Debt Dumpers - 2016

[Eureka]

So how much are you planning on spending that you didn't think you'd be spending originally? Exactly how often do you get to Florida?
And what an awesome job with the pto!

Rarely get to Florida. We've taken the kids three times within 5 years and like I said, they are ready for other things now, so no trip on the horizon. We also live 874 miles away from WDW (DS#2 was 5 years old when we first went and he was fascinated with the mileage so we remember it) so not like it's around the corner.

When I decided to do this trip, I knew I'd have to buy plane tickets (already bought:first time flying there; we've always driven) and DH and I discussed that I wanted to buy my sister's Universal ticket. I knew I wouldn't have to pay for hotel and turns out I may not have to pay for as many meals as I thought. I also thought I'd have to pay my own shuttle to/from the airport but my sister's company prefers Uber which does not charge per person and she would need to expense that anyway whether it was just her or her and me. So really the Epcot ticket is the only extra expense I hadn't already thought about.

 

[Eureka]

We get 6 paid holidays. My last job gave us over double that - 2 paid days for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's vs. 1 day each here along with other holidays we don't get at all here. I also get 2 weeks of sick time a year and 4 personal days. I would think if it's unlimited PTO it wouldn't really matter how they categorize it but then again I've never been with a company that did it that way. I'm guessing by your response that it's not as good as it sounds.

It's still good, don't get me wrong. Studies apparently say that people who have unlimited PTO typically don't use as much as when they know they have X days to "use or lose." It's just a different mindset. Last year was the first year with it. The year before we had 25 days (vacation and sick combined) and 7 holidays, so I try to use that number as my guide to make sure I am not (read: my manager does not think) taking advantage.

 

[Dentam]

Glad to hear you liked the Behind the Seeds tour. That's also kind of what I wondered, how good it was.

Well, it's been over a decade since we did the tour, but I assume it's still good!

 

[Eureka]

double post.

 

[Alice Sr.]

YNAB! Is not like traditional budgeting. You are only supposed to enter the budget transactions when you actually get income. You enter the income, then assign every dollar a job with only that income. Then you don't get the negative number at the top of the Budget page. It took me a bit to get used to, especially since I am salaried and know what I get each check.

I put the amounts for my budget for the whole month in the text on each line item, with the due date. For example:

Internet - $95.43 - 20th
NetFlix - $8.75 - 22nd
Hulu - $8.74 - 22nd

For more flexible categories, like so:

Groceries - $375/mo.
If you haven't taken any of the free webinars, I highly recommend it.

So on the transaction page take out the line items that have not been paid yet? I like what you do, now that I have finally committed to budgeting, I want to know what is due when. I just entered them because they are auto deductions from my checking acct. I haven't watched any of the webinars yet, hopefully tomorrow. Thanks for your help!

 

[PrincessKymm]

You guys gotta talk me down....bear with me while I explain. I mentioned how I'm going to Orlando with my sister. We'll be there four nights. I've decided not to try to work while I'm there, and will just take PTO. (My company has an unlimited PTO policy as long as we don't abuse it). The first day, we arrive in the afternoon and she won't have much to do until the next day so we can hang out by the pool if it's warm enough and relax. Or whatever. She is getting me into the conference for free on one day to see the panel she's moderating and do other conference-y things. (Her employer is co-sponsoring the conference and it's not my line of work but something I am interested in, so this is cool). Another day she has told her coworkers that she is playing hooky and she and I are going to Universal. She has never been and I have only been once in 2013 and have not seen the newest Harry Potter stuff. Then there is another day where she will be busy with work and told me to keep dinner time open and we'll eat together, but I am on my own that day.

This is where the "dilemma" comes in. Should I be "good" and take the hotel shuttle to wherever they drop for Disney and wander the deluxe resorts? I have never been to Animal Kingdom Lodge and would love to see if I could see any animals. I also love the theming of the Yacht Club and Grand Floridian and could wander and have some lunch at either place. Or...I could get a ticket and go to Epcot and take the Behind the Seeds tour I've wanted to take since our first trip with the kids in 2008. The tour itself is like $20 but of course the park ticket is not. When we've gone with the kids, we never wanted to take the time out to do it, and now they are older and we think we are done with Disney as a family (at least for awhile). Then if I was already there, I'd do some stuff, but I probably wouldn't get tickets too far ahead of time and so wouldn't really have fast passes. But that's fine.

