One Year to Save 2013-2014 Edition

[arwood82]

Bumping this thread up. I am also joining in. We skipped disney this year

 

[mrsclark]

DH and I just returned last weekend from our trip to WDW and US/IOA. As of now, it looks like we will be returning again next year in September, but I don't have the exact number of nights or dates ironed out yet!

Three things I am planning to do to save money for next year's trip:

1. I made a resolution to start cooking at home more and stop eating out so much. My work schedule changes every week (and varies between day and evening shifts), so it easy in the middle of the week to get tired and by the weekend just end up going out for every meal. I want to reduce the amount I spend by going out, but I am also doing it to be more informed and have more control over what is going into my body.

2. Starting May 15th of this year, I began tracking every dollar that I spend and categorizing it. I then create a report every month so I can compare month over month and look for opportunities for saving. It turns out that now that I know I am recording it, that alone can stop me from spending. I am hoping to continue to push down the monthly amounts - especially the eating out category (see resolution #1) above.

3. I work part-time and have decided to increase the average number of hours that I work a week. Just before Labor Day, which is our busy season, I was even able to get in some overtime!

 

[highwayg]

So excited to join this thread! Haven't worked out all the numbers yet. but I'm definitely watching closely for whatever deals we can get. Thinking about renting DVC points and a car this year for first time. Usually stay in a moderate and use Disney transportation. Hopefully the cost evens out. Will work on my exact number soon. Just so excited!!

 

[Marionnette]

So excited to join this thread! Haven't worked out all the numbers yet. but I'm definitely watching closely for whatever deals we can get. Thinking about renting DVC points and a car this year for first time. Usually stay in a moderate and use Disney transportation. Hopefully the cost evens out. Will work on my exact number soon. Just so excited!!

If you're thinking of renting DVC points, keep in mind that late Sept. is F&W at Epcot and a very popular time among DVC members. If you want a specific resort, you will want to begin making contact with an owner NOW, because their 11-month window will be opening in Oct. 2013 for reservations in Sept 2014! That will also mean that you will have to pay in full and upfront for the resort portion of your trip and most likely it will not be refundable. So, if you're going to rent points, make sure that you have to money to cover the reservation NOW and that there is a near-zero chance of having to cancel or change your reservation.

 

[highwayg]

Actually our dates are going to be sometime late August . I understand the window but are holding out to see what the discounts may be for the moderates.

 

[jenny105]

If you're thinking of renting DVC points, keep in mind that late Sept. is F&W at Epcot and a very popular time among DVC members. If you want a specific resort, you will want to begin making contact with an owner NOW, because their 11-month window will be opening in Oct. 2013 for reservations in Sept 2014! That will also mean that you will have to pay in full and upfront for the resort portion of your trip and most likely it will not be refundable. So, if you're going to rent points, make sure that you have to money to cover the reservation NOW and that there is a near-zero chance of having to cancel or change your reservation.

It depends on the DVC member. I rented points last year and at the time of reservation paid for the point value equal to one night's stay. She allowed me to paid the balance 60 days prior to our trip. (we paid it much earlier than that). She sent us a contract outlining everything too. Most of the DVC brokers make you pay upfront but you can get a better deal booking with a DVC member directly. Check the rent/trade boards!

 

[Marionnette]

It depends on the DVC member. I rented points last year and at the time of reservation paid for the point value equal to one night's stay. She allowed me to paid the balance 60 days prior to our trip. (we paid it much earlier than that). She sent us a contract outlining everything too. Most of the DVC brokers make you pay upfront but you can get a better deal booking with a DVC member directly. Check the rent/trade boards!

You got lucky. There are a lot of members who wouldn't want to take the risk of being *stuck* with points that are about to expire and cannot be banked because a banking deadline has passed. If a reservation is canceled with 30 or less to go prior to arrival, there are a lot of restricts that get placed on how those points can be used. That's the reason so many of them want payment in full long before their guest is due to arrive in Disney.

 

[Marionnette]

We're back from the Food & Wine Festival! Had an awesome time and ate whatever we wanted thanks to having so many Disney GCs to pay off the tab. I even came back with leftover GCs. So, I have some seed money for the next trip.

Leftover:

$90 in Landry's GCs because we never made it to Yak & Yeti.
$173.60 in Disney GCs
1 TiW card, which doesn't expire until almost Nov. 2014 (they're good for 13 months)
$600+ cash that was held in reserve in case we overspent the GCs or encountered any emergencies. That money will go back into the bank and will get earmarked for something fun but probably NOT Disney-related.​

I can't wait to get back to Disney! It's going to be a long year of saving and planning!

 

[arwood82]

We finally set dates for our 2014 trip. We are going the last week in September. We went to the bank this week and opened up a vacation club account and so far we have $8 in there. I have it set up to transfer $5 into this account every Friday. We are also saving change and dollar bills. Next weekend my boys and I are going to make a disney saving jar to put any extra money they earn in and to put our gift cards in as I buy them. I will start picking up a few S I grocery shop and anytime I am at target. Right now my estimate is that we need $5000-$6000.

