What do you "sacrifice" for Disney vacations? About This Page:

[krisk11]

We seem to do everything that everyone else does. Change jar, gave up morning coffee at Wawa, pack lunch, try not to eat out. Also my paycheck each week ends in $4 so I always get 4 ones when I cash it and I throw them in the change jar each week too. I also round up my check book. If I write a check or do an online bill pay for say $88.50 I will write $89.00 in my checkbook so I then have an extra $0.50 in the bank. It adds up as a nice cushion against mistakes and once I get too much in there I transfer it to a savings account or withdraw it and put it in the change jar.

[italyqt]

We have been trying to go for years but something always comes up that sucks up our money. Being PIF has eased my mind a bit but we still need all the "extras" money; kennels, tips, airport parking, breakfasts, taxis, etc. We have what we need tucked away for the trip but I'm always worried something will pop-up.

We are giving up some home renovations for the trip. Mostly, the money we spent for the trip was going to pay for carpeting but we figure carpeting can wait another year.

I think I will stop holding me breath when I see the big ole signs that say "Welcome!!"

[spluto18]

I do the same around 2007I started using Quicken to track income and expenses and boy was I in for a shock so I had to completely adjust my spending habits which finally for 2010 I am ahead (hopefully will not jinx myself) this now allows me to see where I can cut back and to see improvement from the year before.

Another thing I do is if I don't have the cash (and my savings does not count) I don't go somewhere or buy something. I use my Disney VISA card to earn rewards for my trip, however when I use it I deduct it out of my checking account as already been spent and is not available for use.

I put a set amount of money away every week and am finding that to my new method I do not hit my savings except for what I plan on.

[EmilyJ]

It wasnt intentional, but my husband got a job at a grocery store. I started shopping there so we could visit him during the days. It has saved SO much money. I use to grocery shop at Walmart, and I would throw in toys, movies (ALWAYS movies) treats ect. At this new grocery store, I shop JUST the perimeter. The ONLY thing I go into the center of the store for is Tortillas. It is saving SO much money. I only go to Walmart now if I need a gift or shampoo ect.

[tracibobs]

I know exactly what you mean walmart is my big weakness i go in for a cople things that should only come to like 10 bucks and I walk out 100 bucks later so i have come to start sending my hubby to get things he is one of those guys walks to what he needs to get and gets out it has started to help alot.

Originally Posted by EmilyJ

It wasnt intentional, but my husband got a job at a grocery store. I started shopping there so we could visit him during the days. It has saved SO much money. I use to grocery shop at Walmart, and I would throw in toys, movies (ALWAYS movies) treats ect. At this new grocery store, I shop JUST the perimeter. The ONLY thing I go into the center of the store for is Tortillas. It is saving SO much money. I only go to Walmart now if I need a gift or shampoo ect.

[Mom of three 1971]

Originally Posted by Colexis Mom

We try to go out to eat less, and do less impulse spending. Try putting money away every week, or every month. I don't work anymore, and if I leave the house, I spend money, so frankly, I try not to leave the house if I don't have to. Less temptation! We're going to DL/Southern Cal for 2 weeks this summer, so I know how you're feeling!

Marnie! That was so cute...I'm the same though....if I go out....I'm spending!

[Mom of three 1971]

What do we give up? Anything. Everything. Whatever we need too.
I have to say, though, if it came down to giving up the kid's extras, (dance classes, voice lessons, local amusement park visits), I don't know if we could do it. DH Jeff and I are good about giving up things for ourselves...instead of going out we break out "the schedule" and talk about our next trip. It's much harder for our kids to sacrifice.
While I do work, I only have a casual position and make my own hours. So, I guess my biggest sacrifice is picking up more hours and going into work

[emilyandlogansmom]

Some things we have done:

We realized our insurance rates had slowly been going up every year (no reason, no claims), so we shopped around and between the homeowners policy and auto, we saved about $600 a year! (this equates to free QS dining plan in the world of Kellie math)

We have cut back on cable, but because the majority of the channels we watched were on a much smaller plan. Those one or two shows a week on some of the higher channels were not worth the cost to us.

