Saving for disney....

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

The easiest way I can think of to save money is to cut back your grocery spending by $25 a week. That will net you $100 a month.
That may not be enough. I don't know how much you owe on it or when it is due.
Cut back your cable or satellite channels to just the basics. I know when I cut off all our movie channels it saved us $50 a month.

 

[brertoad]

Try to only eat at home, cooking at home saves so much money.
Also, don't spend on Starbucks, or other stuff. We have a friend who is always broke, and she always has a Dunkin Donuts or other coffee drink everytime we see her. We have other friends who never eat left overs and they eat out every meal of the day. Make your coffee and lunches at home and save a bunch of money per week. You can eBay some stuff. Use your credit card rewards to cash in for money or gift cards.

 

[GAN]

The second thing we do is I charge everything on our Disney Visa and we always get $600 in rewards every year.

We've been using the Disney Visa for years -we rack up about $1,000 a year. Everything possible goes on the card and we pay it off every month. Basically pays for our food/spending, since we have DVC that's covered as well.

 

[Marionnette]

The second thing we do is I charge everything on our Disney Visa and we always get $600 in rewards every year.

We've been using the Disney Visa for years -we rack up about $1,000 a year. Everything possible goes on the card and we pay it off every month. Basically pays for our food/spending, since we have DVC that's covered as well.

Are you guys getting some sort of bonus dollars with your purchasing? Because at the paltry rate of 1% back on your dollars charged, you would have to be putting $60,000 and $100,000 (respectively) on those cards each year!!!!

I'll admit, that it's not impossible, but you would have to have a seriously good income to begin with in order to accomplish this. Let's face it, some of your biggest budget line items (mortgage payment, health insurance, car payments, retirement contributions) cannot be put on a credit card.

 

[carissa1970]

Are you guys getting some sort of bonus dollars with your purchasing? Because at the paltry rate of 1% back on your dollars charged, you would have to be putting $60,000 and $100,000 (respectively) on those cards each year!!!!

I'll admit, that it's not impossible, but you would have to have a seriously good income to begin with in order to accomplish this. Let's face it, some of your biggest budget line items (mortgage payment, health insurance, car payments, retirement contributions) cannot be put on a credit card.

I agree. I do all online banking, and I recently looked into starting to pay some bills with a credit card monthly. There were a bunch I wasn't able to do that with! Maybe they have tuition, and other expensions besides household bills? I'd be happy just being able to pay my mortgage monthly with my Disney card, or my air miles card...

http://www.***********************/tickers/kwkz3p9ufbl3koi6.png

 

[Belle2007]

I love saving! You've received some excellent ideas.

My ideas are:

• Coupon!!! Then take out the money that you saved by couponing and putting it aside for vacation.
• Direct deposit a specific amount directly into your vacation account
• Disney Reward Visa Card ~ Priceless! We got one 6 years ago and I've been saving the rewards ever since for our 10th year anniversary cruise on the Dream... paid off!
• Don't order out... save that money for vacation.
• Tax refund~ This is the biggest way of budgeting for our vacations. The whole tax refund goes directly into the vacation account.

Other ideas are:

• Don't spend out of your budget zone
• Carry no credit card debt. You'd be surprised by the interest rate.
• Don't live outside your means...
• Take advantage of the Value Resorts. We loved the Music resort.

Good luck and Happy Saving!!!

 

[GAN]

Are you guys getting some sort of bonus dollars with your purchasing? Because at the paltry rate of 1% back on your dollars charged, you would have to be putting $60,000 and $100,000 (respectively) on those cards each year!!!!

I'll admit, that it's not impossible, but you would have to have a seriously good income to begin with in order to accomplish this. Let's face it, some of your biggest budget line items (mortgage payment, health insurance, car payments, retirement contributions) cannot be put on a credit card.

Yes. I'm getting 2% on gas, groceries, and restaurants -and I use the card for some work related expenses that can add up which are reimbursed. We upgraded the card to a "premier" or something like that for $50/year (which I would never do normally), but the payback with the extra percent makes it worthwhile for what we spend. By all means, we aren't wealthy or anything -just everything goes on the card.

 

[Marionnette]

Yes. I'm getting 2% on gas, groceries, and restaurants -and I use the card for some work related expenses that can add up which are reimbursed. We upgraded the card to a "premier" or something like that for $50/year (which I would never do normally), but the payback with the extra percent makes it worthwhile for what we spend. By all means, we aren't wealthy or anything -just everything goes on the card.

Well, that explains a lot. We have a business and we put all the overhead that we can onto one card. It makes accounting easier plus we get rewards. Our Disney Visa is for personal expenses. The year when we remodeled the kitchen, I didn't spend near that amount on the card that you are. Even at 2% back in select categories, you would have to be spending $50K per year on it in those to get back $1000 in rewards.

