HELP. Need a math geek! NEWBIE that can't seem to "get it"

[bumbershoot]

Just in case you hadn't seen it, up at the top of the page you'll see a link to DVC Point Charts. Click on that, and look at the 2010 points (different from this year) to see what sort of trips you could take, where, on 2 or 3 years worth of points.

I'm sure the PMs you've gotten have more than covered it, but just for fun...we bought 160 points at BLT (financed, though we're paying it off early and there's no penalty to do that, and we don't even own a home, we're happy renters!). We had plans for an October trip, we were going to borrow from 2010 points to have twice the points, and treat some WDW-local family. Oct is off now, b/c hubby had to scramble to find a new job mere days after our 10 days DVC cancellation period was up and he's not going to take a huge vacay with a new job. So we plan to bank this year's points into next year, and do the big trip next year. We *might* even borrow from 2011 points, for up to a total of 480 points, for a trip in 2010, really do it up right for us and for the family (they will only stay 4 days or so, we will stay much longer).

And, get this, we haven't even been to WDW yet. Seriously, we just love DLR so much that we know we'll adore WDW, and we know we'll want to go there often, along with our budget (usually) trips to So Cal (my brother lives there).

By the way, I too am almost 40, and we just bought in in March. Hubby's a little younger.


They do indeed have presentations on the cruise, and I've heard that incentives can be even better than on land. Have fun!

 

[Gina35]

wait for it.....

DH says he's "open to the idea"!!!!! "I think I'm ready."

A year ago it was "Don't even think about it."


THANKS GUYS! Each one of you helped! Well, we're not there YET, but closer!

WOw!!! I've got my fingers crossed for you...ALL of you...b/c you will ALL be so glad you did it! My DH was on the fence as well at the beginning; I was the one to do the pushing. He is SO glad that we did it; he loves going as much as I do (but I'm the one to do all the planning; that's not his thing). So far we haven't used the points for anything but DW...and I don't know if we will. We all just love our Disney vacations that much! Two Christmases ago, the kids gave us a "Disney memories" scrapbook. They made a whole scrapbook of pictures through the years at DW (taking many of them from my house when we didn't even know it). It is priceless to see their "little" faces turn into adults. It's so obvious in all the pics that we're having the times of our lives. DH and I keep it out on a table in our family room;and we look at it often, reliving the moments. It is one of the BEST gifts I've ever received! Fingers are still crossed..... Please let us know!

 

[ppony]

Just in case you hadn't seen it, up at the top of the page you'll see a link to DVC Point Charts. Click on that, and look at the 2010 points (different from this year) to see what sort of trips you could take, where, on 2 or 3 years worth of points.

I'm sure the PMs you've gotten have more than covered it, but just for fun...we bought 160 points at BLT (financed, though we're paying it off early and there's no penalty to do that, and we don't even own a home, we're happy renters!). We had plans for an October trip, we were going to borrow from 2010 points to have twice the points, and treat some WDW-local family. Oct is off now, b/c hubby had to scramble to find a new job mere days after our 10 days DVC cancellation period was up and he's not going to take a huge vacay with a new job. So we plan to bank this year's points into next year, and do the big trip next year. We *might* even borrow from 2011 points, for up to a total of 480 points, for a trip in 2010, really do it up right for us and for the family (they will only stay 4 days or so, we will stay much longer).

And, get this, we haven't even been to WDW yet. Seriously, we just love DLR so much that we know we'll adore WDW, and we know we'll want to go there often, along with our budget (usually) trips to So Cal (my brother lives there).

By the way, I too am almost 40, and we just bought in in March. Hubby's a little younger.


They do indeed have presentations on the cruise, and I've heard that incentives can be even better than on land. Have fun!

You haven't even been there yet? WOW. I wish though I had done it like you, we'd have paid it all off by now and be enjoying it! You guys are smart! (I'm glad your DH got a job quickly too. Not an easy feat right now)

HEY! No, I hadn't noticed that those links at the top all change per subject matter you are on. Huh. And here I've been a member of DIS since before the big crash of 1999. Tells you how observant I am. Actually, I hate to frequent the DIS boards when I don't have a trip planned because it's like torture. BUT if we always have a trip in the works because of DVC, I'll annoy everyone frequently! You sure you want to be helping me?

