nt

[mickeyfan2]

I must've missed something. Why aren't you a real person?

See post 131.

 

[jodifla]

Well, as my name implies I was a fan of the DVC. We sold our membership a few years back though because we could no longer see ourselves vacationing at WDW at least every other year, which is where you get the best value.

And while I agree that DVC is a good value for those *who can already afford* a vacation at a moderate WDW resort, it still doesn't explain how "real" or average people afford a WDW vacation. And the fact is that many people I know financed their DVC purchase taking their "break-even" point much further out.

Many in this thread have said that they travel despite carrying debt, or because the kids are small only once. Now, I'm not picking on these people...I think that what they are doing is by far more common than people who cover all their financial bases before spending on "wants" such as a vacation at Disney. However, I would say that the real answer to the original question is in the truest sense of the word "afford", well, that not all "real" Americans can't afford the trips that they take to WDW.

Well we financed the DVC purchase and paid it off in 5 years. We were taking the WDW vacations anyway, so financially, it worked for us to not be throwing money at a hotel room. Much nicer to stay on our points!

As far as the whole affording it thing, I definitely fall into the camp of "you can't take it with you" and "life is short."


So we have debt....and we take GREAT VACATIONS! But we've got about six months emergency fund, college funds, 401(k)s and other retirement funds as well.

So that's what works for us. And we have no problem saying or thinking that we can afford it, even if it appears to others that we can't because we have debt. I guess it depends on your comfort level.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Of course it is not a "real" job silly you forgot already??? I am but a mere figment of my own imagination uh duh!

Well then it was me. What better thing did I have to do on Valentine's day then to watch all of the fountains for bathers and coin divers.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

-We don't go out much. Usually if we go out its when we have grandparents visiting or we're visiting them.

I don't go out much either. I've been out once to eat since my last vacation, (which was in September,) and twice to eat. I also never spend money on a lot of "frivolous" things that I know some people buy almost every day, like fancy coffee drinks. The last time I had one of those fancy coffee drink things was right after I saw Enchanted, so that was back in November, three months ago.

I also budget the rest of the year. I always buy groceries on sale, and usually with coupons. In the past two weeks I spent only $20 on groceries. I also never pay full price for clothes. I do most of my clothes shopping online, which I'm sure seems strange to some of you, but I always get discount codes, and am able to get shirts for less then $10 usually. I also only buy clothes once every few months, I just stay away from the mall to avoid temptation.

 

[huey duey & luey]

Apparently there are a few areas of the country where teachers make what seems like high salaries. But the one poster was counting in summer school and coaching and there are not enough of those slots to go around to all the teachers.

Also, I've never heard directly on one of these threads from a teacher that actually made upwards of 90,000, only from people who claim they know a teacher that makes that much. I have gone to the websites for the school districts they claim these people are working for and there is nothing on the pay scale that even came close to what they say these people are making.

So, even though it might be possible for someone to live in a district that pays much more than 99% of the other districts in the US, and to teach summer school, and to coach a sport every season, and have an advanced degree and decades of teaching experience to bump you up on the pay scale etc., I think teachers making 90,000 are rare exception.


I also think factoring in coaching stipends into salaries for teachers is unfair. If you are coaching its the equivalent of working a second part-time job at Walmart. My Dh is a high school band director and gets a yearly stipend of of $3800 a year. This was the same in two different states he worked in (WA and FL) so its probably pretty typical. It's generally the second highest stipend with the high school football coach getting the highest, but when I figured out the hours he puts in for the stipend, it comes out to about minimum wage .

That being said, we afford WDW by taking advantage of Fl rates, not having to fly, staying at values etc.

there are plenty of districts in my immediate area where top tier teachers are at a base of mid-high 80's. Add in the extra and that 93,000 is completely feasible

 

[Cinerbelle]

there are plenty of districts in my immediate area where top tier teachers are at a base of mid-high 80's. Add in the extra and that 93,000 is completely feasible

I sent a pic of the W2....Chobie believes me now.

 

[madge]

And I do realize that, which is why I put in the IMHO.

