Money Questions

[Climber656]

So, I have been talking to my dad and he is convinced that I am not going to make any money on the program after I pay for rent and food. So my question is for you all that have already done a CP. How much money did you all make on your program? I can't help but think that I will do more than break even....

 

[CelebrationNM]

There was a discussion on this awhile back: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1987579&page=3

...but hopefully new people will have some comments too.

I think if your #1 goal for the CP is to make money you can put in the effort to make that happen, but you still won't be making more than you would staying home and doing QSFB at your local Chick-fill-A, for example.

However, after 6 months at Chick-fill-A or 6 months at WDW Resort, one of these places will provide you with endless opportunities in professional networking, with professional development through the CP courses, and with friends from all over the world. One of these places is an industry-leader and the #1 vacation destination in the world. It'll never, ever be easier to gain that amount of experience in such a short amount of time and at such an important time in your career.

Don't do the CP to maximize the US$ you can earn in 6 months, do the CP to maximize the experience$ you can earn in 6 months. I know making US$ is important and in the end you need to do what you need to do, but I hope you and your dad will be able to consider other potential benefits, amidst the economic difficulties going on right now. Good luck!

 

[Scully12]

I pretty much broke even (And by this I mean I came back with as much as I went down with. I left the CP with about $900) It was a great experience but it's not worth it if you are only looking to make money. Thats not going to happen unless you really try and you save every single penny you earn.

 

[Berlioz70]

So, I have been talking to my dad and he is convinced that I am not going to make any money on the program after I pay for rent and food. So my question is for you all that have already done a CP. How much money did you all make on your program? I can't help but think that I will do more than break even....

Here's some easy math - assume you make $7 an hour (I know all roles will make more than this for January, but this is a good base number for after taxes are removed).

Assume you will never work more than 30 hours a week. While you most definately will work more, you're only guaranteed 30 so lets stick to the minimum.

That will mean that you'll make $210/week.

I'm not sure what the new housing costs are... but right now we'll go with a 3-4 bd/room at Patterson which is $81 a week.

That leaves you with $129.

If you've got a car then cut out and additional 29 (again - I'm going with the worst case scenario). Now we're at 100.

I'm not sure how much you eat, but I spent about 40 a week on food - now we're at $60.

That remaining amount could go towards social events and going out to dinner with friends, or you could save it up.

Now to really make the most of your money here are the following tips:
Stay at Vista, a 3-4 bd/room (it's the cheapest).
Pick up as many hours as possible - if you want more hours then call every morning to see if someone didn't show up and if you could come in to work.
Eat CHEAP food - there's a Wall-Mart close by, it's far cheaper than Publix.
Try not to drive - take the CP buses as much as possible.
Be smart about social events, try staying in where things are free opposed to out where they serve food (which costs money).

While I'm not rolling in cash, I was doing better than breaking even. I had actually built up a pretty good amount (near 1,000) before I had to pay 800 in insurance, and 500 for new car registration and plates. So you can make some money - you just have to be smart!

 

[Climber656]

There was a discussion on this awhile back: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1987579&page=3

...but hopefully new people will have some comments too.

I think if your #1 goal for the CP is to make money you can put in the effort to make that happen, but you still won't be making more than you would staying home and doing QSFB at your local Chick-fill-A, for example.

However, after 6 months at Chick-fill-A or 6 months at WDW Resort, one of these places will provide you with endless opportunities in professional networking, with professional development through the CP courses, and with friends from all over the world. One of these places is an industry-leader and the #1 vacation destination in the world. It'll never, ever be easier to gain that amount of experience in such a short amount of time and at such an important time in your career.

Don't do the CP to maximize the US$ you can earn in 6 months, do the CP to maximize the experience$ you can earn in 6 months. I know making US$ is important and in the end you need to do what you need to do, but I hope you and your dad will be able to consider other potential benefits, amidst the economic difficulties going on right now. Good luck!

Thanks! I definitely agree with you. My dad is all about the numbers and tends to be almost pessimistic about it sometimes. I am jsut trying to gather info to make him happy.

Here's some easy math - assume you make $7 an hour (I know all roles will make more than this for January, but this is a good base number for after taxes are removed).

Assume you will never work more than 30 hours a week. While you most definately will work more, you're only guaranteed 30 so lets stick to the minimum.

That will mean that you'll make $210/week.

I'm not sure what the new housing costs are... but right now we'll go with a 3-4 bd/room at Patterson which is $81 a week.

That leaves you with $129.

If you've got a car then cut out and additional 29 (again - I'm going with the worst case scenario). Now we're at 100.

I'm not sure how much you eat, but I spent about 40 a week on food - now we're at $60.

That remaining amount could go towards social events and going out to dinner with friends, or you could save it up.

Now to really make the most of your money here are the following tips:
Stay at Vista, a 3-4 bd/room (it's the cheapest).
Pick up as many hours as possible - if you want more hours then call every morning to see if someone didn't show up and if you could come in to work.
Eat CHEAP food - there's a Wall-Mart close by, it's far cheaper than Publix.
Try not to drive - take the CP buses as much as possible.
Be smart about social events, try staying in where things are free opposed to out where they serve food (which costs money).

