April 15, 2006 - Spring Break -

[joksten2000]

I've always been conservative so I didn't take a too bad a hit in 2001, but I've never been happy with the big guys, I've come to discover that they hire young kids that know very little but read the company letter every day that gives them catch phases to tell the clients. About 14 months ago I went to a small time firm, two partners and one son. Went to one of those seminars and felt comfortable with what they said. They divide your life into 4 segments 1-5 years, 6-10, 10-15, 15-20. They discuss how much money you need, they are very realistic and put and amount of money in that segment. I wanted 30,000 a year so thet put 120,000 in the first segment, 90,000 in segment two and so on. Each segment was invested in different types of stock. for segment three they got an annuity that guarantees 7% in ten years (that will double my money) they put in 80,000 and ING gave us a 7% Bonus up front. Very happy with that. So far I've been very happy. In September they gave me a check for two years of funds because I wanted to schedule vacations and buy some more DVC. As of today we've just about recouped that money. They say the money invested in the fourth segment will be worth a lot of money. I've heard that before, just so we don't run out of funds in my lifetime. I wish I had the time to learn the ins and outs of the market, but when I get involved in things I go whole hog and at this point in my life I want to relax and enjoy. It's called the golden years, and I've discovered why, It costs a lot of money. My wife retires this Oct 1 That's why I scheduled the 9/30 cruise so she can't change her mind

As you can see your did indeed push my button, this is a subject I've spent a lot of time with. I can't tell you how many times I've gone over the numbers and they keep changing for some reason. I try to meet with these people every six months and talk with them about the PLAN. They just know what someone tells them. I do see some money invested in Realestate and I don't like the looks of the market. Seems the overseas Markets are hot right now. I do follow cnbc and try to get a feel for what's going on, but a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing so I try to not interfer and as long as we can make 8% I'll be a happy camper

Back to a better subject 92 days!!! I do pack light. 85% of the time I'm in my bathing suit up on deck 9 at the adult pool. Been there, seen that so I don't bother getting off the boat. Been on the back streets of many a place Depresses me to see how many people have to live. I worry about money for another cruise and they worry about money for their next meal. The real tragedy is it happens to often in our own country.

 

[Marypoppinsiam]

Thanks John! My husband has ING and so far so good there. I am very skeptical in putting too much into my works retirement plan (remember I work at a hospital). Our hospital doesn't match any funds so that in general bites. So I did go on the outside and now I am wishing that I would have gone the route you did. I am only 32 and started investing when I was 24 so now I even want to do more. We have Fidelity at the hospital but again it is a big company and yes I do have stuff in Northwest Mutual (big mistake-can't do much to correct it now, but lesson learned) so I am now looking for something a bit more smaller.

Thanks so much for the report. I would love to look into joining DVC, so maybe over the cruise we can chat about it. I think it would be a great investment for our family.

 

[DVC from NJ]

I know that I have been procrastinating about getting all my plans together. What has happened to the time!?! Why did I volunteer for so many things this year for the kids!?! OMG, there's less than 12 hours to book the excurions right?

Well, I have just spent last night and today reading the boards and trying to catch up on the latest info. I see that many of you have daughters around my daughter's (Gabrielle) age - 9. She'll be 10 in May. Have any of them started emailing each other yet about the cruise? It would be fun if they could get to know one another before the ship sails. Last cruise, Gabrielle and 2 other girls hit it off online and were great friends by the end of the cruise.

I also have a son, Matthew, who will be 7.5. He'd love to know what other boys are going.

This will be our 1st 7-day cruise. So I have a few questions . . . .
-When is pirate night? And how dressed up do the adults get (I think it would be fun . . .)
-Is there a tropical night too?
-What is the best night to book Palo's? (I don't want to miss the Pirate night.)
-Have you all thought about having a little get together the 1st afternoon? This way the kids could get to see each other before club. I'll volunteer to bring some wine and glasses!

I figured if David is online now-he'd know the answer to all of these!

best,
Maria

 

[djs113]

hey maria

please read my post #275 on page 19, that will help answer some of your questions

I have sent you a few PMs about getting all the kids to know each other

I just switched cabins today - a midship room that we wanted had opened up, guess someone didn't pay their final bill

we are now in cabin 8532

it has a triple wide verandah so we will definitely be hosting a wine and cheese party for our DIS friends in our room!

any other questions, please ask - i will check in and out today before we go out tonight

- D

 

[DVC from NJ]

Thanks Dave!

 

[Marypoppinsiam]

David-
That is awesome that you got a triple wide verandah! I guess I will be happy with our little verandah, but oh so jealous of yours!!

We are finally sitting down to decide what excursions we are going to take. I can't wait to finally make reservations. I have to wait until the 29th before making them-BUMMER.

Anyway have a good rest of the day.

Oh yeah- Hey everyone else sailing on the 15th I hope eveyone is doing well and getting ready for a great Spring Break vacation!!

