Summer budget panic!

[LisaInNc]

I think that buying a DVC and taking vacations when you can't afford to feed your children is irresponsible and if you can afford to feed your children then you should be doing just that. Whatever happened to personal responsibility? You have kids you provide for them, you might qualify for the program but I would never be able to look mysely in the mirror if I was taking public assistance AND vacations, my sole goal would be getting to a point where I could afford to provide for my family.

Saying that you qualify for the program is not reason enough to use it. You should be using the program only if you NEED it and if you are taking vacations, eating out or owning a DVC you don't need it. You need to be stewarding your family and what on earth are you teaching your children by putting them on publis assistance AND taking vacations.

 

[Plantlady]

Well if you can afford DVC then you can afford to feed your children period. Then people would not have to worry about feeding them for you. I am a DVC member to but I dont have any kids to worry about. If I did and I could not afford to feed them then I know for sure that I would not be a DVC member.

I never said I couldn't afford to feed my kids. I cannot fathom a situation in which my children are hungry, but if in an alternative universe that happened, I would sell DVC in a heartbeat.

My question still stands. What I am allowed to spend my money on? What is acceptable? Where is the line drawn?

 

[LotsOfQuestions]

And no one here talking about abusing govenrment programs. They are talking about using what they qualify for. And being attacked for it. There is nothing immoral about that. Many of the posters on this board are fueling the stigma attatched to Government programs , which repel qualifying citizens from applying. I've just never seen it on such a grand sale!
Lets just save all our benifits for the illegal immigrants, right? They really need them!

I agree. But it is not the posters you are referring to.

The ones that use government programs to fund luxury vacations and buying second vacation homes are the ones that are creating a bad image for the programs. It is the ones playing the system that creates a stigma for those that really need and deserve the programs.

People who genuinely need and deserve the programs are repelled from applying because those people who have scammed the system so thoroughly have given anybody using the programs a bad name.

 

[Frankiesmom]

Um; just by posting you were implying it was a burden! Those programs the Govt has in place are there for people who truly NEED them! If you can afford DVC and your trips then you don't need it- and you should leave it for the people who truly do. I pay $2.50 for my DS age 6 school lunch and $3.25 a day for my DD age 15; if I had to utilize a govt program it would be my priotity to get to a point where I wouldn't need to accept the assistance- like I said sell your DVC; the $$ you're paying in just dues would more than make up for the expense of your kids lunches! And feeding them in the summer.

 

[sha_lyn]

But the way you have figured out how to both feed your family AND take luxury vacations is to use government funding meant for families that are really struggling. Can you not see the questionable ethics of that?

ITA....
About 18 yrs ago we went off WIC when we still qualified. DH changed jobs. Although our income went up a good bit, we were still below the cut-off. However we didn't need the assitance anymore.

Then 13 yrs ago or so DS could have qualified for free or reduced lunch. DH and I laughed at the high cut-off and threw the form in the trash.

 

[sha_lyn]

I never said I couldn't afford to feed my kids

By receiving government funds to help feed your child, you are saying exactly that.

 

[#1hockeymom]

*shaking head* Vacations are NOT necessities!

Yes, I've been there, we've had NO money. We didn't have a honeymoon, Hell, we were married at the court house. We didn't go anywhere for three years except work! I worked nights, he worked days. One beater car did both of the drives. No baby sitter needed, we were our own sitters. What we didn't do was collect from any programs we were entitled to. I don't have a problem with them, we just didn't want to as we thought we were able to provide for our family on our own.

If you're taking vacations while on various government programs you ARE taking vacations on tax payers dollars. DVC? Wish I could afford it now, and we make good money between the two of us! I don't know whether to laugh or cry when I see stuff like this.

 

[Plantlady]

But the way you have figured out how to both feed your family AND take luxury vacations is to use government funding meant for families that are really struggling. Can you not see the questionable ethics of that?

I have never taken a luxury vacation. Doubt I ever will.

I do not see questionable ethics in using a program that I am in the income bracket for. I will continue to live life exactly the same, when we no longer qualify. Ethically, morally, and financially. There are many larger problems that exist in our society that people using government programs that they are eligible for. I

did state once, and I firmly believe it. If you are not happy with how the program is designed, then you should work on changing it. Write your congressman. Fix what you feel is a problem. Be it this issue, or a million other issues that exist in our society.

