Souvenier Budget

[Nana2Callie]

How do you set your souvenier budget for your children? Is it daily or for the trip and what are your favorite younger (6 years) souveiners. All souvenier tips appreciated - want to avoid this stressful aspect with a good and fun plan for everyone.

 

[SandiKB]

You're going to get many different answers to this There is no right or wrong, what we did was bought the kids each their ears, autograph books/pens and then gave them each $50 in Disney Dollars, when it was done it was done. At the time DS was 11, DD was 7, younger DS was only 2, so we spent his money. They were very happy with what we did, DD had hers spent in no time, DS held on to his for just the 'right' things. They didnt want t-shirts, but if they did, we would have bought those for them as well, the $ we gave them was just for the fun stuff they wanted.

 

[scrapbookmomma74]

We're going for 10 days in July, and have purchased each of our dds a $100 Disney gift card. They are 7 & 10. When the money is gone, its gone. What we also do (cuz we're a little past the autograph book thing) is buy a large "lot" of Disney pins on ebay for trading. Then, each morning the kids are allowed to "shop" for pins to trade that day. Pins in the parks are expensive, so if they decide that they really want a special one, they can use their gift card for it. I figure $10 a day is reasonable, and if they want to save it all till the end, its fine.
At the end of the trip, any money they haven't spent, I'll buy back from them, since we have a Disney cruise booked in October!

 

[heatherwillmom]

Remember there are inexpensive things that kids like too. My love the pressed pennies. We give our kids $100 spending money. They are more careful when it's their money & not the "ATM of Mom & Dad."

 

[Corrine 1973]

I have sat down with my son and made a list of chores for him to do and how much he earns by doing them. We than keep a list on the fridge of what he had done and how much we have earned. We than place the money on his Disney Gift Card so he can spend on the parks. He has already earned $40 and will probably be able to earn another $30 before his trip.

I have never seen him so excited about doing chores and he understands that what he wants to buy is on him and once his money is gone there will be no more. We have also talked about asking friends and family for Gift Cards for his trip for his birthday.

 

[nubs57106]

You're going to get many different answers to this There is no right or wrong, what we did was bought the kids each their ears, autograph books/pens and then gave them each $50 in Disney Dollars, when it was done it was done. At the time DS was 11, DD was 7, younger DS was only 2, so we spent his money. They were very happy with what we did, DD had hers spent in no time, DS held on to his for just the 'right' things. They didnt want t-shirts, but if they did, we would have bought those for them as well, the $ we gave them was just for the fun stuff they wanted.

You are soooo right on that, everyone has there own way of figuring out what to do with spending money. DW and I figure we are going to give $150.00 to each of our 3 ds's. We are going to WDW for 5 nights and taking a 4 day dream cruise right before that. We will buy them ears and probably a shirt, the rest is up to them, when it's gone it's gone

 

[lisagirl88]

We also gave our boys(ages 5 and 7 at the time) a $50 Disney gift card to spend on "fun stuff". We bought them each a T-shirt and a few pins to start their collection. We were there for 6 days. When the card was gone it was gone. They thought this was a lot of money and were totally fine with that amount. They each came home with 3 stuffed animals, mickey indiana jones baseballs, and a few other little things.

 

[heatherwillmom]

We usually have our kids help get things ready for our trip as part of earning the money that we give them. They have to help us get the dogs ready for their trip to the kennel & help us take them, help us get snacks & drinks packed, help get the house clean before we go so we come home to a clean house,etc. It's amazing how much they are willing to do without complaining if it's for their Disney trip

 

[jemmouse]

My DH says I need a limit, silly guy...No we do what many of the others do as well, usually a gift card or a set limit. My DS really got into the pin collection, which can rack up the dollars mighty fast. So he generally spends his money on that. He also does the pressed pennies, which probably now I think is a cool momento to have more than him. We buy the annual tshirt or sweatshirt for him as well but with our money. Good luck its hard, especially if it is their first visit, and I cant even imagine what the moms of little girls spend when their daughters are into the Princesses, YIKES

 

[ryem's mom]

My husband and I are taking our daughter,16 and one of her friends next April. We are going to give them a set amount for the trip. We have already told them this. If they want to go above this amount, they have a year to earn the money. I am also saving quarters and pennies for the smashed pennies if they want them. This way they know their budget.

We are also doing the dining plan, so their snacks are included.

 

[mousegear]

DS who was 6 last year got $100 Disney Gift Card from Grandparents and Aunt. He got few fun toys but didn't spend it all. He didn't want anorther Disney shirt so we bought him a soccer jersey (right after World Cup) from Germany.

He did pressed pennies and we had $10~15 worth quaters and shiny pennies ready. DS will continue this this year's trip as well.

This year, he will probably get another $100 gift card plus what he didn't use last trip and he already know a few things he will get. He also told me that he'll get me something with his gift card.

New thing this year is he wanted to start pin trading so I bough 40 pins from reputable ebay seller so the cost doesn't rack up so much. I'm pretty sure this year, with pin collecting, DS will spend more. We also do DDP so snack is included and extra snacks, we provide.

But he knows that once his money is spent, there is no more so he is very careful in what he gets.

