Ways to save and pay for your WDW trip?

[Scottishbrit]

I'm a stay at home mom. For now. I'm hoping to work soon but who knows. I just got back from WDW in April with my mom and 2 kids for 10 days. I was saving for 7 months and still spent way over. Now I'm planning a girls trip for 15 Months from now. Way more time to save! So I'd like to know, what are the best ways to save for and pay for your trips? My husband is not a big Disney fan so he said he doesn't care If I take the trip but wont help me pay for it. So that leaves asking him for money to save out of the question. How ever I do buy a $25 gift card every 2 weeks I go grocery shopping. I also saw on Pinterest that If you save dimes in a liter soda bottle it equals almost $700. If that's true ( heck Ill even take $300! ) I can do my air faire that way. But If anyone has any idea's on how to save and pay please let me know!!!

 

[aliceindisneyland]

I'm a stay at home mom. For now. I'm hoping to work soon but who knows. I just got back from WDW in April with my mom and 2 kids for 10 days. I was saving for 7 months and still spent way over. Now I'm planning a girls trip for 15 Months from now. Way more time to save! So I'd like to know, what are the best ways to save for and pay for your trips? My husband is not a big Disney fan so he said he doesn't care If I take the trip but wont help me pay for it. So that leaves asking him for money to save out of the question. How ever I do buy a $25 gift card every 2 weeks I go grocery shopping. I also saw on Pinterest that If you save dimes in a liter soda bottle it equals almost $700. If that's true ( heck Ill even take $300! ) I can do my air faire that way. But If anyone has any idea's on how to save and pay please let me know!!!

I'm trying to see how much I can add to my Disney fund as well!
First, I applied & got approved for the Southwest Premier Visa for 50k points bonus. I also applied for the Plus at the same time; if that doesn't go through DH will apply as well for another 50k. [I want both cards myself so I will earn the Companion Pass.] That's a lot easier than saving up a Coke bottle of dimes! Either way, we should be able to fly close to free from Phoenix to Orlando.

I put my Disney Visa referral on ebay and YNAB. I have already gotten 1 of the $50 bonuses and expect several more. If you have referrals available for your bank, credit cards, Swagbucks, ebates, etc. post them on facebook or a forum (not this one though, LOL!)

I sell stuff on ebay, craigslist, and facebook. I leave enough for the fees in Paypal and transfer the rest into my checking then into my Disney savings acct. (not the infamous Disney savings acct just Cap1 360!) The cash from craigslist/facebook goes into a jar and every couple of weeks I transfer that amount from my checking to my Disney savings (then I use the cash for groceries).

I take the money I save on fuel perks (Kroger is my grocery store that does this) and transfer it into my Disney fund. The other day I saved $23 on gas. Instead of just saying, "Hey, we got cheap gas!" I added $23 to the fuel bill on YNAB and transferred the $23 into my Disney savings. It is very easy to count savings twice if you do things like coupon (like paying for something at Walgreens to get a Register Reward so it "costs" $0, but using that Register Reward on something else later that also magically "costs" $0!) - or in this case, buy gift cards to get fuel perks - so I make sure my savings goes to Disney each time I use the fuel perks; I don't count the savings as gas savings since I have to buy gas no matter what.

I do Swagbucks but the SBTV app only, which gives me 50 pts a day just for starting it up and letting it run. Every 10 days I earn a $5 Target card. I use those to buy Disney gcs, or just offset my Target spending and transfer the savings into my Disney fund. (For me, the Amazon card doesn't go as far as Target; all of my Amazon spending is discretionary.)

I take advantage of bank sign up bonuses; for instance, I got $200 for signing up for Chase checking a couple months ago. The $200 bonus was in my acct within 2 days, so I transferred it into my Disney fund. I will be signing up for many more banks and credit cards throughout the year. I have to do the ccs slowly though as most of the really good bonuses require high purchases in a short amount of time to get the bonus.

