Saving for Disney

[SamandChel]

How do you save for Disney?

I automatically take a withdrawal every paycheck and put it into a vacation account. I use a local credit unions vacation savings program. The benefit of this is a 1.5% apy along with a bonus of $5/500 saved. And If the account stays over $3000 your apy Is increased by .5%.

Also by having my credit card cash back automatically deposited every 3 months into the vacation account they double my cash back value. Normally 2% taken to 4% cash back.

I have never seen a program like this anywhere else so was wondering if there was anything like it or maybe better? They are discontinuing the program in March in favor of a new program which cuts everything in half.

 

[sgtmgd]

Suggestion for you as we are experimenting with this right now using our Disney Premier Visa to pay every monthly bill we can and then paying it off each month, we are curios to see just how much money we can accumulate with the 2% for those qualifying purchases and 1% on the rest and applying it all to a trip at the end of the year.

 

[SamandChel]

@sgtmgd I use to use my disney visa but with my credit unions visa I get 2% back on all purchases and an extra 2% if I put it into a savings account so I use that. I do however funnel all my eligible bills along with my misc spending through a credit card for rewards and at the end of the week pay it off. Works great if you remember to pay it off before interest lol. So far I have about $600 just from my cash back. My bank let's me put my car payment on it which is a good bump in points.

It's a great way to get money to upgrade a hotel room or add some extra spending change!

 

[sgtmgd]

@SamandChel you are to be commended as I just realized how old you are for your financial awareness! Most 21 year olds cant figure out finances that quickly.

 

[SamandChel]

@sgtmgd Thank you. Going to school for accounting definitely helped in learning to watch our money and etc. Plus the want to be at Disney as much as possible helps motivate many of my decisions lol.

 

[Roakor]

I use my tax refund to pay for Disney.

 

[WDWVolFan]

I use my tax refund to pay for Disney.

I plan on this and my bonus. Book the trip according to what I believe my bonus will be and my tax returns.
always very conservative on my assumptions.

 

[Jahona]

I put a certain percentage of my paycheck after expenses are paid into a savings account.

 

[BigRedDad]

I use my Disney Visa Reward card for everything I possibly can. After several years, we had about $1200 saved. In the end, I think if we managed cash instead of credit, we would have had $5000 instead. There are tons of ways to save.

 

[Ben_since_1971]

I put a certain amount in a regular savings account every month and I also use the Disney Rewards Visa for as much as I can. I have been able to use the rewards towards about 10-15% of my total trip cost.

 

[BoarderPhreak]

Ramen noodles. Lots and lots of Ramen noodles.

 

[JIMINYCR]

We accumulate points from using our Disney Visa and save every blessed penny from bottle returns, tips and coupons to coins found on the sidewalk and in between the couch cushions.
When you have extra money, buy these as often as possible.

You can get great deals on discounted cards at Target, BJ's and many other places. Great value for your buck.
It keeps the cash out of my pocket where its in danger of being spent elsewhere and as they accumulate I'm reminded of the wonderful trip and the extras I'm going to have with the diligent, constant effort of saving.

 

[Chef Mickey]

If you are getting a big enough tax refund to pay for Disney, you probably need to adjust your withholding. Interest free loans to the government aren't the best appropriation of your money.

Imagine if you put the money the government is incorrectly withholding and invested it, or at least did what OP does and has it earning money all year?

Every year, I owe the government money and it makes me happy. Then I'm the one getting the interest free loan.

 

[Tom]

I plan on this and my bonus. Book the trip according to what I believe my bonus will be and my tax returns. always very conservative on my assumptions.

You can pay for a Disney trip with a 1-year subscription to the Jelly of the Month Club?

 

[WDWVolFan]

You can pay for a Disney trip with a 1-year subscription to the Jelly of the Month Club?

The gift that keeps on giving!

 

[graphite1326]

I sell artwork to pay for my Disney trips

 

[magicsmoke]

I'm a engineer (the electronic design kind). Work is our play so we never retire and spend every penny we make.

I save for vacations using the company ESPP with monthly deductions, guaranteed 15%.

 

[CP_alum08]

How do you save for Disney?


Also by having my credit card cash back automatically deposited every 3 months into the vacation account they double my cash back value. Normally 2% taken to 4% cash back.

What credit card / bank combination do you have that let's you do this? That's a nice perk!

 

[SamandChel]

@CP_alum08 It's a local credit unions rewards visa card. Sadly its one of the things they are doing away with. :-( Starting in March it will be a 1% cash back with 2% transfer into a savings. then I'll have to start using my Barclay Arrival+ for 2.2% back.

 

[DisneyDelirious]

I have $ direct deposited into a credit union account for which I have no debit card, no checkbook, and no access without a 25 min drive. That pays for the vacation, tips, souvenirs, etc.. We also have a change jar that I cash in and divide up for the kids so they have some pocket money they can spend on whatever strikes them. I don't give them charging privileges on their KTTW card or now magic bands.