Need ideas for rasing $300 for our trip to WDW

[sarah4770]

Could you work on the weekends?
I homeschooled for a while, but I still had to work.
It can be done.

 

[allison443]

Could you work on the weekends?
I homeschooled for a while, but I still had to work.
It can be done.

OP hasn't responded to any of the suggestions that she get a job to raise the $300 she needs. A number of posters have suggested she could work weekends or nights when her dh is home, or have the older kids babysit the younger kids and work a few hours each week. This wouldn't preclude homeschooling.

 

[Jey12]

Just a thought that I don't think has been mentioned yet. Do you have to stay all 4 nights at the Disney campsite? Could you stay one night at a cheaper one on the way down? Then do 2 days at the Disney one while you go to WDW and then another cheaper one on the way home? We love to camp and sometimes will just pack up and go to another site when we are out camping just to check out the sites somewhere else. I probably have adult ADHD but spending 4 nights at the same site when you are only doing one day at WDW to me would be boring. After two days I would be ready to go see something new and exciting. I know you were considering the perks of staying at the Disney campsite to explore the other hotels and DTD, but at $50 a night could you have just as much fun at another campsite that had children's activities and what not for $20 a night or so? Now I've never been to WDW, our first trip is coming up in a few weeks , so I can understand the appeal of wanting to explore all you can. I'm just thinking if you stay two nights there, one can be at the park and one can be spent exploring. That leaves two other nights to explore other areas cheaper? Just a thought.

All of the other suggestions sound great as far as craigslist (preferred by me because of the fees charged by ebay) but ebay can be great as well. Having the kids pitch in to help earn some extra spending money is a great idea. I don't think anyone suggested they go work in the basement of a factory for 12 hours a day sewing shoes. There's nothing wrong with a kid doing simple yard or house work to earn a few extra bucks. Yes I understand doing the GAD was work for them to earn their ticket, but letting them help out to earn some spending money would be along these same lines. Just make sure that whatever they earn is theirs to spend would be my suggestion.

It's none of my business what your religious or schooling choices are. Neither is it any of my business what you do with your uterus, or your opinion on global warming. It sounds like your children are warm in the winter, cool in the summer, clothed, aren't out commiting crimes, are fed and loved. Good for you. I imagine if we had a sit down heart to heart you wouldn't completely agree with some of my life choices, but I'm sure all of our kids will turn out just fine.

I find it ironic that you are being bashed for participating in a Disney program that allows you to get a park ticket for donating your time to a community project. Some of these projects included helping build homes for families that couldn't afford one otherwise. I hope some of these posters did not participate in this program because it would have been rather hypocritical of them to donate their time to help someone get a home they really couldn't afford by any other means. Maybe their free time would be better served sitting around protecting their glass houses?

There have been many great suggestions on here, and my only addition is the camping at another cheaper site for a few of the days. Hope you have a great time!

 

[Jey12]

OP hasn't responded to any of the suggestions that she get a job to raise the $300 she needs. A number of posters have suggested she could work weekends or nights when her dh is home, or have the older kids babysit the younger kids and work a few hours each week. This wouldn't preclude homeschooling.

By the time OP found a weekend job, applied, was hired, went through training and received her first paycheck she'd have to take a week off for a family vacation and miss at least a weekend of work. How many employers are going to be willing to go through the expense of training someone who only wants to work 2-3 weekends and then needs one off and probably won't continue past that time?

I like this idea. I know many places, especially fast food, need people for lunch (10-2). She could home school in the morning, go to work and then finish in the afternoon.

If she worked 4 hours a day at minimum wage she could take home ~$20. If she does this three days a week she would have the money in just 5 weeks.

What is she going to do with the kids during this time? I'm not aware of any fast food places that provide onsite free childcare while you work the lunch shift.

 

[allison443]

By the time OP found a weekend job, applied, was hired, went through training and received her first paycheck she'd have to take a week off for a family vacation and miss at least a weekend of work. How many employers are going to be willing to go through the expense of training someone who only wants to work 2-3 weekends and then needs one off and probably won't continue past that time?

I guess you're right, but if she had started this process earlier, like when they earned their free tickets back in February, it could have worked out well, don't you think? That's preferable to me than having your kids sell lemonade on the corner to fund a family vacation. I understand everyone doesn't agree with me though.


Also, perhaps she knows someone from her community or church who has a business or does hiring, who would work with her situation and hire her with the restrictions you mention.

 

[allison443]

Having the kids pitch in to help earn some extra spending money is a great idea. I don't think anyone suggested they go work in the basement of a factory for 12 hours a day sewing shoes. There's nothing wrong with a kid doing simple yard or house work to earn a few extra bucks. Yes I understand doing the GAD was work for them to earn their ticket, but letting them help out to earn some spending money would be along these same lines. Just make sure that whatever they earn is theirs to spend would be my suggestion.

I agree with you that it's great for the kids to earn their own spending money, except there is no money for the trip itself, so if the kids earn money it's going to go towards the campsite fees, etc.
The suggestions of kids babysitting, koolaid stand, yard work, etc. were for the kids to contribute to the $300 trip cost. I don't think the plan was for the kids to have any spending money for souvenirs, etc. I don't have a problem with that, but what you posted is not the situation here.