I've been going to WDW since 1972. For many years, I lived 90 minutes away and just did day trips. When I started going on my own, I did the Days Inn cheapest room available thing. I camped. I stayed at friends' houses. I think that's a totally cool way to do Disney. Did it for many, many years myself. I occasionally stayed onsite when I got a Florida resident deal.

But the OP wanted to know why people would spend the big bucks for a WDW hotel room, and I'm trying to explain.

Because I've been to the park 50 or 75 times, now the RESORT is the thing. The SERVICE is the thing. The AMBIENCE is the thing. And now that I'm older...well, I'm just done with the cheaper room thing (if at all possible. I'm still sleeping in friends guest rooms in many other parts of the country!)

And I know for me, and likely many others, it's a COMPLETELY different feeling staying onsite at WDW than offsite.

To me, that's what the OP doesn't get. Many people are happier offsite for many reasons probably particularly cost and space....but there's a reason WDW has expanded it's hotel inventory so vastly and it's DVC inventory.

You just really are immersed in the magic, which is just worth it to some of us.

as you can tell by my signature, we've taken several trips to WDW and we've stayed at a variety of resorts. Onsite and off. With the exception of Coronado Springs, we'd book a return stay in a heartbeat. With a family of 5, staying onsite is a challenge without booking 2 rooms at the All Stars, cramming into a room at PO-R, or having some deep pockets. LOL

I get what you're saying about ambiance and service - staying on the monorail or at a Boardwalk area resort definitely spoils a person. I know the SwanDolphin isn't for everyone, but there is something about stepping onto that balcony, with an Epcot view.

Of our 3 offsite villa stays, the best for us was Vistana Villages this past October. The villa was new, in excellent condition, and the service was wonderful. It took us less time to get to the parks (with the exception of the MK) than it did when we stayed at PO-R. And when we walked through the door of the villa? It didn't matter that we had a lovely lake view instead of the golf course at Shades of Green or the river at PO-R ... because we were on vacation, enjoying our time in the theme parks, staying at a beautiful resort. It doesn't get any more magical for us than that.

 

[dvcgirl]

Well we financed the DVC purchase and paid it off in 5 years. We were taking the WDW vacations anyway, so financially, it worked for us to not be throwing money at a hotel room. Much nicer to stay on our points!

As far as the whole affording it thing, I definitely fall into the camp of "you can't take it with you" and "life is short."


So we have debt....and we take GREAT VACATIONS! But we've got about six months emergency fund, college funds, 401(k)s and other retirement funds as well.

So that's what works for us. And we have no problem saying or thinking that we can afford it, even if it appears to others that we can't because we have debt. I guess it depends on your comfort level.

I think you make a good point in that there is a lot of "grey" area with respect to personal finance. I know people who contribute to 401Ks despite carrying CC debt, so for many it's not an "all or nothing" scenario.

I think a lot of Americans do a "little" of everything....a little into savings, a little on CCs and spend the rest. I'm not saying that this is you, but I will say from the reading I've done on this topic (and trust me, I've done a lot...), the *trend* in this country is certainly towards spending/debt than it towards saving and investing.

I also understand the "you can't take it with you/live for today" camp, I really do. I know people who died far too young and did far too little. But I think that in this country we've taken this idea way too far, and at the expense the future of this country.

Knowing what I know I often contemplate what citizens of the U.S think is going to happen to them....how they think that they're going to end up living a couple of decades down the road. We can't keep going at the clip we're going....trust me.

But I'm also honest with myself in admitting that not everyone makes the kind of money that we do. It's very easy for my DH and I to feel completely fulfilled on 40% of our net income...we can do everything we want and still save 60%. So, I'm not so sure I'd be as happy if my expenses were barely covered by my income with little left for vacations or discretionary spending in general.

Then again, for whatever reason, we've found that the more money we make, the less we seem to "want" for things. I know people ( a lot of people actually) who just live right on up to their income level....the more they make, the more they spend. And that was the key for us, we never did that.

But most Americans do.....they spend everything they make, and then some. They're putting a "little something" away towards retirement, but not enough. And I will say that the ramifications of these facts are going to change the quality of life for many, many people in this country.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I sent a pic of the W2....Chobie believes me now.

Chobie do you now agree?

 

[mickeyfan2]

I sent a pic of the W2....Chobie believes me now.

Chobie do you now agree?

