Low Income Single Mom. Need ideas for places like the YMCA that give discounts.

[luvsmickeymouse]

Just a reminder that if you share the kids as far as income taxes go, even though you may not get to claim them all on your tax form, you can claim them all for EIC as long as they live with you all year or most of the year. If they are in college you may claim them on EIC until they are 23 or 24 years old.

 

[KEVIN M]

And don't let anyone make you feel guilty for going to WDW on a low income. It's your money; spend it how you want. We went the last 2 years, are skipping this year to save, and plan to go on a cruise next year! All on my super low income.

DO check into the Earned Income Credit and the Child Tax Credit, even for this year. The EIC and Child Tax Credit together can be huge--I usually get a refund of $5-6000, and I pay no income tax so it's more of a gift than a refund. With three kids instead of two, yours could be even bigger. If you aren't divorced yet, ask your lawyer to try to make it so YOU claim the kids on your tax return. If you are going to split who claims the kids, go for being the one to claim the younger ones as they will be under 17 longer--something that will mater for the child tax credit.

Well, isn't that nice?

Unbelievable.

 

[mudnuri]

some of these posts are unreal.

Let me see if I can qualify for a 'dis tax refund'.

for 13 years I was with a man who owned his own business, for 10 of them, married. for those 13 years, between him and his family (all owned businesses) they paid in each and every year. I'll go simple math here.

5,000 per person x 5 = 25,000
25,000 x 13 = 325,000

now, of that technically, only 10 years of 5,000 would be part that I contributed to, as we were married.

so now that we're divorced, I shouldnt be able to get a refund eh? WTH is wrong with some of you people?

The people who qualify for the EIC are not the people who wrote the IRS tax code. What is it if your business what they do with it? because they are getting the refund does NOT change your payment amount. did the tax rate change when the EIC was created? Yup, didn't think so....

to the OP, i'm sorry some people are jumping down your throat. But, in the dis world, nobody is allowed to do anything unless EVERYONE can do it... if you get a refund, your lower on the dis than those that are not. if your a single mom, heaven for bid you try to save pennies to take your kids on a vacation...you shouldnt be able too.... I say to crap with that.

what a bunch of stuck up people are on here lately- holy crap I can't believe it

Brandy

 

[DisneyfeverTN]

Well, isn't that nice?

Unbelievable.

I agree. I guess I felt differently when I was a single parent. All of the money I made went to bills, savings, etc. I didn't take the kids to WDW because that would have been considered a luxury to me. It seems like if relatives want to give away extravagant (and yes, I consider the Poly extravagant) vacations, the money could be better used to help the family with bills.

I don't think there is anything wrong with getting public assistance. But the people who go and stay at deluxe resorts and then ask for handouts, I just don't understand. We didn't stay at a deluxe resort until we were financially stable and could afford it. I sure wouldn't expect to get free services from the government, yet still go on very expensive vacations.

 

[summerrluvv]

I agree. I guess I felt differently when I was a single parent. All of the money I made went to bills, savings, etc. I didn't take the kids to WDW because that would have been considered a luxury to me. It seems like if relatives want to give away extravagant (and yes, I consider the Poly extravagant) vacations, the money could be better used to help the family with bills.

I don't think there is anything wrong with getting public assistance. But the people who go and stay at deluxe resorts and then ask for handouts, I just don't understand. We didn't stay at a deluxe resort until we were financially stable and could afford it. I sure wouldn't expect to get free services from the government, yet still go on very expensive vacations.

Who said vacation HAS to be expensive?

Did I miss a post where the OP said she was paying for a deluxe resort while getting food stamps, section 8 and cash assistance? Didn't think so. If her family wants to send her on vacation, what business is it of yours? None.

 

[summerrluvv]

what a bunch of stuck up people are on here lately- holy crap I can't believe it

Brandy

Sadly it's not lately. As long as I have been here, the same threads pop up and the same people are snarky on them.

 

[mudnuri]

I agree. I guess I felt differently when I was a single parent. All of the money I made went to bills, savings, etc. I didn't take the kids to WDW because that would have been considered a luxury to me. It seems like if relatives want to give away extravagant (and yes, I consider the Poly extravagant) vacations, the money could be better used to help the family with bills.

I don't think there is anything wrong with getting public assistance. But the people who go and stay at deluxe resorts and then ask for handouts, I just don't understand. We didn't stay at a deluxe resort until we were financially stable and could afford it. I sure wouldn't expect to get free services from the government, yet still go on very expensive vacations.

At what point did she say she was getting public assistance?

she wasnt asking for free services, she was stating the Y has a scholarship program, and wondered if anyone knew of any others. thats the point of the scholarship programs, WORKING people, getting a bit of help.

The way you guys are acting, you'd think she was a dead beat that was living off welfare because she was too lazy to work..........

Brandy

 

[mudnuri]

Who said vacation HAS to be expensive?

Did I miss a post where the OP said she was paying for a deluxe resort while getting food stamps, section 8 and cash assistance? Didn't think so. If her family wants to send her on vacation, what business is it of yours? None.

we posted at the same time LOL

Brandy

 

[mudnuri]

Sadly it's not lately. As long as I have been here, the same threads pop up and the same people are snarky on them.

your right, as soon as income tax time rolls around everyone gets there panties in a bunch about paying in while others get a rebate etc..

It always amazes me just how judgemental this place is even 4-5 years later

Brandy

 

[summerrluvv]

we posted at the same time LOL

Brandy

 

[mickeyfan2]

Who said vacation HAS to be expensive?

