Saving 4 Disney vacation: Single parent tips

[luvmy2babies]

My son up until this year and my daughter when she could wore the Garanimals line at Wal-Mart pretty much every day but Sunday. Very economical clothing line.

I buy a lot of tops for my daughter there too.

I aim to buy Coats and jackets big enough to wear for 2 years. I don’t always succeed.

I have minimal clothing for myself, do a lot of mixing and matching

Kids’ jeans come from Children’s Place or Crazy 8 once they go on sale

Church clothes come from “Once Upon a Child”, (thrift store near my daughter’s aftercare) or a clearance sale

School clothes are uniforms. Prior to last year I would always shop sales for those. Old Navy in particular does $5 Polos each year. Although it wasn't a vacation related decision, last year I switched my daughter to a charter school so I no longer have tuition. They specify one store for uniforms so I just try to hit the sales the store has.

We will all be packing lunch during the school year

A lesson I learned regarding shoes was to get the best thing you can afford. Getting a lesser shoe in my house has turned into going back again in ½ the normal time.

We don't have a lot of books in the house; but we go to the library

The biggest lesson I learned and sometimes the hard way was to really keep things documented, to have a place where I can go and look at expenses and how I spend. In my written budget I have an excel file with a tab for each month so I can look ahead and see if we can stay on track for our goal. And I can’t leave anything out, especially the things that don’t occur regularly (ex: quarterly obligations like oil changes and exterminator sprays). I need to plan for them. I learned I have to take the time to evaluate how the amount I budgeted for something compared to what I actually spent. And having things laid out helps me plan better.

I have learned that often timing really is everything. I learned that sometimes when I have overspent and either come up short and or can’t do something I need to do, or save what I wanted, it wasn’t because did something frivolous or I got something I didn’t need; but because I maybe got it 2 weeks before I should have.

So when planning for Disney, I price our trip and calculate the monthly payment that will be required to pay it off. Then I can place that in the budget tabs to see if it will actually work.

We have always stayed at Value resorts
We usually get the dining plan because wherever I am going, the more that is paid ahead of time the better I like it.
We order breakfast items and drinks from Garden Grocer to save the snack credits

 

[DisneyClown]

I use my Disney Visa, but I use it for the 6 months no interest. I put a portion on it, pay it off in a couple of months, then put the other half on and pay it off. After getting right with my finances, having interest eats up my soul. LOL!

I also use Swagbucks to get free gift cards for gas down or gift cards to use in the park. I also have a huge change jar. I ONLY use cash and it's a pain taking out the amount I need each pay period, but the change adds up!

What's swagbucks?

Oh! I do use Swagbucks as well! If you use it as a search engine, it will give you points you can cash in for money or gift cards, and you can earn more points for doing things like watching videos or taking surveys, etc....
I have my search engine set to use Swagbucks, and I also have the app on my phone as well. I'm jobean17... It helped me pay for Christmas last year!

 

[MommyMeNDisney]

A lot of my saving tips won't be relevant but I'll add the more general ones.
- Direct debit weekly into a savings account
- Direct debit weekly into a bills account
Anything left over is for fuel, food, other expenses.
- Every coin goes into our WDW money bank that we bought last trip for this purpose, here we have $1 and $2 coins and it all adds up quickly.
- I say no a lot - to the kids, to myself, to friends and other family members.
- I make up a list of what we have to save for and once we have that amount saved it gets crossed off. I keep it on the fridge so the kids can have a visual reminder of how far we've come.
- Menu plan, menu plan, menu plan lol
- Shop in season.
- We bake a lot, and have take away 'at home'. Basically easy things in the freezer for weekend nights when I can't really be bothered to cook.
- I'm a member of FB community buy/sell/swap groups to sell unwanted things.
- When shopping, I look above and below eye level to find cheaper brands. If something I use is on special ie. toilet paper/washing powder I stock up.
- I get 'creative' in the kitchen and try and use up everything.

I think that's about it. I guess the real trick is to be focused on what you're saving for. I find it much easier to save money when there is an end goal in sight rather than just for the sake of it if that makes sense

I like this a lot!

