How do you afford Disney - Single Parents and One Income families?

[littlestix]

I use freecycle too. You can get lots of good things as well as give things that you no longer want or use.

 

[FreeTime]

Write a check to yourself for the amount that you save using coupons.
Change jar for all nonbill money that you have.
We pack our lunches.
We only eat our once a week (actually eat in) for pizza night. We get 3 meals out of what we order, so this is cheap. Sometimes we skip this and the girls and I have nots of fun making the pizza.
We do not go out on weekends. Our entertainment is parks, season passes to amusement park or zoo (amusement park $200 for family of 4, $50 for the zoo), playing in the back yard, or taking a drive in the country with a picnic lunch.
I buy our clothes on clearance at Kohls Gold Star Sale or JCPennys outlet.
We buy things that we need for vacation out of season. Example, WDW charges $15 I think, for the water bottles with the fans on top, I got some at Wal-Mart for $1.


I hear it all the time about how can we afford to go. We also buy AP's and then get as many trips as we can in, then wait awhile before we go again. If you are planning on staying for quite a few days, I would suggest that you look into an AP. You may be able to get them cheaper than the passes for the number of days that you are planning on staying (and you get free parking even if staying offsite). And next years trip will be so much cheaper!

Have fun planning!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

1. Mostly, I cut back on food expenses. We cut back on eating out. I joined all the savings clubs (groceries, restaurant, pet store, etc.) More specifically, some restaurants have frequent diner's clubs (Rainforest cafe) and some have 'buy eight burittos, get one free.' If we only go out once a weekend, and go to the cheap places that offer discounts, then at least we get a little break once in a while. We avoid costly drinks in restaurants - mostly we drink water now. Also, we try to go for lunch rather than dinner, and bring home leftovers. I cut back on my grocery store expenses - I buy the veggies that are on sale and create a menu, rather than planning a specific recipe first. Dieting and avoiding prepared foods will lower your food bill. (i.e. cutting out the processed carbs) I buy a big family pack of chicken on Sunday, or even a whole bird, then turn the leftovers into a variety of quick meals over the week - saving money and time. It is fun to set a weight goal for your vacation!
We rarely go out to the movies. Rentals are cheaper, we also have cable, so watching cable tv is cheaper than renting.
We try to find entertainment that is free or cheap - some towns offer free movies-on the-lawn in the summer, museums are sometimes free, going for a walk in a park is free, trips to the beach/lake can be inexpensive, joining a pool in the summer might be inexpensive if you go frequently - check your local freebie paper for other local programs. Often there are free performances of all kinds.
In addition to frequent diner clubs, we joined frequent miles clubs/frequent hotel clubs. It isn't hard to get free airfare on Southwest, if you do any travel.

Good luck

 

[mist_e_rose2002]

I am curious as a single mom how you afford Disney whether it is once a year or more. We are going on our first trip after me "talking" about it for 4 years. I do know what made it happen this year is my income has gotten better and when I had the money to book the package I did it. When I had the money for plane tickets I did it. In the past I would have spent the money on other things and said oh I will do that next time.

I would like to make vacations (not always Disney -- well I would not sure DS would) a yearly thing for the next 5 years till he is 18.

But I would love some hints on how you do it. I am not trying to make people upset I just really want to learn some ideas that I have not thought of or do not put to good use.

Thanks so much!

I don't know how others do it, but I used my income tax return.

 

[amyup]

We use our income tax return too! We also use the change jar and put away money each month to our ING account. Like others, vacationing is a priority for us and we go crazy if we don't have our vacations planned for the year!

 

[Donalds#1Fan]

It is hard to explain our whole income deal. My step-father works for Malt-O-Meal and makes a semi-decent living. It is enough to survive off of for our family. My dad pays his share of money each month and that takes care of some of my things. I have a job and usually pay for anything that is over the norm and expensive. We still shop at the mall and have the freedom to spend some money, but most of the tax return goes to paying for spring clothes, school clothes, but how to we do disney. Well, I have a change jar that I put about a dollar or two in daily. My mom is notorious for having a ton of change and rather than wasting it on other things it goes in a jar. Another thing we are trying to institute is the paying ourselves about $50 a month. That all goes into a savings account and helps us save for a vacation. The last thing is...I am taking my mom to Disney. Unfortunately, we cannot yet afford a vacation to Disney for the whole family, but we are paying ourselves, will probably rent a off site house or something for the week as we are a family of five. We also shop at Wal-Mart, Super Target, and Cub for groceries. We usually buy sale items, eat a lot of fruit and veggies, and stuff like that. In the summer we grow our own produce. We also buy off brand garbage bags, ziplocks, toilet paper, paper towels, etc. We try to save on the stuff that doesn't matter too much. I suppose my mom could give you a better example, but this is only the start of what we do!