 

[NorthernGrl]

I'm in!
Planning for September 21-28, 2014. Family of 2 adults, 1 Disney Adult and 3 kids. My mom may join us, so we booked with that in mind, but she will pay her own tix etc.

Hotel Bonnet Creek, 3 bedroom Deluxe, 7 nights, $1260. Deposit paid; $840 owing. Hoping Ken Price will be able to re-book at a discount later. Other possibility that my mom doesn't join us and we could move down to a 2 bedroom.

Tickets Planning on enough Airmiles points to purchase one child's 5-day base ticket. I already have 2 adult 5-day base tix, and will purchase the other adult and 2 kids with UT $840

Travel We will drive (as usual) from Ontario, Canada. I'm estimating fuel at $600 (it's been around the $500 mark in the past) and a one night's stay in either direction on the road at the cost of $120 each. We bring a lot of munchies and snacks on the road with us and stop for a few meals. Budgeting $150. The kids have plenty to keep them busy on the trip. Total $990

Food Much of our food will come from home, snacks, munchies, a few cases of pop and water. Since we also have a full kitchen, I can bring frozen meals with us. When I make a lasagne, or casserole, I often make a second and freeze it to be re-heated another night. If I stock the cooler and keep it sealed, it should be fine on the drive down. A quick stop at the grocery for fresh stuff should be less than $100. We will want to do one meal out per day (mostly QS, since that's our style) but also a character meal. Estimate for eating in parks:$600. Food total $700

Parking $75

MNNSHP $360 (bound to go up, this is the current price)

Spending money Each of the 4 kids will get a Disney Gift Card for their birthday prior to the trip ($50x4) DH and I might spend $100 each. I doubt it though. I'm more of a photo taker than a souvie buyer. $400

Current Grand Total that I need to save: $4205
Dang, that's a lot of money! lol

 

[pigletto]

Our December trip is paid for and we have the money for food (eating OOP this time). I'm trying to be very cautious with spending so we don't have to dip into/or feel bad about what we're taking with us. So December is all taken care of.
Trying to plan our next trip now. We're thinking Food&Wine 2014. I have no idea what we'll be doing. Ideally I'd like to stay at the Boardwalk Inn, but pricing it out even with a hypothetical discount is pricey. I know they are offering free dining bounceback right now. If there is any chance they are offering it still in December when we're there we'll book a mod, because it saves us thousands over BWI and paying OOP for food.
Then there is also the possibility of the Swan or Dolphin which are landing firmly in the middle of the mod and BWI choices.
We may want to do that so that we have our ideal location.
Decisions Decisions. I know I want to decide soon so we have a good year to sock away the money.

 

[stayhomemom77]

As of August 22nd:

Savings: $2560
Change jar:$47.45
Quick Rewards:$30.94
I-say surveys:$27.85

As of October 5th:

Savings: $3100
Change Jar: $83.60
Quick Rewards: $34.41
I-say Surveys: $35.55

 

[Marionnette]

I just checked my Chase account and my 40,000 bonus points for my Sapphire card posted. They're worth $400 cash or I can use them for a number of other things. Looks like my rental car will be paid for!

 

[BCmomma]

So no Aulani for us for August 2014, just going to be too expensive for us. So probably going to be 10 days in Puerto Vallarta instead!
So far we have $1627 saved up, about half way there. 10 months to save another $1600 (or more! the more the better, right!), definitely do able.

But Disneyland is still on for 2016

 

[Magic2000]

We just got back in Sept, and I'm planning for Dec, 2014. I want to go the week after Thanksgiving!

In between saving for our trip in Sept, I was also putting some money away for a trip to NY with my daughter. That's all saved for.

So, now it's on to the Dec 2014 Disney trip! I have $60 saved so far. I think we'll be staying at the Swan. I'd really like to stay at the WL, so I'll be watching for any discounts! If not, I'm happy with Swan!

It'll be just my DH & I, and I'd like to bring my 3 yr old DGD too for some MawMaw & PawPaw time!

Let the savings continue!!!

 

[Marionnette]

Coming back to update:

• $41 in Disney Rewards Dollars in my Disney Visa accounts
• 1,000 RR added to my SWA account using e-rewards
• 4,000+ RR from purchases made with the SWA Visa last month (also signed up for the 3K bonus WYS $5,000 between Oct-Dec.)
• 8,000 Sapphire Rewards added from a furniture purchase
• Rebates of $2.99 (Melaluca), $3.99 (Staples) and $10 (P&G) for just under $17 to apply to tips.

 

[Marionnette]

I got a refund of $32.38 in the mail yesterday. It was from an overpayment on my son's cable bill from college - they bill each month in advance and his lease ended mid-month.

More money to cover tips!

 

[mommyburns]

Has anyone gotten any whiffs of October 2014 deals?

 

[Marionnette]

Has anyone gotten any whiffs of October 2014 deals?

Way too early for Oct. deals! Disney hasn't even hinted at the deals for the spring yet!

For an update:
I got my Ebates "Big Fat Check" today...$85.61 to add to my tip fund!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Has anyone gotten any whiffs of October 2014 deals?

I got a great Sept deal. Are your dates flexible?