Money Saving Tip Archives • Couponing to Disney

Get Cheap Household Items From Harbor Freight Tools

By SaraAuger on August 13, 2022 at 10:52 pm

Stock up on cheap tarps, flashlights and more with this simple tip.

Get cheap household items by signing up for Harbor Freight Tools FREE Insider club membership.

Then, enjoy weekly savings to your inbox. Often, a weekly email will contain a FREE item (with any purchase or without a purchase). Flash lights and tarps are common. I love having both on hand.

For the offers requiring a purchase, I like to grab a roll of tape or a new paintbrush. This leads to just a small spend for a high-value or valuable home item to have on hand!

Learn more Money Savings Tips! We are here to help you Save to Survive in 2022 with creative ways to trim your budget, save on groceries, afford Christmas gifts and more. Join the SavEars community of friends.

Want to chat about a Disney vacation? Travel Agents (at no cost to you) are ready to help in the SavEars group.

Make Extra Cash: Sell Unwanted Items On eBay

By SaraAuger on August 13, 2022 at 8:25 pm

Are you starting to clean home and finding items you no longer want or need? One of my favorite things about re-organizing is reducing the number of items I have and earning extra cash while doing so. Have you ever thought about selling on eBay? Learn how to get started now.

I have been selling part-time on eBay since 2008. Some years/months I use it more than others. I never buy anything to resell. My inventory comes from items I no longer use need or get for nothing (such as promo items).

Get Started:

Download the eBay app (for free) and sign up for an account
You will need to pick a username (pick one that reflects what you will be selling if you can)
You will automatically get 250 FREE listings a month (with no store subscription needed)

List Your Item:

Click List Your Item, under selling, on the eBay app
Start with a short description of what you are selling
You can select from list if your exact item appears, otherwise continue without match
Select condition of item (new, used, etc.)
Photos: Add clear photos in good lighting of your product from all angles (back, front, side, etc). Close up photos of any important details
Title: Include important key words in your title to improve search results
Category: eBay is good with selecting a category but always double check it was categorized correctly
Pricing: Select your pricing. I like to start with auctions and if item does not sell after a few, move to a 30-day buy-it-now listing
Delivery: Enter how much shipping will cost. I always do a flat rate and not calculated. Invest in a small postal scale to weigh packages.
List your item!

More Tips:

250 Free Listings per month is generous amount, previously it was 100 listings per month. Shipping will be the biggest learning curve. Anything under 16oz will ship fairly cheaply (under $5) to most locations in the USA. Media Mail (Books, DVDs, CDs) are also inexpensive to ship and have their own shipping category with the USPS. You can also use flat rate mailers (provided at no cost from the post office) to ship items at a flat rate and takes the guess work out on pricing (until you get a better feel for shipping costs). As you clean, put aside gently used or unopened items to list on eBay. The months leading up to the holidays are a busy time for shopping and a great time to start selling on eBay.

Want to chat about a Disney vacation? Travel Agents (at no cost to you) are ready to help in the SavEars group.

Mini Hawaiian Roll Cheeseburger Sliders Recipe (Cheap Dinner Idea)

By SaraAuger on August 10, 2022 at 7:31 pm

Hawaiian Roll Cheeseburger sliders are simple to make with few ingredients. I decided to make these recently when I saw a $1.50/1 Hawaiian Rolls digital coupon pop up on my grocery store rewards app.

Ingredients:

1 lb hamburg
Breadcrumbs
Salt & Pepper
Hawaiian Buns
Cheese
Toppings such as: pickles, lettuce, tomatoes

Recipe:

Mix 1-2lbs Hamburg, 1 cup breadcrumbs, salt and pepper.
Pre heat to 400 degrees
Flatten burger mix in pan or oven safe dish
Cook for 15-20 minutes
Keep rolls together and cut in half, add Hamburg and toppings

Want to chat about a Disney vacation? Travel Agents (at no cost to you) are ready to help in the SavEars group.

