Saving for our trip...VENT

[daleswife]

That is coming up in September!!! So I have figured that we have 5 pay checks until we go and DH will get paid once while there. Now that said, I have been trying since APRIL to save money but it seems like every time we have some money saved up something comes up and we have to spend it. We went from $400 in there to $58!!!! Just to have $1000 to get us there, back, and have some spending money while there we are gonna have to save $200 a pay check. Im beginning to think this is impossible, but who knows, Our trip is paid for and we have free dining. But we have some OOP meals and stuff we'd like to purchase. NOT to mention the tickets to the MNSSHP that is gonna cost us $150+!!! UGH. Gonna have to buckle down and get it done. IM determined NOT to cancel this trip. I know we can save the money, we just have to make sure we dont spend the money. once our checking account is empty, stay out of savings...... Anyone out there with some ideas on how to make some extra mulah Id really appreciate it!!!!

 

[ilovejack02]

The only way I can save money is that it must NOT be in the bank account lol. It all goes directly to the federal credit union at my husband's work and he has to be the one to get it out. Works like a charm because I forget about it and he just will leave it alone of course.

Craig's list is the way to go to get rid of extra goodies around house. I am about to list a load of things because I dont want to touch savings and I want a new camera and have an up coming trip to Destin end of Sept.

 

[Poohbear5]

We've been cleaning out the attic and basement and selling items on Craigslist. I go to the Disney store once per week and get Disney dollars so we don't end up spending it on something else.

We've actually had a few people offer to let us clean out their basement and take their junk to sell but haven't gotten around to that yet. Was a bit worried the junk might be too junky to sell and we won't get anything for our efforts and have to dispose of it.

 

[mom2faith]

I am with you girl!!

And do not forget that with the DDP you need to have money for tips too!! I went onto All Ears and figured out the average cost of the meals at our TS choices and worked out what we will need for tips.

When all is said and done we need about $1000 as well, and have saved $840 - but we are out of ideas!! We have sold items, cut back, everything and that last $160 is tough!!

We also included that Characters In Flight and the Magic Kingdom Dessert party.

I know we could make it on the $840, but I would rather not have to "budget" while I am on holidays - KWIM??

Good luck!!

 

[mom2faith]

Oh. And we also do not keep it in the bank. It is in a jar at home (carefully hidden) or we too would spend it.

 

[goofy5]

have a couple of yard sales. I did and made an extra $600

 

[kacaju]

this is too late for this trip, but can you open a vacation club account at your bank?? I have both a vacation and Holiday accounts. They earn next to nothing, but honestly I don't care, it is money taken out each paycheck and put in there so I really don't miss it.
Right now I have over $1000 saved for Christmas. That money comes due in Oct. The vacation account comes in March. For me it is a painless way to save.

 

[hopemax]

When all is said and done we need about $1000 as well, and have saved $840 - but we are out of ideas!! We have sold items, cut back, everything and that last $160 is tough!!

Did you remember to factor in the normal weekly expenses that aren't happening because you aren't home? For example, if you normally spend $75 a week in groceries, at home, that's $75 you can spend on food during a week's vacation. Other examples are gas for vehicles that aren't being driven while you are on vacation, lunches at work, work snacks etc. Even the little bit your electric bill will go down because you aren't running the tv, computer, not running the AC, etc.

I always forget that, but DH reminds me when I worry about having gone over budget, " If we were home, we'd be spending $200 these 10 days anyway, we're just spending it at Disney instead."

 

[RachaelA]

I'm starting to save for our next trip and I'm going to be in the same boat as you. We just bought a new house and I know there is always going to be something else that needs to be paid for.

Sell all you can! And put the cash in a piggy bank.

Good luck!