Did I miss a post where the OP said she was paying for a deluxe resort while getting food stamps, section 8 and cash assistance? Didn't think so. If her family wants to send her on vacation, what business is it of yours? None.

But they could have spend the money on the summer programs she desperately needs and seems to need help paying for.

 

[summerrluvv]

But they could have spend the money on the summer programs she desperately needs and seems to need help paying for.

I must have missed the desperate part

 

[DisneyfeverTN]

Who said vacation HAS to be expensive?

Did I miss a post where the OP said she was paying for a deluxe resort while getting food stamps, section 8 and cash assistance? Didn't think so. If her family wants to send her on vacation, what business is it of yours? None.

I guess I consider a WDW vacation where you stay onsite at any of the resorts an expensive vacation. When I was a single parent I could not afford to even do that. I needed all of my money to pay bills and live. For years we went on vacations that were inexpensive. There is just no way I could justify spending thousands of dollars on a vacation if I couldn't pay for things for my own children.

Edited to add that I guess it is no business of mine until she posts about it on a public message board. I am just adding my opinion, just like you are adding yours.

 

[JunkyardWillie]

...I didn't take the kids to WDW because that would have been considered a luxury to me. It seems like if relatives want to give away extravagant (and yes, I consider the Poly extravagant) vacations, the money could be better used to help the family with bills.

I don't think there is anything wrong with getting public assistance. But the people who go and stay at deluxe resorts and then ask for handouts, I just don't understand. We didn't stay at a deluxe resort until we were financially stable and could afford it. I sure wouldn't expect to get free services from the government, yet still go on very expensive vacations.

I have to agree! As a fellow taxpayer, seeing this sort of stuff really ticks me off! The OP has posted the cost of 3 trips for an 18 month period. That's $12,000.00 worth of trips in 18 months!

OP, why would someone give you this kind of money for a vacation when you need handouts? Why plan another trip for $3,000.00? Vacations are a luxury!

 

[Pinnie]

I agree. I guess I felt differently when I was a single parent. All of the money I made went to bills, savings, etc. I didn't take the kids to WDW because that would have been considered a luxury to me. It seems like if relatives want to give away extravagant (and yes, I consider the Poly extravagant) vacations, the money could be better used to help the family with bills.

I don't think there is anything wrong with getting public assistance. But the people who go and stay at deluxe resorts and then ask for handouts, I just don't understand. We didn't stay at a deluxe resort until we were financially stable and could afford it. I sure wouldn't expect to get free services from the government, yet still go on very expensive vacations.

ITA. Vacations are a privledge, not a right.

pinnie

 

[mudnuri]

I have to agree! As a fellow taxpayer, seeing this sort of stuff really ticks me off! The OP has posted the cost of 3 trips for an 18 month period. That's $12,000.00 worth of trips in 18 months!

OP, why would someone give you this kind of money for a vacation when you need handouts? Why plan another trip for $3,000.00? Vacations are a luxury!

Okay as a taxpayer- what exactly of your tax dollars is she getting?

she is not on public assistance
she is not asking for public assistance

y scholarships, or scholarships for boy scouts, or day camp scholarships do not come from your federal tax dollars. the majority of scholarship money comes from private and corporate donations...not your tax dollars.

Show me a break down of what exactly she is getting thats "YOURS"

Brandy

 

[FSUMARCHIEF]

Look, I'm sorry I offended folks on this thread. To the OP, I wasn't mad or upset at you. I know that things happen at times in life when folks need to have access to assistance, be it government, church, or some other sort of private assistance.

What I was referencing was the poster who was seemingly bragging about the fact that she receives government assistance, and instead of using the money to better herself or her family uses it to go on extravagant vacations.

I've read similar threads on here before where people claim poverty or welfare, and yet go pay for vacations at deluxe resorts etc., instead of being smart and perhaps staying value and paying their bills with the extra. I don't begrudge anyone a vacation from the every day experiences of life.

Most of the time I just shake my head and don't say anything. Perhaps it was my day to be a grump. Perhaps it was because I wrote that check today. I don't know. But today it hacked me off.

I will now revert back to lurkdom and stay away from the budget board. And as to the person who said it was none of my business, it was made my business when it was posted on a public discussion board. I knew I'd get flamed, and perhaps even get points for my post. I hope I don't. But, I knew that my comments would draw ire. The same should be true for everyone. If you're going to post something like that, be prepared for someone to criticize you.

 

[Corjack]

WOW!!!!!!!

What happened to "If you don't have anything nice to say...."

 

[a_sailor's_wife]

You don't need to apologize or justify yourself. As you've stated before you weren't here for other advice just about specific programs for your 3 children. I'm sure you're a great mother, and if your family is paying for the WDW trip that's awesome!

As for the EIC, if you qualify claim it. The first year that DH was in service we were able to claim it. Does that make us bad people? I certainly don't think so. Because the year that we were able to claim the EIC, DH was deployed for 10 of those months. Granted we didn't use it for trip, we saved it for those who knows whats, but it was certainly a blessing.

 

[Anjelica]

Edited to add that I guess it is no business of mine until she posts about it on a public message board. I am just adding my opinion, just like you are adding yours.

While I may not agree with everyone's views, etc. I do 100% agree with this. The moment you solicit ideas and opinions on a public forum expect to hear things you didn't want to hear.

I can completely understand why some on here seem stumped or perplexed by the questions posed by the OP yet in the signature line there are 3 vacations in 2 years to Disneyworld. Granted we don't know the whole story but I think everyone should understand why some have the questions/statements they do.....