"You reach a point where you don't work for money."
-Walt Disney
It's no secret that the Disney College Program is not exactly one of the highest paying jobs one could have. Like many CP's, I will be taking a pay cut during the program compared to what I make now (except for what I make at my work study, because New Hampshire's minimum wage is surprisingly even worse than Florida's.) I cannot state my wage on this blog, per Disney's contract, however you can imagine that the DCP is not something you do for the money.
As a quick aside-- I have nothing against the seemingly low wages of CP's. Most internships are not paid, and as of right now no laws have been passed saying that they need to be paid, and furthermore there is nothing that says interns need to be paid well. There have been other internships that have sounded really interesting to me, and as if they would really improve my resume, however if they are far enough away that I would need to live there, and they are unpaid, I simply cannot afford to go. Disney's internships are then doable for me, because even though they are far away and the pay is low, I will actually be able to afford to participate since the wage is enough to live on.
Because I will be doing the DCP after I graduate, saving money is going to be very important to me. I've heard from alumni of the program about their financial situations during the DCP, which have ranged from horror stories of saving enough change to do laundry or grocery shop to coming home with a couple of thousand dollars. The consensus among the more level headed alumni I have talked to seems to essentially be 'don't be stupid with your money, and you'll be fine.' I don't want to be fine. Unless I find a way to defer my student loans during the program (which I'm currently working on, and will post an update as I know more), I am going to be making payments during the DCP. In addition, I'd like to be able to save some money to hopefully start working on my Masters when I come back. Basically-- I need to come home with money. I don't want to be fine, and live paycheck to paycheck during the program, I want to leave for Florida with money, and come home with more money.
I've started to think about the things that I will need to spend money on during the program, so I will be able to have this amount of money put aside before I even arrive in Florida. For instance, I know I will need to buy shoes for work after I arrive. (Technically, I could buy then in advance, however I will not know what color or style I will need for work until I get there, so waiting seems to be the best option.) Other things I will need to pay for? Groceries, Christmas and Halloween party tickets, Food and Wine Festival, merchandise I will definitely buy after my run, and just going out in general. I'm trying to plan out what all of this is going to cost, so I can have this money put aside, then any money I make during the DCP can go right into my savings so I will hopefully be able to start my Masters soon after (or make payments on student loans if I need to.)
I don't think saving money during the DCP will be as difficult as some people make it out to be. Even though I will be making less money, I will also have less expenses. Even cutting out gas alone, by relying on Disney's bus system will save me money. I also think that being in college has helped me learn to budget, since living away at school is somewhat similar to the living arrangements during the DCP.
Over the summer, I will be working at two museums 6 or 7 days/week so I'm not worried about making enough money to go to Florida with. (This also means that I'm not worried about the hours during the DCP. Some people seem to think that working full time is the end of the world, I think I'll be able to handle it, it's kind of what you have to do when you're an adult-- some people just like to complain? I don't know, but the CP's who can't seem to handle working 40 hours a week are in for a rude awakening.)
Non-DCP related, but this weekend was my senior formal, and graduation is in 19 days! (DCP arrival date is in 98 days!)
Chaz and I before formal.
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