How I am saving money for my next trip to WDW

[milwaukeemommy]

I am new to this whole forum -- & scoped out this budget forum quite quickly!

We just went to DW for the first time ever a few weeks ago. My in laws paid for EVERYTHING. They wanted to take their grandchildren, & since we are a package deal we all got to go! I've always wanted to go -- I was born in Orlando -- but this was our first trip & am so grateful we were able to go.

But now I want to go back!! We won't be able to for some time -- we have way too much debt & the bills keep coming -- both kids need ortho -- I just had lots of $$$$ work done on my car -- we need a new central air unit -- so it's been REALLY hard to pay off bills much less save. Trying to do the Dave Ramsey thing -- but it seems like one step forward, 10 steps back.

Just wanted to say that reading this thread has been motivational! I've heard all these tips before, but just reading through them again --- & seeing how many times you all have been to Disney -- has made me want to work even harder to get our finances in order!

So thank you!! I will be a religious follower of this thread, if you'll have me

Michelle

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I am new to this whole forum -- & scoped out this budget forum quite quickly!

We just went to DW for the first time ever a few weeks ago. My in laws paid for EVERYTHING. They wanted to take their grandchildren, & since we are a package deal we all got to go! I've always wanted to go -- I was born in Orlando -- but this was our first trip & am so grateful we were able to go.

But now I want to go back!! We won't be able to for some time -- we have way too much debt & the bills keep coming -- both kids need ortho -- I just had lots of $$$$ work done on my car -- we need a new central air unit -- so it's been REALLY hard to pay off bills much less save. Trying to do the Dave Ramsey thing -- but it seems like one step forward, 10 steps back.

Just wanted to say that reading this thread has been motivational! I've heard all these tips before, but just reading through them again --- & seeing how many times you all have been to Disney -- has made me want to work even harder to get our finances in order!

So thank you!! I will be a religious follower of this thread, if you'll have me

Michelle

We are trying to follow the Dave Ramsey principles too!

 

[milwaukeemommy]

We are trying to follow the Dave Ramsey principles too!

He makes it look so easy! lol

Michelle

 

[Alexsandra]

I am new to this whole forum -- & scoped out this budget forum quite quickly!

We just went to DW for the first time ever a few weeks ago. My in laws paid for EVERYTHING. They wanted to take their grandchildren, & since we are a package deal we all got to go! I've always wanted to go -- I was born in Orlando -- but this was our first trip & am so grateful we were able to go.

But now I want to go back!! We won't be able to for some time -- we have way too much debt & the bills keep coming -- both kids need ortho -- I just had lots of $$$$ work done on my car -- we need a new central air unit -- so it's been REALLY hard to pay off bills much less save. Trying to do the Dave Ramsey thing -- but it seems like one step forward, 10 steps back.

Just wanted to say that reading this thread has been motivational! I've heard all these tips before, but just reading through them again --- & seeing how many times you all have been to Disney -- has made me want to work even harder to get our finances in order!

So thank you!! I will be a religious follower of this thread, if you'll have me

Michelle

Hi michelle,
Don't get discouraged, your taking the right steps. I'm going get cheesy here but it is true :"When there is a will there is a way!" Life always throws stuff at you and you can't help that, but you have to keep your head above water and keep swimming. Soon you'll find yourself exactly where you want to be, just stay focused. I've been there and I know how discouraging it can be but it is your outlook on the situation that is important. Be positive and positive things will come. When I found myself unhappy with the situation I was in, I worked at it and always found solutions, and often the solution came to me (just like the fitness classes). Don't focus on the debt, focus on money coming in, you'll be on your way to Disney faster than you think.
Sending you good vibes

 

[milwaukeemommy]

Awww, thanks so much for your encouragement, Aleksandra! I try to stay positive -- summer is hard because there is so much we want to do! But we will get there -- hopefully someday soon I'll be posting about OUR upcoming trip to Disney

Michelle

 

[RockAndRollBallerina]

My mom always had, and still has a separate bank account specifically for any trips that she pays into every single time she gets paid. Money in this account pays for the hotel, airfare, food, rental car (non Disney trips), and park tickets.

