Nosy question- but how can you afford it? (Multiple trips/Resort stays?)

[perdidobay]

In response to Lisa (wannagodis),
DH and I had managed to start saving for retirement 12 years ago, we traveled alot but did not spend the money on vacations we do now. We are putting DD#2 thru college right now, (DD#1 graduated in 2001) and we are putting aside 20% of our after tax income into savings for retirement. We also have 15 year mortgages on our home and rental property, and look at that as a forced savings account of sorts. When we retire, we will sell House #1 and live in the rental property ( condo on the beach).
We have always lived below our income and have no debts other than our mortgages, we budget every penney every month. In fact our travel money is actually the rental income from our rental property, so you could say other peoples vacations fund our vacations

 

[Pat_Elliott]

My wife and I used to wonder how people could afford multiple trips, and that's coming from a two-income family with no kids. The answer: Listen, learn, research, plan. If you're going multiple trips, an AP is a must. At $349 per AP, if you're going say three times, that's a little over a hundred bucks per trip, per person, for unlimited park access. The other two big expenses involve hotel and air (for us, anyway). Airfare is getting to be a commodity. We live in Central PA, but rather than fly out of our local airport, we drive to Baltimore (about 4 hours drive, and about $50 for long-term parking for a week), where we can get unbelievable fares. We're flying on September 20, round-trip, both of us, all fees & taxes included, for $253, or $126.50 per.

For Hotel, if we've had a good quarter and want to treat ourselves, we use a multitude of Internet sources to get the best rates. But normally, I use Priceline, 2.5* in the LBV area, and have never paid more than $35 for a room and never been displeased. We're staying this time in the BW LBV Resort in DD, which I understand lacks the magic of a Disney Resort, but for a couple that will spend most of their time at EPCOT and Pleasure island, it's convenienct and quite the bargain at $30 per night. Amazing bargains are out there if you're willing to hunt for them. I pity the person that pays list, because you never have to.

Once you get past the air, tickets, and hotel, it's up to you what you spend. There a couple dozen good net sites (you're on one of the best). FYI, my wife and I figure the trip in September will cost us about $800 for the whole trip. This includes other tricks, like eating Breakfast in the room, etc. And if you don't have kids, being able to go in the September/October range gives you major financial freedom.

PE

 

[Poohnatic]

My family has been three times in the past 14 months, with another trip scheduled for January. Like everyone else here, the vacation is a priority. Until this week, I was the income earner, and my husband was a SAHD.

I'm an employee of Disney Store, so we get some fantastic breaks, making it impossible to take a vacation anywhere else for less. When I book our room, I pay it in full--it's so much easier to not have that expense to worry about when you get there. They now take Visa for reservations (I only have a debit Visa and carry no other cards), so I'm able to put it on the card.

Yeah, there's things we'd like to do to our house, but we plan on being here for a long time, so we'll get the deck someday, and finish the basement eventually. My husband's fairly good with carpentry, so he's decided that he'll do the basement himself and get the contractors to sign off on the work-better to pay a few hundred for an inspectin than several thousand for the whole job!

Other things we do:
I have $25 a week direct deposited into savings from my paycheck. This gives us about $500-$700 to play with when we go (roughly every 6-8 months). Any overtime I earn gets converted into Disney Dollars.

All loose change goes into a mason jar at the end of the day. You'd be surprised how much that adds up. This last trip, we only did it for about a month (forgot to do it) and we still rolled $100 bucks.

The rooms are usually paid for with tax refund. We stay at the All Stars, since we don't spend that much time in the room, anyway.

We invested in a refrigerated cooler, rather than renting a fridge in the room. It gets stocked with yogurts, water, gatorade, cheese and fruit. It saves lots of $$ on the drive (15 hours) and when we get to WDW.

We do eat on property, but usually do breakfast in the room, a large lunch at a resort and light meal for dinner. The most recent trip was an exception-the first time we spent more on food than the hotel!

