I want to join dvc sooooo bad!

[KS_Disney_Dad]

I'm with you. My husband doesn't want to yet, and I'm too scared to do it on my own. I just can't force myself to spend so much money.

So, I bought a timeshare in Vermont. We also like skiing, and have family there. We live about 7 hours away, so we could drive there. The maintenance fees are $350/year.

I paid a dollar for it. Yes, just ONE DOLLAR. No way my husband could argue with the cost!

There's a ton of available timeshares that are NOT Disney, for pennies on the thousands of dollars.

I've seen those. So I take it they are on the up and up.

 

[jamstew]

I've seen those. So I take it they are on the up and up.

Depends on the seller--proceed with caution. Subscribe to Timeshare Users Group, www.tugbbs.com, and do your research first. I own several timeshares in addition to DVC that cost anywhere from $25 to $3000, including Bonnet Creek and Christmas week in Vail.

 

[Louiepipbgeeco]

My husband is a very financially sound man (not sure how a firefighter got to be so accounts-minded-LOL) But, when we discussed the DVC we went through some amazing threads on these boards. Some excellent break downs and spreadsheets on here (I believe, forgive me if I am wrong EverydayAdam?- was one that was very good)
Anyhow, he tells me yes, go for it. (I am just waiting to decide on resale or direct, waiting to see what incentives are next and also waiting a few more months so I can buy without financing).So, my point is - show him these threads!!!! Spend some time collecting data and present him with it. I also believe too that- hey, you work hard, you earn an income, so go for it sister! Start out with a small contract to entice him. Also, be sure you tell him that if he is really unhappy with it (I doubt) he can always sell. Good luck

 

[Goofy DVC]

For the record. I am a Dave Ramsey fan, have no debt, and have been a happy owner at OKW since 93.

That being said this thread reminds of the author(I don't remember his name) who went around interviewing terminally ill people. The one question I remember was - What one regret do you have about your life?
Noone said
I wish I saved more $$$$$.
I wish I worked more.
I wish my career was more successful.

The overwhelming response from these terminally ill people was
I wish I spent more time with my family and friends!!!!!

For us,DVC gives us a wonderful avenue to spend time with the ones we love.
Whether it's DVC or not, vacations or time alone is what is priceless.
I know people who are loaded $$$$$ and worry more about money than most others.I don't know if DVC is right for you, but maybe tugging at your DHs heart in another way might work. Good luck.

 

[Dean]

My husband, an Accountant, just won't go for it. He thinks it is not worth the money, but I do! If I were not married to him...I would absolutely be a DVC owner at Beach Club. We stayed there recently by renting DVC points. I am trying to save money on my own for DVC, without him knowing, by putting $25-30 in an envelope every week. I already have $2000 but feel like I will never get there! I envy all of you DVC owners! He doesn't believe in vacationing every year either. DRIVES ME CRAZY! He will not use credit for anything but mortgaging our home, or I would just finance DVC. We have one credit card, Disney Visa of course, and we pay the balance every month. No car payments. We both work and make a good annual income. I am just so frustrated with this and feel that I really need some emotional satisfaction! Life is just way too short! So.....I am just venting here and would love to hear if anyone can offer me some advice??? Am I wrong for wishing and feeling so angry?

Having to chose between the 2, I'm sure you'll miss that man. LOL. Seriously I wouldn't advocate buying without discussing it as that would be a question of honesty in a relationship little different than an affair or addiction. But you could wait until you have the money saved up and discuss it as appropriate for your relationship for important items on which you don't necessarily agree.

Unless I missed it in scanning through, you didn't provide enough info as to whether it really was a good choice for you. If it is, maybe you can convince him. If it isn't, don't you hate it when he's right? Good luck.

 

[Coach81]

Just be careful about how you go about doing this. I'm no marriage expert, but with a major purchase like DVC I'm not so sure.. "hiding" the money from your hubby is a great idea. You should still let him know before you move on it..

