This shouldn't need to be said. 

Kids shouldn't fear going to school. Kids shouldn't die at school. The fact that there was another elementary school shooting, is beyond words. 

My thoughts and condolences go out to the families who have lost a child or a family member and loved one today.

Rest in peace dear child. 
Rest in peace saviors who tried to protect them. 
Rest in peace. 

Research first... or so I thought. Let's write a book!

To continue our talk on writing, the first part of researching is taking the first step to being a writer. To do this, I needed to research what type of writer I wanted to be. I want to write books, but I'd also like to see what other careers in writing I can do to support my book income. That way, I could write a book as well as continue writing. 

I started with the first place everyone goes, and that's Google. (Thankful for Google!) A basic search of "what type of writing jobs are there" provided many results, especially compared to 15-20 years ago. There are many more options today than there were back then. A social media content writer for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok ( I'm sure Myspace would have been on there when it was more active.) Social media content writers didn't exist long ago. Blogging is still huge, and even this blog has technically been in existence for almost ten years, even if there isn't ten years worth of content. 

There are quite a few jobs that were either not well known or not in existence, without word of mouth, twenty years ago. It makes resources much easier to find these opportunities with the internet as it is today.

So as I'm trying to narrow down what interests me and be what I feel I would be proficient in, it occurs to me that I am starting almost back at square one. It feels like I have no idea what I'm doing now, specifically on knowing where to look for jobs. I've been looking up writers for beginners, whereas when I was in college, I was making top marks, was very proficient, and said I would go far. Time has passed at almost twenty years since I've been out of school, but the amount I have written is slim. I would write in papers, write poetry constantly, write songs from the top of my head, and even role-play scripts with friends that I'd make up at the drop of a hat. 

Currently, I write transcripts where I work and write curriculums for my kid's homeschool. I will write short stories here and there when I have the time between everything else I've been doing, but I haven't made it a priority. I realize that I can still write. It's just not the same genre. I now remember where I started, which is scary, so I sit down and look up children's books that I want to write, but for what age group? 

Most of the genres of books that I want to write are in the teenage young adult fantasy area, but I also love young children's books. But why? What is appealing about young children's books that attract so many people? The colors? The characters? The lessons? Does the child realize that they are learning a lesson? A moral. There's almost always a "moral of the story" in every book that you read. So I sit down at the table and write. Within the hour, I've written a children's book; aimed at children aged between two to six. I remember why I love to write. Don't get me wrong, there are probably a few things that need fixing, but now I remember why I love to write. Now my mind is going a mile a minute thinking of a whole series of these children's books that I could create just based on this character. I'm suddenly thinking of other children's books that I could write. More and more and more! Now my mind doesn't stop: I have a set of characters for each one and a whole layout of books. I need to slow down when the first book doesn't even have an illustrator yet.

That still leaves one problem. It doesn't help me figure out what type of writing job I want. Now I know I want to be an author. That dream has never changed. Unfortunately, though, at this moment, that dream won't pay the bills, and until it does, I need a job. I currently have one, but not on my career path.

I want to be a writer. No, correction. I am a writer. That's the perspective I need to have and continue to think. 

I am a writer. 

Say it with me; because I know that the people who are reading this blog right now are also trying to start a career in writing or are on a different career path. Start by saying what you are.  

I am a writer. 

That is what I must ask you.

Are you a dancer?

An artist? 

Say: I am a dancer. I am an artist. 

I am a writer. 

Again, what are you? 

Butterbeer Fudge Recipe that tastes similar to Universals!

We travel to Universal Studios quite a bit because I am a big fan of Harry Potter. I have tried all but the potted cream Butterbeer, but replicating them at home is a task. 

I have made a recipe that is almost a replica of the fudge you can get in the parks and I'm here to share it with you! 

I must warn you though. It is VERY sweet. So cut it into tiny squares. It is gluten free as I am gluten free. It is NOT dairy free and definitely not sugar free. I do not know the nutritional value. 

I typically only make this twice a year. Christmas and my birthday. 

Here you go. Enjoy! 

Butterbeer Fudge
INGREDIENTS

•    BOTTOM LAYER!

•  3 cups butterscotch chips

• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

• 1/4 cup butter

• 1/4 tsp rum extract
  
  TOP LAYER!

