How do you afford to go

[my2boys]

Disneybud......

As I was reading this thread, what you said was going through my mind. My husband was in 7WTC on 9/11 and I'll tell you we never have looked at life the same way since then. We live for today and if we want to do something, we do it! I'm not saying this approach is for everyone......as far as I'm concerned everyone has made very valid opinions on this thread. I just have to look at the face of our friend Brian's 2 yr. old son and wife and I TOTALLY approach life differently...........Brian was a NYC firefighter killed that day. 30 yrs. old with a 10 month old son and a beautiful wife and a full life ahead of him! My husband and I have made a pledge to ourselves, each other and our two boys to enjoy life EVERYDAY and when we want to do something, we do everything in our means to make that dream come true! True, if something were to happen to us, our 2 boys would have everything at their feet to help them financially for a productive life as does our friend's son..........but they wouldn't have us as he doesn't have a dad anymore and you can't put any price on that!

 

[KarenMick]

I opened a Vacation Club at my local Bank last April and saved almost $1,600.00 by putting away $20 here $50 there. It was more like a savings account where I could deposit what I wanted but I could not touch the money for withdrawals. Last week the check was mailed to me and that is paying for more than half our trip, we're going in two weeks. Also, I always save all the change that my husband and I accumulate at the end of the day. I throw all my silver in a big jar and save the pennies in another jar (pennies take up too much space). When they are full I take them to the bank and cash them in. That's always over $300.00. I know how hard it is to save money when the kids need clothes, shoes, etc. but I hope some of these tips help you. Good Luck and think positive!!!

 

[rachael95]

Even though we've decided to put off WDW until we are out of debt (about 4 years the student loans are killing us) that will mean we will probably have kids by then (I hope so, the clock has started ticking ). But there're a couple reasons we're not planning on bringing the kids. We originally wanted WDW for our honeymoon, but we couldn't afford it. Then, we wanted it for our 5th anniversary, couldn't afford it. We could afford it now, but we've decided to do a cheap (like a weekend drive) vacation next year and put that extra money towards getting out of debt. Since WDW will be our reward for ourselves for doing that and our 2nd honeymoon, we want just the two of us to go on the first trip. And since we won't have any debt after that, saving for future trips with the kids won't be any problem.

The second reason is that every summer when I was a kid, my parents would drop us off for a couple weeks or more with my grandparents. Those are some of the best memories I have. I want my kids to experience that also. There is nothing better than being able to remember taking nature walks with your grandpa or eating the sugar cookie dough your grandma is making. My parents would ask what we wanted to do for vacation, that was always our answer. My mom died a couple years ago, but I want my kids to experience that with my DH's mom and dad and my dad.

 

[beansmom]

where does the 'friends of disneybud' line start? I wanna get in.

. I say forget delaying because you'll end up never going and you never know what life might bring.

Truer words were never spoken. My dad always wanted to do to Epcot but with raising two girls and working hard, never had the opportunity. When he turned 62, he said "I'm going next summer, right after I retire." That was July.

In August, he was diagnosed with inoperable colon cancer and passed away before the end of October. He never did get to go. It was at the point I decided that I would take my kids as soon as I could.

Since my 2 boys are grown and gone, I was only able to take dd. I'm still hoping to get a family trip together someday.

Don't put it off...tomorrow may never come.

And, gross as it is, do the tests for colon cancer...90% curable caught early, only 8% detected later.

 

[Frozenfingers]

I see by the number of reads and posts this is a topic near and dear to a lot of folks. Someone way back on page two (maybe three) said it all.. it is what ones priorities are! When the "why" is strong enough, the "how" just seems to take care of itself.

My heart goes out to My2boys, disneybud, and all others who's priorities changed that God awful day, but there was also good that came of it and the events that followed.

One of my daughters (from a previous marriage) had estranged herself from us about 5 years earlier, just up and moved to Miami. She took a new grandbaby that we were getting pretty attached to with her. She did send a nice birthday card to me tho.. but what she suggested was physically impossible.

Anyway, turns out she lived by the offices that got hit with Anthrax in Boca Raton. I don't really know yet what actually happened, but something caused her to send an email asking to meet me while we visited Florida. Any man who has walked into a Minnesota lake in May knows exactly how I felt at that moment!

After a few email and a couple of phone calls, she agreed to be our guest at WDW for a couple of days. We were reintroduced to our now 5 year old granddaughter, and also introduced to our 2 year old grandson! Even met the man responsible! They don't call it the "magic" kingdom for nothing, I had never seen such wonderment in childrens eyes..no, they weren't looking at me!) maybe I had been just too busy paying bills to look before.

A lot of healing took place that trip and I attribute it a lot to the atmosphere we chose t meet in. At the end, she asked me to return the following month and walk her down the isle. (You think I left the frozen tundra twice in as many months to swelter in the sun, or for my financial health?)

