Money saving ideas anyone?

[ThePin Princess]

So me and my mom want to go on a 4th of July trip next july 4th, so how can we save up about $2500 for the trip we want in 52 weeks? The only thing we can think of is at the week each of us put $10 in the Disney bank, but that's only 1040 for the two of us. Oh and i'm only 14 so the only job I can get is at the local grocery store which doesn't pay much. Any idea's?

 

[brymolmom]

It is so great that you want to help save for a vacation. My best suggestion would be to do the better-money-making option for a 14 year old - babysit. Around me - babysitters can easily get $40 for one night's work. If you can try to get 1 - 2 jobs per week you could easily increase that $$ into the Disney fund to $20 a week for you.

Can you guys take a look at your basic budget together and go over things that you're willing to cut out and put that $ directly into the fund? For example - do you eat out at all?? Instead of ordering in pizza get a frozen one a night a week - that'll save $5 right there. Do you make your lunch instead of buying? That could put more into the fund every week if you do.

BEST OF LUCK!

 

[mjantz]

-Forgo big birthday & Christmas presents & put the extra money in the fund. For example, if you usually spend $50 for a birthday present, spend $10 instead & put the extra $40 in the fund. You can make it a game to see how much you can get for your $10.
-Cut out 1 out-to-eat or entertainment opportunity per month & put that money into the fund.
-If you don't use coupons, start & put the savings in an account. So, if your coupons save you $8 one week, put that $8 in the account.

 

[ThePin Princess]

Thank you both for your great tips!

 

[semo233]

save your loose change! Put it in something that you can't get it out of, unless you really try. Six months from now, take it to the bank and deposit it in your Disney account....you'd be surprised how quickly it can add up! I find myself putting ALL the change I can find in it to help it fill up faster!

 

[ThePin Princess]

save your loose change! Put it in something that you can't get it out of, unless you really try. Six months from now, take it to the bank and deposit it in your Disney account....you'd be surprised how quickly it can add up! I find myself putting ALL the change I can find in it to help it fill up faster!

okay finally someone else that does that! haha my friends laugh at me when the walk in my room and see a hugh poland springs jug half full of change!

 

[ThePin Princess]

I just made $13.50 for the Disney Fund!!! yay!! checking my dads lottery tickets for him was worth it!

 

[SandrA9810]

LOL

I have a great big 5gal water jug that's about 4" full. Heavy as can be. But anytime I have a few bills that are in my pocket for longer than a day, it goes in there. So I've got 1's - 20's in there as well.
My first bank account as a kid was opened with almost 50$ in pennies. 50 was the min, and the bank looked at me like i was crazy. I used to always ask my g'parents for pennies and some times they gave me other loose change as well. Then I picked up every penny I found on the ground. I still do it too.
Loose change adds up fast.

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

That is great that you are helping save/pay for your Disney trip next year!

Do you have a Half Price Books near you? My DD (she'll be 12 mext month) sold a box of books she doesn't read anymore and some DVDs she doesn't watch. She got $42.

Good luck to you!

 

[NYCDiane]

Find some of your old (nice) stuff and try having a yard sale or sell on ebay. Yard sales are better becuase you don't have to pay fees like you do on ebay.


Telll your mom to use coupons when grocery shopping --- take the $ saved and toss it in the change jar.

Cash in cans/bottles and toss the money in your change jar.

Babysitting

Yard work

Run errands for people

Once school starts, maybe you can be a "homework helper" or tutor younger kids in subjects you're great at.

 

[starann]

I have to agree with running errands for people. When I was 14 I worked the summer for a friend of the family, she was an elderly lady who still lived in a rather bog house. For $5/hr she paid me to do things like weeding her garden, cutting small patches of grass, take boxes upstairs, and go grocery shopping for her (she would write out a list, drive me to the store and I would go in and do the shopping for her while she waited in the car).

As a nurse now, I see so many people who are elderly, live alone and need this type of help, agencies charge an obsecene amount per hour, which often means people can't afford it so they go without.

