Personal Question- How do you do it?

[jamstew]

While we were raising our family, we took only one big vacation - to a caribbean island - with all the other vacations being closer to home and/or camping. Now that the kids are raised and starting families of their own, we've discovered WDW!

BTW, I've always thought that the American way of compensation is backwards. Why is it that when you're young, buying a house, car(s), paying back student loans and raising kids is the time you make the least money? When you're done with all that stuff, you end up with a comfortable income. At least we did, so we are now helping our kids and grandkids to discover Disney.

My family always took vacations, even if it was just to my grandparents' (which WAS a vacation for me as a kid). My ex and I always took our kids somewhere every year, sometimes more exciting places than others. However, our first trip to WDW was in conjunction with a college search trip for my son in 1990. The kids and I fell in love with it, but with DS off to private college, we just couldn't do it again. DD went with her HS band, and then SHE too was off to the same private college, so all thoughts of WDW were out the window for about 10 years We did give DD a timeshare exchange in Kissimmee when she got out of college so she could take three friends.

Now I'm divorced, retired and debt-free (except mortgage) with three grandkids and another one the way. Now, like you, I'm in a position to help the kids and grandkids discover Disney--the only catch is that they have to take granny (me) along! Unfortunately, I can't do all of them at once, but they'll all get their chance at some point.

On the matter of costs -- I've been working on our upcoming trip (leaving in 16 days) for almost a year. The best I've been able to do (for 4 of us flying with 5-day PH passes) is a total budget of about $3000, and that's with lodging cost of only a timeshare exchange fee. I know it can be done cheaper in the off-season, but is it truly possible to do much better in the summer?

Jamie

 

[7thdwarf/dopey]

Notice how she took advantage of my setting up the camera to get a half a beer ahead of me.

Bill From PA

HiYa Bill !

Great picture of you both. Sorry we missed you in January.......

Gary

 

[disney1990]

When I was growing up, "all" our vacations were to visit relatives -- while all my friends went to fun places. It took me 2 years to save for our first Disney trip in 1990 and 2 years to save for our 2nd trip in 1992 -- then I found the DIS Board and www.allearsnet.com. Now we go at least 2 times a year -- on a budget.

Our big expense will be our Thanksgiving Trip this year. We are taking my daugher, her husband, and their 2 daughters age 5 and 7. I took, just the girls 2 years ago, but this year I'm taking everybody.

But, like people say, nobody knows what tomorrow will bring. We are very careful with money all year long, and put money into savings and 401(k)s. But, with careful planning, almost anybody can afford a vacation to Disney -- even if it means you have to camp -- and yes -- we've done that twice when there wasn't any other choice.

 

[ErinJill]

I think for us it mostly has to do with not having kids (although we do have a spoiled puppy!). And also, it has to do with how we prioritize our money. We don't go out to eat at nice restaurants very often, we don't buy expensive clothes or things, we live in a small house with a small mortgage, and we work hard at demanding jobs the rest of the year. We have gone to Disney World or Disneyland every year since we've been married and I can't imagine ever being to a point where we don't take at least one vacation each year (Disney or other).

 

[NJOYURLIFE]

I was all excited to see someone else on the DIS boards from Wilkes Barre, PA where I am from and then I scroll down and see a wonderful picture of my husband’s cousins or my cousin in laws. What a small world!!!

As for the topic, once we had children we really didn't go on vacation other than long weekends at a close beach. My hubby works full time and I am a part time work from home accountant. One of my biggest regrets is that in 2000 we had planned a trip to WDW with my parents - their first time. To make a long story short, the trip didn't happen. I had a baby instead (she was not the regret ), so we postponed the trip. The following year my dad passed away at the age of 60 without us ever getting him to Disney.

