How do you save for Disney?

[Camping Griswalds]

I've started a seperate savings account and whenever my paycheck goes over a certain amount, I transfer it to that savings account. We also have a 5 gallon plastic water tub that we put extra change and dollars into. We've also started that when we go to the grocery store we take the total savings from the stores "card" and coupons and put this into the savings account. I'm looking for some more ideas. Thanks

 

[djkeenan]

We do similar things: bonuses from work go in the jar, and at the end of the week if we have extra cash that goes in too. Nightly change gets collected for our "restaurant fund" and we use our Disney credit card for the rebate.

But the bigest impact has come from the great deals we found on airfares: $59 each way from the midwest to Orlando/Sanford, and the terrific deal we found on a six bedroom pool home for less than the cost of a moderate hotel room. They made a huge difference on how much we needed to save for our next trip to WDW.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

I do the change jar, which I believe many people do as well.

I have a separate savings account and all rebate money and other "found" money goes into it.

Twice a year, I clean out the closets and other storage areas. I eBay some of it and yard sale the rest. All proceeds go into the Disney Fund.

I do online rewards programs like MyPoints, CreationsRewards and eBates. All rewards money goes into the Disney Fund. I also participate in online surveys like Pinecone and Harris Poll.

I use rewards credit cards to pay for everything and I pay the balance in full each month. I use the rewards points for frequent flier miles and restaurant GCs. My Disney VISA has earned me $65 in Disney Rewards money since I cashed out in April. DH is self-employed and all business expenses go on a business rewards card. The points and perks from them also go towards getting us to Disney.

I sew. This may not sound like much but do you know how many people don't? There are so many Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, karate students and dancers that need alterations, hems and patches sewn. The dry cleaner charges a fortune to do it. I charge less. It takes just a little of my time and very little thread to get the job done. Pretty easy money and it all goes into the Disney fund.

I can't say that all these measures have completely covered the cost of my WDW vacations but they have helped to defray the costs significantly.