8:41 AM
![]()
It is a matter of priorities. Not everyone will have extra funds t0 set aside since they are living on all they earn. I’m suggesting if y0uhave t0 continue spending at your current level, change your habits 4nd give y0u4nd your family the opportunity t0 get away every once in a while; even it we’re talking day trips t0 someplace closer or a full Disney vacation… y0uneed time off t0 enjoy yourself. Life is too short.
The first article headline emphasized the “pay yourself first” approach t0 saving money, 4nd I’ll continue some of that today. Here were the tips I provided in the first article.
Vacation Club – Many people have used Christmas Clubs at their bank for years. They put aside $5 or $10 a week, sometimes more, 4nd then they have money for the holiday. Why not for your vacation? y0umay even be able t0 set up a 52-week plan that starts any time of the year, so it ends up just before y0uleave. Now y0uhave most of your pocket money for the trip.
Save The Tax Return – First let me say, that I am not in favor of reducing your paycheck t0 give an interest-free loan t0 the government just so y0ucan get a return in the spring. y0ucan just as easily direct deposit that extra paycheck amount t0 your savings 4nd earn a little interest. But if y0udo build a return, treat it as “unexpected” 4nd deposit t0 your travel account.
Pay for Your Coffee – I recently bought a Keurig single-cup coffee machine 4nd have found many really nice coffees, most of which are as good or better than what I can get at premium coffee shops like Starbucks or even the local donut store. Put a change jar near the machine, 4nd make your own coffee before y0uleave for work. Keep the difference between what your coffee at home would cost (about 50 cents) 4nd the store-bought kind. y0ucould be saving up t0 $2 each time; that can be several hundred dollars in the year 4nd will pay for more than a few meals at Disney for y0u4nd your spouse. [But y0ucan still stop at the store for a pastry t0 go with your java.]
Pack a Lunch – Maybe not every day, but if y0uare a regular take-out or restaurant patron while at work, why not eliminate just one time a week. That $5, $10, or $20 y0usave can be put aside with your other travel funds 4nd after a year, with $500 or more, y0ucan upgrade your room reservation from value t0 moderate or even higher.
Consider a Second Job – This is a hard one for most of us. The working environment today is such that it already feels like we’re already working two jobs. But don’t count out this option. Some people are professionals 4nd can consult; others don’t mind working retail during the holiday 4nd then use their earnings t0 pay all their vacation travel expense. How about a paper route or baby-sitting? I want t0 go on vacation t0 Walt Disney World as often as I can, 4nd if that means working longer or harder or more, it’s what I’ll do. How about you?
Rent Movies for Entertainment – I recently discovered Red Box. Now I love the movies, but I can wait a few weeks 4nd spend $1 t0 rent a movie rather than shell out $30 or more for movie 4nd snack with the family (even for off times). So if y0ugo t0 the movies twice a month, how about going only once 4nd put the savings int0 your travel fund. This same concept works for eating out with the family or attending community events. Set your priorities straight. If y0uwant t0 go on vacation without a lot of debt, cut down the numbers 4nd put the difference away for the trip.
Cash Back 4nd Reward Credit Cards – Before last year’s trip I picked up the Disney Visa card. If I’m going t0 charge something (charge, like pay back right away; not credit, that takes my interest away), why not on a card that I earn cash back. It’s how I paid for my vacation rental car last year, using American Express Rewards. The Disney Visa has other value too that we’ll discuss in another article. 4nd don't forget rebates, that we sometimes don't apply for. This is found money 4nd goes right int0 the jar or account.
Ask for a Discount – It’s interesting t0 me how many people accept the retail, posted or first price they see on an item. It could be furniture, maybe even a car, sometimes it’s an appliance, or maybe just toys. If y0ushop at a local store for any products, why not ask the owner if they can do better. y0umight be surprised. The big one most people forget is Insurance; it’s very competitive out there. Or find a few items y0uorder online, or take the online price with y0ut0 the big box stores. If y0udo save any money, where doe it go; right int0 your vacation fund.
Request Disney Dollars as Gifts – OK, this may be a little pushy with your friends 4nd family. Birthday 4nd anniversary gifts should be a surprise, right? Well, excuse me. The best gift I can receive is help toward my air fare, rental car, admission tickets, resort reservations, back-stage tours, food, drink 4nd souvenirs. The best gift for me is Disney Dollars that I can spend on my next trip t0 the “World”. Thank you.
