Disney Fund Deposit

There has never been a more pathetic Disney Fund! Here we sit 3 months from our Disney vacation and I haven't even been able to save $200, let alone $2500.

I found out that my jar is not as hidden as I had hoped.  The hubby knew where it was all along and was dipping into my savings.  Don't worry--I made him pay for taking the money. LOL!

Today I added $100 to the Disney Fund from two mail in rebates from our cellphone provider.  Those are Visa gift cards, so I don't think his fingers will get sticky.

Pre- Trip Report -- Part 3: Possible Disney Fund Deposit

The Disney Fund may get a large deposit in the near future! I am going to make another confession. I feel like we are friends and you will keep my secret. Right?!

Well I was on a mission to find something in my bedroom one recent Tuesday.  The kind of search that has you on your knees dragging stuff from under the bed.  Blech!  That is some nastiness going on under there.

So when my fishing expedition under the bed netted me some empty 20 oz bottles and a family of dust bunnies, I decided to try a different tactic.  Into the closet I went to hunt down old purses to dig through.  I admit that I am not a girly girl when it comes to purses.  I will carry the same purse until it breaks or get so dirty my family can't stand it.  

When I went into the closet I found the purse that I was using last November (2009).  Just for the fun of discovery I started rifling through my old hand bag.  You won't guess what I found!

No.  That wasn't it.

Uhhh wrong answer.  And besides why would I have those in my purse?

You my friend have a twisted mind.

I think I need to bring this game of guess to a close before I find out too much about how your mind works.  

I found a full weeks paycheck of my husband's from last November.  I don't know!  I heard you back there asking me how I could have forgotten something so important.  In my defense, a lot was going on last November.  I had just completed teaching a partial semester at a local Junior College.  We were packing to go on a mission trip.  I was trying to get the house and kids ready to be babysat by their Uncle and Aunt.

Imagine the surprise that the DearHubby experienced when I shared this little nugget with him.  He reacted rather well to the entire situation, but that money went towards bills and not in my Disney Fund.  That stinks big time.

But all is not lost.  So far this month I made the following deposits to the Disney Fund:

• $10 Kraft Rebate
• $11.99 Zegerid Rebate
• $7.99 Schick Hydro Rebate
• $29.98 Grand Total (rounded to $30)

Pre- Trip Report -- Part 2: Starting a Disney Fund

We are finally going back to Disney!!!

The kids and I have been having serious Disney withdrawals the past year and I was finally able to talk the Dear Hubby into booking a trip. How much fun is it that I get to shift into serious planing mode?

The first order of business is researching and deciding on where we would stay within the DVC resorts.  Every trip I consider different resorts and I always book our stay at Boardwalk Villas.  There is just something about the Boardwalk area that draws us back trip after trip.  The vicinity to our favorite park--Epcot--just can't be beat.  Nightly entertainment, clubs, and restaurants are a convenient walk away.  What could compare?  Disney's Tree House Villas.

This has come as a surprise to me too that I would choose a resort so vastly different from our usual haunt.  One of my new hobbies is camping with the family and friends.  So I guess that in some way the Tree House Villas is the best of both worlds.  How awesome is it that I get to go to Walt Disney World and stay at a resort that feels like I am in a secluded cabin in the woods!

I came across an interesting website today (Couponing to Disney) that has inspired me to start a Disney Fund.  In order for this trip to happen I will have to work harder than ever and be creative with how I save.

My opening balance in my Disney Fund is $40.  I had $24 and some change in my savings account (how pitiful is that!), received a $4.50 rebate check from Pilot, and decided to throw in a few more dollars to make it an even $40.

Stay Tuned as we plan our adventure. 

Pre-Trip Report -- Part 1: I have a confession...

I have a confession to make and hopefully it won't get me hog-tied and run out of town. After our last trip to the Walt Disney World Resort in January 2009, I felt that I was done with the Disney trips. In all honesty, the thought of returning any time within the following year--made me cringe.

