Where to find $2k?

[FairestOfThemAll37]

Yard sale could bring in several hundred dollars if you do a good job of gleaning things from your house.

We aren't allowed to have yard sales in my neighborhood.

However, I did discover a few sites that are like person to person consignment. I don't have much excess but I do have a few designer pieces that are just sitting because I could never bring myself to throw them in the donation bag.

Hopefully I can get a bit from those items.

 

[canadiandisneynut]

Google and download a home budget. Eating out and paying for nails adds up fast and is a perfect way to scale back. Take a look at other misc spending as well. If you can tighten it up you will be surprised how fast that will come together

 

[tvguy]

I know Byrd does not agree with her…

Petri is a nice guy. Live here in the Sacramento area, very active in charity.

 

[usnuzuloose]

Petri is a nice guy. Live here in the Sacramento area, very active in charity.

Yes he is, we are good friends with him and his wife.

 

[MomToOne]

$2000 is a lot of money in what is basically 3 months. That's close to 700/month. I'm not sure cooking for yourself and doing your own nails will get you there. If you had more time, sure, but not in such a short amount of time.

I'd start by looking at big-ticket cost-cutting items like car insurance - shop around to see if there is any place you can get the same coverage you have cheaper, if you haven't done so in awhile.

Also, do you typically get a large tax refund? If so, adjust your withholding allowances now to get that money immediately instead of letting the government keep it until next year.

Pizza delivery is one of the classic part-time jobs to raise money. You could also sign up with Uber or Lyft. (Not that I personally would do any of these for safety reasons, but if you really want to raise the money part-time and still have the freedom to take time off when you want, then these are the type of jobs that you may have to look at.)

What's your Christmas budget? If that is high, is there any way to cut back significantly there?

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

$2000 is a lot of money in what is basically 3 months. That's close to 700/month. I'm not sure cooking for yourself and doing your own nails will get you there. If you had more time, sure, but not in such a short amount of time.

I'd start by looking at big-ticket cost-cutting items like car insurance - shop around to see if there is any place you can get the same coverage you have cheaper, if you haven't done so in awhile.

Also, do you typically get a large tax refund? If so, adjust your withholding allowances now to get that money immediately instead of letting the government keep it until next year.

Pizza delivery is one of the classic part-time jobs to raise money. You could also sign up with Uber or Lyft. (Not that I personally would do any of these for safety reasons, but if you really want to raise the money part-time and still have the freedom to take time off when you want, then these are the type of jobs that you may have to look at.)

What's your Christmas budget? If that is high, is there any way to cut back significantly there?

The cruise is already paid for so I don't exactly have a time crunch. I'm just looking for ways to replenish that money.

My car insurance is pretty solid and I don't typically get a notable tax refund.

I have honestly thought about driving Uber (we don't have Lyft here) just to see what it's like, but I have a 2-seater car which is super not great for taxi service.

I really think my quickest route would be trying to cook for myself for a couple months, unfortunately I'm reaaalllly horribly awful at cooking.

I usually pay a food service (not restaurant delivery) to drop off paleo food which costs an arm and a leg. That is my biggest monthly expense other than my rent. I am usually able to afford it and it keeps me sane and healthy, but I have to decide if I'm ok spending a bunch of extra $ I hadn't planned on for this vacation or if I need to make it up and cut cut cut!

Getting some good food for thought and input. Thanks!

 

[tnd]

Are you willing to babysit? We get our sitters through SitterCity.com and there are usually a lot of jobs to be had. We don't live near our family so we often need weekend and evening sitters. Depending on where you live, you could probably make $15-$20 per hour. We live in the Midwest and pay $20/hour for 3 kids and usually add a tip.

 

[MinnieForMe]

Since the cruise is already paid for, why not wait until Christmas and gift your mom the cruise after you take it? This will give you more time to save and allow you to work Holiday Retail.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Don't know if you purchase or make your iced coffee beverages, but if you stopped buying them the savings per week could really add up. I kicked my Starbucks habit (mainly due to the sugar content of the drinks I liked) over the summer and it has made difference for me.

One solo dish that is easy to make and delicious is to squeeze fresh lemon juice on a fish filet (I use fresh tilapia -- I can get a good sized piece of fish for under $3.00 at the store) followed by a tablespoon or so of salsa and bake. I usually make enough to put some fish on a spinach salad the next day. It's really good. I'll steam or roast some veggies to go with it.

 

[rebeccalizzie]

What about a cook for yourself meal service like Hello Fresh or Blue Apron? It's still not super cheap but I'm sure it's much less than what you are paying, and it would be a good way to slowly learn how to cook. There are often groupons and coupons for them, so that would help with the cost a bit.

