Inspiration is so incredibly valuable in my life. It's something I've created for myself and sought out nearly every day.
With that in mind, I thought I'd share something that inspired me...
http://voiceofmousetunes.blogspot.com/2012/02/walt-disney-world-princess-half.html
I hope you all find my friend's story inspirational too!
Monday, February 27, 2012
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Financial Wellness - Navigating Net Deals for Non-Couponers
I rarely use coupons. I've tried to use them a lot, but I find that I'm equally interested in what is in my food as I am in the price. Buying fresh and on sale saves me a LOT of money. (Stay tuned for the grocery shopping experiment!)
I've discovered a few tricks online that have helped me earn money while not going out of my way or taking a significant amount of time. Changing up the online routine just a little tiny bit, can make you a big chunk of change when the year is over. Here are a few online programs that I take advantage of often - and my honest, first hand experience with them.
How it works - install the search tool bar and you get points for using their search engine. You can also get "points" for going to the Swagbucks page and using them as a search engine to lead you to your favorite stores online. Order from the stores and "swagbucks" are added to your account. Swagbucks can be used to play games on their site, and also can be cashed in for gift cards and other goodies. I've used this for a couple days and have currently accumulated 114 Swagbucks in 2 days. It'll take about 2 weeks to earn enough Swagbucks to get a $5 gift card, but $5 free dollars I didn't have before to Barnes and Noble, Starbucks, Amazon, The Macaroni Grill, or even $5 in my Paypal account sounds awesome! Little bits add up! I think of it this way - if I keep approximately the same amount of activity going on my Swagbucks account - I'll get $10 in Paypal/month. That's $120 dollars/year. Who couldn't use an extra $120/year? You also have access to a bunch of printable coupons, which you get Swagbucks for using.
Disney Movie Rewards -
How It Works - If you're a Disney fan like me and you haven't joined this site, you're missing out! When you purchase a Disney movie or a Disney CD, you'll find a pamphlet that will give you a code. Type in this code and you get "Reward Points". Cash in your reward points for fun Disney stuff (most of it exclusive to Rewards members). Save up your points, and you can get discounts towards Disney-centered travel through Delta. Occasionally they offer Disney Gift Cards as well.
Ebates.com -
How it works - Ebates is similiar to Swagbucks only you get REAL MONEY back. However, instead of being awarded just for searching, or downloading a tool bar, you actually have to make a purchase at a store you found through the Ebates search engine. However, you don't have to download or install anything to use this service. And they have ALL your favorite stores, and then some. I made $60 last year, just ordering things I'd normally order and getting a % back. In fact, I've gotten pretty good at trying something on in a store, taking a photo of it, and then finding it online (usually cheaper) through ebates. I not only get a great deal for buying it online, but I get a % back! This includes travel sites like Priceline, Travelocity, Expedia, and more. It really is one of the best finds. You can redeem these REAL dollars for gift cards, or a "big fat check". They'll mail you a check, or (if you're me) they'll deposit it into your Paypal account.
Got a great online tip?
Share it here!
I've discovered a few tricks online that have helped me earn money while not going out of my way or taking a significant amount of time. Changing up the online routine just a little tiny bit, can make you a big chunk of change when the year is over. Here are a few online programs that I take advantage of often - and my honest, first hand experience with them.
Swagbucks -
How it works - install the search tool bar and you get points for using their search engine. You can also get "points" for going to the Swagbucks page and using them as a search engine to lead you to your favorite stores online. Order from the stores and "swagbucks" are added to your account. Swagbucks can be used to play games on their site, and also can be cashed in for gift cards and other goodies. I've used this for a couple days and have currently accumulated 114 Swagbucks in 2 days. It'll take about 2 weeks to earn enough Swagbucks to get a $5 gift card, but $5 free dollars I didn't have before to Barnes and Noble, Starbucks, Amazon, The Macaroni Grill, or even $5 in my Paypal account sounds awesome! Little bits add up! I think of it this way - if I keep approximately the same amount of activity going on my Swagbucks account - I'll get $10 in Paypal/month. That's $120 dollars/year. Who couldn't use an extra $120/year? You also have access to a bunch of printable coupons, which you get Swagbucks for using.
Disney Movie Rewards -
How It Works - If you're a Disney fan like me and you haven't joined this site, you're missing out! When you purchase a Disney movie or a Disney CD, you'll find a pamphlet that will give you a code. Type in this code and you get "Reward Points". Cash in your reward points for fun Disney stuff (most of it exclusive to Rewards members). Save up your points, and you can get discounts towards Disney-centered travel through Delta. Occasionally they offer Disney Gift Cards as well.
Ebates.com -
How it works - Ebates is similiar to Swagbucks only you get REAL MONEY back. However, instead of being awarded just for searching, or downloading a tool bar, you actually have to make a purchase at a store you found through the Ebates search engine. However, you don't have to download or install anything to use this service. And they have ALL your favorite stores, and then some. I made $60 last year, just ordering things I'd normally order and getting a % back. In fact, I've gotten pretty good at trying something on in a store, taking a photo of it, and then finding it online (usually cheaper) through ebates. I not only get a great deal for buying it online, but I get a % back! This includes travel sites like Priceline, Travelocity, Expedia, and more. It really is one of the best finds. You can redeem these REAL dollars for gift cards, or a "big fat check". They'll mail you a check, or (if you're me) they'll deposit it into your Paypal account.
Got a great online tip?
Share it here!
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