Alexsandra
Ready for the next adventure
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2011
- Messages
- 1,431
Hi everyone,
I am a working Mom with a 2 year old and a five year old boy. My husband and I both work demanding jobs while the kids go to daycare. My family moved into a new home this spring.
Before I lived in a small home with a small backyard but we had left over money for trips which we loved because it gave us family time together. We outgrew the old house so needed to upgrade to a more comfortable home. However, now we find ourselves on a tighter budget and no extra money for vacations. I am a WDW addict and was hoping to visit next year but now with our current financial situation, I could not afford it. Don't get me wrong, I am happy we moved and the kids are happier there too but I was truly sad that we had to give up our favorite thing "traveling".
So instead of gloating, I started looking at ways to save up money.
I decided to make my goal to visit WDW next Feb. or March. That will give me enough time to accumulate money. I opened a savings account and all the extra money I accumulated will go in there and will not be touched until my trip.
First I found ways to save money on things I already spend on:
-I called my cable provider and spoke to the agent about cutting down my bill. He helped me reconfigure my channels and by cutting out a few channels I never watch, I was able to save around $15 each month. This amount saved will go in my savings account.
-I calculated how much I spend on groceries week and made out an average. Then I cut 15% off that amount. (I took off a percentage that I thought was doable). That was going to be my new budget for groceries each week. So to enforce this new budget, I took that amount in cash with me to the grocery store and I bought only what I need for the week, not spending more than I have in the wallet. The 15% that I save I put into the savings account.
-I stopped getting my coffee at the coffee shop and now I bring my morning coffee in a thermos to work. The $2 I save each day I put in a jar at home.
-Any loose change in my wallet now goes in that same jar each night. Once full, the jar will go into the savings account.
-I stopped going to restaurants and now bring my lunch and keep frozen pre-made dinners for nights when I am too tired to cook.
Next I decided to take on an extra job. I was looking around for a part-time job that would not take too much time away from the family (what is the point then), when all of sudden the job came to me.
We have a gym at work and already work out every day during the work week (just to keep fit). I am certified in weight training (took a 3 month weight training program in college and can even work in gyms). I have to admit that I am a bit of a fitness guru, for myself that is. Everyone at work has been telling me how much they would like to learn how to work out or find the time. Then a couple of my coworkers suggested I should give classes at work. Wow, I didn't even think of that. I was a little shy to take on the task but I said to myself why not give classes, it is a great way to make some extra cash and at the same time it helps me bond with some of my fellow coworkers. I asked my boss if it was ok with him and he was so happy he wanted to join in. I decided to teach a 35 min. fitness classes, 3 times a week, for 4 weeks which costs $65 per person. I already have 4 coworkers who joined and my boss. I start on monday. It is funny how destiny helps you get to where you need to go in life!
SO this is how I figured out to make extra money to go on my WDW trip! I thought I would share and maybe help someone else find solutions on how to squeeze the budget.
I let you know how it worked out.
Thanks for following
I am a working Mom with a 2 year old and a five year old boy. My husband and I both work demanding jobs while the kids go to daycare. My family moved into a new home this spring.
Before I lived in a small home with a small backyard but we had left over money for trips which we loved because it gave us family time together. We outgrew the old house so needed to upgrade to a more comfortable home. However, now we find ourselves on a tighter budget and no extra money for vacations. I am a WDW addict and was hoping to visit next year but now with our current financial situation, I could not afford it. Don't get me wrong, I am happy we moved and the kids are happier there too but I was truly sad that we had to give up our favorite thing "traveling".
So instead of gloating, I started looking at ways to save up money.
I decided to make my goal to visit WDW next Feb. or March. That will give me enough time to accumulate money. I opened a savings account and all the extra money I accumulated will go in there and will not be touched until my trip.
First I found ways to save money on things I already spend on:
-I called my cable provider and spoke to the agent about cutting down my bill. He helped me reconfigure my channels and by cutting out a few channels I never watch, I was able to save around $15 each month. This amount saved will go in my savings account.
-I calculated how much I spend on groceries week and made out an average. Then I cut 15% off that amount. (I took off a percentage that I thought was doable). That was going to be my new budget for groceries each week. So to enforce this new budget, I took that amount in cash with me to the grocery store and I bought only what I need for the week, not spending more than I have in the wallet. The 15% that I save I put into the savings account.
-I stopped getting my coffee at the coffee shop and now I bring my morning coffee in a thermos to work. The $2 I save each day I put in a jar at home.
-Any loose change in my wallet now goes in that same jar each night. Once full, the jar will go into the savings account.
-I stopped going to restaurants and now bring my lunch and keep frozen pre-made dinners for nights when I am too tired to cook.
Next I decided to take on an extra job. I was looking around for a part-time job that would not take too much time away from the family (what is the point then), when all of sudden the job came to me.
We have a gym at work and already work out every day during the work week (just to keep fit). I am certified in weight training (took a 3 month weight training program in college and can even work in gyms). I have to admit that I am a bit of a fitness guru, for myself that is. Everyone at work has been telling me how much they would like to learn how to work out or find the time. Then a couple of my coworkers suggested I should give classes at work. Wow, I didn't even think of that. I was a little shy to take on the task but I said to myself why not give classes, it is a great way to make some extra cash and at the same time it helps me bond with some of my fellow coworkers. I asked my boss if it was ok with him and he was so happy he wanted to join in. I decided to teach a 35 min. fitness classes, 3 times a week, for 4 weeks which costs $65 per person. I already have 4 coworkers who joined and my boss. I start on monday. It is funny how destiny helps you get to where you need to go in life!
SO this is how I figured out to make extra money to go on my WDW trip! I thought I would share and maybe help someone else find solutions on how to squeeze the budget.
I let you know how it worked out.
Thanks for following
Good for you for saving for what you want instead of just going into debt in order to do it. The exercise classes are tailor made for you...what a great idea. Good luck and thanks for sharing!
