Things we don't budget for.....

[Desnik]

I would just like to talk about the things that we need and buy BEFORE our trip that we don't budget for when originally planning for our trips. Maybe this will help others budget more effitiently.

While packing for our upcoming trip I never expected to be spending this much money for things we needed. For example we have a 7mo baby and he already outgrew his warm weather clothing. So, I had to go buy him some outfits. Then I put together a backpack with all kinds of things to keep our 5yo DD busy while we drive down. Next is all the toiletries, snacks, and drinks for the drive and our villa. Add to that film, disposable cameras, etc.etc.etc!!!!!!!

What things did you have to buy before your trip that you didn't have in your original budget?

Oh, just remembered, I forgot to budget in the cost for the kennel for our dog, and we need to get 2 new tires and have the car checked to make sure it is ready for the drive.

 

[mad4themouse]

I always forget to budget for...

Batteries...for my camera, for DS11's Gameboy, for DD13's cd player.

Reading materials...for in the airport, on the plane and by the pool.

Smartcart rentals in the airports ($2-$4).

First Aid supplies...Dramamine, Advil, Band-aids, first aid creme, whatever I forget to pack. Earplanes for the family.

Gasoline for the rental car.

Tolls for the highway.

Locker rentals in the parks.

 

[HM]

This is a GREAT thread. I can't add a whole lot to what is already listed....you guys covered a lot.

One thing that seems to happen to us is this--
About a month before we leave it always seems I start to notice that the kid's shoes are in terrible shape and won't be good for lots of walking, so off we go to buy new sneakers for them. Now we would have had to buy these eventually anyway, but it always seems to add to the trip expense because of timing.

And it has happened that a couple times we've left the camera in the room and had to buy one in the park for that day (and they aren't cheap).

-HM

 

[miche61]

Film developing for when we get back.

This year I started buying GCs from Target every week for the past month or so. I figure this is "almost found" money that I can use for those pre-trip purchases, and also for film developing. I'll next start stashing GCs for other stores for tennies, etc.

 

[Cinders]

Swimsuits!! The boys are 10 & 13 and the 13 year old is growing like a weed so I bought them both board shorts at the end of the season. And gum/mints. Each of us has different tastes in these things so everyone picks their own.

 

[pjlla]

I never add the "small" stuff to the overall WDW budget... it would make the number too high and depressing. On our first trip with kids in 01/2002 we had talked about buying walkie-talkies, but were lucky enough that a terrific b i l bought them for us for Christmas (without us even asking!). So that was one item we didn't need to add to the budget (and we will be using them again in 01/2004!). I also bought rain ponchos ahead of time so that we would have them ready and available (and so that we wouldn't blend into the sea of yellow mickey ponchos). We ended up needing them for a full day, so I was glad I had them ready! Also glad they were navy and red! After our trip I wiped them down carefully and packed them away, so that they are now ready for our next trip! Saves us a few $$ on this next trip. I also saved our unused, unopened package of moleskin from our previous trip and will bring it along next time in case the need comes up. I also start buying the little things as far in advance as possible, to spread out the spending, so it is not such a big chunk at once. I starting buying my kids a few things on clearance at the Disney store back in the spring of 2003 for our upcoming Jan 2004 trip. I have two new t-shirts for each of them, as well as a few surprises to bring along for the trip. I'm sure that I haven't spent even $25 total on all this stuff because I starting looking way in advance and had the time to search for bargains! Anyhow... I've gone on long enough....

 

[ariden]

I found clear hooded rain ponchos in a 2pk at the Dollar Tree store so picked up a few of them.
Most of the stuff I do ahead of time has been listed! My SO always teases me about overpacking but has been appreciative that I've been able to come up with stuff when he needs it, lol.

 

[tink2dw]

Sun Block spray!! Sun Block gel for faces!!

Bar Soap. All Stars tub thingy was broken and there wasn't any bar soap in the room.

Medicines and extra medicines!!!!

Shampoo and Conditioner

A Water Plan! This can be a budget BUSTER!! WDW sells a small bottled water fro $2.50!! Orlando water is full of sulpher it smells and tastes bad!!
Solutions- Brita Sports filtering bottles,or bottled water you bring from home or buy in a grocery in Orlando.

A hat.

New Broken in walking shoes.

Thats all I can think of off the top of my head!

 

[disneysteve]

How true that when most of us say how much a trip cost, we are referring strictly to the hotel and travel expenses and food. There are certainly a lot of other things like clothes, film and developing, tips, souvenirs, etc.

