So to get started on things to avoid buying when you have no disposable income. Which in my opinion is having any debt with the exception of a home loan says you should not have any disposable income. I would like to share my thoughts from yesterday while I was sitting next to the bear river run in California Adventure.
Anybody who knows that area knows that is the entrance to the Grand California Hotel. I got to say while I was staring at the entrance watching all of these people entering and leaving the park I was a little jealous. I had two thoughts while sitting there one I might be in that stage in my life where certain luxuries are affordable and worth it. So at least for now every other Disneyland trip will INCLUDE a stay at a Disneyland hotel and two the question came up HOW? How can these people, some young, some old, afford a 400 dollar a night room?
The national wage average is around 50000 a year. That is roughly after taxes and insurance 650 bucks a week or 3300 a month. Average car payment is 479 average student loan payment 280 average rent/mortgage 1350 Average phone bill 71 per person average food bill for a family of 4 800 average monthly car insurance 88 average credit card payment 159 Add that all together that's a grand total of 3577!! meaning an average family cannot even afford an average lifestyle without suplimentation. So again how? Now obviously there are legitimate reasons how such as rich parents putting the trip on a credit card or actually having some hardcore saving skills but not every person staying there can legitimately say they can afford it. They found a way to pay for it but let's be honest they cannot afford it without going into debt which means as I have said it before the risk of relying on social services you and I contribute to.
This brings me to my first PENNY PINCHER "Avoid Buying" segment.
Avoid Disneyland Vacations.
I know....I hear you. Your probably saying, "Are you kidding me!?.....No..... way.."
You have no student loan debt no credit card debt you don't ask your parents for loans and your car is paid off right??
You mean No??
Then at least hear my arguments. The penny pincher segment is to help those who desperately legitimately want to get out of debt and have control of their financial lives.
So why avoid Disneyland Vacations?
#1 Price.
My total vacation was close to 3 grand. That included a crammed room 3 miles away for 5 nights, Disneyland 1 park 4 day passes, gas food and very few souvenirs.
A Disneyland hotel stay would be double that.
#2 Overpriced Souvineers. I understand your going to pay more inside a park. I get that but seriously a pair of mouse ears is 23.99. I bought 3 for a whopping total of 77 and some change. That.....is.....gouging!
I know I know. That's Disneyland for you and you don't have to buy it but remember this segment is for those in debt with no disposable income and what to avoid so you can have MORE disposable income.
#3 Large crouds.
If I am going into debt for something you better believe I want a deal. So here's your deal with Disneyland. You will wake up happy arive there excited and by the time your in the park you might be angry and frustrated. Why? Large cowds. Busses dropping off groups of children. Who crowd up the lines. Locals who have season passes who treat the park like it's a public park. Inconsiderate drivers cutting you off.
That's worth going further into debt on top of debt on top of other debt to experience that?
#4 LOCALS!!
I wish Disneyland would get rid of the annual pass and it's because of the locals. They crowd the lines take up space and have you ever got a good seat at the parade? Chances are a LOCAL annual pass holder beat you to it. They know all the ins and outs. They come for the parade and shows and leave. There are even Locals who will hire out for 20 an hour reserve your spots in line and take care of your fast passes. Disney PLEASE get rid of the annual pass.
Lastly
#5 your a 4th class citizen at Disneyland.
"But Disneyland treats everyone fairly"
Really? 1st class citizens are those who do pay for it. These our your people who stay at the Disneyland resorts or pay extra to get a guide. Getting a guide gets you straight access to the front of the lines, Hotel guest enjoy a private entrance to the park, staying on site (need a nap with all that fun? No problem just walk to your hotel). and other perks that I would need to look further into. 2nd class citizens our your true disabled people and your fakers. Yes there are fakers. They receive special treatment too. Front of the line passes for them and all of they're family and friends. 3rd class citizens are the annual season holders. Perks include 10% off dining and going to disneyland almost any time you want. One lady we talked to was on her 29th time that year. 4th class citizen is everyone else. What do you get? besides fast passes NOTHING. no discounts no line skipping. To me that is unfair. We pay the most yet get nothing in return.
So again avoid Disneyland.
Unless you can upgrade your citizenship.
And be debt free and have some savings!
No comments:
Post a Comment