How do you keep track of what you are spending?

[bigsis1970]

I saved the "left-overs" for 2 days before coming home and then spent some ... but also brought home more then i spent in those 2 day ( i got a watch i saw and a new bag and some t-shirts for friends and came home w/ about $750. ) hope my budget works the same way this year.. LOL Michelle

 

[jennymouse]

I used the envelope method too and it worked well from me. I also divided DGD's spending money and added it to the envelopes. I didn't keep reciepts or tally anything though. What little I had left over I spent the next day. Every morning b/4 we left the room I'd get that day's envelope out of the safe and was good to go. The envelopes mostly contained traveler's checks, but had some disney dollars and a little ($20) cash too. That was only a four day trip, but I'm thinking of doing the same thing for our nine night trip in October. That or charge to the room, but I'm worried I'll over spend if I do that!

 

[TerryN]

Keep track of what we spend???? Are we the only people who don't??? We just look at the bill when we get home

42 Days 1 Hrs 15 Mins 43 Secs

 

[themeparkcomando]

I also use the envelope method. I put traveler's checks in them, and label them before we leave. I transfer any money left to the next day's envelope. I've done it this way for years. It really helps with keeping a budget.

I joke with the kids that when the envelope's empty, it's time to go back to the hotel.

 

[Laurabearz]

Originally posted by themeparkcomando

I joke with the kids that when the envelope's empty, it's time to go back to the hotel.

I am going to use that in the future! Thanks for the great line!

We also carry over left over money to the next day. I have been known to sway the vote for cheaper meals (IE sharing dinners, foot courts) just to bring money home

I like budgetting high and bringing money home. Make me feel like I saved even more!

 

[Richyams]

Keep track of what we spend???? Are we the only people who don't??? We just look at the bill when we get home

No, you are not alone. I bring 1/3 in cash, 2/3 in travelers checks and credit cards. When I see the travelers checks running low, I start using some cash and some credit cards. I usually have 3k in cash and travelers checks. I have gotten home without using the credit card and also with plenty of money left, I have also gotten home broke with nothing and a couple more k on the credit card.

Budget??? What a riot.

I am also very impressed with some of the techniques. I only dream of being that organized.

 

[DawnCt]

I bring some cash and travelers check. I use the travelers checks when it is more convenient to use cash; ie snacks, counter service, smaller purchases, etc. I primarily put everything on my American Express Delta Sky miles card, redeposit the travelers checks that I come home with and use that money to pay the bill, (0r part of it). This most recennt trip to S. Cal. I came home with $800 in Travelers checks and the knowledge that I netted a lot of sky miles.

 

[JAP]

I had estimated what we would spend each day on food, drinks, souvenirs. We brought a certain amount of cash and I tallied the receipts at the end of the day. We ended up spending much less everyday which allowed for us to buy more souveirs and eat a little more expensive dinners.

I had also taken lots of water and snacks into the parks with us. At the time DD perferred what I had over what we could get at the parks.

 

[mrsltg]

You guys are amazing! Someone TEACH me!!! I just swipe that credit card at check in and then it's "free money" from there on out... that is, until the bill that's thicker than War and Peace arrives on my door!!!

This is partly why I enjoy Discovery Magic so much. I feel that once I've paid for that part of my package, I'm all set! No food charges really reduces the bill at the end (of course it's only a shell game because I've already paid for it, but hey, it makes me FEEL better!!!).

Everyone have a great and safe vacation!

Erin

 

[Piglet203]

For our upcoming trip, Mickey76 and I are going to bring a little cash and the majority of our money in Travellers Checks. I just feel better doing that. As far as keeping track of what we are spending, we are going to set aside a certain amount for food and keep spending money separate. Everytime we spend travellers checks we will probably write what we've spend so far adn so on. We have more than enough money for our trip, but it's easy to spend it quickly and we want it to last. I can't wait to get our travellers checks!!! It'll be another exciting thing to get us even more excited about going

21 days and counting!!!

 

[jesdmill1]

I have a special bank account that is our "disney" money. I have looked at the menus of the restaurants we'll be eating at and know approx how much 10 days of meals will cost for the 2 of us... We don't usually go too crazy on souveneirs, but I already know what things I want to get ( I need more figment merchendise, I hope they have it out!) Our hotels on the way down and back are already prepayed. When we arrive we will set up the card for charging, but we will use it as little as possible - yes, to avoid "big bill" syndrome at the end We will spend cash for all meals and most souveneirs.

Last year we used mostly disney dollars but this year I think it will be traveler's checks - we're going to Universal and I don't think they will take the Disney dollars

 

[DancingBear]

I don't keep track, and put everything I can on the room key or directly on credit cards, because I hate to carry a lot of cash, and can't stand messing with traveler's checks either. When we're on vacation I can't be bothered.....however......I've never had any nasty surprises, because with the obsessive advance planning I do, I have a pretty good idea of what we should be spending, and if we spend more than that I'm pretty much aware of that decision as it happens.

One good thing with my "system" is I've got a good record afterwards of where the money went---between my hotel receipt and looking at my credit card charges through on-line banking, I can recreate just about everything.

 

[DeeP]

I bring a small amount of cash for offsite purchases and everything else is charged this way I do not have to carry much with me. Also one year we were robbed and even though American Express replaces the travelers checks for free it still wasted vacation time to go to the Amex office in Epcot and get this taken care of. Every couple of days I get a print out of my account from the front desk to check on what we are spending and I am usually right on the money. Once we get home I pay off the whole credit card bill and then book the next trip!