 

[MommyMeNDisney]

I'm a single mom and life is a struggle...but I've managed 2 trips to WDW for myself and DD7 and am currently paying for and planning a trip for us June 2016. Disney is the only thing we do so it takes time and planning.Here are my tips.
1. We always stay at the value resorts. We love them!
2. I book the room only on BB offer a year or 2 out and pay along as I can.
3.We make a budget/ must do list and when we have that amount saved or payed for cross it off.
4. I save all returnables I find ( at work, home, family members) and my DD and I make it our "job" to see how many we can collect every 2 months. We currently have $10..from the last 2 mo. By June it might be $50!!!..we never know but this is our meal $ or whatever we need it for.
5. I use coupons and take that amount and add it to our fund. For example..I have $20 cash...my purchase comes to $18.50..after coupons..I put what I have left in our jar as soon as I get home..its hard at first but if you make it a habit it does add up.
6. I just started Ibotta. Its an app that gives you refunds for what you purchase. Like couponing in reverse. When you reach $10. You Can "cash out" .I have been doing It for one month and already have $20! Again by June the potential to have more spending money or meals paid is great incentive.
6. We only eat take out for special occasions. I cook at home.
7. We shop thrift stores and sales.
8. We have a yearly yard sale with our community days. We made $100- more for our Disney fund. My DD sold lemonade as well. After the cost of supplies she made $20! She is going to purchase trading pins at WDW.
9. I use clothes racks to dry heavy clothes -- less electric. And we gave up purchasing a new AC this year for Disney..$ we would have spend went into fund. Extreme maybe but we decided our older one was still OK and our fans are fine.
10. I use part of my tax refund to pay for Airfare- we fly Southwest- checked bags are free. We are able to take snacks and certain food items to cut costs at Disney.
11. My work offers a wellness health incentive with $300 to me if I do all the health maintainence things ie- flu shots, mammo, physical , etc. An easy $300 for our Disney fund!.
Sorry this is so long. Just wanted to encourage other single moms/ dads that a Disney vacation is possible with a little effort and time!

I like this too!

 

[jennasmommyinMS]

I do a bunch of things to save for our vacations! First of all, I assign a good portion of my tax refund to pay for it--I can usually pay for the whole thing with it and have money left over. For spending money, I save all of my change and $1 bills--since I work at a bank, I can deposit this into my savings account almost daily.

I also save cans and cash them in--we have can drinks at work, plus I have friends that save for me.

Another thing I do is freezer cooking, buying meat at a good price, cooking it, portioning it out, and freezing it for later. My favorite thing to freeze is potatoes--when those go on sale, I'll cook them and freeze them. I always have mashed potatoes, twice baked potatoes, and potato skins on hand.

There's more that I do, but my computer is giving me fits right now!

 

[MsMamaBear]

A lot of my saving tips won't be relevant but I'll add the more general ones.
- Direct debit weekly into a savings account
- Direct debit weekly into a bills account
Anything left over is for fuel, food, other expenses.
- Every coin goes into our WDW money bank that we bought last trip for this purpose, here we have $1 and $2 coins and it all adds up quickly.
- I say no a lot - to the kids, to myself, to friends and other family members.
- I make up a list of what we have to save for and once we have that amount saved it gets crossed off. I keep it on the fridge so the kids can have a visual reminder of how far we've come.
- Menu plan, menu plan, menu plan lol
- Shop in season.
- We bake a lot, and have take away 'at home'. Basically easy things in the freezer for weekend nights when I can't really be bothered to cook.
- I'm a member of FB community buy/sell/swap groups to sell unwanted things.
- When shopping, I look above and below eye level to find cheaper brands. If something I use is on special ie. toilet paper/washing powder I stock up.
- I get 'creative' in the kitchen and try and use up everything.

I think that's about it. I guess the real trick is to be focused on what you're saving for. I find it much easier to save money when there is an end goal in sight rather than just for the sake of it if that makes sense

I forgot about saying no! That is one thing I do a LOT. Those little knick knacks for $1 will add up AND they'll end up at the bottom of the toy box, only to be thrown away later!

What's swagbucks?

It's a website where you answer surveys or run apps and you get points. Once you get to a certain amount, you can cash out for a gift car to be use online. Most ladies in my coupon group get Target ones an then buy Disney gift cards to pay for their trip. If you follow the Budget Board, there is a whole thread explaining it more in depth. I love it.

 

[MommyMeNDisney]

I do a bunch of things to save for our vacations! First of all, I assign a good portion of my tax refund to pay for it--I can usually pay for the whole thing with it and have money left over. For spending money, I save all of my change and $1 bills--since I work at a bank, I can deposit this into my savings account almost daily.

I also save cans and cash them in--we have can drinks at work, plus I have friends that save for me.

Another thing I do is freezer cooking, buying meat at a good price, cooking it, portioning it out, and freezing it for later. My favorite thing to freeze is potatoes--when those go on sale, I'll cook them and freeze them. I always have mashed potatoes, twice baked potatoes, and potato skins on hand.

There's more that I do, but my computer is giving me fits right now!

1) Do banks still provide paper to roll coins?