 

[Chicago526]

1st thing I did when trying to get my $$$ act together was to just stay out of the mall, stay out of the stores, and if I absolutly HAD to go to Target, Costco, wherever, NOT to get a cart (unless it was a 50 pound bag of dog food or something). The only carts I use are at the grocery store, and then I stick to the list no matter what (eat before hand, it really helps!). I used to bum around the mall over my lunch hour just to "get out of the office". I usually ended up buying something. Sure, I could use it, but most of the time I didn't really need it. So I started to just stay in the office and surf on the DIS instead! Now I work from home and it's even easier, only Target is close enough to run out to, and I'm just not tempted anymore.

Second, at least for DH and I, was eating out. We still eat out way more than we should, but we've at least cut it by half, if not more. Everytime you say "to heck with it, we're eating/ordering out"...laugh, pull a frozen family entree out of the freezer, a salad out of the fridge, then go deposit what you WOULD have spent eating out into your vacation fund. Tip: It's useful to have quick meals on hand for such situations. It's more money than cooking from scratch, but still way cheaper than eating out.

Thrid: If you've ever read any of the "I need to cut the budget, find ways to save" threads on the BB, all the usual tips apply. Cut cell phone, cable, internet plans, unplug electronics while not in use, don't run the a/c or at least raise the thermostate, combine errands to save gas, shop for cheaper insurance on home/auto. Also try and sell stuff. I don't think you have enough time before your trip for ebay, but how about a garage sale?

Any birthdays coming up for you or DH? Ask for cash as a gift (or a Visa gift card, something that can be used anywhere)! Just say you're looking forward to your trip to WDW and would just like some spending money for while you're down there.

 

[Mom3girls]

Do you have any old gold (good condition or not, even broken pieces) that you do not wear any longer? I read about USGB (U.S. Gold Buyers) back in Feb. before my March trip. I had some pieces that haven't been worn in 15-20 years collecting dust in an old jewelry box. I took them to a local jeweler who buys gold to get an estimate, I then sent them to USGB and the next day they call with the offer. Local guy offered $190-$200. USGB offered $418!!! Check was here within a week. They will also do paypal and western union, or money orders i believe. It's definitely worth checking into ! Best of luck !

 

[asoko]

Do you have to go to MNSSHP? We went years ago when we could afford more, but last time we didn't go and really didn't miss it. That would save some money. Last time I did the trip on a super cheap budget, even brought snacks from home to save money.

 

[daleswife]

Thanks guys for the great advise. I am thinking of taking all our old stuff to a flea market and setting up shop and selling it all. That is a great Idea. I can't do it right now, i just had a hysterectomy and am confined to my house for at least another week. And the yard sale idea is a good one, but cant do that either...well not yet anyways....We had a flood here may 8th and it washed out our bridge and we are in the process of getting it fixed.

I dont own any gold. Well unless you count my wedding band, but cant sell it....LOL.

Walmart is an hour away, target is 2 hours away, and sam's club is an hour and a half away. Heck, the closest grocery store is 30 minutes away....No problem staying out of those.

Eating out is a biggy for us. But staying out of mcdonalds shouldnt be that hard....LOL

Factoring in the amount of money we'd be spending on food that week is a good idea. I didnt even think of that. That will give us a little extra.

YES we have to do the MNSSHP. I have already promised my kids we'd do it and they are too excited. I already told DD6 we weren't doing the BBB this year and she's ok with it as long as we do the halloween thingy (her words).

Keep the advise coming!!!!

 

[EthansMom]

I find it far easier to spend less money than to make more money.

My advise would be to try to find ways to save money at home and to find ways to cut your vacation budget. I know you've promised your kids MNSSHP, but if you explained to them that you've had expenses come up and really don't have the extra money this trip, I think they'd understand. Also, I'd look at maximizing the use of dining credits to pay OOP for as little food as possible. Last year, we used our snack credits many mornings to purchase breakfast items. This year, we'll be doing that again on half the days and then on the other half of the days, we'll use QS credits for a big breakfast, TS credits for a late (like 2 p.m.) lunch and then have a snack for dinner. We've also been known to share QS meals and snacks to save on money/credits. Other than gratuities, we spent very little OOP for food last year.

