Creative Ideas for Earning more Disney dollars?

[Readerbug]

It's happened on the budget board more than once, someone posting a 'deal' on a gizmo "gave me *tribe* approval to go out, too, and buy that thing, cause (I wanted it) and now it's so cheap, it's such a great "savings".

And so much for filling my Disney MickeyBank! SO...

Could anyone share thoughts or experiences for creatively earning more, short term, on purpose, just for your trip? Like, the grown up version of a lemonade stand.

Like, some kind of creation you made and sold, a hobby expanded,: a service given ...risks taken to turn a talent to a little business... or just something extra you started and were successful in, on purpose just to earn money for Disney?

(I mean, besides coupons, surveys, swagbucks, babysitting, 2nd job with a timecard, etc.) Something simple. Hands-on, project or family stuff. Especially stuff you could involve kids in, too.
Anybody think of anything?

Or how about just brainstorm (good) ways we "could" earn more...if we would do...what?

 

[SKTiger]

I started using an app on my iphone called field agent. you can do "jobs" at local stores for a few bucks.

For example, this morning, I was going to walmart and reserved a job to take a photo of the treadmill display and answer one question about what other products were on the display. For this I was paid $4 that I can cash out and into my paypal. Some jobs are worth more. Most jobs seem to be at Target, Walmart, Family Dollar and Dollar General.

I use this solely for Disney money. I started in September of 2012 and made $388 by the end of the year.

 

[wiigirl]

I started using an app on my iphone called field agent. you can do "jobs" at local stores for a few bucks.

For example, this morning, I was going to walmart and reserved a job to take a photo of the treadmill display and answer one question about what other products were on the display. For this I was paid $4 that I can cash out and into my paypal. Some jobs are worth more. Most jobs seem to be at Target, Walmart, Family Dollar and Dollar General.

I use this solely for Disney money. I started in September of 2012 and made $388 by the end of the year.

Thats pretty cool!

 

[Deffenm]

I had my kids go through their books, CDs, and movies last night and took it to 2nd hand store this afternoon and made $30. I have 3 kids so will give each kid $10 for spending money during our Aug. trip. We also have a change jar and the kids know any change found in the house, on the ground, in the cars goes into the jar. The other thing we are doing is if we spend less then we budget for something that money goes into the vacation fund. Example: Budget $150 for groceries and only spend $140 the $10 savings goes into fund. We are also trying to use the library more. I really wanted this cookbook but instead of buying I borrowed from library and copied the receipes I wanted. I also borrowed a magazine I wanted to read instead of buying.

I know it isn't really a business but these are things we are able to do. I can't make anymore money without getting a 2nd job, which I don't have time for as my full time job is long hours, so these are things as a family we decided to do in order to go to Disney in Aug.

Good luck and hope you get some good ideas to use.

 

[cheerky]

The recreation centers in my town do an 80/20 (80% to the teacher) split for teaching various classes: dance, karate, tumbling, art, music, etc. My daughter (12) and I taught a couple of classes together, one afternoon a week for 2 hours total and earned an average of about $200 month.

 

[damiel]

My Newphews did this a few years ago: Collected aluminum cans for recycling. Not just from home but everywhere they went. They also got others involved. We brought them ours and I know others did the same. They made a nice chunck of change on that little project.

 

[momto3gr8boys]

I started using an app on my iphone called field agent. you can do "jobs" at local stores for a few bucks.

For example, this morning, I was going to walmart and reserved a job to take a photo of the treadmill display and answer one question about what other products were on the display. For this I was paid $4 that I can cash out and into my paypal. Some jobs are worth more. Most jobs seem to be at Target, Walmart, Family Dollar and Dollar General.

I use this solely for Disney money. I started in September of 2012 and made $388 by the end of the year.

Awesome! Thanks for the tip..I just downloaded it and this may be something I can use!

 

[SKTiger]

There's also an app I found called "Endorse" that you can upload your grocery receipt and get cash back on certain items. They also have bonus offers that you can share on facebook to get extra cash back. I've seen up to 50% back on diapers!

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

Mention to friends that you're interested in PT work, look on craigslist, too. My DH mentioned to a friend that I was looking and now I work a couple shifts a month as a receptionist at a nail salon during their busy season. On craigslist I saw that some flower shops are hiring part time for mother's day, delivery drivers and retail help. Look for neighbors that need before or after school care for an hour or so or a business that needs cleaned one night a week. Things like that.

I am a SAHM to 5 kids so I like doing these part time side jobs, they give me experience for future resumes, contacts, and extra money without tying me down so much that I'm struggling to keep up with kids' appts.

 

[PatchPixie]

Cool - I'm installing the Field Agent App right now

I sock eBay $ away for Disney as well as consignment $. I also sew, so when I'm making the girls custom clothes for the trip I just make an extra dress or top and sell those, too

 

[leahmint73]

Please help. I just went to the App Store and didn't find the app field agent but found the app isecretshop. Is this the same thing as field agent?

 

[vicki_c]

Please help. I just went to the App Store and didn't find the app field agent but found the app isecretshop. Is this the same thing as field agent?

No, that's different AFAIK. Make sure you are looking at the iPhone choices, not iPad. I typed in "field a" and it came right up in the suggested list.

 

[pocomom]

I made $30 this week when I posted on FB about how I had so much lettuce ready in my garden, and more seedlings than I could plant with photos. Someone asked if I would consider selling some this year, and I said sure why not- next thing I know two neighborhood ladies stopped by to purchase! I charge less than the store for nice fresh organic produce and seedlings ( i do give it away to close friends and donate some to food bank too), so it is nice for them and great for me to earn a little cash at my hobby! I'm going to let the kids open a "mini farm stand" this summer too to see if they can earn a little disney $ of their own.

 

[danetter]

Do you have to have the video data to do this? I have unlimited data but not video.
TIA

 

[leahmint73]

Thanks vicki_c, I went back and realized i hadn't pressed iphone apps.

 

[pocomom]

I just got an email from restuarant.com that if you sign up 5 restaurants they pay you $500 - maybe a good earning opportunity for some!

 

[AntePrincess]

There's always the old school garage sale to raise a little money. How much money you raise depends on how organized you are about it and how much stuff you have to sell. I've been working so hard on the saving end (ok, I just like a more minimalist household) that it wouldn't do much good for me, though.

I wouldn't turn down a second job. I have a contract with a local clinical research company to do data entry from home, when they have incoming files. The work is intermittent because of the nature of the industry, hence why they don't have people permanently on staff to do it, but I get paid by the work and can work whenever I want (when there's work to be done, of course). There are lots of second jobs like that available, though perhaps not as convenient.

Do you have a lot of friends with kids? One fundraiser I've found that works is to offer a set price Friday or Saturday 'date night' babysitting service. Basically you open your home for the evening and babysit a pack of kids so their parents can go out. You can organize ahead of time to do a movie and a meal, and it really starts to pay dividends if you make it a weekly event that parents can rely on. No need to give up your own dates either, just switch them to another night of the week and take a cut from the babysitting for your own date night (pocketing the rest for Disney dollars if you like). By arranging it this way you can undercut other more traditional babysitters and everybody makes out. Except the traditional babysitters, I suppose.