Need ideas for rasing $300 for our trip to WDW

[ilovepete]

These are the things you think about before you have 6 kid though. If you know that you don't like the schools for the first one why wouldn't you move into an area where the district is good or start looking into school choice before you have the next one.
My heart goes out to these kids, especially the girls. Sounds like they have a lot of God and Love and not much else. Hopefully they don't grow up to resent their parents for not doing good by them.

If you weren't concerned about the schools because you were planning to home school, then it wouldn't matter what district you were in and that wouldn't be a goal. There would be no reason to move to an area where the district is good. We knew we wanted to home school since our kids were born, and when we recently moved we did not consider the school district at all because it didn't matter to us. I don't think the OP is here to ask for advice on how to school or raise her children. That is her choice.

I don't see why you feel so much for the kids, the OP did not say what she has in her regular monthly budget, who knows what she is spending things on? They may have plenty of money and it is just allocated to a different part of the budget, not for vacation funds. It doesn't really matter, but I'm just making the point that maybe the judging going on here about how her kids live is not accurate. How can you say that their parents are not doing good by them? That seems insanely unfair based on the few sentences we have read from the OP.

Not everyone places a huge emphasis on things that can be bought.

 

[DawnM]

What? Why would the girls resent their parents? Where do you get that in any of this?

I live in the best school district around and still CHOOSE to homeschool. Again, it is about a choice made, not a "well, just live in a different district." I am not anti-ps at all, I just have made a choice based on a lot of things that I don't feel the need to defend or explain.

And where do you get that the OP only gives God and Love and that is it?

Wow, you are making some very big assumptions here.

Dawn

These are the things you think about before you have 6 kid though. If you know that you don't like the schools for the first one why wouldn't you move into an area where the district is good or start looking into school choice before you have the next one.
My heart goes out to these kids, especially the girls. Sounds like they have a lot of God and Love and not much else. Hopefully they don't grow up to resent their parents for not doing good by them.

 

[Matt'sMom]

Personally, I would postpone the trip until your family can actually afford to go. Why create so much unnecessary stress -- vacations should be enjoyable, not a burden (financially and/or emotionally).

It really does sound like the OP is going to have a tough time coming up with the $300 + by October. And honestly, it may be money better spent elsewhere (or placed into savings), if the budget is really that tight right now.

There is no harm in temporarily postponing a vacation until you have sufficient money saved away and can genuinely afford and enjoy your WDW visit. And IMHO, doing so teaches your children a wonderful life lesson . You would be providing an example of how to act responsibly and thoughtfully, rather than emotionally. Yes, a WDW trip in October could serve as a 'fun escape'... but at what 'cost'?

I did not read all of the posts, so someone else may have already mentioned this. But just to let OP know one way that we are saving more than $500 towards our upcoming WDW vacation...

We use the Disney Visa rewards card. Both DH and I have one, and we charge practically everything on it, then pay off our cc balance in full each and every month. The rewards $$$ really do add up (we only travel once every two years), and it doesn't cost us anything at all to use the card. There is often a free gift card available just for signing up & using your Disney CC for the first time too -- I have seen the amounts vary from $25 to as much as $200, depending on the current promo.

 

[robinb]

I keep on going back and forth on this one. I am usually the person who says: "If you can't scrape up a measly $300 in 6 months and are spending every cent to go to WDW then you shouldn't go." But for some reason I'm rooting for the OP to make it. Yeah ... I don't understand it either .

You have 9 weeks to earn $300, that's about $35 per week. I see nothing wrong with the three older kids chipping in with odd jobs to make it work. The older two could certainly baby sit or be a "mother's helper" ... they have enough personal experience with younger children and babies . The kids could make up a flyer and post it at the local supermarket or maybe on a church bulletin board. Other options are pet sitting (or just walking), lawn work, weeding & gardening, etc. Again, make up a few flyers and put them between people's doors. I found a baby sitter that way. Heck ... I would even say on the flyer "We're going to Disney World!" to let people know what they are working towards.

 

[DawnM]

BTW: Did the OP PROMISE the kids a trip? I didn't read that, but I may have missed something.

I know for our family we often phrase things with a, "We would like to do X if we can" and then explain time contraints, money contraints, whatever might hinder whatever we are doing. My older boys are fine with this. My youngest is still too young to "get" it sometimes, but that is ok.

For example: We are going to Disney in Oct. We had told the boys we may be albe to swing a day at the Harry Potter park. It turns out we will not be able to do that and they understand. We WILL do it eventually.....just not THIS trip.

Dawn

 

[punkin]

These are the things you think about before you have 6 kid though. If you know that you don't like the schools for the first one why wouldn't you move into an area where the district is good or start looking into school choice before you have the next one.
My heart goes out to these kids, especially the girls. Sounds like they have a lot of God and Love and not much else. Hopefully they don't grow up to resent their parents for not doing good by them.

