Quitting = Money for a splendid Disney Vacation

[the_bUg]

So, neither my self or my lovely Wife (married just last fall) have ever been to Disney world. I had been to Disney Land once when I was about 12, however it was only a 1 day visit while staying off site, and my only real lingering memory was of the Alice in Wonderland ride.

She had made the suggestion prior to the wedding that we choose to Honeymoon at the world. Sadly, we could not afford the trip and had to "settle" for a different, non international destination. I must admit, at first I was a little hesitant about having Disney World as a vacation destination. However, after several months of researching all of the wonder and excitement that happens there on a daily basis, there is no place I would rather go (damn you, youtube, why do you taunt me so)!

So, in the months following our wedding, I've since gained a pretty thorough understanding of the costs involved, and figure for a 10 day trip for the two of us, staying at a value resort, including flight and being on the Deluxe DDP (wine and dine option) the costs should come out to about $4k. Factor in an extra $1k spending/tip/spa money for a total amount of $5k.

Now, Both she and I have been "pack a day" smokers for the last 4 years we've been dating/living together. In Manitoba, (where we live), a pack of cigarettes costs $10.50 to $12.00 per pack. At approximately 2 packs a day, that comes out to $7,665.00 per year... O.M.G ??? I had never really put much thought in to how much we were spending/wasting of our resources, and became angry at myself that, I will complain we "do not have enough money" or I "don't make enough money", that I have been literally burning thousands of dollars a year for the last 10 years of my life. Hell, I could have half a mortgage payed down by now.

So, we have both agreed to quit smoking and as a reward for our efforts, after 1 years time, we will take a nice Disney World vacation together to celebrate!

Without the daily expense of cigarettes find it easy to put aside the requisite 416.66 per month required to have 5K banked around this time next year (started 2 months ago).

I'm wondering if anyone else here has quit smoking for similar financial motivations. Is anyone in the process of quitting? Has this inspired you to think about quiting or at least made you cognizant of the amount that you have been spending? I realize this is not a "quit smoking" support board, I'm just wondering what other peoples rational and experiences were when deciding to sever ties w/ that "old friend" tobacco.

I look forward to any replies!

 

[DISNEYSPORTS19]

Good for you!!

 

[Robinrs]

Whatever incentive I'm all for it!!

I would still had my beloved Dad if not for those things...

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I haven't done what you have, but I just wanted to give you a cyber pat on the back for doing what is probably the hardest thing you have ever done-kick an addiction.

What a great way to save for a trip and a great incentive for quitting..other than that health thing.

Good Luck!!

 

[the_bUg]

Well, being young (myself 28, Wife 24) we still believe our selves to be relatively immortal, despite what the propaganda says. Thanks for the confidence guys!

 

[DCLbrideSept2009]

I don't have personal experience but wanted to commend you on quitting!! I have heard, though, of people doing similar things - giving up their daily Starbucks and putting that money aside for Disney, something like that. Good for you!! You will be REALLY glad you did when you see how awesome WDW is!!! And you have the added bonus of improving your health!!

 

[NeverlandClub23]

My Dad smoked for 35 years. He quit about 10 years ago (cold turkey) and every Saturday since we've gone out to eat with the money he would've spent on cigarettes (he says to apologize for the years of smelling and enhaling the smoke and the possible time he took off of his life). I'm so proud of him and very much enjoy our dinners every weekend.

Good for you and what a great goal!!

 

[rangermom]

I too want to give you a pat on the back. I know how hard it can be. DH finally quit smoking then went to chewing tobacco (which I think is worse). He gave it up for my Christmas present this year. He chews a lot of gum. The sugar free version. What a great incentive for you two.

 

[Robinrs]

Well, being young (myself 28, Wife 24) we still believe our selves to be relatively immortal, despite what the propaganda says. Thanks for the confidence guys!

LOL, isn't that the truth! At least you REALIZE that.

Again, good for you and cyber PAT on the back for even considering it!!

 

[fakereadhed]

Good for you! You may be trading one addiction for another, but a yearly vacation to WDW is a much healthier one.

 

[Karenj2]

My dad did that YEARS ago - and that was our first trip to WDW!! Congratulations on quitting! If you don't succeed the first time, keep trying!

What you should do is to figure out about how much you'd spend per month, then deposit that amount into a separate savings account (i.e., ING), so that you don't end up spending that money on something else.

 

[pigletto]

Good for you!!!
I am gearing up to do the same

I will not bore you with sobering facts but suffice to say I am doing a research project on Cancer and Smoking for a University course right now.
There is absolutely no benefit to smoking, EVER.

You have found a way to take a huge negative in your life and turn it into an absolute positive! And if you are going to do the DXDP then you might as well be able to actually taste the food!

Congrats!!!

 

[pilesoflaundry]

Good for you!

