Recently, a friend was curious how we manage to visit Walt Disney World once a year, with two children, as a one salary household. “We would love to do Disney,” she said. “But it’s just so expensive. What’s your secret?”
Here’s the secret.
There is no secret.
A Disney vacation is not cheap, it’s true. But that doesn’t mean it is isn’t for you. Disney vacations don’t just fall from the sky. You have to work for them, save for them, plan for them. To quote the Princess and the Frog: “You wish and you dream with all your heart. But you remember, that old star can only take you part of the way. You got to help it along with some hard work of your own.”
But even if you’re ready to put the hard work in, it can be tough to know how to start. That is where, for me, the Saving to Disney course comes into play. Let it be your map, your playbook, your guidelines. Before I did the course, our family had done Disney World, but oh what a difference the course made. Not only did I save more beforehand, but I was also to spend wisely at Disney. Like I’ve said a million times, the Saving to Disney course changed the way my family looked at, thought about, and dealt with money.
It also includes some practical money making tips you might not have thought of. One of these tips made me $200 to put towards my Disney Fund, and I never would have even considered it before the course.
One way the Saving to Disney course suggests adding to your Disney Fund is applying for the Disney Visa from Chase. If you sign up for the no annual fee card through a referral, then spend $500 in a three month period, they send you a $200 Disney Gift card. Easy as that.
We applied for the card and received it in about a week. Then we used our card to put our deposit down on our 2018 Disney vacation. Next, we took the money from our Disney fund and paid off the balance of the card. Our $200 gift card just arrived in the mail and guess where it’s going? Right back into the Disney fund. We plan on using the card to make all of our payments, since you get 1% back, that you can redeem as more Disney gift cards! We will pay off the balance monthly with money from the Disney fund. If you are responsible with credit, this is a great option to make some Fund dollars.
If you’re interested in applying for the card, you’re in luck! We have a referral list as part of the SavEars group online. Head over here to learn more information about that.
This method isn’t for everyone, especially those working through credit issues. But that’s okay! The Savings to Disney course is full of money making ideas like this one. There is a bound to be something in there to give your fund a boost.
Total Goal: $3500
Last Week: $1135.89
Total Deposit: $200, bonus from the Disney Visa from Chase
Still Need: $935.89
We’re officially under the $1000 mark. Remember, when you book a Disney vacation, your balance is due 30 days before arrival. We are set to arrive on September 3rd, so our balance will be due August 4th. Six months left to pay for our 2018 Disney vacation. Being under $1000 makes it feel so achievable! Dreaming it and doing it!
How are your funds coming along? Is a Disney vacation on your horizon? 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!