That points chart is a GREAT illuminator. The most awesome part is I love Adventure season and can occasionally think about Choice, but I'd never go at any other time. SO. HMMMMM!!!! And wow. Honestly with what we tend to spend each tim on resorts, 3 trips would equal 160 points.

Of course I'm getting loaded w/ questions right now but I'll not bug everyone w/ them. Just a few people.

The more I look at things, the more sense this makes. I was talking to DH last night and he was actually surprised at how much we spend on resorts alone. He didn't know how much because like Gina, I'm the planner and arranger. Scarey eh?!

WOw!!! I've got my fingers crossed for you...ALL of you...b/c you will ALL be so glad you did it! My DH was on the fence as well at the beginning; I was the one to do the pushing. He is SO glad that we did it; he loves going as much as I do (but I'm the one to do all the planning; that's not his thing). So far we haven't used the points for anything but DW...and I don't know if we will. We all just love our Disney vacations that much! Two Christmases ago, the kids gave us a "Disney memories" scrapbook. They made a whole scrapbook of pictures through the years at DW (taking many of them from my house when we didn't even know it). It is priceless to see their "little" faces turn into adults. It's so obvious in all the pics that we're having the times of our lives. DH and I keep it out on a table in our family room;and we look at it often, reliving the moments. It is one of the BEST gifts I've ever received! Fingers are still crossed..... Please let us know!

What a beautiful story! I could only hope for something so wonderful.
You and I are twins Gina in the planning Dept! Something tells me lots of moms are.


Obviously I have much to look at but now, to worry about getting financing. We are planing on refinancing our house under a VA loan in January or early next year.

 

[bumbershoot]

You haven't even been there yet? WOW. I wish though I had done it like you, we'd have paid it all off by now and be enjoying it! You guys are smart! (I'm glad your DH got a job quickly too. Not an easy feat right now)

HEY! No, I hadn't noticed that those links at the top all change per subject matter you are on. Huh. And here I've been a member of DIS since before the big crash of 1999. Tells you how observant I am. Actually, I hate to frequent the DIS boards when I don't have a trip planned because it's like torture. BUT if we always have a trip in the works because of DVC, I'll annoy everyone frequently! You sure you want to be helping me?

That points chart is a GREAT illuminator. The most awesome part is I love Adventure season and can occasionally think about Choice, but I'd never go at any other time. SO. HMMMMM!!!! And wow. Honestly with what we tend to spend each tim on resorts, 3 trips would equal 160 points.

Of course I'm getting loaded w/ questions right now but I'll not bug everyone w/ them. Just a few people.





Obviously I have much to look at but now, to worry about getting financing. We are planing on refinancing our house under a VA loan in January or early next year.

To talk about the last first. The loan directly through Disney means that Disney "is the bank". They are the ones loaning you the money. You give them your SS#, they plug it in, and they give you the answer immediately. Hubby gave his to Jim, Jim asked "so how do you want to pay the rest of your deposit" (about half was by giftcard in the incentive that was going on at the time), and hubby nearly fell over..."um, does that mean I qualify???" It was that fast.

And the loans are invisible to others. They do not report them to credit agences, so your VA loan won't be affected at all (in terms of qualifying) because the VA loan people wont' even SEE it. Of course you might have to put down how much you spend in payments, but they won't see it when they check your credit. It's lovely like that. Though if you're working on building up your credit (hubby had what the bank had called "neutral" credit...nothing good, nothing bad, no history) it's not great, but overall it's a good thing.

And good to know.



I tell you, the job thing...we have an embarrassment of "riches" job-wise right now; his old company is trying to get him back, his new company is trying to keep him (he's contracting right now and they know he wants a "permanent" job and are trying to make that happen)...he is much loved right now and it's so amazing. And all the while my jaw is still sore from the forced "keep it up" smiles and stress during the nearly 2 months he was looking (after they told him of the dept closure and before it closed), but I'm trying to relax it!