$10/$10 JCPenney Mailer Coupon ($0.99 Back To School Clothes)

By SaraAuger on August 9, 2022 at 5:57 pm

Have you started getting back to school catalogs in the mail? If you recently received a mailing from JCPenney, be sure to grab the coupons inside before discarding it.

Coupons Inside: Valid now through August 14th is a $10/$10 coupon and now through August 28th an extra 30% off (some exclusions apply).

Deal Idea:

Buy 2 Kids Graphic Tees as low as $5.99 each
Use your $10/$10 coupon
Total: as low as $0.99 each

Did you get this one in the mail?!

Want to chat about a Disney vacation? Travel Agents (at no cost to you) are ready to help in the SavEars group.

Do You Grow Your Own Vegetables?

By SaraAuger on August 8, 2022 at 4:58 pm

Late Spring in my home means planting time. I look forward to planting my garden each year and watching it grow. Today, we picked some sugar snap peas, tomatoes, green beans, cucumbers, zucchini and summer squash! We also have blueberry bushes and pumpkins planted.

Even veggies have seen a price increase, so I am thankful to have fresh veggies from my own yard.

Tip: Buy seeds and garden supplies in August for next year.

Store bought seeds are good for 2-3 years, plan on picking up some when they go on clearance for the season and save for next year. Now is also a great time to buy garden supplies for next year, as highlighted in my Best Things to Buy in August post. By the end of August, garden supplies and seeds will be heavily discounted to make room for Halloween items. Check now for best selection on clearance.

Do you grow your own vegetables?

Want to chat about a Disney vacation? Travel Agents (at no cost to you) are ready to help in the SavEars group.

5 Ways To Dress Up Your Ramen (Cheap Dinner Ideas)

By SaraAuger on August 4, 2022 at 9:02 pm

Across the board, Ramen is a cheap dinner option if you’re in a pinch! Today, we are discussing ways to dress up your ramen. Learn these 5 tips on what to add to instantly take your Ramen to the next level. What do you add as toppings?

Add Sauce or Juice

This is the fastest and simplest way to add some quick flavor. Take a look at what you have on hand. Consider adding soy sauce, hot sauce, teriyaki sauce or lime juice.

Here is an easy Ramen recipe with teriyaki sauce from allrecipes!

Add Spices

Spices are great for added health benefits, each one has its own advantages. Here is a list of spices to consider picking from: Curry Powder, Chili Pepper, Onion Powder, Ginger, Pepper Flakes and Cinnamin.

Add Protein

Add protein to your meal by topping with peanuts, edamame, boiled eggs, cheese, pulled pork, shredded chicken or steak. This is a great way to use up leftovers you may have in the fridge.

Try Ramen Scrambled Eggs from allrecipes for a unique way to add eggs!

Add Fresh Vegetables

Fresh veggies will add color and nutrition. Dice up veggies such as cucumber, radishes, fresh greens, tomato and more.

Try this Fancy Ramen Recipe from allrecipes for more ideas on what veggies and toppings to add!

Add Canned Tomatoes

My family loves to add stewed or diced tomatoes to top their Ramen. Aldi is a great place to stock up on canned tomato products.

Want to chat about a Disney vacation? Travel Agents (at no cost to you) are ready to help in the SavEars group.

5 Items To Buy In August For The Best Price

By SaraAuger on August 3, 2022 at 4:15 pm

Did you know just by buying items in the correct month you can save? It’s true! Learn what is generally on sale at retail stores in the month of August now!

Back to School Items: This one is a given, with back to school happening real soon. Deals will be popping up throughout the month from dorm room needs to stationary, backpacks, office furniture, laptops and more. Family Dollar has some great deals this week, as in the photos above (shop now through August 6th for sale items).

Storage Items: Since college students are heading back to school, many stores will have plastic totes and storage on sale. Now is a great time to buy if you missed the New Year, I’m Re-organizing resolution sales. Family Dollar also has some great deals this week on storage, as in the photos above (shop now through August 6th for sale items).

