This board is the Best!!!

[ForTheLoveofDisney]

I have to say, I just love the Budget Board!! I'm so glad I found it!

I've just found such hope and encouragement here when it comes to tips on budgeting and saving.

Lately, I've been kinda down because we aren't going to Disney until next year! And we're focusing all of our efforts into becoming debt free.

I started to think that I should just stay away from the Dis because it was just too depressing to hear about everybody else who's going. But, then I found these boards and found that there are a good number of others who aren't going this year either. I've also found several people who are working at becoming debt free like we are, which can be a lonely journey in today's society w/ what seems like everybody looking for instant gratification instead of sacrificing for the good of the family. And sometimes I've found non-Disney topics all together, which is fine too.

I've found it's a great place to get my Disney fix without becoming depressed.

So, thanks for this board and to all the people who post on it.

Hope this doesn't sound to corny

 

[Melissa M]

I don't think it's corny at all. The Budget forum is my favorite. After we go on our trip, I plan to use the tips here to save for other things. I've learned so much.

 

[Trixiezzz]

Good for you!!!
I think going to Disney debt free will be a lot more fun than going and knowing you have BILLS hanging over your head.

What I like about this board is how many people are working to PRE-PAY items on their trips! It has inspired me to get as much of the expenses out of the way as possible, so we can really ENJOY ourselves when we do go. I'm the keeper of the money, so traveling is sometimes not as fun for me, because I'm always keeping a running tally in my mind of how much we're spending. Not having to do THAT (because things are already paid for) will be a VACATION in itself.

Yeah, DIS Budget Board!!!

~Trixie

 

[Muushka]

Wow ForTheLoveofDisney, I loved your post. I am always glad to see people who strive to be debt free (of which I am one . Like you said, it is a lonely journey, but the goal is a good one. In the meantime, I save when I can, and go to WDW as long as it is in the budget!

PS Have you ever heard Dave Ramsey or Clark Howard on the radio (or gone to their internet sites)? Great tips

 

[Disney4me04]

I am working on getting debt free too. I won't be when we go to Disney but I will have a good chunk gone. I should have only Student Loans that need to be paid off.

I come here to learn all the tips to go to Disney on a budget.

When I lock the door to go to the Airport on October 26, 2005

My trip will be paid for 100%!

and when I come here I will be planning for 2007!

 

[ForTheLoveofDisney]

Originally posted by Muushka
PS Have you ever heard Dave Ramsey or Clark Howard on the radio (or gone to their internet sites)? Great tips

Yes, my DH is a Dave Ramsey "junkie" as they are affectionately called on the forum boards over there. DH is a truck driver and listens to all 3 hours of his show everyday on XM 165

He has gotten on the "Get out of debt" Express! And there's no stopping him now! I'm just along for the ride.

He keeps promising me that when we are out of debt (except for the house payment) which we are on target for July-September 2005 we are going to go on a 10-12 day vacation. 9-10 days at WDW and 2 or 3 days at Vero Beach. We own DVC (which is in our debt snowball) and I've banked the points for this year so next year we'll have plenty of points to have a great time.

DH just said last night, as I was again begging and caving into the urge to go to Disney especially with the airfare wars and great deals on rooms, that sure he could go this year for just a few days (maybe 3) and scrimp and cut corners the whole way but that he'd rather wait and go next year for 12 days and know when he walks into MK that all of his bills are gone and that there is no DVC (or any other bills) hanging over his head, waiting for him when he gets back. And all the money that we'll spend next year will be budgeted and planned for and there will be no guilt.

Our, adopted from Dave Ramsey, motto is "Live like no one else so one day we can truly live like no one else!"
Sometimes it's VERY hard but I know that it will be worth it if I'm willing to sacrifice now.

 

[Muushka]

That is great that you and your husband are both on the same page.

 

[suz72]

ForTheLoveofDisney


I feel the same way you do! I have learned so many good (great) tips from the people on this board. I really do learn something new every day!

:thewave: :thewave: :thewave:

Susan

 

[karemore]

I like it here too.

I enjoy finding ways to keep our Disney vacations budget trips.

There's a big world out there and we want to see as much of it as possible AND visit WDW. If we went deluxe that would be our only vacation.



Karen

 

[kfeuer]

OP, you're doing a great thing by getting out of debt. We went through a 4-year space where we didn't have a vacation and didn't do anything fun, and it was hard. However, we've now been out of debt (except for house and one car payment) for 4 years and it feels *GREAT*! It's so wonderful not to be laying awake at night trying to figure out how we're going to pay off our credit cards. Knowing that we have a nice rainy day fund gives me such a sense of security.

If we hadn't gone through that time, there's no way I'd have been able to stay home with my kids (I do work 10 hours a week, but am home the rest of the time). We're still living on a tight budget, but we haven't run the credit cards back up and we're living within our small means.

One thing that really helped me was exploring alternate ways of getting "treats". I started doing mystery shopping, especially at restaurants (free meal and it felt like a treat). I do lots of rebates, especially Walgreens and Eckerds (Rite-Aid does them, too). I do lots of rebates for free movie tickets, so we can have a night out for free once in awhile. There's lots of online survey companies where you can make some extra money. Make sure you're signed up with any local market research companies (DH, too)--we've gotten anywhere from $75-$100 for 2 hour survey groups.

Anyway, keep your chin up. You're doing a great thing for your family and the payoff will be huge.

 

[Doodlebug939]

I think it is a really commendable thing that you are doing. My husband and I are really working hard to pay off debt. Some days it is really frustrating that we have only one car and we dont eat out several nights a week.

But I find it even more frustrating trying to keep up with the Jones's so to speak. We have been there and done that!

We are a military family and we live off my husbands income and we are going to Disney in the fall because my sister is renting a house and we get to stay for free. But we are driving so we can save money there as well. If it was not for her we would not be going.

Next year we will not be going to Disney or really anywhere else because we have a monthly game plan to have a better life for us and our children. My husband suggested going and buying a tent at the end of this season for cheap and tenting some next year. Try something different. But in our budget. I can relate to your situation and I am sending pixie dust your way!!!!

 

[ForTheLoveofDisney]

Thanks for your words of encouragement everyone!!!

It really means alot to have others who understand!

We own the DVC and last year we took my family so that they could enjoy the "World". MY BIL had never been and it was great to see his reaction. It was wonderful to be able to provide the room for my family, otherwise they too wouldn't have been able to come along.

That trip was all paid for but we still had bills waiting for us when we came home. DH doesn't want that anymore! The reason I LOVE Disney trips is because of the re-connecting DH and I do while we're there. I can't explain it, but it's always worth going to me. DH, however, is a small business owner and there is always stress in running your own business. Let's face it, if you don't work, the money doesn't come in. I know DH would feel much less stress if we didn't have CC payments, and a car payment and a DVC payment hanging over his head. When you think about it, how much money would you really need if you only had a house payment, utility payments and grocery money to worry about? Not that we'd want to make less money but the fear of "what if I get sick or what if something goes terribly wrong. . ." wouldn't be so great and the ability to relax would be allowed to happen.

Again, thanks for all of the encouragement. Sometimes it's hard for me but I'll do it because it's worth it to DH. In the end I know it'll be good for me too!