The one thing that does throw the wildcard out there is the maintenance fees. Those are every year (or month if you choose to pay them monthly). You need to be aware of that, that you'll be paying them for the whole time you own, even after you've finished your loan. Hubby wanted AKV but our guide urged him to BLT b/c the dues are lower, but that could change (I kinda doubt that, since I imagine a savannah costs more to maintain than a highrise, LOL). Ultimately, for us, though, it doesn't matter b/c we're happy anywhere.


Adventure/Choice season...as I'm sure you know, they can change the season timing up, they can smoosh around the points from one area to the other. Check out the '09 points to compare/contrast '10, to see what they did and what they could do again. At first it made me sad b/c we were going to be weekday trip types, but now it's actually freed us up to just go for a nice long stay without much "penalty". About half the trips we "want" to take increased a bit, but the other half decreased. Anyway, point allocations over the whole place won't change, but within seasons, days, weekday vs weekend, can, and it's really good to be aware of that! Thankfully we have the Dis to explain that, and our guide especially explained it really well to us (whew).

Have fun thinking about it!

 

[ppony]

Gosh, soaking it ALL up like a sponge! Lots of things I didn't know so I'm GLAD you mentioned them. Like the changing of the "seasons" and such.

I think I'm going to do a BUNCH more reading and then finally make a call. So many options. So much to think about. My poor brain hasn't thought so hard since college! almost 2 decades ago. I think I hear the gears grinding.

To talk about the last first. The loan directly through Disney means that Disney "is the bank". They are the ones loaning you the money. You give them your SS#, they plug it in, and they give you the answer immediately. Hubby gave his to Jim, Jim asked "so how do you want to pay the rest of your deposit" (about half was by giftcard in the incentive that was going on at the time), and hubby nearly fell over..."um, does that mean I qualify???" It was that fast.

And the loans are invisible to others. They do not report them to credit agences, so your VA loan won't be affected at all (in terms of qualifying) because the VA loan people wont' even SEE it. Of course you might have to put down how much you spend in payments, but they won't see it when they check your credit. It's lovely like that. Though if you're working on building up your credit (hubby had what the bank had called "neutral" credit...nothing good, nothing bad, no history) it's not great, but overall it's a good thing.

And good to know.



I tell you, the job thing...we have an embarrassment of "riches" job-wise right now; his old company is trying to get him back, his new company is trying to keep him (he's contracting right now and they know he wants a "permanent" job and are trying to make that happen)...he is much loved right now and it's so amazing. And all the while my jaw is still sore from the forced "keep it up" smiles and stress during the nearly 2 months he was looking (after they told him of the dept closure and before it closed), but I'm trying to relax it!


The one thing that does throw the wildcard out there is the maintenance fees. Those are every year (or month if you choose to pay them monthly). You need to be aware of that, that you'll be paying them for the whole time you own, even after you've finished your loan. Hubby wanted AKV but our guide urged him to BLT b/c the dues are lower, but that could change (I kinda doubt that, since I imagine a savannah costs more to maintain than a highrise, LOL). Ultimately, for us, though, it doesn't matter b/c we're happy anywhere.


Adventure/Choice season...as I'm sure you know, they can change the season timing up, they can smoosh around the points from one area to the other. Check out the '09 points to compare/contrast '10, to see what they did and what they could do again. At first it made me sad b/c we were going to be weekday trip types, but now it's actually freed us up to just go for a nice long stay without much "penalty". About half the trips we "want" to take increased a bit, but the other half decreased. Anyway, point allocations over the whole place won't change, but within seasons, days, weekday vs weekend, can, and it's really good to be aware of that! Thankfully we have the Dis to explain that, and our guide especially explained it really well to us (whew).

Have fun thinking about it!

 

[ToddyLu]

So DH is 45 and I am 40 . He is a fireman (FT) with a PT job on the side maybe a couple of days a month. I am a FT nurse. Very middle American....love Disney and we do not have children. I knew I wanted DVC in 2004 but have only been researching it this last year, here on the DIS. I had been going over the numbers with DH just letting him know what the points cost and what MFs were and basically trying to figure out with a calculator what our monthly note would be.

