Has anyone ever said, "We can't afford it because we're going to Disney World"?

[Weather_Lady]

We say it all the time, too. We want our kids to understand why we make the economic choices we do, and to realize that often in life, in order to enjoy something really wonderful, sometimes you have to first engage in a little bit of healthy self-denial. Plus, acknowledging that we're saving for Disney constantly reaffirms for us that "light at the end of the tunnel," and stokes our anticipation for the reward ahead.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Once I set my sights on saving for a WDW trip I have blinders on. I totally focus on saving the coins and dollar bills like crazy. I can keep myself from buying anything I want by justifying it as money taken away from having a good time at Disney.... BUT I'm a softie so if the wife or son asks for something, I give in.

 

[Texas84]

Good luck in those races! My wish is to some day be fit enough to run in a Disney race. I better "get on the stick" as my Mom says!

Check out the running board here. Lots of good people there. I started with a Halloween 5K through MK. The 5Ks are a blast and low stress.

 

[bethymouse]

Thanks everyone for all of your input. I do feel that it is a "life lesson" for our kids. Most people tell me I am crazy going to WDW every year, and I know they talk about me behind my back. We are blessed, and I know it. My kids are spoiled, and I know it. Everyone says I will have problems w/ them when they get older. They do have piggy banks, and they do save money. In fact, our school has a banking program ( a real account from BB&T), so next school year, I'm encouraging my guys to open an account for themselves.

 

[Redsky89]

I plan months ahead of time. I know I will spend my money on mainly food and drinks so I have a set amount of spending money I know I'll need on my trips. But me being a young guy with no kids makes it easier. I know once I have a family instead of months ahead of time I'd start watching my money from the time I got home from the previous trip lol.

 

[bethymouse]

Oh dear- here's an update. We're getting new windows put in (we need them-our house is 14 yrs old). So... needless to say, it'll be the opposite until the windows are paid off. "We can't go to Disney because we can't afford it-LOL)! I better enjoy my September trip b/c I may not be going back for a few yrs. On the bright side, maybe the mine train will be ready and Avatarland will be coming to fruition, and maybe more surprises. Who knows? Maybe we'll win the lottery!

 

[<3caseyscorner]

O yes!!! I tell my hub everyday....no hun because we are saving for DISNEY!!

 

[Marco226]

I had this conversation just a couple weeks ago. My partner wanted a blue and gold macaw for some strange and random reason, and I said, "NO way! We gotta save for Disney!" Everything was already paid for (tickets, hotel, etc.), but I just said that so I didn't have to buy the damn bird. I was being threatened with sleeping on the couch, so I gave in and bought it. Those things aren't cheap! They're like $1,000! Ugh... Curse my weakness..

 

[Brer Mickey]

I have been putting off my kidney transplant for years because whenever I have the choice, I always choose a WDW trip

 

[NYwdwfan]

For those savers around here, just wanted to add that Verizon wireless changed their plan structure today. My office has 3 iphones and an ipad all with unlimited everything and we changed to the new plan with unlimited talk and text and oodles more data than we have ever used EVER (like 10 gigs more) and we are saving $100/month. Happy saving!

 

[bethram]

A couple months ago, before our trip DH told me that I couldn't spend money to go to my favorite concert this summer because of our WDW trip. A couple weeks later he had a hard time swallowing the same pill when he wanted to get tickets for his favorite concert and his tickets were more expensive than mine!

 

[ShookieJones]

I say this almost EVERY.......SINGLE............DAY.

It's tough but when you don't have a ton of disposable income, and you choose to take a $5000- plus vacation.
you gotta make choices. A toy you're going to forget about 5 minutes after playing wih it or making memories that will last a lifetime. To me it's an easy choice.

 

[bethymouse]

I have been putting off my kidney transplant for years because whenever I have the choice, I always choose a WDW trip

Hopefully you're joking, right?

 

[bethymouse]

I say this almost EVERY.......SINGLE............DAY.

It's tough but when you don't have a ton of disposable income, and you choose to take a $5000- plus vacation.
you gotta make choices. A toy you're going to forget about 5 minutes after playing wih it or making memories that will last a lifetime. To me it's an easy choice.

Yep- the boys are also wanting to go to Chuck E Cheese for their birthday July 27, but I told them no because of our Disney trip (bad mommy). But, they'll still get presents and a cake.

 

[tsaintc]

For those savers around here, just wanted to add that Verizon wireless changed their plan structure today. My office has 3 iphones and an ipad all with unlimited everything and we changed to the new plan with unlimited talk and text and oodles more data than we have ever used EVER (like 10 gigs more) and we are saving $100/month. Happy saving!

I know this off topic, but I want to send a quick word of advise on the Verizon wireless plans. Verizon does not offer the unlimited data plan for iPhones anymore. So, you when you move to the new plan, you will lose this feature if you have been grandfathered in.

For my family plan, the cost will increase and I will lose the unlimited data on two devices if I were to switch.

 

[englanddg]

I had a college professor who told us a story about how she thought television/video games are making people dumber, and that, while they had one, she refused to get cable television or buy video game systems. Part of that story was that when her kids would ask, she'd say...

"Do you enjoy Disney World? Well, if we get these things, we can't afford to go anymore."

I appreciate the message/lesson she was trying to teach. I don't quite do it the same way myself, but every child is different. I think her point about how there are lots of people who do Disney "on credit", or complain about how "expensive it is", do piddle away money on other forms of entertainment throughout the year that could easily pay for a Disney trip.

If you've never read the book "Alexander Who Used to be Rich Last Sunday", you should. I think it's a classic example of the lesson she is trying to teach her kids. I read it to my kid.

That being said, though I take her to Disney every year since 2010 (going back this year too), I never tell her. I prefer to see her suprise/excitement/shock when she figures it out.

 

[Bob Saget]

Oh dear- here's an update. We're getting new windows put in (we need them-our house is 14 yrs old). So... needless to say, it'll be the opposite until the windows are paid off. "We can't go to Disney because we can't afford it-LOL)!

Eh, windows are too overrated and mainstream anyway. Just use our method and enjoy more opportunities for Disney merryment & bliss. (Not to mention the countless dollars you'll save on glass cleaning expenditures).

(Sheet coverings include, but are not limited to: Solid colored, striped, plaid, Spongebob Squarepants, or Transformers.)