No such thing as magic? couln't prove it by me. my priorities were as locked in stone as they could get! Just something about the little ones running across the lobby yelling "GRANDPA!!!" changes that though.

 

[zurgswife]

However, those memories can be built anywhere -- they doesn't just occur on vacation (which is the impression I get from many posters here).

Yes, our family builds memories on a daily basis but I still treasure all the visits we have made to WDW.....We spend month planning and research our EPCOT books prior to each trip...DH has designed a EPCOT book based on the kid cot stations...there is a place for the kids to get a stamp...but it is a notebook with a section on each country...he has made stickers of each countries flags, map of country, the kids research facts about each country and incorporate what they have studied that year in school about one of the countries (there is always at least one country they each have learned about). EPCOT is our favorite park and we have many CM's we keep in touch with by email because of the interest and conversations sparked by these books.....The time we spend with our kids preparing for any up coming visit I'm sure far exceeds most families.....

Thanks for sharing it. I know that some of us can get a bit Disney Crazed. I for one don't want to go to Disney for every vacation that we take. I think it would loose a bit of the magic if we went too often.

My DH is hoping that I'll feel that way sometime...but it hasn't happen yet...I'm sure as the kids get older they are (5,9,10,11) we will change but we as a family identify with WDW and love every aspect of it and it hasn't lost any magic yet....

 

[shovelhd]

Regarding the EPCOT country book:

What a great idea, zurgswife!!! I am notifying you now that I am stealing it!!!

What is a kid's cot station, and how does it play with your book?

Thanks!!!

 

[zurgswife]

The kidcot stations are where Disney has CM's (usually from the country) stamp either a "Passport" (you can purchase these from disney) or you make a mask decorate it and have it stamped.

Our books have allowed us to strike up very envovled conversations with many different CM's from the country. We have learned that CM's in any given country that aren't busy doing anything in particular...are some of the best CM's to strike up conversations with....We have quite a few CM's that we have stayed in contact with....my kids love that they have friends that can tell them about their country....

Take the idea and run...it has really opened our family up to Epcot...there is more there to do and learn then anybody realizes....My DD when she was 3 could identify Canada by the flag (she refers to it has her favorite country).....But it makes school learning more interesting because my kids know things about those 9 countries that there contempories don't...and usually it's from talking to CM's from that country....

 

[lwestwise]

Hi, WHen my kids were growing up, I was a single mom of 4!!!! We camped at Fort Wilderness, sometimes in a tent and sometimes in a camper. We would save to send the required deposit and keep sending until it was paid off. We would then start buying Disney Dollars. This way if I absolutely needed the money, I had to go back to the Mall to cash it in, it wasn't as easy as getting it from my savings account or stash. We now go to Disney atleast twice a year, with or without grandkids and I still do the same thing. Good Luck, you can do it.

Linda

 

[mom2smjn]

I am a sahm of 4 kids ages 5,8,11,13 and we are disney addicts! My Dh is a dairy farmers and we make below minimum wage. However we have done Disney several times now and here is how we did it.

First off we did not go until baby #4 came around and we decided what are we waiting for with kids spaced that far apart our oldest was getting ripped off! LOL! So when #4 was 1yr we went.
That year we spent the most because I did not know what I was doing and we flew.
Last year we went, everyone needed tickets(4 adults!) and we did it for about $3000
Now that sounds like alot..ok it IS alot but for 6 people with 4 adult tickets for 8 days it was pretty good
That $3000 included:
off site suite(sleeps 6 free breakfast for all) 8 nights
5 day hoppers 4 adult 2 kid
gas and hotel on the way down and back (we live in upsate NY)
lunch in the park (occasional dinner ) plus 2 nice sitdown meals and a character breakfast
also MVMCP tickets

Trick for us was RESEARCH! we stayed at a Gorgeous place 1 mile from the gates and free breakfast was priceless! Try Expedia as well they often discount alot for 3+ nights

Driving is the only way for us to go six airline tickets is Waaaaaaay to expensive.

Pack snack and water bottles to refill

save on souveniers by getting pressed pennies,postcards, autographs

Design and Make your own disney souvenier t-shirts yourself with your computer(disney tshirt maker is $9 and sooooo cool!)

Ways we save:
Change jar
"found money" is disney money(you know what I mean found in pocket,under the seat in the car, in the washer, etc)
Yard sale and ebay! totally worth it
going out to lunch or dinner? decide if you want to or if lunch at WDW would be better
0% credit card with points or cash back
open a savings account and have $5-$10 a week deducted automatically from your checking into this account.
It adds up and that little bit is not too painful
cook from scratch alot more!