Lawn & Garden: Look for garden decor and tools, outdoor furniture and other lawn & garden summer items to go on sale or clearance throughout this month, as stores make room for Halloween. My local Rite Aid is up to 60% off Lawn & Garden.

Wedding Items: Fall is a popular time for weddings, particularly September and October. If you have a Fall wedding planned or need any last-minute items, stores are ready.

Fans & A.C’s: A couple bulky summer items stores will put on sale as summer winds down are indoor fans and air conditioners. If you have been holding out, this is the month to look for sales.

Earn Money Back with Fetch Rewards!

By Marisa on August 2, 2022 at 6:00 pm

Have you joined Fetch yet? I just cashed out for $20 today and saw that I have made $130 with Fetch since I started to use the app in 2020!

It is so simple to use. You just take a picture of your receipts and upload. You will get the base amount of 25 points for each receipt, but will often find bonuses on certain items that you purchase! A few weeks ago I got 4,000 points for an item I buy routinely! It was a surprise, I hadn’t looked at what I could buy to boost my reward points. I honestly almost never look to see what is paying more, I just submit my receipts with my normal purchases!

I cash out my rewards for Amazon gift cards. I use Subscribe & Save for things like toilet paper, hand soap, and trash bags every month so this helps fund those everyday items!

How To Maximize Cash Back With Ibotta

By SaraAuger on August 2, 2022 at 4:16 pm

Have you downloaded ibotta yet? This is one of my biggest earners from the apps I use for grocery and household good savings. July was a good month for me, I earned $96.36 in cash back. Learn my tips & tricks and what my favorite July rebates were.

Tips & Tricks To Maximize Earnings:

Month Long Bonuses: During July, ibotta offered a month-long bonus to earn $16 when you redeem 40 items. These will usually give you until the end of the month to earn a higher rebate AND can be combined with any bonuses that come up in between. For example, the Mid Week Money Maker Bonus and Weekend Warrior Bonus.

Combine with smaller bonuses throughout Month: Throughout July I completed 2 Midweek Money Maker Bonuses, $5 for 10 items, 2 Weekend Warrior Bonuses, $5 for 10 items, which also earned me the Vitamin Sea Bonus, $16 for 40 items. I hope we see one for August, if not most likely again in September for back to school.

Any Brand Items: These are usually low in cash back ($0.10-$0.25) BUT count as an item towards your bonus. July any brand items I redeemed included: any brand granola bar, any sports drink and any Pork Shoulder.

Any Receipt Item: If you see one of these pop-up, grab a grocery receipt and scan for quick cash back (typically $0.10-$0.25) that will also count toward your bonus.

Watch for offers to reset: Many of my favorite July rebates I was able to buy more than once throughout the month because the offer came back. This is a great way to stock up on items when you see a brand/item you love or use a lot.

Gift Cards: Purchasing a gift card through ibotta will also count towards your bonus + earn you cash back. If you have an upcoming purchase such as from Home Depot. Double dip by paying with a gift card to purchase ibotta rebate items such as from Walmart! There is a long list to browse, cash back will vary by retailer.

In July I earned $36.00 in bonuses alone.

My Favorite July Rebates:

Any Receipt item
Any Brand items
Suave Deodorant
single Clif bar
single Luna bar
yogurt rebates
Purex Laundry rebate for any size, any type
Perdue Chicken rebates
Makeup rebates combined with clearance finds
Paper Towel & Bath Tissue rebates
Florida Natural Lemonade & Orange Juice offers

Do note, bonuses are not guaranteed to show up monthly or weekly and may vary by account. It is worth checking often if a new Bonus has come up. New users typically have easier to achieve bonus goals.

Join ibotta today and start earning cash back on groceries, household items and more.

Money Saving Tip: Make Your Own Dishwasher Tabs

By Marisa on August 1, 2022 at 8:00 pm

Wondering if you can make dishwasher tabs at home? You can!