 

[bigsis1970]

What we do is sometime invite my Mom & sis to go with us -- they split half the bill for the hotel and sometimes the car. We do this about every other year

I also use my tax refund & have a savings account

I tell the kids so they know that if we eat out too much or they want something at the toy store then its coming from out Disney trip

I pay my kids to do chores so they have their own spending $$ by the time the trip comes around - this time for July I have also gotten some Pins as they discovered they like pin trading as a reward for chores done all week .

I do have a change jar - but admittly don't save as much as i should

I love mousesavers.com and allearsnet.com for budgeting and all the latest deals on hotels

altho I do find that renting DVC points from members here to be a great value as the kitchenette is perfect for us as there is the fridge, sink, coffee pot & toaster we have used general public codes for hotels and found that to work for us well too

stick around here you will find lots of help and nice people.. Hope this helps Michelle

 

[Savin4Disney]

You guys are amazing. Not so much on how you save for disney but that you really live life well.

I make good money Mid 30s. But I do not get much child support.(such a long story and yes I do try and get it).

I am booked for our vacation and really not worried how to pay for it. I am just trying to figure out how to do it again next year ... !

So far I have:
Package booked with dining: 225.00 paid on that
115.00 in disney dollars for spending
Plane tickets are bought.

So I am making payments to Disney every paycheck starting tomorrow. Along with any other money I have in my account.

My change jar and money saved on groceries through coupons will be our spending.. Goal is 600.00 but don't think we will need that much since our meals are paid for. I would only have to buy breakfast... or send food down for DS. I am not a breakfast eater.

All these ideas are great and I am sure they will help more than just myself.

 

[Evil Queen]

Ok, I know this may sound bad, but it's really not:

Watch every penny, EVERYWHERE!!

Groceries: Go cheaper than the norm at least HALF the time, more if you and yours can deal with it.

I have read folks feel sorry for those who bring in their sandwiches, wrapped in foil, to the parks. Ok, me I will still bring in a sandwich the first and/or second day...but if it really bothers you of what others may think do this...do it at home for a few menus every couple of weeks, until (and after if needed) your trip. I honestly will do both, do I want folks to feel sorry for me, heck no. As a single Mom with NO help from Dad, knowing I feed, clothed and keep a roof over my kids head is a GREAT feeling!! I even help put one through college....

Do you do outings? Cut those down to a bare min. Remind your kids for that amount of money they are that closer to a trip to WDW. We rent Disney movies only once every two weeks. Olders ones are much cheaper. Got a few at a cost of $2.12 each (yeah Blockbuster).

Make your own T-Shirts with iron ons or look for great sales, on clothes, to wear in the parks. You can make them as a surprise as a birthday gift, an Easter basket extra or just a gift before going or better yet, after you arrive....

We use to try to eat at BK, Mickey D's or order pizza once a week, not now. I love to grill anyway, we just now do it twice a week instead of one for the burgers. Pizza-make one at home...a cheap make at home kit under $3.00, add a little extra cheese $2.00 or less extra. Beats $11.00 or more from delivery service.

Do you run around much daily? Can you cut this down to once or twice a week and save on gas?

Look for other posts here, where your kids can sign up for possible surveys and earn CASH (well a check but for cash)!!

Back to the outings part of this post....got a tent...do a camp out in your back yard if posible to give the kids of an "outing". You can mix the cook out with this, etc.

 

[mamo-4-wdw]

I am also a single mom with 15yr old boy and I have some suggestions:
Find another single parent who would like to go and share expences(some one you both get along with.)
1. join AAA, you will get a discount on Annual Passes. purchase at least one AP( you can purchase a discount dining card and save on meals)You can also use AP when you come back within the year as park ticket and save on room.