I'm not sure where you're staying, but if it's anything other than a Value, it may be possible to change to a Value resort and save money there. Likewise, you may want to rethink your souvenir budget.

I hope this helps!

 

[Karenj2]

Do you have a budget (for your life, not just the trip)? I've found that having a real budget helps you to "find" money that you didn't know was draining out of your pockets (i.e., lunches out, coffee to go, bubble gum, etc.) You can use anything - I personally like YNAB Pro (www.youneedabudget.com). It's helped us to pay more attention to our spending habits, and we've been able to put away one of my full paychecks into our emergency fund.

Also, we have our "vacation fund" in an ING account, so it's not a part of our regular spending money. (The emergency fund, a "big ticket items" fund, and a "Christmas fund" are all also in ING.)

 

[jacksonfarms46147]

There is always something around your house to sell. I know other posters have mentioned this but you might be surprised what you have is worth. Since you are a Disney fan do you have any older things you've got on past trips that you wouldn't miss? I ask because a few months ago I put up a t-shirt and a hat from a trip taken a few years ago. They both had been worn a few times but were in very good condition...the t-shirt sold for $20 and the hat for $15. I also bought a pair of Mickey Crocs that I only wore two days and ended up just not liking them so I put them on ebay and they sold for $22. Older Disney dvd's that have been returned to the "vault" sell well too. I sold a Winnie the Pooh dvd for over $40. I was shocked that anyone would pay these prices for "old and used" Disney stuff but people are such collectors you never know what things will go for. Just a suggestion... good luck!

Jodi

 

[jessandtwo]

Not sure if this will work for you:

If you have a upromise account, you can actually cash it out and they'll send you a check. I don't like my money just sitting there with them, so I cash it out and put it in my own savings account.

 

[daleswife]

Not sure if this will work for you:

If you have a upromise account, you can actually cash it out and they'll send you a check. I don't like my money just sitting there with them, so I cash it out and put it in my own savings account.

You know, I had a upromise account, but I dont know how to work it. Ive had it for 6 years and I dont remember anything about it. I dont even know if I could go back on there and retrieve anything or not!!!! Worth a try I guess!!!

 

[daleswife]

You know what??? I am gonna call tomorrow and see if I have anything in that upromise account.......All they can say is no....problem is, I dont know the card that I put on file....Im sure they will know though......Wish me luck!!!!

 

[LKHomemail]

i signed up for e bates account and use that for online purchases . It has 2 and 3 percent back . Upromise was only 2 percent I think. I also am learning to use coupons when I order pizza's and for some grocery items. My grocery store discounts the meats on Monday (the butcher told me this). They have half off chicken, steak, hamburger, shishkabob, packaged lunch meats. I bought 2 ground round sirlion burgers for 1.00 , 5 chicken breasts for 1.75. 2 new york strips for 2.05. I brought them home and repackaged them into freezer baggies, individual servings and put them into the freezer. I will use them as needed. It is enough meat for me for two to three weeks. The bologna packages and hot dogs for Oscar Meyer were marked to 50 cents and the turkey breast luncheon meat was .75. I asked the butcher when the fish was marked down and the said they do it every day , just put out less of it than the other things. They went ahead and let me buy some salmon and tuna steaks that would have been marked down the next day. For both the tuna and salmon it was around 5 dollars. I never thought of buying meat reduced. Everything was close to expiration within the week. The butcher was explaining that if frozen it would last longer. I'm really picky and do not want to take a chance on getting sick , but, the meats that I selected looked very good. Thus far, it's a great buy. I will plan my shopping for Mondays to take advantage of the meat sale. I also learned that the fruit and vegetable store is a much better buy for produce . I have started purchasing my fruits / vegies there. They also have a better selection of cheeses / imported lunch meats for VERY good prices. It is an extra stop to make , but, the savings and improved quality of produce are definatly worth the effort. I used to only use one store , never bothered with coupons. I am learning this stuff adds up thanks to the Dis boards, fat wallet and slickdeals board posters.