A unique way to save money on a Disney Trip.

You can save on APs too!

I've just found a way to save anywhere from 3% to 10% off your next Disney trip!  Disclaimer: This may take some work and it might not work out to a huge amount of savings or be cost effective for you.

I found a website called www.cardpool.com. 

Cardpool is a service that lets customers buy discounted gift cards for up to 35% off or sell gift cards for cash. All orders and transactions include FREE SHIPPING and are covered by our extensive Purchase Guarantee Program. 

So, you can essentially buy discounted Disney gift cards and use them on your trip.  The website lists that a typically Disney gift card is about 10% off.  Right now, they are out of stock and I really don't know how often a Disney gift card will be in stock.

So, what else could you do?  I know Target sells Disney gift cards and Cardpool has a large amount of Target gift cards to buy.  You could buy the amount of Target gift cards for your trip at a 3% discount.  The next time you are in Target, you can buy Disney gift cards with your Target gift cards.  When you are on vacation you will now be saving 3% off the cost of anything you buy Disney (meals at the park, admission, hotel rooms, etc.).

Now to add additional savings for your next trip, you could purchase the gift cards with a Disney Visa and have the Disney Rewards dollars to spend too.

My rough math on savings:
Assume you plan a once in a lifetime trip that costs about $5,000 dollars and you are buying the Target gift cards at 3% off.  You would end up buying $4,850 in Target gift cards.  This saves you $150.  If you bought using a Disney Visa, you would get 1% back in Disney rewards dollars which would get you another $48.50 in gift cards to use.

I'm all for helping you save money any way you can.  I'm not even including other discounts you can find and/or Annual Passholder discounts which will help save even more money.  You could also get Disney gift cards and park passes at Safeway and other grocers that might net a larger savings.

Of course this could be applied to any type of item you could buy.

Other websites which sell discounted gift cards:

www.plasticjungle.com
www.giftcardrescue.com

The day I got hate mail at work...

Today, like most days this month, I spent the morning going through applications.  However, something new happened that I've never experienced before....I got Hate Mail.

It wasn't directed at me but at my company for an open job position that was posted on craigslist.  The position is a dual position where the employee will be working two different classification depending on the need for the day.  The position is an entry level position and pays $8.25 an hour as one classification and $11.00 an hour as the other classification.

The person was mad at the low wages a classification one gets paid.

Here is a synopsis of what they said:

"At first I was interested, I find the activities of a 1st class company exciting and the your industry very rewarding....and then I saw the hourly pay rate; $8.25 is insulting and frankly a slave's wage.  You expect your employees to jump when customers say jump and bow when management sneezes and you offer $8.25/hr??? And how much is your product sold for? What is the average annual salary of someone in management or the average guest? Does your company want under-paid, money-hungry, lower-class citizens serving their patrons???
Do you realize how much rent is in California?
Do you expect teenagers still living with parents to take these positions?
Honestly, who do you expect to live with these wages?
-Totally unacceptable-"


I was shocked because this is a union position that gets medical benefits and a lot more benefits that have been negotiated through the union.  It is a tipped position where the employee can make a lot more than minimum wage.  It is also an entry level job that does not even require a high school education.

Entry level jobs are typically lower paid jobs and I would think that, since it does not even require a high school education, the pay would be minimum wage.  This position can also make $11.00 an hour if there is need for the second classification for the day.  We also received around 1100 applications around for 5 jobs that I posted.

In some ways I could see where this person is coming from but without the full story of the position and all the benefits known about the position, they shouldn't be quick to judge.

Shall I do it? Goals for 2012

I don't really care for New Year's Resolutions but I am a goal oriented individual.  Here are a few of my current goals:

1. Complete the Couch to 5k.  Currently I should be in Week 3 but I'm going back and doing week 2 because I felt I did poorly.  Here is a link for details.  I still need to find a 5k to run this year.  Any recommendations?
2. Have a great 30th Bday.  Disneyland, Oakland A's, Family, and Friends....What could be better?
3. Lose my gut.  This is why I decided to do the Couch to 5k and also why I've started a diet.
4. I just found out this great challenge called the 50/50 challenge.  Its where you try and read 50 books and watch 50 movies over the course of a year.  Click here for details.  It's going to be tough reading all those books because I really don't read much.  Out of everything on the list, this might be the one that I don't complete.
5. Become PHR Certified.  It's the most prominent certification in my field.

