Summer budget panic!

[brymolmom]

For the OP - if budget is a concern - cut the handi-snacks and flavored water in the van. Get large/bulk sized snack items and put them in baggies or tupperware. MUCH MORE BUDGET FRIENDLY. And skip the flavored water - just bring frozen water bottles (reflilled from the tap each time - not purchased).

I am a mean mommy too - my kids, 95% of the time, have about 3 lunch choices (pb&j, leftovers from the night before or bologna sand), only 2 if there are no leftovers.

Just this morning I told DH to stop asking ds what he wanted packed for lunch in his lunchbag for school - I said, just give him what we have the most of. Of course, we're not entirely mean and will throw in at least something that he loves (strawberries) or a sweet treat like a cookie. I just don't want to get to the point when we're sitting down to lunch and he gets picky and wants something hot or whatever. And I know next year when dd is in school, she is way pickier so it would be a battle every day. So, you get what you get.

 

[dumboiu]

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

thank you for saying exactly what i was thinking.......

 

[noodleknitter]

THANK YOU!!!!! I thought I was going to roll my eyes out of my head reading this! Suggesting WIC? Come on! Cancel your trip if you cannot afford food!


Disclaimer-
This is not a personal attack. This particular thing just makes me so mad .

I agree. If I can't afford to feed my children, and the govt. is doing so for me, I'd rethink my priorities.

Also, kids don't need junk food to survive. A refillable water bottle, and an apple can get most people through their errands, and be good for you at the same time.

 

[LotsOfQuestions]

THANK YOU!!!!! I thought I was going to roll my eyes out of my head reading this! Suggesting WIC? Come on! Cancel your trip if you cannot afford food!


Disclaimer-
This is not a personal attack. This particular thing just makes me so mad .

I have to agree. Not attacking anybody, but if you have to use government funded programs such as WIC and the free lunch program to feed your children then perhaps it is time to rethink the big vacations.

I am not understanding the philosophy of it all.

If a lunch is approximately $2.50, and by law a child is in school 180 days, give or take a few depending on state laws, then the cost for the school lunch for the year would be $450.00.

Instead of going to Disney for $1,500 and using tax money to feed your child, why not use the $500.00 to feed the child and do a shorter vacation for only $1,000?

 

[Todd&Copper]

OP, take the kids to BJ's, Costco or Sam's for the free samples and fill up for lunch. The food court at my mall gives out lost of samples, too (lots of chicken samples). And Taco Bell has a 79-89-99 menu no0w (remember 59-79-99?)

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I have to agree. Not attacking anybody, but if you have to use government funded programs such as WIC and the free lunch program to feed your children then perhaps it is time to rethink the big vacations.

Again- not attacking but I also don't understand how you can qualify for the free lunch program and buy DVC. I guess I am doing something wrong here. Not trying to be rude at all but how are you able to do that? I would love to know because we would like to buy DVC but it is very expensive. Did you have a savings plan for it? Did you just buy small increments of points with plans to buy more? I would love to know because as I said we really want to buy one. TIA!

 

[Plantlady]

I have to agree. Not attacking anybody, but if you have to use government funded programs such as WIC and the free lunch program to feed your children then perhaps it is time to rethink the big vacations.

And we wonder why school budgets are out of control.

If a lunch is approximately $2.50, and by law a child is in school 180 days, give or take a few depending on state laws, then the cost for the school lunch for the year would be $450.00.

Instead of going to Disney for $1,500 and using tax money to feed your child, how about using the $500.00 to feed the child and doing a shorter vacation for only $1,000?

You know, that schools are subsidized for lunches and breakfasts. If they don't serve X number.. they lose money. If kids qualify for free/reduced lunches, the school will continue to receive the money to feed EVERYONE at reduced costs. It benefits ALL kids and the school to serve more lunches.

I also pay way more than $450 in state taxes. Way more.

