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April 2010

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We all love going to the Disney Parks. The sights, the sounds, the foods. There is no more magical place on earth for my family than taking our yearly trip to Walt Disney World. Although while at Disney World I do sometimes suffer from sticker shock on the cost of some items. Especially for me I have a hard time spending outrageous amounts of money on kids toys.

I am always look for deals. Clearance items, mark downs, comparing prices online. I try to get the best bang for my buck. Ebay is a great place to look for gently used toys and books at fraction of the cost.

On our last Disney trip we decided to try something for our toddler. Before we even went to Disney World my wife and I would buy small Disney toys from Walmart, Target, and even Dollar Tree. I had a brilliant idea to surprise our daughter every morning with a small Disney Toy to play with that day. Thinking that if she had a new toy we could bypass spending countless hours in the park stores and focus more on the Yummy Disney Food and fun rides. Not that there is anything wrong with buying items at the parks.

So with the toys in our suitcase we left for Disney. On the first morning we set out the small Disney toy we purchased outside of Disney for her and sure enough she played with it. It kept her busy for the entire day and we didn’t go shopping once.

Helpful Hint – Target usually has an end-cap in the Toy department with Disney Cameras, Flashlights, and other small knick knack toys that are perfect for traveling.

Day two went the same way. She would awake to a Disney toy waiting on her from “Mickey” on her bed. My idea was working till around day 3 when she saw Pluto. She has a thing for puppies :)

Knowing that finding Pluto outside of Disney was near impossible we bought it for her.

This happened two other times while on vacation. I noticed she was much more relaxed when we did walk around in the shops and didn’t ask for everything she saw.  She was so busy enjoying the toys we gave her in the morning we were able to save some much needed cash!

Overall we were able to save a decent amount of money on souvenirs that we used to give our servers a bigger tip! (I know what it is like to have to earn a living via tips) Also it was really nice to have the Deluxe Dining Plan and not having to buy food or snacks.

In the end I was able to not suffer from buyers remorse and felt a lot better about the whole trip. I had more time to actually just browse and actually look at the window and store items.

I hope this little trick can help you save a little extra cash on your next Disney Vacation. Check us out next time as we talk about saving money while having good quality family time making Autograph Books for your favorite Disney Characters.

When Chip isn’t out finding Disney Deals on the internet he is sharing Disney News, Food, and Views at the Chip and Co website. Be sure to add them as a friend on Facebook too!

Be sure to catch up on the previous training posts here.

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Can you guys believe that it is just 22 days until our trip? I can’t believe that a whole year has almost passed since our first trip to Disney. I am getting so excited! But with it being so close to our vacation, that means my days are split between bringing y’all the best deals and planning the details for our vacation. I am what you can a hardcore planner. Did you know that I have only been to Disney once? Yet I have all the knowledge of a Disney veteran because I planned so hard for our last trip. That is just who I am.I am making these incredible spreadsheets for the trip and I am going to share them with all of you in June!

There are some great changes coming to Couponing to Disney in June. Because you know what happens after my trip…. the fund resets to ZERO and I do it all over again! This time the deposits to the Disney fund are going to be so detailed. I’m going to walk you step by step through how to save for a trip to Disney without feeling the pinch. And I am going to be adding new features where my readers can track their deposits to their Disney funds too!

Also in June I am going to start… well I am afraid to tell you too much of what I am going to start. But I have some HUGE life changing posts in store for you guys. A lot of new features that I feel you are all truly going to love. Part of me can’t wait for the trip to come and go so I can start all the new features. ;)

We leave for our trip on May 22nd. While I am at Disney, the blog is still going to be going strong! I have a lot of help lined up from my fellow bloggers and I will be blogging live from Disney! What does that mean? Well it means I am going to be taking my amazing readers along with me on my vacation. There will be tons of posts, pictures, videos and updates coming to you from Disney. I can’t wait to share this experience with all of you!

Don’t forget that Couponing to Disney is about to get it’s professional redesign! I am running a contest and giving one commenter on the post a $10 Amazon.com gift card. This is your chance to tell me what you would like on the blog! Be sure to check out the post here.