Now, the business card is another story...we have a lot of overhead costs and fortunately our suppliers accept credit card payments without charging a fee. Our monthly statement is in the $10K+ range.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

Couponingtodisney.com she has great ideas and deals and also has a good page on facebook!

 

[maurihart]

I'm a photographer and tend to make more in the fall. So I will have the money to pay it all at that point but would love to go ahead and get it all done without feeling like I need to put the balance on a cc on August 30 and then pay off when the money stars rolling in from Christmas shoots. See what I mean?

 

[Marionnette]

I'm a photographer and tend to make more in the fall. So I will have the money to pay it all at that point but would love to go ahead and get it all done without feeling like I need to put the balance on a cc on August 30 and then pay off when the money stars rolling in from Christmas shoots. See what I mean?

Since you're a business owner, too, I suggest getting a business credit card with rewards. Put all of your expenses on it...gasoline, car insurance, equipment purchases, advertising, materials, etc. The points add up quickly that way.

You might also want to try to get more engagement, bridal, graduation, prom, and First Communion photography work. Those events generally happen in the spring and could really increase your income. Other ideas: sports teams (think kids' soccer, swim team and t-ball for the spring/summer). Or offer family portrait discounts during your slow periods to increase the amount of work that you are getting.

 

[EagleScout]

Are you guys getting some sort of bonus dollars with your purchasing? Because at the paltry rate of 1% back on your dollars charged, you would have to be putting $60,000 and $100,000 (respectively) on those cards each year!!!!

I'll admit, that it's not impossible, but you would have to have a seriously good income to begin with in order to accomplish this. Let's face it, some of your biggest budget line items (mortgage payment, health insurance, car payments, retirement contributions) cannot be put on a credit card.

Clearly, you are pointing out a fundamental weakness of a "general" budget board, but this is still useful for all. While everyone can benefit at least a little from what others have to say, some advice will be of limited direct applicability. But the general concepts may still be helpful. We basically have enough disney visa points to give us the equivalent of "free dining" for our upcoming 6 night stay (about 700 dollars), but that is based on us being truly blessed and fortunate to be able to have spending on an after tax basis that exceeds many other posters' after-tax total incomes (and as you note, does not include our mortgage, utilities, insurance) or car payment). And the rest of the trip just is not that much of a concern due to our situation (although we do go at off-peak times, we are not that well off.) However, that income comes from working around 60-70 hours per week (at 41), and when I was younger, routinely worked 80 plus and put most into savings, so although it may not be much help for me (or someone of similar situation) to say "use Disney Visa points for annual trip", another poster could use as a way to support an "every three year" trip, or alternatively, could suggest that another poster could consider working a few extra hours overtime or a second job

 

[Marionnette]

Clearly, you are pointing out a fundamental weakness of a "general" budget board, but this is still useful for all. While everyone can benefit at least a little from what others have to say, some advice will be of limited direct applicability. But the general concepts may still be helpful. We basically have enough disney visa points to give us the equivalent of "free dining" for our upcoming 6 night stay (about 700 dollars), but that is based on us being truly blessed and fortunate to be able to have spending on an after tax basis that exceeds many other posters' after-tax total incomes (and as you note, does not include our mortgage, utilities, insurance) or car payment). And the rest of the trip just is not that much of a concern due to our situation (although we do go at off-peak times, we are not that well off.) However, that income comes from working around 60-70 hours per week (at 41), and when I was younger, routinely worked 80 plus and put most into savings, so although it may not be much help for me (or someone of similar situation) to say "use Disney Visa points for annual trip", another poster could use as a way to support an "every three year" trip, or alternatively, could suggest that another poster could consider working a few extra hours overtime or a second job

Don't get me wrong. I wasn't shooting the idea down at all. I just thought that it was an astonishing amount of rewards dollars to be earning every year and I wanted more info. on how it was being accomplished.

We do the very same thing that a PP does (placing business expenses on a rewards card) but the spending goes on a rewards card that is not limited to Disney.

But you're right that any amount that you can earn with a rewards credit card is better than getting nothing back from a regular card. Even if it just pays for one nice TS meal or a special souvenir, it's still more than you would have had if you didn't have those rewards dollars.

 

[maurihart]

Few more things.....I'm considering the Disney visa but need to pay off a business cc first (bought a camera and some other equipment a while back). We eat out rarely - maybe once a week at a pizza place. We don't hire sitters and go out much, normal weekends are for cooking burgers and hanging with the kids. And although we have a keurig, i never do Starbucks or dunkin donuts. I also never go for Mani, pedis or hair appts. All that said we are normal people just not frivolous. In the past 7 days since I booked the trip I've put about $400 toward it. I think my goal will be $100/week and more on good weeks. I'm going to clean out dd's closet (I am a big Matilda Jane fan!) and sell some things on eBay she has outgrown and maybe sell an old camera. I just get a tad nervous over the summer. Kids are home and work seems harder to get done. We booked moderate but wondering if I should switch to value? Seems like POR was the best value for a family of 5 though, thanks y'all! Appreciate the advice.