• 1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips

• 2 tbls butter

• 1/2 of a 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk

• 1/4 cup powdered sugar

• 1/4 tsp vanilla
  
  INSTRUCTIONS

1. Prepare a 9x9 inch pan with wax paper

2. In a large microwave safe bowl combine butterscotch chips and butter. Heat in microwave for one minute and stir until smooth. Continue to heat in 15 second bursts if needed. Stir in milk, sugar and extract.

3. Pour mixture into prepared pan and place in the freezer for 30 minutes to start to set up.

4. Meanwhile, in a separate microwave safe bowl combine the white chocolate chips and butter. Heat in microwave for one minute and stir until smooth. Continue to heat in 15 second bursts if needed. Stir in milk, powdered sugar, and vanilla.

5. Let cool slightly and then pour gently over the top of the first layer. Place in the refrigerator to finish setting up.

Returning to the lost world.

Would you believe it's been years since I created a blog post?

I can.

In all honesty, I never took my writing career seriously after graduating from college and having realized journalism is not the path I wanted to go down. I did an internship for a local paper. I wrote a few articles for the paper and hated not having the creative freedom that came with writing a book or poetry. It felt like all my dreams had come crashing down after that career was no longer an option for me. I could write a book or go into a job I knew I would hate. Have you ever gone to spent thousands of dollars on something, then realized how much you truly didn't like it? In my heart, I knew if I stayed in journalism, it would make me hate writing forever.  In writing books, you needed time and a publisher. I was about to be a mom. I knew I wouldn't have time to write a book or go on tour if it got to that point with a newborn. Then, life gets in the way.

 In the last couple of years, I've had some time to think about what I wanted in life. I ran a couple of MLM businesses and a business of my own (in which I only ended because, again, my heart wasn't in it) over many years. The answer always came back the same thing.

I want to be a writer.

Recently, I had an extreme realization that there wasn't any job or business in my life that was going to bring me happiness. That I would always be searching for "the next thing." So I wrote down a list.

What I'm looking for in a job:

Time with my family.

Be my own boss.

Something that I enjoy.

Something that pays the bills.

Wow, I am looking for a miracle, huh? At least, that's what it sounds like on paper.

After talking to my husband, I said, "ok. I'll come up with a business plan. If I can make a business plan in 24 hours, I'll return to the business scene. If I can't, I'll figure out something else to do with my life." 

Well, everything I kept coming up with involved writing of some sort:

Writing a curriculum;

Writing a blog;

Writing a book;

Writing a meal plan;

Writing. Writing. Writing.

Or vlogging.

I said to my husband, "Our kids are older now. I want to return to writing." He told me to go for it.

So I did!

I took the first step, and I did the first thing any other person would do! I sat at the computer and I..

BLANKED.

What am I supposed to be writing? 

What kind of writer do I want to be? 

Who is my audience?

Where do I want my work seen? 

I am re-entering a world I am now completely lost in. Technology has advanced our world tremendously, and only for the better. 

To the drawing board, I went to do the research. Only to find out: technology really has advanced our world tremendously, especially for those in my field. My possibilities in writing are endless. Reading article after article, blog after blog, and week after week, I came to the main conclusion. 

I need to sit down and WRITE.

I'm still lost, I'm still overwhelmed, and I'm still learning, but I'm writing again. 

I hope you'll join me on this journey along with a few others. 

Eat to live- day 3

Well check it out! 4 days in a row :)

I jumped on the scale which was a terrible idea. But I tried Noom and they said you should weigh yourself every day. I'm going with screw that. haha. I see my endocrinologist on August 14th, I'll ignore the scale until then and give you a two week update? As of today, I've gained 3 pounds! Not going to let that get into my head though right? Because that's when we fail. And we will. not. fail. We are amazing people who are taking control! I should probably also try the Aggressive instead of modified right?

So with that in mind.

Breakfast: Banana and 12 oz of grapes.

Snack: Coffee - Black like my heart. I mean... ;)

Lunch: 8 oz greens - I get Olivia's Organic Spring Mix or Power mix. Today I had the spring mix. with 4 oz of carrots and 5 oz of black beans. I also made a homemade dressing and added 2 tsp.
Dressing:
4 tsp Balsalmic Vinegar
2 tsp Dijon Mustard
1/4 tsp garlic powder.
Stir until blended.
Delicious and you can make a bunch of it!

