Budgeting ideas??

[*Huey*]

I have been planning two different cruises at two different times and on both, I chickened out before even making a down payment on the ressies. Since it won't likely be a yearly occurance, I'd like to go as all out as I possibly can on this cruise, but making a committment of that size over two years in advance, makes me really nervous. (Am I really crazy? I know you can always cancel - and I will get trip insurance...)

I'm aiming for Sept or Oct 2004 (and I think those dates aren't available yet), but want to do one of the 7 days and have at least a room with a view (whether it's porthole or veranda... 'course, veranda is what I <b> really </b> want!) My concern is that I'll be "biting off more than I can chew." Does anyone have any brilliant budgeting ideas that really worked for them? It will be only me and my daughter, who will be 8 when we go.

Also, I would like to start contributing to my "ship board account." I read somewhere that you can periodically add to your account before you go, is that true and do I say something to my TA when I book??

Also, does the credit work per person or per cabin? My daughter has always saved her birthday money, allowances, etc. for her own spending money for other things we've done and I want her to do the same for the cruise. That keeps her "wanting" (and whining!) in check. If they don't do separate accounts, does anyone have any fun ways for kids to save money for spending (something where they can see the results, not just look at numbers on a statement)?

Thanks for your help! (Can't wait till I can add my "600+ days till I ship out" counter to my signature!)

Al

 

[SC Minnie]

I am not sure about adding to your account before you go. But one way I have started to save is to have $50 drafted from each paycheck directly into my savings account. We have started saving all of our lose change, etc.

With DD8 she asks for $ at birthdays and Christmas. Relatives actually liked this last year- they didn't have to worry about something being the wrong size or her already having one. We started giving her Disney Dollars for her allowance. You can pay your account on board in Disney $'s. We just kept up with how much she was spending in the stores on the ship.

 

[wovenwonder]

I would just start a seperate savinings account and have it then applied to a check card balance prior to the cruise. You would use this check card as your credit card at check in for your shipboard account.

For your daughter --- ask relatives to give her special occasion money in the form of Disney Dollars. When you board the ship -- you can have the Disney Dollars applied to HER card and when she makes charges it will come out of her contribution to the account. Just remember to save some real money for souveniers on the islands.

 

[*Huey*]

looks like I might need to shop around for a new bank. I have a debit card but the max. per day is $200 ($400 as an ATM card). Never thought to look into charge limits if you use as a credit card (it's a visa)... that might be the way to go...

Is there an even exchange on Disney Dollars... or does Mickey want his cut (guess they make money on people keeping them as souviniers )

So she can have her own balance on her KTTW card?? She'll love using a credit card like mommy does... but she thinks that as long as I have the card, any machine will give me as much money as I need! (She's only 6 right now!) Wish it were that easy!

Thanks guys!

Al

 

[Irishmom23]

is good dollar for dollar. Whenever we have been to WDW we have given the kids Disney money as it is fun for them to spend. You are able to put the Disney dollars towards you account on the ship as if it was "real" money. Start saving!!! You won't regret it and keep reading these boards and you won't chicken out!! We were on the three day in June (booked 2 years in advance and paid a liitle each month with Dreams Unlimited) My DH and I are now sailing on the Magic 9/03, which was also booked a year ago(also with Dreams) and is more than 1/2 way paid, and we have a verandah! I also have a little money taken from my check each week and direct deposited into my vacation account at my local credit union, which we will use for spending money. It takes some discipline with my finances, but I can't wait to be back on the ship!!

 

[kml2000]

I am a single mom and we went on a 3 night cruise with some other families this July. We had a great time and really did budget. If you go a couple of years away, you can periodically pay on your reservations so when you sail, it will be completely paid (no credit card balances, etc).

As far as "extras"......take your own camera and STAY AWAY FROM SHUTTERS! I don't know how you are about drinking, but I bought a bottle of wine that lasted me the whole trip at dinner. I don't drink much but do enjoy a glass of wine with dinner. Excursions get pricey....we did the banana boat rides on Castaway Cay and had a great time the whole day. For $28 we felt like we did something special and then enjoyed the beach. You can definitely do it on a budget if you try and still have a GRAND time.

