I really, really want to go on a school field trip to
Costa Rica next year, but it costs $3,000! How do I get that much money in
about nine months? My parents may help with paying, but I feel guilty about
asking them shelling out so much cash for a field trip. How can I earn the
money myself?
Good for you for wanting to shoulder the burden! You’re on
your way to becoming a smart, independent young woman, and earning at least a
share of the field trip cost will definitely make you wise about working,
saving and budgeting your bucks. We’ve got a few ideas to get you started on
the right foot…
Talk it out
The first thing you need to do is talk to your parents. Give
them all the info you have on the trip, tell them why you want to go and answer
all of their questions. Ask them if
they’d be willing to let you go, and whether or not they could contribute to
your field trip fund. Perhaps they could pay for a third or half of the cost,
leaving you to come up with the rest.
Make a plan
Once you’ve hammered out the details with your ‘rents, you
need to sit down and come up with a way to earn your way to Costa Rica. If your
parents are forking over a share, ask them to transfer the moolah to a savings
account so it can earn a li’l interest. For your part, consider our suggestions
below on rakin’ in the dough:
Sub out your birthday gifts
If you will be celebrating a birthday before the trip,
consider asking not for gifts but rather for money to fund your trip. Your fam
should have no trouble dishing out the dollars instead of packages this year
since you have a goal in mind. The same goes for holiday prezzies and report
card treats, too.
Save your allowance
If Mom ‘n’ Dad are paying you to do chores around the house,
toss that cash into your piggy bank and leave it alone. Can’t nix those
spending urges? Try stowing half to three-quarters of your allowance and
tossing the rest into your wallet for your next shopping spree.
Rake in the dough
Once school lets out, you’ll have the summer months to get
busy. If you’re not into babysitting, try house sitting for vacationing
neighbors or dog walking for busy families n your block. You can do odd jobs
for folks you know, tutor kids who need some extra help or even start your own
business.
Good luck, girlie!
BY BRITTANY TAYLOR ON 4/22/2011 7:00:00 AM
POSTED IN On the Job, Make more money, advice, school