 

[allison443]

By the time OP found a weekend job, applied, was hired, went through training and received her first paycheck she'd have to take a week off for a family vacation and miss at least a weekend of work. How many employers are going to be willing to go through the expense of training someone who only wants to work 2-3 weekends and then needs one off and probably won't continue past that time?



What is she going to do with the kids during this time? I'm not aware of any fast food places that provide onsite free childcare while you work the lunch shift.

She wouldn't need daycare necessarily. The OP has a 14 and 13 year old and a number of posters suggested they babysit for other families to earn the $300 for the trip. The poster you quoted mentioned that these older kids could watch their siblings while mom worked. Even if it was a midday shift they could adjust their homeschool hours to accomodate it.

Don't you think the older kids could babysit the younger kids if mom was able to get a few hours of work? They are 14 and 13.

 

[Jey12]

I agree with you that it's great for the kids to earn their own spending money, except there is no money for the trip itself, so if the kids earn money it's going to go towards the campsite fees, etc.
The suggestions of kids babysitting, koolaid stand, yard work, etc. were for the kids to contribute to the $300 trip cost. I don't think the plan was for the kids to have any spending money for souvenirs, etc. I don't have a problem with that, but what you posted is not the situation here.

I totally agree if I were in this situation I would have been considering this long before now. We planned our vacation back in June for the middle of Sept and from that moment on I've been socking away everything I could for the trip. I do believe that the kids shouldn't have to help earn money for gas, lodging, etc... if they earn money it should be for what they want. Now if they want to pay for the gas to get there great! I'm kidding of course.

My issue is she didn't ask what would I have done, she asked what could she do. I did not see where she asked to have her child raising choices or religion analyzed either. The situation I see here is someone that in my opinion should have planned better but my thoughts on that have nothing to do with what she could do now. Camp somewhere cheaper for a few nights, follow other advice given regarding the actual question she asked, and if the kids want to work to earn extra for themselves perfect. That's my advice. This is why I stated the money they earn should be spent on items they wish to purchase.

 

[Jey12]

She wouldn't need daycare necessarily. The OP has a 14 and 13 year old and a number of posters suggested they babysit for other families to earn the $300 for the trip. The poster you quoted mentioned that these older kids could watch their siblings while mom worked. Even if it was a midday shift they could adjust their homeschool hours to accomodate it.

Don't you think the older kids could babysit the younger kids if mom was able to get a few hours of work? They are 14 and 13.

I say this because the OP never said her older children could and do babysit. I have no idea what their maturity level is or how comfortable the OP is leaving not only these children home alone, but caring for a toddler? I know several children this age I would allow to watch my 4 year old, but no way would I have allowed my own brother when we was 14 to watch my child with his 13 year old friend. I would have come home to who knows what.
Again this would come back to it's almost Sept and she needs the money by the end of Oct. What employer is going to spend the money to hire someone, train them and allow them to work a few weeks and then take time off? Back in Feb. this would have been a great option. That point is mute though because it's not Feb. it's Sept. We can't go back in time and offer advice that wasn't asked for 7 months ago.

 

[allison443]

I totally agree if I were in this situation I would have been considering this long before now. We planned our vacation back in June for the middle of Sept and from that moment on I've been socking away everything I could for the trip. I do believe that the kids shouldn't have to help earn money for gas, lodging, etc... if they earn money it should be for what they want. Now if they want to pay for the gas to get there great! I'm kidding of course.

My issue is she didn't ask what would I have done, she asked what could she do. I did not see where she asked to have her child raising choices or religion analyzed either. The situation I see here is someone that in my opinion should have planned better but my thoughts on that have nothing to do with what she could do now. Camp somewhere cheaper for a few nights, follow other advice given regarding the actual question she asked, and if the kids want to work to earn extra for themselves perfect. That's my advice. This is why I stated the money they earn should be spent on items they wish to purchase.

Oh I never criticized her homeschooling or religion choices. I still think the part time job thing might work out well for her. It sounds like their budget is tight all year round and let's face it we all breathe easier with a cushion, especially with kids. I just don't think selling things on ebay/craigslist is going to bring her $300 or she would have already done it, kwim? It didn't sound like she had that many items sitting around and it was just a matter of selling them. She really seemed like she needed a different way to earn money.

I think your suggestion of a cheaper campsite was a very good one. Maybe just two nights at Disney, and someplace else for the way down and the way back.

 

[Jey12]

Oh I never criticized her homeschooling or religion choices. I still think the part time job thing might work out well for her. It sounds like their budget is tight all year round and let's face it we all breathe easier with a cushion, especially with kids. I just don't think selling things on ebay/craigslist is going to bring her $300 or she would have already done it, kwim? It didn't sound like she had that many items sitting around and it was just a matter of selling them. She really seemed like she needed a different way to earn money.

I think your suggestion of a cheaper campsite was a very good one. Maybe just two nights at Disney, and someplace else for the way down and the way back.