Of course some things aren't exactly trip expenses because you would have to buy them anyway (like shampoo and conditioner). And other things may be bought for one trip, but used over and over on future trips (like walkie talkies).

mad4themouse - For reading materials, don't forget your local library. All the books you could possible want for free. As for gas for the rental car, if I was home I'd be putting gas in my own car anyway.

And don't forget the bright side of this - there are some things that you save money on because you are on vacation. Our gas, electric and water bills are always lowest during the months we are away for 7-9 days. We always turn down the hot water heater and thermostat before we leave. And of course nobody is home to watch tv, use the computer, or any other electric appliance. We cancel the newspaper those weeks. Our phone bills are way lower when we are on vacation. When we add up all those little savings, it actually comes out to a significant amount.

Well, I've got to go finish packing. We leave in 60 hours!

Steve

 

[NancyIL]

Don't forget the BUG SPRAY!

 

[TonyS20]

We usually buy a phone card to call home.

When we stay off-site, I always forget about parking charges.

We usually take a taxi to and from the airport to avoid parking our car there. Either way, you would either have cab fare or airport parking fees.

I don't count tolietries in the cost of the trip. I need those things regardless. However, I usually purchase peppermint foot lotion (not something I use at home) and some other fun stuff. Like others have said, I spread it out over several weeks/months so it doesn't seem like a lot.

 

[Forever a Princess]

LOL!

I was just thinking about this tonight and then I read your thread.

This weekend DH and I went shopping for the Disney trip.

We bought socks, unerclothes and new Nike running shoes.

I also just ordered some new clothes from QVC.

By the time I was done I had realized that I had spent quite a bit.

The cost of going to Disney, sure adds up (quite worth it in my opinion).

I was saying to DH that I it was a good thing that we go on our Disney trips otherewise we would be less likely to get new stuff.

Something I always forget to budget for is the Disney Park Photos taken by the cast members. This trip I'm pre-budgeting for this so that I don't have such an ouch when we get in line to buy them.
Renee

 

[kilarney]

We've found a lot of summer clothes for our infant in the clearance rack. One of the few nice things about living in the north! We've been able to get plenty of warm weather outfits for $2-$3.

 

[beattyfamily]

At first I thought you meant stuff we forget to put in our budget once we are on vacation!!!

I'd like a thread on that too!

I forget to budget gas on the rental car.

Renting a boat at the Contemporary.

Valet parking/tips

The photos that WDW takes of us in front of the Castle for example that we always buy!

Ponchos!

For before we leave:

Disposible cameras for my kids
film
Developing film
dog shots/kennel
new socks
snacks
magazines
coloring books for the kids/new crayons

For our Villa:
Groceries when we arrive
Stuff we bring:
Coffee
Sugar packs
detergent (clothes and dishes)

there's lots more but I've got to leave for my DD's Halloween party at school!

**I thought of more! For those of us with little ones...the perfect WDW stroller! I also bought a special booster seat that's small and lightweight for WDW and then I bought a carseat bag to put the booster seats in! These are all directly related to our vacation!

 

[elismom]

Coins for the arcade for my ds this time he has been putting some for his allowence away each week just for this.
When I shop at places that have points I save them for my hoilday stuff.
The drug store I shop at you can collect points for things you buy.
The points can then be turned into cash up to 75.00 at a time.
Last weekend they at a special if you had 75.00 dollars worth of points you could spend 100.00.
I used it to buy my film batteries and disposibale cameras for ds
Now I will start saving points again and save them for my next trip .
Shelley
Waiting for our Magicial christmas at disney

 

[missypie]

1. Various OTC medicines ... I bring some of just about everything any of us might need, so if I don't keep up with it and have to buy a lot at once it can really add up.

2. Quarters for the pressed penny machines.

3. Magazines for ME...I just love to get on a flight with a couple of new magazines.

 

[MaMudduck]

Originally posted by elismom
The drug store I shop at you can collect points for things you buy.
The points can then be turned into cash up to 75.00 at a time.
Last weekend they at a special if you had 75.00 dollars worth of points you could spend 100.00.

TORONTO! Which drugstore Shelley?

 

[mickeysaver]

We do pretty well with this sort of thing actually.

Last year we bought a video camera and walkie talkies. This year, we bought a portable DVD player. Batteries, film, and film development are always included in the budget. The only thing that I under budgeted for last year was probably bottles of water. Mickey

 

[rngclick]

I forget to budget for groceries when we get home. We arrive home to NOTHING in the fridge and very little in the pantry and we wind up at the grocery store spending $100 !!!

 

[beattyfamily]

I thought of more...

The perfect WDW stroller. Small lightweight booster seats, and a carseat bag to put them in.

Once down there:
Groceries for the Villa