Budgeting money while on CP

[NHSchool2012]

I'm coming to the realization that I'm gonna be poor when I get to Florida and I'm looking for tips from former CPs on how to budget my money.. What did you guys do as far as food, gas, fun, etc?

I'm hoping to have my car with me when I'm down there, and it gets about 13mpg/18 highway. I was thinking maybe $30 a week for gas? Too much or not enough? Also, what would be a good amount to save for food each week? I was thinking $50 as a safe number..

Are there any other ways besides working that I could make some extra money to save? I was thinking of offering my car up for rides for gas money, but that's all I could think of.

 

[Wishes Count]

Hi! Well I've done two programs and pretty much broke even (maybe a little less on one) But I also spent a lot of money on shopping and going out to eat.


For your car. I think $30 is not enough. It costs me almost $50 to fill my tank right now. Gas prices will be slightly higher because it is a tourist area. But also it depends on how much you drive it. If you take the bus to work everyday you won't use as much gas, but it will be way more convenient and faster to drive your own vehicle, especially if you work at a resort or at MK. You could ask your roommates for gas money if you drive them to Target or somewhere else, I never did because I figured I was going there anyway and wasn't making a special trip.


$50 a week for food sounds good as that is what I budget at school now. You can really make this work if you bring your lunch each day. Buying from the cast cafeterias can really get expensive.

Depending on your location, people might want to hangout after work. My roommates who worked at MK frequently went to Ihop or steak and shake to eat after the park closed. Or if you visit the parks on your day off you will need to eat. So keep that in mind.

Then there are souvenirs. At first you think, I won't buy a lot of stuff, then you spend 6 months there and there is always new stuff to tempt you! Plus you will visit property control where they sell damaged merchandise (sometimes it's junk, other times its a shirt with a stain on it) at 70% off.

Also think about other experiences. Lots of people take days off and go to the beach, universal, sea world, Miami etc, so you might want to do those things too.

My problem was eating out and shopping. I did not set money aside for specific things and just spent whatever I wanted, so as long as you only spend what you set aside for shopping and eating out you should do fine.