Need ideas for rasing $300 for our trip to WDW

[robinb]

The OP can click on the two TNKBELL trip reports links in my last post. She had some good ideas for free/cheap things to do while at WDW.

 

[Crystal0608]

I don't think I saw it mentioned, but what about a timeshare presentation or two when you get down there? I vacation frugally and have done quite a few presentations for $100+, 4 free tickets somewhere, free hotel stays etc. to be able to do multiple vacations a year. It sounds like a pain, but it's really just sitting in a chair saying no for a couple hours while being served free soda/snacks. Totally worth it on a budget.

I'd list stuff on craigslist first so you don't have to pay ebay fvf's. Whatever doesn't sell on craigslist, have a yard sale. I see ad's all the time in our local craigslists and yahoogroups about picking up yard sale leftovers. Try that and craigslist or yard sale those items. Apply at a temp company, some short term jobs pay well. Also, as previously mentioned babysitting. I got paid well to babysit in my neighborhood as a teenager on Friday and Saturday nights, especially when I spent the night.

Good luck!

 

[Acklander]

I seriously would NOT tour DTD-all that is is a bunch of stores and since there is no $$ -what is the point?
Also going to other resorts would require 2 bus transfers-and besides walking in the lobby-what is the point?

I'd cut it back to 3 nights
Two full days-One day at MK & one day haing fun at the campground-pool etc

Good luck

there's lots to do at DTD besides shop in the stores. We'll ride the boats from DTD to the hotels and back - free since it's part of the transportation system. The Lego play area, many times they have different shows going on down there, and we like to go to the magic store and watch the magician do his tricks.

 

[Mimi1965]

I'm not the OP but at DtD her kids might enjoy seeing the Lego creations plus get their free chocolate sample at Ghirardelli. They will have a car so I don't understand the "two bus transfers" to get to the resorts.

rips.

To see MK hotels-you have to pay the MK parking fee
I guess thats what I meant

 

[punkin]

To see MK hotels-you have to pay the MK parking fee
I guess thats what I meant

no you don't. just tell them you are going to a hotel to look around. I've done it before.

 

[disneymom3]

The OP can click on the two TNKBELL trip reports links in my last post. She had some good ideas for free/cheap things to do while at WDW.

Excellent idea finding those. That woman is an inspiration!

Good point. They could have quite the business, especially since they're home during the day. If they could do their schoolwork in the afternoon/evening, then they would be available for mornings if SAHMs had appts or whatnot. I know I am always looking for help in the morning to do stuff but have very few options except bring the kids along.

I'm looking forward to hearing what OP is doing to save the money!

Yep, DD is starting high school this year after having several very lucrative daytime babysitting jobs as a homeschooled middle schooler. For awhile there she was making about $40 a week with just two families. Plus, I had a daytime babysitter....that is my biggest loss!

Corporate Research International is the mystery shop she uses. Very reliable and she's always been paid. I've signed up but just didn't have time to go do it.

Thanks for posting this. I am going to look into it myself after just having been "unqualified" for a job I have been doing for 18 years.

 

[cglaura]

I seriously would NOT tour DTD-all that is is a bunch of stores and since there is no $$ -what is the point?
Also going to other resorts would require 2 bus transfers-and besides walking in the lobby-what is the point?

I'd cut it back to 3 nights
Two full days-One day at MK & one day haing fun at the campground-pool etc

Good luck

Agree w/ some PP, there are more things to do at DTD than just shop, and agree can get the boat to Port Orleans area. It is a beautiful place to walk around. From there can get a bus to MK, then walk over to Contemporary, some neat artwork around there. Then can monorail to Floridian (great lobby to tour), and Poly (another great lobby. lots of photo-ops). Monorail back to MK, then take a boat to Wilderness Lodge area. Take a bus from there to Studios, then walk over to Boardwalk area, some neat things there for free to watch or just sit and enjoy the view. Then bus back to DTD.

You could do all this and leave the car at Fort Wilderness, take a bus to DTD, so your car isn't there all day.

