Smoking Washer = Even Tighter Budget

[dismom22]

Our Disney vaca is only a few days away and within the last 3 weeks, we've pretty much been nailed with (future) extra expenses. Tonight, just as DH and I were laying down after packing, he smelled "something burning" and sure enough, our washer was smoking. I'm just glad we were still awake or it might have actually caught fire!

Anyway, now that we need to buy new appliances when we get home and the fact that our souvenir budget was very slim in the first place...I'm trying to decide what are the best low-cost souvenirs?? We also have to limit our drinking which I'm slightly irritated with, as we were going to travel the world on our date night, indulging every so often in some adult beverages.

We will have our DD3 with us and she likes "stuff"!

 

[fabulousfive]

You sound like us! There are always surprise expenses, which by now, just shouldn't be a surprise any more. Ha! and yes, we never leave appliances on when we leave the house or go to sleep for this very reason. Glad all is okay for you.

Our favorite low cost souvenir is the autograph book with a special pen. It's fairly inexpensive to buy there and it is used the entire trip and enjoyed continually at home. We love the photo ones because we look at them over and over at home.

Another tip is that we gave each child (well, the princesses did actually, we can't take credit!) their own Disney gift card. That way, each child could get their own souvenirs. I'd say instead of lots of little things they each chose two bigger items. A favorite is this sweet princess Minnie plush toy. It's great to get the cards at Target or Kroger and even get fuel points. Our kids knew what they had to spend and never asked for anything more. Not sure if a 3 year old would get that concept though.

 

[melidy]

How about getting some cheaper Disney 'stuff' that you think your DD would like before your trip on the cheap, from local stores (or eBay will have some park items) and give them to her as magical surprises from the princesses or Tinkerbell on the mornings. Then if she wants anything in the stores remind her of her gift from Tinkerbell and to wait and see if she gets anything else. Then maybe get her one or two gifts from the park that she REALLY wanted towards the end of the trip with any remaining budget.

 

[dpswift]

Sounds like us in addition to a major paycut we have had a broken hot water heater and many expensive car repairs this year.

My best suggestion with a 3 year old is to avoid the gift shops as much as possible. I know Disney is set up to go through them,however I would keep going all the while talking about our next attraction. When DS was little I bought him lots of stuff that he quickly lost interest in.

 

[arielmomma]

I understand where you are coming from. While we go to WDW often, we tend to take very tight budget trips: camp, stay off site, cook our own food, etc. This is our our biggest trip we've ever planned where we are doing free dining, staying on site, and staying for 2 weeks = Yeah!

Fortunately we paid for it early on, b/c this summer we've had to replace all of the floor joists under our house, the phone line, do electrical work, buy a new tire for our van, rebuild our lawnmower, and a week ago realized we have to rebuild our chimney When it rains it pours!

Fortunately, I married a very handy man, and we've been able to do all of the work ourselves. But nearly all of it was unexpected and cost a lot more money than we had set aside for summer repairs.

Yesterday was the first day I have eaten out since April (we used to eat out at least weekly), and it was just Ponderosa with me and the kids (tip and all $21). That's the most we've spent on anything since the spring. We have been scrimping like crazy. Absolutely no extra spending so we wouldn't go into any debt.

So now, we leave in 11 days, and this trip is even more special. While there won't be extra spending money we don't care. I'm just really looking forward to going out and enjoying free dining!

Follow some of the suggestions from the PP. I'm sure you can find a way to treat yourself a little.

 

[FencerGirl]

Our 3 yo LOVED doing pressed pennies. We picked up a book to carry them at the parks. For $10.40 in coins, plus a $12.99 book, my daughter had a blast and she still looks at them a year later.

 

[shan136]

We are about a month out from going to WDW and had to go out and buy a new fridge tonight. Going into this trip DH and I decided to give our DD a gc with a set amount of spending money so the extra expense we may have to trim is our F&W budget.

When purchasing the refrigerator we did decide to do 6 month of free financing although we have the money. This gives us a little extra breathing room in case we need it, if everything goes as planned we will have it paid off in January.

 

[hbisch]

My Dollar Tree usually has a decent selection of Disney/Princess themed items - in the toy section and the 'art' section... what if Mickey left her a little gift each night while she was sleeping and that was her special treat for each day?

 

[Disney/Universal Fan]

What I find amazing is that everyone is giving ideas on how to cut the budget for souvenirs for the little girl, and no one has mentioned cutting the budget for the drinking done by the adults!

 

[angierae]

What I find amazing is that everyone is giving ideas on how to cut the budget for souvenirs for the little girl, and no one has mentioned cutting the budget for the drinking done by the adults!

From the OPs post I gathered that was already happening.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

I've moved this thread to the Budget Board.

 

[dismom22]

What I find amazing is that everyone is giving ideas on how to cut the budget for souvenirs for the little girl, and no one has mentioned cutting the budget for the drinking done by the adults!

I'm no so concerned about souvenirs for her as she has her own money (cashed in piggy bank and sold some stuff she's outgrown). This is also our 1st anniversary trip. We were supposed to go to Disney for our honeymoon last September. However, some things happened and we had to literally cancel/change our honeymoon plans the day before our flight. My mom is going with and will be keeping our daughter when we go out for date night. We work very hard and yes, we do like to relax with an adult drink or two. We are of legal age and want to take in all Disney has to offer. To each their own.

