Earning $ for Disney..... Ideas Wanted

[MosMom]

The website is http://www.vonage.com and there is a small state tax. I think it is around $1.30 for us. Our bill was $41 this month but DH made a few 4-1-1 calls and you do get charged for those since it isn't a Vonage service. They don't charge all the bogus "taxes and fees". Your bill, incoming & outgoing call history, voicemail online, & other features are all available online with your username/password. I love love love them.

 

[vhoffman]

Woops! That was a typo. I meant to write that MCI's The Neighborhood is $49 per month, not $9 per month! That would be a lot of taxes and surcharges! However, MCI is still way overpriced compared to Vonage. Thanks for the website. I tried Vonage.com but just got "can't be displayed" message. Then I tried it later and it worked. Must be my server. Now if I can just find a better/cheaper cable internet access. We're currently using Road Runner for $45 per month and the service leaves a lot to be desired, such as poor connections and very slow connections. Keep this up and we can pay for a Disney trip just from the phone bill savings!

 

[Mom2Ben02]

Originally posted by vhoffman
Now if I can just find a better/cheaper cable internet access. We're currently using Road Runner for $45 per month and the service leaves a lot to be desired, such as poor connections and very slow connections.

Have you tried SBC Yahoo? If it is available in your area, it is only $26.95 if you sign up online. We are looking into switching soon - I hate comcast!

 

[sandy3550]

momtoben. I just sent you a PM.

 

[alaskantwinks]

We just got back from a long Disney trip, hadn't been out of state (Alaska) since 1994 before that, so we needed it! We had a lot of fun and got to stay on site at Universal Studios, @ the Polynesian concierge (thanks to Fairytale package!) and then went on a 3 night Wonder cruise! It was so much fun. My MIL went with us, so we split the costs.

Anyway, I do some of the things that were mentioned before, I quit using direct dial and bought pre-paid calling cards (3 cents a minute!) through AT & T, (we don't have a lot of choice where I live to switch carriers) We started using Alaska Airlines visa card where we get miles when we purchase items, etc.

I also order all my cooking spices and a lot of other neat things through Watkins, I've been ordering through them since 1997. Once in a while I sell the products through local craft bazaars (Xmas, etc.) They are very popular since they've been around forever. A lot of people are already familiar, and even to those who are not, they really like what we offer. For more info, PM or email me. tkpowell@unicom-alaska.com

I take my lunches to work, cook homemade meals, (we don't have McD's or Taco Bell or most other fast food chains, so that helps a lot!) and when we eat out, we do have a Subway where we collect the little stamps and get free sandwiches, or wait until they have a "buy one, get one free" deal.

There are a lot of things that I do, I can't think of all of them right now, but those are some of the ways that we save!!

Kelly

 

[Desnik]

I just wanted to add another comment on Vonage. We have had it for a year now. It is great!!! My DH works for Verizon so shhh, don't tell!!!LOL We pay $27 a month and it gets deducted automatically from our checking account. So easy and especially since we've moved twice and didn't have to change our phone#. Hey a way for me to make extra money is people who sign up for Vonage using my name as a referral! PM me if you're going to sign up, I'd appreciate it!

I wanted to ask all the SAHM who said they have a part time job. Do you have small children? I have a DD almost 6yo in K full day. I have a 9mo baby and I just can't justify paying a sitter for me to work outside of the home to make the same amount it costs for a sitter. I use to own 2 businesses and did very well. That was before the baby and numerous health issues with him and a few other circumstances. I had to close them down, but still have all supplies in the hopes of reopening sometime in the future. I am itching to do something and since one of my business was a childrens birthday party facility I am thinking of doing something using my experience from that. Since I need to do something from home I was thinking of making goody bags for the birthday parties. I use to do them and include them in the birthday package at my facility and they were a big hit. Everyone would comment on how the toys were nice and not the cheap kind and how pretty they were. They were all age appropiate and some were themed to match the parties. I was thinking I could sell them on ebay and ship them anywhere in the US and could put a small add in the local paper. I could even deliver them to the parties locally. What do you think? Would you use a service like this? I would charge between $2-$5 per bag depending on what kind of things the person wanted in the bag.

