13 Days, Family O' 7 $2642 Budget!

[TheBeadPirate]

great tips. My dh works out of town all summer. His office pays for the hotel room.He signed up for choice hotel rewards . I am hopeing we can use those points for our trip in 08 always thinking

I have a hubby that does the same thing. Flown enough flights on Southwest that I have a companion pass to fly free w/him for a year now even if he flys on a reward ticket. And all La Quinta points are going toward a DL trip- SOONER the better!

But that's how we pay for most all of our trips nowadays.

 

[Elvis1515]

Thanks for the great info on the budget. I am considering using skyauction for our Disney trip in Jan. 08. Have you used it on past trips? I have read good and bad reports of SkyAuction. Is there a huge list of condos? We would like to stay at Summer Bay Resort.

Thanks for you info,

lisa

 

[TNKBELL]

Thanks for the great info on the budget. I am considering using skyauction for our Disney trip in Jan. 08. Have you used it on past trips? I have read good and bad reports of SkyAuction. Is there a huge list of condos? We would like to stay at Summer Bay Resort.

Thanks for you info,

lisa

I love Skyauction!! We have used it 3 times, I always check out the resorts on www.tripadvisor.com first. There is usually a pretty good variety to choose from, depending on your dates and season. This will be our second stay at Summer Bay, we like it as much as any of the Disney resorts for quality. Of course if funds were not limited we would stay at the Grand Floridian!

 

[jordansmomma]

What is kidzeyes?

 

[jcemom]

What is kidzeyes?

http://www.kidzeyes.com/ is a paid survey site for kids. They get points for each survey and can redeem them for cash.

 

[MandM-Mom]

Wow I am totally impressed with your budget, actually a bit jealous, I have a family of five and I spend have your budget on Milk Bread and Diapers for the little one...and I shop where they double coupons....I can't wait to read your trip report, enjoy your vacation!

 

[FSUDisneyGirl]

elan- the McDonalds prices at DTD are definitely higher than normal (or, I guess I should say, most of the McDonalds I've been to!) There is a McDonalds close by, which is an option if you have a car or are staying off site...Turn left out of DTD, follow that road (it goes by a bunch of hotels) and in 2-3 miles you will reach 535- go straight across 535 and you are in Crossroads, which has a bajillion restaurants and fast food places (Red Lobster, Pizzaria Uno I believe, Taco Bell, Marble Slab, a Tex-Mex place, TGI Fridays, and a bunch of others!!) as well as McDonalds! And it's much cheaper for a less than 5 minute drive!

Sorry elan- just read that you were inquiring about the value menu- not sure about that! hope someone can find the above info useful!

To the OP- I am loving all of your budget ideas! I just moved into my first apartment on my own (no more college roommates...as much as I loved them! ) and I'm working on ways to save money! I've started by turning the air a bunch warmer during the day when I'm away, walking to the store (WalMart is close by!) and by trying to decorate my apartment with things I already have.

You're inspiring me to save money...which is great, because I have a credit card to pay off! Thanks!

 

[TNKBELL]

Well, this will have to be an even better budget trip, Dh's car just gave out(transmission is gone and it costs more than it's worth to fix it.) and a few days later we had to sink $1,000.00 into our van(aka..the mystery machine!)
So we will be taking our van,or my DM is thinking about coming and she will pay for part of the gas and rental van, depending upon being able to get an 8 passenger rental, my DB works for a rental company so he will do his best if DM is coming.


Some ways since my original post to save/make money,

www.expotv.com
www.sendearnings.com
www.inboxdollars.com
www.your2cents.com

Selling items to Resale shops for women and children.

Using lots of coupons!! Target sometimes has great ones especially since you can use manufacturers coupons with them. http://coupons.50webs.org/

Walgreens Easy Saver Rebates, Walgreens pays you to shop!! Also you can use manufacturers coupons with thier coupons and rebates!! http://www.walgreens.com/store/rebateclub.jsp

My favorite though has got to be the Freebies thread here on the budget board!!! http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1539589
We have so many things saved up for our trip.. travel size deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, perfume, after shave, toothpaste, feminine products, laundry detergent, fabric softener,3 DVD's for the Dks to watch on the road, plenty of kid's games, stickers, and activity books, a T-shirt for Dh, socks for Ds10, lots of little goodies like popcorn, snack bars, cereal, candy and beef jerky. With more on the way!!

