Taking a budget too far (possible debate)

[ducklite]

There is nothing wrong with finding some ways to save money (ie cold cereal or Pop-Tarts in the room for breakfast, bringing water from Publix or using a Brita Bottle, etc., even taking small snacks (a Ziplock with some animal crackers or Granola Bars for example) to the parks.

People that cook in a room not designed for cooking are risking the lives of others, and if that's the only way they can afford to do WDW, they should stay home. Or think about what they are doing and decide that cold sandwiches would work just as well Of course there is nothing wrong with having a cooler in the room and keeping snacks, milk and cereal for breakfast, PB&J and a loaf of bread, etc.

I have to agree with the poster who said that packing MRE's is a bit extreme. I'm still kind of shaking my head about that one. But to each his own.

I wouldn't go to the extreme of pre-planning every meal cost, right down to who would have what and the tax and tip. If I had to be that careful with my budget, I'd be so nervous about going over on the entire vacation that I could never relax and enjoy myself.

Now some people might have no problem doing this, but I also wouldn't want to be put in the position of always saying "no" to myself/kids/DH when something different from what I had planned was wanted, because it would mess up the budget. But some people live like this, and this is what they are used to, and are happy with it. That's fine too.

Bottom line, nothing wrong with having a budget and finding ways to save a few $$ here and there, but IMHO there should be some flexibility with the budget just in case things don't go exactly as planned, and your vacation style shouldn't create inconvenience for other guests.

Anne

 

[Arabella Figg 2003]

I like to eat well on vacation. but that doesn't mean I intend to go out for 3 meals every day.

we like to have a mini fridge to store fruit and drinks in the room. we sometimes bring leftovers back to the room.

I once ordered a five pound lobster at fulton's in downtown Disney. there was no way I could finish the whole thing in one sitting. brought it back to the room and put it in the mini fridge. nibbled leftover lobster for lunch the next day.maybe I should have just thrown the rest of it out?

years ago, when I was still in school, I liked to spend a day at the Six flags. we always packed lunch and dinner in the cooler, because there was no way we could afford to pay admission and buy food in the park too. always had a great time. though by Doesney's reasoning we shouldn't have gone at all.

as for the LV bag

Or it could have been someone who has found a way to beat the system using my and your tax dollars, and is living quite nicely by doing it.

you're right, it could have been. but you had no evidence to support that, any more than you had proof it was a fake or a gift.

now, on the other hand, if you saw her use the foodstamps, then followed her into Lord & Taylor and watched her buy a Vuitton ... well, that's more evidnece of someone beating the system...

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

ok I am going to admit this to 60,000 strangers.

I like to save money. I absolutely adore being able to buy something for way less than full price. It's almost a game. I can spot a great bargain a mile away and the feeling I get would be akin to an athlete winning the big game. It's an awesome feeling. And goodness knows I am not frugal by nature, I love to shop.

 

[Pongo69]

Well it seems it's time to bring out the CLAW GUARD

Seriously, if people want to cook in their room hey if you like it I love it. As long as what your doing doesn't hinder my vacation which I'm sure it wouldn't unless you started a fire, in the resort where I'm staying or cooking putrid kraut and beans where I have to smell it I wouldn't know what your doing nor do I want to.

As I stated before maybe using a kitchenette would be better for some, but that's my opinion. I'm not trying to tell anyone how to spend their money. You have to do what's best for you and your family.

 

[phillybeth]

The thing is though, Disney, and the rest of the Orlando area, has lots of options for those people who prefer to cook their own meals. DH and I stayed in an off-site suite hotel with a full kitchen for $60 a night. There is no need to drive 1000 miles to the AllStars with half your kitchen.
And I have also seen it recommended on the Budget Board to buy a cheap microwave at Walmart and just leave it behind! What is so frugal about that?

 

[Bojangles]

Originally posted by phillybeth

And I have also seen it recommended on the Budget Board to buy a cheap microwave at Walmart and just leave it behind! What is so frugal about that?

Every onsite resort that I've seen has a microwave available in the food court for guests to use. There were plenty of guests making popcorn and Lean Cuisines in Mara last month. There is absolutely no reason to bring a microwave on vacation.

I would complain to a manager if I smelled someone's cooking odors from my room. You can budget for vacations without cooking in your room (unless you're offsite or in a DVC resort).

 

[Blueberry]

When I go on vacation I go on VACATION...Only home like thing I do is have to break down and do laundry..but we do not cook at all ever. We got out for any meals we want, but we do keep some soda and snacks in our room for evening munching or when we are hungry....

There is nothing wrong with people bringing their own food if they want too.but cooking in a non-cooking room is dangerous and againest fire regulations..so should not be done. If you want to cook you need a kitchenette room with the proper facilities..just my two cents on it.

 

[100%Disney]

I get a thrill out of getting a great deal. We are by no means rich, in fact my DH is the only one who works, so that I can be a stay at home mom. I do take snacks and breakfast items because Disney is expensive, I also take my own bottled water. We do go out to eat at lunch and dinner, my kids split an adult meal, because they just don't eat that much. We always get what we want, but I'm not going to be waistful when there are so many in this world starving. I agree you should splurge some and we do, but I try to budget also. If I budget then I can go twice in a year instead of once. Being frugal is one thing, being a miser is another

 

[N.Bailey]

I didn't read this entire thread. Having read the initial post though, I'm not sure I wanted to read anymore than that! Personally, when I go on vacation, I don't want to be bothered with cooking meals and trying to scrimp on every little thing. I would not however ever say that because someone does not share my philosophy on these things that they have no business being there. If their budget or simply their frugalness (made my own word) is not on par with mine, that does not make mine right and theirs wrong, or vice versa. Why does it matter to you what other people decide for their family? I just don't get it!