2) Do they exchange the rolled coins for dollar bills, if you don't bank there? I bank at a Credit Union that's far from my home (I do online/remote banking).

 

[Jedimom]

First and foremost, we live simply:
1) no cable - we do Netflix and Hulu and save cable for vacations (it's a treat then)
2) I drive an older vehicle with 175k miles on it; it's owned free and clear. My next vehicle will be purchased with cash as well. No loan means I'm not paying interest to someone else and I don't need to allocate principle out of my monthly budget.
3) no credit cards (except a Kohl's with a $300 limit which I rarely use and pay off in cash immediately). While it's true that credit cards can be helpful in some situations and also can help to earn rewards, discounts, etc.....I've found forgoing all of that works best for me. It's so easy to get caught up in the mindset of "saving" money to the point that you're spending money buying things you don't need just to earn a point or because you think you're getting a good deal. No thanks.
4) along those same lines, I don't participate in all the rewards programs out there. I know me and if it encourages me to spend I'd rather not risk it. Figure I save more by NOT using it.
5) no non-mortgage debt - if I don't have the cash, I don't need it.
6) I shop Goodwill year round, about twice weekly on my lunch hour. Mostly clothes, on occasion shoes and other household goods. I often walk out empty handed but eh, it's a good way to kill some time, clear my head, and it's only a mile from work so we're not talking a lot of gas.
7) hang laundry in the summer to cut down on the electric bill.
8) own a dumb-phone: Tracfone for talk/text (though I hate texting), for which I pay little over $200 every 9-12 months to purchase 4500 minutes. Good enough.
9) With each paycheck the FIRST thing I do is make a transfer to savings. First paycheck is small because I have a house payment, second paycheck is usually much more. I also make an additional transfer to savings for the amount of money with I have left over in my checking when the next paycheck comes in. It adds up!
10) When I do spend, I go for quality. A previous poster mentioned shoes -- so true! If you buy everything at Walmart you can't expect it to last. Sometimes you have to hit the real shoe stores or department stores at the mall.
11) I like to hit the local Indian casino a time or two each month. Eh, it's my one "thing." I budget for it. If I spend it all there, then the piggy bank goes hungry. But if I come home with anything, either break even or money ahead, then it all goes in the piggy bank for Disney. Spare change also goes in there.

Some of the things I do to save on the vacation itself:
1) We fly out of an airport 2+ hours away -- better fares.
2) We fly Southwest -- no baggage fees! Even considering baggage fees I've not yet found an airline that can offer us a better fare.
3) I stalk Southwest daily. On our first ever FL vacation in 2013, I paid $182/person RT (or $910 for all 5 of us) for a direct flight MKE-MCO. For our second trip I ended up paying about $230/person but that was because I was stuck coordinating dates with a family member. I had booked Dec 2015 for $198/person but unfortunately had to cancel the same day for medical reasons. Still -- it's assurance that if I keep watching prices, when I am ready to book again I should be able to get it for around $200 RT.
4) I stalk Alamo daily and rebook whenever I see a lower rate. I use codes found on Mousesavers and also signed up on the Alamo website (it's free).
5) We don't stay onsite. It's a treat in itself that me and the kids GET to go to Florida. We prefer an offsite condo for the atmosphere as much as the savings.
6) We don't do all parks because that just isn't budget-friendly. On our first trip, it was SeaWorld, Disney, and Gatorland only (it was an 11 night trip). On our second trip, it was SeaWorld, Universal, and Legoland only. Disney would have been too much to add and we had plenty of fun without it.
7) We have one area we like to splurge on and that's food. It's one area which we all enjoy as we don't eat out that much at home (other than biweekly Little Caesar's because Mom is too tired to cook). But....eating out on vacation every day can get to a person, so we plan a few meals at the condo and also usually do a quick breakfast there.

 

[MommyMeNDisney]

I forgot about saying no! That is one thing I do a LOT. Those little knick knacks for $1 will add up AND they'll end up at the bottom of the toy box, only to be thrown away later!


It's a website where you answer surveys or run apps and you get points. Once you get to a certain amount, you can cash out for a gift car to be use online. Most ladies in my coupon group get Target ones an then buy Disney gift cards to pay for their trip. If you follow the Budget Board, there is a whole thread explaining it more in depth. I love it.

Thanks! Gosh, I wish I were tech savvy. This stuff sounds great. You said website, so that means it's not an app, right? Sorry for the potential dumb question, but I really don't know a lot about how to navigate through all this tech stuff. So, each time I use it, I have to go to www.swagbucks.com?

 

[jennasmommyinMS]

Let's try this again--maybe my computer will cooperate!