I have a high estimate for my electric/water/gas bills based on crazy hot summer. (And all of those bills will always be less in the winter.) If the actual bills are less than my estimate, the extra gets transferred into the Disney fund. This is great incentive to get kids to turn off lights!

Since you don't have a job right now but are doing fine without, maybe once you start working you could put half your money to vacation and half to invest. That way you feel like you're working for something for fun and something for the future, and not just let your earnings get gobbled up with takeout or treating yourself because you're worn out from working.

First thing though, get a real bank account for Disney. Even better, get a real bank account with a nice sign up bonus!

 

[hpfan100]

Great tips Alice... Glad I found this.


I too did the SW visas and hoping to earn enough points for a companion pass.

 

[OhMari]

I shop online and do surveys through a reward site. I used to make around $500 a year, but I do not shop as much, but I still manage to earn $200.

 

[Scottishbrit]

Thanks for all the advice! I wont be looking into getting credit cards until I have a job to make payments. But I do do Swagbucks. I actually have close to "10,000 that Ive been saving for who knows what? So since I could only use the SB gift cards online I could buy $5 or $25 target ones and use those to buy Disney gift cards on the target website? I had no clue! That would defiantly help! I just Downloaded the SB Video app on my phone. So I just let it run all day ( how long does it take and how do I know Im getting swag bucks? ) to earn SB's?

 

[Aliceacc]

I was a SAHM for 5 years before returning to teaching high school math.

During the time I was home, I did two things to supplement our income: I tutored math, and I did lots of freelance writing.

I realize the tutoring thing is pretty specific, but have you tried freelance writing? I've done a lot more over the years, and it's something I enjoy. Google "freelance writing: parenting" or "freelance writing: whatever you may feel competent to write about."

Google the submission guidelines from any type of magazine you're comfortable writing for... parenting, crafts, plumbing, whatever. I wrote an article Thursday morning before school, polished it up after school, and submitted it to a magazine that I've worked with before. On Friday they said they wanted me to cut 400 words from it. I did, and it will be published in their winter edition.

If you're comfortable doing so, google education sites like Shmoop and see whether you're qualified for any of their openings.

If that doesn't work for you, put some thought into things you can do from home. Can you do daycare, particularly over the summer months when many parents struggle with finding someone qualified to watch their kids?

 

[cawqueen]

We're going on our first trip with our boys in December. I'm a SAHM, so I'm always looking for ways to save toward our trip. This will be a huge trip for us, and we could NEVER afford to pay for it from our regular budget. I agree with a lot of the suggestions aliceindisneyland posted.

I'm definitely using Swagbucks to contribute to our savings. With the SBTV app, there is a limit of 50 bucks per day. You can just let it play to earn those, but sometimes it can be a bit buggy, and you'll have to restart it or whatever. You may also be able to download the entertainow app which is similar. The max on it has been 90 SB per day lately. I often run these on my phone and my ipad in the mornings to get a good start. I usually log in and do the poll and NOSO every day as well as easier earning methods if there are any available--maybe try for a survey or two. It all depends on how much time I have. I've committed to spending up to an hour a day while I'm saving for our trip because it's worth it for me. I usually get paypal, so I can move it directly into my vacation savings account and keep it safe.

With the Target GCs, you can add them to your gift card account if you have their phone app, so you can actually use them in the store. It will let you combine them in the app, so you just have one barcode to scan. I don't think you can buy Disney GCs online at Target.

I'm working on getting some things ready for ebay, but I haven't done much of that so far. We had a yard sale this weekend because I'm trying to clear out our attic and declutter our house anyway. It wasn't amazing, but it was decent, and it gave us a little more cash savings. I made a cash savings tracker, and we have a family savings jar. My goal is to save enough on groceries and household items each month to put some cash from that budget into the jar. We're up to $950 so far in there!

One of my big things is my etsy shop. I sell downloadable items, so it's low effort for me once I've created the files, and I have been amazed at how well that has gone. That one is a little more specialized.