 

[Disney Doll]

We are DVCers, so when we go, we often have access to a full kitchen. We will do breakfast and snacks in the room, but no full meals. One evening, when we were travelling with a large group, we ordered pizza delivered, but that's as far into "cooking" as we get on vacation!

If others feel the need to do it differently, it's no skin off my nose, as they aren't expecting me to cook. I just don't see it as much of a vacation when you're doing the same things you would do at home, just in a different place. I think we all need a complete break from our usual routine every once in a while.

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

DH doesn't ever feel we can 'afford' a vacation. Then wonders why I get ticked off when he is spends $2.50 for each bottle of water on our every 6 years to WDW trip because he can't be bothered to carry a Brita bottle.

 

[CourtasanSatine]

I'll admit to tucking a pack of mints(Altoids) and some gum into my bag for the packs but otherwise the idea of in room cooking is crazy(but in room coffeemakers and microwaves for leftover nuking and popcorn is ok).I consider on vacation cooking picking up a phone for pizza deilvery

 

[Kallison]

I'm with you on this one -- when on vacation anywhere, we don't go crazy, but we eat out and don't worry about it. I may pack snacks for Disney, usually one side harded suitcase, stuff for the parks and room. But no way would I attempt to cook a meal in my hotel room. I've never regretted spending money at Disney, they are memories we will always have.

Just a for instance, last night we went to a restaurant we had never been to before, all three kids ordered sodas. Then they got the menus and yelped - they have Stewart's flavored sodas, can we get one. They were $1.25 each, I said sure. They all jumped up and ran to the soda case and came back happy as clams. Their sodas in the glasses just sat there. I thought what a waste but for $3.75 look how happy they all look, that was worth the price!

 

[RobinMarie]

I like to save money. I absolutely adore being able to buy something for way less than full price. It's almost a game. I can spot a great bargain a mile away and the feeling I get would be akin to an athlete winning the big game. It's an awesome feeling. And goodness knows I am not frugal by nature, I love to shop.

That describes me to a T! Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[minnie56]

Cannot even read what some people do to save some pennies...

If I cannot go and DO what I want, Eat WHAT and WHERE I want , BUY what I want, INDULGE a litte....then it isn't my kind of vacation and I don't want to go!!

No matter where you go, travel is not cheap. Just back from New York City....Disney looks bargain basement pricing!

 

[dkrause716]

I too feel that a vacation means no cooking. We do eat breakfast in the room as it saves a little time and money too.
This will be the first time we are going to try the vouchers. I am not going commando with these but figure at the very least, many of our meals are pre-paid. We enjoy visiting different resorts and trying out new places. My daughter and I plan to share few meals because it seems like a lot of food-especially at the Rainforest Cafe. We'll see how it goes.

Another nice feature will be that I can give our two teens the vouchers to eat on their own once or twice.

To each his own I guess!

 

[AirForceRocks]

I don't believe there is any "one best way" to enjoy a vacation. there are as many options as there are families, so to say that "schlepping food around is no vacation" may well apply to some, but not to others.

Our family is like cardaway's - we bring breakfast bars, small cereal boxes, pop-tarts, etc with us because we aren't big breakfast eaters. We usually schedule a character breakfast while we're there, but more for the entertainment value than for the food.

But when it comes to other meals, I'm not interested in cooking on my vacation, and if I were, I would want a kitchen. Nor am I interested in smelling what someone in the next room is cooking, and I would report it immediately because it is dangerous.

We only make it to WDW every 2 - 3 years because that's how long it takes us to save up enough money to "do Disney" in the way that WE enjoy. Yes, I'm happy to look for bargains, I have no problem whipping out my DDE card for the discount, and DD and I have split meals at places with very large portions because I hate to see the food go to waste. I'm not opposed to saving money, but for US, counting every penny really detracts from the relaxation and enjoyment of the vacation.

What other people do, so long as they aren't cooking in their rooms, matters not at all to me.

 

[Crankyshank]

If I smell food cooking and I'm not near the restaurant and my hotel has no kitchenettes in the room, I'm sorry but I'm going to report you to front desk.

I didn't save up enough money to go on this trip to have my possessions burned because someone caused a fire by using a george foreman or a crockpot or whatever.

If you absolutely can't afford wdw unless you cook meals in your hotel room, then you need to save up a little longer or rent dvc points and use the kitchenettes there.

I have no issue with people bringing snacky type stuff like granola bars, poptarts, etc.. It's the people who need to grill burgers on their portable grill in their room that I take issue with.

 

[Cantw8]

Does this really happen? People actually cook burgers in the resort rooms?

 

[Arabella Figg 2003]

Unfortunately, yes.

If you feel the need to jeopardize my safety and the security of my possessions by breaking the resort's "no cooking" rules, maybe you should rethink where you plan to stay on vacation.

Other than that, if you're trying to economize, go right ahead. WDW has plans for every budget.