Summer budget panic!

[LisaNJ25]

All of these are relatively expensive foods. If you compare cold cereal to hot cereals or eggs, it's considerably more expensive. All pre-packaged snacks are expensive and also high in sodium and preservatives. If you're really having a budget crisis over adding kids' lunches to your budget, cut back on snacks altogether and when they're really needed, look at plain Saltine crackers with peanut butter or real cheese (not Kraft singles, which are mostly vegetable oil and aren't cheese at all) or inexpensive bagged fruit. Make cupcakes or cookies from sale-purchased box cake mixes; that's considerably cheaper than pre-packaged sweets. Buy some refillable water bottles and use tap water or Kool-aid.It DID sound like that.No, you have that backwards. The school is required to send it home (so that everyone is aware of the program -- we even have it in Spanish); however, no one is required to send it back. Since it's the FEDERAL lunch program, I know it's the same in all states.

Every year I get 1-2 total back from my homeroom students.

maybe your school is different but if we dont send it back we get a letter back looking for it. Ours come in spanish also as well as every other form and lunch menu. There are more hispanic kids than non hispanic.

 

[LotsOfQuestions]

Well then I hope you at least got a postcard from those people that you sent on a WDW vacation.

Oh heavens no. I would feel horrible if they used citizen's tax money out of that long saved for budget. You know, souvenirs and everything

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Although, I am now beginning to think that the $650.00 a month would make a mighty fine vacation fund.

I never looked into DVC. Anybody want to tell me what I can get for $650 a month, funded by the United States Government?

More points than we have! Oh please use me as a referral when you buy in.

Just glancing at our DVC chart you could get just over 550 points if you finance with Disney for 10 years. Annual dues are extra. That many points could get you a Grand Villa for a week or a 2 bedroom for 2 weeks during the slower times of year.

Standard disclaimer: I am in no way endorsing using government funds to finance WDW trips or DVC memberships. Thank you for your support.

 

[LisaInNc]

Not to the stimulus check, as I mentioned before that we were not eligible for a single dime.

But, we do have a child with disabilities. We are entitled to receive SSI benefits of at least $650.00 per month. Have been entitled to them since birth. But, because we can afford to provide for our children, both disabled and typical, we have never applied for the SSI benefits.

So, to answer your question - yes, we have told the government, no thank you, we don't NEED assistance even though we are entitled to it.

We DO practice what we preach.

Although, I am now beginning to think that the $650.00 a month would make a mighty fine vacation fund.

I never looked into DVC. Anybody want to tell me what I can get for $650 a month, funded by the United States Government?

Or perhaps a nice lease on a new Beemer? Oh the luxuries I never thought of getting by taking money I don't need.

You are my new hero!

 

[LotsOfQuestions]

More points than we have! Oh please use me as a referral when you buy in.

Just glancing at our DVC chart you could get just over 550 points if you finance with Disney for 10 years. Annual dues are extra. That many points could get you a Grand Villa for a week or a 2 bedroom for 2 weeks during the slower times of year.

Standard disclaimer: I am in no way endorsing using government funds to finance WDW trips or DVC memberships. Thank you for your support.

Hmmm...a grand villa for the week. The poster may be on to something. Getting the government to finance Disney.

And especially financed by an assistance program I don't really need.

All you fellow tax payers - how do you feel if I go ahead and apply for the SSI benefits and use my windfall (also known as your tax dollars) to buy into a Grand Villa for a week?

Ok with everybody here?

And Clarabelle - I will definitely use you as a referral

 

[Aliceacc]

There are more hispanic kids than non hispanic.

Forgive me for asking-- what on EARTH does that have to do with anything??? (Says the Irish-American girl)

Folks, the OP just doesn't get it. Many of us are aware of the entitlement mentality that has its grip on this country, and it's in fine evidence here.

For what it's worth, we don't qualify for aid. We're both teachers (in those notoriously high paying Catholic schools.) My husband supplements our income with photography; I supplement it with freelance writing. Our oldest turns 10 next week, so we're finally going on that once in a childhood trip to Disney. (At the Poly, thanks to our incredible luck with a PIN code.) My kids aren't "returning to the mouse"... this is their first trip there.

Breakfast in our house is cereal or toast; lunch is most often PB&J or hotdogs. It suits us and it's within our budget.

