Thanks to the US gov't, who WON'T be going to Disney World?

[slappy magoo]

The situations of this past week reminded me of this thread, where people were thrilled over the economic stimulus checks they were supposed to receive, and who was or wan't planning to use that money to go to WDW

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=270649

I was just wondering if anyone, sadly, had to change their plans now because of the economic situation looking, shall we say, a tad more bleak than even earlier this year?

 

[smk]

Luckily the economic slowdown doesn't appear to be hitting the sale of narcotics so I think Ill make it through.

Leave it to you to know just the things to say....:ROFLOL:

 

[wvdisneyfamily]

People should not take loans out for anything (home, car or a vacation)that they cannot afford to pay back. Sorry, but I don't get the thinking there :shrug: *ducks*

Taking a loan out for a vacation has always disturbed me. I would be so worried about how to pay back the loan that I don't think I could enjoy the vacation.

 

[WildLodgeFan]

Taking a loan out for a vacation has always disturbed me. I would be so worried about how to pay back the loan that I don't think I could enjoy the vacation.

With you on that sista! I can't imagine doing that, but on the other hand, many people use credit cards to pay for vacations and basically that is a loan. I always pay cash personally for a trip so I know that I budget accordingly.

 

[sbkline]

With you on that sista! I can't imagine doing that, but on the other hand, many people use credit cards to pay for vacations and basically that is a loan. I always pay cash personally for a trip so I know that I budget accordingly.

I guess it depends on why you are using a credit card. Some people have the money to pay for the vacation, but may prefer to use a credit card so as to rack up rebate or sky miles or whatever, in addition to being able to know exactly how much the trip cost, down to the penny, by putting every expense of the trip on the card. Then, after the trip, and when they get that first bill, they pay the entire thing in full. Or, perhaps they prefer to use a credit card because it's easier than keeping track of cash or traveler's checks, and easier than having to remember to log everything in the checkbook if they pay by check or debit card.

On the other hand, there are those people who don't have the money to do it, and go into debt, be it on a credit card or a bank loan, in order to go on vacation, then spend quite a long time trying to pay it off.

 

[The Mom]

I use my credit card for most everything, but also pay it off in full every month.

It's just easier (for me) to give a hotel, airline, etc a credit card number, then take the money out of my vacation account when the bill comes in. I never look at it as "borrowing" as the money is already there. I guess I'm just giving myself a short term loan? :shrug:

 

[yankspy]

I use my credit card for most everything, but also pay it off in full every month.

It's just easier (for me) to give a hotel, airline, etc a credit card number, then take the money out of my vacation account when the bill comes in. I never look at it as "borrowing" as the money is already there. I guess I'm just giving myself a short term loan? :shrug:

Me too. I especially enjoy when Disney Visa runs promotions. I can rack up the points. I even pay my student loans with it. I earn the cost of almost two dole whips a month with just my student loans.:lol: I just make sure that they are paid in full at the end of the month.

 

[Missing20K]

I can honestly say I have been questioning how bad mine and my gf's Disney addiction is recently. For me personally, groceries cost roughly 60-80 dollars a month more than the same time last year. She just got a raise, but no more OT, which in the end, she will actually make a little less per month. I adhere to a budget, and can honestly say I do have less expendable income than before. Am I worried about my next meal? No, but am I worried about my investments, job opportunities/advancement, rising cost of living? You bet. The only reason we may actually be able to go this year is because of the recent stock market recovery, and the fact that I either somehow know how to pick undervalued stocks, or have gotten really lucky. And the stock market would have never recovered if the gov't didn't inject serious amounts of liquidity into the markets. While I like a hands-off approach to the economy, sometimes the potential for a meltdown is too great to just leave it alone. As a Disney fan, I keep hoping they take advantage of their cash reserves and begin to reinvest in the properties in advance of the inevitable economic recovery.

