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Cutting Corners

They'll mainly eat lunch on the go in the parks, which isn't really a cost-saver. Papa estimates it will take about ten bucks a person per day, making a total of $200. Breakfast is a freebie, yippee! The hotel offers a free continental breakfast. The total cost for meals will be $900, but again Papa Spiff rounds it up to an even $1000.

Mama Spiff puts her foot down. One dinner out with the family will suffice, and they can get a few groceries and make sandwiches and other easy meals in their hotel room. She convinces Papa Spiff to spend less for their evening out, and this drops the cost of evening meals to $300. 

Papa Spiff gets a great deal on round-trip airline tickets by using an Internet planner. They decide to fly coach during the week, since weekend rates are more expensive, and that puts their travel cost total at $1,200. One of the amenities Papa Spiff liked about the hotel was the fact that it had a free shuttle to pick them up and drop them off at the airport and Disney World. Thinking a taxi ride or two might be necessary, Papa Spiff adds $150 to the transportation budget for a total of $1,350.

Estimating Extras

Feeling guilty about cutting the food budget, Mama Spiff insists on adding $150 for souvenirs. Papa Spiff points out that their kids all own their own businesses, so they should be expected to save their own money for extra treats. Mama Spiff agrees to call the extra amount the "emergency fund."

It looks like the Spiff family will need $4100 for their dream vacation. Papa Spiff says that for every dollar the other family members raise (or save) he'll match it. But they only have five weeks to make their goal!

Things are looking hopeless, but the Spiff kids decide it's time to get to work...

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