Guest Post -- How to Get to Disney...

Kristin wrote a great post for us on
how to be resourceful and save for a Disney Vacation w/o
feeling the pinch on your monthly budget!
Enjoy!!

When I found out I was pregnant with my daughter, I started making
all these elaborate plans about a
fantastic trip to Disney World when she was old enough to enjoy it.
Then I saw the price tag of a
Disney vacation and compared our finances and those dreams diminished.
There was no way we could afford a Disney vacation on our current
budget.

It wasn't long after my daughter was born that I discovered coupon
shopping. But I only used a coupon here or there. I had no idea the
amount I could of saved. In January 2008 my new years resolution was
to become more adamant about using coupons. I
started learning everything I could about saving money. I
learned how to combine coupons and sales, how to stockpile
and how to save my family thousands of dollars a year.

I was a smart shopper for almost a year before
I realized we could now afford a Disney vacation. So I started planning
and by May 2009, we were at Disney World. We had 8 wonderful, magical
days at the parks and it was everything I had dreamed of and more.

When we returned home, we decided we wanted to do it again, but we
have other things we need to spend our budget on. So we had to find
another source for the funds. It was going to be tricky because I was
already saving
thousands of dollars a year with coupons. If we didn't want to feel
the pinch, I was going to have to get resourceful.

So I started looking around online trying to figure out how I could
save this money without designating any of our budget towards our
trip. I had a little less then a year to save.

The first and most obvious way to me was to start saving all our loose
change. I designate $150 a week for groceries, out to eat,
entertainment, etc etc. (that $150 covers everything that is not gas
or monthly bills). So instead of using that amount out of our checking
account, I decided to withdraw it in cash instead. So when I
shop, I use cash and I always break my dollars. The change goes into
the Disney fund. It usually averages out
to about $10 a week. That's $520 a year! That's 1/4th of the cost
of our trip and we don't miss that money at all.

Out of that money, I also save anything that is left over at the end
of the week. This inspires us to eat out less and not buy items we
don't need. Also, if we were planning to spend money and we were able
to resist, that money goes into the fund as well because it would of
been spent otherwise.

Another great way I found to add to our Disney fund was to save all
found money. Found money can be anything from $1 in the dryer to an
unexpected gift from a relative. It could also be money earned off a
yard sale or by selling your Aunt Irma's spoons on Ebay. If we weren't
planning on receiving the funds, they get applied to our trip.

The next way I started to save was by using rebates. Prior to saving
for the fund, I was not very
diligent about using every rebate available to me and there were times
that I would forget to mail in my receipt and i would lose out on the
rebate. So I became more dedicated and organized and in three months I
have earned approximately $400 in rebates.

I also found ways to earn money online. I participate
in surveys and various rewards programs. I am still not as diligent
about the surveys as I could be, but I'm working on it.

I started saving for our trip on June 1st. As of October 2nd, our
Disney fund is at $949.00. And not one cent has come out of our
monthly budget. We don't miss the money at all. A Disney trip is not
out of your reach if you just become resourceful. As the great Walt
said "If you can dream it, you can do it."

Kristin is a mother of 2 living in Birmingham, AL. She started her
blog to track her Disney savings and to teach others how to not only
save for their own Disney fund but also how to save on everyday expenses.

Find her blog at

http://couponingtodisney.blogspot.com

Guest Post - 10 Things to do for Cheap Weekend Fun!

A special Thanks to Hope at
A Hope-Filled Home for
yet another awesome
guest post!

Enjoy.....

Here is a list of my Top Ten things to do for cheap weekend fun!

10. Get a Redbox movie, pop some corn, and have a family movie
night. Two free codes are: DVDONME and BREAKROOM. Otherwise, you
pay just $1 for a fun-family night.

9. Eat out at a restaurant where kids eat free on weekends. A
good family place is Steak N Shake (and the kids get cute
packets to color and free crackers while you wait for your
meal.)

8. Visit a local Farmer's Market or Orchard to browse and shop
for fresh produce/baked goods. There's nothing like teaching
"creation" in an orchard!

7. Visit a local museum. Where I live, we ask for a local
children's science museum membership as a Christmas gift. It
gives back to our local economy, fuels my children's growing
minds, and gives us free entertainment throughout the year. With
our membership, we can visit hundreds of other science centers
throught the US for free.

