Disney Savings Update 10/19-10/25

This week, I've basically been working on the same things as far as Disney Savings.

I went to target and took advantage of gift card deals buy purchasing 2 bottles of shampoo and 2 bottles of conditioner that I wanted to try, 4 mens Dove deodorant since my husband said he needed deodorant, and q-tips because we needed some anyway.  This resulted in $15 worth of gift cards for stocking up on things we need anyway.

I cashed out a $25 Swagbucks gift card. It was actually my first one for the month believe it or not so it was only 2200 points for a Target gift card.

I also cashed in $7 worth of Shopkicks to bring my total gift cards to $47. This left 50 cents to pay after my discount for having a Target Red Card on file at Target.com

To get the right amount of Shopkicks, I did have to drive around town while on errands and do a few walk-ins to get just enough. 

So one gift card is ordered and as has been a weekly tradition so far, another arrived in the mail.

Disney Vacation Account Current Balance: $300
 Total Paid: $20

Pending:
$10 Proctor and Gamble Gift card
$50 Target Gift Card
$36 in "Side jobs"

Disney Savings Update 10/12-10/18

This week has gone much the same as last week. I have downloaded the Nielsen Mobile App for my phone and am watching my points accrue there.  I am continuing to use my Shopkick app and having a ball.  My Swagbucks useage has slowed down as its a busy time at work and my focus needs to be there.

The Disney gift card I ordered from Target arrived and I've ordered another one. 

Target deals I used this week were purchasing four Dove Deodorants for a $5 gift card.  With three of us using it now, it makes sense.  We also purchased cleaning supplies and kids vitamins for $5 gift cards each.  I'm right on track this week but my gift card deals will be low next week because truthfully we either don't need or have too much of some of the things offered.  And that's okay because some weeks it's higher than usual.

I also signed up for a Red Card this week so I will get 5% off of my purchases.  Previously I'd just been using a normal card.

I've decide to take my secret shopping up a notch. I generally only do that once every few years but it's really not that hard and could bring in a little every month to put in the account which will add up.

Disney Account Balance: $250

Amount spent so far: 19.50

Pending
50.00 Disney Gift Card
10.00 Proctor and Gamble Card

Currently enough points at various sites for $29 more in Target gift cards.

I'm thinking I could have enough for one ticket by the end of the month if I push hard or at least have enough pending for an adult ticket.  We might make our goal if we can put that much back in "free" money every month for six months!  

What are you doing to reach your goals this week?

Disney Savings Update 10/5-10/11

This week, I've been working hard on our Disney Savings.

We opened our Disney Savings Account this week and deposited $100 that will come in the form of a statement credit for the first purchase on a credit card we just received.

I signed up for Sunshine Rewards and although, I have only used it for a few surveys, I really like it so far.  I'll try to post a full review soon.

I signed up for Shop Kick and I've already earned my first $2 gift card.

I am continuing to accrue Swagbucks by checking my Swagbucks inbox, following their checklist and filling in with videos until I meet my daily goals.

We are starting to look at how we will meet the minimum spends on the credit cards.  I'm lucky enough to need to pay off the balance of a child's braces and be able to pay that in full so that will go on the credit card.  Paying bills on the credit cards is going to be a lot more work than I thought as it appears the autopay option is not available.

Actually in our Account: $200
Amount paid: 19.50 (from Gyft Gift Card after Discount)

Pending:
1 $50 Disney Gift Cards
1 $10 Visa Gift Card

$35 in Target Gift cards from Gift Card Deals at Target last week.
$2 Target Gift Card from Shop Kick.

A Review of Gyft

Today, I received notice that I had gotten paid for one of my secret shops which I am using to pay for my "free" Disney Vacation.  I wanted to figure out how to spend that on our Disney Trip and the Disney Vacation Account web site does not allow me to make contributions through PayPal.    I decided I should find a gift card site.

The gift card sites listed on the rewards sites I use do not take PayPal.  So I was on a mission to find some place that I did.  I found Gyft. It turns out that Gyft is a really neat little web site.  They actually give you a rebate on the gift cards that you purchase that can only be use to purchase more gift cards.  For using PayPal or Google Pay you get a 2% rebate and for using BitCoin to pay you will get a 3% rebate.

I paid for a $25 gift card, using my PayPal balance and then I realized they sent me a $5 Gyft gift card.  I had also received a 50 cent rebate so even though I really want to do the Disney Trip for free, 22% off was still a really good deal.  So I took the plunge and bought another $25 gift card for Target.

Out of the two cards, I only paid 40% of the value of the cards.  I received the giftcards in my Gyft Wallet immediately and was able to spend them at Target.com immediately on a $50 Disney Gift Card.  The transaction was very uneventful.