good and I was so happy with the ending. I thought it was a perfect finale. I’m looking forward to seeing it again (on DVD). I had a good time. Oh and my son used the public potty for the first time! Growing up so very fast! Like this? Share it with someone. |
| Let’s Clean the House 1 pm check in Posted: 02 Jul 2010 11:00 AM PDT
By 1 pm:
So how are you doing? You can see the master cleaning list here. Like this? Share it with someone. |
| Giveaway: Everyone gets a free 1 month membership to Smart Rents plus more… Posted: 02 Jul 2010 09:30 AM PDT
SmartyRents.com is an educational video game rental company, featuring LeapFrog and VTech games. Rent games from eight game systems, including Little Leaps, Clickstart, Leapster, Didj, V.Smile Baby, V.Smile, V.Motion, and V.Flash. All games are available to rent including those no longer available on the market for purchase. Families can choose from one of several SmartyRents rental packages to meet the individual needs of each child in their family. This online rental company works similar to Netflix, in that, the customer's selected game titles are shipped free, directly to their door and with no late fees. One of the most impressive services SmartyRents provides to parents is the ability to search for games by a specific educational skill. For example, if your child is struggling with addition, you can search for only those games that address addition. Parents can search among 150 educational skills to select key skills pertinent to their child's age and learning level. Games are available for children as young as 9 months to 10 years old. With every game arrival, your child can embark on a new learning adventure with his or her favorite characters from Disney, Nickelodeon and many more. If you are looking for educational materials that will entertain your children at a low cost, SmartyRents is the answer to your search. As parents, we all want the best educational experiences for our children. With cost savings in mind, SmartyRents can provide that experience. When your children master each level at his or her own speed, they can move on to the next level without the need for purchasing a new game or storing outgrown games. SmartyRents allows you to try a game before you invest in it – to guarantee you won't get stuck with a dud. If your child loves the game so much that it pains them to part with it, then you can take advantage of the SmartyRents "Love It" option. The Love It option allows you to keep the game by purchasing it at the reduced Love It price. SmartyRents is also the perfect all-occasion gift that keeps on giving. Instead of buying another toy that will continue to add to the clutter, buy a SmartyRents Gift Certificate. This gift is easy to buy and redeem, exciting to receive and play, and makes learning fun. SmartyRents gift certificates are available in any dollar amount to fit any budget or occasion. SmartyRents is an online video game rental company owned and operated by credentialed teachers with Master’s Degrees in Education that offers fun games for kids. After becoming stay-at-home moms, it soon became their goal to provide families with a fun and affordable way to promote education in the home. They believe that providing children with a strong educational foundation is the key to their success in school and throughout their lives. In order for children to develop a love for learning, the learning needs to be fun and exciting. SmartyRents allows families to provide their children with affordable educational games that foster this love for learning. The online video game rental site is available now at www.smartyrents.com, offering all kinds of educational fun games for kids. Smarty Rents has generous agreed to give ALL Couponing to Disney readers a free month to try them out! One Free Month Plus they are giving 4 Couponing to Disney readers a 3 month subscription to the site! How fun is this?? To enter, just fill out the form below! This giveaway ends Sunday night at 9 pm! Like this? Share it with someone. |
| Let’s Clean The House – 11 am check in Posted: 02 Jul 2010 09:00 AM PDT
By 11 am:
So how are you doing? You can see the master cleaning list here. Like this? Share it with someone. |
| Rebate of the Day: Thompson’s Water Seal Posted: 02 Jul 2010 09:00 AM PDT
Rebate of the Day is a series that will showcase a different rebate Monday – Friday. It is brought to you by my friend Tabitha who blogs at Saving Towards A Better Life. Today’s rebate is Thompson’s Water Seal. Go here to see all the details. Be sure to read about all the previous rebates of the day here. Plus don’t forget to check out My Rebate Database! Like this? Share it with someone. |
| Giveaway: Enter to win a $20 gift card to Walmart! Posted: 02 Jul 2010 08:30 AM PDT
Now is your chance to become a Makeup Master with new CoverGirl Smoky Eye Look Solutions available at Walmart! With tools to create stunning lids, liner and lashes, CoverGirl has everything you need to create a celebrity Smoky Eye Look in 1-2-3 Steps. Whether you're running errands, spending a fun night out with the girls, or enjoying date night with someone special, the CoverGirl SmokyShadowBlast, LineExact Liquid Liner and LashBlast Volume-Blasting Mascara make it simple to create the perfect Smoky Eye in a flash. To help make it even easier to achieve the eye-catching effect every woman wants, CoverGirl Celebrity Makeup Master Molly Stern is here to offer her expertise. The biggest names in Hollywood rely on Molly for their red carpet looks and now she's ready to pass on her expert advice to you. If you'd like to participate in the Spark and become a Makeup Master, you will receive tips and a how-to video straight from Molly herself. To learn more about CoverGirl's fun Smokey Eye experience online, stop by www.smokyeyelook.com today. And be sure to "Like" the CoverGirl Makeup Master Facebook page too! And I have a $20 gift card to Walmart to give one lucky reader who would like to try the CoverGirl Smokey Eye kit for themselves! To enter please fill out the form below. This giveaway will end tonight at 9 pm cst! The CoverGirl Smoky Eye kit, information and Walmart gift card to give away were all provided by CoverGirl through MyBlogSpark. Like this? Share it with someone. |