Our family "shares" a cell phone plan. My husband's father has the bill in his name, but has phones for all of his kids on it...we pay $10/month.

I'm big on coupons. I find that I remember to use them when I have the mentality of "all money I saved go to the Disney jar." It's sort of a game to me, to see how much I can "save" for the trip.

I try really, really hard to think about if we truly NEED something before I purchase. Clothing for my kids is a weakness...it's hard to pass up a sale, but those little things add up. I'm pretty good at doing quick math for all purchases and asking family members, "Do you realize that's worth 40 Mickey ice creams?!" Silly, but it helps put some things in perspective.

[emilyandlogansmom]

Oh, another big thing that I do to help is that I figure out how much we "should" be spending on groceries/toiletries. Add enough for maybe one meal out and a little bit for entertainment, and I take that much cash out on paydays, enough to cover until the next payday. It serves as a good visual and if any money is spent over that amount, I'm taking out money again and that's a big indicator that I need to keep it in check.

[benjiboo25]

Originally Posted by emilyandlogansmom

Some things we have done:

We realized our insurance rates had slowly been going up every year (no reason, no claims), so we shopped around and between the homeowners policy and auto, we saved about $600 a year! (this equates to free QS dining plan in the world of Kellie math) .

I LOVE "Kellie Math!"

[Nick and Ryans Mom]

I signed up as a substitute in our school district this year to help with my Disney-addiction. I am surprised by how much I am enjoying working after 13+ years as a SAHM.

Now that I am working I find that I am going out to lunch with my friends a lot less and I am spending significantly less time and money in the stores. So not only am I making money but I am also saving money!

Good Luck!!

[italyqt]

Kellie I love your math!! In our house we have Star Wars math. My husband can tell you how many Star Wars figures whatever you are buying cost.

I am considering setting up a dedicated savings account for Disney. I'd really like to start returning every other year as deployments allow. I have heard a good tip if you have a dedicated account is to put all rebates, gifts, and "surprise" money into that account.

[benjiboo25]

About 2 weeks in to our new "budget reality" and I continue to be motivated.

I just wanted to share some of the little lifestyle adjustments we have made. I think I ahd no awareness of how much $ wespent on little things:

A few days ago, our bathroom drain was running S-L-O-W...We usually have Draino on hand to clear the clogs. I was about to add it to my shopping list. Then I thought---My dad never used Draino---I asked DH if he could take a shot at unclogging the drain the "old fashioned" way. He pasued for a second, and decided he would try--within 15 minutesd the drain was PERFECT. Bam--$6 for the Disney jar.

DD brought home a flyer from school advertising a "princess for a day" activity with the local town "royalty" ("Miss... and her court"). For $15, girls would hang out with the Queen and princess, play games, do crafts, and have makeup applied. I asked my DD, "Should we sign you up for this, or should we put the $15 in the Disney jar?"...My little darling SHOUTED "Disney Jar!"

We are on our way...

[Tyme4WDW]

I give myself an allowance of $25 each week. If there is any money left over (there's always money left over since I'd rather go to Disney then spend this money on anything) by the end of the week that money gets placed in my Disney jar which I take to the Disney Store to have put onto a Disney Gift Card which can be used at Disney.

For birthday's, stocking stuffers at Christmas, Easter basket fillers, etc... I get the kids some Disney money to go towards their spending.

I book ahead of time and make monthly payments towards the trip.

We do not eat out except for once in a blue moon. Money that would have been spent eating out goes into the Disney jar.

We do not go out to the movies except for maybe once every other month or so. Most times we wait until it comes out on DVD. The money saved here goes into the Disney jar.

Tax returns goes towards Disney trips.

[Lemap760]

I usually depend on my tax refund for our Disney vacations. Starting this year however the refund is going to summer camp so I don't see any Disney trips in the near future.