Anyone Hungry?

March 23, 2012.  Remember the date!

That is the day that the Hunger Games gets released.  I know there are a lot of highly expected movies this year (Avengers, Batman, Hobbit, etc.), but I am really excited about this movie.

My wife has been pushing me to read the Hunger games series and I started them last week.  I finished the first book that week.  This weekend I finished the second book and I'm already a portion of the way into the third book.  It is really good.  My biggest fear will be that the movie will not live up to the book.  However, I've been told that the Author (Suzanne Collins) was a part of writing the screenplay, which gives me hope.

For comparison:
Harry Potter was a great book series and the movie was pretty good.
Percy Jackson was a good book series but the movie was not that good.

So, there is probably a 50/50 chance of it being good or bad.

I also wonder how bloody the movie will be because the book was pretty bloody.

Here's the trailer

The Disneyland Bucket List - Rough Draft

If you don't know me, I'm a huge Disney fan and I love to visit Disneyland.  Being in Northern California and working in the Hospitality Industry has given me the opportunity to travel down to the Disneyland Resort more than most people.  I'm very blessed in that area.

Panoramic picture taken with my Atrix 2 using a program called Photaf.  This was at the VIP Seating for World of Color.

I typically hear comments "Your there again", "Wow, you go often", and one the more recent a favorite comment "Do you ever work?????? your at Disney all the time."  However, recently I was asked, do I get bored and have I done everything at the Disneyland Resort.  The answer to both questions is no.  I still haven't gone on every ride at the Disneyland Resort.


If you've been reading my blog, you would have seen the blog about turning 30, I really wanted to get something taken off my bucket list this year.  After the above comment, I got to thinking, I need/want/should do a Disneyland Resort Bucket list.  I'm currently trying to type it all together.  I'm going to consult some people I know to be Disney guru's to help my compile the list.  But in the meantime, here is what I have now:

The List starts with all the attractions and restaurants at the parks.  The fun stuff has the header of "Other Key Disney Treats."

Disneyland

Attractions

· Disneyland Railroad

· Main Street Cinema

· Fire Engine

· Horse-Drawn Streetcars

· Horseless Carriage

· Omnibus

· The Disney Gallery

· The Disneyland Story presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln

· Disneyland Railroad

· Haunted Mansion

· Pirates of the Caribbean

· Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

· Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island

· Frontierland Shootin’ Exposition

· Mark Twain Riverboat

· Sailing Ship Columbia

· Big Thunder Ranch

· The Golden Horseshoe Stage

· Splash Mountain

· Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes

· The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

· Enchanted Tiki Room

· Indiana Jones Adventure

· Jungle Cruise

· Tarzan Treehouse

· Chip ‘n Dale Treehouse

· Donald’s Boat

· Gadget Go Coaster

· Goofy’s Playhouse

· Mickey’s House and Meet Mickey

· Minnie’s House

· Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin

· Alice in Wonderland

· Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

· Casey Jr. Circus Train

· Dumbo the Flying Elephant

· Disney Princess Fantasy Faire

· It’s a Small World

· King Arthur Carrousel

· Mad Tea Party

· Matterhorn Bobsleds

· Mr. Toad’s Wild ride

· Peter Pan’s Flight

· Pinocchio’s Daring Journey

· Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough

· Snow White’s Scary Adventures

· Storybook Land Canal Boats

· Pixie Hollow

· Astro Orbitor

· Autopia

· Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters

· Disneyland Monorail

· Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage

· Captain EO

· Innoventions

· Space Mountain

· Starcade

· Star Tours

Dining

· Blue Ribbon Bakery

· Carnation Café

· Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor

· Main Street Cone Shop

· Plaza Inn

· Refreshment Corner

· Jolly Holiday

· Blue Bayou restaurant

· Club 33

· French Market Restaurant

· Café Orleans

· Royal Street Veranda

· The Golden Horseshoe

· Stage Door Café

· Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante

· River Beller Terrace

· Big Thunder Ranch Barbecue

· Harbour Gallery

· Hungry Bear Restaurant

· Bengal Barbecue

· Tiki Juice Bar

· Toontown dining

· Village Haus restaurant

· Troubadour Tavern

· Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port

· The Spirit of Refreshment

· Tomorrowland Terrace

California Adventure

Attractions

· Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue

· The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

· Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular

· Disney Junior – Live on Stage!

· Muppet Vision 3D

· Turtle Talk with Crush

· Animation Academy

· Character Close-Up

· Sorcerer’s Workshop

· The Hollywood Backlot Stage

· It’s Tough to be a Bug!

· Flik’s Flyers

· Francis’ Ladybug Boogie

· Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train

· Princess Dot Puddle Park

· Tuck and Roll’s Drive ‘Em Buggies

· Toy Story Midway Mania!

· California Screamin’

· Mickey’s Fun Wheel

· Goofy’s Sky School

· Silly Symphony Swings

· Golden Zephyr

· King Triton’s Carousel

· Jumpin’ Jellyfish

· The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure

· Games of the Boardwalk

· World of Color

· Soarin’ Over California

· Grizzly River Run

· Redwood Creek Challenge Trail

· Walt Disney Imagineering Blue Sky Cellar

· The Bakery Tour

Dining

· Award Wieners

· Schmoozies

· Studio Catering Co.

· Ariel’s Grotto

· Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta

· Paradise Garden Grill

· Corn Dog Castle

· Bayside Brews

· Pacific Wharf Café

· Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill

· Pacific Wharf Distribution Co.

· Lucky Fortune Cookery

· Dulce Aventura

· Mendocino Terrace at the Golden Vine Winery

· Wine Country Trattoria at the Golden Vine Winery

· Sonoma Terrace at the Golden Vine Winery

· Taste Pilots’ Grill

Other key Disney treats

· Goat trick on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

· Keeping your belt a little loose on Tower of Terror

· Go on the swinging buckets and still buckets on Mickey’s Fun Wheel

· Complete the Matterhorn Sundae and get the button

· Get your 1^st visit button

· Get your birthday button

· Visit the bathroom in the tiki room

· Eat a churro

· Eat a Dole Whip

· Watch the fireworks at Disneyland

· Sit in VIP seating at World of Color

· Watch Fantasmic

· Visit Pixie Hollow at night

· Find the Incredible Mr. Limpit in the Little Mermaid Ride

· Wave hello to Max, Buff, and Melvin inside of Pooh

· Watch the Disneyland Fireworks from your hotel room

·   Ride the Lilly Belle

·   Ride in front of the Monorail

·   Ride the rear of the Monorail

·   Ride in the wheelhouse of the riverboat

·   Ride in the front of the Disneyland Train

·   Get a set of Mickey Ears with your name on it.

·   Be the Rebel Spy

·   Get the Storybook Canal Boat to sing you happy birthday

·   Get the ceiling to cave in on you in the Indiana Jones queue.