| Posted: 02 Jul 2010 08:00 AM PDT
It’s link up your blog Friday! Place the link to your home page in the box below and please word it like this: Blog Name. Like this? Share it with someone. |
| Taking the kids to the movies… Posted: 02 Jul 2010 07:34 AM PDT
I’m taking the kiddos to the movies this morning. My daughter is dying to see Toy Story 3 and this morning when she got up and set up Jesse and Woody and started playing the Toy Story soundtrack and saying she’s going to college…. I decided it was time! So we are heading out. Be back around 2 pm. I have lots of posts scheduled and a few more giveaways so have fun! I’ll be back with all the hot deals this afternoon. Wish me luck! (Never taken the kids to the movies by myself….) Like this? Share it with someone. |
| Posted: 02 Jul 2010 07:19 AM PDT
CVS is offering their 50 free prints for new accounts again! You do not have to enter your Extra Care Card number to do this deal! The link for the 50 free prints will come in your email after you sign up for a new account. Select in store pick up and you won’t even pay shipping! Like this? Share it with someone. |
| Posted: 02 Jul 2010 07:00 AM PDT
So what are you cooking for dinner tonight? I am sitting out some chicken. Not quite sure what I am going to do to it though! Like this? Share it with someone. |
| Let’s Clean The House – 9 am check in! Posted: 02 Jul 2010 06:59 AM PDT
So how are you doing? I’ve got my tasks done! I feel like I have really accomplished something! You can see the master cleaning list here. Like this? Share it with someone. |
| Free events this Saturday for the whole family! Posted: 02 Jul 2010 06:24 AM PDT Here are the free events that you can enjoy with the whole family this weekend:
(Thanks Who Said Nothing In Life Is Free???) Like this? Share it with someone. |
| *NEW* 10 point Pampers Gift to Grow Code! Posted: 02 Jul 2010 05:45 AM PDT
Here is a new code for Pampers Gift to Grow: FACEBOOKJUL2010 I posted these before that might still be good: GTGLEARNMORE089 If you regularly buy Pampers, perhaps you have noticed the code printed on either a little sticker on the inside of the package or on the package itself (usually on wipes). These codes can be entered online at Pampers.com and redeemed for prizes. (Thanks Savings and Stewardship!) Like this? Share it with someone. |
| Posted: 02 Jul 2010 05:30 AM PDT
This is your reminder that you need to get your daily exercise in! Go for a walk, work out on the Wii, go to the gym. It doesn’t matter as long as you get moving! I’ll post a check in tonight so get busy! Don’t forget that you can visit my other blog Wii to a New Mii! Like this? Share it with someone. |
| Posted: 02 Jul 2010 05:22 AM PDT Can you go an entire month without going out to eat? What about a week or a day? Can you cut your dining bill by 20%, 50% , 75% or more? That is what I challenge you to do! At the end of the 30 days, I will choose one winner who will get $50 to spend at a restaurant(s) of their choice! The rules: 1. You must challenge yourself. Try to spend less than you spend now. If you don’t go out to eat at all, challenge yourself to try new meals this month. As long as you are challenging yourself when it comes to your family’s eating habits, you can participate! My progress: No dining out for me yesterday but hubby spent $7 at the zoo on snacks for the adults. He brought enough for the kids but forgot himself and his mom! How are you doing? Leave a comment and let me know! Like this? Share it with someone. |
| Posted: 01 Jul 2010 07:11 PM PDT I’ve spent the past 12 hours bringing you almost all the new features! It was so exciting and fun! I hope you all enjoyed it! Just a note: All the winners of the giveaways that ended tonight at 9 pm will be announced over the weekend. I still have a few more giveaways for you all tomorrow! Have a great night everyone! Like this? Share it with someone. |
| Posted: 01 Jul 2010 07:00 PM PDT
We got back to Peter Pan and waited 5 minutes to ride it. Then we dashed to Pooh (which had no line at all) and rode it twice. Then we decided to go ride the Tomorrowland Speedway. This is where the course of the morning ended up being ABSOLUTELY WORTH IT. It’s amazing how things work out. We were bypassing the tea cups when Alice comes skipping up to Emily and asks if she can ride. Emily was so sweet and said “Well only if my brother Jacob can ride too.” And then my 2 little munchkins got to ride with both Alice and the White Rabbit on the Tea Cups. Afterwards, they were taken over to the meet and greet where Jacob tried his hardest to take the White Rabbit home with him. It was too sweet! We finally pulled the two of them apart and headed over to ride the speedway. This is a very slow loading ride and we ended up waiting 15 minutes to ride. But nothing could take the grin off our faces! After this, we stopped by the gift shop and picked up one more souvenir then we headed to the our breakfast at Chef Mickey’s.