As soon as we knew we were getting W's 'rebate' last year, we said "We're going to Disney World"! With working full time, it's hard for us to do a lot as a family, so this is important for all involved-we get a week of just us, no phones ringing and no errand running. 100% quality time.

Suzanne

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says............................ I have finally read every post on this message, and am amazed at how many frugal people we have out their, that turn their frugality into something "lavish" like a WDW vacation! I figured some did, but we are the vast majority of these posts.
Perdidobay, I 'm pretty good with cash, but 20% toward retirement? You are the bomb!! We do 10%, and also have two rentals, that force us to save $500 in principal each month! Never bought a rental, just kept our house when we bought another one.
I'm surprized by the number of old cars out there!! Over 20 years ago, I decided to allow $500 a year depreciation on my car. Back then it was easy! In 1992 got a 1990 Geo Prism for 5k, it is 10 years later so I made it! In 1994 got a 1992 Toyota truck for 7k, so it has to last four more years! Now that we are older, and with inflation, we will reset the the depreciation to $1000 a year from now on.

 

[trustknoone]

Pat_Elliott You might want to recheck your SWA flight, I just rechecked mine out of BWI for Sept and the price had dropped $20 and when I called to ask they gave me the $20 as credit toward a future flight.

As for the posted topic, we have no CC debt but drive new cars that are paid for, we always use a code or AP discount and stay at either the FW cabins or AS's. We just bought DVC and plan to use that for 2 short and 1 long trip a year. I am currently in the process of analyzing our outgo and trying to cut that.
For the retirement question
DH has 35% taken out of his paycheck pretax for retirement. I'm a SAHM who will be going back to work in fall 2004 after DD goes to school.
Reading everyones posts has been great, It really inspired me to start trying harder to live below our means instead of just at our means. If all of you can do it I just know I can.

Angela

 

[Tay N Evie's Mom]

Sorry, but I gotta brag because I'm so proud of DH and all of his hard work and effort has earned him a 6 figure income!!! Because of him I stay home with our twins and we've been on 3 DCL in 14 months. Love ya much, honey!!! You make me and the kids so proud!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[addictedtoWDW]

I just started taking multiple trips the last 2 years or so. I am a single Mom and I make it a priority to take vacation. I love to travel. Since it's just my daughter and myself one of our favorite places to go is WDW. I get paid bi-weekly which usually means I have 2 "free" checks a year and I use those to take my vacations. I have managed to not only take my daughter 4 times in the last 2 years, but have also taken my younger sisters with me twice.

I guess where there's a will there's a way.

 

[ceecee]

Yes, we save for retirement and DD's college fund. We really worked making extra principal payments on our house for the first 10 years - that was #1 priority - to have no mortgage. My Oldsmobile was 12 years old when I traded it for a new van. My husband's car is 5 years old. We have no CC debt either. I guess if things were different that way, our vacation priority would be too. We had planned on a Jamacian honeymoon 13 years ago, but opted to buy a house and honeymoon in Gatlinburg, TN (a 6 hour drive). Yes you do need to be realistic in your priorities.

 

[Kimkimba]

We are a 2 income - 2 kid (4 and 13) family - I'm 36 and dh is 33. I carry our benefits and make a decent salary as a peon professional, and dh is a self employed contractor, always working his buns off . I've always worked - was a single Mom for years to my dd (now almost 14). Years ago I lucked into an awesome job, and was making twice as much but as a result got myself into twice as much debt. It is true that you adjust your living to your income. I had a convertible Sebring, traveled, and bought everyone everything - HUGE mistakes. I am almost debt free now excluding dh's work van (1 more year to go) and our mortgage. I've stayed in the same house for almost 15 years (selling this month - an overdue upgrade), and drive a used Dodge Caravan (95) with 160,000 miles on it, which was a gift. When I married my dh a little over 5 years ago, I was in severe debt and he didn't have anything. We survived and have grown, and took our first mini-vacation as a family last year. Dh has no idea how magical Disney is, but dd and I do.