 

[joksten2000]

We were just up at PF Changs yesterday for lunch, had to stop at LL Bean for a new winter coat. My wife's Sister and Husband are Music Teachers at Cherrokee High School and two of thier daughters are Music Teachers. Seems like a lot of New Jerseysians are DVC members, we must be a smart group

John & Mary

 

[DVC from NJ]

John and Mary,
You were right in my neighborhood! I could walk to the Promenade--but I usually take the car so I could fit more packages! You are so right about us NJ'ers--we are certainly a bunch of smart Disney people.

I am finally getting set for this cruise. We just put our reservations in for the various excursions (at 4 am!). My husband is a bigger Disney nut than me!!!

--Maria

 

[JDietz40]

The excursions are booked and we are ready to go can't we just start the cruise now.

John

 

[JDietz40]

I know that on our cruise Formal night is on Sunday and that would also be Easter. I have found information on "special meals" for Christmas and certain other days but have not seen anything about Easter. Does anyone know if there will be a menu change for Easter? Will there be some aditional items to go along with the normal menu? While I do enjoy the typical holiday foods I don't want to miss out on the standard menu options at the rotational restaurant.

John

 

[kathyfm1]

I am curious about Easter too. I wonder if there are any arrangements that can be made for the Easter Bunny to deliver baskets to rooms after the children are asleep. Or if you can buy Easter Baskets from Disney? My 6 year old wanted to know how the Easter Bunny gets on to the ship. I did not want to stretch it and say that he can "hop on water" I told him that I would be able to find out. Any answers out there? Or suggestions?

 

[Kimmielee]

Kathy, order your Easter Basket from Shirley at the perfect gift . com. She makes baskets to order based on your desire (to a point of course) and you can always surprise your little one by asking for it to be hidden in the room so it won't spoil the suprise of Easter Morning!

Hey gang!! It's getting sooo close to our cruises! I sure do wish I had the extra $1500 to change back to this cruise!

Any advice on early or late seating David? DS (6) is used to eating about 7 - 7:30 Eastern time... so if the time zone changes as we enter the caribbean, does that mean my early seating could be 5:00, 5:15, 5:30 Eastern?

 

[Marypoppinsiam]

I am planning on ordering Ryan's Easter Basket from Shirley. My DH is going to keep Ryan busy so I can go down to the room so Ryan doesn't see the basket first.

I was wondering and I guess I can call DCL, is there going to be a Catholic Mass for Easter or is it going to be nondominational.

 

[djs113]

i suggest early seating for young children (staggered seating of 5:30, 5:45, and 6:00 depending upon which plan you get) because I have heard so many stories of kids falling asleep into their plates of food at the late seatings (8, 8:15, etc)

plus the early seating works well because most folks go to the shows after dinner which works as a good slow down prior to bed. The kids will be so overwhelmed with stimuli all day, that they usually pass out at days end.

I can't imagine my kids finishing dinner at 9:30 at night

kids won't even react to 1 hr time changes - since its not like school where they must wake up at a certain time each day - if their tired, they just sleep a little later

my humble opinions ... LOL

- D

 

[djs113]

Shirley is awesome - we use her for each cruise

remember, with shirley you don't have to use any of her premade baskets - just tell her what u want and she will make it up

she always makes us baskets with sand toys so that we don't have to buy them on the islands

- David

 

[djs113]

Shirley's website is actually

www.theperfectgift.cc

- D

 

[djs113]

if you guys want to see a great view of castaway cay from a satelite - you should definitely do this - very cool !


first do the free downlaod of google earth (everyone should have this on their computer, one of the greatest things on the internet - put your home address in to see your own house !)

http://earth.google.com/

after downloading the free version - put in the castaway cay coordinates below

77°31'59"W 26°04'59"N

then if you hit the minus sign at the bottom, it backs out a little and you can see where CC is in relation to the rest of the Bahamas and Miami

very cool! can you all tell i'm bored tonight watching the golden globes?

- D

 

[MV_Photon]

You are so right about us NJ'ers--we are certainly a bunch of smart Disney people.

More NJ natives checking in -- formerly of the Tamarac subdivision in Medford and the La Bonne Vie complex in Voorhees.

Now happily living in the Carolinas:

• less congestion
• sane property values
• lower taxes
• better weather
• superior pro sports:
  
  Hurricanes - best record in the NHL
  Panthers - en route to the NFC Championship game​

 

[Marypoppinsiam]

Thanks David for that really cool website! It was so neat to see everything from space. I can see how you could be bored with the Golden Globes, I actually was getting my pics ready for scrapbooking during that show.

Well we only have about another week before I can reserve my reservations. I just hope that there will be something left for us when the time comes.

Well have a great day everyone!!

 

[JDietz40]

I am curious about Easter too. I wonder if there are any arrangements that can be made for the Easter Bunny to deliver baskets to rooms after the children are asleep. Or if you can buy Easter Baskets from Disney? My 6 year old wanted to know how the Easter Bunny gets on to the ship. I did not want to stretch it and say that he can "hop on water" I told him that I would be able to find out. Any answers out there? Or suggestions?

How about a Disney Easter celebration with Brer Rabbit.

John