Our mission at the Animal Kingdom was to meet Pocahontas. And it was soooooooo hot! We headed straight back to Rafiki’s Planet Watch and the kids had fun petting the animals and then they met Pocahantas, Rafiki and Jeminy Cricket. They also enjoyed watching some of the behind the scenes videos. After a while, they began to tire and we headed back to ride the safari ride. But then we decided it was just too hot. We were so exhausted and so we ended our trip. We headed back to the hotel and packed up our stuff and let the kids play on the playground. It was a fun and exciting trip. It was worth every dime we paid for it and it was full of so many magical experiences that we will never forget. But we were so tired. We joke that you need a vacation from your vacation when it’s over with. Can’t wait for 2011 though! Catch Up Day 1 evening and Day 2 morning recap Day 2 evening and Day 3 morning recap <object width=”425″ height=”344″><param name=”movie” value=”http://www.youtube.com/v/kDF90r7xMRQ&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&color1=0×006699&color2=0x54abd6″></param><param name=”allowFullScreen” value=”true”></param><param name=”allowscriptaccess” value=”always”></param><embed src=”http://www.youtube.com/v/kDF90r7xMRQ&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&color1=0×006699&color2=0x54abd6″ type=”application/x-shockwave-flash” allowscriptaccess=”always” allowfullscreen=”true” width=”425″ height=”344″></embed></object> Like this? Share it with someone. |
| Well I promised….. My planning spreadsheets Posted: 01 Jul 2010 06:38 PM PDT Here are the planning sheets that I promised I was going to share. You’ll get to see first hand that I am definitely OCD. But….. keep in mind that we did NOT stand in long lines on either of our trips because I knew where to go and when to go there. People say to me “well that doesn’t sound like a vacation to me”. Well here’s my thoughts…. if I can avoid a line by following a plan in the mornings, I’m going to do it. The evenings are stopping to smell the roses. When the parks are the least crowded, you’ll find me on the major attractions. When the park is crowded in the afternoons and early evenings, you’ll find me in that rose garden smelling the roses. We got so much done on our trips and I had tons of readers say to me “Wow! There are NO people in your pictures!” That isn’t because there were no people. It was because I was going against the crowds, instead of with them. So here you go. Enjoy! Magic Kingdom Saturday AM Animal Kingdom Sunday PM Epcot Hollywood Studios |
| Disney World Training – Mexico, Norway and China Posted: 01 Jul 2010 06:18 PM PDT The World Showcase is probably my favorite place in all of Disney. I absolutely love the culture and experiences that you can have. I believe that this area of Disney is fun for all ages. My kids have a blast exploring and meeting the characters and my husband and I enjoy taking in all the scenes. Character: Mexican Donald greets in the afternoon. Attractions: Gran Fiesta Tour starring the Three Caballeros (located inside the pyramid). It’s a really cute boat ride. The line is rarely long. Kidcot Station: Located directly inside the pyramid. Movie: None. Tasty treats: Be sure to get the nachos from the temporary counter service there. I believe it is the temporary replacement for Cantina de San Angel that reopens in September 2010. Character: none Attraction: Maelstrom (offers Fastpass). Maelstrom is a very fun boat ride that offers you a history of Norway while giving you a thrilling ride. It is one of my favorites! Kidcot Station: Inside the Puffin’s Roost Store. Tasty treat: Kringles (candied pretzels) Character Meal: You can meet the princesses at Akershus. They serve both breakfast, lunch and dinner! If I had to choose, I’d go for Breakfast since the World Showcase is not open. Norway is very small and can quickly get crowded! Kringla Bakeri og Kafe – We ate here on the latest trip and it was really good! We choose the Norwegian Club. Movie: Spirit of Norway. When you get off Maelstrom you will have to wait for this movie to finish playing before you will be able to exit the attraction. You can either choose to sit and watch this short film or continue on through the exit doors. Make sure you check out the Stave Church and see how many trolls you can count in the gardens! Also notice the REAL grass on the roofs! And get your picture made by the giant troll in Puffin’s Roost. Make sure you try on the Viking hats! Character: Mulan and occassionally Mushu Attraction: None Kidcot Station: In the Yong Feng Shangdian Store Tasty treat: egg rolls of course! Movie: The Wonders of China Things to note:
Be sure to catch up on all the Disney Training posts as well as see a reading outline here. Like this? Share it with someone. |
| Introducing the deal calendar…. Posted: 01 Jul 2010 06:05 PM PDT Never miss a great deal because you forgot about it again! I’ve added a new deal calendar to both the side bar and here. Keep an eye on it every day as you read the blog! It’s got rebates, hot dining deals and retail coupons in it and more! I hope you guys like it! Like this? Share it with someone. |
| Rebate of the Day: Snapple Iced Tea Posted: 01 Jul 2010 05:28 PM PDT
If you’ve been a fan of the blog for a while, you’ll remember that I briefly ran this series in early Spring. Well it’s back and it’s here to stay! Rebates are going to be a huge focus on the blog because, well who doesn’t love making money on your purchases?? Rebate of the Day is a series that will showcase a different rebate Monday – Friday. It is brought to you by my friend Tabitha who blogs at Saving Towards A Better Life. Today’s Rebate of the Day is for Snapple Iced Tea 6pk. Purchase the 6 pack and mail a 3×5 index card with the following: Name Address Phone and/or Email Flavor Purchase Price Paid Store Name Plus you must send the original receipt dated between 5/1/10 – 7/7/10 and the original proof of purchase. The rebate is good for one 6pk of Snapple up to 6.99. Mail the index card with the info, the upc, and the receipt to: Snapple 6 Pack Rebate Offer PO Box 40896 Houston, TX 77240 You can mail in one per person in the household, just use different names on the index cards and you can mail them in the same envelope! (This is very unusual!) Allow 6-8 weeks for your check to arrive. There are peelies found on the packages of the Snapple 6 pack of tea for this rebate as well. (That is where this information came from). Be sure to read about all the previous rebates of the day here. Plus don’t forget to check out My Rebate Database! Like this? Share it with someone. |