 

[flamestarrdust]

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

For my family, we are planning a WDW vacation for next year since things are so tight. As to why my kids are a part of the free breakfast/lunch program at school is because they started the year with just their dad in the househould and now that me and their father are back together, they may not need to be a part of that program anymore. Not sure yet because we just moved and have to see how things go financially. Plus due to the economy and layoffs, I'm having trouble finding a job at our new location. And also, my mother in law, who lost her husband (sole household supporter) unexpectedly two years ago, cannot work due to illnesses and is waiting for her disability and medicaid to be approved. So in the meantime, me and my fiance must support her and her bills along with our kids. WDW was the only way we could take the kids on vacation at any time thanks to their payment setup. I love the fact that you pay a deposit and then can pay off as you go. It works for households with different budget ranges. Another reason that I love WDW.

 

[Plantlady]

Again- not attacking but I also don't understand how you can qualify for the free lunch program and buy DVC. I guess I am doing something wrong here. Not trying to be rude at all but how are you able to do that? I would love to know because we would like to buy DVC but it is very expensive. Did you have a savings plan for it? Did you just buy small increments of points with plans to buy more? I would love to know because as I said we really want to buy one. TIA!

This might of been aimed at me. We qualify for reduced meals, and own DVC. We bought a small amount of points, paid for in cash, by saving up. We bought enough points, that we can go every other year, by banking and borrowing points and staying during the value season.

We do have a vacation savings plan. For instance.. if I tell DH today.. "I'm in the mood to go out to eat.".. but we talk it over.. and come up with a quick, easy dinner.. we instantly transfer the money we *would* of spent eating out to the savings account. We also transfer part of every pay check to the savings. DH also sells on etsy, and that money goes into the savings account.

 

[dogluva]

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

Seriously, I would like to understand it too. I am not being rude either. It is just that I have six kids and do not qualify for anything. I tutor just for extras for my kids (my regular job pays bills). However, we will not be planning another trip for long, long time. My son didn't get any financial aid either. It is very depressing. I was also thinking how much my grocery bill will be going up this summer with five kids home. We don't do camps because how on earth would I afford it?

 

[DisneyDawnNH]

I do remember reviewing the paperwork and to qualify for free lunch at school the requirements were less than $27k annually for a household of 3 or 5 or something like that. You couldn't live with shelter, heat and food in New Hampshire for $27K a year without lots of assistance I imagine!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

This might of been aimed at me. We qualify for reduced meals, and own DVC. We bought a small amount of points, paid for in cash, by saving up. We bought enough points, that we can go every other year, by banking and borrowing points and staying during the value season.

We do have a vacation savings plan. For instance.. if I tell DH today.. "I'm in the mood to go out to eat.".. but we talk it over.. and come up with a quick, easy dinner.. we instantly transfer the money we *would* of spent eating out to the savings account. We also transfer part of every pay check to the savings. DH also sells on etsy, and that money goes into the savings account.

That makes sense. Thanks for the explanation.

 

[Plantlady]

So that makes it okay to cheat the system?

And if you qualify for reduced lunches, how in the world did you ever afford DVC??

Well, frankly, I don't see it as cheating the system. The cutoff is $45,000.

Would I like to make more than that? Absolutely, but they just don't pay teachers all that well. I view it as using services that are available to me, as a citizen of this country and state. Anyone is welcome to disagree with me. I will sleep well at night.

I've already stated it, but I'll state it again.. We bought a small amount of points on DVC. Enough to go for 5 days, every other year, during value season. We paid for it in cash, by saving our money. It took us 2 years to save up that money.

 

[hentob]

I do remember reviewing the paperwork and to qualify for free lunch at school the requirements were less than $27k annually for a household of 3 or 5 or something like that. You couldn't live with shelter, heat and food in New Hampshire for $27K a year without lots of assistance I imagine!

