How do you budget for souvenirs?

[ljv1975]

Just curious how people budget their souvenir spending. I am trying to figure out the best way and how much for each person (DH, DD2 and myself). Any suggestions are appreciated! Thanks! :mickey:

[adoptionislove]

Unfortunately, I don't. If I see something I or someone I know would like...I buy!!!!:secret:

[thrillme]

I guess I really don't. My DS doesn't want a lot of sovineers except "maybe" for a T-shirt. Since he's my only one I limit him to maybe $200 at the lego store (I'll probably divide some of that to get a light saber this year). Me...all I want is a Christmas ornament.

Pictures are my biggest souvineer.

HOWEVER...when we go to Universal my DS LOVES his superheros so I can bank on at least 2-3 T-Shirts, hero clix (if they have them) and perhaps a superhero encylopedia of some sort. It may be a lot to spend but he loves to play Clix every weekend and he LOVES pouring over his superhero encylopedias. My Dad was a big comic book superhero lover so I guess the hobby passes down to both of us.

[BelleLovesTheBeast]

I have to set a budget. If I bought everything I wanted I'd spend more than my house is worth buying collectible pieces.

I'd set a dollar range. On our last trip (10 days) I planned on $100 - 150 for him. He doesn't usually get but a t-shirt and a couple of other items. I planned on $350 - 500 for myself. I on the other hand get several t-shirts to wear, pins, mugs, etc. Also I budgeted $1000 for him to spend on me for Christmas. I like the WDCC pieces so he was getting me some of those.

I found that to be the best way. If you set it for the trip then everyone can spend at their pace.

[positive0negative]

Several trips with the trip home filled with "man..I wish I'd got that.." has taught me to pretty much buy stuff I like when I see it. I passed on a lot of things this time that I know I'd like to have, but I know now I should have just jumped on them.
Luckily my Dad is sweet enough (read = loves any excuse to visit the World) to drive three hours from his house to pick me up some stuff at DTD if I really can't stand it.

[disneymom15]

From the time my daughter was small, we set a limit. We would allow her to take like $75 out of her savings acct. She could also earn extra money for helping Grandma, baby sitting, etc that she could use however she pleased. We always buy her a couple of things from us. She learned early on not to buy the first thing she sees, otherwise her money would be gone 2 days into trip.

[ibelieveindisneymagic]

We try and set a general limit for the trip. We also try and think about what we need/want before we go.

Such as, I really want a Mickey sweatshirt this time, we want more stuff for the house, etc. This helps keep us on track when we see all of the "cute" stuff all over the parks.

We do tend to spend more than we intend to, especially since you don't really see the $$ when it is charged to the room key. It's funny, we buy the Dining plan, the packages, all so we can track spending, and this one always messes us up.

Last trip, we spent about $750 on "stuff", not too bad for the 3 of us!

[Polynesian Dweller]

Selected "Don't budget" but then we don't buy many souvenirs regardless of where we go. We tend to like to get a couple of things that act as reminders of the place. I get a shirt or two and a hat each year. WIth that little, budgetting isn't a concern.

[SBETigg]

Budget? What is budget? :blush:

[Funforall]

Ours really isn't a specific amount budgeted. We'll walk through most of the stores but not find things that my sons just have to have. If we do buy something it's usually one thing per day and not very expensive. Lego store is the one that hurts us most.

[BronxTigger]

I don't set a budget. However, I've been enough times to have a pretty good idea of some of the things I want before I go, so I make a list of those and add it to my itinerary. Also, when I do see things that I want that I hadn't considered before hand, I think about if I will really use it after I get home, and also about if I would regret it if I didn't get it. I try not to be overcome by impulse buys and that crazy Disney emotion that they must pump into the gift shops.

Overall, I've been happy with the things I've brought home over the last few trips, and I don't feel like I've overspent.

[princessjojo]

I chose budget for the whole trip, but it kinda falls into each of the three choices. We have the boys save up their money, but we also give them some as well. Then we give them the choice of how much of their money they want to take, put it on a gift card or disney dollars, and let them choose when and how to spend it. If they spend it all on the first day, then so be it, it's gone. We try to discourage this, but also try to teach them lessons on how hard it is to come by and how easily it is to lose.

I still have trouble with this...:spend: :cart: :shop:

[biodtl]

As soon as we start planning and book the trip, I start buying Disney dollars anytime I have a few extra bucks to spend.

I also have tell the kids that they can save their money and buy Disney Dollars with them. I don't force them, but they know that whatever they save is what they have to spend. We spend as many DDs as we have, but no more.

[GrmGrninGost]

However you decide to do it, I highly recommend waiting for a few days before purchasing anything but necessities. There is so much to pick from, I'll often see things I like better after I've spent my allotted money! Oh well, then you just have twice as much! :mickey:

[tinksmom02]

I couldn't vote in the poll, because my budgeting method is to save as much as possible before the trip, and that's my spending money LOL

On our January 07 trip, DD pretty much got whatever she wanted, mainly because Grandma and Grandpa were with us. In September, I severely cut back on my spending (on her, anyway LOL). I also had a pretty detailed list of what I wanted to buy--for me, and for gifts for others. DD also had a list of things she wanted to buy.

