Saving Money for Your Trip to Disney World

(Short Excerpts From the Book)

   We have several suggestions that we have used over the years that can assist in compiling the cash that is needed to go to Disney World. There are many ways to cut the overall cost of your vacation, but even after that you will need to have a decent amount of money set aside for the trip.

The Classic Coin Jar
     Months (or years) in advance, set aside a large jar or other container for loose change from your family’s pockets every day. As a family, have everyone contribute change to the vacation fund at the end of each day. Do not give into temptation and raid the jar. Some banks have machines and will count up the loose change for you and exchange it for cash. Other banks will require you roll the coins up yourself using coin wrappers. Others will refuse your coins altogether. Search around for a bank that will cooperate.

Open up a Vacation Account at Your Bank
     Open up a special account that is just for your vacation fund. Make sure to get a check/debit card with your new account so you can conveniently use it where credit cards are accepted while on your vacation. This can also come in handy when booking hotels, rental cars, and plane tickets. This way the money is deducted directly out of your vacation budget and not out of another account or a credit card.

Break a Habit, and Put the Money You are Saving into Your Savings Jar or Vacation Account
-     Let’s start with the obvious: cigarettes. Cigarettes cost a fortune. Most people can save $5-$10 a day by stopping smoking.
-     Do you stop off at Starbucks or the local donut/coffee shop every morning? Is this really a wise investment of $5 or more everyday? Stop making your daily stop, and put the money you would have spent on lattes and sugary sweets in your savings jar each day. This will add up quickly.
-     Take your lunch to work everyday, rather than eating out. Eating out everyday can add up to a serious amount of money. Eating at almost any sit-down restaurant can run someone around $8-$15 a day. Make the sacrifice and take your family to Disney World instead.
-     If you need to go out for lunch, try to cut something out. Order water with your meal and don’t order a desert or any extras. In fact, have an appetizer or side salad as a meal, and it will be cheaper.

Have a Garage Sale or Yard Sale
-     You would be amazed at how much can be raised from a garage sale. Old clothes, toys, and gadgets you never use can really add up.
-     Ask around to see if any of your friends or family have any extra things that they might want to “donate” to your cause.

Place Ads in the Newspaper to Sell Large Items
-     Do you have an extra bedroom set, TV, car or couch? Place an ad in the local newspaper to get rid of those bigger ticket items.  Some newspapers will allow you to list certain items for free. Call and check out their rates.
-     It is better to try to sell your bigger ticket items this way, as opposed to trying to sell them at a garage sale. People show up to garage sales with a limited amount of money and they are typically looking for smaller items.

Sell Your Stuff on eBay (www.ebay.com)
-     If you have name brand items or collectible items that have a higher-than-garage-sale value, consider selling them on eBay.
-     Some of the most unusual items, that appear to have no value to most people, will fetch high dollars on eBay.
-     If you do not have an account with eBay, get one. It is a great resource for finding deals and for selling items. Setting up an account is extremely easy.

Sell Used Books on www.amazon.com
-     Amazon.com is a great place to sell books with no upfront fees. Amazon allows you to list as many items as you want without being charged for the posting of the item. A lot of people put up several hundred books with no out-of-pocket expenses.
-     Fees are assessed only when products sell and, unlike other auction sites, Amazon deposits the money into your account. You do not have to work out payment arrangements with buyers as you do with eBay.

Get a Temporary Job
-     Look into taking up a temporary job on weekends or in the afternoon.
-     Many times around the holidays, stores or vendors in malls will hire individuals just for the holiday season. These jobs typically have very flexible hours and last for a short amount of time.

Throw a Paper Route
-     Paper routes are not just for kids anymore. Take on a paper route for 6 months or so.
-     Getting up every morning for 6 months could wear on you a little, but if a route paid $500 a month, you could save up $3,000 for your vacation very quickly.

Want More Tips and Secrets? Disney on a Dime, Available Now!!

Look to Disney on a Dime for the latest and greatest ways to Save money on your Disney World Vacation.  Look in the Book for more Saving Money tips on: Creating a Budget How to Lower Monthly Bills Planning and Packing Save, Don't Waste Paying For Items Overtime Get the Family Involved Saving Do's and Don'ts Extra Tips on Saving up $$$ Realizing Potential Savings Free Planning Resources

Other Topics That Can Help with Saving Money:

Look at Explore the Magic for free budget/planning software

Planning For Travel