what do you do to get to WDW?

[ericles]

We are craving a WDW trip, but have nothing planned at the moment. We were last there in Dec., 2009 for weekend to check out the holiday decorations. We are hoping to go back next December for another long weekend of holiday decoration viewing and my husbands 40th b'day.

What do you guys do to earn money/save money or otherwise "make the trip happen"???

For the last ten years we had $$ direct deposited into a special saving account we used for our yearly trip. This year finances within our family have changed, so we are looking for other ways to cut back/save/earn and would like to hear what other families do to make it happen!

[JennyWren]

Thank you for starting this thread, I think many of us are dealing with changing finances and Disney cravings.

One thing I have started doing is that I save any 'found' money in a safe place. 'Found' money is Birthday or Christmas gifts, rebate checks, that change that shows up in the laundry...

[3Princesses1Prince]

JennyWren I have a found $$ jar (laundry, change from the end of the day, etc) for Disney too....DH says I need a bigger jar if I wanna get to WDW!!!

I'm also going to have a garage sale. We did a big one last year and got enough $$ to upgrade our DLR tickets to APs. My "supply" of sellable items is smaller this time since we gave anything we didn't sell to Goodwill before we moved, but its amazing how fast my little ones are growing out of clothes!! Plus we have an extra table and desk that didn't fit in our current place.

[stan2u]

We have a separate savings account just for travel. We put money into it every month, but if we have something special, like a garage or Ebay sale, we put those proceeds in, too. It does add up!

[scoobydooby]

ericles - this is an effort but I've saved 2,000 in just over 2 years by writing a weekly menu then doing the supermarket shop only in relation to the meals planned. Bit shocking really and we have actually eaten better. Before I would just fill the trolly every week with a list in my head. Also I did a car boot sale. We also have sealed money boxes and put all out 2 coins in them. That's made us 500 in 2 years. Finally we have a jar for copper coins and 5 pence peices. We've saved about 150 in that over the same period.

[mxrapu]

We use our Disney Visa card for everything--gas, groceries, etc.--to save up the points. Of course we pay it off every month, or we'd be paying more in fees than we'd be earning in points. When we renovated our house a couple of years ago we used the card instead of checks to pay for everything, and we actually hit the annual limit of points you can earn. CMs were amazed by the balance on our Rewards card.

We just decided to switch to a Discover card for everything instead, and use the 5% cashback bonus (which is worth more than the Disney points) toward our Disney vacations.

[jennibell]

We use our Disney Visa card for everything--gas, groceries, etc.--to save up the points. Of course we pay it off every month, or we'd be paying more in fees than we'd be earning in points.

We do the same thing! We just got ours this year, and the offer they sent us was $200 in Disney rewards just for signing up. Between that and all of my Husbands business expenses it adds up fast.

[CBFETT]

We use our Disney Visa card for everything--gas, groceries, etc.--to save up the points. Of course we pay it off every month, or we'd be paying more in fees than we'd be earning in points. When we renovated our house a couple of years ago we used the card instead of checks to pay for everything, and we actually hit the annual limit of points you can earn. CMs were amazed by the balance on our Rewards card.

I 3rd this approach. We put everything and I mean everything on our Disney Visa, except for when we go to Costco and have to use the Costco AMEX because they don't take VISA. Again adds up fast and then apply it to our WDW vacation. Combine it with any specials/discount offers and you can get one great deal!

[TinaMouse]

ericles - this is an effort but I've saved 2,000 in just over 2 years by writing a weekly menu then doing the supermarket shop only in relation to the meals planned. Bit shocking really and we have actually eaten better. Before I would just fill the trolly every week with a list in my head. Also I did a car boot sale. We also have sealed money boxes and put all out 2 coins in them. That's made us 500 in 2 years. Finally we have a jar for copper coins and 5 pence peices. We've saved about 150 in that over the same period.

I do the weekly menu thing too! It helps a TON! When my parents ask us what we want for Christmas, birthdays, etc., we just say "DISNEY MONEY." I also choose to not eat out once or twice a week and take that lunch money and put it in an envelope. Envelope goes in the little safe I have. It adds up really quickly.