The following year after planning a trip to Disney combined with a tax seminar, one of my customers told us about timeshares, we then discovered the timeshare resale market, and now owning timeshares has taken us places I don't think we ever would have gone. In addition to owning our own timeshares, we were also able to learn how to make money from our timeshares (that CPA's brain working overtime). Since now we can get our lodging for dirt cheap (both onsite and off), we work hard to minimize the other expenses (cook in as much as possible (hey, we would have to eat whether we were home or away), drive or get cheap airfare, be strict with the no souvenir policy - got my children into pin trading by buying pins from eBay and they are allowed to only buy one or two special pins each trip that can't be traded. I am thinking about getting them into the pressed penny collecting also), also try to take advantage of the atmosphere in WDW and the many "free" things available there - the pools, DTD, seeing the resorts. We have two credit cards that work as our vacation club. I make sure they are paid off before the trip so they are available if needed. We are going in June and everything except our food and park tickets has already been paid for gradually (cost for airfare and our 1 bedroom OKW so far approx $1100). My one cost worry is the price of the park tickets, but hey, I told my husband, we may get to WDW but not into the parks I tease my husband and say we can get there, we have a place to sleep, we can eat, but we'll just have to entertain ourselves without the parks - I do doubt if that would happen, but if that had to be the case, we would still have a wonderful time just being there................

The past few times we got away with using old park hoppers (even one from our honeymoon 15 years ago). Now we are completely out of tickets, so that will be a major expense this trip, but one that shouldn't factor in as much in subsequent trips for a while.

I will say that I am bad about saving for my children’s college. They do go to private school now. But you know what, I figure that I will worry about that when the time comes and if God forbid, something happens...well, I paid for my own college education and it didn't hurt me any.

Enough of my rattling...I am just happy to say we have found a way to afford not only an annual WDW vacation, but one or two others also.

Lisa

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Hubby and I don't go to Disney as much as many here on the DIS do. It's just not something I want us to do. We do take other vacations of course that don't cost near as much and of course I always look for the most inexpensive way to do things. Being a FL resident saves hubby and I quite a bit on vacations such as Disney and Universal and working where I do now, I get great hotel discounts for other locations. Even before that though, I always booked my hotel online and got the internet rate which is about 10% cheaper than rack rate.
Our next trip to Disney is May of 2006 and that's going to run us just a tad over $900 before adding on food and that's assuming we DO NOT get a room with a code. If we do get a code, then that will knock about $182 off of our room over 7 days giving me exactly what hubby and I need for food!
Those who go to Disney as often as they do are truly blessed individuals!! I'm just happy to be able to vacation. I know many that can't vacation...period, and that's so sad. Vacations are so good for families because sometimes you just need that time away from whatever may be going on around you. It's a good escape from reality.
Hubby and I are 9 days away from our trip to Stone Mountain GA and I CANNOT WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Disnurse2B]

This trip is my graduation gift from my parents. We could never afford this kind of vacation on our own. DH and I have been to disney twice (before our daughter was born) and we went the super value route. The first time we stayed offsite at a super 8 motel and only went for 3 days. But we were young and in love and it didn't matter. We had a blast! The second time we "splurged" and stayed at CBR when it was only $89 per night. Again we had a fabulous time. This vacation, for us, will truly be the trip of a lifetime. I doubt we will be able to afford anything like this again for a very long time.

 

[mongobites]

My husband and I claim zero dependents on taxes. This ussually pays for a couple vacations a year. I've always claimed zero so I don't notice the difference in what my pay check would be if I claimed more dependents. For me it's also a priority. I work really hard (like most people do) and for me my vacations are how I re group myself. Now my husband is the type of person that even the thought of spending $3000.00 on a vacation makes him ill. He was raised never taking vacations I was raised where we took vacations every year. So to solve that problem I plan, book and pay for all vacatons. I don't tell him how much I've paid and the family goes and has a great time (we have individual checking accounts). In return I let him buy things we need for the house appliances, repairs etc which he feels ok spending money on.

 

[Mysteria]

Like many others have said I just make it a priority. I do without everything but necessities if I have to, to make my Disney vacations happen. That's not to say I'm walking around in rags and eating hot dogs every night. I just cut out the extras like fast food, going out to eat, manicures, wine (ok maybe just a little less wine ) etc., etc. I'm a Disney freak though. I think you have to want it bad enough to "make it happen".

Myst

 

[reedycreek]

got an AP, decent vacation time, and save my money for Disney. i have no problem spending my money on disney, cause its one of the only places on earth that truly makes me happy.

 

[LoriMistress]

Just saving your money and using a budget.