One of the ways that I like to save is to make my own dishwasher tablets. The ingredients cost very little, and can be used repeatedly! If you have a homemade cleaning supply recipe you’d like to share, I’d love to hear it!

Here’s how I make dishwasher tablets:

Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda 55 oz. – $4.05
Baking Soda – $.79 from Kroger
Vinegar – $.99 from Kroger
Salt – $.59 from Kroger (this salt I’ve had at least a year!)
Container – $1.25 from Dollar Tree

Total: $7.67

These took me about 10 minutes to make! This recipe made about 40 tabs, and the only ingredient I need more of is Baking Soda! I will be able to make at least hundreds more before needing more Washing Soda.

1 cup Baking Soda
1 cup Washing Soda
1 cup Salt
3/4 cup Vinegar

You can also use lemon juice in place of vinegar if you choose!

You just need to mix all ingredients together, set it to sit a minute, then using a tablespoon scoop them out onto a piece of wax paper. I have a Tupperware container to store mine in, but they can be stored in a ziplock bag or mason jar, also!

You can also double or triple this recipe if you use your dishwasher often or just want to make a big batch less often.

Let me know if you decide to make dishwasher tabs and tell me how it goes!

(Thank you, Rhonda, for the recipe!)

Cut Down Your Fuel Expenses

By Kristin from Couponing to Disney

We’ve all got to drive to get from point A to point B. And with the rising cots of fuel, we need to be able to do it as cheap as possibly. Here are some awesome tips on how to cut down your fuel expenses:

Fill Up Frequently
With the rising gas prices (everyday it seems) keeping your tank as full as possible is the best bet. This will make sure you pay the lowest price for the gas you need.

Gas Station Incentive Programs
Stations such as Wawa and 7-11 offer a discount on fuel when you sign up for their incentive programs. Check with your local stations to see if they offer something similar. It’s free!

Fill up on Mondays
Many people find that gas is cheaper in their area on Mondays. Let us know if you find the same or a different date works for you.

Don’t go unless you HAVE to
Don’t get in the car unless you absolutely HAVE to, and even then try to stack as many errands as possible into one outing.

Check Your Tire Pressure
A car with accurate tire pressure can get as much as 3.3% better gas mileage.

Change Your Oil On Time
Dirty oil will cause your car to use more gas.

Use STP Gas Treatment
This inexpensive treatment can improve your gas mileage up to 10%.

Buy 87 Octane Gasoline
Unless your car specifically requires that you use a higher octane, go with the cheapest available.

Carpool
If you can ride to work with someone, even if it’s one day a week, that’s saving gas, oil, miles on your car and cash.

Condense Your Trips
Plan your shopping trips along the best route and try to get it all done in one day. The less trips, the better!

Watch Gas Prices
As you are driving around, watch the prices of stations you pass. If it is lower than what you usually pay, go ahead and fill up!

Test Different Brands of Gas
Just because one brand of gas is the cheapest, it doesn’t mean it saves you money. We find we get 10-15% better gas mileage with Shell or BP gas then we get with Raceway or no-name gas stations.

Big Box Stores
Gas is sometimes cheaper at Sams and Costco. Check out your local club’s prices.

Grocery Store Fuel Perks
Find out if your grocery store offers fuel perks.

GasBuddy.com
Find the cheapest gas in your area

Change Your Tires
My husband’s truck had the wrong size tires. When we change them, we noticed an immediate improvement in gas mileage.

Clean/Change Your Air Filter
Make sure you have a clean air filter. A dirty one can hurt your gas mileage.

Drive The Speed Limit
Speeding not only costs you if you get a ticket, but it also costs more gas to run over the speed limit.

Take Off Slowly
Don’t gas it when you take off from a stop light or stop sign. Slowly increasing your speed will use less gas.

Turn Your Car Off
When waiting in the car for any length of time, turn it off. You can always run the car until the air/heat is at a comfortable level and then turn it off until you start to get uncomfortable again.