| Introducing my Rebate Database! Posted: 01 Jul 2010 05:00 PM PDT I am so excited about this feature……. introducing the Couponing to Disney Rebate Database! Rebates are a GREAT way to make money shopping. But keeping track of them is hard work. I’ve tried to make it as easy as possible by adding every awesome rebate that I can find into an easy to navigate list! I’ve even got a PDF of the list so you can print it and mark the rebates off the list as you send them in! I’ll be updating the list constantly (I’ll post what I add) and keeping you informed of what I have personally mailed out. So go take a look at the list and let me know what you think! This is one of the features that I am most excited to introduce! Like this? Share it with someone. |
| Giveaway: Enter to win Mickey and Donald Duck hairbows! Posted: 01 Jul 2010 04:50 PM PDT
Jelly Jar Bows makes the cutest Disney bows. If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you know how crazy I am about Disney bows! And these bows are super cute! Jelly Jar Bows has graciously agreed to give one lucky Couponing to Disney reader both the above Mickey bow and a bonus Donald Duck bow. Too cute! Here’s how to enter: |
| New Feature: Let’s Clean The House! Posted: 01 Jul 2010 04:26 PM PDT
I am a terrible housekeeper. I hate to clean. I ignore the mess and hope it will clean itself. That of course causes a lot of friction between me and my husband. He’s a neat freak. Well the only way to improve the situation is for me to actually clean the house, so that is how this series was born. Let’s Clean the House is a periodic check in during the day to see if you have completed the tasks. That is if you want to clean with me. If not, just skip this post and carry on about your business. Starting each morning and at intervals during the day, I’ll put up a short post for us all to check in and see how the house cleaning is coming along. At the end of the day, we will have a clean house and a smiling husband. I’ve already devised the routine, but I want to hear from all of you. It looks like it’s a lot, but it’s not. It’s just broken up throughout the day. You of course can do it all at once if you want. I just do better in segments. Go here to read the routine and let me know what you think! Tomorrow I’ll start the check in posts. I also want to hear from the working readers I have! I’d love to have a series for you to check in each evening, but I need help from y’all putting a good routine together! So please chime in and let me know! Like this? Share it with someone. |
| New Feature: What did $10 get you this week? Posted: 01 Jul 2010 04:15 PM PDT
There is a new bragging feature coming every Saturday on Couponing to Disney. It is called “What did $10 get you this week?” I want you to start thinking about how far you can stretch $10. It can be items bought at one store or multiple stores. The goal is to get as much for your $10 as you possibly can. It’s going to be interesting to see who gets the most bang for their buck! So start thinking and preparing your list of what you got! I can’t wait to hear!! Like this? Share it with someone. |
| Giveaway: Win a custom monogrammed Disney tote! Posted: 01 Jul 2010 04:02 PM PDT How cute would it be to carry your family’s summer essentials in a personalized Disney themed beach tote? This bag is very well made and the perfect size to fit everything you might need in it! This bag is being given away by Pixie Vacations: Why use Pixie Vacations to book your next Disney Vacation? We are past Disney Cast Members, and Disney Vacation Planners that know how to save you time and money on your Disney vacation. We know the Disney Parks, Resorts, and Disney Cruise Line and can help you every step of the way. We are not a call center. You will speak with the same person each time you call. We love Disney and love to share our knowledge with you. We offer personal Concierge level service for free. Yes, FREE! There is no service fee when you book your vacation with us. We have access to the latest Disney promotions and monitor your reservation to make sure you get the best price. If a better promotions comes out, we automatically apply the new discount to your reservation. Our prices are never more than booking directly with Disney, and often our prices are lower. We will take care of your vacation, from dining reservations, tickets, dining plans, to the little things like strollers, and advice on how to plan your days. We also can plan your next Disney Cruise and answer any questions you may have about cruising with Disney. Or better yet, ask about a land and sea vacation and get the best of two worlds! So call us or visit www.PixieVacations.com today for a free quote. Pixie Vacations To enter, fill out the form below. You can visit Pixie Vacations to sign up for their newsletter and become a fan on Facebook! The giveaway will end Friday night at 9 pm! Like this? Share it with someone. |
| New Feature: Let’s Make Childhood Magical… Posted: 01 Jul 2010 03:45 PM PDT
A few years ago, I had the honor of talking to an incredible mother. She was in her late 40′s and had adopted a child from Asia. She did everything she could to make her child’s childhood as magical as possible. I remember her telling me that one night she had finished cleaning the kitchen and her daughter came in saying her dolls wanted brownies. So even though she was tired and the kitchen was clean, she stopped and made brownies and they had a tea party with all the stuffed animals. One of my fondest memories as a child is of my Aunt Aimee. She is 8 years my senior and she constantly made my childhood magical. My favorite was the sink she had in the upstairs den that made clothes! Seriously! It was the perfect mixture of Barbie bubbles and hot water and the clothes would appear in her bathroom sink on the other side of the house. Isn’t that neat?? This lasted for quite a while…. So I want to do that with my children. 30 minutes a day is all it takes. Getting creative and finding something unique to experience will them every day. I just got a subscription to Family Fun magazine, plus I have a lot of activity books to do with the kids. So every day, you’ll find a post here about something big or small that I did to make my children’s childhood magical. After all, isn’t that what Disney is all about? Today since it’s such a busy day on the blog, my husband took my children to the zoo. There is an amazing Alabama attraction there with an outhouse and a log cabin. My daughter believes that they are from Felicity’s (the American Girl) time and she loves playing and exploring with them. There is also a dinosaur bone hunt that they really enjoy doing as well.