I hope these idea help

Kelly

 

[mbw12]

Originally posted by mom2smjn
Trick for us was RESEARCH!


I think that is one of the most important statements on this thread....do your research. there are deals to be found out there, you just have to know where to find them!

Ask lots of questions on these forums....someone is bound to be able to help you! This DIS is one of the best sources of information that I have found. We are DVC members and go a few times a year....but I am always researching ways to save money, get good deals, and tricks for spending my time wisely.

whether you are going to go for that "once in a lifetime trip" or become obseesed and go many times a year....research is still the key!!

 

[house_of_princesses]

MBW12, You mentioned something people rarely count as having any worth; TIME! Boy, is that valuable! If doing research here (or anywhere else, for that matter) saves me money or time, I'm doing great. If it saves me both, I'm over the top, out of the park and into the next county great!! Thanks for the reminder!

 

[chrisn]

What a fantastic thread! I still can't get over the $19 phone bill and $15 cell bill and was it $8.50 cable??? Maybe it just depends on where you live but my phone bill averages $70 (I do have Call ID and Waiting but that's it). Very little if any long distance. My cell is a family share because I need to keep track of my 15 year old DD and that is 400 share minutes a month. $70. Cable is a mind blower. I have basic expanded cable. No digital, nothing fancy. $40 a month. I live about 1/2 hour from Salt Lake City. I applaud all of you stay at home mom's. I was able to stay home with my DD until she went to school. Then I started working part time and worked my way up to full time. I left my 4 week old DS in daycare and returned to work full time. He is now almost 6 years old. It was hard for me. We have been to WDW 3 times in 4 years (the year we didn't go was spent on a Disney and Royal Caribbean cruise) and basically this is how we do it. DH pays the bills and I pay for the vacations. When we are saving, we are serious with a capital S. I usually put $500 monthly into savings. I feel very fortunate to be able to do this but it is very hard. We do have to sacrifice other things. We don't go out to eat. Very seldom go to movies and the hardest thing for me is we don't pour money into our home which is something I would like to do. We are a middle income family and we built our home 5 years ago. My home is a nice 2000 square foot 3 bed 2 bath multilevel with an unfinished basement. This has been our major sacrifice. Our mortgage is $865 and I drive a 2000 Grand Cherokee with a payment of $375. I don't know how prices elsewhere differ but this is alot to us. We do have a rental home (my husbands parents who are now deceased) so that helps. If I did not work, there is no way that we could afford to go. We always spend about 9 or 10 days and pay for the entire vacation in cash. My dad owns a timeshare condo (Westgate Lakes) and so this saves alot on accomodations. This is still a very expensive vacation for us. regular airfare from SLC is around $2000 for all four of us but we have been fortunate to get in on specials for about $1000. We usually eat breakfast in the condo, pick a few choice sitdowns (this last time we dined at Donald's, Ohana and Primetime) and the rest sitdowns. The first year we spent a fortune in suvineers but I have found that each year we go, the kids want less and less and I try to limit them also. My addiction here at home is shopping. I'm one of those shopping makes me feel good girls and that is my weakness. DH gets very upset with me but I do pay my own bills. DH has 1 credit card and an overdraft. I have several department store cards. I need to work on this. We have also decided that we will now visit WDW every other year instead of every year that way it will still be fresh and magical and we can also get some bills paid off. We go every February and just came back in March so this is our no go year. My DD turns 16 in February and so we are getting her a car. It will help not going this year. I will miss not going but I think this is the best way to do it, this way we still get our vacations, but also may be able to become more financially stable and do some other things that have been placed on the backburner like landscaping and such. I can't belive some of you are able to do these trips so inexpensively. Usually our trips cost around $5000. To all of you SAHM's who have not yet been. Keep plugging along and don't be afraid to make some sacrifices. It really is the most magical place on earth.

 

[tootsiemolly]

For you who lives in Roy, I live in Draper. You might change your mind on WDW. I just checked on travelocity for my SIL and She just bought air on AA for FEB. you would have to fly into Tampa and drive to wdw but it is only 53 miles. That is like coming to SLC. Well almost Anyways the air with taxes in running about 165.00 per person. So check it out! This is the 3rd family that i know from Utah that are flying in on that deal.. So ENJOY!!!!

Angee

 

[susy]

We are all WDW addicts over here and that does make a difference! My Dh supports us on 57K a year and we save $130 a month for WDW! We live in a 2 bedroom condo that I bought when I was single. Still have the same old furniture (all hand me downs) and my kitchen and baths are 30 yo! I am going to grad school in the fall, so when I graduate, we should be able to "move up in the world". Like I care! The only place I care to move up to is concierge! Ha ha. When I lived with my parents (15 years ago)I used to live around the corner from one of the Bee Gees. Was I happier then? No.... I am happy here, now, saving up and looking forward to my trips! Sorry, I just can't get excited over new furniture . One of my college roomates is on her third house (bigger and better every time!) She complains about how much debt they are in and then tells me that I am so lucky because I am always going to WDW! I agree wih her!