When we were kids, along with now that my sister and I are grown adults also does the change jar. Any loose change goes into it, along with $1 dollar bills. The money in it is the available allotted spending money for everyone, it gets split evenly amongst everyone on the trip for souvenirs, and other various things the bank account money isn't for.

 

[Patience]

My husband took our change jars to the bank yesterday. We had $501.75 in silver change and $24 in pennies. That is what we have saved in change since October 2011. We started saving our change when we were first married 20 years ago and it is habit now.

 

[Deffenm]

We just started saving for our 2014 trip on Tuesday. We have over $6 in the change jar already. My husband is famous for leaving change around the house so the kids know that if they find it goes in the Disney Jar.

 

[milwaukeemommy]

Wow Patience!!! Where is the "like" button? Great job!

 

[Alexsandra]

My husband took our change jars to the bank yesterday. We had $501.75 in silver change and $24 in pennies. That is what we have saved in change since October 2011. We started saving our change when we were first married 20 years ago and it is habit now.

Wow is right! Great job!

 

[Alexsandra]

Another update! Two more people joined my fitness class and I am making a good chunk of change each week! I stopped going to the esthetician each month and now do most of my waxing at home myself (save $60 a month). I use coupons and check for sales before hitting the grocery store. I also buy in bulk when an item fall on sale and I try to buy no name brands. I save around $100 a week. I also grow veggies in my garden. I sold off some old furniture and baby items and made $1000. I now have $2000 in my Disney account and that is not counting my change jar (filled with loonies and toonies)!

And ( drum roll please) yes folks, I booked my flights for wdw! I was able to book my flights on aeroplan points and am only paying taxes. Got direct flights at great times and am only paying 400$ (taxes) for 4 passenger ( I know surprising with aeroplan, so hard to find any decent flights with the lowest amount of points).
I accumulated more than I thought I could in a shorter time period so I decided to just go ahead and book it. I am going the second week of Dec and got free dining I've never been during that time of year and really wanted to see the Xmas decorations and festivities!
Still got 4 months to keep saving for this trip, and I am not going to quit now! Actually, this saving Money stuff is quite addictive and my children are pitching in and learning valuable lessons: to work for what you want, to not waste, and to save up!

Check out this blog I found on saving money tips for wdw. It helped me find more ways to save: http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/10/we-paid-cash-disney-vacation.html

Good luck my fellow disney savers!

 

[ProudMomTo3Boys]

I don't know if this was mentioned but what I do is when I use my debit card I add an extra dollar to that amount in my checkbook and put a little number 1 in the description column. I use my debit card for everything. Each dollar doesn't seem like alot but they add up quickly. When I reach $50.00 I transfer that amount. It adds up really fast.

 

[firstwdw]

I am new to this whole forum -- & scoped out this budget forum quite quickly!

We just went to DW for the first time ever a few weeks ago. My in laws paid for EVERYTHING. They wanted to take their grandchildren, & since we are a package deal we all got to go! I've always wanted to go -- I was born in Orlando -- but this was our first trip & am so grateful we were able to go.

But now I want to go back!! We won't be able to for some time -- we have way too much debt & the bills keep coming -- both kids need ortho -- I just had lots of $$$$ work done on my car -- we need a new central air unit -- so it's been REALLY hard to pay off bills much less save. Trying to do the Dave Ramsey thing -- but it seems like one step forward, 10 steps back.

Just wanted to say that reading this thread has been motivational! I've heard all these tips before, but just reading through them again --- & seeing how many times you all have been to Disney -- has made me want to work even harder to get our finances in order!

So thank you!! I will be a religious follower of this thread, if you'll have me

Michelle

I am in the same boat! My parents took us to Disney a few months ago and paid for everything! It was amazing! My ds had never been on a plane, stayed in a hotel or due to allergies eaten in a restaurant! I want to go back while he's still young and experience it again! But we also need to find the money to do so! I will be watching this board carefully! I need to get creative and figure out a way to make this happen before my little boy is all grown up!!!!