 

[Frankiesmom]

and I have to add we are also DVc owners and lately it has made more sense to rent out our points and use that $$$ for the dues. You were really implying that your dues were less than a combined $20 for those 2 meals I mentioned? I know our dues are much more then that! This past trip we stayed at POP- after we had rented our DVC points, paid our dues and bought an AP and had $ leftover. Get a clue lady- you're one the many reasons this country is so screwed up!

 

[LotsOfQuestions]

I never said I couldn't afford to feed my kids. I cannot fathom a situation in which my children are hungry, but if in an alternative universe that happened, I would sell DVC in a heartbeat.

My question still stands. What I am allowed to spend my money on? What is acceptable? Where is the line drawn?

Take care of all your responsibilities first. Spend it on lunches and food without using government assistance. When you can afford to do all that, then you can buy DVC and take luxury vacations.

But using government assistance as a budget line item is NOT spending your money.

You are spending our money.

If you can take care of your responsibilities, but that means giving up your timeshare, then that is what you should do.

 

[LisaInNc]

I do not see questionable ethics in using a program that I am in the income bracket for.

There is the problem and by emulating this for your children you are teaching them questionable ethics. Have fun on your vacation

 

[dimimi]

Someone has to say it......

But several people on here qualify for free breakfasts/lunches and still have nice trips planned. How exactly can you not afford to feed your kids but can afford a nice vacation?

I am not trying to be rude, but I would really like to understand

I had the same question. I haven't read all of the posts, but I have to say, we don't qualify and we don't go on vacations if we don't have the money.

 

[Plantlady]

and I have to add we are also DVc owners and lately it has made more sense to rent out our points and use that $$$ for the dues. You were really implying that your dues were less than a combined $20 for those 2 meals I mentioned? I know our dues are much more then that! This past trip we stayed at POP- after we had rented our DVC points, paid our dues and bought an AP and had $ leftover. Get a clue lady- you're one the many reasons this country is so screwed up!

Our dues are around $10 a month. Yes. We have very few points. enough to go every other year.. during value season.

So, If I make your meals, for $5.00. Why am I not *allowed* to use that money for what I desire?

Telling me that I am the reason this country is screwed up, is quite the statement, considering you have never met me, and know nothing about me, except I admit that I have DVC and my kids get reduced meals. That's quite a burden to play on my shoulders.

I suggest you write your congressman, and ask him to change the requirements for free/reduced meals. Or ask him/her to stipulate that anyone using them has to get written permission before spending extra money.

 

[hsmamato2]

ok....list for happy living,and responsible parenting. you asked,I produced.
#1- food(nutritious,real foods)
#2-clothing(likely gently used/hand me downs)
#3- housing that's safe.(rent or own,what you can afford)
The govt of this country provides useful assistance for those who can't afford these 3 things. I'm happy to pay taxes to help provide for needy ones.
That's the list! pretty simple,eh?
After those 3 things....then....
everything else that's fun,but not necessary. Radical,I know.

Get the drift?

 

[Frankiesmom]

Listen; if you're happy teaching your kids to take things that they aren't really entitled to- then go right ahead! Enjoy you're magical vaca!

 

[Plantlady]

Take care of all your responsibilities first. Spend it on lunches and food without using government assistance. When you can afford to do all that, then you can buy DVC and take luxury vacations.

But using government assistance as a budget line item is NOT spending your money.

You are spending our money.

If you can take care of your responsibilities, but that means giving up your timeshare, then that is what you should do.

Did you accept your stimulus check, or did you say, no thank you, I don't NEED it. That is government assistance.

 

[Plantlady]

never mind.

I think we're at a stalemate.

You'll never see where I'm coming from. I'll never agree that I'm an immoral person. Life will go on.

 

[dogluva]

Did you accept your stimulus check, or did you say, no thank you, I don't NEED it. That is government assistance.

You are absolutely grasping at straws.

 

[OneDisney]

What if I buy these three things, and have money left over?

Then you don't need extra help from the government, do you?

 

[dogluva]

never mind.

I think we're at a stalemate.

You'll never see where I'm coming from. I'll never agree that I'm an immoral person. Life will go on.

You have just run out of excuses on why it is acceptable to take money from the governent and then go on nice vacations.