Tomorrow I am once again going to celebrate my amazing readers and how much you all mean to me! I have some awesome giveaways lined up and I am going to shake up the way I was doing Reader Appreciation Day! So be sure to stop by tomorrow for giveaways all day long!

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Do you have a loved one who is currently deployed? If so, Build a Sign wants to give you a welcome home banner! You do have to pay $12.50 shipping for the 2 foot x 4 foot banner.

A huge thanks to all of our men and women who serve our country!

(Thanks Kathryn! And a huge thanks to your husband for serving our country!)

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There will be a Smart Source, a Red Plum and a P&G in this Sunday’s paper.

To see the full list, go here.
Look for the Coupon Resources drop down menu in the middle of the green toolbar.
Select Coupon Previews.
Scroll down and look for 5/2. You can also see what is going to be in 5/9 too!

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Disney has just announced free dining for Visa card holders who visit Walt Disney World between August 14th and October 2nd! This deal is only good for the quick service plan. If you want to upgrade to the regular dining plan, It costs about $10 more per day for an adult to upgrade and an additional $2 per day for a child to upgrade.

This will likely be offered to the public on May 2nd. If you think you want to go between these dates, I recommend booking now even if you don’t have the Disney Visa. You can call back and add this plan to your reservation on May 2nd when it’s open to the public.

(Thanks Cheryl and Chip & Co!)

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Crocs.com is offering an extra 20% off site wide (excludes Crocband) when you use the code LUVMOM20 at checkout! You can also stack it with the code springfreeship for free shipping! There are a lot of great deals to be had and the codes even work on the outlet shoes!

Plus you can go through Ebates and earn 4% cash back. And if you are a new member, you will get a $5 bonus on top of the cash back!

This deal is only good until Friday night at midnight!

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There is a Spring Cleaning Sale at www.Laura-Louise.com. All Melissa and Doug toys are on sale for 50% off for a limited time. We have quite a few Melissa and Doug toys and we love them! They’ve even replaced a couple of ours free of charge.

(Thanks My Dallas Mommy!)

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These are the newest deals under $1. They have already been added to my master list here. It is now 86 items under $1, 10 are free!

*These deals are courtesy of Totally Target! Be sure to visit her blog for all the deals over $1.

Degree Ultra Clear Trial Size — 97c
Use $1/1 ANY one Degree Ultra Clear Deodorant printable (must register)
Total: Free!

Carefree Panty Liners, 22ct — 97c
Use $1/1 Any Carefree product from 4/25 SS (exp 6/30)
Total: Free!

Dove women’s trial size deodorant — $1.02
Use $1/1 Any Dove deodorant or body mist from 4/25 RP (exp 5/23)
Total: 2c

Ortega Taco Season Packets — 87c
Use $1/2 printable or 75c/2 from 4/18 SS (exp 7/31)
Total: 37-50c each

Johnson & Johnson Safety Swabs 55 ct. — $1.39
Use $1/1 Johnsons Baby product from 4/25 SS (exp 7/5)
Total: 39c

Listerine Pocket Paks — $1.49
Use $1/1 Listerine Pocketpaks, 24 Ct. from 1-03 RP (exp 1/11)
Total: 49c

Sobe Life Water — $1.04
Use b1g1 printable
Total: 52c each

NYC New York Color Cosmetics — $1.72
Use $1 off any NYC New York Color Product $1.72 or more from 4/18 RP (exp 5/16)
Total: 72c

Colgate Portable Folding Travel Toothbrush — $1.49
Use 75c/1 Any Colgate Adult or Children’s Toothbrush  from 4/25 SS (exp 5/15)
Total: 74c

Tidy Cat Litter — $1.77
Use $1 off any printable
Total: 77c
(Thanks The Frugal Find!)

Women’s One A Day Vitamins 10 ct — $1.99
Use $1/1 One-A-Day Vitamin Product0, Any from 03/21 SS (exp 6/30)
Total: 99c

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About to expire

Seattle’s Best Iced Lattes (9.5 oz cans) — $1 (until 4/14)
Coupon: $1 from 3/28 SS (exp 4/30)
Total: Free

St Ives Travel Size Products — 97c
Coupon: $1 from 3/21 SS (exp 4/30)
Total: Free!