I can't believe how much a pack costs there wow. That's a good chunk of change you will be saving. Have a great trip, what a reward at the end of quiting.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

Good for you and your wife and remember there are lots of people here that will cheer you on!!

 

[taymaesmom]

Yeah for you!!! I too quit for Disney, in 2004 we were planning our first trip for May 24, on April 24 I was reviewing plans and someone mentioned buying cigarettes while at Disney and where the smoking sections were. It hit me then, I had spent a year planning the perfect vacation for my girls and I was gonna waist their time several times a day for a smoke break. So I quit right then and there and it has been 5.5 years and I couldnt be happier, I also our made our once in a lifetime trip 4 more times since then with my savings!

 

[bumbershoot]

I was just reading a trip report...a dis'er took her family to a deluxe resort and had a great vacation, just on the money she saved by quitting. She literally took the money she would have spent for each pack and put it in savings. I would have to do it that way, too. And it kept her going, too (I think she quit cold turkey), because if she had spent the money on a pack of cigarettes, she forced herself to think of it as taking money from her family's vacation.

Well, being young (myself 28, Wife 24) we still believe our selves to be relatively immortal, despite what the propaganda says. Thanks for the confidence guys!

Being young changes quickly! My mom started smoking at 15 (was never sick, instantly addicted, she said) and it took her to 35 to finally do the last quit, after a near fatal asthma attack.

Anyway, good for you! It'll be tough at first, with both quitting at once, so be really gentle with each other's mood swings. Remember why you're feeling bad. It's like a couple dieting at the same time, just amplified by addiction and withdrawals. Be gentle with each other, watch the changes happen, put that money aside every single day you would have bought the cigarettes, and keep going! I don't even know you and I'm so happy you're quitting.

 

[bettymae1121]

First of all, congrats! Those things are called "coffin nails" for a reason! Forget the money, it's your long term health that will benifit from this in the long run!!!!

I've never smoked, but my DB and his DF quit smoking for (mainly) financial reasons about two years ago. It was mostly money, but what really got their butts in gear was they had bought a new house and didn't want to "stink it up with that garbage" (their words). So their drop dead date was their move-in date, they had to stop smoking on that day or before. And it worked, they don't smoke anymore!!!

 

[bookgirl]

So, neither my self or my lovely Wife (married just last fall) have ever been to Disney world. I had been to Disney Land once when I was about 12, however it was only a 1 day visit while staying off site, and my only real lingering memory was of the Alice in Wonderland ride.

She had made the suggestion prior to the wedding that we choose to Honeymoon at the world. Sadly, we could not afford the trip and had to "settle" for a different, non international destination. I must admit, at first I was a little hesitant about having Disney World as a vacation destination. However, after several months of researching all of the wonder and excitement that happens there on a daily basis, there is no place I would rather go (damn you, youtube, why do you taunt me so)!

So, in the months following our wedding, I've since gained a pretty thorough understanding of the costs involved, and figure for a 10 day trip for the two of us, staying at a value resort, including flight and being on the Deluxe DDP (wine and dine option) the costs should come out to about $4k. Factor in an extra $1k spending/tip/spa money for a total amount of $5k.

Now, Both she and I have been "pack a day" smokers for the last 4 years we've been dating/living together. In Manitoba, (where we live), a pack of cigarettes costs $10.50 to $12.00 per pack. At approximately 2 packs a day, that comes out to $7,665.00 per year... O.M.G ??? I had never really put much thought in to how much we were spending/wasting of our resources, and became angry at myself that, I will complain we "do not have enough money" or I "don't make enough money", that I have been literally burning thousands of dollars a year for the last 10 years of my life. Hell, I could have half a mortgage payed down by now.

So, we have both agreed to quit smoking and as a reward for our efforts, after 1 years time, we will take a nice Disney World vacation together to celebrate!

Without the daily expense of cigarettes find it easy to put aside the requisite 416.66 per month required to have 5K banked around this time next year (started 2 months ago).

I'm wondering if anyone else here has quit smoking for similar financial motivations. Is anyone in the process of quitting? Has this inspired you to think about quiting or at least made you cognizant of the amount that you have been spending? I realize this is not a "quit smoking" support board, I'm just wondering what other peoples rational and experiences were when deciding to sever ties w/ that "old friend" tobacco.

I look forward to any replies!

Figure out how much you spent out of each paycheck and take the money out on the day you get paid and put it in a seperate account. If you leave it in your regular account you'd be surprised how ofton it disappears on everyday spending. This way it's gone and not "seen". Much easier to save that way.

 

[labdogs42]

My mom quit smoking 5 years ago and she went on three cruises within a year with her smoking funds! So, it can be done! Good for you for making this decision and have a BLAST on your Disney trip!

 

[gk90]

Good for you! Here's to your remaining smoke-free and saving $$, and here's link to a banner that will track your progress:
http://smokefreequitmeter.com/

Other Disers may have banners from other sites, hope this one works for you.