Saving money, paying down debt, long-term DIS wishes

[Sandi S]

I just found this board after getting back from a 5832 mile cross-country trip - drove with my 4 kids and mom (hubby had to work) to California as I had a chance to go to the NEA Convention in San Diego. We managed to tag on Disneyland, Vegas, Grand Canyon and quite a few other interesting places along the way. It was amazing. I had part of the trip money from my NEA local stipend (yes, I had to work on the trip while in SD) and the rest I did cash.

BUT...we have debt from other things and I made it my resolution not to use my credit card on the trip and to tackle the debt problem head-on when we got back. So, now we are doing Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover and resolving to take control of our finances. We've done the first baby step ($1,000 starter emergency fund saved) and are working on baby step two - the debt snowball. That may take us a couple of years. There will be no Disney trips until that is gone and we are into at least the next baby step of having a bigger emergency fund. My goal is to be able to take my kids to WDW before my youngest starts Kindergarten. She's two, so we have about three years.

This is going to take a lot of discipline and self-control, and I would love to have some company among my fellow Disney lovers. If anyone else is attempting, has attempting, or is considering taking on a project like this while putting off the mouse, please join me.

 

[C.Ann]

I just found this board after getting back from a 5832 mile cross-country trip - drove with my 4 kids and mom (hubby had to work) to California as I had a chance to go to the NEA Convention in San Diego. We managed to tag on Disneyland, Vegas, Grand Canyon and quite a few other interesting places along the way. It was amazing. I had part of the trip money from my NEA local stipend (yes, I had to work on the trip while in SD) and the rest I did cash.

BUT...we have debt from other things and I made it my resolution not to use my credit card on the trip and to tackle the debt problem head-on when we got back. So, now we are doing Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover and resolving to take control of our finances. We've done the first baby step ($1,000 starter emergency fund saved) and are working on baby step two - the debt snowball. That may take us a couple of years. There will be no Disney trips until that is gone and we are into at least the next baby step of having a bigger emergency fund. My goal is to be able to take my kids to WDW before my youngest starts Kindergarten. She's two, so we have about three years.

This is going to take a lot of discipline and self-control, and I would love to have some company among my fellow Disney lovers. If anyone else is attempting, has attempting, or is considering taking on a project like this while putting off the mouse, please join me.

Loads of people doing this over on the Budget Board.. Check it out - you'll have lots of company!

 

[Sandi S]

thanks!!!