 

[westjones]

I'm a SAHM too, and my DH and I have always loved to take vacations; so much so that we are willing to cut lots of corners during the year just to be able to go.

We use to tent camp all the time (even when the twins were in diapers). We have some great memories. Fort Wilderness was great, but to be honest, if you go at an off season time, you can find inexpensive hotels near by if you look (but staying on site is really nice, and it is the nicest camp ground we ever used).

It helps to motivate family members to save if they know they have a 'goal'. Why not say that you are going to Disney in 2 years (set a date even so it seems more real). Then come up with savings plans.

For example, don't do any entertainment activities that cost money. Borrow videos from the library instead of renting then. Check out the local paper for free family events like summer concerts, free museum days, etc. I made a real 'game' of this a few years back. I even logged all the activities we did that year for free. We saw plays, went to musuems, sporting events, concerts and our only splurge was a couple of $1 movies (at the second run theater). You would be surprised how little you need to spend on entertainment if you just watch for free activities to pop up.

I also coupon clipped and bought sales (when my kids were little they actually thought you weren't allowed to buy something in a store unless it was on sale--I didn't realize that they thought this until one day my daughter asked why they put this stuff in the store if you aren't allowed to buy it!). But we eat each week based on what is on sale.

Then just start putting all this money you are saving away for your trip!

If you give yourselves 2 years instead of just 1, it might be easier on your budget (and the kids will still have a wonderful trip to look forward to over the next 24 months).

Good Luck!
DJ

 

[madge]

• tax return--we have always put aside 1/2 the tax return for vacation. as the amount grew, so did the vacation
• change jar--it really adds up over time. we have a goal to fill our jar before thr trip. the kids love the incentive!
• ebay. 'nuff said, LOL
• garage sale and consignment store for the stuff that doesn't go on the 'bay
• rebates and coupons
• generous relatives that give the kids spending money for souvenirs
• Shades of Green/govt. discounts
• drive, not fly
• reward programs (to supplement, really...not as good as they used to be )

this year, we might be able to fly cheaper through my brother (he works for continental airlines...but really, it's just careful planning. We went the first time on a whim (hurricane in the gulf changed our beach plans) never dreaming that we would all enjoy it so much!

 

[ilovefh]

I didnt read all six pages, so someone might have said this already but.....

A woman I work with was a full time SAHM with no employment. She took the part time job to supplement their income. Her check goes straight to their "Vacation Fund" account. We work in a child care at a health club for $7 an hr (everyone is part time). She works less than 10 hrs a week and is able to bring her children with her and takes home about $50 a week. (plus we get free membership to the health club.) Her children are not in school yet so they go places off season. They also save money in a change jar.

So maybe getting a small part time job (especially an easy one like my coworker has where you can bring your kids)

 

[tootsiemolly]

I did this for a year. I worked in a health club making $7.00 and hr. This is how I paid for my trip to wdw this last Jan. I love wdw, and my husband has a conference every 2 years at the Dolphin. Unfortunately, we had to close our store the year previously and we were really struggling. I am also a SAHM and I didn't want to miss the trip, so I saved most of my paychecks, and I get to take my kids to work with me. It has been great!

 

[mom2smjn]

I have so enjoyed this thread!!

One thing that makes me smile is that our extended family thinks we are insane to 'want to go to disney AGAIN' and I must say it is fun to read that we are not the only 'insane' people who will give up things to see a mouse!

I wanted to add to this whole facinating thread that part of the excitement for us is in the planning. The kids love the increasing excitement as our goal gets near. We spend alot of time realishing the 'whole' experience of anticipation.

We collect our change jar money and the kids roll it and keep a running tally(now that they are older they try to 'assign' the money to something "HEY we have enough now to get 1 ticket, or eat at Liberty Tree, or go to MVMCP"

The kids spend alot of time designing their tshirts and deciding which park they are most likely to see the character they put on their shirt (huge for them to see the charcter while wearing the shirt LOL).

They watch the planning video and the Disneyworld sing along video over and over..as well as drag out and pour over photo albulms and videos from our past trips. What awesome discussions we have over these memories.

The go over the park maps and decide on their MUST SEE for each day(this is a tradition for us)

We decorate their Journal with stickers(I print character pictures off on sticker paper) and markers...and when we go on our trip they write(or draw depending on age) something everyday....since we go during the school year they also bring these to school for credit from the teacher.

So if you need to wait to go, think of that as part of the whole Disney Experience and enjoy Yourself!!