I just don't understand why someone who is having a hard time even paying ...

[disneyofcourse]

the mortgage would sign their kids up for a $4500+ overseas school trip? What sense does that make when you complain and complain about not being able to pay your mortgage and car payment. Not to mention barely having enough to pay for groceries! This comes from my co-worker who thinks her 14-15 year old needs this trip and she feels bad not letting her go. She told me this morning and I just couldn't help putting my hand over my face and just shaking my head. In fact she let everyone know on how great this opportunity is when just last week she complained she couldn't afford an Easter Dinner or to pay for a tank of gas. Every single person in here said this is a bad idea and she shouldn't do it in her current situation. Some people just don't get it.

I'm just happy that we as a group are at least opening her eyes to how this is possibly a bad money mistake for her. Hopefully she'll change her mind and build up an emergency fund or maybe take a less expensive trip there as a family.

 

[ilovemk76]

the mortgage would sign their kids up for a $4500+ overseas school trip? What sense does that make when you complain and complain about not being able to pay your mortgage and car payment. Not to mention barely having enough to pay for groceries! This comes from my co-worker who thinks her 14-15 year old needs this trip and she feels bad not letting her go. She told me this morning and I just couldn't help putting my hand over my face and just shaking my head. In fact she let everyone know on how great this opportunity is when just last week she complained she couldn't afford an Easter Dinner or to pay for a tank of gas. Every single person in here said this is a bad idea and she shouldn't do it in her current situation. Some people just don't get it.

I'm just happy that we as a group are at least opening her eyes to how this is possibly a bad money mistake for her. Hopefully she'll change her mind and build up an emergency fund or maybe take a less expensive trip there as a family.

This is the same thought process that has prevented her from saving for the future or prevented her from having an EF. This is the live for today; screw tomorrow mentality that many have.

It would be really sad for the teen to come home from the trip to find out they had no home.

 

[maggiew]

I know someone who is doing something very similar. They haven't paid their mortgage in 2 years and are being foreclosed on in the next couple months. However, this past winter the wife went on an internship course to Africa for big cat veternary training (big $$$$$$).

Maggie

 

[NYCDiane]

Is this one of those "People to People" trips?? OMG... I had a coworker who would hit people up for money to pay for her child's trip and constantly complain about not having money for this, that, and the other. And she was hitting people up for $20 a pop! NERVE!

 

[SaraJayne]

I don't either, but we see that same mentality every day on the budget board here.

Either in regards to trips to Disney or other "wants".

 

[The Pink Cupcake]

Watch out…the fundraising letters will be coming soon

Our neighbors sent their daughter on a People To People trip. We got letter after letter asking us to donate to this “cause”. Um, no. Why on earth would I give you money to send your daughter on a glorified vacation?

People have no shame.

You will see people here on this board that have financial issues, yet are planning a trip to WDW. It's disgusting.

 

[The Pink Cupcake]

I don't either, but we see that same mentality every day on the budget board here.

Either in regards to trips to Disney or other "wants".

Exactly.

 

[disneyofcourse]

This is the same thought process that has prevented her from saving for the future or prevented her from having an EF. This is the live for today; screw tomorrow mentality that many have.

It would be really sad for the teen to come home from the trip to find out they had no home.

They have been so close to losing that home

 

[disneyofcourse]

Is this one of those "People to People" trips?? OMG... I had a coworker who would hit people up for money to pay for her child's trip and constantly complain about not having money for this, that, and the other. And she was hitting people up for $20 a pop! NERVE!

Wow! I just wouldn't even think of ever doing that.

 

[The Pink Cupcake]

Look at this video

At 2:18 a man proudly speaks about a women who raised $3000 at work for her child to go on this trip


http://www.fundingyoureducation.com/fundraising_video1.asp

They call it "raising tuition". It really is mooching so your child can go on a vacation.

OP-Watch out..this may be coming your way at work

 

[clanmcculloch]

She's telling you and everybody else about it because she's expecting (not hoping) that everybody she knows will pay for the trip. I've gotten the People to People and similar invites for my oldest. Just the fact that they talk so much about the fundraising aspect of it annoys me. If I can't afford to send my kid on a glorified vacation (seriously; that is what it is even if it does have educational aspects to it) then my child shouldn't be going.

For what it costs for one of those trips, our whole family goes to WDW. On our dime. I would never dream of asking people to help fund luxuries.