I try to save money on everything, even my laundry detergent. I make my own, using this recipe: http://roseatwater.com/homemade-laundry-detergent/

One batch will last over a year for the two of us, for a total of about $30. I also make many of my own cleaning supplies. My favorite is the bathtub/shower cleaner, which is just equal parts of white vinegar and blue Dawn. I just spray it on the tub and shower surround, let it sit, and rinse off--no scrubbing! I also use white vinegar in hot water to mop my floors, and it does a great job. Sure, it has a vinegar smell for a little while, but after a week or two of using this for cleaning, we began to associate that smell with clean.

The next thing I'll be trying is a ball of aluminum foil in the dryer to replace dryer sheets--I'm really hoping that works so I don't have to purchase those again. I can't stand static cling, though.

What I try to do is economize in every area I can--every dollar saved is another dollar to use for our vacations!

 

[jennasmommyinMS]

1) Do banks still provide paper to roll coins?

2) Do they exchange the rolled coins for dollar bills, if you don't bank there? I bank at a Credit Union that's far from my home (I do online/remote banking).

I can only speak for my bank, which is a small hometown bank. We do provide coin rollers for free to anyone that asks for them, although they do have our bank name on them. People bring them back in with the coins in them and we'll either make a deposit into an account or give back cash--whichever they prefer. We like to get rolls of coins from folks, because then we don't have to get them from the Federal Reserve!

 

[MsMamaBear]

Thanks! Gosh, I wish I were tech savvy. This stuff sounds great. You said website, so that means it's not an app, right? Sorry for the potential dumb question, but I really don't know a lot about how to navigate through all this tech stuff. So, each time I use it, I have to go to www.swagbucks.com?

Yes, but they have an app. I don't use it often b/c I haven't learned to navigate it yet. I follow this blog and she has a tutorial on it: http://www.couponingtodisney.com/how-to-maximize-your-swagbucks-earnings/

My bank doesn't roll coins. I just pour them into a big big thing and it counts it for me. I get a slip and then take it to a teller.

 

[MommyMeNDisney]

With Walmart Savings Catcher, you just scan the QT code or bar code on your receipt and they will do a search for same items being advertised for lower prices among a bunch of your surrounding stores. If it finds a lower price for something, they match it and give you that money back.
For the Ibotta app, you have to watch a quick 20 or 30 second commercial, or answer a survey question to "unlock" the rebate for individual items. Then when you get the items, you scan the bar code for each of those items and then scan your receipt to prove you bought them. I like that app a lot because in addition to name brand items, they also offer rebates on generic items. You just need to pay attention that the size of the product matches up. For produce, you don't scan anything, it will pick it up on your receipt. They offer LOTS of rebates on fresh produce as well as staple items like bread and milk. Recently I even saw them offering a rebate for a bag of ice!
Receipt Hog you just scan your receipt for points that can add up to cash, and ShopKick you can earn points to be exchanged for cash by opening the app when you are at the entrance to a store, and then you can also earn additional points by scanning items. I plan on mostly just using it at the entrance to the store.
Checkout 51 is taking me longer to add up because you have to get up to $20 to cash out and they just don't have the items that I usually buy, so as soon as I get it to $20, I am cashing out and I won't do that one anymore.

Once you get the hang of them, it really doesn't take long to do these steps. With Ibotta, if you are connected to Facebook, it will connect anyone else on your friend list to your Ibotta "team" and it can help you build up your money faster actually. Once you start using it, you will get the hang of how it works. Some of these apps, offer rebates for things other than groceries as well. It's worth checking into! Good luck!

Ok, I'm figuring out the Ibotta thing! I'm disappointed because i JUST bought a few of these items the other day, but I think I threw the receipt away (I can't find it).

I have a couple more questions...

What's the time frame for the receipts? I found a 7/2/15 receipt. Can I use that or is it too old?

Can you use Savings Catcher for things at Walmart other than groceries?

 

[MommyMeNDisney]

Yes, but they have an app. I don't use it often b/c I haven't learned to navigate it yet. I follow this blog and she has a tutorial on it: http://www.couponingtodisney.com/how-to-maximize-your-swagbucks-earnings/

My bank doesn't roll coins. I just pour them into a big big thing and it counts it for me. I get a slip and then take it to a teller.

They have those machines at the grocery stores. The problem with those is, they don't give you the exact amount you put in. That's their way of "charging" you for the convenience of using the machine vs rolling the coins. Not sure if the machine at your bank gives you the exact amount or not.

 

[Jedimom]

The next thing I'll be trying is a ball of aluminum foil in the dryer to replace dryer sheets--I'm really hoping that works so I don't have to purchase those again. I can't stand static cling, though.