We spent an entire day last trip just taking different modes of Disney transportation to different resorts, it was a blast! Sometimes we backtracked or double looped, but it was fun just flitting around. Yes, you spend time on transport, or waiting for transport. But that was the adventure of it, we just spent time together. At disney. Not at the "daily grind".

OP, if you are allotting any funds for treats, you could use that to stop for a snack at one of the resorts....ice cream, whatever.

 

[mrsklamc]

no you don't. just tell them you are going to a hotel to look around. I've done it before.

Yup. Just has a 3 hour limit, but parking is free.

 

[5forDiz]

Yup. Just has a 3 hour limit, but parking is free.

Their plan is to stay at Fort Wilderness Resort which will have bus service to DTD and also has boat to Magic Kingdom where they can hop monorail to CR, PR, GFR to their heart's content without any concerns regarding MK parking fees or time constraints when parking at resorts which many times will not even be an issue anyway because we've been given plenty of untimed parking passes for other resorts when we are staying onsite at another Disney resort.

 

[AmberHeartsDisney]

i know this is off topic but it really bothers me that that only saved 25$ since February. They also have 6 kids and mentioned that she "wasn't" sure her car could even handle her taking a paper route to make extra money? How can they drive to Disney but she cant get a paper route??

I think maybe instead of going to Disney you could maybe camp in the backyard and make it fun for the kids. In less you are able to get a part time job.

I hope everything works out for you, but you cant live on love alone...

 

[mrsklamc]

i know this is off topic but it really bothers me that that only saved 25$ since February. They also have 6 kids and mentioned that she "wasn't" sure her car could even handle her taking a paper route to make extra money? How can they drive to Disney but she cant get a paper route??


I hope everything works out for you, but you cant live on love alone...

As previously mentioned, they will be driving a different car to Disney, and you have no idea what the rest of their finances are.

 

[AmberHeartsDisney]

As previously mentioned, they will be driving a different car to Disney, and you have no idea what the rest of their finances are.

Correct, i am not a mind reader.

 

[allison443]

As previously mentioned, they will be driving a different car to Disney, and you have no idea what the rest of their finances are.

Actually the OP has also stated that they shop at thrift stores, already sold gold to pay bills, don't have a lot of things to cut since they don't eat out, drink coffee, or have cable, the money for gas was donated, and she started a few weeks ago trying to set aside $25 a week, but so far only has $15. That says a lot about their finances, doesn't it?

OP there have been some good ideas on here both for making money and maybe adjusting your trip a little bit to make it more feasible. Hope it works out for you.

 

[mrsklamc]

Actually the OP has also stated that they shop at thrift stores, already sold gold to pay bills, don't have a lot of things to cut since they don't eat out, drink coffee, or have cable, the money for gas was donated, and she started a few weeks ago trying to set aside $25 a week, but so far only has $15. That says a lot about their finances, doesn't it?

Not necessarily. Lots of people do those things by choice. DH and are dual income, no kids, and debt free. I shop at thrift stores, sold some old gold to get debt free, don't eat out much, don't drink coffee at all, and receive giftcards from family/friends. I would have trouble coming up with $25 extra every week if we had agreed it wouldn't come out of our regular budget.

 

[cglaura]

Correct, i am not a mind reader.

Exactly, but the OP didn't ask for help with the rest of her life, she just asked for ideas on raising this money for this trip. I wish people would just stick to the question at hand ----> How can I raise $300. Now, not what she could have done. Not what she should do in the future to avoid this issue anymore. Just what can she do NOW. For this trip.

 

[stinkerbelle's mom]

I tried reading this thread, but really just skimmed over. Lot's of great ideas, so I'm probably going to be duplicating them, but here goes:

1) Yard sale/bake sale. Have one as soon as possible. Try to concentrate on upcoming holidays-- Halloween, Thanksgiving, Fall, and Christmas. Also clothes. You'd be surprised how many families wear school uniforms and the parents don't want to put alot of money out for clothes the kids would wear for only a couple hours a day. I would try to have atleast 2-3 yard sales. Look in the classified adds to see what places are having a community yard sale so you get free advertisement and more shoppers.