Perhaps best case scenerio.. save up as much as you can.. then approach it to him and show him the amount you have saved up along with a detailed plan of how you guys can finish paying it off. He may be more "open minded" then.

Good luck with it!!!


We financed our resale to SSR in '07, and we've gone 4 times already to Disney.. we figure in just a few more trips we'll have "broke even" with our investment.. and we'll be in the blue!!! We are headed back for our first trip during Christmas.. then we'll be back next summer with my brother and his family in the THV!!! We love our DVC and think it was one of the best investments we've ever made in our family.

 

[maddmike]

Have you considered divorce???

Seriously, to me its not so much about DVC as it is about enjoying life and spending time together with our children. We make sure we take our kids on at least a couple trips a year and WDW is usually one of them. Because of that DVC made financial sense for us. We look forward to any trip or vacation and the memories we will have are priceless. Life is too short not to enjoy with your family.

 

[amv1605]

My Husband does not like Disney at all! And He tends to make the trips misreable for everyone else when He comes. We have 3 Children -- 9 / 4 /1 .. So what I started (Just this Year) taking each Child, one at a time, for a 3 Day weekend trip for their Birthday and its become a Trend! But I could be saving so much money by owning a small amount of points ... I currently rent points for our trips at an average price of $10 per point, which means that from Jan. 2010 - Dec. 2010 and 4 Trips later -- I will have spent ~ $1950 by renting where as I could be spending around $1000 per year after up front cost and yearly dues as a member myself! I'm saving and planning to purchse a small 100 Point Re-Sale, probably at OKW or SSR, just because they seem to be more readily available at a cheaper cost. Good Luck on Your venture ... Hope You can convince him!

 

[Inkmahm]

From an accounting point of view DVC does make sense even if you only vacation every 2nd or 3rd year, you just buy less points (resale) and bank/borrow. If you are staying at deluxes at WDW staying on points for the weekdays is an exceptional value. Trying to sell a full week on points is a little less obvious. Do the math based on every other year vacation, weekdays on points/weekends on cash (do not forget to figure in the 25% discount on cash DVC reservations) and compare that to what you will spend for the same cash weekday cash/weekend cash costs and if he is a true accountant he will be pushing you to buy in as soon as the cash is available. You may not get as many points as you like but at least you will have your “foot in the door”

OF course if the reason he does not want to buy points is because he does not want to vacation at WDW regularly then math has little to do with it.

bookwormde

I'm a CPA and I agree with the above.

Of course, I also agree with the husband re not getting into debt. I had a mortgage that I paid off ASAP. No car payments, ever. Only paid cash for new cars. I DO use credit cards though and pay them off each month. My DH and I joke that they aren't really credit cards, they are discount cards. The Disney VISA, for example. We use the Disney Rewards on our trips.

Continue to save for DVC, but don't go into debt to buy your contract.

OT, but the OP should tell her husband to look into the Amex Blue card. The cash back is better than the dollars earned on Disney Visa. We use Amex whenever we can and use the Disney VISA if amex isn't accepted.

 

[Crystal_27]

I will add a little bit of a different perspective to the OP's situation. DH and I had been thinking about DVC for many years. However, because we liked to vacation on the monorail, before BLT, that wasn't a possibility. So, DH continued to say no. And, although it made me furious, he ended up being right. We bought into BLT (which really is our ideal home resort) this year. However, had we done what I wanted to do and had he just given into my whims before really thinking about whether or not it made sense to our family, I would have been stuck with a home resort that really wasn't my ideal.

To the OP, your DH obviously has a reason for not wanting to buy into DVC. I would try and explore that with him so you guys can find some middle ground and compromise. Either way, best of luck to you!!

 

[Golden Rose]

Honestly, in your position, I would continue saving the money yourself, but I would tell your husband what you are doing. Saving behind his back may get you your DVC, but damage your marriage. If you are working and bringing in your own money, you have every right to decide how some percentage of it is spent.