That's a rather judgmental attitude, isn't it. The woman is homeschooling and you don't know her reasons for doing that. It may have nothing to do with the school district...and why should her girls resent her? I see no evidence that she is not doing "good" by them. I think trying to take the kids to Disney, albeit on a small budget, is admirable if she can swing it.

 

[allison443]

I keep on going back and forth on this one. I am usually the person who says: "If you can't scrape up a measly $300 in 6 months and are spending every cent to go to WDW then you shouldn't go." But for some reason I'm rooting for the OP to make it. Yeah ... I don't understand it either .

You have 9 weeks to earn $300, that's about $35 per week. I see nothing wrong with the three older kids chipping in with odd jobs to make it work. The older two could certainly baby sit or be a "mother's helper" ... they have enough personal experience with younger children and babies . The kids could make up a flyer and post it at the local supermarket or maybe on a church bulletin board. Other options are pet sitting (or just walking), lawn work, weeding & gardening, etc. Again, make up a few flyers and put them between people's doors. I found a baby sitter that way. Heck ... I would even say on the flyer "We're going to Disney World!" to let people know what they are working towards.

If the older kids are old enough to babysit, couldn't they babysit their siblings and the OP could get a job herself? Working a few waitressing shifts could bring in decent money. Since they are homeschooled they might have more flexibility as to the hours the OP could work. I am not saying stop schooling of course. But if the kids are going to work for others, use that time to babysit their siblings and mom can work.


Edited to add, the kids have already earned their own tickets by working in the GAD program. I guess I feel as a parent I would rather earn the rest of the money needed to take a family vacation than have my kids earn the money to take the family on vacation, kwim?

 

[crisi]

BTW: Did the OP PROMISE the kids a trip? I didn't read that, but I may have missed something.

I know for our family we often phrase things with a, "We would like to do X if we can" and then explain time contraints, money contraints, whatever might hinder whatever we are doing. My older boys are fine with this. My youngest is still too young to "get" it sometimes, but that is ok.

For example: We are going to Disney in Oct. We had told the boys we may be albe to swing a day at the Harry Potter park. It turns out we will not be able to do that and they understand. We WILL do it eventually.....just not THIS trip.

Dawn

The kids all put in a volunteer day to get passes. I'd consider that enough of a pledge that its a moral obligation for them to figure out a way to make it work.

This isn't a trip that can be easily postponed. Without the GAD passes, this family has a LOT of money that needs to go for tickets - six kids, plus two adults. She's on a real shoestring - functionally free passes, a tent they own, gas cards and food budgeted as "we will eat anyway." Its now or never (which, Robin, is why I'm rooting for them). I doubt they'll ever do another GAD promotion.

It probably is a trip they can't afford, but it really sounds to me like if they can't afford this trip, their financial ship is so far sunk that they are one curve ball away from bankruptcy anyway. This isn't someone blowing $10k on a Disney vacation and coming back to file bankruptcy. And this doesn't sound like an unusual circumstance for them - this doesn't appear to be someone who was living within their means and then had their income cut temporarily, and will see things straighten out soon. This appears to be someone who lives overlooking the financial cliff. $300 isn't going to really shore up that cliff, and if it sends them over it, they are already over it.

 

[allison443]

BTW: Did the OP PROMISE the kids a trip? I didn't read that, but I may have missed something.

I know for our family we often phrase things with a, "We would like to do X if we can" and then explain time contraints, money contraints, whatever might hinder whatever we are doing. My older boys are fine with this. My youngest is still too young to "get" it sometimes, but that is ok.

For example: We are going to Disney in Oct. We had told the boys we may be albe to swing a day at the Harry Potter park. It turns out we will not be able to do that and they understand. We WILL do it eventually.....just not THIS trip.

Dawn

The kids earned their Disney tickets through the GAD promotion. Wouldn't you consider that a commitment by the parents that they would be going to WDW to use the tickets?

 

[allison443]

Thirdly, she has pre-school aged children. She cannot just go get a job.....unless she has a well paying career, her pay will go towards child care.

Why can't the older kids babysit the younger (for free, as part of their contribution to the family)? Or she could get a job at night if her dh is home at night.

 

[Suz D]

I, too have gone back and forth on this one. But people here have made excellent points in defense of the OP. I vote for taking one day off the trip which will save about $50.00 plus it will also illiminate the DTD day (or down day) and the potential difficulty of window shopping in a store where everything is calling your name.

I'm also with those who said, plan for an emergency. My DH was taken out of the MK in an ambulance and taken to the ER on our trip two years ago. He ended up having Kidney Stones. Because we don't have super great health insurance (don't even get me started on why WVU doesn't have great insurance for their employees) we ended up paying nearly $2000 for that. Obviously this would have happened whether we were at home or on a trip, but if we would have been at home, the cost would have been at the "in network" rates and we'd have paid probably closer to $300.00 total. Fortunately we have an emergency fund and Flex spending but ouch if you don't!

Also, I have noticed that a lot of times people are more likely to get sick while traveling. Lack of sleep, being around lots of people in a closed in space, etc. can cause some problems.

