Updated Disney Gift Card Deals and More

[Twilghtsprkle]

I think the bigger problem, beyond going to debt for a Disney vacation, is the rising number of people who use credit card debt as a vehicle to acquire the lifestyle their incomes don't (responsibly) support. I do believe in "good debt," sometimes you gotta stretch to make something happen while the people one loves are still around/are the right age. Sometimes. But then there's eating out a lot, new phones for the family every year or two, that other "it" item everyone else seems to have... then it's not a once in a while thing but a systemic problem of unbalanced family budgets.

It’s also lifestyle creep. People get a raise and think they can spend more vs saving it. My husband finally upgraded his 7 year old phone mostly because he was going on a business trip and didn’t want his new coworkers to see the crappy old phone he had. But even then we didn’t buy a top of the line Samsung, it was $300. He also ran his 15 year car into the ground. The muffler definitely has a hole and now the radiator is leaking. I joke that he is ‘accidentally’ earth conscious by using things for so long.

 

[FoxC63]

This.

We only spend $$ on our kids. Disney. DVC. Private school. But we are that kind of parent.... and I want to retire someday or not worry about whether I can afford retirement.

With exception to DVC, this was us for years.
And I retired at 40 after the birth of our only child.
Single income family and finding ways to stretch our dollars as far as possible which is no easy feat.

Hat tip to you @BaybeeYoda - RESPECT

What I find interesting are people who seek advice but don't take it. When I was helping my clients, I would layout a budget plan based on their income. The reality was harsh, they were spending more than what they were bringing in. CC debit through the roof!

If there is one piece of advice I'd give to those looking towards the future, actually there's two, I would suggest:

• For those with 401K: Every time you get a raise, put those funds into your 401K. Bonuses should go towards IRA's.
• First time home buyers: Even if there are two incomes, only use one.

Talk about harsh huh?

 

[georgina]

I was fortunate DH & I both grew up with very thrifty depression-era parents. My dad was an accountant, no way would I ever pay interest on a credit card. We lived in a low cost area, in a very good public school district. We didn't go to WDW until we could afford it, and then it was off-site. My adult kids seem to have picked up these lessons, not to spend what they don't have.

 

[gottalovepluto]

If there is one piece of advice I'd give to those looking towards the future, actually there's two, I would suggest:

• For those with 401K: Every time you get a raise, put those funds into your 401K. Bonuses should go towards IRA's.
• First time home buyers: Even if there are two incomes, only use one.

Gotta disagree on that, use only one for your personal estimates but when putting in the paperwork to the bank use both. Do not give the bank extra money (less income -> higher rate) for nothing. If you end up with one income you'll need the extra money, no reason to give it to some fat cat on Wall St instead.

 

[BaybeeYoda]

With exception to DVC, this was us for years.
And I retired at 40 after the birth of our only child.
Single income family and finding ways to stretch our dollars as far as possible which is no easy feat.

Hat tip to you @BaybeeYoda - RESPECT

What I find interesting are people who seek advice but don't take it. When I was helping my clients, I would layout a budget plan based on their income. The reality was harsh, they were spending more than what they were bringing in. CC debit through the roof!

If there is one piece of advice I'd give to those looking towards the future, actually there's two, I would suggest:

• For those with 401K: Every time you get a raise, put those funds into your 401K. Bonuses should go towards IRA's.
• First time home buyers: Even if there are two incomes, only use one.

Talk about harsh huh?

What is your experience with people? Do most ppl overspend?

Are you a financial planner?!

 

[mickey916]

With exception to DVC, this was us for years.
And I retired at 40 after the birth of our only child.
Single income family and finding ways to stretch our dollars as far as possible which is no easy feat.

Hat tip to you @BaybeeYoda - RESPECT

What I find interesting are people who seek advice but don't take it. When I was helping my clients, I would layout a budget plan based on their income. The reality was harsh, they were spending more than what they were bringing in. CC debit through the roof!

If there is one piece of advice I'd give to those looking towards the future, actually there's two, I would suggest:

• For those with 401K: Every time you get a raise, put those funds into your 401K. Bonuses should go towards IRA's.
• First time home buyers: Even if there are two incomes, only use one.

Talk about harsh huh?