Vinegar, in place of fabric softener, in the wash is supposed to cut down on some static cling. I use it occasionally for some of the most smelly loads (boys clothes) as it seems to destroy odors better than fabric softener. Hanging clothes outside (or inside on a shower curtain rod, drying rack, etc) should eliminate the static cling too....though I realize not everyone has the time, desire, or space for that.

 

[MommyMeNDisney]

I can only speak for my bank, which is a small hometown bank. We do provide coin rollers for free to anyone that asks for them, although they do have our bank name on them. People bring them back in with the coins in them and we'll either make a deposit into an account or give back cash--whichever they prefer. We like to get rolls of coins from folks, because then we don't have to get them from the Federal Reserve!

Thanks! I'm going to try the local bank to see if they will give me paper to roll my coins, then accept them in exchange for cash even though I don't bank with them.

I'm so excited! I'm going to go through all my bags and wallets to gather all the change and dollar bills. I just found a few dollars in an old backpack.

I'm going to learn how to use these apps mentioned on here too.

 

[jennasmommyinMS]

Vinegar, in place of fabric softener, in the wash is supposed to cut down on some static cling. I use it occasionally for some of the most smelly loads (boys clothes) as it seems to destroy odors better than fabric softener. Hanging clothes outside (or inside on a shower curtain rod, drying rack, etc) should eliminate the static cling too....though I realize not everyone has the time, desire, or space for that.

I used vinegar in my laundry back when my first daughter was a baby to help get all of the detergent out of her clothes, and I'd forgotten about that--thanks!

 

[MommyMeNDisney]

Let's try this again--maybe my computer will cooperate!

I try to save money on everything, even my laundry detergent. I make my own, using this recipe: http://roseatwater.com/homemade-laundry-detergent/

One batch will last over a year for the two of us, for a total of about $30. I also make many of my own cleaning supplies. My favorite is the bathtub/shower cleaner, which is just equal parts of white vinegar and blue Dawn. I just spray it on the tub and shower surround, let it sit, and rinse off--no scrubbing! I also use white vinegar in hot water to mop my floors, and it does a great job. Sure, it has a vinegar smell for a little while, but after a week or two of using this for cleaning, we began to associate that smell with clean.

The next thing I'll be trying is a ball of aluminum foil in the dryer to replace dryer sheets--I'm really hoping that works so I don't have to purchase those again. I can't stand static cling, though.

What I try to do is economize in every area I can--every dollar saved is another dollar to use for our vacations!

I made DS's head-to-to wash and baby oil. I use his wash too. I make my own hair cleanser. I tried making my own cleaning products for the bathroom, but that was a fail. I plan to try laundry detergent next, but I'm not certain how well it will clean DS's cloth diapers or if it will mess them up.

I use PurECO Sheets. They're reusable. I have two sets (4 total). I've had them for over a year and they still work well. No static at all. Here's an image of them...

 

[Carie Baker]

I work for a high end jewelry company and so I make commission on things I sell. Several years ago I started only living off my salary and banking my commission. So, the more I sell the more I have to put in savings. It's tough sometimes but when the tough moments come we don't go out as much and we find ways to do without things...or well I do. I also build a spreadsheet of expenses for each vacation. I try to but down everything we are going to need...spending money, tips, cabs, big things too...hotel, airfare, food, tickets to places. Then I add it all up and divide it by the number of paychecks before things need to be paid and then set that aside. I have a savings act that is for vacations/fun. Every time money goes in the balance on the spreadsheet goes down. It works for me. We go to Disney/cruise about every 16 months. We do other little trips too.

 

[DisneyClown]

Ok, I'm figuring out the Ibotta thing! I'm disappointed because i JUST bought a few of these items the other day, but I think I threw the receipt away (I can't find it).

I have a couple more questions...

What's the time frame for the receipts? I found a 7/2/15 receipt. Can I use that or is it too old?

Can you use Savings Catcher for things at Walmart other than groceries?

You know I'm not sure if they have a specific time frame on Ibotta. I know they do for the Savings Catcher. Go ahead and scan it. It will tell you if it's out of the range. With the Savings Catcher, you just scan the receipt, that's it, and it will find anything that has been ADVERTISED at a lower price. Now that only goes for name brand things that you specifically bought. For instance, if you buy a Hormel Chicken for $3.00 at Wal-Mart, and they have it advertised at Kroger's for $2.50, Wal-Mart is going to credit you 50 cents. It isn't specific to groceries only. If you buy a certain brand of pens from Wal-Mart, and Staples happens to have them advertised for lower, then you will get credited.