I wanted to just know the numbers finally. So I called MS and got a Guide (he is awesome). He called me within a few minutes and we had a brief 5 minute conversation on the phone about what my contract might be. He gave me the numbers and then we talked the following morning (after DH and I could sit down and hash it out). He also sent me the numbers in an email that evening to review.

We had to finance through Disney because we could not find a lender for a Timeshare type loan, without scouting the Internet and DH really didn't want to do that on line. We got a preferred loan rate from Disney. WE hope to pay it off in about 4-5 years. We purchased 210 AKV points. Our closing was about $330 and our MFs for 2008 were $590 (we got incentive points that matched our purchase points) so we paid for half of 2008 in MFs. Our monthly mortgage note will be about $230 with an $80 or so MF. So for about $310 we get our DVC. We pay our first note in August almost a full 2 months after signing. So many people talk about financing as not being a good option.....well it isn't on a credit card. We are dependable workers who appreciate the value of Disney and knowing that this is a luxury, look at it that way. I will not be getting a new sport car anytime soon. But that won't matter becasue for the last month and now the next three months my mind is squarly on that Studio with the SV.

DH doesn't golf, hunt or fish...we don't own a boat or go sking. DH likes to take photos. I don't have many hobbies other than the occasional scrapbook and Bunco game (we won't discuss how much time I spend on related Disney websites). So DVC will be our vacation home that so many people are finally able to afford after working for years and have stable careers. It is how we choose to spend our time and money.

He and I love Disney the same....he is looking forward to taking his camera and I just love to go and people watch. I like to say it like this


DVC...210 points at AKV (about $23,000)
Plane tickets to MCO via SW....$400
Expression on his face when he talks about that Savannah in Oct.....you guessed it....priceless.

We are just so looking forward to our happy Disney years ahead...thanks for letting me rant.

 

[ppony]

GREAT post. Helps my perspective. These are all things that are helping me like no amount of reading did before. And your comment about vacation home made me think. In MN, we all seem to know someone that owns a cabin. We don't want one and never will. SO, how is it different really? It's not!

I'll have hubby read more of the thread tonight. Believe it or not, he's actually getting excited about the idea. You guys did a GREAT sales job! You ALL need commissions!

So DH is 45 and I am 40 . He is a fireman (FT) with a PT job on the side maybe a couple of days a month. I am a FT nurse. Very middle American....love Disney and we do not have children. I knew I wanted DVC in 2004 but have only been researching it this last year, here on the DIS. I had been going over the numbers with DH just letting him know what the points cost and what MFs were and basically trying to figure out with a calculator what our monthly note would be.

I wanted to just know the numbers finally. So I called MS and got a Guide (he is awesome). He called me within a few minutes and we had a brief 5 minute conversation on the phone about what my contract might be. He gave me the numbers and then we talked the following morning (after DH and I could sit down and hash it out). He also sent me the numbers in an email that evening to review.

We had to finance through Disney because we could not find a lender for a Timeshare type loan, without scouting the Internet and DH really didn't want to do that on line. We got a preferred loan rate from Disney. WE hope to pay it off in about 4-5 years. We purchased 210 AKV points. Our closing was about $330 and our MFs for 2008 were $590 (we got incentive points that matched our purchase points) so we paid for half of 2008 in MFs. Our monthly mortgage note will be about $230 with an $80 or so MF. So for about $310 we get our DVC. We pay our first note in August almost a full 2 months after signing. So many people talk about financing as not being a good option.....well it isn't on a credit card. We are dependable workers who appreciate the value of Disney and knowing that this is a luxury, look at it that way. I will not be getting a new sport car anytime soon. But that won't matter becasue for the last month and now the next three months my mind is squarly on that Studio with the SV.

DH doesn't golf, hunt or fish...we don't own a boat or go sking. DH likes to take photos. I don't have many hobbies other than the occasional scrapbook and Bunco game (we won't discuss how much time I spend on related Disney websites). So DVC will be our vacation home that so many people are finally able to afford after working for years and have stable careers. It is how we choose to spend our time and money.