As soon as I mentioned to DH that I'd have a day on my own, he said I should look into stuff we've never done and how often do I get so close to Disney? (The answer is not often). He said to do whatever I want and not worry about the money. I plan to offer to buy my sister's Universal ticket bc even though she personally is not paying for the hotel, obviously bc of her I'm getting free lodging and she said I am welcome to join in any dinners with her coworkers (that will be expensed) and even the Uber from the airport will be expensed and I won't need to pay.

So, not that I need "permission," but I basically have the green light to buy a park ticket if I want and do the tour...but I feel kind of like I shouldn't, even though I want to. I never go away without my family and DH has said every step of the way that I should, he wants me to have fun. But at the same time I feel almost guilty, even though I am excited beyond belief about this trip and can't wait. Does this all make sense? Thanks for listening to the rambling. First world problems, I know!

I say go for it. Seriously, when will this opportunity presents itself again? You're gonna spend approximately $400-$500 for the days at universal and Epcot, right? That's for two people one day and one person the other day, so technically just over $100 per person per park day. Not too shabby for a 4 day vacation. I agree with getting a ticket from Undercover Tourist if it will save you money. If not, buy a ticket, get some fast passes, book your tour and live life! I managed a 6 day road trip for two for about $1,000 including 3 star hotels. Yeah I couldve done it for less but this opportunity will never present itself again. Go for it! I'm sure you can figure out a way to save $400 over the course of the year to "pay" for it if it will appease your guilt. Have fun!!!!

 

[Gena001]

I have noticed that if I buy JUST Disney gift cards with Target gift cards, it doesn't give me the 5% off for having my Red Card on file. If I add something else to my cart, then I get the 5% off the gift cards and whatever I bought.

I get my $25 Target cards once a month for $22 in Swagbucks (12% off) and then the extra 5% savings when I use them to buy Disney cards. In the last year, I've earned $200 worth of Disney gift cards from Swagbucks and am waiting for another $50 to credit soon. I don't work too hard at it, but by the time we go to Disneyworld in May, I should have $300 towards our spending money, which helps me lessen the amount of saved cash I need to bring and also doesn't increase my debt!

Linder, it seems to do that from time to time. Last spring and summer I was purchasing more for our last trip and NEVER had an issue. Other people on the Disney Gift Card Deals thread did mention it. I suggest following that thread to see if others are posting about the same issue right now. See how they are handling it. Course, if you don't mind adding something else, then that's good, too.

 

[Gena001]

Hi Debt Dumpers! I haven't read through all the posts but I hope everyone's 2016 is off to a good start. I just popped in to say, I just paid off my student loan! If anyone remembers from last year's thread, my sister & I sold a piece of property that my dad left to us. I got the check for my half of the profit at Christmas, and it's almost enough to pay off all of our credit card debt and the remainder of my student loan. I decided to start with the loan, since it is the largest monthly payment and the only debt currently charging me interest. (The CC's are both on 0% promotions.) Now I have to decide whether to just pay off both CC's now, or put the rest of the money into a savings account to earn interest until the 0% promotions expire. With interest only being 1% (at best), I'm not sure if it's worth continuing to pay monthly just to earn ~$130 over the course of a year.

CONGRATULATIONS! Do you have a sufficient emergency fund? I'd take that into consideration before deciding to pay off all the cards as well as how much you have available to pay toward debts. It sure feels good to wipe the slate!

Best wishes!

 

[Gena001]

Do you have an emergency savings? If not, definitely save it! I would lean towards saving it regardless... Using windfalls to pay off debt can lead to accruing more debt later on, whereas going through the process of paying the debt off will help to instill amazing, lifelong habits. You can always withdraw it and pay it off later down the road if necessary, but hopefully it won't be and you'll be debt free and have a nice cushion!

