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Monthly Archives: March 2015
Paying for Disney
I talked about our projected budget for our Disney world trip in this post. A more interesting and better question is okay where do you plan on getting $7340 to pay for the trip. Today, I am going to answer that question to the best of my ability. I will be honest up front and tell you that we don’t have the entire amount figured out. Over the past couple of months I have been searching and looking and hopefully learning a lot. These are real numbers so feel free to help Fund me but if not I am confident that by November we will have the trip paid for.
At the beginning of the year Matt was able to gain a contract for 3 new small websites. The entire amount for these sites is being used to pay for Disney. When all three sites are complete and paid that provides us with our deposit of $1500. Next up Matt has started working in the cheerleading booster club to pay for most of cheerleading related expenses. I have a line item in our budget to cover these cost. Starting in March I am converting this line from cheerleading to Disney.$1600.
Our budget also currently has budget amount each month for gifts and clothing, We have discussed at length with the kids that we are not spending much on Birthdays this year in fact, I am planning to give the kids items for use at Disney for each of their birthday. This should add another $1600 to the fund.
I am paid on a bi-weekly schedule, this means that I receive 26 paychecks a year. I base our budget on 2 paychecks a month or 24 checks a year. By doing so, I will receive an “extra” check in the month of July. My plan is to place $1000 of this check to help to pay for Disney.
After doing the math, that still leaves $1640 to be paid. We already have planned an yard sale to help a small amount. Other plans include saving money from other areas of the budget and our goal is for Matt to grow his business in the next six months which should cover this additional expense.
One of the main reason I am so excited for this trip is that it will be entirely paid for prior to our arrival. We will be able to enjoy! Do you have any suggestions for helping to fund the trip?
5 Things Friday
1. The kids actually went to school everyday this week! And we had an activity every night this week as well. The really exciting news is that we managed to accomplish this with no eating out dinner!
2. We are headed out of town tomorrow for a cheerleading competition on Sunday. Typically we would not get a hotel room for an event that is only 2 hours away; however given the time change this weekend in addition to needing to arrive dressed and ready by 7:30am, we decide a nice room and pool to play in on Saturday night would make the weekend much more enjoyable for all of us!
3. With exactly 6 days into the month, we have already spent over half of our grocery budget with a huge trip to Costco yesterday. My goal/plan is to keep the rest of the month on the low side with only trips to Aldi for fresh veggie and produce.
4. Some unexpected income this month has allowed me to get our Emergency Fund up to date, purchase some wants for both myself and Matt in addition to paying an extra pay to our debit this month as well.
5. We are planning on planting broccoli tomorrow to start our square foot garden. Matt has also agreed to build a composting box this spring to help support our efforts!
Wordless Wednesday- Andrea’s Birthday
Sunday Catch Up 3/01/2015
This weekend has flown by and as I was talking to Matt this afternoon it really is one of the least busy weekend that I see in the next several months. I thought I would take a bit of time this evening and catch you up on the happenings around here.
CVS shopping– I am continuing to make my weekly trips to CVS and the kids are really really enjoying the special one on one time that each is getting. Last week, was an ok week that turned out great. We ended up purchasing a credit card reader for Matt’s business which boosted our saving. This week was AWESOME! I made a trip and spent 15 saving $66 or 81%. But I am more excited because Amanda came over and with a little bit of help she made a trip by herself and was able to save around the same amount. I am also very happy because this week alone, we have used $18 worth of coupons from the Sunday papers. This covers the entire month subscription.
Menu Planning– Last week was a bit of a challenge as the kids only went to school 1 day, we also ended up cancelling our scheduled eye appointments due to the weather. Our initial plan included eating out a total of 4 times but instead we ended up eating out once. Matt and the kids did enjoy pizza from Pizza hut but they used reading reward that Kendall and Lily had earned so the total cost was $0. Here is the plan for next week
Breakfast-I made a batch of French toast on Saturday which will be eaten as leftovers, I am also going to make an overnight egg back and baked oatmeal this week for some warm easy breakfast.
Lunch-Lunches for the girls and I have already been packed. I made a huge salad that I will be eating from most of the week in addition to a couple of days of leftovers.
Dinner– We do have a busy week and plan on going out of town next weekend so we want to eat at home as much as possible.
Sunday- Lunch- Baked Potatoes Dinner- Leftover soups from the week.
Monday- Shrimp Scampi- Frozen meal I purchased with week with coupons.
Tuesday- Taco Rice Burritos or Taco Rice Salad
Wednesday-Roast
Thursday- Leftovers or pizza or what ever I decide
Friday- Pork Chops, mac and cheese and apple sauce.
Planning Ahead- One of the ways I want to increase our funds for our planned Disney trip is by having a yard sale. I have decided to attempt to hold this on April 4th, the Saturday before Easter. This weekend, we have been sorting through everyone clothes especially Spring and Summer clothes. I have discovery that unless someone grows significantly, we actually have enough clothes without the need to purchase any items. Shoes may be a different story but I am excited to save money any way we can.