Post by cutekids4 on Sept 27, 2010 8:38:10 GMT -5
My three youngest children and I went to WDW last September (2009) and loved it! We paid for it with miscellaneous funds. While we were there, my then 5yo understood the notion that 1 person did all of Disney, and that he wanted to grow up to be a person that did something great, too! Such a moment! So, we are ready to return! But, we must reach our money goals outside of the already tight budget. Kristen has soooo inspired me!
So, My husband is not going. He does not like Disney (yet we are still married). My oldest child is not going, he will be in school and will be going to Italy the following summer with his grandpa.
My 3 youngest children (whom I homeschool) and I will be going, trip ages of 8,7,and 5.
Staying at a value resort.
Deluxe Dining Plan.
9 nights.
Park hopper option.
Premium room charge.
Total cost, $3,073.73.
Still need flight (figuring $1,000.00) and night in hotel prior to boarding plane, plus car expense of gas to airport and leaving car while we are gone (figuring $175.00).
Also, from my budget, I need to buy "special Disney trip clothes", "pre Disney prep", a stroller (which I think I will buy before we go and then consign it after we return), and pay for items we purchase while we are there.
I will also need about $250.00 for Disney's Not So Scary Halloween tickets.
Also need to purchase the photo pass before we go (estimating $150.00), and pictures after we get back.
Also, if we go over our savings budget by $500.00, I would like to take my kids to the tea with Sleeping Beauty, the favorite of one of my daughters.
Ways to obtain our goals:
1. Change from laundry machines we own at an apartment building. Goal is $100.00 a month. Right now, we are trending at $75.00 a month.
2. Money made from a side job I have, making cards. Goal is $100.00. Right now, I'm "taking a break" while I'm getting my coupons organized. The realistic income is closer to $50.00 a month (short here, too) so I really need to make a push.
3. My husband works some OT. Most of this is used for debt and budget. But, if he has a lot of OT, I may divert just a little. He doesn't get OT very often, and since he is not going on the trip, I don't feel right taking much OT.
4. Consignment of my children's clothing. Goal is $300.00 for two consignment sales.
5. Craft fair. Goal is $200.00.
6. Ebay/Craigslist/Etsy - Goal is $100.00 a month. This one is slow going right now because I have been using so much time getting couponing set up. (and I also homeschool 3 of my kids) I plan to start strong in this starting in October. At least, as strong as needed to get my $100.00 a month.
7. Miscellaneous income, $25.00 a month. This is for secret shopping, which I am just now starting.
8. Couponing, $50.00 a month. I know with what I am doing I can save more than that, but my family is also trying to get out of debt, so couponing is also a way to "make ends meet better".
9. Disney dollars from my Visa - goal is $20.00 a month. We charge many things and pay off this visa at the end of the month. Although, I am trending toward the envelope method so this one may be eliminated.
Total - $5,460.00
I have made a spreadsheet to keep track of my goals and actual.
Actual to date:
I have paid $200.00 toward my trip through Disney.
I have $275.00 in quarters.
I have $521.00 in Disney Dollars.
Total saved to date: $996.00.
Also, we do a lot for preparation to go on the trip. Our last trip, we made a paper chain in red, black and white. Each kid going was given a color to be able to take off the chain as the trip got closer (we started at day 150). We made Mickey Mouse heads to count by tens and by two's (to help with counting skills, too).
Next, we purchased a pinata to break before our trip. We bought candy (another expense) and for about 2 months, for each good deed that they did, they could put a piece of candy in the pinata. So, when we broke the pinata right before we left, every piece of candy that fell was symbolic of a good deed!
We made most of the kids' clothing before we went. (another expense)
We also are trying to get all those "little things that really add up with coupons through the year" that we will need: sunscreen, ponchos, Disney themed bandaids, etc.
We will make cards to take to characters when we go (another small expense).
And, we will have a family party with just a few friends before we go. Mickey shaped pizza, magic wand pretzels, punch with Mickey Mouse ice cubes, etc. (another expense)
Here's to working for a Disney trip and all the wonderful items that go with it, but to a lifetime of memories!
So, My husband is not going. He does not like Disney (yet we are still married). My oldest child is not going, he will be in school and will be going to Italy the following summer with his grandpa.
My 3 youngest children (whom I homeschool) and I will be going, trip ages of 8,7,and 5.
Staying at a value resort.
Deluxe Dining Plan.
9 nights.
Park hopper option.
Premium room charge.
Total cost, $3,073.73.
Still need flight (figuring $1,000.00) and night in hotel prior to boarding plane, plus car expense of gas to airport and leaving car while we are gone (figuring $175.00).
Also, from my budget, I need to buy "special Disney trip clothes", "pre Disney prep", a stroller (which I think I will buy before we go and then consign it after we return), and pay for items we purchase while we are there.
I will also need about $250.00 for Disney's Not So Scary Halloween tickets.
Also need to purchase the photo pass before we go (estimating $150.00), and pictures after we get back.
Also, if we go over our savings budget by $500.00, I would like to take my kids to the tea with Sleeping Beauty, the favorite of one of my daughters.
Ways to obtain our goals:
1. Change from laundry machines we own at an apartment building. Goal is $100.00 a month. Right now, we are trending at $75.00 a month.
2. Money made from a side job I have, making cards. Goal is $100.00. Right now, I'm "taking a break" while I'm getting my coupons organized. The realistic income is closer to $50.00 a month (short here, too) so I really need to make a push.
3. My husband works some OT. Most of this is used for debt and budget. But, if he has a lot of OT, I may divert just a little. He doesn't get OT very often, and since he is not going on the trip, I don't feel right taking much OT.
4. Consignment of my children's clothing. Goal is $300.00 for two consignment sales.
5. Craft fair. Goal is $200.00.
6. Ebay/Craigslist/Etsy - Goal is $100.00 a month. This one is slow going right now because I have been using so much time getting couponing set up. (and I also homeschool 3 of my kids) I plan to start strong in this starting in October. At least, as strong as needed to get my $100.00 a month.
7. Miscellaneous income, $25.00 a month. This is for secret shopping, which I am just now starting.
8. Couponing, $50.00 a month. I know with what I am doing I can save more than that, but my family is also trying to get out of debt, so couponing is also a way to "make ends meet better".
9. Disney dollars from my Visa - goal is $20.00 a month. We charge many things and pay off this visa at the end of the month. Although, I am trending toward the envelope method so this one may be eliminated.
Total - $5,460.00
I have made a spreadsheet to keep track of my goals and actual.
Actual to date:
I have paid $200.00 toward my trip through Disney.
I have $275.00 in quarters.
I have $521.00 in Disney Dollars.
Total saved to date: $996.00.
Also, we do a lot for preparation to go on the trip. Our last trip, we made a paper chain in red, black and white. Each kid going was given a color to be able to take off the chain as the trip got closer (we started at day 150). We made Mickey Mouse heads to count by tens and by two's (to help with counting skills, too).
Next, we purchased a pinata to break before our trip. We bought candy (another expense) and for about 2 months, for each good deed that they did, they could put a piece of candy in the pinata. So, when we broke the pinata right before we left, every piece of candy that fell was symbolic of a good deed!
We made most of the kids' clothing before we went. (another expense)
We also are trying to get all those "little things that really add up with coupons through the year" that we will need: sunscreen, ponchos, Disney themed bandaids, etc.
We will make cards to take to characters when we go (another small expense).
And, we will have a family party with just a few friends before we go. Mickey shaped pizza, magic wand pretzels, punch with Mickey Mouse ice cubes, etc. (another expense)
Here's to working for a Disney trip and all the wonderful items that go with it, but to a lifetime of memories!