Tips from C2D Readers:

Pay attention to rewards points you can get from grocery stores and look at other options they give for redeeming those points. I used to use those points for gas and that’s it, but I did some “mathing” and realized there’s a better return if I use my points to buy eggs rather than gas. My grocery store caps the gas purchase at 20 gallons, so if I use 100 gas points to get 10 cents off per gallon for 20 gallons, I’m getting a savings of $2 for that 100 points IF I put a full 20 gallons of gas into my car (which I can’t with my current vehicle which has a 18.5 gallon tank). Currently, I can use those same 100 points to buy an 18 pack of eggs for 99 cents…..it ends up saving me $3.50 for those same 100 points. So, I end up saving more money overall by using my grocery points to buy eggs and then going to Sam’s Club for gas. – Jenn V

Publix sometimes has spend $50 in groceries buy a $50 gas card save $10 you can use the digital coupons to hit the $50 in food to bring your total down. – Reginee N

I have kids so if running to a friends house or activities I think if we need ANYTHING from anywhere even if it’s just Milk as I drive by places. So if there is a day or days we can stay home we can – Vesper M

Be sure to get the Feul Rewards Card for Shell and you automatically save $.05/gallon (up to 20 gallons) every fill up with the opportunity to earn even more off per gallon when you buy certain items or shop at certain stores. – Missy H

I’m doing what one newscast suggested, fill up your half of tank of gas so that you don’t feel like you’re paying that much for a full tank of gas. Yes it may mean two trips a week; however, I plan it for when I have errands or going to work etc! – Joseph T

I buy gift cards at krogers for things I know I’m going to buy anyways to earn the 4x fuel rewards. My husbands truck holds 36 gallons so I use that to get $1.00 off each gallon. Usually after groceries and the cards we have enough for 3 fill ups a month. – Tasha C

Errands once a week and I take my mother in law with to help her save gas too. – Regina S

I use a couple of things that when stacked saves me at least a couple of dollars. I have TMobile and every week on their TMobile Tuesday app they give 5¢ to shell. I stack that with 5¢ from the shell loyalty program. I also use the gas buddy app and get a discount for using their debit card at the pump. It works just like the target redcard. GasBuddy also partners with upside so you can get an extra discount at some pumps, you just activate the deal on the app and they verify by using the debit card or uploading the receipt. – Iza M

I go to Walmart which is $.20 cheaper than the average price in town. Then I use Walmart pay to save $.05 per gallon with Walmart+, then I get 10% cashback with my doordash dasher direct debit card. So gas is $4.679 elsewhere and $4.479 at Walmart. I pay $4.429 and get $.44 of cash back per gallon, meaning I’m paying $3.99 per gallon. – Beth H

I use the BPme app. You just link the credit card you use at the pump and it automatically drops your price by 5 to 10 cents per gallon. If you are a nurse or first responder, you can get up to 25 cents off per gallon.
This also stacks with get upside and checkout51 cash back on gas. – Heather W

Im going to give a non-traditional answer…Because its not always what you save at the pump… its how much less fuel your can can use….
Time to do some maintenance on your vehicle:
– Adjust tire pressures
– Check / change air filter
– Are you past due to get your spark plugs changed?
– Maybe get an alignment check done
-Change driving habits. ie: keep things closer to the speed limit… dont start from a stop so quickly.
– When was the last time you changed your oil?
– Get your throttle body cleaned.
– Throw a bottle of Techron in the tank at the next fillup to clean injectors. – Chris S

Random Shared Tips

TIPS ON PUMPING GAS THAT WILL SAVE YOU $$$
“I don’t know what you guys are paying for gasoline…. but here in California we are paying up to $5.75 to $7 per gallon. My line of work is in petroleum for about 31 years now, so here are some tricks to get more of your money’s worth for every gallon:
Here at the Kinder Morgan Pipeline where I work in San Jose , CA we deliver about 4 million gallons in a 24-hour period thru the pipeline.. One day is diesel the next day is jet fuel, and gasoline, regular and premium grades. We have 34-storage tanks here with a total capacity of 16,800,000 gallons.

1️⃣ Only buy or fill up your car or truck in the early morning when the ground temperature is still cold. Remember that all service stations have their storage tanks buried below ground. The colder the ground the more dense the gasoline, when it gets warmer gasoline expands, so buying in the afternoon or in the evening….your gallon is not exactly a gallon. In the petroleum business, the specific gravity and the temperature of the gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, ethanol and other petroleum products plays an important role.

2️⃣ A 1-degree rise in temperature is a big deal for this business. But the service stations do not have temperature compensation at the pumps.

3️⃣ When you’re filling up do not squeeze the trigger of the nozzle to a fast mode If you look you will see that the trigger has three (3) stages: low, middle, and high. You should be pumping on low mode, thereby minimizing the vapors that are created while you are pumping. All hoses at the pump have a vapor return. If you are pumping on the fast rate, some of the liquid that goes to your tank becomes vapor. Those vapors are being sucked up and back into the underground storage tank so you’re getting less worth for your money.

4️⃣ One of the most important tips is to fill up when your gas tank is HALF FULL. The reason for this is the more gas you have in your tank the less air occupying its empty space. Gasoline evaporates faster than you can imagine. Gasoline storage tanks have an internal floating roof. This roof serves as zero clearance between the gas and the atmosphere, so it minimizes the evaporation. Unlike service stations, here where I work, every truck that we load is temperature compensated so that every gallon is actually the exact amount.

5️⃣ Another reminder, if there is a gasoline truck pumping into the storage tanks when you stop to buy gas, DO NOT fill up; most likely the gasoline is being stirred up as the gas is being delivered, and you might pick up some of the dirt that normally settles on the bottom.

6️⃣ Note: If the pump repeatedly shuts off early, it could be a sign of a problem with the vapor recovery system, such as a clogged carbon canister.”
**copied**

How do you save on gas?

Learn how to save money on batteries.

Learn how to save even more money with these Money Saving Tips.

How Amazon Prime Members Can Get Add-On Channels F.R.E.E.

By Kristen D on April 12, 2021 at 9:47 am

Every channel and it’s brother has a streaming service now, am I right? It can really add up, especially when it’s a single channel like Epix or Starz. I recently learned a way you can save a few bucks- or even get your channel free through Amazon, and it’s so simple!

You know those no-rush credits you get for allowing Amazon to ship your items more slowly? The ones good for digital movies (and rentals), ebooks, digital music, etc?

Turns out, they can be used for paying for your channel add-ons as well, even if you’re on a promotional offer! For instance, Epix is available for $0.99 for 1 month. If you have a no rush credit, you can get it FREE!

If you’re going to use these channels anyway, you might as well buy through Amazon, especially if you, like me, collect the no-rush credits with no real idea what you’re going to use them on!

Take your savings and toss them your Disney fund.

Your invoice will look something like this:

$0.99
Item(s) Subtotal: $0.99
Promotions: -$0.99
—-
Total Before Tax: $0.00
Tax Collected: $0.00
—-
Total for this Order: $0.00

Money Saving Tip: Incredible Math On Dog Food

By SaraAuger on March 26, 2021 at 4:21 pm

We always hear, buy in bulk and save! Even though there are exceptions to this rule, dog food is not one of them!

For a while, I had coupons and rebates making the 3.5lb bag a better deal. Then, those ran out and I continued to buy the smaller bag because of the convenience of the smaller bag size.

Now lets do some math, if I buy three 3.5lb bags (at $3.99 each), total is $11.97 for 10.5lbs of dog food.

Or, I could pay $9.99 for 16lbs of dog food! That is like getting 5.5lbs of dog food for FREE. The big bag is the BEST deal by five and a half pounds.

Then, I use an old pitcher for storage and convenience.