It was great for her, as she had a companion and was able to get the things done she wanted. It was great for me to do the work, make the money and spend time with someone who was so wise. Sadly, Mrs. Patterson is gone now, but I remember that summer!

 

[PinkRhombus]

I am so proud of the OP! Great attitude so early on!

Just put ANY additional money that you come upon in that fund.

Something that you might ask your parents. Say you usually go out to eat once a week. See if they would give you that money that would be spent for the meal out. YOU make dinner for your family. And put whatever is left after you buy the ingredients needed in the vacation fund. They still don't have to cook, and you get money towards your goal.

 

[debbiedana]

Babysitting is the best way to make some good $$$.

Also, let your neighbors know you'll watch their pets while they go on vacation. It's easy and quick money!

Gather up your old goodies and have a garage/yard sale.

OP, I think it's awesome how you're working with your mom on paying for this trip! BTW, you might consider a different week than 4th of July. There is VERY heavy attendance that week. Later in August would be cheaper, and they *may* offer free dining again next year. Just something to think about!

 

[worm761]

Please talk to your mom before you follow any of my suggestions: I know you said that you are only 14 but there are some rewards programs you can do at your age. Teensyes.com is one of them. You could also talk to your mom about starting her doing some too. I know mypoints, by just clicking the emails, your mom could make at least one $25 gift card to help with expenses in the next year. She could probably make more. And definitely if she shops online thru them she could earn a lot more. There are other programs out there too. PM for any questions you may have. My son does teenseyes. They do pay. It is taking surveys for teens. Worth doing for the money.

 

[TheBigBadWolf]

You can make a lot of money doing lawn work. I had a friend who started a lawn care business with just one old push mower. Within a month, she made enough money to buy an older used pickup, and a riding mower. Within a year she bought a much newer truck, and had a couple people working for her, and had bought all kinds of lawn equipment. This was in Texas, where people mow their lawns nine months out of the year. When the mowing season ended, she did leaf blowing and leaf bagging. She also picked up some jobs like watering the plants at places like McDonalds and Wendy's once or twice a week.

Good luck. I'm proud that you are interested in trying to earn some money. You'll probably have good money sense when you are an adult!

 

[Belladonna]

When I was your age, my mom and I started a business selling things on ebay

We would go to our local thrift stores and pick out things for $1-$2, then turn it around on ebay and suprised ourselves a lot of times with how much revenue we would make!

 

[dyna]

If mom isn't already using coupons go grocery shopping with her a few times learn what she normally buys then start clipping coupons for her on things she already buys if you got to buy something you don't normally buy to save 50 cents it usually not worth it.

Put the money saved in disney fund.

Yes I 2nd the birthday an christmas ideas an the babysitting an yard work doing errands an pet sitting. Years ago as a kid I got many babysittin jobs by offering to go in a entertain the kids for an hour while parents was there to show them that I did know how to manage kids that got me many babysitting jobs.

Yard sale or craigs list another way to make a few dollars buy sellin off things no longer wanted or needed.

I also agree 4th of July not the best time to go to disney very very crowded an HOT

 

[StephMK]

Congrats for being so budget minded & goal driven at such a young age! I agree, if you don't use coupons now, start & put the difference in a savings acct. Be willing to try less expensive brands - DD15 loves Secret, it was $3.49 & my coupon was expired. Suave was $1.99 & I did have a .50 for that. That's $2 saved for other stuff. That adds up if you do that for a lot of food & beauty products.

If you like kids or party planning, I used DD & her friend as my helpers during bday parties - you could decorate, put together goody bags, blow up water balloons, balloons, set the table & help get things & assist the kids. It was great when my younger kids were toddlers because even if moms stayed, it allowed them to relax & I had extra hands for crowd control.

Good luck & have fun planning!

 

[ThePin Princess]

thank you all for such great idea's! you've all been very helpful, and I think we are rethinking the time of the trip, since i play softball august is a better time to go so that it doesn't interfere.