What do you sacrifice to go to Disney?

[drakethib]

While we have a nice home, we could probably triple our house payment and pay it on time.

Instead we use the "extra" money to enjoy life and make sure we have some for a rainy day.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I don't think we sacrifice anything, as Disney is inlcuded in our budget (annual paasses, resort stays and this year a 7-day cruise). I would say it is more lifestyle choices. We could choose to vacation elsewhere, but we really prefer WDW even though it's close to home.

 

[MnParrothead]

We have lived in the same "starter home" for 15 years with the same small mortgage and we drive used, reliable cars until they are on their last leg.

 

[LadyyRedd]

I'm single, my car is paid off (has been for almost 4 years), I have no kids, I don't spend my money on designer things (for the most part), I make a very nice income and the ONLY debt I have is my mortgage. I use credit cards each month only for cashback privileges and pay them in full each month. I don't buy things I can't pay off at the end of the month unless it's something big (furniture, home repairs, car repairs). I choose to spend my extra money on "experiences" rather than "things". I like travelling and going to the theatre, concerts, etc.

Kimya

 

[nowellsl]

I quit going to Target

 

[cardaway]

The only "sacrafice" we make is not going on vacation until we have the cash in our savings. We do charge it all to get the rewards points, but the money is there to pay off the full balance when we receive the bill. We would like to go on vacation more often, so recently our goals and budgets have shifted to allow that to happen.

 

[JimB.]

Sleep........................................

 

[Sylvester McBean]

$745.00 per year for 1 annual and 2 seasonal passes.

 

[Trish5768]

I have been known to pick up a part time job to pay for our trips. That and throwing all your spare change in a jug really add up.

 

[Ragnrok23]

Every week I have an extra 50.00 taken out of my cheque in tax, I know it is crazy to give the government extra money, but it is a forced savings for us that we can't use for something else. So when our income tax comes back I know that I have approx. an extra 2500.00 towards our vacation, that coupled with my vacation pay of 3000.00, we can afford our vacation wherever it is.

Instead of "lending" your money to the government interest free, have you thought of opening an account that automaticly deducts a certain amount every week from your checking acoount? That way you earn interest on the money also?

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

DH isn't a Disney fan, so if I want to go, I have to be the one to save the money. Fortunately, we've got good communication on money stuff, so he pays all the bills except for my student loan from his paycheck, and I just cover the student loan with my salary. He gets paid way more than I do, so it's made sense for us to do it this way. My rule is that if I pay $800 for my loan, I can put $400 in my "Disney account". If I only pay $400 on the loan, I only put $200 towards Disney. It helps DH feel better about my saving for a WDW trip, and I learn some fiscal responsibility!

By cutting back on the little things, I have more money each month to pay my student loans, and so more money can go into the Disney savings. So I make my own lattes and such at home (I've had my espresso machine for 6 years now...), I shop at Goodwill instead of Macy's, I bring lunch rather than going out, I borrow books/videos/DVDs/CDs from the library or friends rather than buying them, I use a cheaper hairstylist and limit the number of visits per year, etc. etc.

I also periodically sort through our books, clothes, etc. and sell stuff on eBay or have a garage sale. Any money I get from stuff I sell goes straight into the Disney fund - DH says it's my "pay check" for the hours I put into selling the stuff, and he likes it that we're paring down bit by bit (combining his stuff and my stuff into our 800 sq. ft home has resulted in a lot of clutter and feeling rather cramped...more stuff for me to sell on eBay!).