DVC and retirement planning.

[tvwalsh]

As a Wisconsin snowbird, DVC plays a big role in my retirement planning. With the DVC, I will be able to stay in a one bedroom at OKW from Jan 15 to Feb. 8. with my 550 points. Because I own the points and cannot outlive them, My only real cost is the $2500 in yearly fees. This cost is not out of line for first class accomodations in good locations in Florida in the winter. Moeover, when I can no longer travel my daughters will enjoy using the points.

How will you be using your points after you retire?

 

[Cruelladeville]

I am a newly retired teacher--it's amazing how much time there really is during the average day --and I currently have 916 points and 3 Marriott timeshares for the winter months. I am giving 150 pts to one DD, but the other DD can't afford dues. That's been a continuing problem with our timeshares--the kids can't afford the dues! We decided that we would use them until we are in our 70's, and if the kids aren't ready for them then, we will sell them and give them the cash instead. It's surprising to find that our beloved DVC may not be quite the gift we intended.

 

[jekjones1558]

I am a retired teacher also. We are now able to use our points at times that were impossible while I was teaching. I guess our 1000 points would allow us to escape MN winter for an extended time, but we prefer more frequent 1 week trips and we usually get 2 - 1 bedrooms so we can bring guests. The points are gone in no time. I look at add-ons periodically, but our dues are already pretty high. Maybe someday, when we don't have a beloved and very daddy-dependent dog to worry about, we will try longer DVC trips.

 

[tvwalsh]

I am a retired teacher also. We are now able to use our points at times that were impossible while I was teaching. I guess our 1000 points would allow us to escape MN winter for an extended time, but we prefer more frequent 1 week trips and we usually get 2 - 1 bedrooms so we can bring guests. The points are gone in no time. I look at add-ons periodically, but our dues are already pretty high. Maybe someday, when we don't have a beloved and very daddy-dependent dog to worry about, we will try longer DVC trips.

OH boy can I relate! Although I would love to actually go south for the three or four weeks that I described, I have generally kept the kenneling of Rue, my tri-color collie, to no more than 12 days at a time. (Notice how I say 12 days rather than two weeks? That's years of point usage speaking!)

 

[DVCconvert]

How will you be using your points after you retire?

January, Feburary & March in a 1 Bedroom at BWV !

 

[Dean]

I must admit that planning for retirement in the next few years (8-10 maybe), is part of the reason I am planning to sell MOST (not all) of my points. Our plan right now is to travel 3-4 weeks at a time about 30-50% of the time. Here's my current thinking. We can trade in to DVC through II during times others tend not to go (like Jan and Sept) and we want to do other things as well. With access to II (exchanges and rentals) and off season flexibility, I could stay on the Beach in HH for as little as $1000-1200 a month cost with all utilities covered, free high speed internet, weekly cleaning and the like. Same for Branson, FL, many parts of the Caribbean, MX, DVC etc. Orlando non DVC, Branson, Williamsburg, CO, Utah, CA desert etc could even be cheaper. And while peak times might not be workable under this plan, once wouldn't be stuck with bad times to go either. I would use what I own more for peak times with strategic exchanges tied in.

We've looked at HH to buy a Condo or second home but the dollars are too much to justify it. I still may go further on fractionals there, I just haven't investigated that item enough yet.

 

[Granny]

How will you be using your points after you retire?

DW and I look forward to going to WDW during off-peak times as empty-nesting and retirement should coincide pretty closely. Also, we'll be stretch our points even further by downsizing to a 1BR villa.

But how we're really, really hoping to use DVC during retirement at some point.....is to take future grandkids to WDW!

 

[MdmMim]

I am retired, DH is not. I travel to WDW for a month or so in Jan/Feb. But I also go there for 2 weeks in Oct and at least a week in early Dec. ( I can't stay away!) This is the pattern that has worked for me for the last few years. We also set aside a few points for our grown "children" to use each year (with restrictions-no holidays; Su-Th only; studio only.)

Since I'm fortunate enough to have time to travel, I often go to WDW solo, then when my DH can get time off, he flies down to "visit." When he retires, he plans on spending a month at the BWV with me.

DVC + retirement =

 

[VLee]

Hopefully, within the next three years, I can retire and be able to spend at least a month from the last part of May to the end of June on property. The grandkids will be out of school then. With creative banking and borrowing of my 365 pts, I think we can stretch our points to stay in a studio for at least a month. We may move around a little from resort to resort and even stay a weekend or two off property while we visit Universal and some of the other sites around Orlando.

 

[DVC-Don]

We have enough (after selling off 70 points recently) to stay at OKW in a 1 bedroom for 19 nights in January. That would be a nice break from our winters here.