I, too, was married to someone who did not value vacations and did not understand why I wanted to take one at least every year. That wasn't how his family did it, and he thought it was a waste of time and money. I am divorced from that man. (This was by no means our only source of tension, but it was a very real one.) I really do understand your frustration.

I am now married to a wonderful man who didn't grow up taking vacations and had never been to WDW before he married me. I was definitely the Disney fan, but I showed him the things I knew he would enjoy at WDW and he very much looks forward to our trips there now. He still wouldn't call himself a huge disney fan, but he has found things he very much enjoys on our trips and he loves knowing how happy WDW makes me and DS. He takes real pleasure in owning DVC because he knows what a good deal it was for us. (We went regularly, we always stayed in Deluxe resorts, and we often took my DM with us and so needed two rooms or a suite.)

I would try to explain to your husband how important vacationing together is to you, and then show him (or as others have suggested, have him run) the numbers so he can see what a good value DVC is for many styles of vacationing. You have already shown you can save for something that is important to you; ask him to help you save so you can pay for your purchase in cash. He will almost certainly feel better about a cash purchase than one that must be financed, so ask him to work with you to save the money to buy a contract. I would probably go for a smaller resale contract to start, so that you can go at least every other year (starting sooner than if you waited until you had enough cash saved for a larger contract) and let him get used to being an owner.

You're getting a lot of advice from a lot of people. I hope you find some of it useful. Good luck.

 

[Kdisney]

Sounds like you two have different values, my husband and I have been married 7 years and he is just now coming around to the idea of vacations- away from home. It was a family value he grew up (his family took trips but only to see family members and not *fun* Disney type vacations) but after taking a few and seeing how great it made him feel, he sees great value in it now.

I think the verdict is somewhat out as far as if timeshares are a good 'investment' per se, they aren't going to increase in value and they eventually expire so it's not like putting money in a savings account. I don't think you will convince him with a monetary argument. However, I see it as an investment in my family's mental health- vacations are priceless- time spent with family, away from the pressure of home, enjoying a new place (Disney or somewhere else) and a guarantee that you WILL take the vacation. We have had a hard time leaving our jobs and the pressures of life and the DVC forces us to do that- in a good way.

No doubt your husband is hard worker and maybe somewhat risk adverse but that also means he's responsible. He sounds like someone who probably needs and certainly deserves a vacation every once in a while. (and you do too) DVC or otherwise. Try and get him to make a list of things he really likes to do and maybe places he would like to go and see if you can't get on more of the same page - values wise.

Good luck!!

 

[dizfan]

In 2004, DW and I first looked at DVC. I liked the idea, DW said no way. In 2006, we again looked at DVC. We spent a couple weeks debating back and forth. We decided to hold off and go after other goals. Purchased a new house that we love, purchased a hybrid car (incredible savings when gas prices were $4/gallon).
This spring we went stayed at AKL (Jambo). After experiencing this, I vowed to never again to stay at a value resort and really liked the hotel feel so staying moderate wasn't anything I wanted to do anymore. Then, we heard about the BLT webcast. I signed up for it and told DW about it. She wasn't very excited.

When the web cast box came in, she was more intrigued. We watched the web cast and were in awe of the resort. Walking distance to the most popular park in the US, monorail for both MK and Epcot, easy access to great resort restaurants at Poly, GF, WL, Lake activities, and 18 more years of ownership than BCV/BWV.

DW went threw a couple days of yes, then a couple days of no way, then said yes. It just took a special location to win DW over.


Keep on working toward your goal. Who knows, maybe Disney will build at Poly or GF and your spouse will throw caution to the wind and say yes.

Keep working toward your dream and your dream will come true.

 

[EdTreo]

I'm a CPA and I agree with the above.

Of course, I also agree with the husband re not getting into debt. I had a mortgage that I paid off ASAP. No car payments, ever. Only paid cash for new cars. I DO use credit cards though and pay them off each month. My DH and I joke that they aren't really credit cards, they are discount cards. The Disney VISA, for example. We use the Disney Rewards on our trips.