Although, I guess that didn't work out too well, seeing as how I had to buy another suitcase the night before we left LOL

[RAIDER]

We have never budgeted as such as we have always had a good idea what people want .Also when we have gone to the USA we tend to get our xmas presents for the following year as well in some cases :thumbsup:

[crazy4tink]

Well, for my family, it's really the first two...

For me, I have an allotted amount that I can spend the whole trip and I spend it as I see things that I would like. I also spend some of my allottment on DS. This budget amount is based on how much I have been able to save before we go. I do have an idea of what I will spend before I go, because I know I want a tshirt, and a mug, and a frame, and a... you get the point. :number1:

For DS, he gets an allottment that he can spend per day. Last trip he did very well with this and alloted so well that most days he had money left over; then we went to DTD for our last day and he was able to spend his daily allottment, plus the leftovers! :thumbsup:

I must admit though... and let me qualify this by saying, I am cheap :secret:.... but that being said, I really didn't spend as much on my last trip as I thought I would. I brought home more than half of the money that I had budgeted; even with those little extras, and I really didn't feel like I missed anything or didn't do, because I didn't have. I had a great trip, got a lot of great souvenirs, and brought money home... how cool is that?? :cool:

[Tink#64]

Well I voted for setting an amount per day/ per park, this is what I do for DS's, but DH & myself get an alottment for the entire trip. We all bring some of our own spending money for more spending power! :shop:

I'm weird, for our upcoming trip & our last trip, I made of a list of things that I wanted to get for myself! This years list includes an umbrella, another watch, and a long sleeve Tshirt! I said I was weird! Every year I also add to my kitchenware collection. Last trip I found an adorable clock that matched everything i had! I love my clock! :mickey:

[TrishaTrish]

As soon as we start planning and book the trip, I start buying Disney dollars anytime I have a few extra bucks to spend.

I also have tell the kids that they can save their money and buy Disney Dollars with them. I don't force them, but they know that whatever they save is what they have to spend. We spend as many DDs as we have, but no more.

what are Disney Dollars? Next week will be our first trip, and I have set the kids(4) on their own budget......just curious what a Disney Dollar is, lol, is it something I need??

[BritCody]

If I like it I buy it, is pretty much what I go by.

[Bethis26fan]

What I do is take how ever much I saved and split for how many days I'm there. What I don't spend each day I have for the next day.

So like I know I'm going to be at only one park if there's something I want I buy it, but if I'm going to be there more than once I'll wait to get it.

[DDuck66]

It really depends on two things, how many times you go and how much self control do you have?? When we used to only go once or twice a year, we usually spent a lot more on souvenirs and memorabilia than we do now that we go monthly. We would usually set a an amount per person per day and it was theirs to spend as they see fit. If they went over one day, then there was less to spend on the next day.

[DNS]

I don't budget for them, but I honestly just don't buy like I used to because I just don't see much I like anymore. It seems so much is based around Pirates and Princesses, a lot of the clothing seems to be of less quality, I don't even care for the style of snowglobes anymore.

[Magic Smiles]

Our only budget is how much can our suitcase limit hold (2 checked bags per person @ 50 lbs each) and our Customs excemption. It would be a real pain in the **** to have to start and pay the Canadian taxes on such a long trip. Just to have customs try and decide which items would be taxable.........too long.
Have to say that my baggage weight was over on our Dec 07 trip and I did have to pay for extra weight.

[IloveDisney71]

I don't budget for them, but I honestly just don't buy like I used to because I just don't see much I like anymore. It seems so much is based around Pirates and Princesses, a lot of the clothing seems to be of less quality, I don't even care for the style of snowglobes anymore.

I noticed the same thing during my past trip. I love to collect snowglobes, but I didn't even see any at the World of Disney store in December, so I ended up getting one from the Christmas store. BUT recently they look cheap/tacky (but the price isn't cheap) and some of them don't even play a song. Weird! I also had a hard time finding a cute t-shirt. I ended up buying a men's shirt because I didn't like any of the womens shirts.
I usually give my kids $100 per DD (we always stay at least 4 days when they go with me) and I allow my self about $200.

[TBY2225]

I think things are way over priced, so we usually don't buy too much. My DD however, saves her money all year to buy princess and Hannah Montana things. Both my DH and my DD and DS all started pin trading, so I usually get them some pins. If I get anything, it is usually earrings or something like that. I really perfer stopping in St Augustine on the way down and going to the Disney Premier Outlet. They sale Disney park merchanidise. I let the kids, DH, and I get some things there. They are much cheaper and then they don't want as much when we get to the parks. My DH got a sweatshirt that he saw later in the park for $10 and it was $52 in the park! I got a t-shirt with Mickey on it at the outlet for $10 and it was $29 in the park! Some things are last season, but they still had some very nice things!