 

[Alexsandra]

I don't know if this was mentioned but what I do is when I use my debit card I add an extra dollar to that amount in my checkbook and put a little number 1 in the description column. I use my debit card for everything. Each dollar doesn't seem like alot but they add up quickly. When I reach $50.00 I transfer that amount. It adds up really fast.

Nice idea!

 

[sweetdana]

I cut out cable completely and miss is way less than I thought I would. 59$ a month replaced with netflix ad hulu about 20$ total. I also cut out my home phone and got Ooma, which went from 40$ to I think 8.
I agree with the coffee. I also bring my lunch to work 3 days a week. I car pool if I can. I pay cash for cars by saving the money instead of paying interest to the bank.

Every penny helps.

 

[starann]

I have joined Ebates, Sunshine Rewards, and Saving Star as well as Shopkick (an app on smart phones)

So far with Ebates, SR, and savings star I am at about $100 (and I don't do as much as others)

Shopkick I have $50 in gc to Target

Oh and Mypoints I have enough for $100 in gift cards to Trex or Walgreens

 

[milwaukeemommy]

I am in the same boat! My parents took us to Disney a few months ago and paid for everything! It was amazing! My ds had never been on a plane, stayed in a hotel or due to allergies eaten in a restaurant! I want to go back while he's still young and experience it again! But we also need to find the money to do so! I will be watching this board carefully! I need to get creative and figure out a way to make this happen before my little boy is all grown up!!!!

That's funny! Maybe we can inspire each other! Our trip was also the first time my kids were on a plane. They were both anxious about it, since they know I don't like to fly. But I was a big girl, I didn't cry OR throw up (although the young lady across the aisle surely did!) & actually almost enjoyed it.

One step forward, 5 steps back for us. I had posted a separate thread about my hubby's car accident. He did buy a car yesterday -- & he didn't spend more than what they gave him for his car -- BUT we had to pay our copay. Ouch! AND my younger son started his orthodontics Tuesday -- which meant a huge down payment for that. Sigh .... that's a LOT of money spent in one week

Michelle

 

[sandynd]

I have joined Ebates, Sunshine Rewards, and Saving Star as well as Shopkick (an app on smart phones)

So far with Ebates, SR, and savings star I am at about $100 (and I don't do as much as others)

Shopkick I have $50 in gc to Target

Oh and Mypoints I have enough for $100 in gift cards to Trex or Walgreens

With your $50 in Target giftcards, could you use those to buy Disney giftcards at Target with a Red Card and get 5% off the Disney Cards? We don't have target up here (Canada) just yet, but I'd love to see what we can do once they get here. Walmart doesn't do any kind of reward system unless you sign up for their credit card, which I don't want to do as I have a reward credit card I use for everything. But when I saw your post, I thought, this is a great way to turn free money into even more free Disney money!

 

[Alexsandra]

That's funny! Maybe we can inspire each other! Our trip was also the first time my kids were on a plane. They were both anxious about it, since they know I don't like to fly. But I was a big girl, I didn't cry OR throw up (although the young lady across the aisle surely did!) & actually almost enjoyed it.

One step forward, 5 steps back for us. I had posted a separate thread about my hubby's car accident. He did buy a car yesterday -- & he didn't spend more than what they gave him for his car -- BUT we had to pay our copay. Ouch! AND my younger son started his orthodontics Tuesday -- which meant a huge down payment for that. Sigh .... that's a LOT of money spent in one week

Michelle

That is too bad about the car accident and orthodontics are so expensive. Don't get discouraged though! I'll send you good vibes, good luck

 

[arwood82]

We have been saving coins in a bank last time we were at WDW. My son also has a large piggy bank in his room thst we save dollar bills in. I figure I cant actually see the money in it so I will not be tempted to spend it. Our bank just started a new savings account that we signed up for also. Anytime we use our check card it rounds it up to the nearest dollar and deposits it in our savings account. I LOVE this. We use our check cards for everything so this account is adding up fast.