Also, with the recent increase, (at least it seems like an increase) in promotions for free dining, discounted rooms, etc. that Disney must feel their customers pocket books are being pinched. As others have said, those who go to Disney most likely aren't strapped for cash anyway, but for most of us, may just have less of that extra cash to spend on vacations, hence Disney offering incentives to get people to the parks. They must be at least a little worried middle and upper class America will wait on that vacation until they have a little more sure economic footing.


Oh, and this doesn't seem like a political thread at all, an economic and news related one, yes, but I haven't read any threads that say "I endorse Mr. X" , "Mr.X is an idiot, I like Mr. Y", " Our country will go in the toilet if Mrs. Z is elected." Those would seem much more political than anything I have read yet. :shrug:

 

[MichWolv]

With you on that sista! I can't imagine doing that, but on the other hand, many people use credit cards to pay for vacations and basically that is a loan. I always pay cash personally for a trip so I know that I budget accordingly.

Pay with credit card but pay it off each month. It is a loan, but an interest-free one. Good money management plus points or miles, or whatever.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

One other point about cards after the collapse of xL travel in the UK, people that paid by credit card were protected and got a refund, those paying by debit card cheque or cash kissed their money goodbye.

 

[Disney05]

One other point about cards after the collapse of xL travel in the UK, people that paid by credit card were protected and got a refund, those paying by debit card cheque or cash kissed their money goodbye.

Good point. My credit card is linked to my checking account, I guess technically it's a debit card, so that's something to think about.

 

[Susan Savia]

As we only make the trip once a year, we save all year long for it. We've gotten so used to not going to movies, not going out to eat, saving all our change, saving OT money, turned the thermostat back to 61 degrees in the winter, driving less....it all adds up. But its things we've gotten used to doing and it works for us. It all seems worthwhile when we pull out of the driveway for that l0 day trip!!! We always get annual passes too, so there is savings with that... Oh, and we stay offsite.
____________________________

Next Trip - January 2009

 

[sbkline]

I have no idea if my mortgage company is one of the ones in trouble or not. But I don't know very much about how all this works, so I was curious how it would affect me, as a homeowner, if my mortgage company collapsed. Would I lose my house as a result? Or, would I get it for free now, since the company to whom I owe the money no longer exists? :lol: I know that sounds like a silly question, but I honestly don't know how it would affect me. I'm sure it would affect me somehow, but I just don't know how.

 

[Montyboy]

I have no idea if my mortgage company is one of the ones in trouble or not. But I don't know very much about how all this works, so I was curious how it would affect me, as a homeowner, if my mortgage company collapsed. Would I lose my house as a result? Or, would I get it for free now, since the company to whom I owe the money no longer exists? :lol: I know that sounds like a silly question, but I honestly don't know how it would affect me. I'm sure it would affect me somehow, but I just don't know how.

From what I understand, your mortgage company collapsing will not affect you much at all. Your mortgage will be sold to another company, and you will simply pay it off to that new company. The most important thing is to make sure your account is being credited while they are doing the transition.

 

[WildLodgeFan]

Pay with credit card but pay it off each month. It is a loan, but an interest-free one. Good money management plus points or miles, or whatever.

Requires great will power and money management to do. Unfortunately, I think too many people though who use credit cards do not do that and find themselves paying some amazing interest and that vacation doubles in cost!

I used to work for a credit bureau when I was a high school student, so I admit that experience tends to color my view on credit cards.

 

[WildLodgeFan]

One other point about cards after the collapse of xL travel in the UK, people that paid by credit card were protected and got a refund, those paying by debit card cheque or cash kissed their money goodbye.

Which in my mind makes absolutely no sense. No matter the form of payment, you should have received a refund. :hammer:

 

[aj_steig]

I second that, I made a point to AVOID watching the news and the updates on the campagin, when I was in WDW this summer, since Im at Disney to relax, and enjoy the magic, not getting riled up over what goes on in the country.

Me too! That was my escape time, so I didn't want to see or hear anything about the news. Anytime my husband would switch the news on, I would switch it back to the resort channel!