 

[nan1217]

Was raised taking vacations, mostly small, but always did a little something and my parents didn't make much at all. Now we are a 2 income professional couple with 2 children and I'd be lying if I said that we struggled to pay to travel. Then again, our home is verrrrry modest, we've never owned a new car and don't get new things very often. Travel is the healthy way I channel "excitement" instead of the negative drama I was raised with. Anybody can do travel - just a matter of priorities like EVERYone else has said.

 

[stemikger]

Shelby 36. I am going to give you very valuable advice. First let me tell you a little bit about myself and my situation.

I watched my mom lose everything after my father died 20 years ago. She lost everything because she was not good at handeling money. It affected me in a very positive way. I became a student of personal finance. I read every book I could get my hands on. Some of those books were great and some were bad. I learned a lot and I am still learning.

I am 40 years old and I never made a ton of money and neither does my wife, but we are doing very good financially because of this knowledge. I know people who make twice as much as us and have nothing to show for it. Remember it is not what you make - but what you save - and the assets you build.

I am married 13 years and I have been on a very nice vacation every year, sometimes twice a year without borrowing money to do it and at the same time building my wealth through various investments. I am not saying this to brag, but to show you that you could enjoy the good life and be successful with money if you know what to do. It will not happen overnight, but if you follow these rules, every year your financial situation will be better. Now for the advice I promised you: Please read these two books they will change your life for the Better.

1. The Automatic Millionaire by David Bach
2. The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey.

Good Luck.

 

[LilMagic2000]

My mom and sister are going back to The World in June, and I will not be going because of another previously planned trip in November, but I tried like heck to see what I could do to maybe get to go on the trip with her, even on my practically none existent budget.
First, the cruises can be a little more expensive. That's not to say it's a bad idea-I'd love to go on a cruise, but they can be pretty high. If you want to try and budget a trip, I went to cheaptickets.com and got some pretty decent prices-even cheaper than some of the other discount airline prices that are out there. Of course, I live in New Orleans, and a flight to Orlando from here isn't that big of a deal. Several times, my family has also opted for DRIVING to Disney; it's ALOT cheaper than buying 5 tickets, but again, we are only 11 hours away, you may not be able to drive it on a low budget.
Next, there's always the value hotels. You do not have to stay off the property to get a decent hotel and a decent price. I'm a second generation Mouse Addict, and when I do browse books and such for when I do Disney, and when I finally get to go with my own family, I joke with my mom all the time about pitying me in one of the All Star hotels while she kicks it back at the Grand Floridian. Well, we've stayed at both, and as nice as the Grand Floridian was, I honestly can't say anything bad about the All Star hotels-they are clean, they are adorable, and we got just as good transportation/service/good times there as we did anywhere else (we have stayed at the All Star Movies and Pop Century).
There's also the food issue. You do not have to eat at a 5 star restaurant for breakfast, second breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner, supper and two snacks. Pick one "big" meal a day to eat at any place of your choosing-the other two meals, opt for quick bits at the more "fast food" style places or do what we do: pack and bring your own granola bars and Pop Tarts.
It is do-able, but it does take some extra work. Once you get there, however, your extra work will have paid off, and so what if you had to eat a Pop Tart that morning, if you get to eat at Boma's that night and have all the Zebra Domes you want???
Hope this helps. Have fun on your trip!

 

[DAWGPOUNDAJ]

A huge part would obviously depend on how many people are in your family. Basically we can do one every other year because of low expenses (we live in apartments since I am still in college, finishing it all up, and have no idea where we will wind up job wise/location wise once I am finished so no point in buying yet). Also, we can go on a small one on the off years again, because of low expenses. We pay for our own schooling out of pocket with minimal student loans, and we also invest, invest, invest. I think a LOT of people are afraid to play the stock market because of losses, but think of it this way, you lose NOTHING until you cash out. That always makes me feel better if they dive down for a few months.

 

[Uncleromulus]

By NOT having two $40,00 SUV's, an inground pool, season tickets to the Ravens,etc etc.etc.
We simply choose to spend our $$ on vacations.