Anymore suggestions???

 

[TheBeadPirate]

Hi TNKBELL! I'm on the freebie board too! I have to give you kudos- there's only DH and I but I love reading your budgets! Inspires me to stretch mine- we can all use a few extra dollars, right?!?

I joined Sunshine Rewards a couple months back and have a couple Disney gift cards cashed out already! Every now and then they have a cashout special on them and I wait till then to cash in.

Every little bit helps!

 

[mommiepoppins]

Well, this will have to be an even better budget trip, Dh's car just gave out(transmission is gone and it costs more than it's worth to fix it.) and a few days later we had to sink $1,000.00 into our van(aka..the mystery machine!)
So we will be taking our van,or my DM is thinking about coming and she will pay for part of the gas and rental van, depending upon being able to get an 8 passenger rental, my DB works for a rental company so he will do his best if DM is coming.


Some ways since my original post to save/make money,

www.expotv.com
www.sendearnings.com
www.inboxdollars.com
www.your2cents.com

Selling items to Resale shops for women and children.

Using lots of coupons!! Target sometimes has great ones especially since you can use manufacturers coupons with them. http://coupons.50webs.org/

Walgreens Easy Saver Rebates, Walgreens pays you to shop!! Also you can use manufacturers coupons with thier coupons and rebates!! http://www.walgreens.com/store/rebateclub.jsp

My favorite though has got to be the Freebies thread here on the budget board!!! http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1539589
We have so many things saved up for our trip.. travel size deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, perfume, after shave, toothpaste, feminine products, laundry detergent, fabric softener,3 DVD's for the Dks to watch on the road, plenty of kid's games, stickers, and activity books, a T-shirt for Dh, socks for Ds10, lots of little goodies like popcorn, snack bars, cereal, candy and beef jerky. With more on the way!!

Anymore suggestions???

tnk that stinks about the van . It is so hard to get an 8 passanger van for a good price. How about 2 econmey cars insted. Check out price line or hot wire. We found it chheper to get 2 cars insted of1 van that seats 8. also the l cars have good gas milage. good luck I am stressing for you

 

[NCardella]

Tnk...sorry about the van and car. we are in the middle of a similar situation with our washing machine.

I'm curious how your budget will be affected with the new ticket prices that just came out. I'm sure you'll find a way. Looks like just your Epcot tix will be affected, I don't think the MNSSHP tickets will change.

noticed you changed your siggie..cute pic!

 

[csk470]

hi there !
i am pretty new here and mostly a lurker but would love to have a link to your last trips and the budgets you used if you could share them!! thanks
Tracey

 

[Plantlady]

hi there !
i am pretty new here and mostly a lurker but would love to have a link to your last trips and the budgets you used if you could share them!! thanks
Tracey

they are in the OP signature, I believe.

 

[TNKBELL]

Plantlady, I used to have my old link there but I just changed it to my current trip, here is a link from our 2005 trip http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=824539

Mommiepoppins..as far as renting 2 small cars, we have a great discount rate because DB works for a rental company and they actually have an 8 passenger minivan, whether it's available or not at the time is...iffy.

It will be interesting to see how this all works out!!

 

[Plantlady]

Plantlady, I used to have my old link there but I just changed it to my current trip, here is a link from our 2005 trip http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=824539

Mommiepoppins..as far as renting 2 small cars, we have a great discount rate because DB works for a rental company and they actually have an 8 passenger minivan, whether it's available or not at the time is...iffy.

It will be interesting to see how this all works out!!

well, that will teach me to not double check before posting information. Sorry!

 

[Madi100]

I'm really impressed with your budgeting. I'm sure DH would love if I would take up half of your budgeting skills. I used to be better at it when we needed it more. I'm just lost the desire. I used to belong to a coupon group that exchanged coupons. It took me a couple years after I quit to have to buy toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc.

