The last few weeks I have fielded like more question than I can count about our vacation habits.  While I get that it’s really none of people’s business (and I say that with peace and love!), I also get the curiosity.  We do like to travel a lot.  So if you have ever been curious how we do it, here are a few questions I have been asked and my answers.

Q: You go to Disney a lot, how is that possible?  It’s so expensive!

A:  Yes, yes it is.  For us the savings comes down to a lot of things.  First being our time share with Disney.  We use that as our hotel accommodations.  And, if we don’t have the points left, we stay at a value resort. Value is the cheapest, but our second favorite to the other hotels.  We also buy Disney gift cards at Giant Eagle when fuel perks are high.  I sometimes even use credit cards to buy those cards sometimes at an extra percentage of 2%-5% cash back.  We use the dining plan when it makes sense.  We don’t when it doesn’t make sense for that particular trip.  Depending on length of stay, and how soon we’ll be coming back to Disney, annual passes are sometimes a better deal than individual tickets.  Even more so when we get a discount with our Disney Vacation club/timeshare.  We get food discounts with Annual Passes and free Memory Maker (aka, they take pictures for us, a service that can be pricey when purchased a la carte, but let’s face it…when the vacation is over memories and pictures are what you have left).  We get food discounts with DVC (Disney Vacation Club).  We aren’t souvenir people, and neither is M.   We share meals sometimes.  I have groceries delivered to help with food cost for the easy things (breakfast bars, water, pop, juice boxes, etc.).  I use Southwest points to pay for our flights.  It all adds up.  Our next upcoming quick trip is costing me about $50 out of pocket (which includes a car rental for one day that we don’t usually do).  Plus food.  But, to defer the food cost a bit, I’ll be using some gift cards that I earned for free from a rebate website.

Q: All your traveling is expensive – Disney, Aruba, Vero Beach, etc.  You go to some nice places!

A: We do.  And we know we are blessed.  Each of these I have couponed my way to our vacations.  I use Websites and Apps like Ebates, Mr. Rebates, My Points, Ibotta, Fetch, Shopkicks, etc. (and if you have interest in any of these, let me know and I would be appreciative to send you a referral link!) to get cash back, gift cards, etc.  Plus regular old printed coupons.  My child has been conditioned that we probably won’t get it if we don’t have a coupon, discount or a gift card.  Extra bonus if we have all of them!  Most things go on promo eventually.  Sometimes you have to be patient.  Additionally, I shop secondhand.  A lot.  M has a ton of toys and clothes.  More that she needs I know, but a lot of that came from a garage sale, Salvation Army etc. for $1 vs the $25 it was in the store.  Including some of her birthday and Christmas gifts.  She is okay with that and I for sure am.

Q: Flying isn’t cheap.  How can you afford for all of you to go?

A: Southwest.  When the flights first become available.  Points that I have earned from our credit cards.  And I earned enough points that either M or Dan fly free for all of 2018 and 2019.  I love their companion program.  I am happy with their luggage policy.  I am happy with their direct flights to Orlando from Pittsburgh.  Just learn how to work with the system.  Ask…it’s like a sport to me, so I’m happy to share!

Q: How can you plan so far ahead?

A: I have to.  I want to show M as much of this world as I can and traveling in itself is a teaching tool.  “When you travel with your children you are giving them something that can never be taken away, experience, exposure, and a way of life” ~Pamela T Chandler~.  To do that and to do it so I can still retire someday, I do it ahead to get the cheaper flights, rates, etc.  And then I watch those rates and if they drop, I get a rebate.  And quite honestly, for Disney…you really have to.  The restaurants book up early.  By early, I mean 180 days ahead.

Sure…this is all a lot of work, but in the end, it’s worth it.  It’s a game to me.  A game that I’m really good at.