How can I help my friend save for a trip?

[mamapajama]

My best friend is out of work on disability with a back injury. She has to pay $300/month for Cobra & gets some money from her ex for Child support. She hasn't been anywhere since before her divorce ( almost 6 years ) and probably not since her honeymoon (13 years ago). I am going the first weekend of December and thought it would be a good time for her to come. I figured we'd either get 2 rooms at a value (hopefully for $49 with AP code ) or a moderate with trundle and that I'd just cover that completely & not take any money for that because I'd be paying for the room anywayeven if she doesn't come. I'd also pay for MYMCP tix for her & her daughter. Then they'd need a 4 day expiring MYW with hopper which comes to about $440 for the 2 of them. That's about $11 a week. I think that would not be a problem for her. Then the plane fare is $67 each way x 4. We were thinking that since it's close to Xmas she could ask her parents for money towards their trip in lieu of presents. Then she'd still get presents from "Santa" via the father and aunts and uncles plus little things she could pick up but the bulk of the gift would be the trip. Then she'd need spending money. She is not really a Disney fiend so I don't think she'd go hog wild with souvenirs but they'd need to eat.

Anyway idea what the minimum amount of money you could get by with would befor food and small souvenirs? We'd just do one character meal & then mostly snacks from home & counter service. Plus I'll have DDE so that will save her another 20% off a lot of meals.

TIA

Elise

 

[anditoo72]

Have her put her change in a big SEALED bucket, it is amazing how much and fast it adds up.

Have her and her daughter gather a bunch of stuff they dont want and have a yard sale or sell it on e-bay. I couldnt believe the stuff people bought from my attic. The saying holds true one man's trash is another man's treasure.

If you guys ate breakfast in the room and brought snacks and water in the parks and a late lunch last serving type of late, you could save that way instead of paying for dinner prices.

BTY I think that it is very generous of you to be doing this for your friend and her little girl. I hope you all have a blast in disney.

 

[crow11ad]

Sorry to hear about your friend and it is a great thing you are doing. Have you got the airfare covered? The hotel room in December should be the lowest cost for hotels. We stayed at the WL and that room is normally 199 a night...we got it for 119.00 a night. You just have to wait for Disney to release codes. My suggestion would be to visit magical journeys website and book them. One of there main jobs is to look for codes and then apply it to you so you get the discount. If you are only going to do one character meal, then do breakfest. Go to Chef Mickey's. I think it's about 20.00 a person. Not sure about children. Or LTT. You can always ask for a fridge and go to the store for your meals. If you want the connection for magical journeys, send me a pm and I will get you to the correct person. Oh when you do go, and if you go to Epcot, do not miss Turtle Talk with Crush. Her daughter will love it.

Have a great time. Oh if your going to any of the MMVMCP in December, remember that you should be able to buy them starting May 1st. You just have to know which dates you want. The tickets should be about 31.00 something or if not a little more, but well worth it.

 

[mamapajama]

Sorry to hear about your friend and it is a great thing you are doing. Have you got the airfare covered? The hotel room in December should be the lowest cost for hotels. We stayed at the WL and that room is normally 199 a night...we got it for 119.00 a night. You just have to wait for Disney to release codes. My suggestion would be to visit magical journeys website and book them. One of there main jobs is to look for codes and then apply it to you so you get the discount. If you are only going to do one character meal, then do breakfest. Go to Chef Mickey's. I think it's about 20.00 a person. Not sure about children. Or LTT. You can always ask for a fridge and go to the store for your meals. If you want the connection for magical journeys, send me a pm and I will get you to the correct person. Oh when you do go, and if you go to Epcot, do not miss Turtle Talk with Crush. Her daughter will love it.

Have a great time. Oh if your going to any of the MMVMCP in December, remember that you should be able to buy them starting May 1st. You just have to know which dates you want. The tickets should be about 31.00 something or if not a little more, but well worth it.

She's going to have to take care of the airfare but it shoulnd't be that bad. On Song you can book one way so Ifigured she could save up for 2 tix one way & then 2 tix back at 67 each ticket. I wish I could pay for their tickets but I can't afford that. I was thinking that I could kick in some towards thier tic because they each have a birthday in March & her DD has a communion in May so those 3 things together would probably total about $100 or so in gifts which would almost cover 2 tickets. I figured instead of a Build-A-Bear Gift Card she could get some money towards the trip. I could get give her a Visa gift card for the gift and she could use it towards the purchase of 2 plane tickets so then she'd just need to put away $ for the other plane tickets, park tickets & spending $. $20 a week or so could probably cover it. I'm sure her folks would chip in once they saw she was really saving. Who doesn't want their grandkid to see Disney?

Yard sale & change are great ideas. She is going to school to be a teacher. As part of a state program it is paid for because due to her injury she can no longer do the type of work she was doing. So that is her "job" for the next 3.5 years. She is not penniless but her budget is sort of tight.

Thanks!!

Elise