Dinner: 8 oz of peas and green beans, 4 oz of brown rice, 3 oz of tilapia

Also, I'll share a laugh with all of you. So, I read 1 cup of beans is goal, but my head read 1 POUND of beans and I'm like there's no way I can do this!! Well after writing it out in a facebook group, I can proudly say I've only eaten 15 oz in the last two days... not 2 pounds. (thank goodness!)

See you tomorrow!

Eat to live - day 2

Yesterday started out great food wise. But my allergies were absolutely terrible. That didn’t stop me from rearranging my daughters room though. Now just have to organize it. Unfortunately that means I didn’t eat properly. I’m also doing the modified version. So fish about twice a week and beef once a week.

Breakfast: 13 Oz of fruit and a banana.
Snack: coffee, black, no sugar. (This is normal)
Lunch: missed.
Dinner: 2.5 Oz of salad, 10 Oz of black beans, 1/2 plum tomato. 2 spoons of crushed up tomorrow with spices (Salsa style). 4oz ground beef.

Terrible of me, I know. Today isn’t starting off any different. I’m just not hungry and it says to eat when you’re “truly” hungry.

Eat to live- day 1

Today was the start, so I didn't follow it to the T as I had to go grocery shopping.

So before I went I had a banana and 1/2 rice chex for breakfast.

The day got away from me and the kids were being.... overly helpful? in the store, so what should have been a 1/2 hour trip...turned into almost 2 hours.

I had 1 oz honey chicken breast for lunch as I prepped my vegetables and fruits to go in the fridge and packed food for work.

I packed 13oz of fruit (pineapple, red grapes and green grapes)
an Apple
1 pound of greens (8 oz spring mix, 4 oz cucumbers and green beans),
 8 oz carrots,
8 oz mushrooms
1 plum tomato
I found organic quinoa that I can take to work and microwave.

I need to figure out a flavor... because there's no way I can eat this much salad without it.

How'd your day go?

Eat to Live

I am a terrible blogger and I fully recognize that. I am writing novels at the moment so my time is fully invested there and with my kids since I homeschool.

However, part of the reason I started this blog was to lose weight.
Life's Little Lessons.

A hard lesson for a lot of us is to portion control, not eat junk and be healthy.

Almost two years ago I went Gluten Free because I've had no choice. I'm allergic to nuts, and I'm not supposed to eat dairy... but I do.

So where does that bring us today?

270ish pounds.

Can you believe it? I certainly can't.

How the heck did I let myself get here?

Good question.

No. Control.

So tomorrow morning, we're heading out with a grocery list and a daily menu and we're taking back control.

My father started a modified Eat to Live diet. He's lost 40 pounds on it in the last 6 weeks. My father, who has always weighed more that me, currently weighs about 50 pounds less than I do. How about a rude awakening!

Him and I are similar, so I decided, I shall also try this diet.

So tomorrow, I start to Eat to Live.

I hope you'll join this journey with me. I'm going to make a note in my calendar to add to this daily so you can join in and we can share this journey. I won't hold back, I'll tell you everything I ate, what did and did not work and of course how I feel along the way with my symptoms.

Just so you know, currently I have Hashimotos, Hypothyroidism is in remission but my number is sitting at a 4.23. I'm severely deficient in Vitamin D, and I work nights. Lets see what can improve.

See you on the other side!

Challenge! $1000 in 80 days!

We're down to the last of the money we need for our trip. What better way to do it than by decluttering!

I made a goal of $1000 in 80 days! Starting 8/25. That works into roughly 12.5 a day.

$1,000

8/25: Sold 2 boxes of leftover Girl Scout Cookies- $10 8/25: Nerd Flea Market: $108 (Was $143, but cost of booth was $15 and a pop Ive been wanting for almost 2 years was priced below market value so I nabbed that at $20.) Balance: $892

8/26 Percy Jackson Bracelet - $14 Balance: $878 Posted over $1600 worth of fabric on Facebook. Join me in the challenge!

Joining weight watchers with Hashimotos after curing Hypothyroism.

Back in February of 2012 I came off my thyroid meds. Levothyroxine. I became pregnant with my son and knowing from past experience I knew their thyroid usually worked for mine. (according to my OBGyn).
My OB monitored my thyroid numbers very closely and advised I stay off. For the first year after my son was born I got my numbers tested every 6 weeks. Then every 6 months. Now yearly. My t3, t4 and tsh levels haven't budged enough that the doctors want to put me back on thyroid medication. But I STILL felt like crap.

