Secret Savings and Surprises

[Atomicmickey]

OK, I think it's safe to confess here!

How many people secretly save for Disney?

When we returned from our last trip, about two weeks after we returned I found $300.00 in spending money that we had forgotten about (!!) in my carry on bag. No one in the family said anything about it, and I hatched an idea. I would put it away, and add to it when I could, to try to make another trip happen sooner than anyone expected.

So, I have a secret hiding place that's my Mickey Fund. I save change, etc. when out for lunch with friends and colleagues, I'll put the lunch on my debit card, and collect cash from people. If I need to take 30 dollars out, I'll take 40 from the cash machine and put the 10 away. Little by little, it's adding up, and surprisingly, my wife hasn't noticed!

The family doesn't know about my magical Mickey savings jar yet, but I'm
about halfway to saving everything.:sohappy:

The idea is, to say to my wife, in about two months "if I said we could go to Disney World in October for under $1000 would you say yes?"

(Hoping to find a buy 4 get 3 deal for October, that would make it a slam dunk!)

Then . . . spring the secret. I'll have saved enough! BWAHAHAHAHAAAAA!

They can't say no, can they?:shrug:

Anyone else do anything sneaky like this? It's pretty fun to have a secret.:zipit:

They have no idea this board exists, lol, so I think I'm pretty safe here, and I figured folks here would understand!

 

[Tiggerfanatic]

I don't really have a "secret" savings fund, but I do save ALL my change and any "found" money goes in the Disney account. That's how we've been able to go the last 3 years in a row, and it's looking pretty good for this year, too.

 

[TxNewsies]

We don't have a secret savings but this year we do have a surprise. We usually use our tax refunds for our Disney trip each year. But this year we will have to save for next summer because we are taking our niece and nephew on their first Disney Vacation. When we go this summer we are buying them Mickey ears with their names on them to wrap to give them Christmas morning and then tell them they are going to Disney World! They are always talking about Disney so it's so hard keeping it a secret but it will be worth it in the end!

 

[DizneyPryncess]

Since I'm the Disney nut in my family, if I saved up to surprise anyone else they probably wouldn't be as excited. I think that sounds like an awesome idea though!

I do save up all my loose change when I start planning a trip. DH & I cash it in and see how much extra we have there. Whenever we have extra cash, we put it in a box in our room too. Last week we went to a new casino in Pittsburgh and DH won $600 on a slot machine, so that was perfect timing for us! We leave Monday so we're taking that with us and having a little extra fun with it.

 

[Susan Savia]

I am always saving. Last years stimulas check ($900) and a portion of our recent tax refund will cover our annual passes we'lll get when we go in February 2010. We usually do well at the slots in Mississippi when we go each August and some of that goes into the mix. It only leaves a little to come up with then.

 

[DisneyPirate85]

every 2nd check we go to the bank and get $25.00 in quarters and put it in our Disney Saving box. Any extra checks we get insurance reimbursment stuff, Tax stuff , also goes in there. Adds up quickly and by getting the quarters its not easy for us to say "oh i need $5.00 i'll put it back later".
Shawn

 

[pixiesteno]

I think your idea is wonderful, you seem to be well on your way to your next trip. For one of our trips I didn't say anything to DH for a while and I was pulling an extra 25 a week out of my paycheck and putting it in the bank in my vacation account so when it came time to plan we were already half way there.
We also have a Disney Visa card so all the purchases go on that and we pay it off at the end of the month and you would not believe how quick the points can add up. When we bought our business 2 years ago we split the regular monthly bills, shipping costs, advertising, parts, etc between the Disney Visa and another card that gives us point at a hunting/fishing store; so he's happy with the points we earn there and we get disney points. For last December's trip we had enough points to cover meals for 3 for 5 days and most of the shopping.
You may not get the 3 for 4 deal, but I know there is a free dining deal going on for the fall and that can take your $$$ further. Enjoy the secret, savings, and the celebration that you will get when the family learns they can go again:sohappy::sohappy: If you have a birthday or anniversary between now and the trip, that might be a great time to spring to surprise; You should get a card with balloons on it that somewhat mimics the card in the commercials and see what happens.

 

[Atomicmickey]

One thing about this that I'm acutely aware of--this is
a one shot deal!

LOL, after this, everyone will know to look for my secret
Mickey Jar. The fun of this is that it's unprecedented.

A few weeks ago, I did start a family Mickey Jar. That's
one that they know about, and can contribute to.

My seven year old dumped his piggy bank in with a big
smile, but then about three hours later was standing there
moping. He said "I feel like an idiot". He wants a Nintendo
game, and he dumped a little too much in to the bank, LOL.

Good teachable moment on delayed gratification, with a parental
promise that if he does good in school for the rest of the year,
we'll make up the difference and he'll get his game.