And yet, people making that amount of money are able to purchase DVC and make payments for a WDW vacation

Priorities

Wow. I just don't know how I could allow others to take care of my responsibilty (feeding my children breakfast and lunch on a daily basis) and then turn around and be able to afford DVC and take vacations.

Pride is different for each individual, I suppose

 

[flamestarrdust]

Well, frankly, I don't see it as cheating the system. The cutoff is $45,000.

Would I like to make more than that? Absolutely, but they just don't pay teachers all that well. I view it as using services that are available to me, as a citizen of this country and state. Anyone is welcome to disagree with me. I will sleep well at night.

I've already stated it, but I'll state it again.. We bought a small amount of points on DVC. Enough to go for 5 days, every other year, during value season. We paid for it in cash, by saving our money. It took us 2 years to save up that money.

I understand how you feel completely. The economy is bad right now. We save to get what we have including groceries. Our trip to WDW next year is something for the kids to look forward especially since we don't have a lot of money right now.

 

[Plantlady]

And yet, people making that amount of money are able to purchase DVC and make payments for a WDW vacation

Priorities

Wow. I just don't know how I could allow others to take care of my responsibilty (feeding my children breakfast and lunch on a daily basis) and then turn around and be able to afford DVC and take vacations.

Pride is different for each individual, I suppose

Different states have different guidelines. Something to consider.

We made less than 27,000 for several years, while in college. Those days, our vacations cost around $500. As we make more, we spend more. I don't think anyone here has claimed to make 27,000 and buy DVC and take extravagant vacations, while "someone else" feeds their kids.

 

[hentob]

I've already stated it, but I'll state it again.. We bought a small amount of points on DVC. Enough to go for 5 days, every other year, during value season. We paid for it in cash, by saving our money. It took us 2 years to save up that money.

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

 

[Plantlady]

I understand how you feel completely. The economy is bad right now. We save to get what we have including groceries. Our trip to WDW next year is something for the kids to look forward especially since we don't have a lot of money right now.

and planning is fun too! We put a lot of energy all year long into planning our vacations. It only helps make vacations more fun, and it extends the adventure!

We take turns picking vacation destinations in our house. DH, then me, then three DS all pick together.

They've already decided for next year. We've started ordering literature to read, and will start watching programs on tv about our new exciting destination. The boys have so much fun looking forward to the vacations! We will read about the different national parks we will visit, and learn about all of the wonderful things that we can see.

 

[flamestarrdust]

Different states have different guidelines. Something to consider.

We made less than 27,000 for several years, while in college. Those days, our vacations cost around $500. As we make more, we spend more. I don't think anyone here has claimed to make 27,000 and buy DVC and take extravagant vacations, while "someone else" feeds their kids.

I'm not sure what the exact guidelines are for NC (where I live) but I do know my fiance makes $40,000 a year (maybe a little more or a little less). We have two daughters. And since I have been unable to find proper employment due to economy issues, he supports me, himself, the two kids and his mom. And we qualify for free lunch/breakfast for the kids at school. Once I am able to find employment, this may change. But I do know about two yrs ago, when he was still married to his ex. It was him, the wife, her daughter and our two kids. She went to school full time and didn't work so he support himself, her plus 3 kids and they qualified for it too and his salary was only a couple thousand less than now. But as Plantlady said, I would guess this is different for other states.

 

[flamestarrdust]

and planning is fun too! We put a lot of energy all year long into planning our vacations. It only helps make vacations more fun, and it extends the adventure!

We take turns picking vacation destinations in our house. DH, then me, then three DS all pick together.

They've already decided for next year. We've started ordering literature to read, and will start watching programs on tv about our new exciting destination. The boys have so much fun looking forward to the vacations! We will read about the different national parks we will visit, and learn about all of the wonderful things that we can see.

We do this, too. The kids and my fiance have never been to WDW before. So we watch the specials about it on the Travel Channel and order lots of WDW info. I take them to websites such as this one so they can read about rides, restaurants and other things going on at WDW. It really makes them feel better even when money is tight.