50 pounds and 5000 bucks to go for Platinum July 2012!

[wakica]

I can't beleive all the different ways you are finding the money and extra savings! It's motivated me to see what I can do to save up for DH and I to go on a trip to Tahiti to celebrate our 20th anniversary next year Hope I can do it - it's gonna cost a bundle!!! I'll start by looking for an extra job to do on the side but I'm going to look into cutting back on things too like you to make some more savings.

Have you ever thought of Extreme cuponing??? I know of some people that do it. They don't have many locations here that allow it unfortunately or I'd give it a try too.

 

[hpfan100]

I can't beleive all the different ways you are finding the money and extra savings! It's motivated me to see what I can do to save up for DH and I to go on a trip to Tahiti to celebrate our 20th anniversary next year Hope I can do it - it's gonna cost a bundle!!! I'll start by looking for an extra job to do on the side but I'm going to look into cutting back on things too like you to make some more savings.

Have you ever thought of Extreme cuponing??? I know of some people that do it. They don't have many locations here that allow it unfortunately or I'd give it a try too.

I'm pretty surprised about all the little dollars adding up too. I really never thought I had all those pennies laying around. Speaking of which I still need to bust open the teddy bear and see what he is holding on to.

I do coupon actually. CVS is my favorite store. I shop at Fry's too which is the local Kroger store. I got an email today that they are have the 4x fuel points reward going on. SO I'm thinking of buying some CVS and Disney gift cards. I found a locally based website for my coupon deals and it helps me out big time. The only tricky part is produce still costs me a fortune but I don't eat meat so that saves me money.

Thanks for all your support and feedback through this journey. I can't believe I have only 6 weeks to go!

 

[hpfan100]

well it looks like my platinum plans will need to be put on hold. I have no job lined up for the 2012-2013 school year so I may need to save that money to live off of.

So I'll need to postpone the WDW platinum plan but that's ok. I'll just move it to November and celebrate for my birthday (the big 3-5) ACCKKKKK

which gives me even more time to save

trying to not be sad but it's tough...perhaps it's time to quit teaching and find a better paying career???

 

[mommyof3princess27]

Im following along! We are going in November too! I also am trying to cut costs and save for our vacation! SO far I got my 8day/7night DxDP(2adults,3kids) at POR down from $4500 to $3500 with Free dining!!!!! And just paid it off but now I need to save for airfare(on monday the 4th) and spending money. I do coupon too. I was doing CVS for awhile but think I burnt myself out so I am taking a break. I am trying to lose weight for this trip also I have about 15-20 more lbs to go. I am confident that I WILL get there! I cant wait to read more!

 

[hpfan100]

Im following along! We are going in November too! I also am trying to cut costs and save for our vacation! SO far I got my 8day/7night DxDP(2adults,3kids) at POR down from $4500 to $3500 with Free dining!!!!! And just paid it off but now I need to save for airfare(on monday the 4th) and spending money. I do coupon too. I was doing CVS for awhile but think I burnt myself out so I am taking a break. I am trying to lose weight for this trip also I have about 15-20 more lbs to go. I am confident that I WILL get there! I cant wait to read more!

welcome

That sounds like a good budget plan. I'm breaking from couponing at Walgreen and I am starting to use up my pantry items. Good luck with your planning and weight loss.

 

[Corrine 1973]

Hey, I just noticed your PTR and wanted to join in. First of all I wanted to let you know how sorry I am that you are unable to go on your originally planned trip. I am glad that you are planning on another trip and wish you all the luck on reaching all of your goals.

I am planning a trip with my DD for next May and I am in the same boat as you. I am slowly putting money away for the trip (I am up to about $600 dollars) and you have given me a couple of ideas on how to add some money to that Disney Fund.

I am also trying to loose some weight before my Disney trip, but I also have a few extra pounds on me to loose. I joined a web site called MyFitnessPal on May 2 and have already lost 9 pounds. It's a great web site that calculates how many calories you should eat in order to loose weight and gives you back calories when you exercise. It also keeps track of fats and protiens and other things you want. It's also night because you make friends there who keep you motivated. Let me know if you join and we can become friends.

