Saving on everyday items to reach a goal

You will find helpful hints to save on everyday items so you can make the most of your money whether it is for Disney or for any other goal.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

End of the month--time to print!

Now that it's the end of the month, it's time for us to print all the great coupons that were out for February.  I love to see what is available on the 1st of the month so I can get a lot of them before the prints are all gone, but I also like to make sure I've gotten all that I can before the coupons are changed out for next month.  You can always click on the link to coupons.com in the side bar to get directly to these great coupons or click on the link below.

Save Money. Print Free Coupons Anytime.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Eating out on the cheap

Eating out doesn't have to be expensive.  Certificates that you've gotten for much cheaper than the value of the certificate is always a pleasant surprise.  Right now, restaurant.com has 80% off certificates to some of our favorite restaurants.  A $25 Certificate is now $2!  They are regularly only $10 so even at full price, it's still a great deal.

Restaurants at Disney World are also part of the deal.  House of Blues (with killer ribs!), Garden Grove, Todd English's bluezoo, and Kimonos among others are listed when searching in the Orlando area.  These also make perfect gifts!!  Click for your 80% off now.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

What a beautifu day!! What to do at Disney World when it's not

Today in South Georgia, it is a beautiful sunny day.  Since Florida is known for being the Sunshine State, everyone expects it to be sunny when they go to Disney World.  Well, it may not be, but that's ok.  There is so much to do at WDW when it is not sunny! 

1.  Disney Quest--Disney Quest (DQ) is an indoor fun place.  I originally went there to do something special for my son who loves games but I ended up having a blast!  If your park tickets include the water park and more option, this is one of your options.  There are 3D games like Pirates of the Carribean ( I lost that one) and Aladdin's Magic Carpet Ride, life size games like Mighty Ducks Pinball Slam that totally wore me out but I loved it, as well as old school games such as Pac Man and Frogger, and even older games like pinball.  It's a great place for days that don't have perfect weather, but also for days with perfect weather.

2.  Indoor Shows--If you are in a park, the indoor shows are a great place to be when the weather isn't perfect.  The Florida rain doesn't usually last long so by the time you get out of the show, it's usually over.  There are great shows at WDW!  My favorite is Festival of the Lion King. It gives me chill bumps to think about it! 

3.  Attractions--Many of the attractions at WDW are indoors and keep running when the rain comes.  Some attractions do shut down if it is lightning.  Many peopl leave the parks when it rains but if you are aware of how long Florida rain usually lasts, you will ride it out and enjoy the time at the parks when the crowds thin out.

4.  Dining--Check out the great restaurants at WDW when the weather isn't perfect.  There are some great places to eat and even have a snack with large indoor areas.  It's a great time to have an ice cream!

5.  Resort hop--You could use WDW transportation to check out the awesome resorts.  These resorts are so awesome and we usually take atleast part of a day just to ride the monorail loop and see all the beautiful decorations, especially if we are there during the holiday.

6.  Shop--Shop!!  One of my favorite past times at WDW.  Even if you aren't spending any money and just sight seeing, like I often do, there is plenty to do and see.  You could go in the hat shop and take pictures with the new different hats on or watch the glass blower on Main Street.  Actually, the stores on Main Street are mostly attached so it is really easy to stay inside for a while. 

As you can see, it's not always a bad thing to have some Florida rain while you are at WDW.  Just be flexible enough and know that you have options and you don't have to head to the gates and back to the resort.  Enjoy!!

Chris

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

CVS and Extra Care Bucks

Shopping at CVS and using their Extra Care Bucks (ECBs) is a great way to save money on items you would need and normally pay full price for.  If you have coupons to use with these ECBs, you could save even more.  Each week, a list of items you can purchase at CVS for little or no money out of pocket is posted on Simply CVS as well as on We Use Coupons.  Please check them out and start saving!

A great way to help our troops

We Use Coupons is participating to help our troops by providing 1,000 care packages through Operation Troop Aid (operationtroopaid.org).  The details of this project can be found here.

We Use Coupons is a website that provides information about how to maximize your dollar by using coupons as well as other saving methods.  Many items can be "purchased" for little or no money by using coupons as well as rewards from some of the local stores that you probably already shop at. 

Please check out We Use Coupons as well as Operation Troop Aid.  "We Use Coupons because money doesn't grow on trees"

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Planning a trip to Disney World?