Now several years ago we purchased a camper and we've spent considerable time with close friends and family in the woods. When money got tighter and I couldn't find permanent work, the thought of selling the camper never cross my consciousness. But selling the DVC did several times.

Guys I think I just saw someone pass out in the back row!  Before anyone else requires medical intervention let me put your mind to rest.   Recently I came to my senses with a little help from some friends.

That's us in a photo from May 2008.  The last time we went to WDW as a family.  I'll introduce you to everyone starting from the bottom.

That's "Cinderella" who will be 6 on our next trip.  She is a 100% bonafide princess with all of the girly tendencies you would expect.  And as the smallest member of the clan she sometimes has the biggest presence. 

Standing next to her is "Buzz" who might see 10 years old.  Living with all of these women is hazardous to his health.

The lady with the braids is me, your story telling, trip planning, budget keeping, suitcase packing, surprise making, coupon clipping Momma.  I will henceforth be referred to as "The Queen".  Let's not forget people!

The devilishly handsome gentleman to my left is the self-proclaimed "King Louie".  We let him suffer under the illusion that he has a say in the upcoming trip.  His role in the outworking of this trip is to drive the Disneymobile safely to our destination.  Its not hard, but he some times has to have me (let me) tell him the way.  Also, he gets to express his artistic side and decorate the aforementioned Disneymobile.

Last but not least is our oldest daughter "Pocahontas".  She is a teenager and for most mothers that is all I need to say cause you understand my struggle.  Most days she is a sweet, loving child who greets the day with a smile and laughter.

So now you have met the cast of characters (literally) that will be going on this adventure with us.  Who knows we may even have some more people joining the fun.


Head on over to
Part 2:  Starting a Disney Fund
Part 3:  Possible Disney Fund Deposit

Disney Revisted

I just downloaded some new actions and thought I would give them a spin with some older Disney photos.

I am moving part of this blog...

This blog was started with the intent of posting about my families various trips to Disney and camping. Lately I have gotten off onto another tangent, so you restore it to its former purpose; I have started a separate blog just for talking about my shopping deals.

The new blog has expanded on my coupon shopping and adds some more of the resources I use. I hope you will join me on my new blog "Keeping Your Cents".

Thanks and I will see you there,

A savings of $56.41 at Winn Dixie today.

I had a good trip at Winn Dixie today.  I haven't regularly shopped at Winn Dixie for years now, but a former workmate is getting me back into the swing of things.  I went today and had a great trip.

This week Winn Dixie is running a promotion that if you buy 4 participating Kellogg's products on one receipt, you receive a free galloon of WD brand milk and 1 dozen WD brand eggs. 

Sorry for not taking a picture, but I was so excited to show my DH the deals I got that I didn't take pictures.

My total purchases was $66.95 before coupons and discounts.

(1) pack of Round Steak $2.72

(2) Boneless Pork Chops $5.80 & $7.83

(2) Velveeta Shells & Cheese Cups $2.00

(4) Boxes of Rice Krispies cereal $15.96

(4) Boxes of Mrs. Paul's Fish Sticks $27.96

(1) Gallon WD milk $2.99

(1) dozen WD eggs $1.69

Coupons & Customer Reward Discounts

-$5.96 Rice Krispies Sale

-$13.98 Mrs. Paul B1G1F sale

-$2.99 WD Milk

-$1.69 WD Eggs

-$5.80 Boneless pork chops B1G1F sale

-$5.00/$30 purchase store coupon

-$1.00 Velveeta B1G1F MQ

-$12.00 (4) $3 Mrs. Paul's MQ

-$3.99 Kellogg's Rice Krispies Free MQ (vocalpoint)

-$3.00 Kellogg's Rice Krispies (vocalpoint)

-$1.00 Catalina

My total was $10.54 + $2.21 tax = $12.75 and I received a $1 Catalina that can be used like cash.

My net oop was $11.75 which was a savings of $56.41!