How Should I Save Each Week for WDW ?

[HenDuck]

I am pretty good at saving money to go to Disney, but not for anything else!

No, really, I just put the same amount in savings every month. I save change and buy Disney dollars like others here.

The biggest thing that helps me save for Disney is I remember how much fun we had on our last trip and how my DS face lit up everyday going to the parks.

All I ask myself when I feel the urge to buy is, "Is this ___ more important than another Disney trip with DS?" The answer is almost always "No", and I keep on moving.

Keep your eye on the goal and you'll make it!

Good luck!

 

[arminnie]

I do something a little differently. I don't save change but when I take money out of the ATM it comes in 20s and I put one or more of the $20 bills aside. I don't go to the ATM that often so when I do I usually take out at least $100.

You know how cash just slips through your fingers - well let a little of it slip into your vacation fund.

I also start questioning every purchase - even a pair of $2 flip flops at Walmart. Do I really need these - could I do without. Is my vacation more important than having a pair of flip flops in another color.

I guess I was lucky in some ways to have grown up very, very poor. We always had to cut things to the bone because there often wasn't a dollar to be had even for necessities. I can go back into that mode when I need to. It really makes me appreciate things more.

 

[bigbabyblues]

I'm another fan of using a savings account. I like keeping track and watching those #'s go up, even if it's only a little at a time. I don't spend any change, I put it all in a jar (and I steal DH's change for my jar too, lol) then take it to the bank every couple months, they have a coin counter and they don't charge to count it if I'm depositing it. I had a yard sale and made about $300, most of that went in. My check pays out house payment, which is taken out of a separate checking acct every two weeks (we pay half in the middle of the month, half at the end basically); whatever my paycheck is over the house payment, I move that amount to the savings account. Sometimes I work extra hours, sometimes I don't. I'm fortunate to have a part time job that I can work as many or as few hours as I want. I have been known to take all my lunch/mad money that I have left at the end of the week and trade it for change from the coffee-fund jar at work and put that in my change jar too. The person who buys the coffee supplies appreciates the bills rather than all that change, and I'm not tempted to spend the change, so it works for all of us!

Good luck, happy saving!

Steph

 

[etwinchester]

I'm going to start a systematic CD in a couple of months at my bank. You only need $50 to open and you can deposit any amount you wish per month.

My goal is to put at least $100 in per month, $500 (or more) each income tax, and we also save money in a jar (I only use quarters since they add up quicker) that I will take in every so many months.

The CD will automatically renew every year if we wish. I can take some out before I renew it, which I will do the year before we leave to pay for the deposit or whole motel bill and airfare.

 

[canwegosoon]

I agree with all the above posters, Disney dollars, Vouchers, the $65 a week. But if you can not trust your self with envelopes, you will probably take the money out of a savings/vacation account as well (despite your great intentions).
Do you have a really good friend or family member that you see on a regular basis and trust with money? You could give her cash or a check(mail if far away), each week for the $65-70(you could always seal and decorate the envelopes and number them too.

Tell her that no matter what or why you ask(or beg), she is not to give you the money(or envelopes) until 2-3 days before the trip.
I would never spend a friends money, but I am tempted many times to spend my own. I did this on a trip in Europe, and while in Monte Carlo, I would have blown two months worth of money if it hadn't been for my friend Pam(I told her I would beg and plead...but not to give it to me) it was very easy for her to do. Be sure to pick up a nice little thank you for your great friend.

 

[39CINDERELLA]

PUT IT IN SOMETHING YOU CAN NOT OPEN, A PLASTIC PIGGY BANK IS GOOD BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO CUT IT OPEN.

EVERYTIME I GO TO THE STORE AND USE A COUPON OR THE STROE DISCOUNT CARD I APPLY THAT SAVINGS AMOUNT TO MY TRIP FUND, YOU CAN REALLY ADD UP ALOT THAT WAY FAST.

 

[pjlla]

Originally posted by 39CINDERELLA
PUT IT IN SOMETHING YOU CAN NOT OPEN, A PLASTIC PIGGY BANK IS GOOD BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO CUT IT OPEN.

