Are you in the SavEars group on Facebook? You should be. It’s where all the cool kids hang out.

We in the SavEars love to encourage and inspire each other, so Bargain Brags are a pretty frequent occurrence. On almost every impressive Bargain Brag, there is a comment along these lines: “This is pretty impressive…I might have to give it a shot.”

This question is for those newbies ready to give it a shot… And for my veterans, who are giving it a shot, but maybe losing a little steam…And for my Classic SavEars, who have given it a shot a few times over and have some wisdom to contribute.

Why are you Couponing to Disney?

Maybe you aren’t. Maybe you are Couponing to Costa Rica. Couponing to a Cruise. Couponing to a Couch. Maybe you are Couponing to a Debt Free Life. Couponing to Retirement. Couponing to College. One of my favorite Walt Disney quotes is the ubiquitous “If you can dream it, you can do it.” Well, if you can dream it, you can coupon to it.

When I say Disney Fund, are you mentally changing it to Car Fund? No sweat. The principles are the same. The lessons taught in Saving to Disney are designed to help you fund your dreams and re-calibrate your life so that savings come naturally. Disney will always be waiting for you.

I started the Saving to Disney program because my savings game needed refinement. I had gotten really good at a few things, but my skills were sorely lacking in other departments. My savings had hit a plateau and the trip I had couponed to in 2016 seemed like a much harder goal to reach when I imagined it for 2018.

One thing I didn’t realize before I started Saving to Disney was how much money was being absorbed back into my budget. I would get $5 back from a rebate and the next thing you know I was holding a $5 Starbucks drink in my hand. I was saving, but not saving smart. Saving to Disney is all about saving smart. Now that $5 goes straight to my Disney Fund. When I do my Weekly Fund check-in, I see that $5 and all the other $5’s here and there really add up. I get excited about my savings, which inspires me to save more. Saving just to save gets you a one-time treat. Saving with a purpose leads you to your dreams.

Your savings can inspire your family to save, too! We use the Disney Fund as a tool to curb impulse buying with our littles. When the “I wants” come out, we ask “Do you want this little thing, or do you want to go see the Castle?” No surprises, the answer is ALWAYS Castle. When my girls find a quarter, or even a penny, we make a big deal of letting them add it to our Dimes to Disney jar. We thank them for contributing to our vacation and talk about what they are most excited to do when we get to Disney. This not only makes them feel like an essential part of our planning, it helps them understand the value of a dollar.

My husband has started thinking long term in a different way. He used to think ‘we spend money on the things we need, and what is left over is for what we want.” This is a great starting place, but the short-term nature always made it feel like there was never anything left for what we wanted. Now we spend money on the things we need smartly, so there is more left over for what we want. For example, you’re always going to need socks. Let your budget work for you. Buy those socks when they’re on sale, not just when the need arises. We’ve all started asking ourselves, “Do we need this?” “Do we need this right now?” “Can we wait until it’s on sale?” Changing your thinking leads to long term saving. Each time you make a deposit to the fund, ask yourself the right questions to help save money, it’s like a little piece of that Disney magic right then and there! You feel inspired. You feel elated. You feel like you can do this!

I’m Couponing to Disney because, between you, me and the internet, it’s the only way I am getting there. We are a one income family with two small kids and some serious medical needs. Taking money from our paycheck isn’t a possibility. All my Disney money needs to come from creative sources. And it won’t take long for the money to add up, because we’re committed. Each week when I do my Fund Check-In, I am shocked at how much I managed to save that week. Our income hasn’t changed. We have. We’re saving with a purpose and we’re saving smarter.

Why are you Couponing to Disney? Tell me all about it in the comments!

Kristen B. is wife to the best Prince around, mama to the spunkiest little princesses, and lover of all things Disney. She started her savings journey three years ago and is now dedicated to making her family’s wishes come true one coupon at a time. She is so excited to take her love of saving to the next level and share her journey with you! Click here to catch up on Kristen’s Savings and join in on your own
savings adventure!