And while I do think your budget is great, I think that the reason that people don't believe it is because you really aren't doing much of a Disney vacation, more of a Florida vacation. No where do you say it's a Disney vacation, but you are on a Disney forum and I'm sure that's perceived. We could actually do a 13 day trip for about $1000. We can stay in a one bedroom and with what we save on gas by using Disney transportation and what we save on our daily expenses we could have that go towards spending money in Disney. We have a kitchen in our room and with being there 13 days we could go back to the room for every meal.

Good for you on your budgeting and saving!

 

[MEM]

We could actually do a 13 day trip for about $1000. We can stay in a one bedroom and with what we save on gas by using Disney transportation and what we save on our daily expenses we could have that go towards spending money in Disney. We have a kitchen in our room and with being there 13 days we could go back to the room for every meal. !

I see from your signature that you are a DVC owner at SSR - are you considering your accommodations for 13 days to be "free" ? Just wondering.
I understand that each person budgets differently, but I count my DVC dues as part of my trip expenses. I divide my annual dues by the number of trips taken per year.

What about park admission? Do you buy the AP with the DVC discount and consider that paid as well? Or does your estimate of $1,000 for the trip include tickets?

Do you drive down? Or fly?

The reason I ask all these questions is that even though I own at AKV, BCV and SSR, I can't do a trip to WDW for four people, for less than $3,000 (I do include one third of my annual dues and my annual pass costs in that total, assuming three trips a year)

 

[Madi100]

I see from your signature that you are a DVC owner at SSR - are you considering your accommodations for 13 days to be "free" ? Just wondering.
I understand that each person budgets differently, but I count my DVC dues as part of my trip expenses. I divide my annual dues by the number of trips taken per year.

What about park admission? Do you buy the AP with the DVC discount and consider that paid as well? Or does your estimate of $1,000 for the trip include tickets?

Do you drive down? Or fly?

The reason I ask all these questions is that even though I own at AKV, BCV and SSR, I can't do a trip to WDW for four people, for less than $3,000 (I do include one third of my annual dues and my annual pass costs in that total, assuming three trips a year)

The OP doesn't take into account the cost of the annual pass to the zoo. She also doesn't count food that she is bringing from home. The $1000 is from airline tickets, plus $200 for spending money. We would be paying for an annual pass regardless if we took the trip, and we would be paying dues regardless. As the OP stated earlier, perception is subjective.

But don't worry. I'm not starting my own budget thread, because I'd be laughed out of the water. I shop sale racks. Clearance is my favorite word. I love coupons. I'd rather brag about how much I saved on something then to say I have enough money to spend X amount of dollars. But, when it comes to vacation, I have no sense of the value of a dollar. I'm completely hopeless. When we figure prices for this upcoming trip, I figure the cost now. We are spending nothing on accommodations (they've been paid for for two years), we are doing the dining plan and will not spend anything out of pocket, I will figure the price of tickets, and spending money and airfare. When I go back in November, my "budget" is $650. I've got $200 for airfare, $140 for dining plan, and the rest is spending money. Everything else has already been paid for. All in perception.

 

[plutoo]

Tnkbell, I read early in your post you had purchased 2 coupons for J Ts sports bar and grill. We also had done this, and when we went to eat the week of August 5th, they were closed, with boarded up windows. It looked like permanent, so you might want to call and check first. Sorry! I hope your family has a great time in Florida!

 

[Who'syourMickey]

Summer Bay's waterpark is free and they have free mini-golf several mornings a week listed on thier family activity list and the Melbourne zoo is reciprocal with our zoo so it's 50% off(we have a membership here). Yes, CM is included in the 300 budget, I know it's a chunk...but it's sooo worth it!!! Have faith my compadres!! We have done it before and we shall do it again!!! Can't wait!!!

One thing I forgot to mention is that our Dks will have thier own spending money earned from www.kidzeyes.com and allowance they have been saving.

As far as Restaurant.com we are partial to Shorty Smalls because Monday is Kids eat free night so even with 4 kids eating it's free for them and Dh and I get a ton of food with lots of leftovers!! Yum!

I'm checking out your tr. When you say that summer bay's waterpark is free, do you mean after you listen to a timeshare. What do they charge for jetski, I wonder?

I didn't find shorty smalls on restaurants dot com. off to google