6. Visit a local park or metropark to walk, bike, feed ducks,
and play. Pack a picnic and make an afternoon of it!

5. See how far you can get on a tank of gas (or a half tank). We
have made "free" trips to public beaches on Lake Erie for gas
only. If you pack snacks in a cooler and sand toys, you can have
a great adventure for little money. In Ohio, there are many
places of beauty for free or minimal admission. Check your
library for books about "cheap roadtrips" in your state.

4. Have a family library day. Don't be rushed. Take time to play
computer games, read a few books in the library snuggled in a
chair, and pick some fresh music for your week. Leave with a
free movie and you've got your evening planned also...

3. Spend quality time with your friends. Organize a pot luck
dinner. Play cards. Get out the Play-Doh and let your kids make
friendships that will last as long as yours have.

2. Have a family campfire in your backyard's fire pit. Make
smores and tell stories. If you feel really adventurous, sleep
in your backyard and watch the stars.

1. Organize a game night for LOTS of friends. Invite families.
Have everyone bring a snack to share and play group games like
Scene-It, Charades, Catch Phrase, Cards, etc. We used to do this
regulary and I truly miss it. Our Game Nights would really draw
a diverse crowd : singles, students, seniors, toddlers, teens,
baby-boomers, and babysitters! It was great fun, cheap, and a

night of laughter with minimal cleanup.

Thanks again Hope
My favorites are 10. 5. 4. and 2

How about you???

Guest Post - Getting your Garden ready for Spring!

The following is a guest post from Danielle who
blogs over at the Gaerte Gang!
Be sure to also visit here series here on how to
pray for our children!
Enjoy!

What a blessing it has been to have a garden again this year. I have enjoyed the whole process from picking out what veggies to plant....working up the soil...planting...Yep, I even enjoyed the weeding....and finally the harvesting and canning! Since canning has slowed down for most of us, I would talk a little bit about what I plan to do now, in the fall, to get my garden ready for next year!

First: Finish getting the corn husks, and left over tomato plants out of the garden.

Second: Tilling up the soil again...I always love how it looks when it's freshly tilled!

Third: Amend the soil (I already added a little horse manure in this past Spring)...I am planning to go and buy some amended soil (I want to add in a good mix of sand, compost, and other organic materials...It should be under $20 for a whole truck load.) Then I will till it again......My reason for doing it now it that it will then have all winter to break down and really my get soil ready for next Spring! Now is also a good time to consider where you want to plant your veggies next year..I know it good to rotate them to different spot each year.

Fourth: Transfer thorn less Red Raspberries....I am super excited about Justin's aunt giving me a few starts of her raspberries!! Fall is the best time to do this....also a great to transplant other things such as strawberries. Speaking of strawberries, I have already put straw around all my strawberries to help them "keep warm" through the winter....I know mulching of some sort is recommended. I am planning a new layout of my garden. I have decided to make my garden bigger because I want to incorporate a flower (cutting) garden as well! I also want to have a place in garden dedicated to easily transplanting flowers from my current landscape or have a place to put new starts that others give me.

Fifth: Take an inventory of the things I would like to plant again...Figure out what things are not worth planting again.....whether you need to increase or decrease of the amount of seeds you plant. Now is a great time for taking care of this....it is still fresh in your mind! If I wait until next Spring.....forget it....I will have no clue!

Sixth: I get a couple different seed magazines so I will spend some time later this winter marking it up with things I might like to try....even if you choose not to order the seed from a seed company they offer some great ideas to think about! If you do not currently get any seed magazines you can go here and here to request a few!

The only other thing to consider is if you are near a wooded area or an area known for "little helpers" like rabbits, deer, and raccoon, you might want to consider fencing of some sort. I didn't have any of these problems this year but I think our two puppies, who seem to be "night owls" and love chasing things, might have helped out that situation (smile!)

So there are a few things I am planning to do to get my garden ready for winter...Brrrrr!

I thought I might also add that if you want to start a garden in the Spring, whether this will be your first garden or if your getting back into gardening, then you can follow these same steps Of course, your first thing you need to do is decide where to put your garden.....keep these things in mind...be close to a water source, pick a place that makes sense for your family...Example: If you have little kids you might want to consider putting your garden within close proximity to the swing set or play area....so while your working in the garden they can play and you can still keep an eye on them. Just a thought!

HAPPY GARDENING TO YOU ALL!!!
Come visit me anytime at the GAERTEGANG, I would love to have you stop by and chat for a spell.....Danielle

Thanks so much Danielle for this great post!
Hope you all enjoyed it!
btw - she also has a couple giveaways that end tomorrow!
Go here and here to enter

Guest Post - Why I Meal Plan Monthly...