 

[momx2]

We just started last year taking multiple trips. Went last Sept., DH, 4DD, me and now a 16mon. DD. Went again in May with both DDs and my parents. Planned on a Sept. trip, but we are moving to Dec. because we are buying a new house. I think it must be priorities. My parents think we are crazy. We should spend our $ on the things they would of course. I work and make a good income and so does my DH. We were in terrible debt a few years ago, but have since paid all off but mortgage and my student loan. I really want to spend that time with my family. It seems all we do is work. We save about $100 a month to help. Used a tax refund this year to buy AP and scrape together the rest. Never put anything on credit. We have also stayed at the ASMo both times (going to try the WL this time I hope). We also eat breakfast in the room and some lunch and dinners. We eat one good sit down meal a day and that is fine with us. My DH and I do not buy souveniors (never liked them), older DD uses money from her grandparents or now we give her $4 a week allowance and it is like a mini disney savings account for her. We also do save for retirement and college. PRIORITIES! Disney is a priority to us.

 

[FINFAN]

GREAT QUESTION! We are SITCOM'S (SINGLE INCOME TWO KIDS OUTRAGEOUS MORTGAGE-the mortgage isn't due to a big house either...just miserable taxes and normal downpayment) and have managed to go to WDW in 1984, 90,95,01, and had plans to do 2 days there over the 4th but DD was really ill on our trip and we were unable to visit the parks. I was sort of disappointed as I was to celebrate my 40th there.....but the poor child was so out of it...anyway.....we are generally a 1 vacation a year family and my parents live in Southern Fl. so we had always just done the family visit....not WDW...Cost of park tix was a bit steeper then lying around on the beach but then we thought lets take them and noe we are hooked! I know it is not too much more for us to go to WDW now than any other trip because DH likes a nicely kept resort and where we live in the midwest those generally run up to $250 a night and that more than covers the cost of airfare if we get a good rate. This year we paid a little over $400 for the 4 of us RT on ATA( best we've EVER done!) however, we do struggle with wanting to see other parts of the country. When you can do 1 vacation a year due to $ and vacation time and you LOVE Disney...it is hard to choose a trip of unknown origins over one you know you will love. Abig problem for us is the family thing....parents are unable to make the 5 hour drive to Orlando and we usually only have 6 days or so, and like to have all of that for the parks...so now we feel we need to alternate between family one year, WDW the next and a new place the next! I would drive and eat tuna all week to be able to have 2 trips a year but DH isn't willing and as much as he enjoys WDW he has his limits of sacrifice! I agree in that it is all about choices,,,we chose to visit USO first this summer(5 day tickets for 4 people $385---5 day hopper at WDW would've been double) and then DD became ill...so I guess that counts as doing something new....but all I can say is we do our best, like everyone else and when we do get to go it's worth every penny!

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says....................................Tay N Evie's Mom, good for you, I really expected more posts like this. Did you know that 99% of the people earning a six figure income actually deserve it?! Too many people have an envy, or disdian for the upper class,when they should be trying to duplicate "the big guys". I can't buy an apartment complex, but I can have two rentals. I don't have tax shelters, but I have 401k, that only lost 15% in the last two years of bear markets. So you go and have fun and spend your money, and have a good time, and wait, if you spend you will create jobs, and thats the part that no one gets. Oh, before I turn this political, I just have to say... Good For YOu!!

 

[cindala]

We've been fortunate enough to be able to go to WDW once each year, but even going that often, draws looks from friends and family as to how we could afford it.

We don't smoke, drink, play the lottery or go to Atlantic City. Those expenses alone would pay for the trip! But most people don't get it!! We also brown bag it (DH works FT, me PT), and only see about 3-4 movies a year. I drive a 10 year old car, and up to last week, DD drove a 13 year old car. Fortunately, our #1DD earned a full 4 yr academic college scholarship, or our trip this year might have been derailed!

We own a home in a town with a high tax rate, so that cuts into our disposable income as well as the high auto insurance rates in our state!!!! We just plan way ahead and cut corners in other areas. I would love to go more than once a year, but I know our limits, and that's out of reach.

