BUDGETING - not the fun part of the PD period!!

Hanes is having a promotion - believe it or not...they are giving away a trip to Disney.

http://www.hanes.com/vacationincomfort

Actually, they are giving away seven trips. All one has to do is purchase specially marked packages of Hanes products. There will be a sticker on the package with a code. Go to the site, enter the code and you're entered to win a trip for four! I enter every single solitary contest I can to win a trip to the World. Never won anything, but I keep trying. There will be another contest starting 6/1 called Hanes Comfort Rewards. http://www.hanes.com/comfortrewards. Same concept - buy the product - go to the site - enter the code. It's a loyalty program where you can earn points for prizes. Every time you enter a code, you're automatically entered into a monthly drawing for a trip to four - 6 trips total!

I can't imagine a free trip to Disney. Speaking of money and Disney trips, I got to thinking this morning about how much a Disney trip has gone up since my husband and I became worldphiles in 1994. Of course, you can control your costs based on where you stay, what time of year you go, where you dine, how many souvenirs you buy. I recall going back in the 90's for as little as $2,000 for a week long trip. That's a deluxe resort. Then, it slowly but surely (actually not that slowly) grew to an average of $2,500, then $3,000 - now I'd say the average week long trip is $3,500. So, thinking about all of this, I decided to go back through our budget for this trip.

Budget for the "Finally get in the Grotto Pool Tour":

Resort - The Dolphin - Annual Pass Discount - $194.50 x 8 $1,556.00

Tax on the Room at the Dolphin @ 12% $186.72

Parking Fee at the Dolphin - $8 x 8 days $64.00

1 night (the 9th night of our stay) renting points at Saratoga
Springs Resort (thanks to my friend Linda!) $130.00

Husband's New Annual Pass (I have mine!) $477.00

Airfare for both of us $260.00

Rental Car $180.00

Expenses (food, buying "stuff" - $125 a day x 9) $1,125.00

TOTAL FOR TRIP $3,978.72*

*You may as well say $4,000 big ones!

Wonder if Hanes would like to foot that bill?

I can only imagine how winning a trip would add to our overall enjoyment. On the other hand, paying for it will NOT hinder my enjoyment. We glady give Disney our money and never begrudge it even for a minute. There isn't another place I can think of where you get all those wonderful memories, the utmost in customer service and entertainment value - all packaged up so nicely - it's worth every penny.

Can't wait to drive onto the property - no more green highway signs. No overhead phone lines. Just pristine manicured beauty!

21 days and counting!