Back in October 2017, my husband and I did an inflatable race. It was a 5k (that was more like a 10k if you add in how far the parking lot was). By the last half hour, I was sore, my ankles hurt, my fingers felt fat and huge. I was extremely uncomfortable. But I made it, and I was damn proud of myself. 

Until I looked at the pictures after. I was EXTREMELY swollen. This drew red flags and I went to google and searched everything to do with swelling. A lot of which brought me back to hypothyroidism and going gluten free. So October 2017, I became gluten "sensitive" (Meaning I understand a lot of my first will have cross contaminations). This was extremely hard for me as I love snacks, so for the first month I practically only ate soups and salads.

Finally my yearly blood draw came up. This time, I got my antibodies rechecked in Feb 2018 and they were CRAZY (not as crazy as when I was first diagnosed with Hashimotos Hypothyroidism). Except 9 years ago, they didn't really know there was a difference between the two. After talking to my endocrinologist, he has informed me that I have cured my hypothyroidism and now only have Hashimotos which can still cause me to go into a "remission" of sorts and get hypothyroidism back. UNLESS I continue to take care of the problem.

We also found out I was severely deficient in vitamin D (something that's common with Hashimotos). So now, 3 months later, and 6 months off Gluten, I feel better, MOST days. It's now time to get back in charge of my weight loss. The tools are in place. My hypothyroidism is gone, I have my Hashimotos mostly under control, my vitamin D levels should be close to normal (will check again in 7 weeks), and I have a Disney trip in less than 7 months I plan to take!

Weight watchers is doing a free month with select plans, so I thought, why not try this? Can't hurt right?

I've logged two days, I haven't starved myself and I'm amazed at the points I gain when I do eat something "naughty" (14 points for that 1/2 cup of alfredo sauce with my chicken and broccoli! HOLY COW!)

My goal is to lose 50 pounds in 200 days (just under 2 pounds a week) and 10 inches total. I'll post my measurements Sunday. Wish me luck! 

Update on Disney Funds!

We're now 208 days away!

So here's the update on where we are now!

Last time I posted about the amazing travel agency I found: Magical Vacations Travel (P.S. I absolutely love the Dis/Dreams Unlimited. They are by far amazing and helpful! I only went with MVT because the rate was unbeatable. Check out both: wdwinfo.com / dreamsunlimitedtravel.com / magicalvacationstravel.com)

Disney Gift Card: 470.62

DSA check: $75

Free Money I've earned on SB since 11/25: 749.83

Total: 1295.45: Paid: $185 = 1110.45

My daughter also has $45 saved for her bibbidi bobbidi boutique trip.

I also have other savings put aside just in case we're short with free money, but I'm hoping to not dip into that.


Here's our original trip update:

Ticket Cost: 1267.35 for the 3, and 829.64 = 2096.99

Hotel (All stars Music): 1574.26 - I'm hoping this cost will go down as we get closer. I'm hoping to pay around 1120.

Plane Tickets: ~800

Food: Groceries through instacart. One character meal: $275 (saves us $20+ by checking her in before shes 10)

Souvenirs: $200 (budgeted $400 for January and had almost $150 left over.)

Bibbity Bobbity Boutique - $100 (My daughter is earning this as this is what she wants. She will be doing extra chores to earn this - Earned $45! $55 left.)

Uber to family house for Thanksgiving: $60

Total Estimated: 5106.25

Updated:

Ticket Cost: 1533.62 for all 4, I may upgrade to AP while we're down there but I'm not sure if I'm going again next year or not.

Hotel (Pop Century): 1012.50 (WOOHOO! Saved 561.76)

Plane Tickets: ~800 (This will be updated May 31st when Southwest opens their airlines.)

Food: Groceries through instacart. One character meal: $275 (saves us $20+ by checking her in before shes 10)

Souvenirs: $200 (budgeted $400 for January and had almost $150 left over.)

Bibbity Bobbity Boutique - $100 (My daughter is earning this as this is what she wants. She will be doing extra chores to earn this - Earned $45! $55 left.)