LOL... I should have read a little further before posting the same question. Others asked as well. At least I know I'm in great company!

 

[OhMari]

You guys gotta talk me down....bear with me while I explain. I mentioned how I'm going to Orlando with my sister. We'll be there four nights. I've decided not to try to work while I'm there, and will just take PTO. (My company has an unlimited PTO policy as long as we don't abuse it). The first day, we arrive in the afternoon and she won't have much to do until the next day so we can hang out by the pool if it's warm enough and relax. Or whatever. She is getting me into the conference for free on one day to see the panel she's moderating and do other conference-y things. (Her employer is co-sponsoring the conference and it's not my line of work but something I am interested in, so this is cool). Another day she has told her coworkers that she is playing hooky and she and I are going to Universal. She has never been and I have only been once in 2013 and have not seen the newest Harry Potter stuff. Then there is another day where she will be busy with work and told me to keep dinner time open and we'll eat together, but I am on my own that day.

This is where the "dilemma" comes in. Should I be "good" and take the hotel shuttle to wherever they drop for Disney and wander the deluxe resorts? I have never been to Animal Kingdom Lodge and would love to see if I could see any animals. I also love the theming of the Yacht Club and Grand Floridian and could wander and have some lunch at either place. Or...I could get a ticket and go to Epcot and take the Behind the Seeds tour I've wanted to take since our first trip with the kids in 2008. The tour itself is like $20 but of course the park ticket is not. When we've gone with the kids, we never wanted to take the time out to do it, and now they are older and we think we are done with Disney as a family (at least for awhile). Then if I was already there, I'd do some stuff, but I probably wouldn't get tickets too far ahead of time and so wouldn't really have fast passes. But that's fine.

As soon as I mentioned to DH that I'd have a day on my own, he said I should look into stuff we've never done and how often do I get so close to Disney? (The answer is not often). He said to do whatever I want and not worry about the money. I plan to offer to buy my sister's Universal ticket bc even though she personally is not paying for the hotel, obviously bc of her I'm getting free lodging and she said I am welcome to join in any dinners with her coworkers (that will be expensed) and even the Uber from the airport will be expensed and I won't need to pay.

So, not that I need "permission," but I basically have the green light to buy a park ticket if I want and do the tour...but I feel kind of like I shouldn't, even though I want to. I never go away without my family and DH has said every step of the way that I should, he wants me to have fun. But at the same time I feel almost guilty, even though I am excited beyond belief about this trip and can't wait. Does this all make sense? Thanks for listening to the rambling. First world problems, I know!

I do Disney things when my DH is at his conferences. I have done both, resort hopping and parks. I would do the resort hopping, because it is not something you would do with your family. If you go to The Animal Kingdom Lodge, you will,definitely see animals. You can ask for a tour at any of the resorts too. We are staying at The Wilderness Lodge in February and we are doing a hour long tour to learn about the Lodge. Have fun.

 

[Gena001]

You guys gotta talk me down....bear with me while I explain. I mentioned how I'm going to Orlando with my sister. We'll be there four nights. I've decided not to try to work while I'm there, and will just take PTO. (My company has an unlimited PTO policy as long as we don't abuse it). The first day, we arrive in the afternoon and she won't have much to do until the next day so we can hang out by the pool if it's warm enough and relax. Or whatever. She is getting me into the conference for free on one day to see the panel she's moderating and do other conference-y things. (Her employer is co-sponsoring the conference and it's not my line of work but something I am interested in, so this is cool). Another day she has told her coworkers that she is playing hooky and she and I are going to Universal. She has never been and I have only been once in 2013 and have not seen the newest Harry Potter stuff. Then there is another day where she will be busy with work and told me to keep dinner time open and we'll eat together, but I am on my own that day.