I do think that it's going to happen, we're going to go in October,
and honestly, I've been having Disney fun just about every day.
From my point of view, this has been a blast! Hope my wife agrees
when she finds out!:lookaroun

 

[Jessie&Buzz]

We don't have a secret savings but I take $100 out of each pay and put it away. It helped that I was full time for a while in the fall. I took out what I made on part time to keep for spending and the rest went into my "Disney Fund". I have almost all of our Oct trip payed off. I need a few more paychecks and we're good to go. The kids save change. We have enough saved since last Sept for us to go to the Hoop Dee Doo cat 1. There are 4 of us. They will keep saving and we'll divide up the rest for spending money for them.

I think your idea is awesome. I hope they are super excited when you tell them!

 

[tcwickings]

We save the money 1st,it takes about 2 years.I dont like using credit cards for our trips to the world.

 

[disneypearl]

I save about $20 out of every check and put it in my WDW jar. I also empty my change into my disney banks. I have a different bank for quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennys. They are all disney banks so that makes it fun and easy to sort.

 

[Uncle Lupe]

We put only $40 bucks each paycheck and bonus check, and extra money from tax refunds in a savings account. It adds up fast, plus you get interest. By the time we go we will have enough to pay for everything in full. From plane tickets to food no bills to worry about when we return.

 

[lilclerk]

I have a "secret" savings account at a different bank than I usually use so I sort of forget about it. $50/paycheck goes direct deposit into it and that plus my Disney Visa rewards are how I pay for my trips. Though I'm going twice this year with part of my tax refund. Probably should have saved it for next year, but oh well!

 

[Phonedave]

My kids throw change into a jar (actualy its an oversized clear plastic beer bottle - I am such a good dad )

Thats their souvineer money. Somtimes I throw a few bills in there as well, to help it along. All my nickles, and dimes go in there (quarters are needed for laundry - nothing as bad as needing one more quarter to run the dryer late at night and not having it)

Pennies get saved just because its somthing I do. I have a sack with over 60 lbs of pennies in it. I have no idea why

-dave

 

[zurgandfriend]

Secret planning and saving

I start saving and planning for my next trip on the way home from the last trip. Usually on the magical express heading to Orlando International.
Our last trip was December 2007 and I have been secretly planning and saving for our next trip. I have a secret account where any spare money, bonus’ etc go into.
On rainy day recently I put the WDW vacation planning DVD on and started watching, soon my wife and son were watching it with me. I went to the resort section and started the “what if” game. If we had the money which resort would you want to stay at. I got them narrowed down the Grand Floridian and Yacht Club. Neither one wants to stay at the Poly (bummer).
2010 will be a special year for us, with a milestone birthday for me and a milestone wedding anniversary. I want to “plus” our next trip and stay concierge level.
My “cunning plan” is to get quotes this fall for next year at the Grand Floridian and Yacht Club. On Christmas morning show my family the quotes, the bank book and then tell them to “take their pick”.
I have the money saved now I just have to wait for Christmas, and it killing me

 

[Eyekimore]

We do crafts as a side business. The craft money is our Disney money. So anytime I'm complaining and tired of lifting/selling/etc.- my DH says to me- remember Disney. Everytime he sells something he says something like "There's a rice krispie treat at WDW- or there's a boat ride on Bay Lake".

August 2009- Bay Lake Towers :sohappy:

 

[zipper15]

I love the quarters idea. I took an empty baby wipe box and we covered it in mickey stickers. I have a terrible habit of dipping into it every now and then. I don't think I'd be as likely to head to the mall with fifty bucks in quarters! :lol:

 

[Atomicmickey]

Zurgandfriend--you got that right about the wait killing ya! It is hard to keep these secrets.

Re: pennies and the jar and such.

Rules of our Mickey Jar (the public family one)

1) Once the money is in the jar, it's in the jar. No withdrawals.
2) Only Dad may open the jar. (for periodic counts)
3) No counting what you put in. (I don't want anyone thinking they
get a bigger souvenir or something because "I put 5 dollars in back in May!")
It is a community pot--besides, as I told the kids, no matter how much they
choose to put in, Mom and Dad win the contribution contest, lol:lol:
4) No taking money from anyone else to put in the jar. I can see one of the kids
sneaking in to another's room, taking their money and dropping it in.

 

[DisneyPirate85]

I love the quarters idea. I took an empty baby wipe box and we covered it in mickey stickers. I have a terrible habit of dipping into it every now and then. I don't think I'd be as likely to head to the mall with fifty bucks in quarters! :lol:

Hey it works GREAT! The other day DD, who is 20, came over and said "Hey daddy can I borrow $20.00"? Showed her 2 rolls of quarters and she said "No thanks". So ya its also a antiborrowing device for kids :lol:. We also use it to offset our MF's for DVC.