Tide (travel size) — 97c
Coupon: $1 from 3/7 P&G (exp 4/30)
Total: Free!

Pepperidge Farm Mini Chessmen & On the Go packs of Milanos — $1 (in the dollar spot)
Coupon: $1/2 from 2/21 SS (exp 4/30)
Total: 50c ea

Hefty One Zip Bags — $1
Coupon: $1/2 from 1/31 RP (exp 4/30)
Total: 50c ea

Rice A Roni & Pasta Roni Assorted Flavors — 92c (until 4/10)
Coupon: $1/3 from 1/3 RP (exp 4/30)
Total: 59c ea

Act II 3 ct bags (in the dollar spot) — $1
Coupon: 40c from 2/28 SS (exp 4/30)
Total: 60c ea

Chapstick Classic Original Single Count — 99c
Coupon: $1/3 from 1/31 RP (exp 4/30)
Total: 67c ea

Rice a Roni Boxed Side Dishes — $1.04
Coupon: $1/3 form 1/3 RP (exp 4/30)
Total: 72c ea

Swiss Premium Tea 64 oz — $1.29 (until 4/17)
Coupon: 50c from 3/28 SS (exp 4/30)
Total: 79c ea

Seventh Generation Disinfectant Spray or 35 ct Wipes — $2.99
Coupon: $1 printable and $1 Target printable (exp 4/30)
Total: 99c

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These are the newest under $1 deals. They have been added to the master list here. It is now 129 items under $1, 17 are free!

The following deals are courtesy of my friends Passion for Savings and Saving with Amy. Be sure to visit their sites for all the deals over $1!

Red Baron Pizza By The Slice — $3
Use $1/1 Red Baron Pizza by the Slice Product from 04/25 SS (exp 6/25)
Plus submit for the FREE Red Baron Pizza by the Slice mail in rebate from 4/25 SS (exp 7/25)
Total: $1 Money Maker after coupon and rebate

Hartz Crunch ‘N Clean .5 oz Cat Treats — 50c
Use $1/1 Hartz Crunch ‘N Clean dog biscuits or cat treats from 4/11 SS (exp 7/10)
Total: Free!

Carefree Liners — 94c
Use $1/1 Carefree product from 4/25 SS (exp 6/30)
Total: Free!

Hershey’s Bliss Chocolate Bar 1.3 oz — 64c
Use 55c/1 Hershey’s Bliss Chocolate Bar, Any 1.3 Oz from 4/25 SS (exp 7/25)
Total: 9c

McCormick Grill Mates Marinades — 76c
Use 50c/1 Grill Mates Blend, Marinade or Spice Rub 4/18 RP (exp 5/30)
Total: 26c

Revlon Nail Clippers — $1.47
Use $1/1 Revlon Beauty Tool 4/25 SS (exp 5/30)
Total: 47c

Colgate Kids Toothpaste 2.7 oz –$1
Use 50c/1 Colgate Kid’s Toothpaste from 4/25 SS (exp 5/15)
Total: 50c

Banquet Frozen Meals — 88c
Use $1.50/4 printable
Total: 50c each

Vitamin Water — $1
Use $1/2 from 4/25 SS (exp 5/25)
Total: 50c ea

Alpo Canned Dog Food — 67c
Use $1/6 printable
Total: 50c each

Pure Protein Bars — $1.16
Use b1g1 printable
Total: 58c each

Best Life Butter Spread — $1.78
Use $1/1 Best Life Buttery Spread or Spray 4/18 RP (exp 6/27)
Total: 78c

McCormick Grinders — $1.82
Use $1/1 Select McCormick Products 04/25 RP (exp 5/23)
Total: 82c

Zatarain’s Yellow Rice — $1.18
Use $1/3 Zatarain’s Rice Mix or Pasta Mix 04/11 RP (exp7/10)
Total: 85c

Revlon Compact Tweezers– $1.88
Use $1/1 Revlon Beauty Tool from 4/25 SS (exp 5/30)
Total: 88c

