I won tickets for four to Universal Studios Hollywood through a local radio station. We planned to go this weekend. So, I threw the tickets on the table for our trip and decided to take a look at them. *gasp* They expired on July 3rd! We were a month and a half late.
We were sooooo bumped! But, we made an executive decision to continue to go on our end of the summer outing. We were all really looking forward to the trip. So, I transferred the funds from our Hawaii account (this is where the Earn More Challenge comes in handy).
The original cost should have come to $270 + tax, but a kid was giving away a $15 off coupon. My luck! Least we felt a bit better. Saved $60 right there on 4 tickets. So the total enterance was $217 (ouch). We had a blast (I will post pics soon)! It is really neat to take a behind the scenes look at many of the film and tv events, like Backdraft, Desperate Housewives, Psycho, and Jaws. To see the sets where Van Helsing and John Wayne Westerns were filmed. It’s all very cool.
My family’s own personal Earn More Challenge goals have been raised quite high! LOL. But, I know we are up for a good challenge. 🙂
This week’s “$217 Mistake” Menu:
- Sunday: Spaghetti, green salad & Garlic bread
- Monday: Brats, Baked Beans & Fruit
- Tuesday: Chicken Quesadillas, refried baked beans & watermelon
- Wednesday: Tuna Casserole & salad
- Thursday: BLTs, Corn Chowder and Lemonade
- Friday: Frito Lay Casserole & Salad
- Saturday: ???
Well the good news is that we are staying within our weekly cash allowance. I can see a sqeeze spot coming tomorrow in paying co-pays & fees for my son’s school registration, dental and doctor visit (hey, I have one day off and I squeezed it all in! :)). So, we’ll see how that will turn out. Cross my fingers that we can make it a frugal day!
Has everyone been racking their brain, like me, trying to figure out how they are gonna earn some extra dinero??? Hope you are having a great weekend!
Oh no!!! Well, at least you had a bit to take from! Did you do well & not spend any other money while there?
Good luck with staying within budget this week!!!
Ya, totally unplanned for. Geesh! We did spend another $80, but that was already covered for by cashing in our change jar (save change all year and cash every summer). That part worked out great! lol.
Hey, are you joining our Earn More Challenge. I just noticed that your name is not on the roster.
I would love to but I just have no idea how to ‘earn more’!!!
I have already been putting stuff on ebay – put some stuff on craigslist – watched the niece (actually again today & made $40 this time… maybe she sensed my irritation that she only paid me $30 per day last time?!?!?!) I was honestly going to sit on the sidelines & see what you guys are doing to earn more & then give some a shot, maybe then be able to join in the celebration at the end?!?! haha
Totally fine! Love the rootin’ fans. And there is nothing wrong with being a shadow player. 🙂
I do wish you the best of everything. And am glad to hear that your niece paid you the RIGHT amount. 🙂
I am hoping to list a few ways to make some extra cash. They all have the potential to make good money. Maybe not in 30 days, but its a start.
wahoo – can’t wait to hear!!! 🙂
Oh NO!! That sucks! I’m glad you went anyway – you would have been so disappointed. And what’s the point of saving money if you never use it?
Ah, I am having a hellacious non frugal day. Teenagers are so darn expensive!
It’s true, that it is good to put our savings to use. But that money is geared for our spring trip 2010 for Hawaii. So, I have to be careful if we plan on makin’ it there.
Well, I will post about my hellacious NON frugal day and how my Hawaii account is now $1179 in the NEGATIVE! *cringe*
RE: Hawaii — how much more do you need for your trip (you haven’t given an update lately on how well you are doing with that savings!!! I am totally curious!)
Ugh, am posting catastrophe update soon. 🙁
ah christine, i’m sorry to hear about the free tickets. i just hate when that happens. i too have let free stuff expire and it just burns me up for a good minute.
how is the fam handling the decrease in the hawaii fund? do you think they realize what’s happening?
Ya, it was a definite bum (for a minute). But we had a blast. And it’s only money. We’ll earn it back. Or maybe I’ll win something again. 😉
See Hawaii update comment for your latter answer.
Hope all is great with you and your transition!
i look forward to seeing the pics! family time is sooo important, i’m not sure you can put a price on that. i agree totally, it’s only money.
We did a similar thing with free tix to Six Flags.Lucky for us though, only one of them was expired.
Great score on the coupons!
I can’t believe I didn’t check. I just automatically assumed that they would have expired at the end of the year. Least I did score the coupons. Helped to lesson the financial pain. 🙂