Jan 26, 2024
Millions of families (and childless millennials) flock to Disney World each year to embark on thrilling themed rides, meet their favorite costumed characters — and, of course, splurge on cute keepsakes and food.
One food blogger, Bethany Vinton, decided to dine at the theme park’s costliest restaurant, Victoria & Albert’s, with three other friends, and the group racked up a big bill on the chef’s menu.
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The nine-course set meal that included a series of small plates, like Glacier 51 toothfish served with squash blossom and charred zucchini and the Royal Belgian caviar with a cauliflower panna cotta was priced at $375 per person. And then with a $200 wine pairing each and taxes added on, that brought the group’s total to $2,449.50 before tip.
Some viewers were left stunned by the extravagance. “Rich people be crazy lmao,” one person commented on the TikTok video detailing the experience.
But Vinton says the experience was well worth the hefty price tag.
“Obviously this is a huge splurge, but this has always been on my Disney bucket list,” she says.
Of course, an expensive dinner at the House of Mouse isn’t for everyone — especially families on a budget that are already shelling out serious funds for other park attractions — but here are a few ways to help you check off your big bucket list experiences without taking away from your financial future.
Soft save for your financial goals
When you’re working a steady 9-to-5 but most of your paycheck goes to your everyday expenses, like rent and groceries, you might not feel too inclined to save for emergencies, or your retirement, when you could treat yourself instead.
Don’t be too hard on yourself. You don’t need to give up on your fancy lattes or cancel your upcoming travel plans. There’s a way to balance fun with your financial goals — without feeling like you’re on the brink of financial burnout.
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Think about “soft saving” for your financial goals. Set yourself manageable goals — like starting with saving 10% of your paycheck — and working your way up to a little more when you get into a good rhythm and feel like you can swing it.
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Create a ‘sunny day’ fund
Sure, it’s important to save for a rainy day, like in the event of an unexpected emergency expense or job loss, but it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom with your financial planning.
Consider creating a savings fund for that luxury item you’ve been eyeing for months, or for your next exciting vacation.
Take stock of your income, expenses and other financial goals, and start setting aside a set amount each month for your sunny day fund. You could even open up a high-yield savings account that comes with higher interest rates than your traditional savings account, so you can grow your funds over time.
Consider a rewards credit card
Now, depending on your interests, you could look into applying for a rewards credit card to get you points or cash back on your purchases.
For example, if you’re spending on a flight to Orlando and have other vacation plans in mind, a travel rewards card might serve you well.
If you’re not a big traveler, you could still consider a good cash back credit card that earns you money back on gas, groceries, entertainment or dining out.
Some cards may even offer you special bonuses or features, like travel insurance or discounts at certain stores. Just make sure to read the fine print and compare offerings and rates before settling on the best card for your shopping habits.
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Serah Louis is a reporter with Moneywise.com. She enjoys tackling topical personal finance issues for young people and women and covering the latest in financial news.
