To be or Not To be

[Mouse Tracker]

Do you have the financial discipline to not take a trip ? What factors do you consider ? How long do you contemplate the decision ?

 

[disneydreamer1980]

I would not be able to go a year without a vacay/trip somewhere. Luckily we’re able to afford vacations so I don’t have to practice financial discipline and it’s not an issue but if it were a financial issue I think I’d still make it happen, even at the expense of other things like savings or college funds or of taking longer to save up for something else. It sounds terrible I’m sure but what’s life without something to look forward to and a fun break? It benefits the whole family. Memories are made, everyone’s relaxed and happier. It’s worth whatever the cost imo. You only live once!

 

[reddog21]

You only live once!

 

[NYCgrrl]

Do you have the financial discipline to not take a trip ? What factors do you consider ? How long do you contemplate the decision ?

I’m retired so look at this decisions from a different pov. As long as I’ve the funds in my annual budget, I go.
Actually, when I think on it it’s the same way I functioned while still working .

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

I have the financial discipline to prioritize what I spend my money on which means I don't spend as much day to day so I can afford a trip without feeling guilty.

 

[Mouse Tracker]

A typical WDW trip can easily start at 2 grand and go upward. Does one consider what that $ could do in terms of everyday living 'upgrades (appliances, furniture, debt) or helping immediate family? How long of a setback time wise are you willing to go?

 

[georgina]

DH and I both grew up with depression-era thrifty parents, and absorbed a lot of that thinking. For about 10 years when we had little kids, our vacations were going to visit grandparents. As we got older and saved more money, we took other trips, but we also did a lot of camping. Your OP asked about trips, not specifically Disney. So my answer is yes, we did have the financial discipline to not spend money we didn't have on Disney trips. Now we are empty nesters with no financial restrictions and can do whatever we want, probably because we have always been frugal.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

A typical WDW trip can easily start at 2 grand and go upward. Does one consider what that $ could do in terms of everyday living 'upgrades (appliances, furniture, debt) or helping immediate family? How long of a setback time wise are you willing to go?

It comes down to priorities. For me, making memories with my kids, having fun, having something to look forward to and having a break from reality is of much more value than an upgraded appliance or furniture but everyone is different. Yes it’s important to be responsible but it’s also important to have fun at a place you love and for us one of those places is Disney.

 

[afan]

A typical WDW trip can easily start at 2 grand and go upward. Does one consider what that $ could do in terms of everyday living 'upgrades (appliances, furniture, debt) or helping immediate family? How long of a setback time wise are you willing to go?

Not everyone needs all the bells and whistles or the latest and greatest tech, appliance etc. Furniture should last and not need to be updated that often.

I have no debt and no immediate family that would need help. Not everyone is going to fall into needing to cover those categories. I have no issue spending 2k on my solo wdw trip, the rest of my trips are done primarily on points so I can travel more often. My work wants us to use our vacation and I don't want to hang around the house when I take it.

 

[Moana]

I enjoy traveling and I love Disney, but there have been many years we’ve skipped trips because we had other priorities. Before we had our son, we were focused on fixing up our house and investing. We’re starting to prioritize travel more now that he’s old enough to remember our vacations. I wouldn’t sacrifice my savings goals for a WDW trip but, right now at least, I’d rather travel than, say, buy new furniture or expensive clothes.

 

[dreamer17555]

Life is short. Cancer treatment really reshaped my priorities. Also my kids are almost grown. I am going to spend time with them making memories while I can.

 

[tvguy]

I don't book a trip until I have the cash in hand.

 

[Twilghtsprkle]

Do you have the financial discipline to not take a trip ? What factors do you consider ? How long do you contemplate the decision ?

I don’t need to. If I want to take a trip, I do. We always have more than enough money. We didn’t fall for income creep.

 

[CGB]

Yes. Our first "family" vacation to Disney was in 2004, so we've had 20 years of different experiences of going to Disney. Life and Disney itself have influenced if and how we vacationed. College costs, kids' class/work schedules, military discounts, medical issues, retirement prep, etc.... all of it impacted if we went, where we stayed, and how often. Some years we didn't go. Many years we did, and a few trips were either value resorts or off-property and as frugal as possible. Other years, we stayed club level and enjoyed the privilege. Am I happy that we had 15 or so trips during that time? Absolutely. Am I glad that we got our kids through college with no debt and cut/minimized Disney to do it? Very much so. Am I happy to be completely debt-free going into retirement? Major yes. Just be sure to balance Disney with other important issues in your life so you don't regret a single one of those trips.

 

[Anthony1971]

If we did not have the ability, we would skip a trip. There is cutting back on for something else and there is just plain we cannot afford X this year.
It is hard to answer for a lot on these boards because they are not faced and may never have been faced with.....
Back in the 2000's when most went to work in fear of their job being eliminated and plenty on this board reported pay cuts much less no raise at current jobs a lot of vacations were skipped in favor of food and rent or mortgage etc.
To me and many on my age group that have late teens and beyond this not a Discipline it is a learned reality of adulthood when the good times become not so good times.... Back to good times one continues the good life. Part of cycle many will go through.
To answer if Debit for a vacation is an option NO but others see it differently.

 

[Sadeesmom]

As long as I stay debt free and don't touch my emergency fund, I am 100% going on vacation.

While life is short & kids are only kids for so long, I care more about the long-term outlook than I do about living to the max right now. I want to leave a positive legacy, not a mess.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

Yes. Daughter starting college this fall. We do have the money to cover the cost. It's very important to my husband and I that she gets a good college education and come out debt free. We would love to go on another cruise and travel more, but we have priorities.

 

[focusondisney]

A typical WDW trip can easily start at 2 grand and go upward. Does one consider what that $ could do in terms of everyday living 'upgrades (appliances, furniture, debt) or helping immediate family? How long of a setback time wise are you willing to go?

Not everyone takes a “setback” to take a vacation, even to WDW. Some people can actually afford to fund the every day life they want, pay their bills, keep up their homes (& appliances), have savings & still take a vacation.

 

[Willow Ufgood]

We own several DVC contracts. As a result, we should have lots of reasons to go to Disney World. We decided to rent out our points last year and used the money to go to Europe and the UK. And we took a cruise too by using that rental money. Disney just costs so much money! Even with DVC, by the time we factor in airfare, transportation to and from the airports, tickets and food it is very easy to say no to another trip.

It's been 2 years since our last visit. We're going in December but we're limiting our park days. We plan to enjoy our resort more and take in the holiday décore. We will cook in the villa more instead of just doing quick breakfasts there. I got Instacart gift cards from my rewards CC to make a grocery delivery. We just managed to snag great airfare on South West thanks to the Amazon Prime Days deal and our Rapid Rewards points. I ordered MVMCP tickets using the Amazon Prime deal for Viator and got 20% off. I paid thru PayPal where I had an offer for 10% in PayPal Rewards and I used my Discover card cash back points to pay for them. We were seriously considering skipping this year too if it were not for all of the great deals I found and the stockpile of rewards points we have.

 

[NYCgrrl]

We were seriously considering skipping this year too if it were not for all of the great deals I found and the stockpile of rewards points we have.

I’m getting a bit gobsmacked at the current prices I’m seeing for WDW in December. Thought of reserving Gran Destino CL but but hot dang that’s over 1K @ night and no transport choices?!

Do you mind discussing or pointing in the general direction? TIA!