This is where the "dilemma" comes in. Should I be "good" and take the hotel shuttle to wherever they drop for Disney and wander the deluxe resorts? I have never been to Animal Kingdom Lodge and would love to see if I could see any animals. I also love the theming of the Yacht Club and Grand Floridian and could wander and have some lunch at either place. Or...I could get a ticket and go to Epcot and take the Behind the Seeds tour I've wanted to take since our first trip with the kids in 2008. The tour itself is like $20 but of course the park ticket is not. When we've gone with the kids, we never wanted to take the time out to do it, and now they are older and we think we are done with Disney as a family (at least for awhile). Then if I was already there, I'd do some stuff, but I probably wouldn't get tickets too far ahead of time and so wouldn't really have fast passes. But that's fine.

As soon as I mentioned to DH that I'd have a day on my own, he said I should look into stuff we've never done and how often do I get so close to Disney? (The answer is not often). He said to do whatever I want and not worry about the money. I plan to offer to buy my sister's Universal ticket bc even though she personally is not paying for the hotel, obviously bc of her I'm getting free lodging and she said I am welcome to join in any dinners with her coworkers (that will be expensed) and even the Uber from the airport will be expensed and I won't need to pay.

So, not that I need "permission," but I basically have the green light to buy a park ticket if I want and do the tour...but I feel kind of like I shouldn't, even though I want to. I never go away without my family and DH has said every step of the way that I should, he wants me to have fun. But at the same time I feel almost guilty, even though I am excited beyond belief about this trip and can't wait. Does this all make sense? Thanks for listening to the rambling. First world problems, I know!

Me...personally...I'd LOVE to resort hop! See the deluxe hotels that I've not visited to date and stop by my beloved moderate, Riverside as well. I'd linger in each gift shop (and severely restrain from purchase urges), peek at the pools, stalk the water slides and photograph the heck out of it all!

A very close second for me is an opportunity to see the World Showcase solo.

I hear your plight! Only you can answer! I think the trip sounds FANTASTICAL!!! LOL.

 

[Alice Sr.]

Stupid TV/internet, I switched internet provider from Comcast to AT&T and saved 80.00 a month. My TV service is DirectTV, since they recently merged with AT&T the rep asked if it was ok to combine billing - no problem. I just checked my checking account to reconcile my YNAB and there was a 428.00 AT&T debit, boo. The "old me" didn't notice that the bill wasn't being deducted, no wonder Christmas didn't seem quite so painful this year. Between that and a 180.00 kitty bill Friday, there goes most of my snowball, that's deflating.

 

[Eureka]

Me...personally...I'd LOVE to resort hop! See the deluxe hotels that I've not visited to date and stop by my beloved moderate, Riverside as well. I'd linger in each gift shop (and severely restrain from purchase urges), peek at the pools, stalk the water slides and photograph the heck out of it all!

A very close second for me is an opportunity to see the World Showcase solo.

I hear your plight! Only you can answer! I think the trip sounds FANTASTICAL!!! LOL.

That's the thing, I have not really savored the details of World Showcase when we've all gone together. And the tour I want to take is not something my kids would be interested in either. Still mulling it over...

 

[dayvewc]

You guys gotta talk me down....bear with me while I explain. I mentioned how I'm going to Orlando with my sister. We'll be there four nights. I've decided not to try to work while I'm there, and will just take PTO. (My company has an unlimited PTO policy as long as we don't abuse it). The first day, we arrive in the afternoon and she won't have much to do until the next day so we can hang out by the pool if it's warm enough and relax. Or whatever. She is getting me into the conference for free on one day to see the panel she's moderating and do other conference-y things. (Her employer is co-sponsoring the conference and it's not my line of work but something I am interested in, so this is cool). Another day she has told her coworkers that she is playing hooky and she and I are going to Universal. She has never been and I have only been once in 2013 and have not seen the newest Harry Potter stuff. Then there is another day where she will be busy with work and told me to keep dinner time open and we'll eat together, but I am on my own that day.

This is where the "dilemma" comes in. Should I be "good" and take the hotel shuttle to wherever they drop for Disney and wander the deluxe resorts? I have never been to Animal Kingdom Lodge and would love to see if I could see any animals. I also love the theming of the Yacht Club and Grand Floridian and could wander and have some lunch at either place. Or...I could get a ticket and go to Epcot and take the Behind the Seeds tour I've wanted to take since our first trip with the kids in 2008. The tour itself is like $20 but of course the park ticket is not. When we've gone with the kids, we never wanted to take the time out to do it, and now they are older and we think we are done with Disney as a family (at least for awhile). Then if I was already there, I'd do some stuff, but I probably wouldn't get tickets too far ahead of time and so wouldn't really have fast passes. But that's fine.

