How much money should I bring?

So the first couple of weeks are without pay, so I'd just like to know, how much money should I bring so I'd be able to "survive" during said time. I know it shouldn't be too much, but I don't want to bring too little either. Does anyone know? Just to know what was your experience and how much money you would recommend. No credit cards, just a predetermined amount of spending money! :) Anyone here had that kind of experience? :mickeykid :thumbs:

When I started the program, I brought about $200 with me to use for the first few weeks. It all depends on how much you spend on food and whatever you may need that you forgot at home. I only brought $200 because I planned on driving my car to work most of the time. Otherwise it would have been about $150.

I admire you NewDrama12. $75.00 a week to eat 3 meals a day and entertain yourself! :yahoo:

I and another Mom bought groceries for the 6 guys. Cereals, milk, juice, some snacks, bottled water (much cheaper at store). You need everything from toilet paper to paper towel, kitchen towels etc. By the time we were done it was just shy of $400.00. Just to get them started.
Lets say you do the first grocery trip with 6 roomies and split it the first time and you are more frugal than the Mom's, I'd plan on at least $50.00 for your share the first time to the store. After that they threw in $5.00 each week to the common stuff, ketchup, paper plates, TP, etc.

The key to how much is very much a personal habit type thing. What will you eat for meals? If you come back from the Magic Kingdom at 2 am will you cook yourself a meal or will you pick up something before you leave?
Will you get up early enough to pack a lunch or eat in the employees cafeteria. My kid did not have a CM cafeteria where he was. He brought things like Stouffer's Lean Cuisine or the likes of.

I gave my son $350.00 when I left. I wanted him to have money to go do things with new friends if the opportunity presented itself. After all he was starting an adventure in Disney World. I also put $50.00 on a his (home) debit card each week which I figured would cover his food, just like when he was away at college. (Disney gave them a new debit card for their banking institution down there.) It gave him a little wiggle room to enjoy the "extras" he could enjoy at the parks at a CM's discounted rate. Any more than $50 he had to sign up for extra duties for some over time pay.

Minimum I'd say $100.00 for each week and $50.00 towards the first grocery bill, so $250.00. And if you budget well, you will have a little bit left over for another week, if you get sick and can't work and do not get paid. :wow:

We bring about $200-$250 cash. But my cc card purchases comes right out our checking acct. So in reality we probably spend more. We don't spend as much there as we used to though.

I brought about $300 for the first couple of weeks, and I was fine. That was enough to tide me over until the paychecks started coming in.

Thank you all so much! You where all really a HUUUUUGE help! ^_^ Right now I have about $200 and I'm going to check if I can gather a little more this weekend before I depart. :D You all have really been a huge help! ^_^ It's like a load was lifted off my chest. lol Well, thank you... I look forward for this experience! :)