While I'm not rolling in cash, I was doing better than breaking even. I had actually built up a pretty good amount (near 1,000) before I had to pay 800 in insurance, and 500 for new car registration and plates. So you can make some money - you just have to be smart!

Thanks! This will definitely help. I don't have a car, but I plan to live in a 1 or 2 bedroom if it is available. So I guess that cancels it out? lol

 

[razzery]

Here's some easy math - assume you make $7 an hour (I know all roles will make more than this for January, but this is a good base number for after taxes are removed).

Assume you will never work more than 30 hours a week. While you most definately will work more, you're only guaranteed 30 so lets stick to the minimum.

That will mean that you'll make $210/week.

I'm not sure what the new housing costs are... but right now we'll go with a 3-4 bd/room at Patterson which is $81 a week.

That leaves you with $129.

If you've got a car then cut out and additional 29 (again - I'm going with the worst case scenario). Now we're at 100.

I'm not sure how much you eat, but I spent about 40 a week on food - now we're at $60.

That remaining amount could go towards social events and going out to dinner with friends, or you could save it up.

Now to really make the most of your money here are the following tips:
Stay at Vista, a 3-4 bd/room (it's the cheapest).
Pick up as many hours as possible - if you want more hours then call every morning to see if someone didn't show up and if you could come in to work.
Eat CHEAP food - there's a Wall-Mart close by, it's far cheaper than Publix.
Try not to drive - take the CP buses as much as possible.
Be smart about social events, try staying in where things are free opposed to out where they serve food (which costs money).

While I'm not rolling in cash, I was doing better than breaking even. I had actually built up a pretty good amount (near 1,000) before I had to pay 800 in insurance, and 500 for new car registration and plates. So you can make some money - you just have to be smart!

Only problem with this calculation is tax, but I guess that would just even out with working a few more hours.

 

[Berlioz70]

Only problem with this calculation is tax, but I guess that would just even out with working a few more hours.

I'm not sure about all roles - but people in my role will be making near 8 dollars (if not more) - so my estimation at 7 is actually low. What are the other roles making?

 

[Climber656]

I'm not sure about all roles - but people in my role will be making near 8 dollars (if not more) - so my estimation at 7 is actually low. What are the other roles making?

Attractions makes 7.21.

 

[waltripfan5599]

qsfb makes 7.46

 

[DisneyTampa]

Merchandise is making $6.79

 

[waltripfan5599]

Merchandise is making $6.79

Florida minimum Wage
Current : $6.79
January 1, 2009 : $7.21
July 24, 2009: $7.25


so all roles much match these pay scales by these dates. ITS THE LAW

I live here in FL so ive been paying attention lol

disneytampa u from tampa?

 

[Scully12]

Ok so I found my last paystub. In all I earned $8307.86

then Subtract $2240 in rent ($80 a week for a 3 bedroom in Chatham)
and another $1456.92 in taxes

That leaves $4610.94 in money I actually saw.

 

[Climber656]

Ok so I found my last paystub. In all I earned $8307.86

then Subtract $2240 in rent ($80 a week for a 3 bedroom in Chatham)
and another $1456.92 in taxes

That leaves $4610.94 in money I actually saw.

So how much would you say that spent on food? Recreation (things like trips, going out with friends etc.)?
Was this spring or spring adv.?

 

[KGH]

So how much would you say that spent on food? Recreation (things like trips, going out with friends etc.)?
Was this spring or spring adv.?

I did a fall semester. In my experience, I didn't spend alot on recreation, 'cause we'd go to the parks alot for fun, which was free. You also get a discount at alot of places in orlando and LBV... I'd say maybe $100 a month of "recreation" (the occasional movie, mall trip, etc.) recreation to a disney CP is probably going to consist of alot of park hopping, and that'll save you $. Food, maybe $200 a month... mostly grocery shopping and cooking at home, but the occasional dinner out or in-park meal too.

I dunno, it depends on what you do and how you spend... i would say you are probably not going to make/save alot, but it's worth it anyway, and you can ateast break even if not make a little money when all is said and done...

 

[Scully12]

So how much would you say that spent on food? Recreation (things like trips, going out with friends etc.)?
Was this spring or spring adv.?

I spent about $50 a week on food. I was Spring Advantage soo that comes to about $1400 total on food.

I really don't know how much I spent on "recreation."

 

[DisneyTampa]

Florida minimum Wage
Current : $6.79
January 1, 2009 : $7.21
July 24, 2009: $7.25


so all roles much match these pay scales by these dates. ITS THE LAW

I live here in FL so ive been paying attention lol

disneytampa u from tampa?

Yeah, I'm in Tampa. Where are you?

I know that the minimum wage is going up, but I was just posting what they put in my acceptance letter.

 

[waltripfan5599]

Yeah, I'm in Tampa. Where are you?

I know that the minimum wage is going up, but I was just posting what they put in my acceptance letter.

im in jacksonville.

im not saying your wrong that price is min wadge now so its possible at the moment. lol although we are not going at the moment.

 

[Climber656]

I appreciate all of the help that you all are giving! I figured I wouldn't walk away with much, but every bit of info helps.