Good Morning, Friends of Daily Essentials and Deals! I am
excited to be able to share with you today. My name is Hope. I
blog at hopefilledhome.blogspot.com I am married to Mark (for
10 years), Mama to Grant and Reagan Grace, and a Christ
Follower. I love the saving money, helping our family reach
goals, and PAY DOWN DEBT! Following is my post on monthly meal
planning...Enjoy!

Why I Meal Plan Monthly

I get a lot of grief about my meal planning habits. First, it is
hanging right on my freezer door for the whole world to see with
big black sharpie cross-outs and arrows. Second, I am not a
weekly planner (most are)...I am an overacheiver, you see...I am
a MONTHLY planner. Third, we have an incredible stockpile of
food and I like it that way!

You see, I was raised by a single mother (my father dies when I
was three) and my grandmother. We had nothing, people. We stood
in lines at a church to get government peanut butter and cheese
(it tastes like Velveeta by the way.) I remember my grandma
taking me along so we could get extra cereal... There were many
nights when stewed tomatoes and bread were our dinner.

Now, mind you, we also had feasts! Thanksgiving and Easter were
always HUGE! My grandma could make a mean pot of spaghetti and
meatballs to feed all of us cousins (she put bread balls in the
middle to stretch the meat and "make it moist.") She was known
in the family for her cole slaw recipe. We liked to eat and I
still do!

I kind of have the "Scarlett O'Hara" complex. You know, "As God
as my witness, I'll never go hungry again" kind of thing... So,
as an adult, I am a planner. A slightly obsessive organizer. A
daily checkbook updater. A "honey, let's talk about our budget"
kind of girl. I simply can not do one week of meal planning.
What if the car breaks down and all out food money goes to
repairs?!?!? I need a plan, people!

Thus, the monthly meal plan was born. I choose to plan 20-22
meals per month that can be served for dinner. When I make my
plan, I have all of my meats and boxed foods on hand that I list
(see my stockpile pictures to follow). I usually have to
purchase fresh produce and dairy only. I like it this way - I
feel prepared - I feel wise - I feel safe.

So, if there is ever a major storm in Central Ohio, I could feed
you all for at least 2 weeks! :)

I choose to not plan an entire 30 days. This gives our family
flexibility to have dinner with friends, family, order a pizza,
attend a church function or simply throw something together on a
whim. 20 days has proven over time to be nore than enough for
our family.

I also only plan dinners. We eat simple breakfasts, lunches are
sandwiches, mac and cheese, or leftovers. Dinner is the only
thing I focus on because for me, it is the hardest.

I like having a list on the fridge. In the morning (or the night
before) I can look at the list and decide what sounds good.
Then, I don't have a lot of excuses. I know what to make. I have
the ingredients. I have the side dishes. I just have to make it
and serve it with love :)

Here is our actual October Meal Plan. I love that fall is here!
It's going to be a good month of eating here at the Labutis
Home!

October's Meal Plan

1. Amish Meatloaf, Baked Potatoes, Corn
2. Italian Chicken Breasts, Cheddar/Broccoli Rice, Frozen
Vegetable Medley
3. Cresent Roll Hot Dogs, Tator Tots, Dirt Pudding
4. Black Beans and Rice, Chips and Queso Dip
5. Lasagna, Garlic Bread, Caesar Salad
6. Ham and Macaroni Casserole, Peas, Applesauce
7. Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
8. Swiss Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Corn
9. Chicken/Broccoli Packets, Mac and Cheese, Green Beans
10. Chili and Cornbread Cake
11. Seasoned Pork Roast, Potatoes, Carrots
12. Baked Ziti, Breadsticks, Salad
13. Steaks on the Grill, Twice Baked Potatoes, Green Beans,
Apple Crisp
14. Shepherd's Pie, Applesauce, Rolls
15. Egg Casserole with Sausage, Toast, Apples/Grapes
16. Pepperoni Pizza Bake, Brownies
17. Hamburger Gravy over Mashed Potatoes, Corn
18. Homestyle Bake, Fruit Cocktail
19. Stuffed Shells, Garlic Bread, Caesar Salad
20. Shredded Chicken Sandwiches, Chips, Jello Salad, Baked Beans
****
Thanks so much for guest posting Hope!
It looks like a truly delicious list of meals!

Also check out her post here on creative uses for household items.
I especially like the peanut butter and lemonade mix!!!