I hadn't thought about the Disney Visa referrals, I really need to look into that one! I'm stressing about it all a bit because we've had some unexpected medical things this year with my youngest. I don't like it when my plans get derailed.

 

[Latmlnsn]

I am doing a few craft shows prior to our trip. I'm hoping to contribute that way! I may also sell some items on etsy.
Even if I only make a few hundred dollars, but I am hoping for more. The last show I made these crafts for with my mother in law we made a good amount of money I'll be splitting the booth fees with a friend

 

[scrapquitler]

I'm a stay at home mom. For now. I'm hoping to work soon but who knows. I just got back from WDW in April with my mom and 2 kids for 10 days. I was saving for 7 months and still spent way over. Now I'm planning a girls trip for 15 Months from now. Way more time to save! So I'd like to know, what are the best ways to save for and pay for your trips? My husband is not a big Disney fan so he said he doesn't care If I take the trip but wont help me pay for it. So that leaves asking him for money to save out of the question. How ever I do buy a $25 gift card every 2 weeks I go grocery shopping. I also saw on Pinterest that If you save dimes in a liter soda bottle it equals almost $700. If that's true ( heck Ill even take $300! ) I can do my air faire that way. But If anyone has any idea's on how to save and pay please let me know!!!

Do you have clothes you (lor your kids) no longer wear? Sell them on Ebay, consigment shop, craigs list and put the money toward the trip.

Start couponing, and when the receipt says "you saved $X on coupons" put that money in your trip fund.

If your state has a bottle/can refund, save the money from that in your jar.

Put all your change in a jar at the end of the day.

When you buy things that have a rebate, save the rebate money for the trip.

If someone (family member) gives you a $ gift for a birthday or holiday, put that toward the trip.

If there's something that ou do regularly (Mani/pedi, coffee at Starbucks) do it half as much as you do now and put the money you saved toward the trip.

Have a yard sale.

Babysit someone else's kids once in a while.

 

[MelDane]

We use our Target Red Card at Target and buy Disney Gift Cards. This way we get 5% off the cost of the trip! If you don't have a red card you can get one as a debit card or as a credit card.

 

[Scottishbrit]

We use our Target Red Card at Target and buy Disney Gift Cards. This way we get 5% off the cost of the trip! If you don't have a red card you can get one as a debit card or as a credit card.

I wish Target sold the $25 gift cards though. I did see online at target that you can order gift cards there. Hopefully I can use my swag bucks to buy them!

 

[hsmamato2]

being a SAHM.... I know this....without actual 'income' I control the 'outgo' to make the budget work how I need it to. OP, it sounds like you're doing ok staying home...so how are you controlling the 'outgo'?
I save by quite literally removing what I need to save out of my weekly/monthly budget,then I make it work.
Groceries? no problem, there are weeks when I want to spend less...so I work more at actual food prep,and menu planning. I put the amount I saved over budgeted amount into that vacay acct. And no one notices,as long as they have plenty of food that tastes great! In addition to buying a gc when shopping, take a long look at your shopping list,is it based on sales, using items on hand, not buying premade things(making your own instead?) For instance, I can make 3-4 cakes at home for the cost of one premade cake at the grocery store...cut into slices, that's desserts and snacks for days.
Good plan on the cc if you can't pay it all off as you go debt doesn't help you at all.
as others have noted, any and all savings,coins, coupons used..all that goes into your disney fund.

 

[hsmamato2]

I'm a stay at home mom. My husband is not a big Disney fan so he said he doesn't care If I take the trip but wont help me pay for it. So that leaves asking him for money to save out of the question.