Good luck with all of your goals and finding a job for the next school year.

 

[Alysa]

trying to not be sad but it's tough...perhaps it's time to quit teaching and find a better paying career???

Just wanted to say "God Bless Teachers!" I'm sorry it's so hard but I am sure you are appreciated by many parents.

 

[hpfan100]

Hey, I just noticed your PTR and wanted to join in. First of all I wanted to let you know how sorry I am that you are unable to go on your originally planned trip. I am glad that you are planning on another trip and wish you all the luck on reaching all of your goals.

I am planning a trip with my DD for next May and I am in the same boat as you. I am slowly putting money away for the trip (I am up to about $600 dollars) and you have given me a couple of ideas on how to add some money to that Disney Fund.

I am also trying to loose some weight before my Disney trip, but I also have a few extra pounds on me to loose. I joined a web site called MyFitnessPal on May 2 and have already lost 9 pounds. It's a great web site that calculates how many calories you should eat in order to loose weight and gives you back calories when you exercise. It also keeps track of fats and protiens and other things you want. It's also night because you make friends there who keep you motivated. Let me know if you join and we can become friends.

Good luck with all of your goals and finding a job for the next school year.

welcome!!!

I'm excited about that website. I'm going to check it out. I'll let you know if I sign up. It'd be great to have a friend on there to keep in touch with. I hear that's a good way to help motivate each other too.

Good luck on all your budget and trip planning. Keep me posted if you come up with any great ideas for saving. 600 dollars is a great start!

Just wanted to say "God Bless Teachers!" I'm sorry it's so hard but I am sure you are appreciated by many parents.

thanks I'm sure I am as well but it seems the support for teachers here in AZ is slowly declining. Times are tough for educators but I suppose no job is perfect.

I'm actually looking into moving into administration to see if maybe I can make more of a difference that way. Plus I made a list of 8 different places that are currently hiring for special ed teachers so perhaps one of those places will want to hire me....Then the trip will be back on

 

[11point5]

Ohhh my goodness, I've been sitting here reading through all 4 pages of this thread and really enjoying it, and cheering you on (in my head!) the whole time, and it broke my heart when you had to postpone your platinum vacation!!! I'm really impressed with all your savings and weight loss so far - keep up the great work, even though it's probably twice as hard now that you've had to go through the disappointment of pushing back your travel dates.
Is there still any chance you might get to go in July like you wanted? (maybe possible job opportunities for next year have cropped up, or maybe you can do some networking with friends of friends, etc?)
Your posts have been really inspiring to me; I'm going to WDW in October and while my goals are smaller (weight loss goal for trip is 28lbs, savings goal is $2100), we're definitely working along the same general path! I'll be following your updates!

Final note: one of the most helpful tips I've ever heard regarding making healthier lifestyle choices is to go "choice by choice" instead of "day by day" or "week by week". Wayyy too often, I would screw up my meal plan/excerise plan at some point and be really hard on myself, and then resolutely decide I'd start again tomorrow/next week.... but the problem was, I would give up until tomorrow/next week rolled around, which added up to LOTS more bad choices. NOW, if I accidentally cave and get poutine with my friends while at the mall, or skip my afternoon jog, I am nicer to myself and become really really determined to not write-off any more choices that day! So the next "choice" that comes up (ie next meal, next possible window of time for cardio/weight training), I find I'm super motivated to get right back on track so that I still feel successful that day!
Maybe you're already a pro at going choice-by-choice, just thought I'd share the idea anyway!

 

[hpfan100]

Ohhh my goodness, I've been sitting here reading through all 4 pages of this thread and really enjoying it, and cheering you on (in my head!) the whole time, and it broke my heart when you had to postpone your platinum vacation!!! I'm really impressed with all your savings and weight loss so far - keep up the great work, even though it's probably twice as hard now that you've had to go through the disappointment of pushing back your travel dates.
Is there still any chance you might get to go in July like you wanted? (maybe possible job opportunities for next year have cropped up, or maybe you can do some networking with friends of friends, etc?)
Your posts have been really inspiring to me; I'm going to WDW in October and while my goals are smaller (weight loss goal for trip is 28lbs, savings goal is $2100), we're definitely working along the same general path! I'll be following your updates!