One of the wonderful things about this country is our compassion for those in need. One of the things that is so discouraging is that there are too many people who take advantage of that compassion. They'll justify it until they're blue in the face, and feel absolutely entitled to each and every benefit, and never really understand that their "entitlement" is someone else's hard earned money.

I sincerely hope that I'm teaching my kids that they're entitled to what they earn. There's no shame in accepting help that's needed; there's much more than shame in working the system to your advantage if the help isn't needed.

 

[#1hockeymom]

Forgive me for asking-- what on EARTH does that have to do with anything??? (Says the Irish-American girl)

Folks, the OP just doesn't get it. Many of us are aware of the entitlement mentality that has its grip on this country, and it's in fine evidence here.

For what it's worth, we don't qualify for aid. We're both teachers (in those notoriously high paying Catholic schools.) My husband supplements our income with photography; I supplement it with freelance writing. Our oldest turns 10 next week, so we're finally going on that once in a childhood trip to Disney. (At the Poly, thanks to our incredible luck with a PIN code.) Breakfast in our house is cereal or toast; lunch is most often PB&J or hotdogs. It suits us and it's within our budget.

One of the wonderful things about this country is our compassion for those in need. One of the things that is so discouraging is that there are too many people who take advantage of that compassion. They'll justify it until they're blue in the face, and feel absolutely entitled to each and every benefit, and never really understand that their "entitlement" is someone else's hard earned money.

I sincerely hope that I'm teaching my kids that they're entitled to what they earn. There's no shame in accepting help that's needed; there's much more than shame in working the system to your advantage if the help isn't needed.

I like your post. This reminds me of one of the reasons threads like this anger me so much. I am a teacher in an inner city school. 98 percent title one. These kids NEED the aid. Vacation to them is what happens the end of next week. They'll play in their sprinklers in hand me down bathing suits. They'll enjoy being a kid. To most of them leaving their own city for a few days is a dream they'll never see. I pay for many of their field trips because their parents can't. I always have food in my room for those that come in past the time of free breakfast. I spend a lot of my own money for their basics. Am I upset about that? NO - I'm upset that people of means use those tax dollars for expensive vacations, taking away from my babies.

 

[ZPT1022]

Yes, I quoted myuself! I posted above believing that the poster was serious about feeding their kids during summer break, however, after readind the rest of the thread (after posting) I have to say that I cannot believe that ANYONE would consider a vacation more important than trying to feed the famly.

This is truly a upsetting thread, for a lot more reasons then can be properly described.

Since you quoted me in your OP, I'm not sure if you're referring to me or not. I hope not. I did say that my DD has participated in the summer lunch thing but only because ALL the kids at the rec department camp (that I paid for) have lunch provided. Didn't realize until later that it was considered part of the summer food program, I was just happy to be off the hook for packing lunch every day

 

[LotsOfQuestions]

You are my new hero!

Nah. To be honest, we have phenominal insurance, an even better public school district and a decent salary. We were never in need, so never even realized we were eligible. It didn't occur to us to even look what was offered.
Now that our child is approaching adulthood, it has been mentioned in IEP meetings that we will have to apply because all adult programs are funded by medicare, which apparently is tied to the SSI. Even though our insurance will provide coverage, many adult programs are specifically funded through medicare - so we will have to apply in the future as gov't red tape does not allow families to pay for the services.

And DH, who grew up dirt poor (never left his town until adulthood, certainly never on a vacation), had it ingrained in him the pride of providing for your family. DFIL wouldn't even accept his veteran's benefits because he was appalled that the government would give him money for serving his country. He is my hero. Because of the lessons my inlaws taught their family, DH also would not sleep at night accepting money when we did not need it. And this is what we want to teach our children. That they need to give and only take in the most direst circumstances.

 

[hentob]

I cant tell you at my kids school, yes you do have to fill out the form. It is one of the required papers that is sent home in September with all of the other paperwork you have to fill out.

The majority of student in their school qualify for it. Its not people cheating the system. Its based on family size and annual income.

If it is a public school, you do NOT have to fill it out.

Income is private. Unless you want to fill it out--You DO NOT have to!

At the very least, you just check the "decline" box and sign it

 

[hentob]

One of the wonderful things about this country is our compassion for those in need. One of the things that is so discouraging is that there are too many people who take advantage of that compassion. They'll justify it until they're blue in the face, and feel absolutely entitled to each and every benefit, and never really understand that their "entitlement" is someone else's hard earned money.

