The Northeast - The College Savers; The Midwest - Not so much!

What are your college saving plans for your munchkin(s)? Do you even have one?

In this house we started saving with the 1st monetary gift that she received. I don't think the money is in the best place for long term educational savings so it is something that we still need to research.

I have found it quite interesting that a recent Sallie Mae Gallup study has found that: Families in the Northeast have saved the most with an average savings of $15,846 closely followed by the West with $15,589. The South has an average savings of $13,722 and the Midwest has the lowest with an average of $9,693.

What does geography have to do with savings? Does the percentage of college grad parents...or maybe...the cost of living impact the percentage of college saving accounts? I'm not sure.

Disney on Budget Ideas!

Well the bags are nearly packed, the portable DVD player is charging and the juice boxes are lined up! Thank you Smart Mamas for some great ideas about staying on a super tight budget on my next Disney trip!

Here are some tips I you have shared:

- look into the FREE Disney Dining Plan - unfortunatly we do not qualify for 2 reasons - #1 we are not purchasing tickets as we have season passes and #2 we are getting a discounted room

- have our munchkin eat from our plates rather than ordering a separate kid meal - Great idea!

- BYOB - Love it, bottle of wine now packed!

- use the microwave in the hotel "food court" to heat up meals, pop popcorn... - packing microwaveable meals!

- eat a BIG breakfast - Did you say extra bacon? ;-) LOL

- go off Disney to save big $$$ - Good idea, but we tend to be soooo darn tired after a day at the park that we rather take the bus to a park - sounds silly, I know!

Thank you all for the great tips! Keep them coming! I am certain that there are tons of Smart Mamas planning there next Disney trip soon!

I'll let you know how it goes! Wish me luck!

PS - That's a picture of my little munchkin, Isa, coming home from her 1st Disney trip in August 2007!

Disney World on a Food Budget!

We are season passholders and Florida residents, so we tend to do a number of Walt Disney World trips each year. Our trips have been both on a budget and extravagent.

We're gearing up for a Disney trip soon! We'll be there for 3 nights/4 days. Our tickets are paid (season passholders) and our French Quarter rooms are under $100/night (superb passholder rate!) so that leaves just the food to be budgeted!


My food budget is $120 for the entire trip! I know that sounds crazy for one person, let alone 2 adults and 2 year old! But, I really want to make an honest effort.


Here are some of the ways I plan on staying within the budget:

• bringing breakfast (cereal and milk), sandwich making ingredients and tons of snacks
• going out to dinner at places that offer a passholder discount and have good size portions (i.e. the Wolfgang Puck Express in Downtown Disney or Earl of Sandwich)
• using my refillable mug

I know that there must be more ways!!! Help! I would love to learn from other Smart Mamas who have been-there, done-that on a budget at Disney!

Share!!

Coupon Codes - Now Organized

Ever spend a ridiculous amount of time searching for that online coupon code for Kodak to use for your Holiday cards or are just curious if there are any discounts out there to use at Amazon.com before you make your purchase? I'm sure! With the tight budgets we Smart Mamas are attempting to stick to, it is essential to find ways to save any dollar possible. I recently came across CurrentCodes.com and it has helped me! I hope it can help you! CurrentCodes.com is a directory, organized alphabetically and by merchant, listing of current coupon codes that can be used for online purchases. The codes are current and include additional information, such as stipulations and expiration date. Check it out.

Hyundai Summer Sales Event - Great for Clunkers!

Have a clunker? If so, I'm sure you are anxious to head into a dealer to get yourself a non-clunker of a car!!!

Hyundai is offering a pretty interesting sales event that I thought my Smart Mama readers might be interested in as you get your clunker rebate.

Hyundai recently launched their summer sales event offering new customers $1.49/Gallon gas for 12 months from date of purchase on select models (“Hyundai Gaslock”).· Hyundai's summer sales event also includes a sweepstakes launching on July 22nd (http://www.roadtripsweepstakes.com/) which includes a grand prize of $1492 and twenty instant $149 cash prizes. Not bad!

They have also snazzed up their Facebook page with some fun apps! Check it out.

Facebook Fan Page:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Share-Your-America-with-Hyundai/115970019041

Check it ot!

Super Grocery Game Savings! B1G1 Free Using 2 Coupons!

I must share my ridiculous savings at Publix this week!!! On Monday I went to Publix with my Grocery Game list and coupons. I walked out with $126 worth of groceries that I paid $56 for!!! Isn't that just unreal.???

Just last week I spoke with the store manager of my Publix to confirm that 2 coupons can be used in Buy One Get One Free promotions. I often get harassed by cashiers who try to claim that you can't use a coupon for something you get for free. Most times I am able to convince them that I'm right. Anyway, I sent Publix an email asking for clarification of their coupon policies and with a week the manger called. I was impressed. He confirmed that 2 coupons can certainly be used and he also mentioned that I can use competitor coupons. So, with all my new and confirmed knowledge I marched into Publix with my coupons, Grocery Game list AND a $10 off coupon from Winn-Dixie!

It really feels so good to save money, doesn't it?!!

If you're not a member of The Grocery Game (www.TheGroceryGame.com) yet, please be sure to try it out! It is worth every penny! They offer a FREE month so you really have nothing to lose!

Please include my email address when you join so I can receive referral credit: cubtie @ aol. com

Smiles,
Caroline