All that being said, OP I really hope you can figure this one out. I'm pulling for you as well!

 

[mom of four]

I hope you are able to go. I am a mom to four children and I know the expense involved. It sounds like you work very hard already to save money and coming up with $300 can be very difficult. Do you use coupons? (I have a feeling you already do) I have found that coupons save me so much money and cut my grocery bill 1/4 to 1/2 some weeks. Do you work? How about a part time job in the evening or night.(walmart, or stocking shelves somewhere) I used to work at night when my kids were young and it did help with the budget but I also got tired. My last suggestions, how about early Christmas presents to the kids from family. My family as given the kids money at birthdays and holidays for their disney trip. I really hope you are able to go, my prayers are with you and your family. Good Luck and have fun.

 

[MaleficentandGoons]

What? Why would the girls resent their parents? Where do you get that in any of this?

I live in the best school district around and still CHOOSE to homeschool. Again, it is about a choice made, not a "well, just live in a different district." I am not anti-ps at all, I just have made a choice based on a lot of things that I don't feel the need to defend or explain.

And where do you get that the OP only gives God and Love and that is it?

Wow, you are making some very big assumptions here.

Dawn

Dawn, and others- have you looked at some of OP'S previous post on boards. Before you jump to defend her i would suggest you do. Maybe why I feel bad for her daughters will make a bit more sense.

 

[Virgderon]

I keep on going back and forth on this one. I am usually the person who says: "If you can't scrape up a measly $300 in 6 months and are spending every cent to go to WDW then you shouldn't go." But for some reason I'm rooting for the OP to make it. Yeah ... I don't understand it either .

You have 9 weeks to earn $300, that's about $35 per week. I see nothing wrong with the three older kids chipping in with odd jobs to make it work. The older two could certainly baby sit or be a "mother's helper" ... they have enough personal experience with younger children and babies . The kids could make up a flyer and post it at the local supermarket or maybe on a church bulletin board. Other options are pet sitting (or just walking), lawn work, weeding & gardening, etc. Again, make up a few flyers and put them between people's doors. I found a baby sitter that way. Heck ... I would even say on the flyer "We're going to Disney World!" to let people know what they are working towards.

I could save $35 a week on groceries if I really tried. This month I have saved $180 or so by shopping sales and using coupons. OP, are you a couponer?

 

[ilovepete]

Dawn, and others- have you looked at some of OP'S previous post on boards. Before you jump to defend her i would suggest you do. Maybe why I feel bad for her daughters will make a bit more sense.

OK I just went back and read her whole last page of posts, I don't see anything that would make me "feel for her kids"?? What exactly are you referring to?
(I would have read further but it won't let me go back any further).

 

[ilovepete]

I could save $35 a week on groceries if I really tried. This month I have saved $180 or so by shopping sales and using coupons. OP, are you a couponer?

Oh this is a good idea! The last 2 weeks we have only spent $40 on groceries each week! And still eating well (not processed stuff I mean). This is with some things in the pantry and freezer, like meats, but still way less than we normally spend, by a lot. The coupons combined with sales are helping SO much.

 

[robinb]

Dawn, and others- have you looked at some of OP'S previous post on boards. Before you jump to defend her i would suggest you do. Maybe why I feel bad for her daughters will make a bit more sense.

So she's a Duggar loving Quiverfull following Prayer Warrior . I could have guessed that just from the fact she is homeschooling 6 kids. That doesn't mean that I can't give her advise about her WDW trip even though I am a Duggar hating One-And-Done Atheist.

It's just a guess but I don't think that the OP and I agree on a lot in this world ... but we can agree on Disney.

 

[Virgderon]

So she's a Duggar loving Quiverfull following Prayer Warrior . I could have guessed that just from the fact she is homeschooling 6 kids. That doesn't mean that I can't give her advise about her WDW trip even though I am a Duggar hating One-And-Done Atheist.

It's just a guess but I don't think that the OP and I agree on a lot in this world ... but we can agree on Disney.

Absolutely. I hate the Cubs, for example. I worry about your daughter being raised in a home where no matter how hard you try, you never get to win. Your daughter is adorable and looks well adjusted, so I will just try to get past my feelings about you if you post on here about putting juice boxes in your suitcase, or if you can have a hot plate and cook all your meals in your room..

Obviously the above is just in jest to make a point. I really think that when someone posts a question, we should try to ANSWER the question, rather than speculating on the circumstances or judging the poster. Sigh.

 

[MaleficentandGoons]

I'm not sure i can link it the right way but basically she is only teaching her daughters to be baby producing home makers. There is no other option for women in her eyes.

I wonder if her church knows what she is using the money they are giving her, for? Maybe they do and are trying to give them something. Either way people like her blow me away.

 

[TinknBellesMom]

OP- I'm not sure if this was mentioned, but what about collecting your change/$1 from all your purchases and putting it away for your trip. I collected $50 in ones last month and put them away for our Oct trip. It won't make you $300 but every little bit helps.