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

What about a cook for yourself meal service like Hello Fresh or Blue Apron? It's still not super cheap but I'm sure it's much less than what you are paying, and it would be a good way to slowly learn how to cook. There are often groupons and coupons for them, so that would help with the cost a bit.

That might be a good idea! I'll look into that. Do you know if they offer grain-free options? Or free range meats?

 

[rebeccalizzie]

That might be a good idea! I'll look into that. Do you know if they offer grain-free options? Or free range meats?

I don't think free range, but yes grain free

 

[CAFarmerGirl]

We have a food co-op in our city that offers cooking lessons (Whole Foods does as well). Maybe the investment in that would be worth it for you?

 

[drnp]

Do you have a lot of books, CDs, and DVDs in your house that you don't use anymore? I take a batch to my local Half Priced Books store and sell them. They don't pay top dollar and you could likely get more if you sell them yourself on eBay, but it is a way to get cash quicker without the hassle of waiting for someone to buy. If you have old smartphones or PDA's sell those too.

 

[MarkE83]

How much exactly do you spend a month on this food service? Feeding yourself isn't exactly hard, you can cook chicken breasts by boiling them so they don't burn, boil in the bag rice is easy to do, and those Schwartz seasonings are super healthy, mix them up to add different flavours to your meals. You can't live off a catering service forever, this might be a good way to push you away from them.

 

[sheetz]

Judging by the prices on the Cateredfit website you'd probably save $2000 easily by cooking for yourself for just 6 months.

 

[Eastern]

It's on RCCL and the price is definitely a bit high as it's just the two of us and we're booked in a Grand Suite.

We're big water and coffee (latte, iced, cappuccino, etc.) drinkers so we got the non-alcoholic drink package which was $109pp (we'll just pay OOP for the few alcoholic drinks we get)

Do you really need the drink package? In a Grand Suite you have suite lounge access. There is a coffee machine in there that makes cappucinos, lattes, and regular coffee all day long.

When are you sailing? After May 2016, these perks kick in:
The Sky Class features premium bath products, pillow top mattresses and a selection of inclusive amenities including free spa thermal room access, free high-speed Internet, an in-suite welcome amenity, specialty bottled water and in-suite dining options. Sky Class is for passengers staying in AquaTheater suites, Crown Loft suites, Owner's suites, Royal Family suites, Superior Grand suites and Grand suites. Sky Class passengers also may access the Suite Lounge.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Do retail places often hire people who only have weekend availability? I also have zero retail experience. I have an advanced degree lol, but I highly doubt that's an asset.

The cruise is in November so also not likely great for seasonal :-/

A lot of retail places would LOVE to have weekend only help. Their full time staff wants to have weekends off.

 

[scrapquitler]

You mentioned that you have an advanced degree. Can you tutor high school or college students in that subject? Can you teach an adult ed class in that area?
How about babysitting? You mentioned having free time on weekends, and around here (CT) you could easily make $10/hour babysitting on a weekend night.

Anything you can easily cut out for several months? Like lose the cable or landline, Satellite radio, gym membership, mani/pedis?

You say yard sales are not allowed where you live, in that case, I bet there are a bunch of active buy/sell type facebook groups in your area. Maybe you can sell a few things and make some $ that way. I'm often surprised at the things people are willing to buy and pay for on the local to me groups.

 

[FINFAN]

not saying this is the smartest financial move, but when I have a return, I don't put the $ back into the account it was deducted from~ I put it in our vaca account. It is especially helpful if it was a impulse buy, lol.
or example, I told a neighbor( who admittedly has a *bit* of a problem over buying at Target)what I do as she was saying she "doesn't know where the $ goes". I suggested she look over what she brings home from there for a month. Set the non-necessary stuff, or impulse stuff, or *it was such a good sale* stuff in a closet in another room, out of site. At the end of the month, the stuff unused/not needed GOES BACK! Your account is already feeling like the $ is gone , adjusted to that deduction so put the return $ in the vaca account*. She had almost $300 at the ed of the month. Granted there were clothing items for her kids that added up quick, but make-up, DVD's, jewelry and a purse...you get the idea. She was floored that she had over bought by that much. Not every month will be like that, but it is eye-opening. I also put every rebate, refund or any type check (like when our auto ins dropped and they sent a refund check) into the same account. Cash our change jar? Into the account. I know all this won't get you to 2 grand, but every little bit helps.
* I do not suggest this plan if your account is short each month~then no, do NOT put the into a vaca account, put it back in the one it came out of