Final note: one of the most helpful tips I've ever heard regarding making healthier lifestyle choices is to go "choice by choice" instead of "day by day" or "week by week". Wayyy too often, I would screw up my meal plan/excerise plan at some point and be really hard on myself, and then resolutely decide I'd start again tomorrow/next week.... but the problem was, I would give up until tomorrow/next week rolled around, which added up to LOTS more bad choices. NOW, if I accidentally cave and get poutine with my friends while at the mall, or skip my afternoon jog, I am nicer to myself and become really really determined to not write-off any more choices that day! So the next "choice" that comes up (ie next meal, next possible window of time for cardio/weight training), I find I'm super motivated to get right back on track so that I still feel successful that day!
Maybe you're already a pro at going choice-by-choice, just thought I'd share the idea anyway!

Welcome...glad you've been cheering me on cuz I need it.
I love that choice by choice motto....that's a keeper. I too am victim to the well I had a bad lunch so I'll just eat some candy too and start up tomorrow.

 

[hpfan100]

more budget goodness coming my way My car insurance payment is due in June and I pay it for 6 months at a time. Well I told my bf about and he called his insurance person and they ran the numbers. They can get me the same coverage for about 250 dollars less.


woohoo!!!! That's 250 more dollars to spend on other bills this summer while I look for work. Perhaps I'll get lucky and that trip can be back on My friend teaches in another district and she thinks she can put in a good word for me so it's on my list of places to apply. Hopefully something will pan out soon.

 

[hpfan100]

here's my latest budget breakdown totals:

flight 171 (used points for flight to MCO)
platinum package with standard view room 1736.82
hotel for universal part of trip 284.22
Ascendio conference 75
food at universal estimate 75 (using 25 dollar welcome reward from landrys at Bubba Gumps-that's ll buy me two veggie burgers )
transportation costs (one day car rental, gas, airport shuttle) 87
MISC/souvies -300

total-2899.04


as for the money front here's what I have so far...
misc gift cards...220 dollars (all cashed out and added to the pot)
more gift cards...100 (includes 15 dollar disney, 15 visa, 10 applebees, 10 target and 50 walmart) I'm planning to take these with me and use them at the places listed if possible to cut costs.
holiday/gifts cash...692
misc income (half.com, survey, tiny raise)... 160.72
tax refunds...244 and 343
cancel phone, gym, suspend Netflix...40
Disney gift cards I bought at local Kroger...350


grand total so far according to my spreadsheet...2151 WOW!!!! only need 747 dollars more....maybe this trip can happen after all. *fingers crossed*


I still need to open up that bank

 

[Corrine 1973]

Goodness that is some great news. Wishing you all the luck I can on the job front.

I can't believe all the money you already have saved. It's amazing what you can accomplish when you are truely dedicated to saving money. I took the kids to Six Flags yesterday and my son asked me why I bothered to pick up all the pennies I found laying around. I told him it was going into the Disney fund and every penny counts. I found .50 cents at the park yesterday, might not be a whole lot, but it's 50 cents closer to $2500 goal.

Keep up the good work, I will be here dancing on my end of the internet when you are able to anounce that your trip is still on.

 

[hpfan100]

Goodness that is some great news. Wishing you all the luck I can on the job front.

I can't believe all the money you already have saved. It's amazing what you can accomplish when you are truely dedicated to saving money. I took the kids to Six Flags yesterday and my son asked me why I bothered to pick up all the pennies I found laying around. I told him it was going into the Disney fund and every penny counts. I found .50 cents at the park yesterday, might not be a whole lot, but it's 50 cents closer to $2500 goal.

Keep up the good work, I will be here dancing on my end of the internet when you are able to anounce that your trip is still on.

that's awesome...fifty cents from pennies...amazing what you can find laying around these days. Thanks for all the well wishing...I'm hoping everything will work out...it's just a matter of when it will.

