How do you save up for your trip?

[SC Mouse Fan]

I have been saving for our November trip for 15 months. We also have saved change for our trip this November. But it was not adding up as much as I wanted, so I put at least $20.00 a week in a jar with the change. Also whenever I get a rebate the money goes into the jar. Any extra checks we get will go in it also. I have a medical savings account at work and have not asked for any reimbursements until last week. That way all that money can go towards our trip. (The doctors just get paid monthly with my paycheck.) We also have supplimental insurance with AFLAC and any checks from there will go in the jar. I put some stock dividend money from my husbands inheritance in it. I have already paid for our entire hotel and tickets (two rooms-one for parents, one for two teenage boys) as well as tickets to Universal this way. Now all I have to save for is the food and I am well on my way to that goal. This method has allowed us to change from a Value resort to a Moderate because I was able to save at a faster rate that I thought. (Don't ask me how. Determination I guess) When the money got to be a lot, I would take the cash to our safe deposit box at the bank. I figured with that short of a time, a savings account wouldn't be worth it. Once it was at the safe deposit box, it was too hard to get to spend on other things.
Even my DS's have been saving their change and dollars so they can buy souvenirs on the trip. We are going Thanksgiving week for 10 days and are looking forward to this trip.

Chareen

 

[Goofy DS]

Tax refunds in the spring!

We usually get a substantial refund each year and some of that goes to the vacation fund!!

 

[mamaprincess]

We usually use part of our tax refund but I'm going to tell the hubby about the change and dollar bill way so we can implement it.

 

[scouthawkk]

We are going in July or August 2007. What we are doing to save is putting away $85 every payday (every two weeks) into our "Disney fund" account. When ever we have any OT, we split all OT pay in half. Half goes to the Disney fund, and half to our "sanity fund." That way we are saving for the trip, and still have extra for ourselves for the rare times we get out and about for movies, dinner...by the time it comes to book the trip, we will be able to pay in full at time of booking, and have leftover money for suvies!

 

[newchic99]

I want to go for Christmas next year. I also want to stay at the Wilderness Lodge.I fell in love with the place on the last trip when we went to dinner at WCC.DH doesn't feel that a deluxe hotel is necessary. So, most of the saving for the trip will be my responsibity. So these are my plans:
I opened a new bank account at the bank inside of Giant Eagle. Everytime I use coupons I put that amount aside .( I coupon alot ) Pinecone surveys will be added in also. If I ever get my act together I want to sell some more on ebay. $20 from my paycheck each pay and the change jar should give me enough for the trip.

 

[PiRSquared]

I'm a part-time teacher who tutors on the side. When my students pay, it goes in an envelope that is strictly vacation. If they pay by check, I cash the check and put it in the envelope. We don't use that money for anything else but vacation. Also, when we get rebates, etc., what I call "found money" I put it in the envelope. This summer I paid for the entire food and souvenier budget out of this money, with money left for our Christmas trip. (We were very frugal) We own timeshares (not DVC), so our rooms are paid for whenever our fees for the year are due.

 

[Tramps_Lady]

We saved every single bit of change we were given, and within 6 months we had close to 500 dollars. Its alot of work to roll all that change and haul it to the bank, but Disneys worth any amount of hard work and saving! Just got back from WDW.

 

[annie1995]

We worked some extra hours and every penny from that when into our vacation fund! Our trip is all payed for, we were even able to fly down! And we have 1200.00 just for spending money!

3 days left till we leave for the world!!

 

[k5thbeatle]

I want to go for Christmas next year. I also want to stay at the Wilderness Lodge.I fell in love with the place on the last trip when we went to dinner at WCC.DH doesn't feel that a deluxe hotel is necessary. So, most of the saving for the trip will be my responsibity...

Let him stay at a value resort while you stay at WL!

 

[JPN4265]

Just a bump!

 

[ricktib]

Great tips, everyone!

We've got an ING savings account into which a small chunk of each paycheck automatically gets deposited, so it's never missed.

 

[Manon]

Great tips, everyone!

We've got an ING savings account into which a small chunk of each paycheck automatically gets deposited, so it's never missed.

We do exactly the same thing!!! We put away 25$ each/week!!!

And we have some US money left of our last trip (I'm Canadian), so that's a start!!!

 

[disneymouse]

my husbands OT pay

 

[Reese]

Dh and the older two of my five kids started delivering the morning paper. They were substitutes so all that money went into the vacation fund. We also took a route delivering phone books so all that went into the vacation fund. Now DH and the kids have a regular route they deliver before he goes to work for an extra $200 a month. It's also helping the kids realize that it takes work to make money.

I usually work part time but I'm filling in for a mat leave so I'm working full time hours until we go on vacation in Feb. The extra money is going into the vacation fund too.

When the snow hits DH and DS will also be shovelling snow for the vacation fund too.

We also contribute monthly to our vacation fund.

 

[erinz]

First find a large water jug, one with a small opening so you can't get into it very easy. Then don't spend $1.00 bills or your change. When you buy anything, and I mean anything do not spend your $1.00 bills or change. Every day, take that money and put it in the jug. If you want to buy a cup of coffee or a coke, and it comes up to .97, use the $5, $10, or $20 dollar bill, not the $1 or your change. If you only have $1's or change, then don't buy anything. It may be hard at first, but I promise you, it will become addictive. We have already saved close to $2,000 for our December trip. I promise you this will work. Get your kids involved. And when your at disney, don't spend the $1's. This will give you a great start for your next trip.

I LOVE this idea! I've been saving all our change, but I never thought of saving one dollar bills. I'm going to start today!

 

[LibGirl]

Another thing I've done is become a regular at the library and Half Price Bookstore. I read ALOT and I also buy alot of books for my nieces and nephews. I used to live at Borders and Barnes and Noble, but now I check out the library and Half Price Books first.

Yea, a library patron (the lib in my name stands for library)!! I read constantly, have worked at our university library for over a year, and have not bought a book since I started working here. Even if your public or university library is small, you may be able to get any book in the world through interlibrary loan (our service is free, even to non-students). Also, in many states, many libraries' collections are now "networked", meaning you can electronically request a book from any library in the state through your local library's web site, and receive it within 2-3 days. Missouri, California and Ohio are three that spring to my mind, but I'm sure there are more. Our library also has a large DVD collection, which can save lots of money on renting.

I often go to Barnes and Noble becuase it is easy to browse for books I want to read there. Once I have a list, if our library doesn't have them, I can then easily request them online for free through our state-wide library system. I know I've saved hundreds of dollars doing this.

 

[Chicago526]

Two words: Over Time!!!

 

[Disneyof3]

When we decide were heading back to Disney again, we stop eating out for dinner at all. We usually eat out at least once a week, but come Oct. and we decide were heading back, it is save up time. Every little thing always helps, and everytime I go to buy something like clothes for me I thnk about Disney and put it back.