ALso...OP I'm not quite sure what this means...maybe you can clarify? In our home, I am the SAHM,always have been. Our arrangement is he works, brings home the check, I work inside the home,etc. It's a balance, but equal. That paycheck is OURS not his,I'm not just using 'his money'. Not saying that's not your case, but I'm not quite clear on the saving funds thing.... We have had discussions about my need/want to travel,and his to stay at home more,and how when I set aside money beyond our bills,etc- that I intend to use it for travel, not new purses and clothes. He gets the choice to accompany ,or not as he desires. ANd since he is assured that our budget remains intact, he is ok with this. (with a few reminders)
And I am careful in other budget areas, to keep my funds up for what I really want to do......

 

[misskari]

If you need to keep your vacation money separate (less likely to raid it) then check out disney's vacation account. It has some perks that may be useful to you.

 

[DawnM]

OP, you are in SoCal?

We moved from LA. If you are so close to DL, can't you do DL for a year or two to get your Disney fix while you save for WDW?

As far as savings without using your husband's $$, what money did you use and what money do you plan to use if not the $$ he brings home?

 

[Marionnette]

I'm a stay at home mom. For now. I'm hoping to work soon but who knows. I just got back from WDW in April with my mom and 2 kids for 10 days. I was saving for 7 months and still spent way over. Now I'm planning a girls trip for 15 Months from now. Way more time to save! So I'd like to know, what are the best ways to save for and pay for your trips? My husband is not a big Disney fan so he said he doesn't care If I take the trip but wont help me pay for it. So that leaves asking him for money to save out of the question. How ever I do buy a $25 gift card every 2 weeks I go grocery shopping. I also saw on Pinterest that If you save dimes in a liter soda bottle it equals almost $700. If that's true ( heck Ill even take $300! ) I can do my air faire that way. But If anyone has any idea's on how to save and pay please let me know!!!

How are you going to "save" money if you don't "earn" anything?

Scrounging dimes and skimming from the grocery budget isn't going to pay for a trip. Do you know how long it will take to fill a 2L bottle with dimes? A lot longer than you think! Those little suckers are tiny and thin. $700 = 7,000 dimes. In order to reach that amount in 15 months, you would need to be adding 15-16 dimes each and every day for the entire 15 months. Your goal of $300 is slightly more reasonable but it will still take you 5-6 dimes per day, every day, to reach that amount. By the time you get there, airfare will be an outrageous price!

Taking $25 every 2 weeks from the grocery budget is only going to net you $750 over a 15-month period. IMO, putting the money onto Disney GCs is not a wise savings plan unless you're getting a discount (like at Target or BJs) and if you will have to pay Disney that money anyway (like DVC owners who must pay their maintenance fees even if they don't travel to Disney that year). I think that having a savings account designated for travel is a better idea. You can always get at your cash in the event of an emergency when it's in savings but not if it is on a GC.

Sit down and figure out what the trip will probably cost you. As you already know, it's very easy to overspend at Disney. So, pad the budget to take that into account. Divide that number by 15 and this will give you a monthly goal for your savings. Then devise a way to reach that goal. TBH, I really think that you will need to find a source of income if your husband is not going to agree to contribute household money to your girls' trip. There are a lot of WAH opportunities for SAHMs. Try searching for the threads about the subject. It comes up often on here.

If all else fails, there's always the "gift trip". You just need to know someone who likes you enough to pay for you to go to Disney!

 

[Aliceacc]

You just need to know someone who likes you enough to pay for you to go to Disney!

And when you find him, could you please introduce me??? PLEASE???

I agree.. nickels and dimes won't get you to WDW while your kids are still young. You need income.

Give some serious thought into what you can do from home, or into how you could make a part time job work. Or have a discussion with your husband about family finances.

But dimes in a jar are for spending money, not trip money. We saved all our change since our last trip... it came to to $750 or so. Phenomenal for spending money, but a drop in the bucket as far as financing our trip goes.

 

[ellochka]

How are you going to "save" money if you don't "earn" anything?

