Planning ahead, and friends think I'm crazy!

[mudnuri]

Went to Wal-mart without DD's or DH today to pick up some groceries, and while I was there, since we have a "surplus" in our budget this month, I grabbed some stuff for our trip.

I bought 2 $15.00 gift cards for DDs to use at the Wal-Mart that sells disney stuff while we are there, bought about $15.00 in small travel type toys, small kelly barbies, silly putty etc.. stuff to put in bag for truck ride down, kids sun screen, 3 dvd's they have never seen for the trip and a few more odds and ends.

I ran into a friend of mine while there, and she noticed the sun screen in the wagon, and asked when we were leaving, when I told her April she 'bout fell over. She said she goes the week before vacation and buys all that stuff.

I didnt even explain it to her, but later DBIL called and asked when I had been up to today, and when I told him he laughed, said his wife/xwife (not sure what she is right now) never planned ahead, and ended up spending 2-300 right before the trip on stuff they need.

With him I explained it- that this way, I spent $60.00 today, probably will have to do this 3-4 more times, but if I didnt spend the 60 today on this stuff, we would have spent it somewhere else on who knows what....I wont miss the 60 like I will 300 just before the trip...he said "when I take the kids on vacation this summer, can you plan/pack/shop for me LOL" he got it!

DH wondered what I was doing with all the kids summer clothes out. I had all the stuff I bought on clearance last fall out, kids were trying stuff on etc.. when I told him, this way I'll know what I need to buy and can plan on when, he understood.

LOL anyone else a compulsive planner like this? Silly question, if we weren't compulsive planners, we wouldnt be here

Brandy

 

[wuv tigger]

Great job Brandy!!!

We have a timeshare and use frequent flyer miles, so I often end up planning that a year in advance

You are definitely saving a lot of money vs. spur of the moment people. Just don't be like me and forget where I stored all the stuff I bought Sometimes I am very suprised by all the "bargains" we have collected.

David

 

[minster22]

Even though I am not traveling with children, I am planning on buying an item or two each week until our upcoming trip in April/May.We have had this trip planned for almost 2 years and love to buy stuff all along the way.........makes it much more fun in addition to the economical aspect of spreading out the costs. I think us Dis'ers are in a league of our own when it comes to preplanning trips!!

 

[crazyforgoofy]

I keep my "Disney Box" in the basement where I can get to it. I'll add items as I find them on sale for our trip (late May - early June) with all 4 grandkids. I've been collecting things to keep them busy on the plane and in the room at night (card games, playdough.) I keep everything in that big plastic tub from our Guest of Honor badges to a net backpack and fanny pack ~ so I'll know where they are and won't have to dig. When this trip is over I'll put the reusable items back into "the box" for next time.

Brandy, I too think you've got the right idea!

 

[HaleyB]

Me too. I am right there with you. My DH likes to tease me about it, but I know he loves how smoothly everything always goes. I bought things for our end of May begining of June trip starting in December (Disney Store 2 for one toy sale). I have sunscreen too, and it is already in the suitcase! It is killing me that I have to wait for the new exp. date meal vouchers, but I have been stashing cash each week so I have them "pre-paid" already.

 

[BrerMama]

OK, this will sound wierd and may be TMI, but we always buy new underwear for our vacations. I mean, a girl needs new undies once a year, right, and they might as well be new on vacation. So in a month or so I fully intend to go to Wal-Mart and put new undies and socks on layaway (for a family of 5 needing a 9 day supply of each, it adds up). I'm also going to layaway memory cards for my digital camera and possibly some luggage. By the time I get that paid off, it will be time to be buying new shorts and shirts and swimsuits. We always plan our vacations (not just Disney, but our annual vacations) for the first week after school is over so that our summer clothes will be new and not faded. For some reason, I just have to wear new clothes on vacation.

I've also already started packing for the trip. We have a set of large plastic drawers where we store sports equipment, etc. I cleared out a drawer the size of one of our suitcases and have been dropping in items as I find them -- fanny packs, a sample pack of baby wipes, etc. Hey, I started planning when I was at 211 days and I'm under 130 now. Time's flying!

 

[bobcat]

You've come to the right place for support! As you can see there are many of us that plan like you. I too have a disney box and as I see things on sale they go into the box. I also have a smaller box where I keep small items for the goodie bags I make my kids. I pick up disney themed items and small trinkets year round and just throw it into this box. About a week before our trip I pull it out and fill up the treat bags.

 

[benebire]

Well I must be one of you cuz I completely understand!
I currently have 2 tubs of stuff going, one for the cruise in March and 1 for the Disney trip in June. Glad I'm not the only compulsive planner out there.

 

[summersfam4]

We usually take an early May vacation but we couldn't this year, so I just booked our trip for September, and I'm already putting away extra suncreen, and I have been buying a couple of different short sundresses for my girls two by two (one to wear throughout the summer and the other the wear on the trip), because we MUST wear some new clothes on vacation too (plus I plan to hit the end of summer sale at old navy and goody's (there are some good things about going at the end of the summer)), I always put them in short summer dresses with their bathing suits on underneath, that way when they see water they just strip off their dress and have a blast!

