How do you "earmark" the $ you save for Disney?

[dpswift]

Ok, I just completed an online automatic 2x month transfer to a savings acct that is designated as vacation. I am doing a total of $200 a month that will come out of our grocery/restaurant budget.

I have spent the past few days working on recipes and shopping lists that will cut down on our grocery store budget. My biggest problem has been not having a list and then deciding at the store what we are eating without looking at sales and what we have on hand. I also Have a dry erase board on pantry door that lists what we are having each meal so everyone knows and can take responsibility for starting a meal if I am not home instead of ordering take out.

I may be a bit too optimistic, but I am willing to give it a try and see how it goes. My goal is too increase the amount after I get better at sale shopping and finding recipes we will all eat instead of just a few boring stand bys.

Thanks for all of your help!

Just dropping takeout once or twice a week will work wonders. Take out is a budget killer in 2 ways. Not only are you paying for the takeout, but any fresh veggies you had planned on using stand the chance of spoiling.

We have had issues with our teens starting dinner. I have found that putting something in a crockpot or having a dish ready to go in the oven works wonders. I have much better luck with them putting sausage and peppers in the oven than cooking potatoes.

Good luck with your budget. I am sure they will help out if it is for Disney.

 

[Debbie]

Ok, I just completed an online automatic 2x month transfer to a savings acct that is designated as vacation. I am doing a total of $200 a month that will come out of our grocery/restaurant budget.

I have spent the past few days working on recipes and shopping lists that will cut down on our grocery store budget. My biggest problem has been not having a list and then deciding at the store what we are eating without looking at sales and what we have on hand. I also Have a dry erase board on pantry door that lists what we are having each meal so everyone knows and can take responsibility for starting a meal if I am not home instead of ordering take out.

I may be a bit too optimistic, but I am willing to give it a try and see how it goes. My goal is too increase the amount after I get better at sale shopping and finding recipes we will all eat instead of just a few boring stand bys.

Thanks for all of your help!

I always found that having it written down (I just used a calendar), really made a difference for me. I didn't even have to have what it said, at least I didn't have to think! I also went through some light meals-soup and sandwiches (grilled cheese/toasted tomato), and at least one breakfast for supper a week. My university baby still asks me to make an omelet when she comes home from school as one of her meals. Also, when I was preparing meals, I usually made an extra one or two for the freezer. Good luck!

 

[KaLyn]

For this trip we only have to earmark spending cash, which will be about $700 from my figuring. We've found that if it's not in the account then we won't spend it. And I like to physically see it adding up. So we take $40 a week in cash and put it in our vacation jar at home. Once it's all in there, some will be turned into gift cards (restaurant tips, a few OOP meals, souvenirs, etc) while the rest will be turned into $1s, $5s and $10s (for tipping ME, cab drivers, etc).

 

[mslhb]

Another vote for Capital One 360 accounts. I joined when they were ING and LOVE them. It is very easy to have multiple separate accounts tied to the same customer #. Transfers are super easy and I like how you can name them. We have a "vacation fund" account that we use for Disney and other trips. In terms of savings/budgeting DH and I are both paid bi-weekly but only budget for 2 paychecks a month. So we use the 2 extra pays each to help fund vacations and other projects. This year I am also trying swagbucks. So far it seems pretty easy and my goal is to make enough through it to help pay for meals for our October Disney trip!

 

[mukorasirish]

I like to put the money away where i can't touch it and just forget about it. I opened a GoBank Visa. When I got the card I gave it to my Mom (she lives 45 minutes away). I transfer a set amount each pay period and any extra I have at the end of each pay cycle. This is my Disney money. I have the app on my phone so i can see it grow but I have to drive a ways to get me card. When it comes time to pay, I get the card, pay it off and then give it back to Mom.

 

[dpswift]

I like to put the money away where i can't touch it and just forget about it. I opened a GoBank Visa. When I got the card I gave it to my Mom (she lives 45 minutes away). I transfer a set amount each pay period and any extra I have at the end of each pay cycle. This is my Disney money. I have the app on my phone so i can see it grow but I have to drive a ways to get me card. When it comes time to pay, I get the card, pay it off and then give it back to Mom.

It makes sense to me if it works for you. You have the money available in case of a true emergency, however it is not able to be used for mad money.