Val's Disney Fund

[valgoof]

I am going to Disney in December for 4 days with my DH and my DB 21. We are staying offsite for FREE--Thanks mom. And she is also buying my brother's park ticket. DH has unused days from a trip years ago, back when they didnt expire, ie the good old days.
I think we will do more counter service than table, just because we arent there very long, so I want to see and do as much as possible. But I hope to do Candlelight Processional dinner package one of the nights.
So here's my budget. I try to overestimate. If you see anything I should add or change, please let me know.

$400--Gas
$250--Hotel while traveling
$200--CP
$600--Food (including travel days)
$300--My ticket
$56---Parking
$200--Souvenirs
$100--Anything I forgot

Total of $2106. I have Holiday Savings at work taken out each paycheck, so before we go I will have $800 that will be dedicated to the trip. So for these purposes my goal is:

$1306

I have $100 from various places before I started to focus on saving. Now I am adding $5 from unexpected free parking over the weekend and $60 because my mom colored my hair last night instead of the salon.

So I am at $165/1306!!

I signed up for Outpost Opinion, Quick Rewards, Sunshine Rewards and Swagbucks, but havent really explored any except for Swagbucks. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Ok this post is really long. Future ones will be shorter!!

[albertamomof4]

That is a awesome start.
Not sure if i can help with your busget that is set but where are you driving from? there is a gas estimater well a few on line that will help you with how much gas will cost.

[valgoof]

Thanks!! We are driving from Ohio. The gas prices are so unpredictable right now, it's hard to budget for that. Right now it's down to $3.49 but 2 weeks ago it was well over $4. Hoping it stays down. I think I figured it at $4.50 so I should have some wiggle room there.

Adding $17 to the fund for being under the grocery/dining out budget the last 2 weeks. Yay!! Also rolled a bunch of change, but will wait until I take it to the bank to officially add it to the Disney fund.

So now I am at $182/$1306.

[tanya]

Great job! What part of Ohio are you from? I have family in and around Zanesville.

[valgoof]

I am just outside Columbus. Zanesville isnt too far. We were there last summer to go to the Wilds. Bus ride through a safari type of thing. It was pretty nice. I havent been to Disney since AK was built so looking forward to that safari ride!!

[valgoof]

Went away for the weekend. Had extra money we had budgeted for food and we won a little at a casiono. So I am depositing $200!!

Now I am at $382/$1306. Yay!!

[jamaica4god]

Yay for a great deposit!

[tanya]

That is a wonderful deposit! Whoo Hooo!

[valgoof]

Ate out for lunch and dinner yesterday. Not good!!!!
But bought my mom a bowl of soup from Panera and she paid me for it. And had enough points for a free Subway sub.

So $9 into the fund.

$391/$1306

[tanya]

You are building up your fund pretty fast. Good job!

[valgoof]

Adding $21 to the fund from being under the grocery budget for the last 2 weeks.

So I am at $412/$1306

[tanya]

Great job!!!

[rdrichards72]

Awesome!

[valgoof]

Ok plans have changed a bit. DH is insisting on staying onsite. I prefer that too, but thought the free condo was too good to pass up. And then I got a Pin Code that actually worked for when I want to go!!!!! So I just called and booked the room. YAY!!
We also agreed to just stand in line for CP and not do the dinner package to save that money. I was having trouble deciding where we would eat (DH is very picky) and it made me nervous to pay the money in case something happens and the trip got changed. So anyway, here is the new budget:

$400--Gas
$250--Hotel while traveling
$344--4 nights at POP---paid on Disney Visa
$600--Food (including travel days)
$300--My ticket
$200--Souvenirs
$100--Anything I forgot

So again, using the $800 from work holiday savings my total needed is: $1394. I like round numbers so $1400.

So I am at $412/$1400!!

[tanya]

Yay!!! I love staying on site!