 

[Mom2Ben02]

Ebay MAY be a way to go - there are two types of people who shop there! #1 is people who want to save money and do things themselves. So they may look up "Nemo Birthday Party" and copy your ideas, probably buying the same sort of items right from other sellers on ebay. The other type is the people who just want something cute and different, and will be willing to pay for the service.

I do bridal/baby favors, and we did start out on ebay. We got TONS of questions, because we left things kinda secretive - i.e., for a baby shower favor, I made a cute Winnie-the-pooh poem, and did not write the whole poem in the listing. My thoughts were, I wrote the dang thing, I don't do that for free! We also sold a lot of single favors - learned our lesson the hard way that people just copy them, not order later! That said, we also sold a TON of favors - many outside of auctions. Meaning, just because it appeared my item did not sell, I may have done a custom order outside the auction for one or two people.

The best way we sell our favors is through local businesses. You may want to see if there are kids party places where you can swap ads. I know in our area, there is a pottery place that does parties. Try the local pool, etc. Also, try a school or local church ads, maybe a girl scout troop, etc.

Good luck! I love giving ideas!

 

[toystoryduo]

We have seen some great ideas on this thread! Does anyone have anymore ideas??

 

[off2disney]

I saved over $1000 with a Christmas Club account through my bank - each week when I deposited my check, I automatically deposited $20 in my vacation account and got a little bit of interest. I never spend change -it all goes into the change jar. (I've already started my jar for this year!)

I also would not spend $1 bills - if my bill was $2, I would use a $5, then stick the 3 one dollar bills in the change jar. Whenever I would get $150 or $200 I would buy money orders (three $50 ones or ten $20 ones) -- they were free thru my bank -- and stick them away (less tempted to spend a money order than cash, but it was available in case of a real ememgency came up). If you are an AAA member, you can get free money orderes if you are close to an office. When I actually went to Disney, I had over $1000 in money orders but I used my awards credit card while I was at Disney. As soon as I got my credit card bill, I paid it off with the money orders.

Also, occassionally at work I get to bartend and any tip money always goes in the change jar).

I'm another one that likes that IRS refund check --

 

[toystoryduo]

Yesterday, DH and I opened a checking account at Charter One bank. (Not sure if they are a nationwide chain or not.) We got a $15 gift card for opening an account and referral slips for another gift card if friends or family open an account with them as well. Plus, they have a rewards program that you can link to your credit card or debit card. Guess what one of the rewards is??? A 5 Day Park Hopper w/ 2 Plus options. Great rewards program and an unexpected $15 gift card!! So many ways to earn and save money for Disney....

off2disney~
That is a great idea about saving $1 bills! Those add up a lot faster than loose change. I'll see if I can get my DH to do this since he travels a lot. I never thought of that! Thanks!

I like the IRS tax refund as well. I am praying that Uncle Sam will come through for us again this year.

 

[vhoffman]

I'm an accountant, and I can't really criticize the Income tax refund thing. If you look at it as an interest-free loan to Uncle Sam, well, then, it doesn't really make much sense. However, with interest rates less than 2%, that interest really doesn't add up to much. Especially if you apply it prorated over the year, not just 2% x excess income tax withheld. Plus, the biggest problem with this strategy is figuring exactly how much of your taxes withheld are actually excess. Its hard to figure a year in advance, especially when the tax laws keep changing. Even as an accountant, I can never get it to the penny. And its true, getting it in one lump sum works out better than another $50 or so a paycheck. Realistically, you don't put that $50 into a savings account, not when you have pressing bills staring you in the face. It doesn't make economic sense, but it does fit with most of ours reality.