 

[Aliceacc]

Few more things.....I'm considering the Disney visa but need to pay off a business cc first (bought a camera and some other equipment a while back). We eat out rarely - maybe once a week at a pizza place. We don't hire sitters and go out much, normal weekends are for cooking burgers and hanging with the kids. And although we have a keurig, i never do Starbucks or dunkin donuts. I also never go for Mani, pedis or hair appts. All that said we are normal people just not frivolous. In the past 7 days since I booked the trip I've put about $400 toward it. I think my goal will be $100/week and more on good weeks. I'm going to clean out dd's closet (I am a big Matilda Jane fan!) and sell some things on eBay she has outgrown and maybe sell an old camera. I just get a tad nervous over the summer. Kids are home and work seems harder to get done. We booked moderate but wondering if I should switch to value? Seems like POR was the best value for a family of 5 though, thanks y'all! Appreciate the advice.

Unless your youngest is younger than 3, POR will be your cheapest option for a family of 5. Switching to a Value will actually COST you money, since you'll need either 2 rooms or a suite; some of the standard rooms at POR have a Murphy bed for your 3rd child.

 

[cuechik]

1) I have my direct deposit split into two separate accounts. 95% goes into the household account (as does all of DH paycheck) to pay bills and the other 5% (from my paycheck only) goes into a separate savings account for Disney. The 5% saved is not even missed and though I don't make a ton of money to begin with, it does add up over the course of a year.

2) We don't spend coins. Everyone in my house (which is myself, DH and my 16yo DS) is now in the habit of dropping coinage into the 'Disney Jar'. It averages about $15 a week in savings.

3) I do Swagbucks... though not religiously. I manage about $25 - $30 a month on the site. I transfer the Swagbucks into Paypal then into my bank account.

all of this helps and earns/saves around $150 - $175 a month. Not too shabby

 

[leebee]

We use our Disney VISA to build up points. EVERYTHING that can go on a credit card (without paying a fee) goes on that card: Groceries, gas, cable bill, phone bill, all purchases, even Dunkin Donuts drive-through go on the card. I pay it off every month. Over 2 years' time, I end up with about $700 in rewards dollars to put towards our vacation. I'm considering upgrading to the premium card, which would double our rewards. I'm waiting until I can get a "cheap" annual fee ($50 or $100) as the fee will obviously off-set the savings.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

I work from home 15-20 hours a week. Half goes to savings, half into vacation fund.

 

[kathy884]

That's what we do. I don't keep a "vacation" account - I keep a savings account + money in the stock market that has money for vacations, new cars, and the emergency fund. We are going to recarpet the house next off it. So for us it isn't just "fun" money.

I do the same thing. The vacation fund is just part of the budget. I put $300 a pay in it, so have $7200 a year to work with. I usually do a week long vacation to somewhere other than Disney with a budget of around $5000. In 2015 t's Puerto Vallarta, MX. And that leaves me about $2200 to do a mini Orlando trip too. I pick destination, length of stay, type of lodging, etc. based on the budget. The vacation fund is for me too the most frivolous and fun part of the budget. The fun part is picking and choosing what to do.

I use a spreadsheet that shows assets and what money is set aside for what. And I update the spreadsheet each paycheck or each month.

 

[threeboysmom]

Some things I have personally done to save up for my (hopefully) Fall 2015 WDW trip:

I've applied for a few credit cards and opened a couple of bank accounts that pay bonuses. I certainly wouldn't recommend this strategy if you're not EXTREMELY organized and responsible, and you must have EXCELLENT credit. I track all my spending in an excel spreadsheet and always pay my credit card bill IN FULL each month. If you're not disciplined enough, please don't even think about attempting this.

Chase Preferred Sapphire card gave me enough free airline miles to take 4 roundtrip flights to MCO after qualifying.
Had my husband apply for a Disney Visa since I already owned one which gave us $250 in Disney money after qualifying.
Received another $250 from 2 other cards.
Opened a Santander bank account which pays $20/month as long as you meet qualifications.
Opened 2 Citizens bank accounts which pay $200 each after qualifying.

All in all, I'll have about $1800 when I'm finished that I can use towards my trip.

Like others, I also have a separate Vacation bank account and I treat "vacation" as I would any other monthly bill. I also recommend having it automatically deposit to this account from your paycheck; otherwise you will find a way to spend it before it gets there, lol.

If I don't have enough funds in the Vacation account to pay for a trip, well... I just don't book it until I do.