One of the ways I planned to save money this year is through bartering. I did have to swallow my pride, but I asked my son’s dance teacher this week if there was any financial aid available or if there was any service I could swap with her in exchange for a discount on his dance tuition.
She was very open to the idea and said if I was willing to clean the studio one day a month, he could dance for free! That is a $48 savings a month. I guess I am not the first to ask; she said some older girls who take hundreds of dollars worth of classes a month clean the studio several times a month to help offset their tuition.
I will start cleaning the studio and receiving free dance tuition next month. Yeah! That is a savings of $48 a month, or $576 a year.
Check out my other updates from The Saved Quarter Challenge:
My Goals for The Saved Quarter Challenge
Update #1, saved $204.60
Way to go!! What a great oppourtunity! I am trying to think of ways to supplement my income, I’m not as good as you!
Thanks, Jackie. It was a bit embarrasing to ask, but I am glad I did.
I think that is a wonderful idea, and you never know if you don’t ask! 🙂 Awesome that she was open to the idea as well.
I think America’s gotten out of the habit of bartering, but it can be such a great tool. Good job!
So, I’ve been absent for ten days from the blogosphere and now a lot of people talking about this challenge. Maybe I should take a part… I need to save more. 🙂 Way to go, Melissa! BTW, saw your post at SPF. What a great post!
Thanks Aloysa! (I wondered where you went!)
Well done, that’s a significant savings. I’m sure the dance teacher is glad that you asked because she certainly benefits and you’re less likely to pull your son out of the lessons than if she had declined. Plus, with something like dance lessons, the marginal cost of one more student is fairly low so she’s glad to keep him in the class and to keep you happy.
I just found your blog through where you commented on Couponing to Disney….I LOVE this idea! Your blog looks like something I could really get into, so you have a new follower 🙂
Welcome, Mindy! Glad to have you here.
Fantastic! Bartering is a fantastic way to save. It’s a benefit for you and the dance teacher as well, who likely could spend $48 a month on a cleaner to do the same job.
Bartering is great, isn’t it? My sister was on dance team in high school and they let parents barter for a lot of their requirements. They let older girls trade out uniform pieces (or sell them at low cost), and parents could volunteer with the booster club to work off a significant amount of the fees involved. Don’t be embarrassed. I’m not sure when not having a million dollars got to be such a big deal, but it’s not! Plenty of people barter.
That’s awesome and definitely worth asking! Way to go!
What a great idea and savings to your family.
Good for you!!
Hi there! I just found your blog today and I love it. This was a great idea. Way to think outside the box to save money! Keep it up 🙂