Why do YOU post/read the Budget Board?

[HighClass]

Ok I'm confused here.

I honestly thought most posters on this board stay at the Pop Century, pay rent, have limited income and are here for tips for saving for a Budget Disney trip.


We've got people with incomes of $300k- $500k
Kids that go to expensive Summer Camps
A guy who wants to lug a suitcase of Spam and Tuna Fish to a Luxury Carribean Resort.




So what exactly IS the purpose of the Budget Board?

 

[minnie1928]

Ok I'm confused here.

I honestly thought most posters on this board stay at the Pop Century, pay rent, have limited income and are here for tips for saving for a Budget Disney trip.


We've got people with incomes of $300k- $500k
Kids that go to expensive Summer Camps
A guy who wants to lug a suitcase of Spam and Tuna Fish to a Luxury Carribean Resort.




So what exactly IS the purpose of the Budget Board?

I come here for the same reason as many others, I look for ways to save money so that I can have fun (preferably at WDW). It's about priorities, just because a person makes $300,000 doesn't mean that they can't look for cheaper ways to do things. There are plenty of people that make that kind of money and spend it all...I'd prefer to not model their behavior.

BTW - I don't rent, I've never stayed at POP, but I still am on the Budget board every day.

 

[tchrrx]

I come on here for the coupons & sales that others alert me to.

 

[QVCshopper]

I own my own home and cars, take nice vacations to Disney , have a decent savings for retirement/emergency/kid's education, put myself through college, and don't stress about bills.

How did I get there? By working hard and being frugal -- since my first job at 14 when my parents borrowed money from me to pay the bills. That taught me a great lesson about money... I still watch my pennies and know where they're going, because they add up quick.

That's why I read the budget board.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I read the Budget Board (and sometimes post) because it's made me over $1,000 this year and saves me money. I would NEVER have known about ChaCha or selling my old gold or buying coupons on Ebay, etc if not for the Budget Board.

Oh I also come on here to check out any good sales I might be interested in

 

[cglaura]

I think alot of times the word "Budget" gets a bad rap. For me, I come to the budget board to find ways to make the most of my money.

I think of a budget in terms of how to spend money wisely, not that you don't have any money so need a budget.

I think too, it is a grand misnomer that someone with all the bells and whistles and high income don't have to budget. It is very easy to spend wrecklessly if you don't have any concept of budget. A bit easier to live, probably.
But the average 'wealthy" person got there by saving, not by have ginormeous incomes....the millionaire next door type of thing (Average joe w/ average car and modest live, but has lots of moolah in the bank).

My favs here are the CVS & Freebie thread

 

[jessica52877]

I read because I love to learn about a bargain or tips to save money. I try to post if I feel I can add to the conversation. I love to see how others do things (or don't do things).

I do usually stay at Pop (son's favorite but I love the price), but don't rent or have debt. Reading here also makes me know that I will do everything possible to never go into debt.

I love saving money! Of course, we all know that the budget board is also great for spending our money! LOL!

 

[Belle5]

Some of the wealthiest people I know are very frugal--kind of the "Millionaire Next Door" philosophy. An older woman who has mentored me since I was born (very wealthy) has always told me, "Just because you have it doesn't mean you have to spend it."

I love the motivation and ideas I receive on this board.

 

[fatuhiva]

I don't understand the perception that to be reading/posting on a budget board means you don't earn a lot of money, own a house, etc... Perhaps people who are here that can afford expensive camps can do that because of the money they save bargain hunting in other areas.

For many, many, many people being bargain consious is simply a way of life. I was raised that way. Even if I suddenly tripled my salary, won the lottery or inherited a million dollars that wouldn't change. I can't fathom why someome wouldn't look for the best deal on something they were buying.

 

[rumrunnergirl]

.

 

[Disneyliscious]

I read/post here because I learn about lots of great things and deals. Why, just yesterday I learned that you can freeze cheese!!

Im the mom who will buy 50 packs of something on sale and keep it for later use. If 2 liter drinks are on sale for $.79 each, I'll but a hundred of them and store them in the closet and use as needed. Much better than paying $1.49 the following week.

I also love the debates and learning about how others live. It fascinates me. I try not to be judgemental and I never, ever intend on hurting anyones feelings. If I question something, its because I truly want to know. I try to be as rational as I can, while offering alternative points of view, even if they are points I dont agree with.

I love the frugal people, whether they do it by choice or need. Im one who would still shop at Wal-Mart or the Dollar Store even if I had plenty of money. Im sure I'd splurge too, but finding a great deal is like a challenge to me.....a hunt. I love bringing my "prize' home.

I really enjoy the people on this board. There are some very smart peeps who know much more than me and I can learn from them.

I missed the thread about the guy wanting to take a case of tuna to a deluxe resort....lol. I say....whatever floats your boat man! I think things like that ROCK!!

 

[Disneyliscious]

Didn't you ever hear that old joke about the guy who pulls up to K-Mart in his limo, and someone asks him "Why do you shop at KMart if you can afford a limo?" and he replies "It's because I shop at KMart that I *can* afford a limo!"

Just because you make more than the "national average" or have enough disposable income (maybe from being frugal???) that you can send your child to an expensive summer camp doesn't disqualify you from being "budget minded". One person's frugality is another person's frivolty. We all make different choices as to what is important to us based on our personal beliefs, family life, health issues, income, number of children to support, etc. Every family is different, but the one thing we like to do is save money - no matter how much we make or have left over after bills - and that's why we visit the budget board.