Continue to save for DVC, but don't go into debt to buy your contract.

OT, but the OP should tell her husband to look into the Amex Blue card. The cash back is better than the dollars earned on Disney Visa. We use Amex whenever we can and use the Disney VISA if amex isn't accepted.

Try Costco Amex and Fidelity Amex even better deal.

 

[EdTreo]

I will add a little bit of a different perspective to the OP's situation. DH and I had been thinking about DVC for many years. However, because we liked to vacation on the monorail, before BLT, that wasn't a possibility. So, DH continued to say no. And, although it made me furious, he ended up being right. We bought into BLT (which really is our ideal home resort) this year. However, had we done what I wanted to do and had he just given into my whims before really thinking about whether or not it made sense to our family, I would have been stuck with a home resort that really wasn't my ideal.

To the OP, your DH obviously has a reason for not wanting to buy into DVC. I would try and explore that with him so you guys can find some middle ground and compromise. Either way, best of luck to you!!

This only make sense if you book at 8-11 month window period or don't take advantage of the 25% discount cash reservation and perks.

 

[EdTreo]

Honestly, in your position, I would continue saving the money yourself, but I would tell your husband what you are doing. Saving behind his back may get you your DVC, but damage your marriage. If you are working and bringing in your own money, you have every right to decide how some percentage of it is spent.

I, too, was married to someone who did not value vacations and did not understand why I wanted to take one at least every year. That wasn't how his family did it, and he thought it was a waste of time and money. I am divorced from that man. (This was by no means our only source of tension, but it was a very real one.) I really do understand your frustration.

I am now married to a wonderful man who didn't grow up taking vacations and had never been to WDW before he married me. I was definitely the Disney fan, but I showed him the things I knew he would enjoy at WDW and he very much looks forward to our trips there now. He still wouldn't call himself a huge disney fan, but he has found things he very much enjoys on our trips and he loves knowing how happy WDW makes me and DS. He takes real pleasure in owning DVC because he knows what a good deal it was for us. (We went regularly, we always stayed in Deluxe resorts, and we often took my DM with us and so needed two rooms or a suite.)

I would try to explain to your husband how important vacationing together is to you, and then show him (or as others have suggested, have him run) the numbers so he can see what a good value DVC is for many styles of vacationing. You have already shown you can save for something that is important to you; ask him to help you save so you can pay for your purchase in cash. He will almost certainly feel better about a cash purchase than one that must be financed, so ask him to work with you to save the money to buy a contract. I would probably go for a smaller resale contract to start, so that you can go at least every other year (starting sooner than if you waited until you had enough cash saved for a larger contract) and let him get used to being an owner.

You're getting a lot of advice from a lot of people. I hope you find some of it useful. Good luck.

47 fish whoa! Pics would be great.

 

[ccigliano]

I agree with the OPs that advise you tell your husband that you are saving for that purpose. I am single and consider the fact that I can spend what I want, where I want on what I want to be a great perk. I too am debt free with the exception of my mortgage and pay off credit card bills in full each month. I paid cash for my DVCs as I purchased my first resale in 1999 at OKW and when the VWL opened and I stayed there a few times, I sold OKW for a profit to purchase a resale and VWL. I hope that he will understand how much it means to you and realize that DVC makes sense if you vacation at least once a year at Disney. Don't forget to factor in the Annual Pass discount as you will get $100 off and then use it twice in a one year period. We ususally purchase it the second week in December and come back the following year right after Thanksgiving to get the value out of it. I also then find an excuse to go back in between so we purchase an annual pass every other year and go to Disney every year. Good Luck with your convincing.