Unfortunately for this teen (and the rest of us as taxpayers), she's being raised to believe that she's owed all the finer things in life and that others should pay her way without having to earn it. This is the example being set by such behaviour. It's an injustice to this teen as this isn't how life works unless you want to live off the system your whole life. What a poor example for this girl.

 

[brymolmom]

WOW - I just looked at this video clip. I can't believe the parents allow this to happen. It is bad enough when cheerleading teams 'fundraise' for doing a 'championship' tournament at WDW....

Whenever a kids sports club comes to my door I always ask specifically what they're trying to raise money for...If it is for new uniforms or something similar, I'm game, but for a vacation for the kids....not so much.

I've never been asked to 'sponsor' (that term cracks me up) someone for one of these People To People trips - maybe everyone I know realizes I would laugh about it and start asking THEM to buy shares into our next WDW trip.

When the young girl was talking about choosing a 'project' my main thought was that I HOPE these projects involve mowing lawns for $30 a customer or shoveling driveways. I'm not opposed to kids earning the money for their own opportunities, but asking others to earn it for them to go on a trip...I can't believe that people ask for it and honestly I can't believe that people willingly give their money for it. Just goes to show that many people will fork over $10 or $20 to avoid an awkward conversation.

 

[disneyofcourse]

She's telling you and everybody else about it because she's expecting (not hoping) that everybody she knows will pay for the trip. I've gotten the People to People and similar invites for my oldest. Just the fact that they talk so much about the fundraising aspect of it annoys me. If I can't afford to send my kid on a glorified vacation (seriously; that is what it is even if it does have educational aspects to it) then my child shouldn't be going.

For what it costs for one of those trips, our whole family goes to WDW. On our dime. I would never dream of asking people to help fund luxuries.

Unfortunately for this teen (and the rest of us as taxpayers), she's being raised to believe that she's owed all the finer things in life and that others should pay her way without having to earn it. This is the example being set by such behaviour. It's an injustice to this teen as this isn't how life works unless you want to live off the system your whole life. What a poor example for this girl.

OH believe me this girl has been into work before and just spending half an hour near her and you can tell that she expects everything to be handed to her. She just spent a week on a cruise that her grandmother paid for. That's in the last 9 months. I politely hint at her mother that she really needs to tie her purse strings. Today I even said "Honey, your girl needs a job! so very to the point) She gets an allowance and then extra money several times a week to shop at Hollister or the high end department stores. We are talking $100 every week or two easy in just clothing that then her mother complains about during her lunch break on how she can't even buy coffee. You can't fix some people until something awful happens to them...and even then - some just don't learn. She knows her daughter abuses her purse and has asked in the past for encouragement on saying "NO" to her. Its like HELLO you're her mother!!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I'm beginning to see that those of us who have emergency funds are in the minority. A very small minority.

 

[lizabu]

If the teen got a job and saved to pay for it himself I'd be all for it. I will be encouraging my kids to see the world when they are young adults (on their own dime).

 

[disykat]

I don't either, but we see that same mentality every day on the budget board here.

Either in regards to trips to Disney or other "wants".

What? Are you daring to say they don't "deserve" those wants?

 

[Hannathy]

I don't either, but we see that same mentality every day on the budget board here.

Either in regards to trips to Disney or other "wants".

sure do. The idea that you have your bills paid off before going on a vacation is a lost concept, let alone have an emergency fund.

We need to quit bailing these people out.

 

[tlbwriter]

She's telling you and everybody else about it because she's expecting (not hoping) that everybody she knows will pay for the trip.

That, or she's hoping someone will agree with her and say "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity! She needs to go!" so she doesn't feel so bad about paying for the trip instead of her bills.

 

[Styx Fan]

A few years ago we got a form begging letter....oops, a fund raising letter.....from my DH cousin. His son had been chosen to attend a wonderful educational opportunity in Hawaii. Could we contribute?

I'm a SAHM, we have 2 kids. DH has a good job, but nothing to write home about. We have never been to Hawaii. The parents of this child both work, have 2 kids and the DH cousin has a job that typically is better paying than DH. We rarely see them. Why would anyone think we would help for his trip when they make more than us? Or even if they didn't?

We just ignored the letter and pitched it, but it really irked me.

 

[Bungle]

If they are broke I wonder how they plan on paying for it. Credit cards? Also if they really wanted their child to go why didn't they start saving in advance for it? That's a lot of money to put out when they can't pay their bills. I'm assuming they have no savings then. Whats going to happen if their car breaks down or even if their child gets sick/hurt on this trip.

I guess I just don't understand putting yourself in a situation where you don't have anything to fall back on.