 

[hpfan100]

news on the job front...I have another interview lined up for a junior high math position which happens to be my dream teaching position right after science. So fingers crossed it will all work out. I applied for a elementary resource position too but that location isn't ideal but it's in the same district so at least it's not like starting all over.

Other budget news...I have decided to commit to no eating out until I travel to Orlando except for that 3 day trip to Vegas my bf and I have planned. That sounds help the money stretch this summer and help me loose some pounds too.

On the trip front...I've decided to go ahead and book at least a room at AKL and then I can add the platinum plan later if I get the money together. I'm also considering getting the deluxe dining plan as a back up if I can't afford the platinum plan. I'm on hold with Disney tours now to see if the Aqua seas and dolphins are available on the day I want just in case.

BTW: Did you know they play all kinds of great music when you are on hold? I've heard Pirates, Carousel of Progress, Main Street and the Railroad music so far....what a way to get into the magic

 

[Corrine 1973]

news on the job front...I have another interview lined up for a junior high math position which happens to be my dream teaching position right after science. So fingers crossed it will all work out. I applied for a elementary resource position too but that location isn't ideal but it's in the same district so at least it's not like starting all over.

Other budget news...I have decided to commit to no eating out until I travel to Orlando except for that 3 day trip to Vegas my bf and I have planned. That sounds help the money stretch this summer and help me loose some pounds too.

On the trip front...I've decided to go ahead and book at least a room at AKL and then I can add the platinum plan later if I get the money together. I'm also considering getting the deluxe dining plan as a back up if I can't afford the platinum plan. I'm on hold with Disney tours now to see if the Aqua seas and dolphins are available on the day I want just in case.

BTW: Did you know they play all kinds of great music when you are on hold? I've heard Pirates, Carousel of Progress, Main Street and the Railroad music so far....what a way to get into the magic

Great news!! I am crossing my fingers for you. . .and my toes, and my arms, and my legs, and my eyes. (Ok maybe not my eyes, that kind of hurts.)

 

[hpfan100]

awesomeness...eye crossing...

 

[hpfan100]

room is booked!!!!!!!!!

I went ahead and booked my room at the AKL using the summer room only offer. There was no pool view room available so I picked a standard room to start. My total for the room was 696. Pretty good deal, I think. I've decided to just pay out of pocket for everything I would like to do on this trip so it will be a custom platinum plan and I am ok with that.

So far my general thoughts are...Jiko, Boma, Yak/Yeti, Columbia Harbor House, Sci Fi, Brown Derby, Chefs de France or San Angel Inn, Grey Goose slush, pool time at AKL, parasailing, spa treatment (maybe), La Nouba and park time.

It's not quite the same as a platinum package but for where I am at now with finances, it's a good fit. Besides I still have a month to go and I can change this offer if I need too.

 

[Corrine 1973]

room is booked!!!!!!!!!

I went ahead and booked my room at the AKL using the summer room only offer. There was no pool view room available so I picked a standard room to start. My total for the room was 696. Pretty good deal, I think. I've decided to just pay out of pocket for everything I would like to do on this trip so it will be a custom platinum plan and I am ok with that.

So far my general thoughts are...Jiko, Boma, Yak/Yeti, Columbia Harbor House, Sci Fi, Brown Derby, Chefs de France or San Angel Inn, Grey Goose slush, pool time at AKL, parasailing, spa treatment (maybe), La Nouba and park time.

It's not quite the same as a platinum package but for where I am at now with finances, it's a good fit. Besides I still have a month to go and I can change this offer if I need too.

Congrats on getting your room booked.

Any way you can do it is good in my books.

I loooove Boma. I could sit in that resturant and just gooble up gallons of that butternut squash soup. I think I am drooling just thinking of it. I will definatly be going back there next year. As for the rest I don't really know that much about them. I did do SciFi back in 2009 and remember that the angus burgers were really good.

I hope everything falls into place for this next month.

 

[hpfan100]

that soup sounds yummy. I'm planning a Boma breakfast so not sure if that will be available or not. Sci Fi just looked like fin. Not so interested in the food but the environment.

thanks for the well wishes!