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| Giveaway: Win this super cute Disney bank I got you in Disney! Posted: 01 Jul 2010 03:30 PM PDT
While I was at Disney, I was thinking about all of my amazing readers! And when I saw this super cute bank, I couldn’t resist getting one for me and ONE for you! How inspired would you be to put your loose change in this cute bank? I know it makes me smile every time I put a coin in it. I am giving one AMAZING reader their very own bank. This giveaway will last until 9 pm FRIDAY night! Just fill out the form below to enter: Like this? Share it with someone. |
| Deposit into the Disney Fund 7.1.10 Posted: 01 Jul 2010 03:12 PM PDT
$143.26 added to the Disney fund. $250.87 saved since June 3rd! You can see all the previous deposits here. Don’t forget that you can now showcase your own Disney funds via the Couponing to Disney message board! (See how to do it here.) You are more than welcome to link to your thread in the comments below! Like this? Share it with someone. |
| Giveaway: Win your very own Disney Budget Book! Posted: 01 Jul 2010 02:42 PM PDT
How would you like your very own Disney Budget Book from Timeless Journey to keep your weekly budget in? I think these are the cutest thing and a really great way to keep inspired! I actually begged her to design one for me (She did an AMAZING job) and she has generously agreed to give one of my AMAZING readers one of their very own! Here’s how to enter: Visit Timeless Journey and take a look at all her products, let me know which one you like the best! Also become a fan of Timeless Journey on Facebook for a bonus entry! Please fill out the form below. This giveaway ends Sunday night at 9 pm! Like this? Share it with someone. |
| Your Disney Fund: A Breakdown of my own weekly budget…. Posted: 01 Jul 2010 02:28 PM PDT
Every Thursday I make a trip to the bank and withdraw $150 in cash. I then divide my cash up into categories (they also call this ‘The Envelope System”) and place it in this super cute envelope wallet that I ordered from Timeless Journey.
The first category is groceries. I put $80 in this category. $80 is for 6 people (I buy groceries for my house and my mother in laws). My goal is to keep it under $80. Any amount left out of the grocery budget at the end of the week goes to the Disney fund!
Next is my dining out category. I put $20 in this category. I usually give the $20 to my husband though. He works retail and thinks he NEEDS to go out for lunch every day. I am working on convincing him to just go sit in his truck and listen to the radio instead of going somewhere for lunch. If any money is left after the week is up, it goes into the Disney fund!
Next is my shopping category. This is the money I use to do the deals at CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid. I have $20 in this category, but I try to keep it under that. Now before you start saying “Well that is a lot! You must not be good at what you do”, I want to tell you this…. Alabama charges 8-10% tax on the pre-coupon total. So if I have a $50 order and I get it down to a $0 subtotal with coupons, I am still going to pay $3.50 – $5 in tax! If any money is left out of this category, it goes into the Disney fund!
The last category is MISC. I put $30 in here and it’s there if we need it. If it doesn’t get used, I move it into the Saving for the Future envelope. This is for expenses that we know will eventually occur like school clothes, oil changes, etc.
No gas is included in my $150 budget. It is separate. I budget $100 every 2 weeks for gas. Most of the time we stay way under that though. The money left out of that category just sits in the bank account. Also I break every dollar that I can and the spare change is saved for the Disney fund! This adds up to $8 – $10 a week! Like this? Share it with someone. |
| How to get started with your own Disney fund….. Posted: 01 Jul 2010 02:02 PM PDT I decided that I was going to challenge ourselves to “Coupon to Disney” in early June of 2009. I never doubted for a minute that we would be able to. People really don’t realize how much money is absorbed back into their budget. You get that $5 rebate check and you deposit it into your checking account and it’s spent on a hamburger and gone before you know it. But if you take that $5 and add it to your Disney fund, it really starts to add up. You get excited that you saved that $5 and it inspires you to save even more. The best thing about Couponing to Disney is that each time you make a deposit to the fund (even if it is a quarter), you fill inspired. You fill elated. And you feel the Disney magic. It’s awesome! And it’s so easy to get the kids involved too. Using the Disney fund, you can encourage the kids to not spend money. When you are in the store and they beg for that cheap, flimsy toy, you can ask them “Do you want to spend $2 on that toy or do you want to add it to the Disney fund?” If you make deposits to the fund a celebration, they might just choose to save the money! This is teaching your kids the value of a dollar at a very early age! You also start questioning your purchases more. Do you really need another purse? Or can you take that money and add it to the Disney fund. My philosophy is if you were seriously considering spending the money and you resist, add it to the fund! You would of spent it anyways…. You’ll also start thinking about where your money goes. Do you really need a $70 a month gym membership? Do you really need that $30 Netflix subscription. You’ll think things through my thoroughly before you commit to spending your money. If you eliminate or reduce a bill, the difference can be added to your fund instead of absorbed into the budget! It won’t take long for the money to add up if you are committed to putting any and all extras that you can to the fund. The idea is for the money to not come out of your paychecks. What I mean by this is that you don’t earmark an amount out of the budget to be deposited to the Disney fund. All of the money for the Disney fund comes from creative sources. Use your monthly income for paying off debt, saving for retirement, etc. Couponing to Disney is finding all the money that is usually absorbed into your budget that you don’t realize is there! And if Disney isn’t your thing, you can Coupon to anything you want! Coupon to Italy, Coupon to a cruise, Coupon to a bigger tv, a new car, etc etc. Anything that you dream of having can be within your reach! So sit back and let me teach you how to “Coupon to Disney”…..