[tink2006]

I really do not budget for this because we normally do not buy much. I will give my DS $100 in dd when we check in. The last three trips he has cashed them back in at check out. One year he wanted to buy a sword . We knew this before we went so we did budget for this (to give him a price range to look for). He is a pin trader that prefers the hunt for the perfect pin. We may buy a couple of new pins but nothing to break the bank. DH and myself might buy a shirt/hat and a christmas ornament.

When DS was younger, it was easier to get caught up in all the shops. I guess we are past that stage...maybe he is learning the value of a dollar :thumbsup: ;)

[ktflisa]

We don't budget - which was dangerous the first couple of trips... but not so bad now. We just don't buy much any more. I like to get Mickey stuff for my kitchen, like towels or pot holders, and maybe nice stuff for the bathroom. but most of it I can get online in the Clearance part of Disney shopping.

[crazy4tink]

what are Disney Dollars? Next week will be our first trip, and I have set the kids(4) on their own budget......just curious what a Disney Dollar is, lol, is it something I need??

Disney dollars are a form of Disney currency. I buy them at the local Disney store (at the mall). they come in $1, $5, and $10 increments and spend like regular cash at most WDW locations and the Disney store (I believe a few other places as well). Each denomination has a different character face where the president would normally be.

I have relatives buy Disney Dollars for DS for birthdays/holidays as he is much less tempted to buy and can easily save them for the upcoming trip! Last trip, he had over $300 disney dollars that had been given to him!!

You don't "HAVE TO" have them though, WDW takes cash and credit too! :blush:

[DisneyDD2]

I wish I could say that money is no problem, and that when we see something we like we buy it.

But money is a problem, and we still see something we like and buy it.

Maybe they should come out with something similar to the DDP for souvenirs, pay one price per day per person and get X # of souvenirs/day/person. :mickey:

[pamickeys]

we learned real fast that shopping is a big waste of time and money, most of it ends up on the back shelf. after so many trips ,what i can tell you to do is go buy another memory card for your digital camera and take as many pictures as possible, they are better than anything you can buy. we then burn them to a cd slide show and let it run on our tv, great way to remember each trip

[dolphinmickey9170]

If we like it, we buy it. Within reason, of course. My DH tells me each time he sees the Arribas Bros. Cinderella Castle (http://family.webshots.com/photo/2096477210042804337rKJgss)for $37,500, that I will have that some day. He makes me laugh. He's a real kidder that one.

[PlanningMom]

This will be my first trip, but we will be giving the boys each probably $20 a day that they can spend, or save up for something bigger at the end of the week. I will get the tshirt and mickey ears, etc.

Also, I had a friend who searched the Disney store for several months ahead and got some things on sale, and had a little goodie bag for them every morning when her kids got up. She said it curbed the nick-nack attraction, and they seemed to want to spend on nicer things.

[CU Tiger]

The DD’s save up their own money to spend for themselves and they have to budget that. We, as parents, pick and choose when it is appropriate to buy them additional items. For us, it depends on how well the kids are behaving and what, if anything, they are requesting. :mickey:

[Darbylew]

We really don't have a budget but we do try to
watch what we spend at times. If we see some
thing that we really want then we buy it. We do
eat most of the time at counter service which
saves some money. :):mickey:

[momof3+twins]

We used to let the kids go wild. Then, we went to setting limits for the trip. But, the best system we have found works really great. We have a box for each kid and then we put all of our extra change and EVERY one dollar bill that we get in there. They usually have 50 to 100 dollars each. We go to the disney store to trade our money in for disney dollars. When the kids are out of money, that is it!!

[goofiecrazy]

I make a list of things that i would like to pick up while there and go from there. Like a couple shirts,pins,xmas ornaments,picture frames and whatever catches our eye.From the past I have i idea on the prices so i go from there.

[prttynpnk]

I don't usually budget- at the end of the trip I just spend my left over money!

[JuicyMoose17]

I keep my souvenier spending pretty low. usually just a refillable mug and some stuff from Japan. Pictures are usually good enough for me.

[animalkingdomguy]

It would be great to have an unlimited amount.

[Sammyjo]

This trip I'm planning on having so much per day per person. $25 for me and $9 for my daughter. If there is something more expensive we want to buy we have to save several days and pick up the item. Also if there is something I might want I'm going to get the sku number and if I still want it when I get home I'll buy it then. But if there is a large stuffed Pumba, with the bugs in the mouth, I have to get it. I didn't pick it up on previous trip and have regretted it ever since.

[DizNee143]

i buy what i want/like...
i go down with a certain amount of money..whatever i saved for that trip that time..and i have that money to spend while there...thats usually any where from 300-600 dollars..and i dont go over that amount...:mickey: