I've still be doing my one Thursday a month posts on my friends blog.  I need to post connections to them here as well :)

I have gotten much more serious about saving money this past month.  I have goals.  I want to take my kids to Disney World.  Working as a substitute teacher not working more than 2-3 days a week, that doesn't exactly make saving particularly easy.  The bonus, is I don't own credit cards, so I don't have to worry about those.. but the student loans from college more than make up for that.

This means, I have to think outside the box.  In some cases, it also means sucking up my ego, and doing things I might not normally do.

I put as much as I am able to away from my subbing job.  which means anywhere from nothing to $50 a month.  yes, thats a big margin, but its literally the way it goes.  If I don't splurge on anything, have any school related expenses, and work at least 6 days during the month, I can put much more away than I can a month like this one, where subbing jobs have been rare, I have school pictures for 2 $30), year books for 2 ($24),   book fair for 2 ($10), and a school fundraiser ($30).  (or $94....thanks school.. ugh).  this is one of those months I may actually have to dip into the Disney fund just to cover everything.

This is what I'm working with to save money for the trip, to attempt to get there in 2 years.

save from paycheck
swagbucks
mycokerewards
ibotta
checkout51
savingstar
instaGC
BzzAgent/Mypoints
SBKC
rebates
recycle cans/ pop tabs
yard sale

my kids plan includes
gift cards/ cash from friends and family for holidays, birthdays
chores
yard sale
recycling with mom.


I'll explain a little about each of these and provide referral links when possible.

 swagbucks   This is my favorite website to make "money".  You actually earn points to turn in for gift cards. However, for Disney, this is perfect.  You can redeem your points for Target gift cards, which you can turn around and use to purchase Disney gift cards, which never expire and are good on EVERYTHING Disney!  each point is essentially worth a penny as 500 points = a $5 gift card.
This is the first month I've been serious about swagbucks. Before this, I would casually earn points and would still have enough to turn in for about $50 for Christmas and $50 for Easter each year.  This month alone, I have already made enough points for $70
I do the daily poll, I scroll through the NOSO and earn 2 points from that (I don't click on anything except see next offer). I play swagasaurus bux and swag jump for the 10 point limit.  I stream videos on the ipod (mobile SB) for the 10 points and any bonus points it lets me get), I stream videos on the desk top, I do the nGage and Ncrave.  I print coupons from swagbucks, I do the surveys when they let me.  If I need something, I will check and see if I can order it through swagbucks shopping, and pick it up in store to avoid shipping fees, but still get my points for purchases through SB.  I make it a point to at least hit the minimum daily goal and try to hit the second daily goal or more as well. This allows me to earn around $10 worth of bonus points each month!  You can also earn points from your referrals, which is lovely bonus points :)

 my coke rewards :  This one is good if you drink any coke products, or have someone willing to save them for you.  Enter up to 75 points each week.  bottle caps are worth 3 points, 12 packs are worth 10 points and cases are worth 20 points.  You can also do activities like share stuff off their site to build your status.  You will need to earn gold status to get Target gift cards.

Ibotta :  This is a grocery rebate app.  You will need a smart phone, or mobile device of some sort. I use my ipod for now, but will switch to a phone when I get a better one.  You take your mobile device with you, find an item with a rebate, click unlock, scan the barcode of the item, and then once you purchase it, you can scan your receipt to get the rebate.  You can go through pay pal or gift cards.  You can also have team mates. These are your friends on facebook that also have the app. you have to connect Facebook to your app in order for this to work.  If you use my link to sign up, and you cash out 2 rebates within 2 weeks, I will get $5 and you will get $10!

check out 51 :  very similar to Ibotta, except, you don't have to take the phone with you. You click the offers you want ahead of time, then redeem them with your receipts.  After $20 you can cash out.

savingstar :  Pretty much exactly like Check out 51.

InstaGC :  This is similar to swagbucks. You can earn points to exchange for gift cards.  I will be honest, I get most of my points through their free points on Facebook.  I haven't had many survey opportunities, but you might!  You can set a goal, and cash out when you reach your goal. I believe goals start at $1.

Bzzagent :  Okay, this one is a little different.  This one you fill out surveys, and if you are lucky, they pick you to get something to sample. The better job reviewing the item you do, the more chances you have at getting picked again.  I love BzzAgent Campaigns!  I get free product, coupons to give friends and when I do my reviews I get MyPoints, which is another site similar to Swagbucks that you can turn in for gift cards.  You can get referrals for both, but with MyPoints it has to be people you know personally.

SBKC :  This company will pay you for some of your junk mail.  You can't tear the envelopes, but you do have to open it, so open your mail carefully,  They accept a wide variety of mail and email, and give you points towards it.  They don't always have openings for new people, so check to see if you are able and if not, keep checking back!  Check to see what type of junk mail they are looking for as well.  They cash you out after $20 dollars worth of points as well.

rebates:  If you get a rebate as a check for cash, cash it in and add it to your Disney fund!

recycling cans/ pop tabs:  walk along the roads, collect cans.  If you live in a state with bottle deposits, then grab the tabs off before turning them into the store and recycle the tabs!  You won't get rich, but aluminum is around 40 cents a pound, so for every 100 pounds you turn in, its an extra 40 dollars you didn't have!

Yard Sale:  Declutter your space.  Sell it and stash the money back for your trip!  It serves 2 purposes.  First, you have pulled some of the stuff cluttering up the house and given your house a make over, and two, you now have extra money for your vacation!  Win-win!

There are other ways to save, and I'm starting to learn about a few more, but I want to check them out a little before recommending them.  If you have a way to save money, share it with me!  I'd love to hear your ideas!