As soon as I mentioned to DH that I'd have a day on my own, he said I should look into stuff we've never done and how often do I get so close to Disney? (The answer is not often). He said to do whatever I want and not worry about the money. I plan to offer to buy my sister's Universal ticket bc even though she personally is not paying for the hotel, obviously bc of her I'm getting free lodging and she said I am welcome to join in any dinners with her coworkers (that will be expensed) and even the Uber from the airport will be expensed and I won't need to pay.

So, not that I need "permission," but I basically have the green light to buy a park ticket if I want and do the tour...but I feel kind of like I shouldn't, even though I want to. I never go away without my family and DH has said every step of the way that I should, he wants me to have fun. But at the same time I feel almost guilty, even though I am excited beyond belief about this trip and can't wait. Does this all make sense? Thanks for listening to the rambling. First world problems, I know!

Just me, and lord knows I'm normally all in favor of finding a way to vacation more, but I vote "No" on the 1-day EPCOT ticket. Single day tickets through Undercover Tourist tend to be slightly more than gate price, and I don't know of another reputable discount ticket sales for WDW. I just don't see paying over $100 for entrance to the park, just so you can pay them an extra $20 for the tour. Especially if you are not staying on-property. All of the resorts and hotels I have stayed at off-property have limited shuttles to WDW. So, you may also need to pay for Uber or a taxi if you wind up needing to meet your sister at a specific time for dinner. That also brings up the fact that leaving to meet your sister for dinner lessens the time you would be in the park, boosting the per hour rate even higher. (Instead of $120 for ticket and tour for 12 hours, it might be $120 for ticket and tour for only 6-8 hours depending on what time dinner winds up being).

I would vote for the "tour the resorts" option, or maybe go back to US for another day. Multi-day tickets to US will be less per day than a single day ticket to WDW.

 

[Dentam]

Single day tickets through Undercover Tourist tend to be slightly more than gate price

I didn't know that - thanks for the info! We've only gotten multi-day tickets through them.

 

[rnorwo1]

You guys gotta talk me down....bear with me while I explain. I mentioned how I'm going to Orlando with my sister. We'll be there four nights. I've decided not to try to work while I'm there, and will just take PTO. (My company has an unlimited PTO policy as long as we don't abuse it). The first day, we arrive in the afternoon and she won't have much to do until the next day so we can hang out by the pool if it's warm enough and relax. Or whatever. She is getting me into the conference for free on one day to see the panel she's moderating and do other conference-y things. (Her employer is co-sponsoring the conference and it's not my line of work but something I am interested in, so this is cool). Another day she has told her coworkers that she is playing hooky and she and I are going to Universal. She has never been and I have only been once in 2013 and have not seen the newest Harry Potter stuff. Then there is another day where she will be busy with work and told me to keep dinner time open and we'll eat together, but I am on my own that day.

This is where the "dilemma" comes in. Should I be "good" and take the hotel shuttle to wherever they drop for Disney and wander the deluxe resorts? I have never been to Animal Kingdom Lodge and would love to see if I could see any animals. I also love the theming of the Yacht Club and Grand Floridian and could wander and have some lunch at either place. Or...I could get a ticket and go to Epcot and take the Behind the Seeds tour I've wanted to take since our first trip with the kids in 2008. The tour itself is like $20 but of course the park ticket is not. When we've gone with the kids, we never wanted to take the time out to do it, and now they are older and we think we are done with Disney as a family (at least for awhile). Then if I was already there, I'd do some stuff, but I probably wouldn't get tickets too far ahead of time and so wouldn't really have fast passes. But that's fine.

As soon as I mentioned to DH that I'd have a day on my own, he said I should look into stuff we've never done and how often do I get so close to Disney? (The answer is not often). He said to do whatever I want and not worry about the money. I plan to offer to buy my sister's Universal ticket bc even though she personally is not paying for the hotel, obviously bc of her I'm getting free lodging and she said I am welcome to join in any dinners with her coworkers (that will be expensed) and even the Uber from the airport will be expensed and I won't need to pay.