The VERY first thing you have to do when you decide you want to Coupon to Disney is to find the extra money in your budget. Take a piece of paper and write down all your monthly bills. Figure out an average amount for your utilities and write that down. When you finish, it’ll look something like this (this is my budget): Mortgage: $1065 Now, review your list. Did you write down every little monthly bill that you have? Subscriptions, school fees, etc etc. Go look through the last month of bank statements and make sure you didn’t miss anything. Do you see anything that you can eliminate today that you don’t need? Next you need to call each utility about your bill and see if you can reduce the amount you are paying. When you call the cable company, I’ve found I have better luck at reducing the bill if I talk with the cancellation department instead. Be sure to eliminate any channels you don’t need! Call the cell company and see if you are eligible for any additional discounts. We get 5% off our bill because our cell company (AT&T) has an agreement with his employer. Make sure you call every single one and ask if they can reduce your bill. You might be surprised. Also if you haven’t gotten an insurance quote lately, I suggest that you call 3 different agencies and get a quote and then let your current agent know. Also go over your coverage with your agent. My Mother In Law was paying $110 a month for insurance on her truck. We took over the policy and reduced the coverage. She had the lowest deductible, highest possible coverage plus she also had additional coverage she didn’t need! The new bill was $45 a month!! Raising the deductible up the next level can really make a huge difference. We carry $500 on the vehicles and $1000 on the house. Now if you were able to reduce or eliminate any of the bills, I want you to earmark the money you saved for your fund. Yes this is kind of coming out of your monthly income, however you wouldn’t of taken this initiative and would be paying the higher prices if it wasn’t for the fund. So I call this found money! Make sure you make a point to put this money in the fund every month. Don’t forget our it will just be absorbed into oblivion. Also, since you have made an estimate on your utilities, if it is ever less than the predicted amount, that difference goes in the Disney fund. For example… I estimate my power bill at $175 a month. When it’s less than $175, I put the difference in the fund. If not, that money saved just gets absorbed! Even if it’s $1, it still goes in the fund. Now if my power bill is over $175, I just pull that money out of other areas of our budget. I don’t take the money out of the fund. How you want to do it is ultimately up to you. But your goal is to estimate your power bill high and not go over that amount but maybe twice a year. I always go over in the hottest and coldest months. So that concludes the first source of money for your fund! Please comment and let me know how much money you found in your budget! And don’t forget to commit to putting that money every month into the fund! If you aren’t committed, it won’t grow. Like this? Share it with someone. |
| Introducing the Couponing to Disney forum! Posted: 01 Jul 2010 01:39 PM PDT  This forum has been in the works for quite some time. I wanted a place for my readers to be able to share their pictures, stories, advice, tips, Disney funds and more! So I decided a forum was the best way to do that. On the forum you will find the following:
This is not meant to be a replacement for the blog. Things on the blog will remain the exact same as they are now. This is just a place for you to interact with other Couponing to Disney readers, post your pictures, etc etc. So go take a look around! I hope you enjoy it! Like this? Share it with someone. |
| Couponing to Disney is now Mobile Friendly! Posted: 01 Jul 2010 01:21 PM PDT
Blazed-Designs.com helped me set up everything yesterday. It wasn’t as easy as you might think, but it is up and running now! Go check it out and let me know what you think! Like this? Share it with someone. |
| Giveaway: Enter to win a $25 Disney gift card (can be used in the parks!) Posted: 01 Jul 2010 01:00 PM PDT In the age of online travel planning, why would you ever need a travel agent? Why do you take your car to the service station to get the oil changed when you could do it yourself? Why do you go to a car wash when you have a hose and a bucket at home? Why do you hire the neighbor kid to mow your lawn when you have a perfectly good mower? Why do you use computer software or an accountant to do your taxes when the instructions are right on the back of the form? The answer to all these questions is service. Sure, you can do all of these things yourself – including planning and booking a vacation – but why bother when there are professionals who can do it in a fraction of the time and more thoroughly? With most of the examples above, you pay to have someone provide each service. But not when you plan a Disney vacation with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner (a.k.a. Disney Travel Agency) like Mouse Unlimited. Not only do they provide excellent support, expert Disney advice, and complete travel planning services – but they do it all for FREE! Mouse Unlimited's agents (who are also the Owners) offer a "personal touch" to your travel planning experience, offering help and advice that a website cannot provide. They handle every aspect of your trip from airline tickets to lodging, ground transportation, activities, tours and more. If you should have a problem during your trip, they can act on your behalf to see that proper restitutions are made. Think of your travel agent as your personal concierge. Avoid the headaches and let the agents call around and do all the time consuming work of planning a complex itinerary. Planning a trip can be stressful – especially a Disney vacation. There are so many options and details to worry about. Mouse Unlimited's agents do the work, resulting in less stress for you. Couponing To Disney fans know how valuable every dollar spent on a Disney vacation is, so let's talk about why using a travel agency like Mouse Unlimited is win-win. Not only will you save hours of your valuable personal time, but you'll be guaranteed the most recent discount offers available and usually one of their exclusive Cash-Back offers, making your Disney vacation more economical than if you booked it on your own. Only the most basic, non-discounted Disney