So I like to get creative when I am working on reducing my monthly budget. I like to work smarter, not harder. So I’m a huge fan of set it and forget it solutions like Paribus. Another I just tried is Bill Shark. Bill Shark is a service that negotiates your service contracts for you to reduce your monthly costs.

Every 3-6 months I call my service providers to renegotiate our household contracts. Sometimes I save, sometimes I don’t. It is a timely endeavor with a lot of time spent on hold, and a lot and back and forths with managers. However, it’s usually worth it.

Lately, though, I’ve been striking out. So I thought I would try Bill Shark. I had seen the service on the news a few months back. I am so pleased with the results. After filling out a form and uploading 2 of my bills for my internet service and my wireless bill, Bill Shark saved me $157. As part of their fee system, they will keep 40% of that savings, but some is better than none. It was easy and simple, and I really can’t recommend it enough. Check it out!

Note: Bill Shark links are referral links which if used, I receive a small giftcard. However, if you are new to the service you will receive $10 off.

Are you an online shopper? I always have been, but since having my daughter I shop online a lot more than I ever used to. The ease and convenience of shopping from home is appealing when you have to cart a tiny human around. From couches to groceries, you name it, I’ve probably purchased it online.

One major advantage of online shopping, besides the quick cost comparisons, and the whole not having to leave your house thing, is that I heap savings on savings a number of ways.

One of my favorites is a service called Paribus (referral link). By accessing your Amazon and email account, it can price track items you purchase and will automatically request a refund for you if the price drops. Best of all after the initial set up, you don’t have to lift a finger. Considering that Amazon prices can change several times throughout the day, and other more traditional retailers daily, it has been a handy tool for me. It has successfully found savings from retailers such as Old Navy, Kohls, and Macy’s. The system keeps a small percentage of the savings found, but it’s still better than no savings! Have you tried Paribus? What do you think?

The age old question – flying versus driving. If you live on the East coast this is always the great debate. I’ve done both.

Driving, even with gas money and an overnight stay, is often cheaper than flying, but if you live in the Northeast you are losing a day, possibly two days, to travel on each end of your trip. That was one very long car ride with my sister in the back seat, and exhausted parents upon arrival.

I’ve also flown. In fact, my first time on a plane when I was four years old was to go to Disney World and I can still remember the seeing clouds and wonderment I felt being in that plane for the first time.

What is best for you and your family, only you can tell but I will offer up this. Flights can be earned with airline miles bringing costs down. 

In addition, many discount airlines offer direct flights to Orlando. These include Frontier Airlines, Allegiant Airlines and Southwest Airlines. These low cost airlines will tack on fees for just about anything from carry on baggage to water, so know before you purchase, but a lot of money can be saved using these carriers. I personally just had a great experience on Frontier Airlines and I would use them again.

Please note these flights may not show up in a large flight search on Kayak, Momondo or the like. Dig around.

Please note: Frontier Airlines can be purchased on Orbitz. Significant savings can be had when booking flight, car rental and hotel or a combination of two of these things together. Be sure to sign up for their rewards program to earn money back to put towards your next trip.

Many when planning a Walt Disney World vacation only decide to book a few months in advance. This is a flawed strategy for a few reasons.

First, did you know you can book a complete Disney vacation package including hotel, tickets, and dining with only a $200 deposit? Your entire package payment is not actually due until 30 days before your departure. In addition, that deposit, and any other payment you make is fully refundable up until that time.

You can also make any changes up until that time on your Disney vacation package. What this means is you can book early and get the room you want, and continually adjust to take advantage of any promotions that arise. Continue reading →

Edit: Sadly, Disney cancelled the Disney Vacation Account Program in September 2017.

So you have a small or rather large pile of Disney gift cards, or a good little savings. Now what? Bank them for free in a Disney Vacation Account.

A Disney Vacation Account, run by Disney, allows you to save a little at a time, as well as combine your Disney gift cards into one place. Why do this? Besides seeing your progress in one, convenient place, there is an incentive. For ever $1,000 you pay out of the account, you will receive a bonus $20 Disney gift card, with a maximum of $500. It’s not much, but it’s something. For a typical trip you can expect to earn $40-60.

The account must be open for 180 days before you are eligible for this deal, so open it today. It only takes $10 and if you decide not to go the funds that you put into the account remain liquid and can be extracted at any time in the form of which they were received.

So of course you can buy Disney gift cards with your hard earned money, but why bother when you can get them for free? Sounds too good to be true? Hang in there young Padawan, you have much to learn.

There are a number of ways to do this – and every little bit helps. At writing I have nearly $1,000 in free Disney gift cards to help pay for my upcoming trip. Continue reading →