I sincerely hope that I'm teaching my kids that they're entitled to what they earn. There's no shame in accepting help that's needed; there's much more than shame in working the system to your advantage if the help isn't needed.

And, folks, this is better than I could have ever said it.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

 

[bluehen]

Why wouldn't you use that money to feed your children? Why should others have to do that for you?

I am glad you sleep well at night. I could nevershow my face in public if I couldn't afford to feed my children, yet owned a timeshare

This is getting ridiculous (sp). We all get services and stuff from our government. This is just an available service. We all use roads, parks, schools, and police. By the same logic do you take advantage of tax deductions like your mortgage. You can afford it....so don't use them. How can you show your face in public.

 

[hentob]

This is getting ridiculous (sp). We all get services and stuff from our government. This is just an available service. We all use roads, parks, schools, and police. By the same logic do you take advantage of tax deductions like your mortgage. You can afford it....so don't use them. How can you show your face in public.

You don't get it.

I don't have to apply and qualify for parks, roads, police services, etc.

Those services/places aren't set aside for the poor and disadvantaged.

You really don't get it.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

This is getting ridiculous (sp). We all get services and stuff from our government. This is just an available service. We all use roads, parks, schools, and police. By the same logic do you take advantage of tax deductions like your mortgage. You can afford it....so don't use them. How can you show your face in public.

Yeah using the roads to drive to work is exactly the same as not feeding your kids so you can finance a trip to WDW. Absolutely!

 

[AnninIowa]

This is getting ridiculous (sp). We all get services and stuff from our government. This is just an available service. We all use roads, parks, schools, and police. By the same logic do you take advantage of tax deductions like your mortgage. You can afford it....so don't use them. How can you show your face in public.

Roads, parks, schools and police are services we ALL use, though. I'm fine with paying taxes for school lunch programs for children who desperately need it. For them, the food at school is often the ONLY food they get...they have no concept of the Disney Dining Plan!

 

[LotsOfQuestions]

This is getting ridiculous (sp). We all get services and stuff from our government. This is just an available service. We all use roads, parks, schools, and police. By the same logic do you take advantage of tax deductions like your mortgage. You can afford it....so don't use them. How can you show your face in public.

You really think that utilizing roads, parks, schools and police - tax funded services that are available to ALL citizens

is the same as

a single family taking advantage of a government program funded by tax dollars, that was designed to help the most desperate families and then using the money they saved on feeding their children to buy a luxury timeshare in Disneyworld?

And to the poster who said it was not a luxury, are not all the DVC timeshares tied to the deluxe hotels? Wilderness Villas, Beachclub Villas, etc? (sorry, my DVC knowledge is weak - but that might change if I get the government to fund my DVC purchase).

 

[hentob]

Yeah using the roads to drive to work is exactly the same as not feeding your kids so you can finance a trip to WDW. Absolutely!

Why yes. It is

 

[summerrluvv]

You are my new hero!

I can't find the post about the SSI, but I'm confused as to how one can qualify for SSI for their disabled child (and then earn too much for the stimulus refund) since it's based on the parents income and resources?

 

[luvindisneyworld]

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?

Well then if you can afford it do it. What is the big deal about it to you that you think that you may qualify for it so I am going to take it? I just cannot even fathom why someone would want to do that.

My DMom qualified our whole life for programs that were offered but guess what she didnt take advantage of it,because she could afford to feed us.

So on to your question if you have so much money to spend the first place you need to start is spend it on your kids lunches at school. That would be my suggestion.

 

[RyJMom]

I like your post. This reminds me of one of the reasons threads like this anger me so much. I am a teacher in an inner city school. 98 percent title one. These kids NEED the aid. Vacation to them is what happens the end of next week. They'll play in their sprinklers in hand me down bathing suits. They'll enjoy being a kid. To most of them leaving their own city for a few days is a dream they'll never see. I pay for many of their field trips because their parents can't. I always have food in my room for those that come in past the time of free breakfast. I spend a lot of my own money for their basics. Am I upset about that? NO - I'm upset that people of means use those tax dollars for expensive vacations, taking away from my babies.

I like Your post. You are my hero!!! You sound like a great person and a wonderful teacher. God bless you.

Veronica