 

[saintstickets]

I've got the opposite problem...DW isn't completely convinced. Saw great deal for 200 pts but by the time I could halfway convince her to go for it, it was already posted as sale pending. She's slowly coming around. Been lurking here and other places to pick up tips for the process and get an idea of price to expect. Seems prices are all over the board. Any tips or suggestions would be great. Have narrowed home resorts down to OKW, SSR, BCV or BWV.
Bill B
Petal, MS

 

[Zip-a-dee-dude-da]

My husband, an Accountant, just won't go for it. He thinks it is not worth the money, but I do! If I were not married to him...I would absolutely be a DVC owner at Beach Club. We stayed there recently by renting DVC points. I am trying to save money on my own for DVC, without him knowing, by putting $25-30 in an envelope every week. I already have $2000 but feel like I will never get there! I envy all of you DVC owners! He doesn't believe in vacationing every year either. DRIVES ME CRAZY! He will not use credit for anything but mortgaging our home, or I would just finance DVC. We have one credit card, Disney Visa of course, and we pay the balance every month. No car payments. We both work and make a good annual income. I am just so frustrated with this and feel that I really need some emotional satisfaction! Life is just way too short! So.....I am just venting here and would love to hear if anyone can offer me some advice??? Am I wrong for wishing and feeling so angry?

 

[calypso726]

A few years ago my DH was not unlike yours All he talked about was saving for our future, retirement, pay off the mortgage, blah blah blah is all I hear. In our marriage he is the responsible numbers guy I am more the cross the bridge when I get there and figure it as I go along half of this couple Opposites attract or so they say DH did not want to take vacations and saw them as a waste of money that should be saved instead Ok this isn't going to fly... I need to come up with a plan I finally sat him down and asked him if he had an absolute 100% guarantee that he was going to make it to retirement and never, ever get hit by a bus, struck by lightning or slip in the shower and crack his head wide open and spend the rest of his days as a vegetable so with the trap wide open, he of course steps right in and he looks at me dumbfounded and says, "Well of course not, no one knows what the future holds." At this point I can literally hear the SNAP and I've got him right where I want him I told him he was right, this is somehting my DH doesn't hear too often from me So, I said, "What if one of those things happens tommorrow, next week or next year? The unthinkable happened and now you're dead and your seeing you life before your eyes...what do you see besides work? Did you enjoy your life, get to do fun things, spend quality time with those you love? Was all work and no play worth it in the end? Or better yet... why don't you explain to me in detail exactly how stupid you would feel at that very moment?" DH looked at me with a rather shocked expression and simply said, "You're right." Come to think of it I don't hear that as often as I'd like Thus began the yearly trips to Disney World which was easy enough to convince him to do since we live in Florida and can drive there.

Now, we began by staying only at values and sometimes moderates with FL resident rates. We would go yearly with friends and one year our friends decided to rent DVC points for a 2 bdrm at SSR. I'd never heard of DVC at that time. I saw the offer in our room to take a tour. I wanted to learn more about DVC and take the tour DH wasn't having it and wanted no parts of it. I went without him. Well of course I thought DVC was the coolest thing ever! When I got back to tell him about it he completely tuned me out and said, "I don't want to hear it were not buying it." You'd think after all these years he would have figured out you don't tune out Latin girls we just get louder and louder until you pay attention He's Asian, very quiet in his culture here we go with the opposites thing again. But I digress, this time rather than set a trap I figured it would make more sense to speak to him in his own language... NUMBERS. It took me two months of researching on the DIS and scouring the internet for DVC ownership horror stories (didn't find any) and finally...sitting down with him and doing the numbers. We looked at our method of travel and accommodations ( a couple times a year 4-5 nights each) staying at values and moderates with FL discount over 20 years taking in account the rate of inflation and rise of hotel costs over that time. Then compared it to the cost of ownership, plus dues increasing their max each year over 20 years. It made sense to buy DVC and he had to agree becasue the numbers don't lie

So now we are DVC owners and DH talks about adding on...one day...my how far we've come. He loves and looks forward to each and every trip and gets just as excited as I do! We still have the same furniture we've had since we bought our house 10 years ago...but we are going to WDW this year and even to the D23 Expo next week. I'll choose my battles accordingly and the furniture can wait...for now