Vacation Fund?

[Wazzo]

Hello!

Do you put away a certain amount of money into a vacation fund each month or paycheque?

If so, how much or what percentage?

I want to start, but I have no idea as to what is realistic. I realize it will vary depending on how important vacations are to different people, but I was just looking for some input! Thanks!

 

[Disney Ontario]

Hi. DH has $25.00 a week taken off his cheque each week.DH can phone and get the money if he wants, but hopefully we can just leave it alone untill we go next March. Now it is to just start christmas shopping and leaving it alone.We are also starting to paint the inside of our home , but I think it will work.

 

[nflder]

We started in July putting away $20 each per pay period. We are going to use it as our spending money on our trip next Easter. To be honest - we don't miss it at all.

 

[F4disneyfan]

We take 20 a week and transfer it to our US account it adds up quite quickly.

 

[mickeywho?]

We put $80 per week away in a US account. It covers expenses for one trip per year (airline tickets, food and spending $) and our yearly DVC fees. We also like to go to a cottage for one week in the summer so there is enough in the account to cover a week's rental for that as well.
Of course if we ever had a emergency and needed the cash we would not hesitate to use money from this account - knowing that we would have to miss that years week at Disney or at the cottage is fine. It's a luxury to be able to travel but without putting away a portion every week it would be difficult to afford.

 

[Reese]

DH, our oldest two children and myself deliver the morning paper. The money from that gets put straight into our US savings account.
This also works to teach our kids the value of a dollar and how much work goes into making enough for our vacation. So far we've gone once and have our next trip planned for Jan and they still wake up every morning with no complaints.

 

[madonna31]

$40 each per week into a US account. Adds up super fast!

 

[Wazzo]

A US account is the way to go???

 

[digskat]

we roll all our change....twoonies/loonies included. When the total reaches $100 we exchange it into american and deposit it into a US account. So far we have save $2000 for our spending money. As for paying for the trip we have extra income tax taken off...i've had to pay in the past and we always get enough to pay off our trip. Good luck in your saving for your vacation. TTFN Kat

 

[b-1]

US $ account is my secret! I transfer money online as soon as I get paid. Works really well for us.

 

[mickeywho?]

A US account is the way to go???

For us yes. Mainly because the $ is for spending in the US eventually so it helps me to know exactly how much cash I really have. I transfer it out of my regular chequing account online every week. If the rate is really good I might add a bit more, if it is not good I would put away a little less.

 

[Donald - my hero]

A US account is the way to go???

Sure is in this household. I mean once it converted to US funds it is no longer tempting to use for everyday use. We us the Royal on-line for the US account and can only access it during business hours so the $$ is fully locked in!

OH and then when it comes time to get travellers cheques (only way we take $$) It is already in US funds and they just write them up for you

 

[Toad]

I do it a bit differently. We go to WDW every year in the same week each year - we leave the weekend following US Thanksgiving. We always stay on-site at a moderate and rent a car. I set a "maximum" amount I will need for airfare, hotel, car rental, park pass, food and shopping. Then I divide by 26 (pay periods in year) and put that much money into a special account when I get paid. I dip into it when I purchase my airfare, or put my deposit on the hotel. I also add any lottery winnings (wow $5!!) every now and then. Finally, every week I empty my change purse of coins (not loonies or twoonies) into a Disney popcorn bucket - that usually adds up to around $200 for extras. It works for me and is relatively painless. The main thing for me is I won't go ito debt for a vacation. I already haev a mortgage and car payment. If I can't afford it, I don't go.

 

[mom2princess1prince]

We put away $25 per week-- just in a regular savings accout, set up just for Disney. We go every other year, so this pays for our stay (7 nights,budget resort, on property), airfaire (ususally southwest ding from Buffalo), food and spending money. Although, after this trip, I think we'll have to start putting away a little more, as we'll have to move up to a moderate resort since dd#2 will soon be 3 and we can no longer squeeze her into our room as an infant.

 

[yosh12]

I have $50 a week put into a Canada Savings Bond that I can cash out at anytime for vacations. It works great and you don't miss it after the first 2-3 weeks. And you can see what is accumulating every week...we have put away $1900 so far...going to disney in September of 2007 and have already have enough to pay for the trip when payment is due.

 

[B&B Mom]

I do the Canada Savings bond deduction from my paycheck too. $100 every paycheck. It seemed like alot at first but we're used to it now.

I just redeemed a portion of it to help pay for our Dis Cruise!

 

[Debbie]

I have a certain amount automatically transferred to ING each week. My ING is divided into several "accounts" and the money funnels directly into the right spot. Since I don't "see" it, I don't spend it until it is needed.