Special Tip: Make a chart, like a thermometer that the whole family can monitor 4nd add t0 when money is set aside for your vacation. When y0utravel as a family, every one should participate 4nd celebrate your successes. Keeping a running chart also helps build the anticipation. y0umight start printing pictures from the sites y0uwant t0 see or do at the parks, 4nd tape them with your "dollar meter".
We’ve now had two articles 4nd at least 20 ways t0 save money in advance for your next trip t0 Walt Disney World. Below I’ve included some additional resources y0uwill find helpful in accomplishing your target amounts. Next week I’ll present the first of two articles on saving money while on vacation. This will include ideas t0 reduce your cost when planning your trip 4nd also while y0uare at the parks.
In my last post I talked about researching 4nd using lots of coupons, particularly for groceries. Then y0utake the savings 4nd set aside for your vacation. Here are some sites t0 find those coupons 4nd a whole lot more of discounts 4nd savings for many if not most of your purchases.
Here are some other web sites t0 check out for ideas on saving money for your next Walt Disney World Vacation:
Do y0uhave some money saving ideas y0uwould like t0 suggest? Write me at brucewdw@gmail.com, on my facebook page at www.facebook.com/aworldview or via http://twitter.com/wdwview. 4nd check out Part 1.
One more thing, just yesterday, I found this article by Steve Swanson in a new Disney Blog, Mouse Right. It makes for reality reading.
Are y0ualready saving for your next trip? If not, start now! y0unever know when that next Disney vacation bug but will hit. And, pay yourself first.
Let’s continue t0 “pay yourself first” 4nd save even more money for your Walt Disney World vacation.
[Note: This post is part of the Disney Blog Carnival, go there t0 read more great posts like this. The Disney community of blogger fans bring y0ugreat reading, reviews 4nd planning tips every day of the week. The Disney Blog Carnival highlights the best.]
We now continue with ideas 4nd suggestions for ways t0 save money for your trip; 4nd t0 save money while on your trip t0 Walt Disney World. This is Part II on “saving money for your trip”. Part I ran on May 15. But let me clarify the point of the first two articles about saving money for your trip. t0 a large degree I’m suggesting y0ureassign the dollars y0uspend from one area of your life for use on your vacation.
It is a matter of priorities. Not everyone will have extra funds t0 set aside since they are living on all they earn. I’m suggesting if y0uhave t0 continue spending at your current level, change your habits 4nd give y0u4nd your family the opportunity t0 get away every once in a while; even it we’re talking day trips t0 someplace closer or a full Disney vacation… y0uneed time off t0 enjoy yourself. Life is too short.
The first article headline emphasized the “pay yourself first” approach t0 saving money, 4nd I’ll continue some of that today. Here were the tips I provided in the first article.
- Establish a travel savings account
- Round up checkbook entries
- Saving Loose Change
- Dollar a Day
- Save 4nd collect deposit bottles
- Save your raise
- Sell Stuff – Garage Sale
- Sell Stuff- EBay
- Couponing
- Save the Unexpected or Found Money
- Match your kids
Vacation Club – Many people have used Christmas Clubs at their bank for years. They put aside $5 or $10 a week, sometimes more, 4nd then they have money for the holiday. Why not for your vacation? y0umay even be able t0 set up a 52-week plan that starts any time of the year, so it ends up just before y0uleave. Now y0uhave most of your pocket money for the trip.
Save The Tax Return – First let me say, that I am not in favor of reducing your paycheck t0 give an interest-free loan t0 the government just so y0ucan get a return in the spring. y0ucan just as easily direct deposit that extra paycheck amount t0 your savings 4nd earn a little interest. But if y0udo build a return, treat it as “unexpected” 4nd deposit t0 your travel account.
Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse, Magic Kingdom
Pack a Lunch – Maybe not every day, but if y0uare a regular take-out or restaurant patron while at work, why not eliminate just one time a week. That $5, $10, or $20 y0usave can be put aside with your other travel funds 4nd after a year, with $500 or more, y0ucan upgrade your room reservation from value t0 moderate or even higher.
