We are getting off the ship and doing Senor frog with myelton(morgan and her family) and maybe going to the market for some shopping who knows as of yet but senor frogs for sure. i am really excited the trip is coming up but still need to save more money.
I see alot of you book multiple cruises a year how do u save or afford that i would looove to do that but i have issues saving. if only i can say no to always going out to eat or doing things with friends maybe i could save. But i hate always saying no so how do u all do it any tips?? I can get the cruise always paid off its all the extra spending money or do u not take alot of spending money down? just wondering
I do a few things to save because like most people we are on a budget too.
1. I have a cash back credit card. I use it instead of my debit card or writing checks. I always deduct what I buy in my check book at the time of purchase like I would a check. That way when I pay the bill the money is there to pay it off 100%. I always go online and pay it off early each month.
Different cards will give up to 5% cash back on specific items. Right now I get 3% back on all groceries and gas. It adds up fast. Everytime I get to $100 due me I send for the check. Its easy. Many cash back cards give a small limit around $500. They figure people cant earn that much back at $500a month spending. You can get around that by paying it off every week on line so you are ready for the next weeks shopping. No interest paid that way.
2. ALL change goes in the piggy bank and I roll it myself every 6 months and turn it in to the back for bills. Which I save for vacations only just like the cash back money. Dont take it to one of those machines that count it for you or they charge you some of your money to do it. Kids love to help count change and it helps their math.
3. When I use cash I save ALL one dollar bills. NO exceptions!! You don't miss a dollar or two.
4. Here we have returnable pop cans and bottles. I know youpay the deposit when you purchase them but when I return them I keep the bottle deposit money for vacations. I usually only have 2 or 3 dollars worth at a time to turn in but the change goe sin the piggy bank and one goes in the envelopes for ones.
5. I use cents off coupons in the store. If I save $5 on a shopping trip, then I take $5 out of the bank and put in the vacation money. I was going to buy the product anyway, so what I save can go towards vacations.
6. A once a year garage sale where the entire family contributes can be a big boost. If you have younger kids, let them sell some lemonade or home made cookies. Put a big sign they make saying we are saving for a
Disney cruise.
You'll be surprised how many people will buy from them or even hand them a little change for the penny bank.
Thats how I save. NEVER touch the vacation money. Have a special savings account for it. Each month deposit what ever you managed to save. Each month try to top the last months deposit. Also when your paycheck goes in the bank make it a bill to deposit $20.
I know this doesnt sound like much but it really adds up.
We also have the Save the Change program at our bank in case I use a debit card it rounds it up and puts it in the savings.
Kathy
I've never been to Nassau. Every time the commercial for Atlantis has come on the TV, my DS says "when can we go...?" Well when we switched this cruise from the Mexican Riveria to a Bahama cruise, we thought this is it. Here's our chance to go to Atlantis. Then we had our pleasant surprise join our family in October, last year (DS #2) and now I don't know what to do. Drew will just be turing 1 when we board the ship. My BF and DS (11) are deadset about going to Atlantis. I'm on the fence because of being in complete "mom" mode and not just being able to relax and enjoy myself. I'll be worrying about nap times, sunburns, what we can actually do with a one year old... I just want to make the best decision for my littlest Bear and what he would like to do and what would make me most comfortable. Ugh. What to do, what to do??
We just moved from Charleston to the Atlanta area so I have been busy dealing with all that. Now we are pretty settled and I can have some free time again. Time to start getting excited for our cruise!
But yes please share ur coupon sites i would love them i love the savings and anything to help me save for this trip. Cant wait to meet i saw we both are staying at countryinn and suites our whole family is there is 17 going should be fun. 