 

[stemikger]

By NOT having two $40,00 SUV's, an inground pool, season tickets to the Ravens,etc etc.etc. Originally posted by uncleromulus

Well said uncleromulus. This is what most of the personal finance books say over and over. If you could simply learn to live below or within your means and NOT USE CREDIT CARDS. You will be amazed on how much extra you have at the end of the month. As you can see I am very passionate about this topic. I preach whenever I am asked. I never thought I'd be living the way I am on my income. If I can do it anyone can do it. Trust me all the hardwork and scarfice will pay off. Here are a few more tips from financial expert Dave Ramsey (he calls them his seven baby steps):

1. Save $1,000 fast.
2. Pay off your debts smallest to largest. And stop using credit cards.
3. Create a full fledged emergency fund 3 to 6 months of expenses.
4. Fully fund 15% into a pre-tax retirement account.
5. Start a college fund for the kids.
6. Pay off your home early by sending extra principal each month.
7. Build wealth - with mutual funds and real estate.

Again, I impore you or anyone else struggling with money and not living the life they want. READ THE TOTAL MONEY MAKEOVER BY DAVE RAMSEY AND THE AUTOMATIC MILLIONAIRE BY DAVID BACH.

 

[Sleepy]

We went on our first family vacation during our 8th year of marriage. it was the first time we had money to spare and decided if we were going to do a vacation, we would do it right and stay for 2 weeks. We found a hotel we could afford (onsite), drove there ourselves, brought a plug in cooler (saves cost of renting a fridge) and groceries. We paid one day of hotel expense a month and had it paid in full when we arrived at the hotel. We bought the annual passes (cheaper than length of stay) with our income tax return. By the time we got to the parks, all we had to buy was food that we did not eat in our room.

What I learned from that vacation is this....you budget yourself every month until you go on vacation. Spend your income tax return on funding the vacation (which we are doing this year...money is in the bank and cannot be touched. We are in Italy and the acct is in Virginia......no ATM, no checks, no way to wire transfer). We are planning our first vacation in 4 years and it will be 5 before we are able to be there.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

When we first discovered DW we had two children at home and honestly, it was a struggle, especially since way back then we used to stay at the Villa's. It was before the Value resorts had been built. We only stayed for 3-4 days a year.

Now, our children are grown and with all the Value resorts and reasonable prices we often go for two weeks. Our personal best is 16 days and sometimes more than once a year. We eat at our favorite DW restaurants but eat off site a lot too. I have found it possible to do DW easily on $170 a day or so and that is not a terribly expensive vacation when you consider that includes everything and there are so many things to do there.

Next time you do your taxes add up the interest you pay in a year and you might see that that amount will more than cover at least one nice vacation a year and possibly more. We have been totally debt free for many years and it has been such a relief. The three years that we suffered were well worth it. I do understand that in some areas of the country this is easier than others.

One more thing, I do not let others intimidate me into thinking that I MUST stay at one of the Luxury hotels, eat at Victoria & Albert's every evening, take cabs insted of buses etc. It is fine with me if they can afford or want to afford such but I do not. I do not feel deprived in any way and the truth of the matter is that I can afford to do any of those things, IF I really wanted to.

Slightly Goofy

 

[missypie]

In this age of technology, lots of people incur "essential" monthly expenses that just didn't exisit a while back. I look around and "everyone" has a camera on their cell phone...I'm pretty sure I make more money than lots of them, but I'm too cheap to pay the monthly charge for the camera feature. I look around at the mall and all these "kids" (teenagers and young adults) have the very newest in cell phones, while I still have the "free" phone that my cell phone provider gave me. We don't have TIVO. (We do have DSL, because we don't have the patience for dial up.)

I bet that lots of people spend several hundred dollars a month on cell phone, internet, TIVO, cable and/or dish charges.

One of my law partners tells a story about going door to door in very a low income neighborhod on a legal matter, back in the 80s. After a while, he realized that every single home had a VCR, and he didn't.

NPR did a series on the "working poor" about a year ago. Their point was basically how despite long hours of hard work, it is hard for lots of Americans to make ends meet. I'll never remember the lady they featured who was working very very long hours for low wages, was struggling to make ends meet....but was making payments on an almost new SUV.