Scrounging dimes and skimming from the grocery budget isn't going to pay for a trip. Do you know how long it will take to fill a 2L bottle with dimes? A lot longer than you think! Those little suckers are tiny and thin. $700 = 7,000 dimes. In order to reach that amount in 15 months, you would need to be adding 15-16 dimes each and every day for the entire 15 months. Your goal of $300 is slightly more reasonable but it will still take you 5-6 dimes per day, every day, to reach that amount. By the time you get there, airfare will be an outrageous price!

Taking $25 every 2 weeks from the grocery budget is only going to net you $750 over a 15-month period. IMO, putting the money onto Disney GCs is not a wise savings plan unless you're getting a discount (like at Target or BJs) and if you will have to pay Disney that money anyway (like DVC owners who must pay their maintenance fees even if they don't travel to Disney that year). I think that having a savings account designated for travel is a better idea. You can always get at your cash in the event of an emergency when it's in savings but not if it is on a GC.

Sit down and figure out what the trip will probably cost you. As you already know, it's very easy to overspend at Disney. So, pad the budget to take that into account. Divide that number by 15 and this will give you a monthly goal for your savings. Then devise a way to reach that goal. TBH, I really think that you will need to find a source of income if your husband is not going to agree to contribute household money to your girls' trip. There are a lot of WAH opportunities for SAHMs. Try searching for the threads about the subject. It comes up often on here.

If all else fails, there's always the "gift trip". You just need to know someone who likes you enough to pay for you to go to Disney!

That's some tough love!

I agree, though, skimming $50 off groceries a month is admirable, but it's not going to pay for the whole trip. It also depends on how these savings impact your everyday life. I am skeptical about enduring 15 months of misery to pay for one week of fun.

The conversation should truly be between you and your DH. I am the breadwinner, so the whole dynamics of DH not willing to pay and you have to skim and save is kind of weird to me. It seems like he does not care what you want, so you are going to make sure he gets no steak for the next 15 months. Just does not seem right.

 

[Marionnette]

That's some tough love!

I prefer to think of it as being a realist. Sometimes we get so blinded by pixie dust that doing the math just becomes impossible. If I have 15 months to save -oh let's just say- $3,000 for a trip, I can look at it as "WOW! I have lots of time to do it!" But when you break it down to "I've got to save $200/month or $50/week!", reality sets in and you begin to wonder how the heck you're going to do it when Christmas rolls around or the in-laws come to visit for a week and totally blow your grocery budget!

I agree, though, skimming $50 off groceries a month is admirable, but it's not going to pay for the whole trip. It also depends on how these savings impact your everyday life. I am skeptical about enduring 15 months of misery to pay for one week of fun.

It doesn't sound like a walk in the park to me, either. And it's especially not fair the the people who have to suffer alongside of you but don't even get that one week of fun (aka the husband in this case).

The conversation should truly be between you and your DH. I am the breadwinner, so the whole dynamics of DH not willing to pay and you have to skim and save is kind of weird to me. It seems like he does not care what you want, so you are going to make sure he gets no steak for the next 15 months. Just does not seem right.

Agreed! A SAHP contributes to the household budget, even if it just means the family is saving on the cost of daycare by virtue of therm being at home. Finances should be discussed and agreed on by both partners. That includes discussing changes in the family dynamics if the SAHP decides to return to the workforce.

Good luck, OP! I didn't mean to toss a cold bucket of water on your Disney dreams. I just wanted to point out that you really need a good plan in place if you're going to save up to entirely pay for a trip in 15 months. Dimes in a soda bottle and $25 GC purchases aren't going to do the trick on their own.

 

[hsmamato2]

I agree with pp..... Saving change,etc is not going to pay a whole trip. Not tough love,just reality. I 100% Agree......price out what you want,set a target date,and divide that (big) number by how many weeks you have to save,that gives you the amount you need to either remove from your current budget,or earn somehow. Please don't buy disney gift cards,the small savings is not worth the headache of having them in your pocket if you can't go. start a special account to set aside your disney money. That way, if something doesn't work out, you can still use your savings elsewhere.