So what if someone earns $300K or more per year. Maybe the husband pays $100K per year to his ex-wife for child support. Maybe the couple have a child with severe health issues beyond what their insurance covers. Maybe they support elderly parents in addition to themselves. Maybe they have a huge mortgage - and don't say "so sell the house!" - there has to be a buyer - and maybe the market value of the house isn't enough over the mortgage to even make sense selling. Who knows? We should all just support one another in our frugal quests.

....and she said all that without a single drop of RUM!

PS - ITA with you!

 

[Leajess99]

Ok I'm confused here.

I honestly thought most posters on this board stay at the Pop Century, pay rent, have limited income and are here for tips for saving for a Budget Disney trip.


We've got people with incomes of $300k- $500k
Kids that go to expensive Summer Camps
A guy who wants to lug a suitcase of Spam and Tuna Fish to a Luxury Carribean Resort.




So what exactly IS the purpose of the Budget Board?

When I was on Active Duty I had a friend who was also a soldier that drove a crappy car and many used to think he was poor or spent his paycheck foolishly since he was a Sergeant and all. What shocked so many was that not only did he have his Army paycheck, he had a nice inheritance and he chose to drive his car and not waste money on a new one. He was planning for his future and was very frugal. If he went out to eat he ate very cheap.

The moral is that just because someone chooses to be frugal and save money does not mean they are "poor" as seems to be insinuated.

 

[rparmfamily]

Ok the guy going to Atlantis wants to bring frozen chicken, not Spam LOL.

I love the Budget Board!!

 

[NMAmy]

A guy who wants to lug a suitcase of Spam and Tuna Fish to a Luxury Carribean Resort.

I don't know the purpose of the Budget Board and I rarely post on it. I do read the board pretty often, though, just to read threads like the one above.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I read the Budget Board because people often post about really cool things I can use. Sales at Victoria's Secret, Crocs on clearance, the Disney Visa discount on the PhotoPass CD, that sort of thing.

I learned about ordering glasses for DS from Zenni Optical. Got a pair of prescription sunglasses for him to wear at WDW for $18.

I post when I find good deals on things - Baggalini bags at Marshall's, for example.

I tend to look for threads that pertain to things I would buy anyway. Sometimes I read threads I think are bizarre, just for fun.

 

[Missy1961]

I don't know the purpose of the Budget Board and I rarely post on it. I do read the board pretty often, though, just to read threads like the one above.

Me too!

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

I'm on the Budget Board to make the most of the money I have, no matter how much that may be. I have learned from others who have more knowledge than I do (particularly about the global economy), and I hope I have helped at least one DISer find a good deal or plan their trips or get out of debt. I especially like cheering on people who are trying to get out of debt and celebrating with those who have.

What I'M confused about is why anyone would think that someone who makes a reasonable amount of money wouldn't have a budget? Or why someone who makes six figures wouldn't want that money to go as far as possible? Many people who stay Deluxe cut back in other ways to afford to do that. Many people who stay at Pop stay there because it is fun and it suits their needs. Where people stay on vacation is not necessarily indicative of income.

 

[jmminarik]

Some of the wealthiest people I know are very frugal--kind of the "Millionaire Next Door" philosophy.

2 thoughts and an answer:

1. Being frugal means getting the best value for one's money. It doesn't mean cheapest. It's cheaper for us to go camping for 2 weeks, but worth the money for us to own DVC instead.

2. I think it was Ted Turner...but back in the 80's he drove a plain off the lot Ford Crown Vic seeing no need to waste money on a fancy car or a limo for daily driving.

3. I read this board because most people here get it...and people always like to hear that what they think isn't outrageous or utterly goofy. Just look at the number of posts throughout the site from people commenting about how they get 'You're going to Disney AGAIN?' from people, and how quickly others post to tell them, "no, you're not insane".

 

[Tiger926]

As an English teacher, I will remind people that the word 'budget' can be used as a noun, verb and adjective. Within all of those meanings, you will find your answer as to what the budget board means to people.

It's silly that people on here constantly assume that people on a 'budget' are poor, can't afford to stay anywhere else besides Value resorts, and are in debt. Oprah Winfrey is the richest woman in the world, and she shops at Target. She also shops at Cartier and Prada - I'm sure it depends upon what part of her budget she is working at that moment.

So, I come on here to read tips of how other people are working their 'budgets', so for me, I use 'budget' as a noun - it is a financial plan or an itemized plan of spending. It is not a way to categorize or judge people into a certain social class level, as so many people on here claim it to be.

My parents are very well off and haven't had a mortgage in over 30 years, yet they shop discount stores, buy day old food and clip coupons. If you were to see them, most days, they don't look the part (as used by many on here), as they wear older clothes and drive older cars. They work their budget in amazing ways, hence the reason why they are so well off. Buying expensive stuff, even though they can afford it, is not of value to them, so they don't do it. They do have an amazingingly large home, as that is what is of value to them (my dad is a contractor and chef), as they constantly have family/friends over for weekly dinners, as well as people from out of town. If my mom was a DISer, this would probably be her favourite board, yet if many of you saw her financial report, you would probably say she didn't belong here, based on the other meaning of 'budget.' Just something for us to remember, when we are figuring out why we come here - where you live, how you vacation, and what you drive, can not be used as a way to categorize people into financial pegs.

So, whether I stay at Pop Century, or the Grand Floridian, it is advantageous for me to be on a 'budget' in order to stretch my dollars as far as they can go. Why wouldn't I do that? Why can't someone who can afford a deluxe hotel stay, not be allowed or expected to have a financial plan?

It's an interesting discussion and one that I'm sure will generate lots of interesting replies!

Tiger