$800

[Kellyscrapbooks]

Ok, so we were JUST at Disney in April and had a blast. Now, a very good friend of mine just sent me FOUR 2 day, 1 park tickets (no expiration, never been used) because they are moving to Europe and don't need them. They aren't "Disney people". I talked with my darling hubby last night and he did some quick checking and told me that if I can come up with $800 we can go back in December for the Christmas party.

Now, I just had major surgery a week after we came back from Florida, and we had made the decision for me not to go back to my job that I hated because by the time I'm cleared to go back to work, my 3rd grader will be out of school for summer and I'd have both her and my little guy in daycare and that doesn't earn me any money. I think we are actually ahead of the game with me NOT working in the summer. So, my little guy goes to kindergarten in the fall and I will go back to work then, already have a nice job lined up that is perfect and won't have a hard time giving me the time off. So, I can't really get a job to earn the $800 over the summer. Any suggestions that will actually earn me that much? Garage sales? Ebay? Selling the kids on ebay? (Just kidding on that one!)

 

[ukwildcat]

I think garage sales are easy. I made a good bit of money when moving from St. Louis to Florida two years ago (almost enought to pay for the move).

Another idea is a paper route. That is pretty quick and easy money. The only catch is you have to get up rather early. But you could do it for a month or so and then quit after you've made enough money.

Good luck.

 

[barbeml]

Are you in the kind of neighborhood where your kids can set up a lemonade stand to earn a little spending money?

When we do yard sales, my nephew sells a ton of lemonade, and I sell frozen brownies (a huge seller on a warm day).

Do any of you have birthdays between now and your trip? You could ask for Disney Dollars for gifts.

Don't forget to start a coin jar...really adds up!

Good luck!

 

[Tree]

Have you checked out liveops.com west.com both in home call centers?

Or check out craigslist.org for some smaller freelance jobs.

 

[MyGoofy26]

What about babysitting your kids' friends? The kids I babysat all through highschool and some college til they were old enough to be left on their own, they had a regular babysitter through the summer but when she'd take "vacations" I'd fill in and make VERY good money. It was great because I didn't have to spend my entire summers babysitting all day everyday, but could make a little money here and there.

So maybe some of your kids' friends' parents would be willing to keep you in mind as a backup babysitter and it probably wouldn't be much "work" for you. . . at least no more than when those same kids come over to play and you AREN'T getting paid for it, LOL!

 

[renessa]

Wow, lots of good ideas. I loved the paper route idea. If you could get it done early, before the kids were awake and before your dh leaves for work that could really work out.

 

[Donnask8pro]

I have a friend in her late 30's. She did a paper route to supplement income (4 kids) and she did very well. Yes, she was up early before DH and home in time for him to go. Good Luck...

 

[IMALOVNDISNEY]

I agree with the paper route. After our first trip to DW as a family and I saw what we had put on the cc. I swore we wouldn't do that again. So, I got a Sunday only paper route. We worked it as a family 4 of us, soon dropped to 2 of us, DN and I. We kept the route for 1 year, and it paid for 4 annual passes and 2 years of vaca's in DW. This started my own personal challange not to use any cc's for vacations. That was 6 years ago and I'm proud to say, we go each year and only used a cc twice.

You can also start a change jar. That change adds up quick.

How ever you deside to save I'm sure you'll be able to do it. And you'll have a great time.

 

[Kellyscrapbooks]

These are great suggestions... I never even thought about a paper route. I probably have to wait a couple more weeks because I still can't lift anything over 20 pounds and I'm sure that the bags weigh more than that, but I could DEFINATLY look into it for the summer!

After reading more on the boards, I am SO doing a garage sale!

I immeadiatly called some friends and let them know that I'm "available for babysitting" this summer! I can't believe I never thought about that!

 

[Kellyscrapbooks]

The reason that I only need $800 is because we will be going over mine and hubby's 10 year wedding anniversary. We had already put away some money to go away "just the two of us" but we'd really rather spend a trip as a family. We might put the kids in one of the kids club for a couple hours for a romantic dinner but we thought it would make the perfect celebration to have another trip to Disney!

 

[sk!mom]

I second the babysitting. Around here you could charge $125 - 150 per week for a school age child and more for a younger child. that fee isfor care and lunch only-parents pay an additional activity fee for any swimming pool visits, movies, etc...

YOu could also sit by the day only to fill in. Either way you should be able to make $800 pretty quickly. I know that we've only been out of school for a week and my DD has had a friend here 3 out of 5 days and she went to a friends house one of the other days. My point is, most kids this age want to socialize (A LOT) so you might as well turn it into a business.

 

[AlleyKat]

if I can come up with $800 we can go back in December for the Christmas party.

So, my little guy goes to kindergarten in the fall and I will go back to work then, already have a nice job lined up that is perfect and won't have a hard time giving me the time off.

Don't fret, your trip is 6+ months away.

Besides your planned garage sale, save any change that you and hubby have at the end of each day(that will add up FAST). Adding one dollar bills to the pot will boost that amount even faster.

You'll probably have the needed $800 within a month after going back to work!

Rest up and enjoy the summer!

 

[englishteacha]

Maybe instead of trying to earn all $800, you could see how much you can save. For example, using generic products instead of national brands, cooking with less expensive ingredients, cut back on some spending, etc. When you save some money, put that amount in a bank or change jar.

You can also make money with yard sales and eBay, and I also like the babysitting idea mentioned before. Perhaps you could start a small "business," doing yard work or painting or something on the occasional weekend day. My SIL paid a woman to paint the bedrooms in her new house because she didn't have time to do it herself. It wasn't a huge amount, but both of them were happy with the deal.

 

[MyGoofy26]

As for the lemonade stand, my kids are doing a weekly one this summer...but it isn't for Disney money. Allow me to brag for just a minute!!! My 8 year old daughter started a project last year that we call "The Cheyenne Project" (her name is Cheyenne) where she makes fleece blankets for the homeless. She takes donations from family and friends and last year she made enough blankets to take to the local women and children's shelter and she had enough blankets for every person there. I'm so proud of her. Her little brother has started to help her, even though it's a little beyond him (he turns 5 tomorrow) so it's now a project they are working on together. They decided to have a lemonade stand every Sunday morning and they are using the money to buy fleece for the blankets.

Wow - that's pretty impressive!! You must be so proud of her!

 

[newcomer52]

We had a paper route for 10 years when the kids were home. Made about $500 a month so you should be able to get $800 easy over the summer if there are any routes available. Summer is the most popluar time for people to get routes. Much easier to do then in the dead of winter.