He and I love Disney the same....he is looking forward to taking his camera and I just love to go and people watch. I like to say it like this


DVC...210 points at AKV (about $23,000)
Plane tickets to MCO via SW....$400
Expression on his face when he talks about that Savannah in Oct.....you guessed it....priceless.

We are just so looking forward to our happy Disney years ahead...thanks for letting me rant.

 

[Tinks "SS"]

Ppony, You sound so much like me!! Dh and I are both 40. 2 boys 6 and 8. Dh's parents have a time share and have dragged us to presentations several times so they can see the resort and then the vultures look to us.

We just got back from the world in June and bought BLT. DH never does the planning and scoffs when i talk money with him about the facilities. In fact, we had always said that if we ever did a timeshare that it would be DVC cause we love WDW. When i started talking about wanting to see the tour this time, DH screamed no but agreed to go (peer pressure, boys wanted to go) He was the one when we were able to talk in private about that said he really liked this one and we should do it, no pressure from me. Then we had to decide how many points we needed.

We are going for our first trip in Oct for our oldest sons bday and so excited.

Yall will be so glad if yall choose to do it. DH is glad although i have found a new obsession.lol DISboards!!

 

[toniosmom]

We will be very happy to welcome you home to Disney, but you have to make the best decision for your family. Things are very uncertain these days, so you need to take that into account.

I bought 160 points at AKV in April 2008. This past Spring, I added 50 more points. And then last week I added another 50. All at AKV. I have 260 points now and I believe that's enough.....for now. Could I have extended myself and bought another 100? Sure...I would have had to finance it and add to my already-enough expense burden. Not to mention the add'l MFs. So, I'm going to hold off for the next few years. Maybe I'll catch a good deal on a BLT resale by then.

Good luck with your decision and once you make it, don't look back.

 

[ToddyLu]

Sometimes I worry that putting the info out there, in nickels and dimes, may make people think I am flaunting something...I am glad you could see that I was only trying to put it in perspective. I hope it helps and that you will be able to make a happy informed decisions. I think my husband is really going to love the studio and view. All we have ever done really is value...at 40 that is OK, inexpensive...but I wanted more. We spend at least 9 nights there each year. No we don't stay in the room often, but maybe this will allow that to change a bit. I really want to sit by a pool some at this point. We have done all the rides and of course that will continue...but hopefully this will really feel like a true resort. We live 10 hours away but fly most times. I am hoping DH will want to go down on a Sun then back home on Fri...then we will have weekend to drive back and get ready for work. We will go in value seasons mostly. We will never do Disney in Summer since we get that (heat)in Mississippi. I am hoping that we will get to do 2 trips a year. One a traditional Disney trip the other a "resort" trip.

I am hoping to treat my parents and his Mom a little, too.

 

[ToddyLu]

We will be very happy to welcome you home to Disney, but you have to make the best decision for your family. Things are very uncertain these days, so you need to take that into account.

I bought 160 points at AKV in April 2008. This past Spring, I added 50 more points. And then last week I added another 50. All at AKV. I have 260 points now and I believe that's enough.....for now. Could I have extended myself and bought another 100? Sure...I would have had to finance it and add to my already-enough expense burden. Not to mention the add'l MFs. So, I'm going to hold off for the next few years. Maybe I'll catch a good deal on a BLT resale by then.

Good luck with your decision and once you make it, don't look back.

I completely agree about being cautious....but after Katrina...you can loose anything in a heartbeat. Once you have "dumped" everything you love on a curb....it just changes your perspective slightly...It is an expensive purchase and one that lasts a long time...so you do have to be very careful.

So have you enjoyed your points yet and did you like AKV?? We are so excited...I would like to know...I guess so you added on, right What type of accomadations did you get??

 

[toniosmom]

So have you enjoyed your points yet and did you like AKV?? We are so excited...I would like to know...I guess so you added on, right What type of accomadations did you get??

I haven't been to AKV yet. We used developer points which we had to use at SSR this past March. I banked this year's AKV points and will be using them in March 2010. We are staying in a 2BR Savannah view. I'm bringing my 4 adult nieces and nephews with us this time, so the 3 bathrooms will be great for us.