That was what we did with 401k and also only planned on DH’s income for our mortgage (but gave bank both of our info for qualifying). This plan enabled us to live comfortably but not extravagantly and be retired at 55. Definitely use cars til they’re done and don’t have cc debt or the latest tech…all about choices really…

 

[FoxC63]

Gotta disagree on that, use only one for your personal estimates but when putting in the paperwork to the bank use both. Do not give the bank extra money (less income -> higher rate) for nothing. If you end up with one income you'll need the extra money, no reason to give it to some fat cat on Wall St instead.

When qualifying for a home and using both income, you end up qualifying for a much larger amount. That's why you only use one. If you or your partner loose their job, the house payments can still be met using the others income.

There is no reason to buy a $400,000 home with two incomes.
Buying a $200,000 home on a single income is more practical especially when many over spend, which is the issue. One income should cover all the expenses, the second income should cover other items including savings. The recommended savings is $20,000. Most will not achieve this and unfortunately many will not understand the logic behind it.

 

[elgerber]

When qualifying for a home and using both income, you end up qualifying for a much larger amount. That's why you only use one. If you or your partner loose their job, the house payments can still be met using the others income.

There is no reason to buy a $400,000 home with two incomes.
Buying a $200,000 home on a single income is more practical especially when many over spend, which is the issue. One income should cover all the expenses, the second income should cover other items including savings. The recommended savings is $20,000. Most will not achieve this and unfortunately many will not understand the logic behind it.

Just because you qualify with two incomes, you don't have to buy a house that big. Your numbers look better with the bank if you use both incomes, and still only purchase something you would qualify for with one income (which is what was said previously).

 

[4Hawks]

Kroger
Reminder - 4X fuel points on 3rd party GC starts tomorrow (8/23-825).

Get 200 BONUS FUEL POINTS when you buy participating Zaxby's gift card(s).

• Offer valid 8/21/24 through 8/27/24
• Must clip coupon
• Link to offer

 

[4Hawks]

Earn 10x points on the following gift cards at Giant Food Stores, Martin’s and Stop & Shop

• Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s
• IHOP
• Boscov’s (Giant Food Stores and Martin’s only)
• Offer valid August 23-29, 2024.
• $2,000 limit per household.

 

[FoxC63]

Just because you qualify with two incomes, you don't have to buy a house that big. Your numbers look better with the bank if you use both incomes, and still only purchase something you would qualify for with one income (which is what was said previously).

I understand exactly what @gottalovepluto posted. I get it, you get it. Unfortunately many who are seeking advice don't and that's the point. They see what they're qualified for, the realtor see's what you're qualified for and soon enough you're being shown what houses fit your budget.

See how big and shinny it is.... again, most really cannot afford it. They're led down a path of financial debt and it keeps growing.

Several here know how to budget and balance but what we're talking about are those who do not.

 

[4Hawks]

Newegg

Buy 12 month Xbox Game Pass Core gift cards for $48.99

• Promo code AUG24SSDVA938
• Direct link
• Expires August 22, 2024
• Limit 5
• Combine with Chase/Citi offer

FYI - these can be converted to Xbox Ultimate pass at a 3:2 ratio for considerable savings

 

[FoxC63]

What is your experience with people? Do most ppl overspend?

Are you a financial planner?!

Yes, they do overspend. I'm a retired accountant.

 

[bbsearchlight]

It’s also lifestyle creep. People get a raise and think they can spend more vs saving it. My husband finally upgraded his 7 year old phone mostly because he was going on a business trip and didn’t want his new coworkers to see the crappy old phone he had. But even then we didn’t buy a top of the line Samsung, it was $300. He also ran his 15 year car into the ground. The muffler definitely has a hole and now the radiator is leaking. I joke that he is ‘accidentally’ earth conscious by using things for so long.

No question about the lifestyle creep. One of the most significant savings we had on the Disney trip was on the hotel cost. When I said we paid $650 (or 65,000 Ultimate rewards points) that was for 2 hotel rooms for 5 nights (so 2 x 5=10 nights total). The same rooms at the cheapest Disney hotel (All Star Music) would have been $1,780. And the cheapest rooms at the All Stars are the ones that are a 5 - 8 minute walk from the bus stop and dining hall (those resorts are huge), if you want closer it is even more expensive. But the people spending thousands of dollars would be horrified to stay at the All Star, they want luxury and pampering. They need to stay at the Polynesian or the Contemporary. To me, that has nothing to do with the cost of the Disney trip, that is just wanting to stay at a fancy hotel. The only thing we do at the hotel when we are in Disney is sleep, why do we need such a fancy hotel?