 

[sandy3550]

I just opened an ING direct savings account (I found out about it on another post on this board). They have a referral bonus type deal where you refer someone and they get $25 when they open their account and I get $10. Its pretty cool! You have to be referred so the person who referred me got $10 and I got $25 (I opened it with $10 so now I have $35 in it) I am gonna open one for each of my kids so they will each get $25 extra dollars and I will get an extra $20. I'm gonna use this in conjunction with my Ebay/PayPal account and use that as my disney savings fund. I don't know about the banks where you guys are but ours around here are only paying like 3/4%, where this is paying 2% and the referrals can really add up. If you would like a referral, send me your first & last name (either by PM or email to sandy@thriftbasket.com) and I will be happy to send you a referral and we can help each other get to WDW quicker! (or at least have more money to spend while we are there LOL). Sandy

 

[vhoffman]

Sandy,

Is there any limit to the number of referrals you can make? Sounds like it could add up to a nice piece of change!

 

[sandy3550]

I think it is 25. I have to work today (I also do the substitute teacher thing) But would be happy to get you a referral this afternoon if you are interested. let me know. Sandy

 

[dolphincrazy]

I also have plenty of referrals left over so, If anyone is interested
send me a PM or email and I'll get it right out to you
Maryann

 

[LorieR]

I have referrals left also. Just signed up a few days ago! Send me a private message with your full name and e-mail address and I will arrange for a referral right away! A quick way to make $25!! After you are signed up, you can make referrals also and will receive $10 for each referral!!

Lorie

 

[MontiD]

I had read this post earlier ( I think it was this one) and someone mentioned selling on Amazon.com. I figured I'd give it a try. I was planning on having a garage/yard sell next weekend and was going to put several books in to sell..knowing that I probably wouldnt get but a buck or so for the best ones. I decided to check out selling a few on amazon and WOW I can't believe how much and how quickly they are selling. I started with just a few less than a week ago, and within 24 hrs of putting them one, I was getting email notices that they were selling and the funds were already put into my amazon account. Needless to say I scoured my home to find ANY book that I though might bring a little money! Its so easy! They even suggest a price for you to list it at as well as give you credit for shipping cost. I am AMAZED how quickly they sell!! And these are not any special types of books either..one was just a Black & Decker redecorating guide (paperback) which sold for 12.95! I only paid about 8.00 for it a yr ago! I made a trip to the post office today to mail 5 packages and those were all sales in the last 24 hrs since I advertise same day shipping. So far I have made 112.00 and with what I have left unsold ( 6 books), its another 60.00 or so. I'm AMAZED! My family thinks I've lost my mind! Every time I check my email I scream "I SOLD ANOTHER ONE"!!! Only draw back is that being a new seller, the first sales proceeds dont transfer into my normal checking account for 14 days, but after the first transfer, I can request it to be proceeds to be transferred into my checking right away! I'm not going to Disney until first part of March, so it was no big deal. I've blabbed enough, just wanted to thank whoever suggested selling on amazon.com.

 

[toystoryduo]

MontiD, that is wonderful! Good for you!!! Is selling on Amazon.com similar to selling on eBay? For those of you who have sold books on both, which do you recommend? I have tons of books sitting around my house collecting dust and would love to make money for Disney!! Thanks for the idea!

 

[dolphincrazy]

Yes MontiD please tell us if selling on Amazon is similiar to ebay
I would think the only differance is is that you don't need to have a digital camera to post pictures so, that saves you a little work
but, I'm interested in knowing more about it.
Maryann
by the way, I can still refer 20 people for the $25 INGDIRECT link
I've decided any extra money I make from taking surveys or selling stuff will go directly into that "Disney" account
Thanks

 

[vhoffman]

I have referrals available for ING DIRECT accounts. Send a PM for immediate reply! PM to me with your first and last name and email address. I then send the information to ING and they send you a referral letter. Quick way to make $25!!