Uber to family house for Thanksgiving: $60

Total Estimated: 3881.12
Total Savings from Original Quote: $1225.13
Total Left to earn FREE: 2585.67 in 6 months. Basically the cost of the hotel/tickets. (2546.12)

12.43/day or 87/wk

Swagbucks Lyft Offer! Info on Driving for Lyft

Wow Lyft is up to $205 if you sign on and drive ONCE.

So I signed up.

DISCLAIMER: Be sure to check into your car insurance and state laws! This is information for Mass.
Liberty Mutual is who I have for insurance and they won't cancel you for ride shares. I believe Lyft does notify your company. But depending on how quick you are to on board and do your first ride you can get the ride share insurance taken off. Be sure to contact your insurance company. Especially if you're only doing the one ride. (I'll admit, I didn't until after. Not smart on my part.)

Anyway! Here's my experience.

I started the process April 17th.
You have to upload quite a few documents (reg, license, picture, proof of ins, etc.) I didn't have my registration on me, so I went to our RMV website and sent a copy of that one.

Background check, Registration and Insurance coverage have to be reviewed. Insurance coverage was reviewed pretty quick. Registration was approved the next day. Background check was approved April 20th. I received a text saying it was approved.

Now I went to the app store and downloaded both apps, because I wanted to know pricing and such. So I open Lyft and check for how much a trip costs. From my house to my local grocery store (1.6 miles away) was $6.65. Not unreasonable to be honest. Pretty much just getting gas. When I zoomed out I could see the little cars nearby that were on shift.

In Massachusetts we're required to have the background check paper (they'll email it to you) and "Lyft" decals in both from and back. I made these with my cricut maker on removable vinyl on transfer paper so I can remove them when I'm not driving. Remember to check your states requirements (Lyft directs you)

I then went into the Lyft Driver app and completed some training. Then asked my husband to download the app. I'm not sure if they'd catch on, but my legal last name and my swagbucks address are different to my husbands last name and my current address. So I took advantage of that to test the waters. We took a trip to the mall a few hours later and on the way home opened up both apps. We checked to ensure no one else was around, then I turned my self from offline to online (I was the only "car" in the area)

He went through the app, put in his pickup, drop off and payment and requested a ride. Since I was closest (and only one on shift at that time actually) it pinged to me. You have about 5-10 seconds to accept the ride before it moves on to someone else. You can only see the name of the person before you have to accept or miss it.

So I accepted it, and started driving to "his" house. Followed the prompts in the app and it was straight forward. As soon as you hit drop off, your earnings pop up. I drove to the grocery store after and my husband tipped me (you keep 100% of tips) and gave me a 5 star rating. But I was able to rate him too. Lyft won't place you with the same customer if you rated them a 3 or below.

Total cost of the ride for him: $15.08 plus $2.00 tip= 17.08
Total earnings for me: 9.89 plus $2.00 tip = 11.89
Total "cost" : $5.19 (fees are about 34.4%)
Will receive: $216.89
Total Profit: $211.70
Not bad for my first ride! They're also doing promotions for your first $300 or your first $500. (I've see it vary on location)

If interested in joining Lyft and you're not on swagbucks, use code Amy09197.

If you want to join swagbucks: Join here!


UPDATE: 4/22 Amount is pending in my swagbucks.

Update! 8 weeks later

It's been 8 weeks since I posted our first post on how much we've saved. We actually used the Disney gift card to buy some magic bands because they were on sale for $4 each! But we added a bit to that as well.

So where do we stand now?

Disney Gift Card: 151.51

DSA check: $75

Free Money I've earned on SB: 619.23

Total: 845.74 in free money!

My daughter also has $45 saved for her bibbidi bobbidi boutique trip.

I also have other savings put aside just in case we're short with free money, but I'm hoping to not dip into that.

So in 8 weeks I've made an additional $139 in free money. I need to step up my game!


Here's our trip update:


Ticket Cost: 1267.35 for the 3, and 829.64 = 2096.99

Hotel (All stars Music): 1574.26 - I'm hoping this cost will go down as we get closer. I'm hoping to pay around 1120.

Plane Tickets: ~800

Food: Groceries through instacart. One character meal: $275 (saves us $20+ by checking her in before shes 10)

Souvenirs: $200 (budgeted $400 for January and had almost $150 left over.)

Bibbity Bobbity Boutique - $100 (My daughter is earning this as this is what she wants. She will be doing extra chores to earn this - Earned $45! $55 left.)