 

[Cinerbelle]

Chobie do you now agree?

I'd be happy to forward you her PM.

 

[dizney4us]

I guess it's all a question of priorities. Nothing in life is guaranteed, especially life itself. So while we are saving for college, contributing to charity, and putting away for retirement, we're also trying to "bank" memories of fun times together as a family. Kids can always work or get loans when they go to college. They won't always want to play with mom and dad.

When we do go on vacation, we want to make sure it's relaxing and fun, so we find a certain value in paying for a comfortable room that is quiet and peaceful. Everyone has to make their own choices about what is important to them. We drive older cars and don't have a giant plasma tv, but we try to budget for several good vacations a year. We don't go into debt for it, just cut back in other areas.

When the war started, my husband was called up from the reserves with less than 48 hours notice. I wasn't thinking about whether the house was paid for, but I was glad we'd just gotten back from a great family trip, in case it was the last time I ever spent with him.

It doesn't have to be something as dramatic as that to cut short our "futures." All sorts of stuff can mess with our plans. I like to think that no matter what, my daughter will able to say "we sure had some good times" instead of "someday when everything else was paid for, we were going to..."

Just my personal preference.

How true! The one thing we can never buy, is time.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I'd be happy to forward you her PM.

OK, but make sure Chobie agrees first, since PMs are personal.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

WOW, compairing W2's? well, just make sure that someone dosn't get the info and steal your identity!!

 

[Minnie Lor]

I've only gotten to page 9 and I'm going to get to page 18 but i just wanted to add my two cents.

You asked a question that I've always wondered about. I'm amazed that people can get so offended here. Chill out, people! It wasn't a slam even though the 'laugh' part could've been worded differently.

I take the original post as just being curious. I can't imagine paying $300 or more night. I can't imagine paying over $200 but then I couldn't imagine paying $3 for a gallon of gas. (Sorry, off topic)

I've always been curious about how people afford a trip so often. I can't help it. I'm curious about people. I love to people watch too.

We couldn't go as often as we do without the extra discounts that we've been blessed with. Interesting fact here is that our trips keep getting cheaper each time we go. We're learning the secrets.

Just so I contribute: our house will be paid off in 5 years and the kids are grown and gone. One car is paid for and the other is a 3 yr 0%. No sense paying it off early. Would love new carpet and to redo the kitchen bu we'll go to Disney instead.

Off to read the other 9 pages.

 

[heartsy77]

I just want to tell the posters of this thread you provide me a great distraction!

 

[Cinerbelle]

WOW, compairing W2's? well, just make sure that someone dosn't get the info and steal your identity!!

It was the only way I was going to prove I wasn't stretching the truth. All the personal info is covered in the pic.

 

[jodifla]

How true! The one thing we can never buy, is time.

Exactly! One of the reasons we have more travel debt now is that my dad's been ill so I've been going to see him a lot. I don't have a hotel bill (mostly staying with friends) and find the cheapest airfare and get the cheapest rental car, but it still adds up.

We could cancel family vacations to compensate, but I'd rather work more jobs than give up my vacation time.

 

[dizney4us]

I think the whole "school teacher" example is pretty funny. My Sister is a normal High School teacher here in So. Ca. She doesn't even have her Masters and she made $93k last year when you add her base pay, summer school pay and coaching pay. $93k is nothing to shake a stick at... now if her Hubby was a Teacher too they would be rolling in the dough! Teachers make better money then they used to...and some school districts pay better then others. She happens to be in a darn good one. I would say 2 Teachers making almost $200k could take a few vacations a year...depending how they lived the rest of the time.

Very true, here In Portsmouth NH 2 experienced teachers would make about 200K with amazing benefits. They must have a masters degree to teach in this city though.

 

[DVC Sadie]

Very true, here In Portsmouth NH 2 experienced teachers would make about 200K with amazing benefits. They must have a masters degree to teach in this city though.

I am so glad that I see other posters stating a teachers pay (of course it depends on the state) but when we lived in Maryland and most of our neighbors were teachers and earned over 80,000 per year back in the 80s and 90's it absolutely shocked the heck out of me!!

Most of our neighborhood consisted of teachers married to teachers and the homes they owned were the most expensive in our subdivision.