Personally, I would consider the Hyatt at Lake Buena Vista around equivalent to the All Star. The room at the All Star might be a drop nicer/newer but the Hyatt room is double the size. (For anyone who hasn't stayed at the All Star, the room really has very little space to move around in). The Hyatt also includes free breakfast. The Hyatt is also a 5-minute walk to a Walgreens and a 10-minute walk to Winn Dixie. (The first thing we did when we got there was walk over to Winn Dixie with our carry on roller suitcase and bought 2 cases of water which we then put in the roller suitcase and wheeled it back to the hotel.) And yes, if you take the lynx bus, you have a 9 minute walk to the Disney bus at Disney springs, but if you stay at the All Star it is a 7 - 8 minute walk to the bus stop form the cheaper rooms so it evens out.

And the 65,000 Hyatt points we used we transferred from Chase Ultimate Rewards points which we got from a sign up bonus on a chase Ink card and from buying Visa/Mastercard gift cards on the Chase Ink Cash. That is something that pretty much anyone can do. Paying with Hyatt points is key as you don't pay any hotel taxes when you pay with points - that alone saved almost $200.

 

[mickey916]

When qualifying for a home and using both income, you end up qualifying for a much larger amount. That's why you only use one. If you or your partner loose their job, the house payments can still be met using the others income.

There is no reason to buy a $400,000 home with two incomes.
Buying a $200,000 home on a single income is more practical especially when many over spend, which is the issue. One income should cover all the expenses, the second income should cover other items including savings. The recommended savings is $20,000. Most will not achieve this and unfortunately many will not understand the logic behind it.

We were shocked 33 years ago when the bank told us the amount of mortgage we could qualify for...it was definitely NOT a payment we would have been comfortable paying and therefore went with a much smaller house (and mortgage). Thankfully instinctively we followed the advice you outlined even though neither of us has a business background.

 

[BaybeeYoda]

$50K/year for private school!!!! Oh my blessed aunt! My undergrad tuition room and board at a private university was less than that! I'm not judging. I'm just flabbergasted at the price tag.

Yup. It’s what it is. We were expecting public school then magnet school for high school (we are in a city), but post pandemic was a mess and we had to make that hard but difficult choice. He started in 7th grade and now going into 9th/high school.

Fingers crossed my kids will want to go to state school for college….

;(

 

[gottalovepluto]

When qualifying for a home and using both income, you end up qualifying for a much larger amount. That's why you only use one. If you or your partner loose their job, the house payments can still be met using the others income.

There is no reason to buy a $400,000 home with two incomes.
Buying a $200,000 home on a single income is more practical especially when many over spend, which is the issue. One income should cover all the expenses, the second income should cover other items including savings. The recommended savings is $20,000. Most will not achieve this and unfortunately many will not understand the logic behind it.

Oh my, yeah I failed to consider that part. Maybe because I spend my real life and my hobby life (Disney park and credit card nerd) surrounded by fiscally responsible folk, it just never occurred to me to base the house off of the limit you're approved for, oof! No wonder people get in trouble.

 

[TheDailyMoo]

I know/am surrounded by people from all walks of life and the one constant is that poor people and middle class people and even upper middle class people all spend way more than they should/have. Across the board people are financially illiterate. I wish public schools would have mandatory courses on it throughout the country. If I ever talk to a teen or someone looking to get their first job I yell ROTH IRA into their faces and they look at me like I'm nuts. A bit of an exaggeration but really I tell young people if you start saving and investing from now you'll be the rich friend later in life and all your friends will wish they did what you did. It's hard to have that foresight when young...unless you come from a financially literate family...like the basis of that book Rich Dad, Poor Dad.

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

I know/am surrounded by people from all walks of life and the one constant is that poor people and middle class people and even upper middle class people all spend way more than they should/have. Across the board people are financially illiterate. I wish public schools would have mandatory courses on it throughout the country. If I ever talk to a teen or someone looking to get their first job I yell ROTH IRA into their faces and they look at me like I'm nuts. A bit of an exaggeration but really I tell young people if you start saving and investing from now you'll be the rich friend later in life and all your friends will wish they did what you did. It's hard to have that foresight when young...unless you come from a financially literate family...like the basis of that book Rich Dad, Poor Dad.

Rhode Island recently made Personal Finance a graduation requirement for high school. Think it is much needed for sure.

 

[TheDailyMoo]

Rhode Island recently made Personal Finance a graduation requirement for high school. Think it is much needed for sure.

Oh that's good to hear!