Happy (just after) Valentine’s Day, my internet friends! While we’re all snacking on some discounted chocolate, let’s talk about gifts. I’ve told you before, a great way to grow your fund is to put gift money and gift cards towards your Disney Fund. It’s money you don’t expect to come, so it doesn’t affect your budget at all. And really, what greater gift is there than a Disney vacation?
Well, nestled into the Valentine’s package that my girls got from their grandparents, were two, count ‘em two, Target gift cards! That resulted in this text conversation with my mother:
ME: Hey mom! Thanks for the girls’ package!
MOM: Ur welcome. U like cards?
ME: What cards?
MOM: Ur cards.
ME: I don’t see any cards?
MOM: What?
ME: What?
MOM: The gift cards.
ME: For the girls?
MOM: 4 U.
ME: The gift cards are for me?
MOM: And ur husband. Make sure u share.
In my defense, that greeting card was separate from the gift cards! How was I to know??
Firstly, my mom texts way better than I do. I write novels to text and my mom has the slang down. Secondly, don’t you send me Target gift cards and tell me to share. Don’t you know how I feel about Target?
But I will share these beautiful Valentine’s gift cards…as a Disney vacation! Time to turn these gifts cards into Mickey Bars.
But how? We all know that you can’t buy a gift card with a gift card. Here’s what I do. The next time I go to Target, instead of using my RedCard Debit Card, I use the gift card. Important to note, I only use the gift card for things I was planning to purchase. If I was only going to get eggs and a clearance storage container, amounting to $4, then that’s all I put on the gift card. This is key, because you don’t want to burn through the gift cards just to burn through the gift cards. That way lies wasted money and stuff you don’t need.
Once I’ve gone through my gift card(s), I take the money I had budgeted for those Target trips and buy some Disney gift cards. For me, that money comes out of my home budget. I then use those Disney gift cards to pay for my vacation. This practice of moving money around can be confusing, which is why I am thankful for the binder included with the Saving to Disney course. The budget worksheets are so thorough and user friendly. It not only helps me keep track of my money, but it trains my mind to see the various ways I can move things around in order to save.
Total Goal: $3500
Last Week: $873.95
Total Deposit: $90
$50, from Valentine’s Day Target Gift Cards
$40, from the free gym membership
Still Need: $783.95
How is your fund coming? Did you get any Valentine’s Day gifts that you’re ready to turn into a Dole Whip? Is your mom better at texting than you are? Give me all the deets in the comments!
Kristen B. is wife to the best Prince around, mama to the spunkiest little princesses, and lover of all things Disney. She started her savings journey three years ago and is now dedicated to making her family’s wishes come true one coupon at a time. She is so excited to take her love of saving to the next level and share her journey with you! Click here to catch up on Kristen’s Savings and join in on your own savings adventure!