EVERYTIME I GO TO THE STORE AND USE A COUPON OR THE STROE DISCOUNT CARD I APPLY THAT SAVINGS AMOUNT TO MY TRIP FUND, YOU CAN REALLY ADD UP ALOT THAT WAY FAST.

With regard to the above item, be sure that the item you bought and "saved" money with the coupon on is something you definitely needed. I recently bought an expensive craft item that I have been wanting....I had a coupon that "saved" me $60. But I spent $85. Should I have put that "saved" $60 in the vacation account? Probably not. As you can see, it is all your perspective. If you save $1 on a pound of chicken, then yes, you probably really saved money, assuming you needed the chicken to feed your family. But if you do like I did and "save" money on a luxury item, it is not really so much of a savings.... see my point?

ANYHOW.... I'm not saying don't spend the money on the luxury item.... and I'm not saying don't put the savings in the WDW account.... just be sure you are not being "penny wise and pound foolish"!! If you are really trying hard to save for something, give up the luxury items for a while, even if you have a coupon and could "save" $$ on them!.................P

 

[Focusdude]

I was finding myself taking $$ out of the change jar - - so my boys and I decorated it with all kids of Disney stickers that I had left over from my scrapbooking from my last trip. I think I will make a point of cashing out my jar once every couple of months and putting the money in a less easy-to-reach location!

 

[twinkles0819]

I do not know ow long I have been saving but I get paid every two weeks......I automatically take $100 out of the check and put in into a "vacation" envelope. It has worked great.....usually I am not much of a "stay away from money I have" kind of person but this trip is for my 24th birthday and I haven't been in four years so I CAN'T WAIT TO GO...it has kept me away from the saved up money...I have already saved up $1200 and haven't touched a dime of it.....and that WAY hard.

 

[Misty89]

I agree also.65 per week that way you will have a little extra!

but. we are HORRIBLE savers....we have been talking about saving for disney since nov 2003. i had a ton of cash, i sold on ebay, and sold a car etc...tax return came out to about $1,200. then one day...i decided i needed to buy the kiods some clothes, and my self etc....BANG down to $600.00. i made a $485 deposit on our room at WDW, and now
i have committed( i feel like a AA menber , cept in money LOL) i wont bother saving into my acct anymore, i am just
to bad at saving..$150.00 each month gets called down to WDW. after my hotel rressie is paid, i will order the 3 day park hopper tickets from alamo, 1 by 1 each month.
then i will go back to WDW building a room credit for room charges.
the tax refund is commited next year to AF.
and my business profit acct ( i run a small weding cake business) will be transfered into a money market acct in november ( after the season is over) this year...( AKA, 12mths locked.- no way i am getting that money out till 2 weeks before our trip ) and that will be extra spending food and extra money...shooting for $1,500) -
i know i am planning real far ahead, but by doing it this way i simply cannot touch any of the money i am spose to be saving....and we are going to have a great trip!



Tina

 

[Tiggerlover91]

 

[MrsJ Henry]

The best way for IMHO for people to save who have a hard time is to have it taken right our of your paycheck and direct deposit into a vacation account. That way you won't see it and it is earning a little bit of interest!!
We do this as well as the change jar.
We decorated the jar etc......also if you get tempted seeing the jar put it somewhere that you won't see it every day.
I can be a very bad saver if i don't come up with tricks !!!!

 

[djm99]

First of all I'm a control freak, and I took saving for this trip very seriously. I bought something for this trip every month since September. I bought my hoppers first (family of 3) then everything a little at a time.

If you have AAA and live near a AAA store try this:

I get paid every two weeks. Every other Saturday morning I walked into AAA and bought at least $50 in Travelers cheques. (No fees or shipping) Sometimes I bought Visa Gift Cards from AAA too. I prepaid for my rental house (I didn't have a chose there) and every time I went out to eat here that I knew was located in Orlando I bought a gift card/meal certificate. Places like Applebees and Outback. I went online and got a Don Pablo gift card - some of the best Mexican food EVER!!!!

