DCP Dilemma-HELP

[Kermitthefricket]

Hello All! I need some help from all those alum out there!

I am (possibly) attending the DCP this fall for merchandise as a recent college grad. The one main thing that is keeping me from going for this, is the fact that my college loans are going to be outrageously expensive starting in November (think private school, no parental help, and no financial aid). I have heard that some people have saved a lot of money on the program, and some had to write home asking for money from mom and dad because they didn't make enough to live off of.

Is it possible to save money on this program? I am no stranger to working 70+ hours each week and picking up shifts. How much did you save, if any?

Thank you for any help you could give me!

 

[StefwifnF]

Hello All! I need some help from all those alum out there!

I am (possibly) attending the DCP this fall for merchandise as a recent college grad. The one main thing that is keeping me from going for this, is the fact that my college loans are going to be outrageously expensive starting in November (think private school, no parental help, and no financial aid). I have heard that some people have saved a lot of money on the program, and some had to write home asking for money from mom and dad because they didn't make enough to live off of.

Is it possible to save money on this program? I am no stranger to working 70+ hours each week and picking up shifts. How much did you save, if any?

Thank you for any help you could give me!

It is possible if you try. I always spent my money on food and merch at the parks when I went, but you can definitely save money. As a CP you won't get paid an extraordinary amount, but it is possible to have a lot of hours. People are looking at giving away shifts all of the time so if you have a day off and you want to work, pick up shifts. It's nice because your rent is taken out of your paycheck so you don't even have to worry about that bill.

I hope this helps!

 

[jeenyus720]

If you seriously try and save you can bring home a couple thousand dollars. Although, you're at Disney and its feels like you're on vacation. Its hard not to spend money.

Take the bus
Shop smart
Pick up hours
Keep the night life to a minimum.

 

[Kermitthefricket]

Thank you both so much! This is just so hard. Part of me just hopes that a teaching job will fall from the sky!

Any other opinions?

 

[t-ho]

I know I saved money during my first program ( and I'll be entering a second soon hoping to save even more, because I have loans too >.< )

What advice I can offer:

Cook instead of always eating out, and bring your lunch to work. It will save you a lot of money to not buy subway for lunch everyday. People also always seem to forget that you can bring food into the parks when you go as a guest. Pack a sandwich and coke and just buy ice cream. Etc... I think this helps the most.

Publix, which is walking distance from Patt/Chat has great BOGO deals that change every week that really help. Even though everyone else LOVES walmart, shop at Publix for deals first.

I wouldn't worry about the differences in apt. rents. Say, don't get a 4 bedroom in Vista just to save a few dollars. Pick which ever apt. sounds the best to you.

Do take the bus, even if you have a car. I had my car, but I'd try and save some gas by using the bus on days when I had shorter shifts. Then use you car for late nights.

Then, when it comes to Disney merch, use property control and the extra discount during the holidays.

Finally, work your tail off. I plan on it. Many CPs come done with lots of money and want days off all the time, take their shifts! lol. there's also the extra hours section of the hub, disney's employee website. you can use that to pick up jobs in other locations. these are really fun if you do them during the holidays and you could work mickey's not so scary party, or the very merry christmas, etc... personally, i'll be trying to work 70 hour weeks too. Also, if you really mean business, line item budgets on excel really help. I want to put away $100 a week into savings.

 

[Kermitthefricket]

Thank you so much! It makes me feel a little better towards going if I can't get a teaching job!!!

 

[elphie101]

As I said on another thread, I've been down here for just about 2 months and have saved around $200. I have a lot of money savings techniques: I don't have a car down here, I rarely go out much and up till recently, I always brought my lunch (Family visiting = no time to make sandwiches = getting into a bad Subway habit ) This past week alone I also made $30 in overtime, which was an added bonus. So I promise you it can be done! As a college grad myself, looking for a job/home in January with loans right over my shoulder I promise you savings are the first thing on my mind, and it's entirely possible.

 

[pipermae]

Many lenders allow those participating in an internship program to defer their loans for a specific time frame. This may help at least while you're on the program to give you a few more months. You may want to contact your loan provider or check out their website/log in to your account to find out the qualifications. And for some loans there is no interest accrued during the deferment period. If you can't find any information, if you want to PM who the provider is I can look it up for you. I've found the info for Sallie Mae & Stafford Loans just by Googleing "student loan deferment".

I hope this helps!

I also hope to see you down there this fall! I check in on the 22!

 

[collegejunkie]

if you have loans to pay, i think it's smarter to just go get a real job. i know it's disney and all that, but it doesn't seem responsible. the dcp doesn't pay so much that you'll be able to pay off a huge chunk of your loans (i'm assuming it's a lot since it's private school).

 

[Kermitthefricket]

I totally agree with you college junkie, BUT, I graduated with a music Ed degree and finding a job right now is not going so well. So, it's either sub (which may or may not be enough) and work my little part time job at petco, or work full time a Disney. Is was my backup plan if I could not get a teaching job.

 

[pipermae]

I totally agree with you college junkie, BUT, I graduated with a music Ed degree and finding a job right now is not going so well. So, it's either sub (which may or may not be enough) and work my little part time job at petco, or work full time a Disney. Is was my backup plan if I could not get a teaching job.

I feel ya, OP. My fiance has a Music Ed. degree and he's gone back to school to get a different degree after 2 years of no luck. Subbing could be good - but it's not guaranteed work. It's tough to be a teacher these days - especially one in the fine arts. I wish you luck on your decision and future!

 

[collegejunkie]

I totally agree with you college junkie, BUT, I graduated with a music Ed degree and finding a job right now is not going so well. So, it's either sub (which may or may not be enough) and work my little part time job at petco, or work full time a Disney. Is was my backup plan if I could not get a teaching job.

could you get a job at a community college or private music school? that may work better than public schools. i believe you can instruct/lecture at community colleges (and some 4 year schools) with a masters degree.

 

[pipermae]

could you get a job at a community college or private music school? that may work better than public schools. i believe you can instruct/lecture at community colleges (and some 4 year schools) with a masters degree.

I'm only basing this off of the area I'm in, but jobs at universities teaching are harder to come by than at K-12. Most classes she would be qualified to teach are typically saved for Graduate Assistants (students currently seeking their Masters or Doctorate).

 

[Kermitthefricket]

Exactly! I don't have a masters nor can I afford to pursue my masters at this point in time. I have the opportunity to teach private lessons but it's only about $30/week. The only main universities around with music programs are my school (you need to at least have a masters in performance which I don't want) or Eastman School of Music (you need to basically be world-famous to teach there). There is a community college, but you need a masters there too. They say, at least in NY, that there will be a shortage in 2-3 years and that we just need to hold on until then.