[Silvercat]

We also have sealed money boxes and put all out 2 coins in them. That's made us 500 in 2 years. Finally we have a jar for copper coins and 5 pence peices. We've saved about 150 in that over the same period.

I do the same thing, but in a slightly different way! I have a "secret money basket" (just a tiny basket with a lid on it), hidden in a drawer (away from DB's "borrowing" fingers!). At the end of every day, I scoop all change except 1 coins into it, and when I am out shopping I try never to spend a 2 coin, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p & copper coins. 1 coins are okay to spend!

Then, about once a month, I deposit this lot into a high interest, limited-access building society account, along with the odd 10 or 20 that I may have left at the end of the month before payday.

We only visit WDW once every 2-3 years, so over a period of time this tiny amount of saving can really add up! I have managed to save around 300 a year like this.

[momof three]

I pick up shifts waiting tables during our busy season at a family friends local restaurant. This started as a favor to them as they were slammed and short staffed. Before this it had been years since I waited tables.This isn't my favorite job choice but it works around my kids school schedules.

Last year we made the choice to place our kids in private school. We couldn't have pulled this off without the extra income. Now after I write the kids tuition check every last tip goes straight into an account I set up for fun money. I didn't activate the bank card that came with the account. This way I'm not tempted to touch the funds on a whim. I have to walk in the bank and take out the money if I want it. I know it sounds silly but that extra step makes me really think about it before I take out the cash.

Thus far this plan has helped us manage a weeks onsite stay with the DDP, AP's renewals for 5 and a Dream DCL in March of next year.

Mily

[petesimac]

ericles - this is an effort but I've saved 2,000 in just over 2 years by writing a weekly menu then doing the supermarket shop only in relation to the meals planned. Bit shocking really and we have actually eaten better. Before I would just fill the trolly every week with a list in my head. Also I did a car boot sale. We also have sealed money boxes and put all out 2 coins in them. That's made us 500 in 2 years. Finally we have a jar for copper coins and 5 pence peices. We've saved about 150 in that over the same period.

That's the only way I've ever shopped. I'd spend a fortune if I just went up and down the aisles.

If you have any scrap gold, sell it! It's selling at a premium.

[DebT]

We have $$ automatically withdrawn from my paycheck and put into a Christmas account at our bank. We've done this for 5 years so I don't even notice any more. Then every November 1 the money is automatically transferred to our savings account. This way we have money to buy Christmas and usually around $800 to $1,000 left to put toward the next vacation. The nice part is we can't access the money without penalty during the year.

[Rockchalker]

I buy Disney gift cards at the grocery store at least once a week. Sometimes $25, sometimes $50 and sometimes $100, but at least once a week.

Not only am I getting the gas point discounts, but the cards add up fast. I also found that I did not notice the expense in my checking account. If it is between paydays, I normally buy a $25 or $50 gift card.

AND

I bought the cards with my Disney Debit (we have both Disney Debit and Credit cards), so I got .5% back in rewards.

When we stayed at the Poly in October for 10 nights/11 days I went to the front desk and paid down our bill frequently. I ended up having $200 worth of cards on our last day and gave each of our kids one to buy what they wanted.

Another thing I do is collect quarters and dimes. Whenever I pay with cash I make sure to give the correct number of pennies or nickels to get a quarter(s) or dime(s). I have a drink cup in my car that I throw them in. About every 6 weeks its full and I take it to a bank that has a counting machine; normally about $50.

My friends call me a scapper when it comes to saving for Disney, but I really enjoy looking for different avenues to put money aside that I will not miss.

[3Princesses1Prince]

I like the gift card idea Rockchalker! I will have to check my local grocery stores. I know one doesn't carry Disney GCs, but I've never checked the other one.

[candles71]

I like the gift card idea Rockchalker! I will have to check my local grocery stores. I know one doesn't carry Disney GCs, but I've never checked the other one.

