INUVIK
Thanks to some firm grandmotherly advice, Xavier Hansen is learning early about the value of a dollar.

Xavier Hansen is learning early about hard work, budgeting and responsibility as he strives to raise money for a trip to Disney World in Florida. - Shawn Giilck/NNSL photo

Xavier, 11, is looking to raise at least $600 in the next three years. While to the average working person, that doesn't seem like a lot, he and his grandmother Arlene Hansen would disagree.

"To him, that's a lot of money," she said from behind the counter of her Originals on Mackenzie shop July 23.

Xavier is raising the money to pay for part of a trip to Disney World in Florida. He travelled there for his 10th birthday in 2013.

"My grandma got it for my birthday present, and I saved up $300," he said.

In a little more than three years time, it will be his sister's turn to make the trip for her 10th birthday because it's a bit of a family tradition, and he wants to go again.

Arlene, though, made it clear the return trip wouldn't be a free ride. Xavier said she made a deal with him that he had to raise part of the cost of a ticket and some spending money if he is going to tag along.

"I have to pay for half my airfare, my Disney World ticket, my Lego Land and spending money," he said.

"I have to raise $600 for that.

"And you know how much it costs to get out of Inuvik, right?" Xavier added, alluding to the high cost of airfare.

That's why he was busy selling lemonade and doughnuts outside Originals on Mackenzie on a hot summer afternoon July 23.

He spent the next two days there as well, raising money for his trip.

His other grandmother, Ruby St. Amand, chipped in with the doughnuts he was selling. She said she approved of the arrangement with Arlene, who offered no apologies whatsoever for the deal she made with her young grandson.

"He's already been there (Disney World)," she said with a smile. "So I think this teaches him something about responsibility, about budgeting and about money."

Xavier has his own observations on the situation.

"It's not fun and it's fun all at the same time," he said. "It's fun making the money and selling things, but it's not fun just standing around waiting for people to come by."

By the time his sister's birthday rolls around, Xavier could be ready for a job at Originals, he agreed with a smile.

In the meantime, he's thinking bigger. Xavier was already trying to figure out how to set up a barbecue and sell hot dogs and other hot food at his choice location.

Apparently the project is also teaching Xavier how to think like an entrepreneur.