Also Read: Money Savings Tip: Ask Your Bank For Coin Wrapper Rolls (couponingtodisney.com)

Money Saving Tip: Buy Frozen Fast Foods

By Kristen D on March 10, 2021 at 12:00 pm

Sometimes you have to spend money to save money and this is one of those tips. The math checks out though, so hang out with me a second.

Keep frozen fast food on hand. Frozen pizza, fish sticks, chicken nuggets, whatever you like- make sure you have it. When your meal plan goes sideways, or you’re just tired or sick or stressed or whatever it is- go to the freezer, and make your frozen fast food.

It’s still cheaper than letting McDonalds heat up some nuggets, or going to Pizza Hut. Because let’s be honest, when you’re having one of those days that kicks your butt from the time you roll out of bed, you don’t feel like cooking from scratch. Rather than trying to pretend it will never happen, just go ahead and have some things on hand so that when it does, you still save some dollars!

A quick easy meal is a frozen lasagna, some garlic toast and an easy side salad, if you’re feeling fancy. Make chicken tenders and fries, or throw a few potatoes in the microwave for baked potatoes. Shoot, I’ve got no problem with pizza rolls and carrot sticks, I’m not here to judge you. We’ve all been there.

In my area an entire bag of Ore-Ida fries is $2.44. A whole bag of Tyson Chicken Strips is $6.68. That will feed my entire family of 3 for 2+ meals for $9.12, and we’re talking name brands and not a coupon in sight. Meanwhile, a typical McDonald’s order for my family runs $13.56- and that’s without buying drinks (we typically grab our food and head home, AND we split a medium French fry). In all honesty, if I catch the mobile deals right, I can probably shave that down to $11.50ish. This is for one meal and I promise you that our food at home will taste better- at the very least I can guarantee it will be hot. Just having the frozen food on hand saves us $2.38 on one single day. Since the frozen fries and strips will make at least two meals, we’re looking at a total savings of $13.88.

This keeps us saving money until I get back on the cooking train.

Money Saving Tip: Keep Track Of Restaurant Specials

By Kristen D on March 3, 2021 at 12:00 pm

Typically, the most frugal thing you can do is eat at home. Let’s be real though- sometimes we’re tired, or there is a special occasion, or we are away from home at meal time.

I like to keep a note on my phone (though it used to be a spreadsheet on my computer) that keeps track of our favorite restaurants and their specials. It may be kids eat free, or cheaper meals. Maybe your favorite place offers a free dessert on a certain day. Whatever it is, keep track of it!

Recently we went to the next town over for a zoo trip. They happen to have a great sandwich shop that we don’t have nearby- and because it was Wednesday, one of their super premium normally-$7-sandwich was on sale for $5, making it the cheapest thing on the menu. Multiple meats, multiple cheeses, it’s a dreamboat of a sandwich. We packed a bag of chips, brought along some drinks and we all got the same sandwich, making our special meal $15 instead of $21+ drinks+ chips. That’s no small savings. My daughter thought its as wonderful to have a car picnic eating fancy sandwiches too!

Prepared with your handy dandy list of where to eat and when, you’ll be able to indulge in your favorites for a little cheaper.

I like to keep track of mine by days, like this:

Monday:
Favorite Restaurant- Kids eat free after 6pm.
Place with the good breadsticks- Free breadsticks all day
That One Pizza place- Kids meal $2.

Tuesday:
That place we rarely go- Kids eat free

Keep your eyes out for offers and grow that list, you’ll be happy you did when the “ugh, let’s just grab something out” bug hits you!

Money Savings Tip: Ask Your Bank For Coin Wrapper Rolls

By SaraAuger on February 26, 2021 at 2:44 pm

This weeks money savings tip is: ask your bank for coin rolls!

I love rolling my change as a way to save for Disney. It really does add up! One way I save even more by doing this myself is by asking my bank for FREE coin rolls. Once, I even got this handy little box that I now refill. Every time I deposit rolled change, I ask for more rolls for my next round of rolling.