Temptations Cat Treats — $1.88
Use $1/1 Temptations Treats for Cats 04/18 RP (exp 5/30)
Total: 88c

French’s Honey Mustard $1.94
Use $1/1 French’s Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce from 4/11 SS (exp 6/30)
Total: 94c

Philadelphia Mini’s 4pk — $1.46
Use $.50/1 from 4/18 SS (exp 5/16)
Total 96c

Crystal Light Pure Fitness — $1.97
Use $1/1 Printable
Total: 97c

Capri Sunrise — $1.97
Use $1/1 Capri Sun Sunrise Product 04/25 SS (exp 5/23)
Total: 97c

Motrin PM 20 ct — $3.97
Use $3/1 from the 4/18 RP (exp 8/24)
Total: 97c

McCormick Grill Mates Rubs $2
Use $1/1 Select McCormick Products from 04/25 RP (exp 5/23)
Total: $1

Del Monte Fruit Chillers — $2.00
Use $1/1 from the 4/18 RP (exp 8/8)
Total: $1

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About to expire

Tide Detergent (travel section) — 97c
Coupon: $1 from 4/4 P&G (exp 4/30)
Total: Free!

Rianxeira Tuna Snacks — $1.88
Coupon: Free Rianxeira from February All You (exp 4/30)
Total: Free!

Beech Nut Let’s Grow Meals — $1.06
Coupon: $1 from 1/3 SS (exp 4/30)
Total: 6c

Scotch Brite Scrubbing Sponge — 84c
Coupon: $1/2 from 3/7 SS (exp 4/30)
Total: 34c ea

Oral B Advantage Toothbrush — $2.47
Coupon: $2/1 from 4/4 P&G (exp 4/30)
Total: 47c ea

Hefty One Zip bags (in the travel section) — 98c
Coupon: $1/2 from 1/31 RP (exp 4/30)
Total: 48c ea

Dawn 14 oz — $1
Coupon: 50c from 4/4 P&G (exp 4/30)
Total: 50c ea

Taco Bell Thick and Chunky Salsa 16 oz — $1.54
Coupon: $1 from February All You (exp 4/30)
Total: 54c ea

Purina Whisker Lickins Cat Treats 2.1 oz — $1.07
Coupon: $1/2 from 2/7 RP (exp 5/1)
Total: 57c ea

KY Jelly — $2.57
Coupon: $2 from 1/31 SS (exp 4/30)
Total: 57c ea

Rice a Roni / Pasta Roni — 92c
Use $1/3 from 1/3 RP (exp 4/30)
Total: 59c ea

Chapstick 1 ct — 87c
Coupon: $1/3 from 1/3 RP (exp 4/30)
Total: 64c ea

Beech Nut Let’s Grow Banana Cookies — $1.74
Coupon: $1 from 1/3 SS (exp 4/30)
Total: 74c ea

Dawn Original Dish Liquid — $1
Coupon: 25c from 3/7 P&G (exp 4/30)
Total: 75c ea

Bounce Fabric Sheets (15 ct) — $1
Coupon: 25c from 3/7 P&G (exp 4/30)
Total: 75c ea

Ivory Soap (3ct) — $1.07
Coupon: 25c from 3/7 P&G (exp 4/30)
Total: 82c ea

Beech Nut Let’s Grow Entrees — $1.84
Coupon: $1 from 1/3 SS (exp 4/30)
Total: 84c ea

Land O Lakes Half and Half Pint — $1.26
Coupon: 45c/1 from 3/28 SS (exp 4/30)
Total: 91c ea

Sure Deodorant — $1.96
Coupon: $1 from 2/28 SS (exp 4/30)
Total: 96c

Oral B Cross Action Toothbrush — $2.97
Coupon: $2/1 from 4/4 P&G (exp 4/30)
Total: 97c ea

Be sure to check out all the current Walmart deals here.

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I wanted to tell you about this really neat eBook from the makers of The Couponizer that I have read. I was able to download it free here (I did have to skip a bunch of offers to get to the book.), but it had some really helpful information in it including expert couponing tips, how to stack coupons and save, the 16 best places to find coupons, how to find rebates, freebies and more!

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