 

[tonilea]

We spent years driving new cars, pouring thousands into new vehicles. Now we drive vehicles that are paid for and take fab vacations! We found we enjoy our vacations far more than driving a new car. For us new cars are a poor investment. We view our vacations as a investment in our marriage.

BTW, we are DINKS (dual income no kids).

 

[Crichton]

Well - for us it's been a wonderful opportunity. We were fortunate to come out of the University into wonderful opportunities and are able to be the kids we never were.

We're both mid-20s and are now going to WDW 2 - 3 times annually. I'm currently working while DW is going to school for her PhD - but she makes a good income doing research and getting stipends, etc.

Anyway - budgets are usually the normal level (at least that I've seen in this thread).

 

[skiwee1]

We are making 2-3 trips a year to WDW. I drive from MD as I hate flying. I am married but DH doesn't like WDW so I leave him home. I travel with my toddler and mother. Since neither of us work, we are able to take our time and drive down. My mother and I also share a room so I only pay half of the room cost. So a room at a deluxe is not bad when you split the cost. We split the cost of everything. It makes it easier and a lot more affordable. Also having APs is a good deal. My DH has a great income and that is how I am able to go so much. As long as he doesn't mind, then I'm not complaining! LOL!

 

[Teri Zolman]

We are one of those families that have made several trips to Disneyworld this year. My husband is active military (enlisted) also. We are a one income family and we have live in Central Texas. The way we have made several trips have depended on several different factors. The first trip was May 2001 it was just my daughter and I with her girl scout troop. That trip we only needed spending money. The next trip was the following December 24thru31. This trip was supose to be the whole family, but my husband could not go. The kids and I reluctantly went and had a great time. The way we did it though is by figuring out what it would cost and divide it by the months till we go and save that much each month. Our next trip was spring break, we drove and stayed at All Star. This trip was possible because of Disney's All American Salute. Our last trip was the end of June. We drove again and got a great rate at Fort Wilderness. Our intentions were to camp but due to the weather and some other reasons we ended up at All-Star Sports. This was our budget trip we only went to two parks. But we had a great time. Next trip is Disney Magic Cruise in 2004. Sorry this is so long.

 

[suevee]

Clover9990 -

I am just curious, but haven't you ever considered using the Shades of Green resort? Their restaurants are very reasonable when it is open. Buffet breakfast was only $5.99 for an adult and less for children in June 2001. At this time an E-5 can get a standard room for $64 plus 11% tax at the Contempory Resort. It is a very large room that can easily sleep 5. It gets progressively higher depending on rate. Sometimes you can even get in at the last minute because of no-shows. If you bring food from home for breakfast, get connection vouchers for meals, and use either Florida or military ticket discounts - maybe you would be better able to afford to sped a night or two at WDW.

 

[montessori]

I guess I'm the only one who can't afford it but just does it anyway!

 

[Jane E.]

When our children were small we couldn't afford multiple WDW visits either. We would usually go for three or four days. (WE would actually pack lunches & snacks to take with us.)Sometimes we did timeshare deals, sometimes we got hotel deals. Also with small children we didn't want to be on the go all the time. We would usually spend one day at MK (off season - my kids didn't know MK had fireworks until they hit their teens!) We would get their first thing in the morning & leave around 4 or 5pm.
The next day we'd sleep in, relax, & spend the morning at the pool. Some of the cheaper things we did included sightseeing at Downtown Disney, visiting Old Town on a weekend night to see the old cars, visiting the Orlando Science Center, visiting local parks, once we were able to get a discount family pass for Water Mania which the kids loved. I felt when the kids were small we had to scrimp & save for every penny just to go for a few days. ONce my kids got school age, their class visited Epcot almost every other year, so they never wanted to go there on family trips.

Now that they're older we're able to do more. Last year we got seasonal passes & we actually stayed one night onsite at AKL which we all loved. Also, we do sitdown dinners at the parks. Now we use Priceline, stay at condos or if WDW is having a discount at one of their hotels we try that too. The imporant thing about any vacation is enjoying the time with your children.