Uber to family house for Thanksgiving: $60

Total Estimated: 5106.25

Getting free clothes and money back with Swagbucks!

Reaching your daily goals in swagbucks can sometimes be a challenge. There are ways to do your shopping and get your daily points though. We've talked a little about how you can earn with Swagbucks. (Check the previous post!)

If you haven't signed up yet, click here to join: Join Swagbucks!

So how can you earn free clothes with Swagbucks?

Well the first half of January I've made $50.14. Not as much as I'd like, but we moved January 1st and both my son and husbands birthdays are the beginning half of January, so I've been a bit busy. So I transferred that $50 to my paypal account (Takes around 2 days).

Notice: Your first $25 of the month you redeem at stores (not paypal), you can get a discount of 12% ($3) through the redeem option.

I saw Old Navy was offering 5% sb (Swagbucks) back and up to 75% off clearance! So I decided to check out the sale. Activating the 5% back through swagbucks.

They were having $15 jeans, $3-10 leggings for girls, and so much more! I added 8 things to my cart. Total retail would have been: 146.78. They were also offering 20% off! So with the clearance/sale discounts and the 20% off, my 8 items came to 51.32 (I was $10 short and shipping was free at 50, otherwise shipping was $7. I essentially paid the extra $3 for more items.)

It works out to $6.42 each! (When you're buying jeans and leggings, it's a pretty good deal.)

I clicked back into swagbucks and searched "My gift cards". It's a separate site where you can buy gift cards and earn swagbucks! I searched old navy and it was offering 4% back! I ordered a $50 gift card to Old Navy. They were having a Winter Wonderland sale and I got 300 swagbucks ($3) back instantly! Helping me reach my daily goals.

I used paypal to check out. The $50 I just redeemed from earning!

It says it takes up to 2 days, but I've always received mine in 5 minutes.

I then went back to Old Navy and redeemed the gift card and paid $1.32 on my card.

So how did I get it free?

With ever $25 purchase, you get $10 back to spend later (I believe this runs similar to Hot Topics Hot Cash program and you get 10 off 20.) So I received $20 to spend later, and in around 30 days I'll make another $2.55 from the 5% cash back from Swagbucks.

Bringing my total to $1.32 out of pocket, with $20 cash back and $2.55 coming in 30 days. Profit of 21.23! Even if I don't use the $20 cash back, it's still $1.68 profit.

Deals to Disney! Great Swagbucks Deals!

Swagbucks is offering CRAZY AMAZING DEALS! If you're not a swagger, you need to be!

 Click here for my referral link and earn $3 when you get to 300 points!

First, Bark Box is a GREAT deal! Seriously, if you don't have a dog, find someone who does!

Simply sign up for swagbucks, click the search engine and search Bark Box. You'll see a 3000 sb point offer.
Click that. You can get a FREE box if you enter my referral code in the multiple subscription (6 or 12 month) box. JNWQ12QH3R. You'll get the first box free and get $30 back!



Dollar Shave Club is the next money maker through Swagbucks. At 2500 (instead of 1000) sb right now 1000 for signing up ($10. You can spend as little as $1.) Making this a $9 profit. Spend a total of $10 between the first and second month and make $15.


Gillette is also a really great deal at the moment. I paid 10.55 for mine and received $20 instantly, but from what I understand, the deals vary depending on location. Report back and let me know what you chose! I understand it was $45 today, and might still be for you!


The next offer is the York photo snowflake (It says ANY purchase.) The snowflake ornament comes to 1.99 plus shipping ($5 and change) and you get $12.50 back, making it a $7 money maker.


Just with these 4 offers, you've made roughly $50 and spent at most $26. $24 profit for around 10 minutes of work.

**Disclaimer: These offers may not credit straight away. Please read the disclaimers under the deals on the swagbucks website. These numbers are also estimates and your location may impact your total.**

At it again! Deals to Disney! Earning our trip for free!

We're heading to Disney in November 2018 for my daughters 10th birthday!

So I'm creating a post for our Deals to Disney! This will include different ways I earn money for FREE to get to Disney!

This includes:

Couponing Deals
Swagbucks Deals
any other money maker tip I feel like telling you!

I'll start these blog posts as: Deals for Disney!

The next post will include a few swagbucks offers you should take advantage of.