Safeway. (I'm pretty sure your purchase applies like Rockchalker said towards the gas discount.)

[Rockchalker]

Safeway. (I'm pretty sure your purchase applies like Rockchalker said towards the gas discount.)

Your local kroger is a better deal. Our king soopers gives credit for every $50 compared to $100.

[3Princesses1Prince]

Safeway. (I'm pretty sure your purchase applies like Rockchalker said towards the gas discount.)

Hmmm. I may have to consider shopping at Safeway. I'm closer to Savemart (which doesn't have Disney GC) and Raleys (which I've never really checked). Also we don't have the gas at our Modesto Safeway, so that's a non-issue.

[SigalTchelet]

Hmmm. I may have to consider shopping at Safeway. I'm closer to Savemart (which doesn't have Disney GC) and Raleys (which I've never really checked). Also we don't have the gas at our Modesto Safeway, so that's a non-issue.

I am pretty sure I have seen them at Raleys.

We do not have Kroger in Northern CA.

[Silvercat]

You should worry - in the UK we DEFINITELY do not have Krogers!!

I visited one when in Dallas earlier this year, and loved it! I wish we had cool supermarkets here, the best we can do is Asda, which is owned by Wal-Mart. Not quite the same. *sigh*

Anyway, I really like the Disney Gift Card idea, that is a really good idea. But, and not to harp on about this too much, we don't get them in the UK either!!!

Ah well, back to saving my 20ps and 10ps and 5ps and 2 coins .....

[fairestoneofall]

We do several things to save money for WDW and DL as well.
First of all, I buy no less than $100 a month worth Disney gift cards. We also collect change and keep it in a huge container.

We also operate our household on a cash basis. We take out $XXX in cash each payday and separate it into envelopes for groceries, babysitting, restaurant, entertainment, etc. At the end of the two week pay period any monies leftover in the envelopes goes into the WDW fund. It's actually made me more aware about what I spend my money on. Like "would I rather get this Starbucks or put the $5 towards WDW."

The Disney Visa is a good idea IF you pay your bill in full every month. If not, you are costing yourself as much as a Disney vacation if not more in interest every year. DH and I are actually looking into switching our business visa to a Disney Rewards Visa. We charge $2K-$8K monthly and pay the balance in full for business related expenses. That could add up quickly.

[CBFETT]

The Disney Visa is a good idea IF you pay your bill in full every month. If not, you are costing yourself as much as a Disney vacation if not more in interest every year. DH and I are actually looking into switching our business visa to a Disney Rewards Visa. We charge $2K-$8K monthly and pay the balance in full for business related expenses. That could add up quickly.

Great point! We pay our bill in full each month. I am a banker and refuse to pay interest on purchases. If I have to borrow then I can't afford it. That is my motto.

[3Princesses1Prince]

I am pretty sure I have seen them at Raleys.

We do not have Kroger in Northern CA.

I checked Raley's today and they don't have them. Just the Disneyland admission tickets.

[candles71]

I checked Raley's today and they don't have them. Just the Disneyland admission tickets.

Our Raley's/Bel-Air don't have gift cards either. Safeway has a huge selection. You could even use the Disney store for them.

[mikala]

The Disney Gift cards worked perfect this past fall. We would buy random gift cards from the grocery store or if we were at the mall, we would add to the one at the Disney Store. Also we give our preschoolers all our change and it goes in one of six Disney banks. We cash the banks in 30 days prior to going, and although we paid $10 for the Coinstar fee, we had the girls get gift cards off of the shelf and cash their receipt in for gift cards. They even at 3 are totally getting the concept of saving. Yay.

In addition, the shopping and dining is the biggest expense, it's accomodations so imagine how thrilled I was when checking into POFQ for 4 nights and CS for 6 nights and paying the hotel with gift cards before adding a CC for incidentals. It was sweet. It is soooo out of sight, out of mind. We went on our 4th 10 night trip in a row during Fall. I was thrilled with such small balances. Also I started a prepaid Visa and add, add, add. It was perfect for dining, souvies. Omg, I am ready to go back. Sigh....