Sorry to hear that you went through Katrina. I hope all is well now. It sounds like you've got a good perspective on life. I imagine a disaster of that magnitude changes how you look at things. All the best to you...

 

[ppony]

I can't deny that BLT look pretty tasty. I bet we'd at least try them eventually. I think AKV is for us because it was the very first time in all our trips that we felt "at home" in a resort. I think that was serendipitous yes? (Don't think I didn't need to spell check that word. ) the knowledge that they are opening a DVC resort (is that what it is) in Hawaii really sparked DHs attention too. The fact that you can no wherever they are. You don't have to do WDW every time. Blasphemer! His thought not mine. But since it is a long term investment, hey, evenetually we MIGHT want to stray.... maybe? Once? ......NAH.

I do try to keep in mind the "what ifs". I just don't want to not do something we all would enjoy and have life long memores of. My uncle who was actually the youngest of the 3 kids in my dad's family, was fit too, exercised, died of a heart attack 2 days after my youngest was born, in his car where no one found him for hours. He had been the biggest miser and actually let money tear a permanent rift between him and my dad. Obviously, it never got worked out and now there is permanent bad blood. (My dad's sister died too a few years ago. Bone cancer.) He ended up dying not having done anything he wanted to do because he was saving it all for retirement which was only a few years away. (no kids) I don't want to be like my uncle. Of course then, there is the complete opposite and that's not good either.
Good balance. I'm trying. (on my head) LOL
If it's meant to happen, I believe it will.


THANK YOU all.

 

[princessbride6205]

GREAT post. Helps my perspective. These are all things that are helping me like no amount of reading did before. And your comment about vacation home made me think. In MN, we all seem to know someone that owns a cabin. We don't want one and never will. SO, how is it different really? It's not!

I'll have hubby read more of the thread tonight. Believe it or not, he's actually getting excited about the idea. You guys did a GREAT sales job! You ALL need commissions!

I like that perspective too! I have zero desire for a cabin, but DVC...count me in! Thanks for equating those - I like your thinking. Off to tell DH that one...

 

[ppony]

I like that perspective too! I have zero desire for a cabin, but DVC...count me in! Thanks for equating those - I like your thinking. Off to tell DH that one...

Hope it works!

It's true too isn't it! Everyone has a stinkin' cabin it seems.

I'm in Cottage Grove BTW.

 

[ToddyLu]

You guys could always get a cabin at Disney......mawhaahaaahaaa

Sorry had to go there....hey, we were so pleased that we had flood insurance after Katrina (to think it was only $250 a year- 2 miles from water and 4 1/2 ft) we got riders for Earthquake and Volcano....no lie.....and there is some sort of fault line in MS. You can never have too much insurance.

That 2 br sounds great and I know you will have a terrific time.

 

[ppony]

You guys could always get a cabin at Disney......mawhaahaaahaaa

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

.hey, we were so pleased that we had flood insurance after Katrina (to think it was only $250 a year- 2 miles from water and 4 1/2 ft) we got riders for Earthquake and Volcano....no lie.....and there is some sort of fault line in MS. You can never have too much insurance.

I'm SO glad you had the insurance AND THAT THEY PAID UP! Scary stuff!

 

[princessbride6205]

Hope it works!

It's true too isn't it! Everyone has a stinkin' cabin it seems.

I'm in Cottage Grove BTW.

Hi to you, too!
DH was pretty convinced! Thanks for that. It also helps that I found a small resale contract this morning that might work for us.

 

[ppony]

Hi to you, too!
DH was pretty convinced! Thanks for that. It also helps that I found a small resale contract this morning that might work for us.

It was just an offshoot idea from another sweet poster. And think about this, I always heard guys grumbling (it was always the men) about having to go up and "winterize" the cabin so pipes didn't burst and such. No such stuff w/ us! No outhouses, no propane, no bears! No work! I always say I LOVE not camping and if I camp, I camp in a lodge. I'm a hearty Minnesotan but I'll leave the great outdoors to everyone else. Give me the Mall of America (and a lot of $) and I'm just fine.