How can you earn some money for a Disney trip?

[Walt Disney1955]

I must agree with those who have stated that your best course in life is to settle old debt before venturing forth into new spending. WDW is not a necessity. You and your family's security and well-being are the things that should guide your financial decisions. There are times in life when we must "bite the bullet" in order to get our lives back on the proper course, and settling old debt before incurring new and unnecessary expenses qualifies as being such a time. I believe that it would be an insult, whether stated or not, to your parents if you designated money for a trip to WDW before settling your debt to them first. Life involves priorities, and the honorable management of finances should be high on the list. The issue is not whether or not one will pay back a loan, but rather the effort and resources that are focused on paying back the loan. Never begin new expenses without first settling old obligations. If one is to "live life", then one should consider honorable stewardship as a pleasure in life.

Oh don't get me wrong, my debts with my parents will be paid off before even entertaining the idea of a trip. Everyone especially at my age has debt with the banks and such. It takes years to pay off a house for example so I just want to wait until I can afford it and have my debt under control. Not something I have to worry about once we come back from the trip. The way I look at it, I figure if we can get things under control and I can make a lot of money this summer (which I will) we have until November to go to Disneyland in California. Why I say November is because that seems to be more or less the cut off for decent weather to swim in the ocean. It was beautiful in September last year and it appears an early November trip wouldn't be bad for that either. So there is 6 months to save.

As for WDW there is less of a cut off point for me, but I won't entertain the idea of going in January or December either. I've been many times in March and that is barely warm enough to swim.

Anyway, just a plan in the back of my mind. I love all the helpful tips here. What creative ways to save money.

 

[WDW 3]

I have the Disney Visa (not my primary card) and a money jar. I have an airline card that is my primary since getting there is a large part of the expense.

 

[jrab0616]

We have a credit card that earns cash rewards (1% on everything, 2% on groceries, and 3% on gas). We try to use this card strictly for gas and we pay it off weekly. We plan to use our reward money for our food on this trip. Something like that might work for the future as well. I like the cash rewards programs, because I can use the cash for anything, not just airfare or Disney (though that's what it's usually used for).

 

[lego606]

You've already been so many times... I think it's possible for you to wait until you actually have the funds to go again. WDW and the DLR aren't going anywhere. It's not worth going if you really don't have the money.

I have to let my D23 charter membership lapse this year because I'm transferring to a university in the fall and I can't be spending my money on all those D23 events. It sucks, yeah, but I've got to give more priority to certain things. You should do the same.

*unrelated* You may be able to drop to the Free level and keep it depending on how that works out

back to your regularly scheduled posts

 

[FettFan]

Alright, long story short, as you can see I have gone to Disney a few times in recent years. Our most recent trip was Southern California in September. First time at Disneyland for me and won't be the last. We left our 18 month old son at home and had a blast. However, I so badly wanted him to experience either WDW or DL in 2013. He's 2 now and I guess I felt he would have loved it.

Well, over the winter we ran into some financial trouble. Bills piled up and I borrowed a bit of money from my parents. I have always paid them back and I will this time as well, probably in the next 3-4 months but we are making good money again and while it seems impossible now I would love to go back to one of the parks this year, sometime in the fall of 2013. Crazy, I know, but if all of our ducks are in a row I want to do it.

Other than general overtime and the usual squeezing of a penny, explain to me how you would get money really fast in order to go on a Disney trip. A bank loan right now is not the option, my credit is still building back up and it might take at least a couple of months in order to get approved.

So if you have any ideas, let me know. Or, should I just let it go and start saving away for a trip sometime in 2014. The only issue is that we may or may not have another addition to the family by then.

I'm sorry dude, but if your financial situation is so messed up that you have to ask your parents for a loan....then the only good plan of action is to postpone your Disney trip until after you get everything squared away.

 

[MOXOMUMD]

We have two garbage cans that we only use for crushed aluminum cans. We they get full we take them to our local recycling yard. At $.60 a pound it adds up.

 

[DABIGCHEEZ]

Go to the nearest gambling city... Atlantic City, Vegas or any of the many others and put the rent/mortgage money on red or black at the Roulette table.

 

[ToyStoryMiss]

We had a Disney Fund jar which we kept by the front door. Any spare change went straight into it, aswell as any overtime. I also take out £50 a week for food, and anything I don't spend goes into the jar! Within 6 months we had our £2000.00 spends for Disney! The jar has now become the House Fund as we are moving house in the near future, and so far that has £750 after 3 months.