·   Find the Eeyore sign in the Indiana Jones Queue

·   Eat a Mickey Beignet

·   Go down a water slide at one of the Disney Hotels

·   Win a prize at one of the boardwalk games in California Adventure

·   Attend a rope drop

·   Be the last person to leave

·   See the Cheshire Cat in the Mad Hatter Store

·   See Mickey Climb the Matterhorn

·   Eat a corn dog at Disneyland

·   See someone famous at Disneyland

·   Buy a photopass photo

·   Get a Disneyland Candy Cane

·   Eat a Mickey cookie

·   Eat a Mickey Ice cream product

·   Get a kiss during the Disney Fireworks

·   Eat a Turkey Leg

·   Send a Postcard from inside the Park

·   Be a top scorer on Astro Blasters

·   Trade Pins with a Cast Member

·   Trade a Vynlmation

·   Stay at a Disney Dream/Signature Suite

·   Run the Disney ½ Marathon

·   Eat a Mickey Waffle

·   But a Mickey Balloon

·   Take a picture at the Disneyland entrance

·   Get a Disney Birthday Cupcake

·   Get a Disney Annual Passport

·   Be walked off a ride

·   Walk through a dark ride with the lights on

·   sit in the chair that is on the "porch" of one of the Main Street shops

·   Eat at a character breakfast

·   Visit Walt’s Apartment

·   Meet Maynard

·   Get a family picture on a ride that has photos

Please share any ideas of what I can add in the comments.  I know I still need to add the tours and the shops inside the park.  Suggestions are welcome.

The day I sifted through a thousand resumes

Today, I brought my personal laptop to work which gave me the ability to go through applications from recent job postings from my work.  I was surprised to see that I had around a thousand applications (its a sad reflection of our economy).

Here is what I saw:

• The local professional sports mascot applied.  I thought it was funny.
• I'm not the grammar police but please proofread your work.
• I saw the statement "Served guests, poor drinks".  I'm sure they meant pour instead of poor.  It had me laughing all day.
• Don't include your picture especially if it is a sexy personal ad picture.  I don't need to see it and it easily gets you rejected.
• Please add a cover letter or something to your email instead of just a resume.  I'll admit I probably wont read it but it shows me you at least spent some time on the application email.
• A lot of jobs start to blend together when viewing tons of applications. Things that stood out to me were people who have worked in airlines, casinos, amusement parks, and jobs I've never heard of.  It made me do a double take on the applicants resume.
• There are a lot of state workers, construction workers, and mortgage workers applying for jobs.
• I probably will not call you unless you are called for an interview.
• Do not print out your resume, white out part of it, write something new in, scan it and email it as a submission.  It looks really really bad.

I've still got 250 applications to go through. I might add more later.

30 Years....the year of me.

This year I turn 30 years old.  I never really thought about it as being anything special until the end of last year when my wife and her friends starting discussing a possible big 30th celebration.  It got me thinking.  I want to do something big this year.

So, I started planning.  It started off with a trip to Florida and a weeks vacation at Disney World.  We were going to stay on Disney property and everything.  However, that fell through due to family concerns and various other small issues.  Now we are planning on celebrating by getting a box at an Oakland A's game and by spending a few days in Disneyland.

I love planning and I've been doing a lot planning for this.  I've also been working really hard (I recently got a new job).  It got me to thinking about work and time off.  I think this year, I'm going to try really hard to do something fun every weekend (resting is/can be fun too).  I think I need to cut my internet/facebook/tv time and plan to do things/stuff/have fun.

It shouldn't be too hard and I've already got a lot planned for this year.  I've already been able to knock a few things off my ever changing bucket list.  We became Disneyland Annual Passholders this year as well as season ticket holders to the Oakland A's (this last one kinda just happened due to the box deal I'm working out).

I will keep you posted through the year of how it goes.  I'll even create a 30th bucket list.

Chewbaba is my copilot

My daughter is learning to talk and she is becoming a little parrot.  Every once-in-awhile, my wife and I try out different words with her.  It starts of small like car, truck, boat (which I then say butt.....Finding Nemo reference), and then it gets more complicated like frappuccino,etc.  She tries really hard to respond but she hasn't fully gotten her "c" down.

I recently tried to get her to say Chewbacca after we were holding a Chewbacca lego figure.  She said Chewbaba.  Its become one of my favorite things for her to say.

I love it and I love her.

I own the below shirt. Hence the blog name =)

Welcome Everyone!

About a year ago I started blogging on debt and my wife and I's journey to get debt free.  Over the course of the last year we were very successful and got most of the way there.  But life, as it tends to be, gets in the way.  We never completed our goal and we are still working towards it.

I gave up blogging after we successfully got half way through our debt plan.  My wife kept telling me that I need to get back to blogging and HERE I AM.

This blog will not be structured.  It can be about anything I encountered.  I'll post my goals and experiences.

If you wish to read my original blog.  Click here.