 

[*Huey*]

but for the most part, my spending will be on a few good quality souviniers. (No cheezy plastic ships or whatever). I'm not too concerned about excursions yet, but would like to do a little shopping in port. I also know how saying "just charge it" to the KTTW card can really add up (especially if the gratuity is added on!).

 

[disneyholic family]

first of all, let me suggest that you read Barb's posts (ikkognito and atigeg are her handles)...
she goes on lots of cruises and does her best to keep costs down...
in fact, why don't you do what she sometimes does and try to get the secret porthole room....it's cheaper than the regular porthole room...
Barb might describe it at her site www.castawayclub.com but i'm not sure...

as for a verandah.....we had one.....but i think it's certainly possible to have a spectacular time without one...
instead of watching the docking and sail away from my room i would have watched it from one of the open decks (as i did some of the time)...besides, the sights might be on the other side of the ship anyway....

as for on board costs....we only bought two non-alcoholic cocktails the whole time...they were good but i didn't need more than that...
you might want to budget for at least one massage.....
my daughter said the massage on CC was especially nice...

the excursions do tend to be expensive so it might prove cheaper to do things on your own....you have a lot of time to research it...

 

[my3kids]

When I booked well in advance I had every intention of paying the cost a bit at a time over the period....but everyone discouraged that. They said why not keep your money and earn interest...if not me, then Disney would. I said but then it is all paid well in advance and I wouldn't feel guilty at the time of the trip.....that was countered with then keep it in a special account and maintain control of the money until the 60 day mark. Well, while I can't argue with the financial soundness of all that advice, I wish I had followed my own plan origionally. Many times over the 19 months I thought again about making a payment but went with the logical advice of keeping my money as long as possible. Well, I just paid the balance of 2 cabins at once and, as expected, I feel guilty!

My advice is to save and pay in any way you feel comfortable with. If you don't want to worry about one expenditure at the end, go ahead and give up the money early. No real suggestions for how to save,(other than to book the trip as early as possible and with the travel agent who provides the best discount and service) just my opinion that there isn't anything wrong with paying the trip off early and concentrating on having fun!

 

[poopie]

like keeping the money in the bank is going earn you any substantial intrest right now anyway. Do what you feel comefortable with. I like to have my trips paid for in ADVANCE, I don't want to come home from a trip and be faced with months of paying it off. I want to come home and start planning my next trip. I used to vacation on credit cards and it's not as much fun as vacationing and NOT comming home to a big Visa bill.

JMHO

 

[kml2000]

I agree with you Poopie.......

pay a little along and get it paid for. That amount of money isn't going to earn you a windfall in interest, especially at the rate savings accounts/money markets carry......get it paid for so you will have your spending money at the end.......

 

[disneyholic family]

i like the idea of paying it off a little as you go so that when the final payment date comes you're mostly paid off...
not so much as a budgeting thing, biut just so you won't have a heart attack at how much that lump sum payment is...
i paid it all at the end...two months before our sailing date...
of course i can afford the amount or we wouldn't have gone, but it was such a huge amount of money i REALLY felt awful paying it all at once...(and stupidly serously considered cancelling...)
i think next time i'll at least pay a little bit off before the end so i won't get such a shock all at once...

 

[imgoingtodisney]

Basically we pay about $200/month as this is what DVC is costing us. In the future however we wont be needing to "pay" for our cruise as DVC will be paid off in a few years.

As far as our spending money I go to the nearest Disney store every month and charge $100 for disney dollars. These will go to our shipboard account. Its much easier paying off $100 every month than $1,000 at the end of vaca. I did my budget and realize the cruise in spending money will be much closer to $1700 so for the 3 mos before we leave for our cruise (3mos is 8/28) Im taking $50 out of each paycheck. It may not be all paid off but darn close.