When I bought my entertainment book I got one via giftcards.com (I think is the website) and I got a free $50 visa gift card (the book was only $15 and free shipping).

I bought 1 Q & C meal voucher for each member of my family for each day we plan to be in the park

I bought 1 Lunch meal voucher for each member for Rainforest Cafe + $25 gift card for junk my DD will want

I have $150 in disney dollars for ice cream, $10 stupid toys that will break before we leave the park, $2.50 water, $5 shaved ice, etc. - I might get a few more of these.

I bought $100 walmart card - actually I just have several from taking back stuff that equal over $100. This will be used on groceries and whatever else I'll need while there.

For our drive down I bought a $200 visa gift for gas via Bank of America

I bought my DisneyQuest tickets via Ebay from Maple leaf. Free shipping and only $22.95 for adults and $19.00 for children - legimate ticketing outlet.

I bought my 3 day hopper plus ticket via Alamo one at a time before the price increase.

And for a whole year (since our last visit) I've collected and almost filled a water bottle full on coins. I'd have to say its at least $200 there if not much more. Last year I saved a big coffee can and had a little less than $100 so I imagine its much more than that. I have a few bills down in that thing too.

And most importantly, I cleared one of my credit cards for a little outlet shopping.

Last weekend I went to Walmart and put a huge layaway for all the important stuff for the trip (all new underwear, socks, T-shirts for DH, moleskins, new DVD's for the drive, new toys for the drive only, small emergency kit, toilet seat covers, glow in the dark toys for the park, Aspirin, APS film for camera, Rain Ponchos, baby wipes, even ziploc bags. Whatever they let me put in the layaway went in. Over $200 worth of stuff - I didn't need anything in there right now so layawaying this stuff just seemed smart. Walmarts layaway is like 60 days so when I get them out I'll have a little less than 3 weeks and I'll start packing!!!!!

I saved a little at a time, nothing big or stressful. And nothing that I would spend now. All the gift cards are already packed in my carry on, so I'm not tempted to touch it. And of course the travelers cheques are not even a options.

My husband and I both teach in inner city schools so trust me we don't get paid very much and we both decided to work summer school this year. Something we NEVER HAVE DONE!!!!

 

[MrsJ Henry]

DJM99------ all I have to say is you are my hero
That is great!!!! I love some of your ideas. Not only are they effective but fun!!!
Thanks you , great advice and ideas!!!!!!!

 

[sarahsmom73]

I writemyself a check every week and put it in an envelope... SInce it is a check I am too lazy to cash it! I also decuct it from our checkbook.. It is kind of like direct deposit for me.. I don't seem to miss it!

Good luck!
(I am hoping to save around $5000 for our Dec 2005 trip!)

 

[klfrech]

DJM99--

Loved all your tips!!! How long did it take to get your gift card after you received your Entertainment book?

Thanks!

 

[djm99]

Originally posted by klfrech
DJM99--

Loved all your tips!!! How long did it take to get your gift card after you received your Entertainment book?

Thanks!

I just got it early last week, and I ordered the entertainment book in early April/maybe late March - not sure exactly. Someone on this board posted the link on the budget board. Since I was planning to buy one anyway it wasn't a big deal and had forgotten about it. It was a nice surprise. I haven't even activated them yet - (I joined the DVD club too the same day - got that one too). I'm scared I'll use them so they are in my carry on. I'll activate it on my way to Orlando or when I really need it while there.

 

[klfrech]

One more question. Does the gift card come with the entertainment book? When you say "activate" ... what kind of gift card did you get?


Thanks for your help.

 

[jodistar]

What really helped me with my last planned vacation is get a portion of my paycheck direct deposited....If I don't see the money, I won't spend it! About a week before the trip I had all of the money saved transferred into Traveler's Checks.

 

[etwinchester]

What is a Q & C meal voucher?

Also, where can you get the Rainforest Cafe meal vouchers or gift cards? I'd love to eat there one or two nights and Planet Hollywood as well.

Anywere else good to eat???