Oh gosh I never meant that you were one of the posters commenting on her religion choices or schooling. I'm sorry because after rereading I do see how that could be inferred. I am simply irritated at those that did. I think working is a great suggestion and one that would have been great months ago. I just cannot think of an employer, unless she knows the owner, that would hire her knowing she needs a week off soon after she starts. Your suggestion of asking a possible business owner she knows to hire her is a great one! Also it's possible that her religion or personal beliefs are one in which a woman shouldn't work outside of the home. Now I'm not going to get into my opinion on that, we could not only be here all night, but it has no benefit to this particular situation. This could be why she hasn't responded to those suggestions or thought of it before now?

 

[allison443]

Oh gosh I never meant that you were one of the posters commenting on her religion choices or schooling. I'm sorry because after rereading I do see how that could be inferred. I am simply irritated at those that did. I think working is a great suggestion and one that would have been great months ago. I just cannot think of an employer, unless she knows the owner, that would hire her knowing she needs a week off soon after she starts. Also it's possible that her religion or personal beliefs are one in which a woman shouldn't work outside of the home. Now I'm not going to get into my opinion on that, we could not only be here all night, but it has no benefit to this particular situation. This could be why she hasn't responded to those suggestions or thought of it before now?

I think you and I are the only ones awake....

I just think it is a very difficult situation for the OP.There are two ways to get extra money: cut expenses, or bring in extra money. If you notice, she already has done the usual suggestions like cut cable, cut coffee, stop eating out, sell your gold, buy at thrift stores, etc. There is only so much you can save, kwim? At some point you have to bring in additional income.

OP hasn't commented on a lot of the suggestions, so we don't know, for example, if she has enough items to earn $300 from craigslist/ebay. I guess it's possible, but she said she already sells on ebay and then she wouldn't have posted looking for ideas to earn $300. She did think the babysitting was a possibility for her so maybe that will work out.

 

[DawnM]

So, do you mean I take my stuff to them and they post it on ebay and sell it for me?

I guess I am not getting it. Wouldn't you make more just selling it yourself?

Dawn

We have companies up here that have will take your stuff post it on Ebay, ship it out and then they take a portion of the profits and return the rest to you. They decide what the minimum that they are willing to take and you do the leg work.

So you get a lot of stuff that you don't have to buy and still be able to sell it and make money off their stuff. You can decide the split.

 

[Acklander]

So, do you mean I take my stuff to them and they post it on ebay and sell it for me?

I guess I am not getting it. Wouldn't you make more just selling it yourself?

Dawn

Some people don't have the time/energy/desire to pull everything out and list it and follow up on shipping it, so it never gets done. This way they could hand a box load of stuff over and collect a check when everything is done. It's a win/win for both sides

 

[mamaLori05]

I know babysitting has already been mentioned, but do you have any neighbors/friends etc... that may need before and after school care for their children. That way you could babysit their children, send them off to school, and be back in time to do your homeschooling.

 

[fabmic]

What is she going to do with the kids during this time? I'm not aware of any fast food places that provide onsite free childcare while you work the lunch shift.

She had a 14 and 13 year old. I was babysitting 5 kids under the age of 8 by those ages. Do you think she never leaves them ever? Does she take all 6 to the store to get groceries?

By us the fast food places are in such need of 10-2 shifts that they will bend over backwards for workers with kids. On top of that her entire trip is far less than a week. That would be easy to work into a part time (~3 days a weeks) schedule.

Plus this extra money could then be used to save some for a rainy day and a future trip.

 

[mrsklamc]

OP if you are active in a church you might call the office and let them know you are interested in babysitting/odd jobs.

 

[fabmic]

I am wondering if this has been suggested.

You are paying $50/night to stay at FW. Could you stay at a cheaper campground and just drive over to DTD or the resorts and maybe save more money? You would have to pay to park on your MK day so factor in that cost.


I did a quick search.

This campground is $28 + 13% per night. http://www.ogcrvpark.com/rates.html That is a savings of just over $60 when you include the parking of MK. That is 20% of the trip cost.

I will be honest if it was me I would still stay at FW.

 

[amylynne01]

She had a 14 and 13 year old. I was babysitting 5 kids under the age of 8 by those ages. Do you think she never leaves them ever? Does she take all 6 to the store to get groceries?

It all depends on the kid. I have a 13 year old niece that is NOT ready to watch other kids. She just doesn't worry about anyone past herself. She stays with her nearly 6 year old brother for no longer than an hour because she is not ready to baby sit. Some 13 and 14 year old also don't want to baby-sit, and they shouldn't be expected to do so.

 

[robinb]

It all depends on the kid. I have a 13 year old niece that is NOT ready to watch other kids. She just doesn't worry about anyone past herself. She stays with her nearly 6 year old brother for no longer than an hour because she is not ready to baby sit. Some 13 and 14 year old also don't want to baby-sit, and they shouldn't be expected to do so.

You're right. Not all teens want or like to babysit. However, from the OP's previous posts it appears that her older children are used to caring for the younger ones. Much like the Duggar's "buddy system". Such expertise would be a selling point!