Good for you! For some reason, the Disney Fund jar reminds me of the Paradise Falls jar from Up...

 

[Californian Elitist]

*unrelated* You may be able to drop to the Free level and keep it depending on how that works out

back to your regularly scheduled posts

Yeah, that free thing sounds very iffy to me.

 

[stevehousse]

Not to be judgy, but if you are having finacial problems, bringing a new addition to the family and going to WDW probably aren't the best ideas!

I would wait to go in early 2014 if I were you. You can use your tax refund money to pay for the trip that way! That way you aren't taking money you have now away from bills and expenses you currently have!

Also, If you or your wife are looking for easy extra income, try looking on Craigslist for paid surveys! They are pretty fun and you can get paid well! I just recently did one for a new tv channel and got paid $100 to basically watch tv for 2 hours am answer what I liked or didn't like!

Good luck with planning your trip! Hope you get your kid there soon!

 

[Raven66]

Financial problems are why we haven't been in 5 yrs. One thing after another. My daughter wanted to go for her 16th bday this year. We worked our butts off to make it happen. I didn't want to let her down. But we are also doing the money jar. All silver goes into one and pennies in another. What I would do at work is when I would buy something for a small amount, like a soda, I would use my debit and get a dollar or two back in quarters. So we are up to 120 dollars in it. Not a whole lot, but I didn't start it right away. I would do a yard sale but I don't like people pawing my stuff and whispering about how my things are crappy.

 

[matt9112]

i have 75 dollars put into savings each week....

 

[copcarguyp71]

First off I would disagree with a bank loan or credit card debt (that you cannot immediately pay back) to go to Disney or any vacation...bad economics IMO.

We used to have a neighbor who had his own business but had a large paper route in the mornings and he set that money aside just for vacations. It requires a bit of tenacity to get up that early but it is a good, honest way to rake in some extra dough. I like selling stuff on eBay but if you don't have stuff to sell it is time to dig in and work for what you want.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

I feel that way right now...I just came back from a 2 week trip in Jan/Feb and I recently became a Premium AP..Well, ever since then I feel like I should at least use it one more time this year before I have to do next years payment for the pass...I'm considering going at the End of Oct..But, ever since then I haven't have planned anything yet and I'm still at step 1 (Planning)...It's a tough road to go..

 

[fam]

Well I pay taxes as if I were an unmarried and kidless so I get a chunk back every year which ill set aside 1000 to 1500 back for vacation...then My wife and I do photography on the side for vacation funds...one hour photoshoots where they get a cd of all the edited photos for 120 bucks, They are almost all moms wanting shots of their kids\families. I also draw and do $50 art commissions and caricatures....I think we are already at 2800 out of the 3070 for 7 days at AoA std room and we dont even go till august.

 

[kasey1988]

We saved change in a jar (any spare money in our pockets went in bills or change as well as my gst checks-we are Canadian and get these every 4 months- for, November to now we have about $600).. We recycle cans and bottles this the goes in the jar. We also used my income tax return this year towards our upcoming trip in September.. We also keep our eyes open for any deals, such as free dining

 

[trr1]

how about a part time job

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

I definately agree with not going into hock for a Disney vacation... Disney will always be there I totally agree with what @figmentfan423 says. Plus, perhaps waiting another year would be your best bet financially. I think the last thing any of us would want to do, is struggle financially for a few days at Disney, then worry about paying bills later. No way would any of us be able to truly relax and have a good time while there. In the meantime, do what you can in your community. We have a power washer, and my son offered to power wash the side of our neighbor's house. She tried to pay him but he declined, but then other neighbors asked him to do their homes. Guess where that money is going?? My son already has $500 for a Disney gift card .... in less than 2 weeks!!! Wishing you and yours the best

 

[Killnme]

Ok I got it! Tonight go to the middle of your city. Stand next to the street Lamp and start collecting. I bet if you wear mouse ears and shorts you can double your asking price. Just watch out for the po-po they can be real drags about starting your own business.

 

[dreamfinder]

Most people have two kidneys.....

But in all seriousness, one should never take out any sort of loan or pay for a trip using credit. Only if you can pay the balance off that month should it even be considered. Put money aside each week in a Disney jar, skip the daily coffee, eat at home/bring lunch to work, etc. Sadly there is no easy money way to get Disney paid for.