So, not that I need "permission," but I basically have the green light to buy a park ticket if I want and do the tour...but I feel kind of like I shouldn't, even though I want to. I never go away without my family and DH has said every step of the way that I should, he wants me to have fun. But at the same time I feel almost guilty, even though I am excited beyond belief about this trip and can't wait. Does this all make sense? Thanks for listening to the rambling. First world problems, I know!

I had a conference in Orlando last year, and I had one day free. I thought about doing one park day, but then I too couldn't justify that much for one day. But, we enjoy Disney for our kids more than us... So, if you think that you will enjoy every minute of that day (and you can afford the $120), then go for it. I decided to spend my free day meandering through DTD and snacked on a few treats, and it was a nice day. If you decide against Epcot, you could get a 2 day ticket at universal (only $50 more than 1 day). Or, just take a relaxing day to look at a few resorts and have lunch someplace special. You'll have a lot of fun either way!

 

[Dentam]

Oh boy... I know I shouldn't do this but I am so tempted to foster this Bernese mix dog that a local rescue is still trying to find a home for... aaah. They would cover all vet bills, food, etc. But my problem would be that I'm sure I'd fall in love with him and wouldn't want to give him up! Not exactly a good debt dumping strategy.

 

[Eureka]

Just me, and lord knows I'm normally all in favor of finding a way to vacation more, but I vote "No" on the 1-day EPCOT ticket. Single day tickets through Undercover Tourist tend to be slightly more than gate price, and I don't know of another reputable discount ticket sales for WDW. I just don't see paying over $100 for entrance to the park, just so you can pay them an extra $20 for the tour. Especially if you are not staying on-property. All of the resorts and hotels I have stayed at off-property have limited shuttles to WDW. So, you may also need to pay for Uber or a taxi if you wind up needing to meet your sister at a specific time for dinner. That also brings up the fact that leaving to meet your sister for dinner lessens the time you would be in the park, boosting the per hour rate even higher. (Instead of $120 for ticket and tour for 12 hours, it might be $120 for ticket and tour for only 6-8 hours depending on what time dinner winds up being).

I would vote for the "tour the resorts" option, or maybe go back to US for another day. Multi-day tickets to US will be less per day than a single day ticket to WDW.

Thanks, that is what I need to figure out also, what's the timing of everything. I'm going to call the hotel and ask about their shuttle schedule (and location, bc I'll probably need to take a bus from wherever they leave me to Epcot). I'm having a hard time justifying it to myself too.

 

[Eureka]

I had a conference in Orlando last year, and I had one day free. I thought about doing one park day, but then I too couldn't justify that much for one day. But, we enjoy Disney for our kids more than us... So, if you think that you will enjoy every minute of that day (and you can afford the $120), then go for it. I decided to spend my free day meandering through DTD and snacked on a few treats, and it was a nice day. If you decide against Epcot, you could get a 2 day ticket at universal (only $50 more than 1 day). Or, just take a relaxing day to look at a few resorts and have lunch someplace special. You'll have a lot of fun either way!

I'm not a thrill rider so I'm not sure if I would want to add another Universal day to go by myself. A lot of my fun there was being with others. But I'd be quite happy snacking my way through resorts, lol.

 

[dayvewc]

Thanks, that is what I need to figure out also, what's the timing of everything. I'm going to call the hotel and ask about their shuttle schedule (and location, bc I'll probably need to take a bus from wherever they leave me to Epcot). I'm having a hard time justifying it to myself too.

The one resort that I remember actually made the rounds of all the parks. It left the front desk at about 8:30 every day and went to the parks (MK -> EP -> HS -> AK), and then did pick up between 4:30 and 5 and again at like 8:30 - 9 pm. You were instructed to be where they dropped you off when they came through because they would not come back. It may have just been that one resort, but after looking at the way they did the shuttles I never investigated how other places did them beyond noticing if it was offered.