vacations can be booked through Disney's websites. Thus, you will likely spend a significant amount of time on the phone with a Disney Reservationist in order to book your trip, apply payments, apply a new discount (since Disney won't do it automatically), make dining reservations, and to give them your flight numbers for Disney's Magical Express. That's a lot of calling, and a lot of your precious time spent on hold. Besides, Disney's staff is trained to up-sell and to only offer up discounts if specifically asked about them. When you use a travel agency that's been EarMarked by Disney as an "Authorized Disney Vacation Planner" you're working with someone who has gone through extensive training on all of the Disney Destinations and who has proven to be worthy of Disney's vote of confidence. Mouse Unlimited is such an agency. When you use a Disney travel agency like Mouse Unlimited, you can book and plan an entire trip via e-mail – but you can also talk to them on the phone if you prefer a little verbal communication. Once you've told them what you want, they'll take care of the rest, including booking, applying payments, making dining reservations, and planning your daily itineraries. Mouse Unlimited is owned and operated by a couple in Indiana – with no outside agents. You work with the owners of the company from start to finish. They have passed extensive Disney training, carry insurance, and often offer additional incentives. Be sure to check for these things when you select your travel agency. If you're someone who likes to retain control of everything, pay close attention. Many agencies will "hoard" your actual reservation number and mask it with their own in-house identifier. Mouse Unlimited doesn't do that. Once you book, you'll have a confirmation letter with YOUR Disney Reservation Number on it, and a detailed listing of everything included in YOUR reservation. You are free to make dining reservations on your own, without being restricted by your agency. So, you reap all of the benefits of having a travel agent – including the cost savings and customer service – and can still plan your own vacation as much as you like. What happens if you book with a travel agent and then a new discount comes out, or you get one of those elusive PIN codes from Disney? No problem with Mouse Unlimited! If Disney publishes a new discount, and it applies to your vacation, Mouse Unlimited will apply it without even being asked to! If you receive a personal PIN code, just forward it to your agent and they'll take care of it from there. When it comes down to it, every Disney travel agency is treated the same by Disney. They all receive the same commission from Disney. So, your goal is to find the agency that won't constantly try to up-sell you with add-ons and more expensive options, and who will provide the best customer service throughout your experience. Expert knowledge of Disney's vacation products and Cash-Back incentives are always a plus too! If you're considering a Disney vacation, be sure to contact Mouse Unlimited, and you'll be guaranteed unparalleled service, expert support, and an economical and magical vacation. Visit Mouse Unlimited's website where you can ask a question, learn more about Disney destinations, or request a free quote. And to jump start your Disney fund, Mouse Unlimited is going to give one AMAZING reader a $25 gift card that they can use anywhere at the Parks! Here’s how to enter:
Please fill out the form below. This giveaway will end tonight at 9 pm! Like this? Share it with someone. |
| New Feature: Minniemize for the Mouse! Posted: 01 Jul 2010 12:44 PM PDT
My readers that have been with me for a while know that I struggle with my weight. I’ll diet for a few weeks, stress comes along and bang…. I’m back to square one. Well it’s time for a change. I’m 27 years old and I am ready for things to be different. I titled this series Minniemize for the Mouse. Because let me be frank. Walking around Disney with an extra 100 or so pounds on you is NOT fun. Sure I make it through the day because I am a tough woman. I am not going to let it slow me down. But it’s frustrating having to angle yourself just right to fit on and off a ride. Wondering if your hips will fit between the arm rests of a chair. Having to catch your breath every few minutes. Well I have got to change all this. I don’t want to look back 10 years from now and wish I had done it now and still be struggling with it then. I’ve got 11 months… it’s time to change. So who else is with me? I know I am not alone. It might not be 100 pounds you need to lose. It might be 5 or 10 or 50. It doesn’t matter. Everyone can join in! Every day I will post this reminder post for you to get your Minniemizing workout in for the day and every evening, I’ll open up a post for you to check in on my other blog, Wii to a New Mii. (Another cute name huh?) Like this? Share it with someone. |
| New Feature: Disney Photo Of The Day Posted: 01 Jul 2010 12:30 PM PDT
Sharing Disney Photos is a great way to keep everyone motivated towards their money saving goals, myself included.Every day I will feature a Disney photo of the day from one of our two trips! Plus don’t forget to check out the photos on the sidebar! They change every hour. Be sure to check out all the previous Disney photos of the day! Like this? Share it with someone. |
| Print now: Keebler Bakers Treasures Soft Cookie Posted: 01 Jul 2010 12:27 PM PDT
I just got a really hot coupon in my inbox…. Save $1 off any Keebler Bakers Treasures soft cookies (13.5 oz or larger). I know our grocery stores around here are constantly putting the Keebler line of cookies on sale Buy one, get one free so this will make for a VERY good deal! Like this? Share it with someone. |
| Giveaway: Win a Coupon Clutch plus a DELUXE Coupon Organizer insert package! Posted: 01 Jul 2010 12:15 PM PDT
How do you organize your coupons? I have shared that I currently use a box type method, but I have used a binder in the past. One thing about the binder is it’s big and cumbersome and not overly attractive. The Coupon Clutch changes all that! The Coupon Clutch is a custom binder holder that looks like a designer purse. It comes in a variety of patterns (my favorite is the polkadots). The Coupon Clutch helps you to feel stylish and organized at the same time! They have generously agreed to give away a Coupon Clutch Binder Tote ($29.95 value) PLUS a Deluxe Coupon Organizer Insert package ($24.95 value) to one lucky Couponing to Disney reader! You even get to pick the design! Plus they are offering all Couponing to Disney readers 10% off their purchase through July 31st! Just enter the code CouponingToDisney at checkout! Here’s how to enter: |