 

[dismom22]

*not so concerned. I have picked up SEVERAL items to use as Mickey/Tinkerbell gifts. Some for each day that I've picked up here and there. I'm most excited about our first morning. We're eating at CRT before MK opens and I have a whole Little Mermaid set of stuff for her. A dress, jewelry, big pen, notebook, and her pressed penny tube. My aunt made a personalized Ariel label for it!

 

[dismom22]

I'm no so concerned about souvenirs for her as she has her own money (cashed in piggy bank and sold some stuff she's outgrown). This is also our 1st anniversary trip. We were supposed to go to Disney for our honeymoon last September. However, some things happened and we had to literally cancel/change our honeymoon plans the day before our flight. My mom is going with and will be keeping our daughter when we go out for date night. We work very hard and yes, we do like to relax with an adult drink or two. We are of legal age and want to take in all Disney has to offer. To each their own.

*not so concerned. I've picked up a lot of stuff along the way to use as Mickey/Tink gifts including a whole Little Mermaid set of stuff she'll get our first morning. A dress, jewelry/crown, pen, etc...for our pre-opening CRT breakfast. I'm looking forward to it a lot. All of it.

 

[pjlla]

Since this is your daughter's first trip (I think) and she is so young, she really won't know what she is missing if she doesn't get a lot of "stuff." You said she has her own money, so she needs to understand, when it is GONE, it is GONE! Don't take her into stores (although those rides that dump you into a gift shop will be hard to avoid).

For yourselves.... I find that the BEST souvenirs are photos, followed closely by autographs! That is what I look back on with the fondest memories! The Photopass photographers will take your photos with your camera if you don't want to pay for Photopass. There are photo ops EVERYWHERE! Be sure to take your camera along on your date night!! Take a photo of the fancy drinks you are indulging in! Take pictures of yourselves enjoying the fancy drinks. Take pictures with characters... even if your DD isn't with you! Take pictures on rides, take pictures of scenery, take pictures of food. Every photo will bring back a memory!

Sure, a t-shirt or a piece of Disney jewelry would be nice... but so not necessary! And do you really need another mug... or another pen...or another knick-knack??

You can and will remember the trip WITHOUT souvenirs! Most of the "stuff" that we have brought home over the years just ends up collecting dust.... except for the photos and autographs that I put into scrapbooks that we enjoy over and over!

Have a great time!..............P

 

[pryncess527]

Have you considered trying to fix the washer? Mine started giving off smoke once, along with a horrible squeal sound, and all I had to do was change a rubber belt. It cost me less than $30.

I've managed to repair my washer and dryer several times. It might be worth investigating to see if there is an easy fix before resigning yourself to new appliances.

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

How about getting some cheaper Disney 'stuff' that you think your DD would like before your trip on the cheap, from local stores (or eBay will have some park items) and give them to her as magical surprises from the princesses or Tinkerbell on the mornings. Then if she wants anything in the stores remind her of her gift from Tinkerbell and to wait and see if she gets anything else. Then maybe get her one or two gifts from the park that she REALLY wanted towards the end of the trip with any remaining budget.

This! I think it's a great idea.

 

[kymom99]

Our washer went out this summer too. We bought one at Sears using thier 12 months same as cash offer. Actually we went ahead and bought a set, because the dryer was just as old as the washer and since we bought a large capacity washer, we figured a similar sized dryer made sense. Instead of depleting all our funds, I can budget in $100 a month to pay it off in time.

I feel like the PP who said they haven't been out to eat in ages. We have gone to Subway, etc. but not a good sit-down in forever. It just seems like everything gets more expensive but our checks don't get any bigger.

 

[luvmy3]

Have you considered trying to fix the washer? Mine started giving off smoke once, along with a horrible squeal sound, and all I had to do was change a rubber belt. It cost me less than $30.

I've managed to repair my washer and dryer several times. It might be worth investigating to see if there is an easy fix before resigning yourself to new appliances.

I was thinking the same thing, maybe only the belt needs to be replaced.

OP, if you aren't concerned about souvenirs for your dd, are you asking for things for yourself and your dh? I guess that depends on what you are into, do you like Tees and clothing or are you okay with small mementos? For our last trip I purchased an art print as our souvenir. I bought a pretty postcard and got "Anniversary" Buttons that I put in our trip box. I definitely spent more on adult drinks than I did on stuff to bring home If your date night is important to you, I'd forgo purchasing alot of stuff, spend what you have on your beverages and have a CM take a picture of you and your dh. Maybe buy a nice frame for it.

 

[dismom22]

Thank you to those who understand! I have a few souvenirs in mind but I really am looking forward to just spending time together in the happiest place on earth. That goes for time with my daughter and husband...oh, and my mother and brother are here too. Ate at Wolfgang Puck Express tonight...so good! I can't wait to see DD's face when we eat at the castle in the morning. That's worth FAR more than any souvenir. I'm going to look into repairing the washer when we get back. I think my neighbor might have the knowledge and skills to fix it.