Consider a Second Job – This is a hard one for most of us. The working environment today is such that it already feels like we’re already working two jobs. But don’t count out this option. Some people are professionals 4nd can consult; others don’t mind working retail during the holiday 4nd then use their earnings t0 pay all their vacation travel expense. How about a paper route or baby-sitting? I want t0 go on vacation t0 Walt Disney World as often as I can, 4nd if that means working longer or harder or more, it’s what I’ll do. How about you?
Rent Movies for Entertainment – I recently discovered Red Box. Now I love the movies, but I can wait a few weeks 4nd spend $1 t0 rent a movie rather than shell out $30 or more for movie 4nd snack with the family (even for off times). So if y0ugo t0 the movies twice a month, how about going only once 4nd put the savings int0 your travel fund. This same concept works for eating out with the family or attending community events. Set your priorities straight. If y0uwant t0 go on vacation without a lot of debt, cut down the numbers 4nd put the difference away for the trip.
Cash Back 4nd Reward Credit Cards – Before last year’s trip I picked up the Disney Visa card. If I’m going t0 charge something (charge, like pay back right away; not credit, that takes my interest away), why not on a card that I earn cash back. It’s how I paid for my vacation rental car last year, using American Express Rewards. The Disney Visa has other value too that we’ll discuss in another article. 4nd don't forget rebates, that we sometimes don't apply for. This is found money 4nd goes right int0 the jar or account.
Ask for a Discount – It’s interesting t0 me how many people accept the retail, posted or first price they see on an item. It could be furniture, maybe even a car, sometimes it’s an appliance, or maybe just toys. If y0ushop at a local store for any products, why not ask the owner if they can do better. y0umight be surprised. The big one most people forget is Insurance; it’s very competitive out there. Or find a few items y0uorder online, or take the online price with y0ut0 the big box stores. If y0udo save any money, where doe it go; right int0 your vacation fund.
Request Disney Dollars as Gifts – OK, this may be a little pushy with your friends 4nd family. Birthday 4nd anniversary gifts should be a surprise, right? Well, excuse me. The best gift I can receive is help toward my air fare, rental car, admission tickets, resort reservations, back-stage tours, food, drink 4nd souvenirs. The best gift for me is Disney Dollars that I can spend on my next trip t0 the “World”. Thank you.
Special Tip: Make a chart, like a thermometer that the whole family can monitor 4nd add t0 when money is set aside for your vacation. When y0utravel as a family, every one should participate 4nd celebrate your successes. Keeping a running chart also helps build the anticipation. y0umight start printing pictures from the sites y0uwant t0 see or do at the parks, 4nd tape them with your "dollar meter".
We’ve now had two articles 4nd at least 20 ways t0 save money in advance for your next trip t0 Walt Disney World. Below I’ve included some additional resources y0uwill find helpful in accomplishing your target amounts. Next week I’ll present the first of two articles on saving money while on vacation. This will include ideas t0 reduce your cost when planning your trip 4nd also while y0uare at the parks.
In my last post I talked about researching 4nd using lots of coupons, particularly for groceries. Then y0utake the savings 4nd set aside for your vacation. Here are some sites t0 find those coupons 4nd a whole lot more of discounts 4nd savings for many if not most of your purchases.
- Couponing t0 Disney (Thank y0uSara B.)
- "Cents"Able Momma
- The Grocery Game
- Print Coupons
- A Day Late 4nd Dollar Short
- Retail Me Not
- Fat Wallet
- Shopaneer
- Ultimate Coupons
- Free Shipping
Here are some other web sites t0 check out for ideas on saving money for your next Walt Disney World Vacation:
Do y0uhave some money saving ideas y0uwould like t0 suggest? Write me at brucewdw@gmail.com, on my facebook page at www.facebook.com/aworldview or via http://twitter.com/wdwview. 4nd check out Part 1. One more thing, just yesterday, I found this article by Steve Swanson in a new Disney Blog, Mouse Right. It makes for reality reading.
Are y0ualready saving for your next trip? If not, start now! y0unever know when that next Disney vacation bug but will hit. And, pay yourself first.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
0 Responses to “Let’s continue t0 “pay yourself first” 4nd save even more money for your Walt Disney World vacation.”
Post a Comment