Does anyone else save wheat pennies when they are rolling change?! This is something I enjoy collecting.

Also Read: Money Saving Tip: Check For Lost Money

Money Saving Tip: Save Your Fast Food Extras

By Kristen D on February 24, 2021 at 2:00 pm

As much as we try to “be good” and eat at home, there are times when fast food is necessary, or just wanted. That’s why we have a dining out line in our budget, after all.

So when you splurge and need that greasy fix, be sure to keep any extras napkins, ketchup or sauces and use them at home! The napkins pull double duty for us as car tissues. We’re fancy, y’all.

My daughter loves when we have an extra Chick-fil-a sauce and she can use it with her less fancy at-home nuggets.

Now, I’m not saying go in and load your pockets with ketchup, or take half a sleeve of napkins. However, often if we ask for ketchup we are given a handful! I’d rather take that home and use it, stretching our own ketchup farther, than toss it in the trash.

This is a small savings tip, but it’s easy too- and pennies make dollars! Do you keep your extras to use around your home?

Money Saving Tip: Check For Lost Money

By SaraAuger on February 12, 2021 at 2:43 pm

@MissingMoney

One way to grow your Disney Fund (or whatever you are saving for), is to check for lost money! Did you know the U.S. Government has a free website to enter your name and check for unclaimed money?

It’s easy to use, simply search by your name. It’s worth the couple of minutes to check! Did you have unclaimed money?!

Also Read: Money Saving Tip: Save Soy Sauce Packets

Money Saving Tip: Transform A Wall With Chalk Paint

By SaraAuger on February 5, 2021 at 7:13 pm

Transform an odd wall in your home easily with chalk paint!

Chalk paint can easily jazz up any space and its inexpensive. Consider adding an area in the kitchen for a menu, or in your kids room (as we did)!

Time & Cost:

My daughter and I used FrogTape (already had on hand) and chalk paint to transform this odd wall in just a couple of hours and under $20.00! We also purchased Chalk Markers. As soon as the paint dried, my daughter immediately started using it. I am pleased with how this DIY project came out.

Also Read: Money Saving Tip: Save Soy Sauce Packets

Money Saving Tip: Save Soy Sauce Packets

By SaraAuger on January 29, 2021 at 3:44 pm

My family and I enjoy Chinese food every now and then. One thing we always have an abundance leftover are soy sauce packets!

Recently, my saved soy sauce packages came in handy. As I needed soy sauce for a recipe and only had these on hand! Meaning, I could cook my intended recipe (Chinese Beef & Broccoli) without heading to the store.

For your information, 1/4 cup = 5 Soy Sauce Packets! I had 10 in my fridge, meaning I have enough leftover to repeat the recipe.

Do you save soy sauce packets? What recipes do you use soy sauce in?

Also read: Money Saving Tip: Request Yearly Credit Report At No Charge

Money Saving Tip: Request Yearly Credit Report At No Charge

By SaraAuger on January 22, 2021 at 1:13 pm

@ClipArtLibrary

Did you know you can get a FREE credit report yearly?

Federal law allows anyone to obtain a free copy of your credit report, every 12 months, from each credit reporting company (Experian, TransUnion, Equifax).

Why This is Important:

Ensure that the information on all of your credit reports is correct and up to date.
Credit reports may affect your mortgage rates, credit card approvals, apartment requests, or even your job application.
Reviewing credit reports helps you catch signs of identity theft early.

How to get your FREE Credit Report:

Fill out one form to request one, two, or three credit reports
Request your credit reports from Equifax, Experian or TransUnion.
Before you get your credit reports, you will answer a few more questions. These questions are meant to be hard. You may even need your records to answer them. They are used to ensure that nobody but you can get your credit information.
Your free report does not include credit scores

Simply head to Annual Credit Report.com to complete these steps and request yours! Then, be sure to request again one year from now.

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