Tell me how you save for your trip

[BrittnTylersMom]

This trip was paid for by DF's tax return, if not for that, we wouldn't be going.

We have one of those big ole empty Poland Springs water jugs that we feed as much as possible. Coins, $1.00- $100.00 bills and everything in between. DF got a pay raise a few months ago, but we've been acting as though he never got it, and putting most of the 'extra' money right into the jug.

We used to order take-out for dinner every Friday night..instead of doing that..we eat at home and put the money we would have spent on it, into the jug.

A great tip I've read that I wish I thought/knew of a long time ago...If there are holidays or birthdays for your child/ren..often some friends and relatives will ask you what the child/ren want or need...tell them Disney Dollars to spend at the World!!

 

[beansmom]

First and foremost, I cut expenses--I got rid of my tres expensive husband. LOL With him went a car payment, some insurance and tons of grocery bills.

I save my change. I sell snack items at work and make a nice profit on them. I scrapbook on consignment and make craft items to sell.

I transfer all unspent $$ from the checking account to the savings the morning of payday.

 

[Okiemom]

mad4themouse,

I have American miles too, but can't seem to get the planahead miles for the time period we need. They must just have a few per plane, but I am curious what are you talking about when you said you could convert them to gift certificates? I have never heard that before?
That might be an option for me.

 

[mad4themouse]

Originally posted by Okiemom
mad4themouse,

I have American miles too, but can't seem to get the planahead miles for the time period we need. They must just have a few per plane, but I am curious what are you talking about when you said you could convert them to gift certificates? I have never heard that before?
That might be an option for me.

There's a website called Points.com . Membership is free but they have a premium membership that costs $19.95, but it's not worth it to me. You can use the site to exchange rewards points from various frequent flier/guest programs for gift certificates or fot points in another program.

You will lose some of their value in the exchange but if they're points you wouldn't use anyway (like my American Airline Miles), then the loss is a little easier to take. The only reason that I have the AAdvantage Miles from American is because my DH eats a lot of the cereal that has the coupons on the back for 500 free miles. So for me cereal = a restaurant GC!

 

[ceecee]

All the money from my annual garage sale goes into the Disney fund.......I usually make around $1000.00.

 

[bigbabyblues]

This is our first trip as a family, but when I asked dh about going, he said he would save for the plane tickets (the ones we can't use ff miles for, maybe 2, at least 1) and the hotel/park tix/package/whatever I decide to do. He gave me a set amount he would have, so I'd know where to make reservations etc; we are going to stay at a value resort so we can stay longer for the same amount of $. I am supposed to be saving the money for eating and spending, etc. DH makes enough that he is able to save a good part of each check, and when it comes time to go, he will have his regular "emergency" savings, plus the extra that he's allowed for our trip. I get paid every two weeks, and they 1st part of my check goes to the house payment; it's automatically withdrawn every two weeks. The amount over that was going to my orthodontist bills, but last month I paid that off, so the extra will go towards our trip. I also work very flexible time, so if it looks like I'm going to need more $ for the trip, I can work extra hours. As it is now, I work about 18-20 hours a week, so extra hours are no big deal.

I'm also saving all our change, which isn't a fortune but it adds up. I will get a Christmas bonus, that will go towards my trip; it may not be much, but every bit helps.

Glad I'm not the only one who has to plan and save!

~Steph

 

[sconnell]

Like a lot of people we have a jar.
But, when I start to add up how much little luxuries cost, it is mind boggling! I am going to start cutting out things like a snack from the vending maching and putting that same amount in our jar. I also work at a church that has a school. As a benefit we can eat in the cafeteria for free. It's pretty good for the price, but some days I'm just gonna' go out! I have decided that everytime I eat in the cafeteria I am going to put $3 in our jar. It's less money than going out to eat and $3 can add up fast!

 

[Snoopymom]

djm99, Is it Chevy's? We love it. I never thought of gift certificates for restaurants. Thanks!

Went to the Disney store last week to buy Disney dollars and bought ds a bunch of clothes 50-70% off instead, so that didn't work, LOL! Next time, I'll just go directly to the counter.

Selling on Ebay and paying hotel off before we go are the only two I've managed to do so far.

Thanks for all the ideas.