A great place to start when planning a trip to Disney World is by checking out all your options on a Disney Planning DVD.  This DVD is free from Disney and shows the resorts, parks, and extras information that you may need when planning your trip.  It's also great for those of us that don't have a trip currently in the planning stages but just need a little Disney "fix" to get us through until that next Disney trip.  You can sign up for the DVD through the link in the Disney ad on this page (it rotates so may not be here all the time) or on the Disney website.

A free meal out is a great meal!

I love to eat out and I love it even more when it's free!  Many chain restaurants offer an email club or similar place to sign up on their sites and will give you free or very cheap items.  You may get free items when you sign up, on your birthday, or just randomly throughout the year.  Just today, we went to Fatz Cafe for my husband's free birthday dinner.  Fatz gives a free Calabash Chicken dinner (value $11.99) for birthdays and it is a great meal!  Fatz is my favorite restaurant so I wasn't upset with us going there :) 

Check out your favorite restaurants online to see if they have place to sign up.  Below is a list of the restaurants that I know have the sign up areas.

Fatz Cafe
Sticky Fingers
Chilis
Ruby Tuesdays
Dairy Queen
Burger King (for children)
Longhorn's Steakhouse
Applebee's

For a more comprehensive list, check out We Use Coupon's site here.  While you are there, check out all the other great deals you will find on the site.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Do you love to read?

For today only, 1saleaday has the Barnes and Noble Nook for only $79.99!  The regular price on it is $149.99.  This is a refurbished model that has the E-ink feature, which according to what I have read, is very easy to read.  I have ordered refurbished items before and they have turned out great and I have just ordered one of these Nooks for my son.  I'm sure he will love it!!

1saleaday is a website that changes deals every day and has a very low shipping cost.  Be sure to check them out each day to find out what the special for that day is. It might be something you've been looking for!

Who doesn't love flowers?

Did you order your sweetie flowers for Valentine's Day? No, you forgot? Or maybe it's the price of those flowers that scared you off. Well, you are in luck!

Groupon has you covered today with an awesome deal from FTD. For $20, you get a $40 gift certificate. No matter what you order, saving $20 in your pocket is a great deal! That's $20 closer to your goal, whether it's paying off a bill or saving up for a fabulous trip (like to my favorite, Disney World).

To join Groupon, go to http://www.groupon.com/r/uu10109881

You do not have to live in the city advertising the deal to take advantage of great online savings so check them out and you might just find another hidden gem:)
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Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Eversave--A great place to find great deals

Recently, I started checking out daily deal sites and am hooked!!  I've already told you about Groupon, which is the one I started with, and now would love to tell you about Eversave.  You can find it here

On Eversave, you sign up and buy great gift certificates for places you can shop locally or online.  The online ones are amazing!!  You can find great deals on items you may need to purchase as a gift (like baby clothes for a shower present) or as a special treat for yourself (such as awesome jewelry).  Check it out and let me know if you find something great.  It might be something I can't live without!

What attractions are great for young children?

Children love Disney World and parents know their little ones will be having the time of their life.  But what attractions will be best for your children?  Which attractions will scare them?  Which attractions will be big hits that they will want to do over and over?  Below is a list of attractions that are sure to be big hits with your children.  All comments are from my own experiences.


HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS (was MGM until 1/1/08)
Great
  • Muppet Vision 3-D
  • Little Mermaid
  • Disney Animation (if they likes to draw)
  • Playhouse Disney
  • Beauty & the Beast
  • Fantasmic ( usually packed out so you have to be there approximately an hour early)
Could be good
  • The Great Movie Ride (has a short shoot out)
  • Indiana Jones
  • Lights Motors Action (fast cars and a little loud in parts)
  • Backlot tour (pretend like the canyon is on fire)
ANIMAL KINGDOM
Great
  • It’s Tough to be a Bug 3-D (brief pretend bug feel under your feet)
  • Festival of the Lion King*** Super!!!! Sit down front if you can
  • Kilimanjaro Safaris
  • Wildlife Express Train
  • Everything in Rafiki’s Planet Watch
  • Flights of Wonder
  • The Boneyard
  • Finding Nemo (if you like Broadway-type shows)
  • Triceratops Spin
  • All of the walking tours
Could be good
  • Kali River Rapids ( a little rough and a little wet )
EPCOT
Great
  • Innoventions-lots of stuff to do
  • The Seas with Nemo and Friends
  • Turtle Talk with Crush
  • Soarin’ (flying in a glider—not bad I can do it and I’m afraid of heights)
  • Living with the Land
  • The Circle of Life
  • Journey into Imagination with Figment
  • Image Works
  • Around the World Showcase area, there are Kidcot stations (arts and crafts to keep)
Could be good
  • Test track (ride in a car going about 60)
  • Gran Fiest Tour in Mexico
MAGIC KINGDOM
Great
  • WDW Railroad
  • Swiss Family Treehouse
  • The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
  • Tiki Room
  • Jungle Cruise
  • Pirates of the Caribbean
  • Tom Sawyers Island
  • Country Bear Jamboree
  • Liberty Square Riverboat
  • It’s a Small World
  • Peter Pan’s Flight
  • Mickey Philharmagic 3-D
  • Dream Along with Mickey
  • Snow White’s Scary Adventure--closing soon!
  • Cinderella’s Carousel
  • Dumbo—If you are doing this one, do it first thing in the morning. Otherwise the wait is LONG!
  • The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
  • Buzz Lightyear
  • Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
Could be good
  • Stitch’s Great Escape (part is dark and it’s like he’s behind you for a second)
  • Tomorrowland Transit Authority (part is dark but not scary at all)
  • Haunted Mansion ( the first room is dark but it’s really fun so it should be good; don’t do it if they spook easily or are afraid of the dark. It’s not really scary though except for the dark part. The ghosts are funny)
*******Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is at Down Town Disney and Magic Kingdom******
  • For ages 3 and older
  • Coach pkg—hairstyle and makeup approx $45 + tax
  • Crown pkg—all above plus nails  approx $50 + tax
  • Castle pkg—above plus complete costume of your choice plus accessories, one 6” X 8” and 4- 4”X 6” pictures in a princess themed photo holder- starts at $179.95 + tax
There is also a Pirates League for boys and girls with appropriately similar activities for your favorite little pirate.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

What is the right age to go to Disney World?

How young is too young to take children to Disney World?  There is no too young.  I've taken babies from 4 months old on up and even they enjoy it. 

What age is the "right" age?  There is no right age.  All ages are right.  Every age for every child is different and a totally new adventure.  At 4 months, Disney World is big and bright in the eyes of the baby.  It is something to stare at and listen to with all the amazing sounds.  At 9 months old, Disney World looks like a great place to play.  At 2 years old, some character (or characters) has emerged as a definite favorite, if not before making Disney World a place to find your favorite character and a magical place to be.  All of the preschool years are a time to learn about what is there and growing just big enough to ride the next great attraction.  Early school years are for seeing how brave they can be.  Can they do Space Mountain or will they have to settle for Goofy's Barnstormer? 

Pre-teen years are for trying out boundaries and seeing what they can get away with.  Well, that's at home.  At Disney World, it's totally different.  You're doing something for them and with them and there is no place they would rather be than exploring it with you.  Teen years, that would normally be spent locked in their room, is a time for you to have fun doing things together.  Exploring new things and having a blast forgetting all the issues you face at home--like boyfriends and homework!

Each age is a new adventure and a very special time to go.  I've been lucky enough to take my children and grandchildren many times (the 18 month old has been three times already!) and every time is a new adventure for us all.  With all the trips we've had, there is always something new to do.

Whatever age you are or those going with you, take it as a new adventure.  Don't compare it to your last trip or to trips you may have in the future.  The magic will always be there for you--just open your eyes and see it in the children's eyes.

Great deals online from Groupon

Do you shop online?  I have been shopping online for a long time and have had no trouble doing so.  I love to buy presents online and with Valentine's Day coming up and life being busy, buying deals online is the easy way to get it done. 

Groupon is being helpful with online shopping lately.  The following deals are available today from Groupon.  All of them are available to order online, not in stores.

  • Nutty Guys $15 (Savannah)
  • Tailgate special from Florida Fresh Beef Company $62 (Ft Meyers)
  • Canvas on Demand -gallery wrapped canvas $45 (Orlando)
  • Photo items from Mixbook $15-a great deal!!!  (Jacksonville)
  • Vegan cupcakes from Bunnie Cakes $16 (Miami)
  • Eco conscious bags from Bag the Habit $10 (New York City)
  • Barclay Wines 25 (New York City)
  • Upper Playground $25 (Los Angeles)
  • Jewelry from Robyn Rhodes $30 (Los Angeles)

**Keep in mind, you do not have to live in or near the cities with the online deals.  **

To sign up for Groupon, click here.

Chris