These posts will include referral codes/links. Every penny counts ;)

Details about our trip:

We're going for 10 days around Thanksgiving.

Disney tickets - We will be needing 7 days (we're going to eat at family's on Thanksgiving, plus arrival and departure day)
One of us will be doing a seasons pass, the rest 7 days. It makes the most sense for our family, and I will include why in a future post.

Cost: 1267.35 for the 3, and 829.64 = 2096.99

For the 4 of us for 7 day tickets would be: 1704, a 392.99 difference. We want memory maker (which is free with annual pass), which is: 1873 leaving a  223.99 difference. I'll be able to use it in 2019 when I go down in May.

We'll also save 21.30 by checking in before she turns 10.

Hotel (All stars Music): 1574.26 - I'm hoping this cost will go down as we get closer. I'm hoping to pay around 1120.

Plane Tickets: ~800

Food: Groceries through instacart. One character meal: $275 (saves us $20+ by checking her in before shes 10)

Souvenirs: $200 (budgeted $400 for January and had almost $150 left over.)

Bibbity Bobbity Boutique - $100 (My daughter is earning this as this is what she wants. She will be doing extra chores to earn this)

Uber to family house for Thanksgiving: $60


Total ESTIMATED cost to date: 5106.25. I'm HOPING to bring this price way down.


Here's where I'm at so far: 

Left over money from Disney 2017: $141.51 (Free money earned)

DSA (Disney Savings Account) before they closed, I was putting 12.50 in every month. I was left with $75 and a $5 free gift card for closing: $80

Free money I've earned on swagbucks that I've redeemed for Disney Gift Cards: $470

Free Gift Cards from Disney Movie Rewards: $15

Total saved so far: 706.51  

Need to make about $4400 more over the next year, which is around $366-367 a month or $84 a week. I'm hoping I can save another $400 or so on the hotel.

Our other option would be renting off property for around $500 and renting a car for $522 (cheapest option). If we can't get the hotel down to 1120, this is what we will do. But if I can it's worth the extra $100 getting the transportation from Magical Express. 


Leave comments and let me know what you think so far!

This is a picture of what I put together for our family so everything we make an extra $25 we can check it off :)

Update: Saving for Disney

We are at 37 days out!

So lets check savings! I can tell you right now, it's no where where it needs to be. But pretty close. We changed a few things around as well.

We are staying at the swan thanks to a family member instead of at Disney. (Still Disney property). So that saves $1016, but adds a couple other expenses. We're also taking a couple days to visit family. So here's what the trip looks like now:

Disney Tickets:

~ $1406 for 4 of us. We're not exactly sure how many days we'll be going to the park yet. 7 days was $1533, but I think we'll be going 5 days now.

$400 for food

$100 for the kids to spend.

$200 for me and my husband to spend

$735 for plane tickets (paid)

$225 Resort fees

Total: 3066.

735 is already paid. So 2331.

Currently I have:

$580 in Disney cards
$330 saved up waiting for Targets 10% off deal.

Still need: $1421.

I saved $910 in 43 days without selling anything except 14 socks. I have a ton of the kids toys to sell and some other merchandise before Christmas.

Right now we're at $38.41 a day or $268.84 a week.


I will be including my Black Friday sales as well into my savings which will increase as well. My black friday savings are: $205. That's almost an extra week ;)

Couponing to Disney!

Our family are a bunch of Disney geeks. We love everything about Disney! (As most of you probably reading this blog are) but like any other low income family, finding the funds to go to Disney are pretty slim to none when you live paycheck to paycheck.

So I asked myself, how can I put money aside? We've already cut cable, have a 24% discount on cell phones, get a rebate for internet (we homeschool so internet is a requirement), make coffee at home. There isn't much wiggle room.

Couponing!

I love couponing! Have been known as an extreme couponer but have gotten out of it over time. So what better time to get back into it right?

We decided to book for early January. CRAZY right?! But I think I can do it.

Heres our trip plans:

Hotel - All star music - Disney is offering their normal fall deals for the New Year. Up to 25% off. So we're going for 9 days at $1016.

Tickets - We're a family of 4. Two adults, two children under 10. Cost for tickets for 7 days: 1533.

Flights: We got a great deal on Southwest, $92 each way. $735 round trip! Book as soon as the day OPENS up to public.

