kwdw
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2010
So - I don't make great money - but I definitely like going to Disney solo. I tend to "focus" my trips - I did 5 trips in my last annual pass year. But I'm waiting at least a full year to go to Disney again. I stay at the value resorts to save money, though I have rented points for DVC stays, too. Annual pass discounts on rooms are nice. I've stayed solo at a moderate - but I probably won't do that again as I didn't use any of the step up amenities! I typically eat one TS meal per day - but most of those are "lower priced" TS - I typically only have one "higher end" meal per trip. I also tend to NOT pay for any drinks - soda or alcoholic - though I often get one alcoholic drink per stay. I buy a couple bottles of water on-site - and then re-use those water bottles for the trip. Some trips I rent a car, others I don't. If I rent a car - I go to the grocery store and that saves me a ton of money on food that trip. If I'm not renting a car - I still try to bring some food in my suitcase with me. If creative, there's alot of good meals you can create from non-perishables from home. If it's a longer stay - I even bring my 4-cup coffeemaker with me in my suitcase since values don't have those!
I don't buy snacks in the parks - though I do occasionally pay for a bottle of water when I have to get away from the horrible taste of Orlando water. My souvenirs each trip tend to be 1-3 pins. Maybe a magnet. Maybe a new glass from Arribas Brothers. I did buy a beach towel last trip - and did the "two for x price" game and gave the other one to my niece. Every few trips - maybe a new clothing item or bag or travel mug. But each trip - I spend probably only $20 - $100 total on gifts/souvenirs. (Though - I did spend alot on one trip this past year..... ouch.... but I do love the jacket and baseball hat!!!)
In general - I like to spend my "extra" money on travel. While a professional - I avoid clothes that require dry cleaning - and I buy mid-priced classic stuff - so I don't need to buy a lot of clothes for work. I have like three pairs of work shoes. While I splurged on a nice espresso machine for home - I don't buy coffee or alcohol out. My gym membership is free as it is the outdoors. I take my lunch nearly every day. If I see a movie - it's a matinee. Basic TV/internet package. Basically - I live well within my means at home. Now - I've admittedly had a bit of luck with that. I was hired with a great retirement plan and bought a small townhouse early on before the housing market skyrocketed around me. And my car is 10 years old now - so no car payment for years. I'm not looking forward to the day I have to budget that back in..... that will definitely eat up a lot of my current travel budget.
I don't buy snacks in the parks - though I do occasionally pay for a bottle of water when I have to get away from the horrible taste of Orlando water. My souvenirs each trip tend to be 1-3 pins. Maybe a magnet. Maybe a new glass from Arribas Brothers. I did buy a beach towel last trip - and did the "two for x price" game and gave the other one to my niece. Every few trips - maybe a new clothing item or bag or travel mug. But each trip - I spend probably only $20 - $100 total on gifts/souvenirs. (Though - I did spend alot on one trip this past year..... ouch.... but I do love the jacket and baseball hat!!!)
In general - I like to spend my "extra" money on travel. While a professional - I avoid clothes that require dry cleaning - and I buy mid-priced classic stuff - so I don't need to buy a lot of clothes for work. I have like three pairs of work shoes. While I splurged on a nice espresso machine for home - I don't buy coffee or alcohol out. My gym membership is free as it is the outdoors. I take my lunch nearly every day. If I see a movie - it's a matinee. Basic TV/internet package. Basically - I live well within my means at home. Now - I've admittedly had a bit of luck with that. I was hired with a great retirement plan and bought a small townhouse early on before the housing market skyrocketed around me. And my car is 10 years old now - so no car payment for years. I'm not looking forward to the day I have to budget that back in..... that will definitely eat up a lot of my current travel budget.