2) Yard work. I don't know about your area, but with all the rain we've had lately we've been getting lots of grass growth.

3)Pet sitting/dog walking-- Maybe make some fliers and advertise around your neighborhood. This could be an ongoing project that could help with other things in the future.

4) Helping people carry their groceries at the store. May not always get tips, but usually they do. I only know 1 store in our area that employs people to do this. The rest you have to carry your own. The older kids should be able to do this. Just have them be careful with whom they are helping.

5) Would it be possible to have a car wash at your house?

6) Of course babysitting!

7) Collect change

Hope these ideas help.

Here's a site that has some ideas. http://www.walletpop.com/economizer...wpurla-1094838882&bpId=/&sort=3&pg=2#Comments

 

[mrzrich]

4) Helping people carry their groceries at the store. May not always get tips, but usually they do. I only know 1 store in our area that employs people to do this. The rest you have to carry your own. The older kids should be able to do this. Just have them be careful with whom they are helping.

http://www.walletpop.com/economizer...wpurla-1094838882&bpId=/&sort=3&pg=2#Comments

WOW! Things are different where you live. The grocery stores here (FL) offer carry out for free, and tipping is strictly NOT ALLOWED.

 

[Spaceranger28]

A yard sale is a good idea and collecting change definately adds up faster than you think. I can't really think of any other ideas to help save money but I did have some ideas far as souvenirs.

Instead of the autograph books you and the kids can make homemade autograph books with stickers and craft stuff and pictures are a great way to remember the memories. And you can get them developed pretty reasonably at Walmart.

Remember most of all to think positive, and not give up.

 

[sarah4770]

On the camping board shes bragging about donations she got from ppl on this board, so I guess she wont be needing to do anything to earn the money.

 

[YodaGirl]

And people think that the camping board is snarky.

OP, you have gotten some really great tips...despite some very rude posters.

We have a similar situation for our October trip. We are also going down on a $300 budget. We are also tent camping, which we love, btw. My parents gave us MNSSHP tickets as an early Christmas present, which will be our only park day. After some unforeseen events, our budget is rather tight. DH had to pick up OT and extra yard work, but hopefully once he gets his checks from the yard bills, we'll be fine.

As for a PP who mentioned about needing money for food, we'll have a refrigerator, crock pot, griddle, and portable single-burner stove. We'll cook off of electricity (free at the site). Food is also not budgeted into our vacation money because food is budgeted into our regular budget. Cooking food at the site will cost no more than at home. Not sure how the original poster will be doing it, but I'd imagine that it would be similar. Even w/o a fridge, ice won't be that expensive for 6 days.

Not trying to be snarky but have you thought about not going. Maybe putting the trip off a bit? Honestly that doesn't sound worth it to me. You had to sell gold to pay bills is it really the right time to go to Disney? What about FUN! What about EMERGENCIES! This does not sound like a well thought out plan.

There is plenty of stuff to do for fun that is free at WDW. Window shopping at DTD is fun. Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to buy stuff at the shops to have fun. If her kids are anything like my DD, they know not to expect to get bought stuff when they go out. Even at 3, we can take DD into the toy aisle at Wal-Mart w/o her asking to be bought anything. We don't do it; she doesn't expect it.

You can also go through the resorts. And don't worry about us campers using your pool. Trust me, we really don't care.

^ If so, maybe this realization that she can't afford something she would love to do because she doesn't want the kids to go to Public School will put things into priority. This kills me, if it's true! She would rather have to sell positions and camp in a tent with 6 people rather than send kids to school and find a part time job that might allow them to enjoy some nice things. Public Schools are not that bad and you can ALWAYS school choice!

Have you ever considered that some people tent camp because they actually like to tent camp? Just because we choose not to shell out at least $100/night on a room doesn't mean that we're second class, which is the impression that you are giving.

Wow, people get more judgemental on these boards every day. She is following the path she sees fit for her religion and her children. She is helping herself by selling things not needed in her home.

The thread is titled "Need ideas for raising $300 for our trip to WDW", it isn't "tell me how to raise my children and run my life".