So… my low today (and for the past few days) has been all the devastation that has taken place in Oklahoma as a result of the tornadoes and storms. My heart just aches for everyone that was affected. If you would like to help the victims in Oklahoma, please check out these posts here, here, and here.

My own personal low (which seems irrelevant compared to all the suffering taking place in Oklahoma) has been the dreaded cold sore. This oh so lovely addition to my face appeared yesterday and is absolutely driving me nuts (and thanks to many of you for leaving tips on this old video post regarding how to get rid of a cold sore – I have been using many of the tips which have definitely helped to fight it off before the cold sore completely takes over my lip!). Also, I went to the doctor today regarding this issue and he prescribed me with Denavir. I am not familiar with this medicine… so if you’ve tried it out or know someone who has, please let me know if it actually works. Thanks!

I tend to get Cold Sores when I am stressed out and lacking sleep – likely a result of all the chaos surrounding our recent move.

My high has just been the fact that we are finally unpacked (except for a few boxes), the kids are adjusting well to their new rooms, and we have been absolutely loving all of our outside space. Plus, the Boise weather has been perfect (not too hot and not too cold) so the kids have spent almost all of their free time outdoors.

As I mentioned last week, this week has been a HUGE week for my family! We’ll be officially selling our home tomorrow morning (we will be signing the papers at the title company and handing over our keys to the new owners!). Although we are happy to be moving into our new home and ready to start making new memories as a family, there is something so sad about leaving a place that you have called home – even if just for a year or so. So this has been my low for the week – saying goodbye to our “old” home.

Now my high for this week is the adorable and heartfelt letter written by my precious daughter, Piper, for Mother’s Day! It made my day!

Just a reminder! Ever wish you had a daily dose of inspiration… something to motivate you, get ya thinking, and encourage you to take charge of your finances?! Well, the gals over at Daily Worth have created just that. Sign up for Daily Worth and they’ll send you a FREE daily email about personal finance for women. Plus, they have contests & sweepstakes from time to time where you can enter to win lots of great prizes!

As a reminder, the Daily Worth daily email delivers practical tips, empowering ideas, and the occasional kick in the pants (I definitely need that on a daily basis! ). Their tips cover self worth, net worth, saving, spending, earning, investing, taxes, entrepreneurship, financial feminism, and much more!

Guest Post by Julie Harrington-Travel Planner

If you have ever stayed at a Walt Disney Resort and/or contemplated making reservations at one of these resorts, you may have discovered that on occasion, Walt Disney offers up a very special and limited-time promotion called FREE Dining. The FREE Dining promotion allows you and your room-mates to eat completely free with the purchase of select packages on select dates.

To take advantage of this FREE Dining, purchase a non-discounted Walt Disney World Resort and Ticket Package at select hotels during the following dates: September 2, 2013 – September 25, 2013. Your arrival date must fall within this date range above to qualify for FREE Dining.

* Select Disney Value Resorts will offer the FREE Quick Service Dining Plan and Select Disney Moderate, Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts will offer a FREE Disney Dining Plan. Excludes campsites, 3 bedroom Villas and Art of Animation – Little Mermaid Rooms. Excludes gratuity and alcoholic beverages.

Hip Tips to Maximize the Value of Disney FREE Dining

If you are lucky enough to score FREE Dining at Walt Disney World, then let’s make sure you are maximizing the value of the Disney Dining Plan. Here are some tips to get you a bigger bang for your dining credits.

When using a table service credit at a sit down pre fix menu restaurant, order the most expensive meal on the menu (obviously, be sure it is also something you would like to eat ). The best part of the dining plan is not having to worry about what you are ordering since all entrees on the menu are included when using the Disney Dining Plan.

Split quick service meals. Portion sizes at Disney are rather large so two children can easily share an adult entree at a counter service restaurant. This means you only have to use one of your credits for a meal, leaving you with another credit to use at another time. Sometimes even two adults can share a counter service meal.

Enjoy a light breakfast or lunch? Your daily snack credits can easily be used to purchase a snack that will satisfy you as a meal. For example: Egg Roll in Adventureland, French Onion Soup at Be Our Guest in Magic Kingdom, Cheese Pesto Sticks at Landscape of Flavors. To spot snack items that qualify for the Dining Plan, just look for the special logo on the menu.

Upgrade your dining plan to the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan to have more dining credits to use for Dinner Shows, Signature Dining Experiences or a meal at Cinderella’s Royal Table. All require 2 table service credits each.

All quick service meal credits give you an entree, dessert and drink. If you are utilizing your resort refillable mug at your resort, then grab the large bottle of water for your drink with your dining plan credit and bring it to the park with you. Then there will be no need to worry about buying a bottle of water while in the park.

If you’re feeling full after your quick service entree and won’t be eating your dessert right away, bring it back to your resort and put it in the fridge to have when you are wanting a snack later. You can also do this for your table service meals (just ask the dining staff).

If you want to do more dining than what is included in your Dining Plan, you may have to pay out of pocket for a meal or two. I recommend that the meal you pay out of pocket for is a breakfast and preferably a quick service breakfast. Always make sure your dining credits are being used for your most expensive meals.

Does your child have a “must see” character that they want some one on one time with? Character dining is a great way to make sure you get that special moment for your child. Character dining at Disney World can be expensive. However, table service meal credits on the Disney Dining Plans allow you to dine with the characters for 1 table service meal (excluding Cinderella’s Royal Table).

Is your family filled with big eaters & picky eaters?! Consider dining at one of the buffets or family style buffets to give everyone in the family what they want. Your big eaters will have full access to as much food as they would like at the same meal credit that your picky eaters have. And your picky eaters can just grab what they enjoy and pass on the other items.

Having the Disney Dining Plan allows you to book certain dining that typically needs payment in full at the time of reservation, using just a credit card to hold the reservation. This can give you the extra time to save for the cost of the meal.

One of the most priceless values that the Disney Dining Plan offers you is convenience. Your vacation, including your meals, is budgeted ahead of time. There is no need to sit down at a meal and stress over what to order for fear of exceeding your family’s vacation budget.

Remember that even though you are getting FREE Dining, it is not always the best option for your family. To make sure you are getting the best deal for your vacation, use a Disney Travel Specialist who knows the in’s and out’s of Disney discounts.

(A BIG thanks to Julie Harrington-Travel Planner with Mousetales Travel for all these awesome tips! If you need help planning an upcoming Disney vacation, you can contact Julie via email julie.harrington@mousetalestravel.com or follow her on Facebook.)