Kelly

 

[dpayne1969]

LOL.I may be extreme here but we are not going until Nov.and i too have started packing and shopping.The other day we went to Sam's club and bought my children these big huge towels that are soooooo adorable for our vacation.LOL.I have a notebook that i have started listing things we need for our trip and as i buy them i mark them off.Also i have a packing list for all of us(2 kids 2 adults).We too are buying new undies and socks and each kid will have at least 1 new outfit for the trip!My friends think we are bonkers but i have always been an early bird.I went this past weekend to Jc Penney and got perfume gift sets for 50% off and these will be for my mom and sister for Christmas.LOL.I know i said the word Christmas in January.I have always been this way and i love it.I have this notebook i list everyones birthday in and i shop all year round and put a check next to the name as i buy my gifts.
I also sell on ebay and sell at flea markets on the weekends and this is all going to be our Disney money.We are driving down from Oklahoma in Nov.,i have already booked our hotel and we are renting a car to drive down in.We got our room for $50.00 a nite at the Holiday Inn.

 

[AllieKat]

Yep, I do the same thing. I just get too excited and feel better as I'm able to check things off my "to do" list. I went shopping for flip flops and capri's yesterday (in 40 degree rainy weather) for a trip that I haven't even booked a room for yet. I have the dates (early May) nailed down but I'm kind of waiting for cheaper rates, although I'm sure I'll book it sometime this week cause I'll get too anxious.

 

[dpayne1969]

this is our first real family vacation so we are just soooo excited we cant hardly stand it.LOL

 

[crazelion]

Welcome Allycat. I see from my home town Chattanooga, TN.

 

[AllieKat]

Thanks for the warm welcome crazelion! Yay! Another Chattanoogan! I moved here from Southern California several years ago and it took me awhile to get used to everything around here, but I now call Chattanooga home.

 

[sk!mom]

Planning a trip is what keeps me going between trips. I'm really down when we get home from a trip and our next one is too far away to begin planning. When that happens, I go ahead and start researching places that I might want to go someday. My husband thinks that I'm obsessive and nuts, but he appreciates how much fun we always have because our trips are so well-planned and researched.

I'm currently planning for this June's Disney trip and researching for next summer's trip to Europe. It's never too early to plan!

 

[dsnycrzy]

It was funny to see this post. After being in the basement rearranging after my remodel and came across my disney stuff from our last disney trip. I started checking the hand held fans from the DS and the squirt bottle fans. My DD came down strairs and said "are we getting ready to go to WDW"? I told her in a few months (we go in august but I am suprising then so I couldn't say the date). She asked why the heck am I testing it now. I need to know how many to replace now and make a list in case I run into it at a nice price. I run to the dollar store as soon as they put out summer stuff and get everyone something. Then if something isn't there, I still have a couple of weeks to go back and check Last year the DS had a 75% off sale and I got the baby's hold wardrobe for this years trip. It's never to early to start picking up stuff, it's part of the fun.

 

[momm2four]

Hi Alliecat! Another Chattanoogan here!

Wish were going in May, but it'll be October 2005 before we go back (but we get to do WDW and a 4 day cruise, so it's worth the wait! lol)

Lori P.

 

[MCazer]

This year, like many others, we take our friends to Disney as we own at OKW (DVC).

I always pick up things along the way. I got 4 light chasers (2 Stitch & 2 Sully) for $2.49 each, beats the $12 at the parks.

I also buy lights sticks/necklaces. The flash lights that have the nylon fishingline stuff. And this year these cool gooey ball yo-yo's that the kids love that when you hit them they light up!

Everyday I will surprise them with a new item.

I also mailed away for the Kellogg's lanyards and filled them with Disney Store pins that I got for a whopping .62 each!

I am the Disney "Freak"... but I tell you, whenever anyone needs advice or a low rate, they come to me!

BTW, I got alot of these items on ebay! Terrific prices!

 

[Mad4Dizne]

I agree with everyone...and I am constantly teased at home about my "planning" however when we get great window tables at Ohana for our group and we are watching the fireworks over dinner....everyone didn't think I was the crazy planner then!!!!!LOL

Besides, the more $$$ I can save on our trips...the more trips I can make

Flo

 

[disneyjunkie]

Last week pulled out my son's summer clothes and had him try them on. Since I got a lot of things in September when they were on sale, they fit fine. Last night I washed them and today I packed them in the suitcase. We leave for Disney on April 1.
My son is pretty much all set. I just need to find him a pair of water shoes to use around BB and TL.

I made a list of all the things we'll need for our trip. As I get the items I cross them off the list and put them in the bag. If I wait until the last minute to get these things, I'll end up forgetting something.



Planning seems to make the days past quicker.