Smart Souven’Ears’ Saving

When budgeting for a trip to Disney, one thing that must be factored in is souven”ears” (or silverneers as my husband calls them for some reason – he’s a Yankee, so who knows? 😉  Everyone wants to bring home their own little piece of magic, a reminder of time spent in MagicMouseLand.

First of all, Clark, our 13 year old, is as much about Disney as is his Mama.  He wants mucho momentos to sort through once he’s home.  Not only does he share Mama’s Disney obsession, he also shares Mama’s caviar taste on a cracker budget; and of course, since he has no job, he has very little concept of the value of money.  So leave it to my think-ahead husband to solve these problems.

Throughout the year, my husband empties his pockets and puts his loose change into a jar.  Then a week or so before we leave for MouseLand, he sits down with Clark & they roll all the change in the jar, and that is Clark’s souvenir money, no matter the amount.  Once it was $200+, once it was over $300!  This solves a myriad of problems.  Mom & Dad aren’t weakened to fork out the dough at every whine & whim, losing track of how much is being spent, and since Clark has a limited amount of spending money, he’s more choosy about what he takes home. He knows that once the money is gone, it’s gone.  Mom & Dad won’t be opening their wallets for anything else.  This cuts down tremendously on the stress, except for Clark, who has an awfully hard time making the choice of what to place on the counter!

I can’t believe in all their years of doing this, I’ve never taken a picture of My Boyz (as I affectionately call hubby & son) rolling the change for the trip.  As I conclude this article, I vow to digitally freeze this moment in time on our next go round, and have priceless souven-ears of my very own!

In the midst of a tough economy at home and abroad, I trust this has given you an idea to make your next visit less stressful and more affordable!

DeAnna, along with her husband and teen-age son, lives in Wiggins, Mississippi, and has a passion for all things Disney. She is always eager to share the knowledge she has gained from her many trips to Walt Disney World, and has helped numerous people in their vacation planning to realize it’s not an unattainable dream.  Her must-dos on every trip are Pirates of the Caribbean, Rockin’ Roller Coaster & a stolen moment of quiet with her “Boyz” (as she affectionately calls them) having a pastry from Boulangerie in Epcot World Showcase’s France. Disney is so much a part of her life, that she & her husband were married in front of Cinderella’s Castle, and she says it doesn’t get any more magical than that………