2.book a value resort room for the dates you want,try for off-peak season.Pay deposit and then pay payments,I divide the weeks until trip by the amount ex.667/32=$21 then trim budget by this amount everyweek.It will be even less if shared by other family.

3.Go to mousesavers.com to look for AP discount codes. When (if) they come out then book room using code, Don't cancell other room ressie until you know you have a room with the code.

4.Save all change in jar, we use a pickle jar and decorated it with micky stickers.Put any "extra" money in there also and use this for air fare(driving with other family sharing gas expense and driving really helps save money.

5.Bring some food items from home or stop by grocery store on way to WDW. some suggestions water, soda,chips,sandwich makings,muffins,cereal.

I think the most expensive part of disney is the food so amy way to save on that will be your best bet.

 

[lemondog]

We are a 1-income family, b/c I am a SAHM. We have 3 kids and our budget is very tight. The only thing that is allowing us to go: a fat bonus from DH's job and a really nice tax return. We are using the vast majority toward debt, but it was a sufficient enough amount that we felt comfortable pulling out some money for a Disney vacation. I do freelance writing here and there so any money I earn this year doing that will also go in the pot.

We are planning on Disney only once every 3-4 years. Unfortunately, I am just not sure we can afford it more than that. Plus, DH is not a huge Disney fan so he really has no desire to go every year anyway.

 

[disneychrista]

All I can say is tax return. Without it, there would be trips anywhere.

 

[ncbyrne]

When family members ask us what they can get us for Christmas, birthdays, etc. we always tell them Disney Dollars. Or, special tickets like Cirque's La Nouba, or have them pay for a WDW tour, etc. I always use the income tax refund for vacation, plus I save change (popular idea amongst DISers), and use my AMEX Sky Miles card to accrue free plane tickets.

 

[we3disneygo]

We are a one income,stay at home mom, with 1 dd. we have done the yearly trips by staying at cousins time share,one time getting a room for 20.00 at dtd. and this next trip we are planning staying on site for our first time. we have been saving cans-get money, go buy disney dollars, saving change and putting 10's or 20's into savings every pay . we are also planning a garage sale this spring.Just daily living frugal we rent dvd's from library, check out books instead of buying them. shop good will . it is kinda fun to think of all the ways we can cut things out and save for our trips.

 

[KristiKelly]

I"m a SAHM so we are a single income family. We go to WDW once a year. We just purchased DVC points last July to insure a yearly vacation for our kids. We do not make alot of money. Out of my group of friends, I'm considered the "frugal one". I shop at TJ Maxx, Dillards, Hechts, Old Navy, sometimes Talbots & Ann Taylor, but usually you will find me at the Sales racks. I very seldom pay full price for any clothes, I try for at least 50% off. I buy most of my kids clothes a year early at "end of season" sales.

We save all of our change. When DH comes home, DD runs up to him saying "give me all your money Daddy!". She then puts all of his pocket change in our "Disney Bank". We will also add an additional $20-50 a month to it.

I cut coupons and always look at the grocery sales each week. I plan my grocery shopping & meals by what is on sale that week.

When we go to WDW, we buy an AP, we are going the last week of Sept. this year & will go the 2nd to last week in Sept. next year. We will get 2 trips out of our APs this way.

 

[CMKN]

I too am a single mom (and I don't get child support - good old ex is no where to be found) and I am amazed on how so many other people live their lives just like mine! I REALLY believed that I was one of only a handful of people that pinched pennies and had different ways of saving $$'s. I don't feel so alone anymore - thanks guys.

As for us, we do pretty much the same as what has already been posted. We have the change jar, try to buy clothes that are on clearance, don't eat out much, write checks to myself for monies saved from coupons, bank rebates, ebay where we can, garage sales, survey, etc. I guess the big savers for me are the tax return and misc deductions I make to the checking account. As an example, if I go to the atm, instead of writing the withdrawl for say $20 I will enter maybe $21 or $22. If I use it at the gas station and gas was $13.42 I will enter it as $14. This would drive the "normal" person crazy because you couldn't balance (which I refuse to even try), but maybe you could add a savings to your checking and just transfer the money?! I honestly saved over $1800 in three years buy falsely adding in that dollar here and there!!!

Good luck - you can do it!

 

[TupperMom7]

We are a two parent home, but only one income. We have five children, so saving money is a challenge to say the least. We went to WDW 7 years ago, and we are going this April. We have taken several vacations to the beach for a week during that time span, but those were budget vacations - stayed in an affordable condo, ate meals in, etc. Other than that, we don't spend money on movies , eatting out in expensive restaurants, etc. So by not spending money on recreation for a while, it is surprising how much money a family can save. A hefty tax return helps out too!
Now when we take our trip this year, we are renting a house 15 minutes from WDW, driving down instead of flying. Planning on eatting in the house for breakfasts and dinners when the parks close early. Bringing snacks and some lunch foods into the park, drinking water instead of sodas with all meals. That way the kids can have icecream,etc. when they want it.
I guess it's all a trade off. What are you willing to give up to afford WDW?

 

[mrsgus06]

We are a two parent, one income family. I am a SAHM of 6 kids, ages 3 to 18. We own our own company, so tax refunds are out of the question, we pay Uncle Sam every year. We go to Disney about 5 times a year, sometimes more. I bought a camper two years ago because we can't fit into a normal hotel room. We would have to pay for 2 so even at Value, it is still a lot. Our camper sleeps everyone with no problem. We also eat just about every meal at the campsite. That alone saves tons of money. Last summer we were there for 3 weeks and paid about $35.00 a night for the site. It is still on Disney property and just a boat ride to the MK. Plus, they have the pools, playgrounds, beach, sing a long and petting zoo (5 of mine are 10 and under) so any downtime they can spend at any of the above. We take our own golf cart saving money there. It is about an 8 hour drive from our house. This summer we will be there from June 11 to July 31. Hubby will drop us off and come back to visit. Our annual passes are paid for and will need to be renewed during our visit, but the money is already there. Waiting for codes (hoping for codes) so the site will be cheaper! During our non Disney weekends, we have a pass for our local county park. I can't think of any other place that you can entertain 5 small kids and still have a great time without spending an arm and leg. So, to answer your question, I guess going with our camper would make it affordable and doable.

 

[MEM]

We are a single income (mine) family, with DH the SAHD. I make a very modest salary in one of the most expensive cities in the country - Boston. What makes a huge difference for us is that we have no mortgage. DH lived like a miser as a bachelor and paid off the mortgage 11 years ago, before we were married. We could never afford to buy a home in today's market. The house is no showplace, but its all ours. Not having a mortgage means that we can put aside $300 a month for our vacation fund. I wish it could be more, but I get killed by taxes and insurance. We also have to save for college educations for our children, DS10 and DD8, as well as retirement -- DH will be 58.

We buy APs every OTHER year, yet still visit WDW every year. We stay on-site and have never paid more than $109 a night (and that was for WL and AKL). We do not rent a car and find the WDW transportation to be excellent. We either buy breakfast food at our Tiffany Towncar grocery stop
or bring it in an empty suitcase. The four of us will split 2-3 entrees at counter service and make only 2 PS per trip. The children use their allowances for souvenirs.

I purchase the airplane tickets whenever Song or JetBlue offers $59 each way -- already have the tix for August. I do have the Disney Visa but do not charge enough to accrue many reward dollars.

As others have said, travel is a priority for my family. We live very frugally the rest of the year in order to fund a great vacation. When not at WDW, we haul our pop-up camper (paid cash for it) up and down the East Coast.

We would like to augment my salary by having DH go back to work part-time, but he has been out of the work force for 10 years and the pickings are slim for a manufacturing engineer!

 

[digskat]

I am not a single parent and my husband and I both have good paying jobs, however we have had to pay on our income tax retruns in the past and get extra money (say $70 a pay) taken off, so we don't have to pay again. Now that I'm really only working on part time job we get a great lump sum back, so we've decided each year that will be put towards a week long vacation, most likely Disney 'cause we've been bitten by the bug!!! It's a great way to save you don't miss it if you don't see it. Also we have a yard sale and the money from that goes to spending money for disney and we also save all our change(dimes nickles quarters loonies and twoonies) It really adds up fast. Good Luck and have fun!! Once you've been it's easier to save!!