| Introducing a new series…. Couponing to a better budget! Posted: 01 Jul 2010 12:00 PM PDT Couponing to a better budget is a new daily series where I am going to teach you EVERYTHING I know about couponing. This isn’t just a brief look at couponing. I am sharing EVERY SINGLE THING I know! I hope you learn a lot and maybe I’ll even learn something from you too! If you can’t see the video above, you can go here to watch it on You Tube. Where do I find coupons? a. Sunday paper Leave me a comment below if you have any questions or concerns. Like this? Share it with someone. |
| Posted: 01 Jul 2010 11:45 AM PDT
You can check out the 5 A Day Mail Campaign details here and keep track our progress on the awesome new spreadsheet! 1. Oral-B 2. Kettle Chips 4. Progresso Remember you can catch up on all the previous 5 A Day’s here! Be sure to leave a comment when you are finished! Like this? Share it with someone. |
| Introducing 12 a day for 31 days…. Posted: 01 Jul 2010 11:29 AM PDT
Over the past year we have emailed 360 companies with the 5 a Day program. That’s a huge accomplishment! But I know a lot of my readers are new to this program and eager to follow along. As most of you know, my mother in law just moved to town and she is eager to give this a try. So for the next 31 days, we will be emailing 12 companies a day off the spreadsheet. This is in addition to the regular 5 a Day that I will be posting! By the end of the month, you will have a mailbox full of awesome coupons and be ahead of the game! So who’s with me? Today we are emailing #1-#12 on the spreadsheet. If you need ideas on what to write or not quite sure what this is all about, be sure to read this. Post here when you are done! Like this? Share it with someone. |
| Giveaway: Is emailing companies worth it? Posted: 01 Jul 2010 11:15 AM PDT
I’ve got this obsession with my free coupons. A lot of people run out and use them as soon as they get them. Me…. I hang onto them like they are my treasure. And then I run out on the last day of the month and use them before they expire…. probably not the best idea but I have a really hard time parting with them. There are 56 free coupons in the picture above. 80% of them came from the 5 A Day program. Aren’t they beautiful?? I’m going to give one lucky reader 5 free coupons! All you have to do is email one of your friends and tell them about the 5 a Day program. People don’t realize what a great resource this is and I really want to spread the word! Leave a comment below letting me know that you emailed them! (posting it on your Facebook wall or tweeting is acceptable too!) I will choose a winner tonight at 9 pm! Like this? Share it with someone. |
| I am taking the 5 A Day program to a whole new level! Posted: 01 Jul 2010 11:00 AM PDT I love 5 A Day! I posted the very first 5 A Day post on July 7th, 2009. Since then, we have emailed over 360 different companies! But it’s time to expand on that! The very first thing I want to introduce to you is my 5 a Day spreadsheet. This is meant to replace the current list that I keep on the blog. I have also included a PDF that you can print out and keep your own record of what companies you have contacted and what you have received. So go check it out and let me know what you think! Like this? Share it with someone. |
| Posted: 01 Jul 2010 10:55 AM PDT Harris Teeter deals are coming, they just haven’t been posted yet by my blogging friend! Look for them soon though! :) Like this? Share it with someone. |
| Winn-Dixie 6.30 to 7.6 (38 under $1!) Posted: 01 Jul 2010 10:50 AM PDT
Winn Dixie deals are brought to you by Miami Mommy Savings. Be sure to visit her blog for all the deals over $1! 1. Register your Winn-Dixie Reward Card to receive advertised discounts. Winn- Dixie Tomato Sauce, 8oz — 6/$1 Winn- Dixie Vegetables — 2/$1 Knorr Lipton Rice or Pasta Sides — $1 Oscar Mayer Beef Franks — b1g1 @ $2.09 Kraft Salad Dressing — b1g1 @ $3.29 Moore’s Wing Sauce — b1g1 @ $3.29 Bush’s Beans — b1g1 @ $1.29 Hunt’s Snack Pack Pudding or Gels — $1 Edy’s Slow Churned Ice Cream Cups, 6 oz — $1 Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream Cup, 4 oz — $1 Cesar Dog Food, 3.5 oz can — 10/$7 SunnyD, 64oz — b1g1 @ $1.99 Zatarain’s Rice Mixes — b1g1 @ $2 Crystal Light on the Go — b1g1 @ $3.79 Winn-Dixie Vanilla Wafers, 12 oz — b1g1 @ $1.79 Tropicana Chilled Punch, 64 oz — $1 Banquet Entrees — $1 Winn- Dixie Hamburger or Hotdog Buns — $1 Winn- Dixie Ketchup, 24 oz — $1 Winn- Dixie BBQ Sauce, 18 oz — $1 Winn Dixie Pasta, 16oz — $1 Kraft Velveeta Easy Mac Cups — $1 Conchita Guava Paste 17.5 oz — $1 Chow Mein or Noodle Meals or Souper — $1 Nestle Lemonade Ice Cream Cup, 12 oz — $1 Diana Dry Beans, 12 oz — $1 Sunchy Nectars, 32 oz — $1 Kraft Cool Whip Whipped Topping, 8 oz — $1 Parkay Margarine Sticks, 16 oz — $1 Blue Bonet Margarine Bowl, 15 oz — $1 Fleischmann’s Sticks 16 oz or Spray 8 oz or Squeeze Spray 12 oz — $1 McCormick Grill Mates Marinades — $1 Winn-Dixie Cinnamon Churros, 3 oz — $1 Chek 2 Liter Drinks — $1 Winn-Dixie Bleach, 96 oz — $1 Glade Air Freshener Aerosol, 9 oz — $1 Scotch-Brite Sponges Heavy Duty or Multi-Purpose 1 pk — $1 Thrifty Maid Cleaners — $1 Winn-Dixie Paper Towels printed 1 Big Roll — $1 Winn Dixie deals are brought to you by Miami Mommy Savings. Be sure to visit her blog for all the deals over $1! Do you cover Winn Dixie deals on your blog? If so, please link them up below: Like this? Share it with someone. |
| Wegmans 6.27 to 7.3 (7 under $1!) Posted: 01 Jul 2010 10:45 AM PDT
Coffee-Mate creamer 16 oz — $1.89 Tribe Organic Hummus 8 oz — $1.99 Heluva Good Dip 12 oz — $1.49 Ball Park — $1.50 Tribe Hummus 8 oz — $1.99 Domino dark brown, light brown or confectioner sugar 2 lbs — $1.69 Nestle Ready to Bake Cookies — $1.99 Wegman’s deals are brought to you by Happy Clippings. Be sure to visit her blog for all the deals over $1! Do you cover Wegman’s deals on your blog? Be sure to link them up below! Like this? Share it with someone. |
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Enjoy the Entertainment Capital of the Midwest – Couponing to Disney Part 1
Enjoy the Entertainment Capital of the Midwest – Couponing to Disney Part 1
Enjoy the Entertainment Capital of the Midwest – Couponing to Disney Part 1
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