Food we're planning on bringing a suitcase full of snacks and breakfasts including an insulated bag full of deli meat and other fruits and veggies as well as bringing some on the plane. We plan on only doing 2 character meals, one for my sons birthday as we'll be down for both my son and my husbands birthdays. As this will already be part of my normal weekly budget, I am only calculating the character meals with "some wiggle room" I expect around $400 for food.

Souvenirs: Being so close to Christmas and going for my son and husbands birthdays, we're actually not doing much in terms of souvenirs. But I'm still budgeting for $300. $50 for each of the children, $100 each for my husband and I. We're not buying anything for anyone else during this trip like we normally do because we buy for Christmas or birthdays. Seeing as they'll all be over, I'm saving my pennies (more like hundreds)

So total cost: 3984 Round up to 4000 just because I like even numbers.

Paid to date:
735 - Airline tickets

125 - deposit 

25 - Disney Gift card 

Total remaining: 3115.

Total put in savings this week: 205

Total remaining: 2910


Here's how I'm going to save almost 3000 in 84 days.

Essentially thats 34.64 per day or 242.50 a week I need to save. (Smaller goals work better for me)

I stopped putting Federal taxes in because I calculated, based on my income to what I've already paid in (25% for the year) and what my husband has paid in (also 25%) we've MORE than paid our share. So that's an extra $50 in my paycheck every week.

That brings my total down to 192 a week or 27.5 a day.
Now we turn to selling items and couponing.

For couponing:

Anything I buy I will use coupons. I'm a huge Target shopper, so I want to make sure I get my totals as close to 0 as possible, saving at least 47.50 each trip! 47.50 you say? Why such a funny amount.
Here's my logic. If I save 47.50 each trip, I can buy a $50 Disney Gift Card and use my Target Debit Card, bringing the $50 down to 47.50. Essentially paying "full price" for these products. Anything I save goes TOWARDS my Disney Total.
So say I need to buy Huggies Diapers. I have $4 off 2 packs of diapers from my newspaper, Plus 5% off AND $15 gift card promotion (a promotion that is currently active) That's essentially saving me 21.50. I can take that 21.50 and put it towards my Disney savings. (How I've saved the 205 in a week thus far)


Selling Items:

I sell on Ebay, local facebook boards and through friends and family.
I have a lot of childrens items, "stock items" and Harry Potter items (Harry Potter fan right here)
So far this week I have sold 47.50 and the week isn't over yet. Between my savings at Target and my selling on boards I have saved $205 this week, surpassing my $192 goal.

Think I can beat my challenge? Let me know what you think! Other than crazy ;)

Cheap Groceries/Produce!!!

Everyone is always trying to save a buck, especially when it comes to groceries and even more so...PRODUCE! I mean really, the cost of product has SKY ROCKETED. It's so expensive eating healthy!

Well I'm writing this blog today to help you, me and all of your friends!

Here's what you do: Go here:

https://www.livingsocial.com/deals/1559204-20-to-spend-on-organic-fruit-and-veggies?ref=share-undefined-copy_box-web-deals&rui=41153584&rpi=204806746

Buy this coupon. $9.99 for $20 worth of organic produce (you can also get diapers and honest products on there as well) I've used this site many times. It's like Groupon.

Yes, this is my referral. When 3 people order this I get mine refunded, same thing will go for you :D

DO NOT go to grub market from their website. Use my referral link to sign up. Here's why: You get $10 AND I get $10. We both make out.

https://www.grubmarket.com:443/referral/60293

^^ Use that one!

Ok, now that you've bought the living social coupon, signed up on Grub Market, now go shopping! The minimum to date for free shipping is $59. When I did this my $10 credit for signing up under someone didn't come through under the $59 and checking the referral area of Grub Market it says: Give your friends and family $10 to try out GrubMarket. When they order over $59, they'll get $10 off and you'll get a $10 credit!

Now ultimately you've only gotten $20 off because the spending 10 and the getting 10 counteracts each other.

But you get free groceries shipped to your door!

Fanspirations - A geeky subscription box!

Fanspirations is the box you want if you're looking for a specific fandom or a collection of fandoms!

They have Potterhead, Whovian, Heroes, Demon Fighters and coming soon, Walker Stalker.

You can also choose a collection of all by choosing the Fanspirations box.

Check it out at http://fanspirations.cratejoy.com

Use code SEPT for $3 off.