 

[Lumiere Lover]

I don't think it is about the amount of money you spend, but how you spend it. We usually let our kids spends whatever amount they want, but we are particular in the items they purchase. Any item that can be re-used (shirt, gloves, jacket, etc) is fine, since these items are needs, not wants. I have never allowed the kids to get balloons, since those items have no future value. My entire home is tastefully decorated in Disney motif's (my poor husband). Going to WDW helps us find new things for the house each time. My DH and I went in September, and we spent $1500 on souvenirs without the kids with us.

My perfect example is my D&B wallet. I knew I needed a new wallet, so I waited until we went to the parks, to get a wallet I really wanted.

It is about balancing wants with needs.

Also, yesterday I made a comment to my son. If you are at Disney, and you really want it, go ahead and get it. WDW is a fantastic place, and bringing pieces of it home to enjoy is worth keeping the magic alive.

 

[brookmey]

We save our spare change and then empty it before the trip and use that for souvenirs. We will buy DD and DS 1 souvenir $20 or less, usually they pick a stuffed animal. If they want anything else, it comes out of their own money. We have them save their b-day and/or Christmas money if we have a trip coming up. Usually their grandparents send them a little extra for the trip. We usually let them buy what they want, but sometimes we have to step in and guide them a little bit or play devil's advocate with some items, to prevent them from buying on a whim. But we are very lucky because both kids know what they want, make the decision quickly and don't look back. Once they've made up their minds, that's it, and they don't complain about it later.

One other trick we use is to have them save their money until the end of the trip. We'll usually buy the souvenir from us at the beginning, and then after they've had a chance to shop around, they'll spend their money.

It's so easy to go completely overboard with souvenirs, but it can also be used as an effective way of teaching budgeting and smart shopping.

 

[Elianor]

I am racking up Disney dollars on my Disney Visa for this purpose. I am up to about $107 and still have 4 months (and two dental visits) before the trip. I pay off the card twice each month so I never accrue interest charges and I buy all our gas, pay the phone bills, and use the card for groceries. I just jot it down in my check register like it's my debit card.

Anyway, I have two kids who will be 3 and 8 when we go in September. We've already discussed that they will get to pick out one thing at the beginning of the trip (our first stop will be Downtown Disney since it will be too late in the afternoon for a park) and one special item that they pick out later in the trip. Knowing my kids it will be a stuffed animal or a set of figures...or in the case of DS something with cars/wheels on it. Anything left over on the card will go toward t-shirts or other accessory clothing items.

Ds isn't really into shopping (being 3) but DD is starting to get more interested and I will give her the opportunity to earn some of her *own* spending money.

 

[cgerdon02]

We are using a chore system as well. Each chore is worth so much money and they have their own banks to keep their money. Before our trip we will purchase each one their own Disney Gift Card and teach them a lesson in earning and spending money. They enjoy it and so do I!

 

[kycanonist]

We specifically don't do payment to do the routine chore thing... I don't get paid for doing laundry and cooking meals and DH doesn't get paid for cutting grass, etc. So, for our family, you do what you do as part of the family. That's the deal there.

For extra things, we do pay a little... if they help with things like cleaning at their grandparents' house or helping with the garden outside... stuff that isn't part of their regular routine chores. Washing the car is also a good one for earning extra money.

Our kids mainly get money through gifts since our trip is right around their birthdays (we'll be celebrating both there). So, they have $75 in gift cards each and that's what they will get. If they get any other gift cards then they can use those as well. We'll probably buy each of them a set of ears, because that's something we want them to have. We might buy a t-shirt too, but anything "fun" for them that they choose, they will have to pay for out of their gift cards.

 

[Disney_1derland]

Our kids have their 'job' money. Which they earn with good grades. Chores are expected from all members of the household.

This year they will be getting a $25 gift card each for the girls 8 & 10 and then they have their own money (around $75 each)

The 4 year old will be getting a monorail set. He's already decided and that's fine by us!

We also buy everyone a hat and T-shirt each year.

 

[jjsmom]

Our DD, now almost 20, has always used her own money/and/or gift cards. When she was little, she would "earn" spending money based on age appropriate chores. She also learned that "when it's gone, it's gone". It also helps that many items are available at various locations throughout the world. I would use the 24 hour rule with her. As in, if it's something you REALLY want, it will still be there in 24 hours and we'll go back and get it. If you have some time you can also ask for gift cards for special occasions.

Also, don't forget, the same child at home, may not be the same child at WDW. Disney is full of sensory overload. Kids tend to get very tired, hot, and cranky. They may be eating more surgary and processed food than usual. Shopping decisions are best made when the child is relaxed and refreshed (say, an eveing at Downtown Disney after a nap and pool).

 

[michelleiada]

You definately have to set a limit and stick to it. Otherwise...you will go home broke! The more you fall in love with Disney, the more you want to buy!! It is so much fun! The gift cards are a great way to help you stick to your limit.

 

[kbadrock]

To cut down on money spent in the parks, I bought a little something for each day we were in Disney before we went. Little things, coloring books, toy story figures etc, anything Disney I found on sale at home. Then every morning we told the kids Tinkerbell had come and left them something and they had to find where she had hidden it. So they had a little Disney themed treat every morning when they woke up. I purchased majority of the items in the dollar section of Michaels or AC Moore.