Is VIPKID for YOU:?

I have heard quite a lot about VIPKID.  I have heard it is a scam, they won't pay you, and I have also heard wonderful things. I'm sure you may have heard many different things as well!  So, I want to just take a minute and tell you what I LOVE about VIPKID!

I have been a stay at home Mom for the past three years and I absolutely love it!  However, I did not love that my husband was having to work so many hours overtime or at his second job.  We needed the money, but we needed him around also!

I was scrolling facebook one day and a friend had shared a post about VIPKID.  I thought about it...and decided to ask her for more information.  Then, I talked with my husband about it -- he was skeptical -- said a prayer, and decided to give it a go!  I mean, what's the worst that could happen?

So, I applied, and my application was accepted!! Yay!!  Then, I had an interview online!  YIKES!  It had been over 5 years since I had a job interview, and never with someone in China over Skype!  So, I made sure it was a night my husband was home to intercept any small people in protest of bedtime, I set up my computer and began my interview!  I forget the name of the lady I interviewed with, but she was SO nice.   It was a great interview!  We did a mini-lesson.  She noted my phonetic proficiency (I do love phonics).  and I was then scheduled for a 'Mock Class'.

I did two 'Mock' Classes.  Each with a current teacher located here in the USA.  Both teachers were great (for which I am thankful, I have heard of a few, rare, bad experiences).  Then, it was time to fill out contract and banking info.

So, I was a little nervous....  I mean my bank account info is kind of a big deal.  :)  Let me assure you here - you have NOTHING to worry about!

I currently teach about 3 hours a day, 6 days a week.  I am on my second contract with VIPKID and I have not had a single issue!  I have received my correct pay every month on time.

I teach Monday-Saturday 4:30am-7:30am.  That is the time that works for me, because my children are asleep.  The beauty of VIPKID is that each teacher can set their own schedule for whatever works for them!!  You can work one day a week, or you can work every day!  You can work night time hours, or morning hours!

Base pay begins at $7-$9/class (25 minutes).  If you are on time and teach the whole lesson, you also earn an extra $2/class.  That is approximately $20/hour!!!

VIPKID also LOVES their teachers!  They are often running promotions to allow teachers to earn bonuses!

And, the PROVIDE the lessons for you!  In the mini clips below you can see a sample of one of my lessons!  -- Usually you can see the student, but since I am sharing this on Social Media I chose video clips where the students camera was off so as to respect their privacy.

You simply log in and teach!  They do ask that you look at the lesson ahead of time, so that you are prepared.  Also, any props you use (flashcards, toys, etc...) you will provide yourself.  I mostly use toys from my kids toy box!!

Above is a picture of a blank schedule.  The orange boxes are the times that are 'most likely' to be booked.  However, any time shown on the schedule is available for you to teach!  You simply select the days and times you want to teach.

So, what are the requirements??  They only require that you have a Bachelor's Degree (in ANY field), some experience with children, and that you can pass a background check!!

I hope that this has helped you understand more about VIPKID!  If you have any further questions,  please feel free to contact me!

When you are ready to apply, simply do so here!!

~Cori

When we found out we were expecting our first child we knew we had to cut our expenses.  We had already discussed the fact that I had always wanted to be a stay at home mom.  My amazing husband fully supported me in that desire.  Also, after looking at childcare costs, it was actually better for me to stay at home and him to pick up a few extra hours of overtime.  Below are just a few of the ways that we managed to cut our monthly expenses:

1)  StraightTalk

We saved about $125 each month by using StraightTalk as opposed to other major cell providers.  We were able to use cell phones that we already had, and we actually have a better plan.  This is a step we were hesitant to take at first, but now we wish we had taken it sooner!  We have unlimited, talk, text, and data for a little less than $50 (per line) each month!  We have had NO problem with service, and the customer service is wonderful!!

2)  Home Phone

We had a home phone for several years, mainly for our alarm system.  However, we were able to pay a small fee and get our alarm system switched to cellular and connected to our cell phones.  This saved us about $30 per month.  The monthly alarm bill did go up a little, but the savings still outweigh the cost!

3) Cable TV/Antenna TV/Netflix

We had the nice package of all the good channels, plus a couple sports channels.  It seemed our bill just kept going up, even though our channel selection didn't.  So, we totally cut out the paid tv.  We purchased a $15 antenna at Wal-Mart and we watch Netflix.  Aside from missing the new HallMark movies (me) and the occasional football game/hunting show (my sweetheart) we really don't miss cable tv.  Netflix has a plethora of shows and movies, the kids have no clue anything has changed, and the money saved is wonderful!

4)  Meal Planning

Sometimes I can go a bit overboard and plan extravagant meals that require more expensive ingredients...but, as long as I plan ahead I am able to stay well within my grocery budget.  I also grocery shop every other week, as opposed to weekly trips to the grocery.  I limit my larger stores (SAMS) to every other month/every couple months depending on how long my stock of supplies lasts.

5)  Eating at Home

The more I can cook myself, the less money we spend.  Seriously, look at the receipt the next time you eat out.  How much money was just spend on a drink?  Do you know how much cheaper it is to drink the exact same thing at home?  Especially sweet tea!  Wow!  Not to mention if you eat in a 'sit down' restaurant and have to add a tip to the meal.  Buying the ingredients and putting them together myself saves quite a bit of money.  And now, thanks to Pinterest, you can get recipes for your favorite dish from your favorite restaurant!   When we do eat out, we look for places we have a coupon for, or that offer a 'Kid's eat free' night.

6)  Using Cash

I don't like to carry cash around.  I am terrible about getting to the bank/ATM to get out the cash I need for the week, BUT, when I remember to use my cash, it helps me not overspend.  I don't spend that much per week simply because I am home the majority of the week.  But, every once in a while a Sonic Happy Hour drink is necessary!  I have a set amount of money for my sweetheart and I for each pay period.  I also try to set aside a certain amount for gas.  Any spending money that is left over goes to a separate part of the wallet to be saved for a future splurge!

7)  Creating/Following a strict budget

Creating the budget wasn't to difficult...following it...Yikes!  I have learned that if I log into my bank account every day or every couple days it helps me follow my budget.  It only takes a couple minutes each morning, and I am better able to keep track of where the money is being spent and how much is left.


Even our best plans can turn into a train-wreck sometimes.  There have been times when we have totally strayed so far from the budget it wasn't even funny!  But, when you don't allow yourself extra room, you have to learn to stick with it.  Any extra money that is left in the budget goes either towards paying off a bill (hospital, car, house, etc...) or to savings.  Depending on the amount it may be split between bill pay/savings.

What do you do to stick to your budget?  I would love to hear back from you!