Do you let your kids help save up for Disney? About This Page:

[Lemonie]

Ok, so here's the thing, we have this piggy bank that is labeled "Disney Fund" sitting on the counter. Everyday I put all my change & sometimes a $1 or $5 bill in it, my hubby will sometimes put his change in too. Let me say that we budget money every year for our vacation and this is just extra money so that we can stay at a fancier resort, get the DDP, and get souvenirs. Last night my 10 year old DS was going to put $5 into it and my DH said "No way!" All along the kids have put in a $1 here or some spare change there, but never that much. My DS told DH that he had found that $ on the playground at school, turned it into the office, it was unclaimed so it was returned to him & he wanted it for Disney. My question to you is, do you let your kids help out in the saving process for your trip? Why or why not?

[kurtholley]

For the last few years my 9 year old DD has saved her own disney fund. She uses it for her shopping sprees. She plans on it all year. For the holidays or her Bday she will ask for money or disney gift cards

[Carousel96]

"found money" like that -- sure, I'd let that go into the kitty so the whole family can benefit.
Other money -- like birthday or Christmas money -- no. But she could save it for her own spending money while we're there.
If I want to take my family on a vacation, it's my responsibility to pay for it not DD's.

[mcc0313]

My girls each save for their own "spending" but we have a change jar that we use and right before the trip we turn it in for dollars, we use it for snacks, food, souviners...the girls are always throwing change or dollars into that. I think it is good for them to feel a part of the process, now I agree holiday money or birthday money, they can save a part of theat for their own personal savings but my youngest gets paid $10 when she helps a neighbor with their weeding, she splits this up into her pocket money, her savings and she puts $2 into the disney jar and It makes her feel very proud.

[apqsmom]

I don't think I would have a problem with letting my girls help save for a trip. I think that is just a sign they want to feel included in the planning and are contributing. My kids are expected to save their own money for all the "extras" they want to buy. I usually buy them ears, christmas ornaments, and 1 other souvenir of their choice but it is their responsibility after that.
I will give them a little money in their valentine's gift this year and I imagine the Easter bunny might find some disney gift cards to get them for their baskets.
So...maybe you could let them help and then offset what they put in by giving them that money on a gift card to use on the trip?

[EddieCVS]

my kids are too young now, but when they are old enough I will give them opportunities to do things around the house to earn Disney money for our trips.

[disney]

I'm doing the same thing right now , I have a 10yo and a 6yo . 6yo will do anything we say , but i only allow my 10 yo to put money that she finds in the supermarket the street ect ect . to me her allowence and birthday is her money but we let her only take a bit of it when we go for something that she wants to buy for her or her brother but we oversee this too .

[kimberlym322]

I dont have kids so this is just my thoughts on it. Why not get your son a jar to save money in??? That way he will have a little of his own money as others have said.

My answer to your DH is why not??? Would you rather him save the money for Disney or go buy things he don't need like candy???? Your DH should be happy that your son wants to save for something and not just run out to spend the money.

[saxgirl2003]

when i was younger i was always given money for bdays and other days like that. I brought it to disney for my suvies.

My trip in 09 was majorly discounted, so not only did i bring my penny tubes, we had the savings for Spending Money.

In 11, my hubby and i saved money from work to bring with us. we brought penny tubes with us, plus our TIPS was our spending money.

We r hoping for an offer this yr. We want to go back this yr due to Hubby getting sick on Honeymoon in 11.

[Minnick27]

My 7 year old gave me $50 of her birthday money for vacation. And any change she gets goes into a jar. She's very proud to be contributing to our vacation. I can't wait to tell her she did such a good job with money we get to go to Disney

[jlhill4444]

My kids each have their own piggy bank to put money in for Disney. Each one gets to keep what they save and it is their spending money when we get there. Usually they buy toys, stuffy or candy. We don't have a family jar for Disney, we just have money put in our Disney savings account each paycheck.

[Angela531]

Our girls are 8 & 13. We told them on Cristmas that we were going to WDW, at that point we were 70 days out. They opened gifts that had Mickey Ears and $25 gift cards along with a countdown chain. I also made up a bag. Inside are Disney characters and on the back of each one I wrote a value; $1, $2, $3, or $5. Every Friday morning (10 Friday drawings) they draw out one and collect Disney Money. This is the only money we are giving them. I estimate it will be $50-$75 each. If they want more they are encouraged to save their allowance, or other holiday/birthday money they receive.

We also have a Mickey Tin that all of Mom & Dad's change goes into. Every night our 8 yr old collects this change and "feeds Mickey." If they find any money while we are out shopping, ect. they have the option with that money to either add it to their spending money or feed it to Mickey. Most found money goes in the tin, but they also know once in they can't take it back. We do not let them put their other money in the tin though.

We do the same with their allowance. They have a piggy bank for their permanent saving and one for spending. When they are paid allowance, they have to put a portion into the permanent pig. They have the option to put extra in (from their spending portion) but if they do they can't take it back.

[benjiboo25]

ABSOLUTELY!!!!

Before our second trip (in 2009) we all put any spare change we had into our Disney fund. Grandma would often send letters with $1 for each kid, knowing they would each get the thrill of contributing to the fund. Somewhere in the last 2 years, the thrill of adding to the jar has been lost on our oldest child who now likes to hoard his money. However, he told us he was saving to buy us all dinner at WDW--a REAL dinner---so he is still contributing--he just wants to keep better control over his contribution !

[Haleyboo99]

OF COURSE! We always put our change in our jar, no matter what age or how much! Well, as long as it's resonable like 5 or something. I think you should let your kids contribute, it makes them feel good.

[Roxie2006]

YES,,, YES,, I think it is a great idea to teach a child how to save and budget. My 5 yo DGD has her own Disney piggy bank and we give her change all the time and now she goes straight to her bank and puts it in!!!!!