Summer budget panic!

[HoneyBee06]

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?

Very good suggestion. I can only hope people will take it.

 

[krismom]

[QUOTE
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.[/QUOTE]

Good for you! I hope your family has a wonderful vacation- you don't owe anybody an explanation around here.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

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.

Okay- not trying to be rude here- just logical- but if you cannot afford groceries then how can you take a trip to WDW?

 

[HoneyBee06]

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 guess most people don't quite understand why the money for DVC points didn't go towards NEEDS. Vacations are a WANT. Food is a NEED.

I, personally, would LOVE to go to Disney every year. But we can't. We need to spend our money are necessary things like food and our house. For me, I'd feel pretty guilty about taxpayers essentially paying for my vacations. But that's just me, I guess.

 

[HoneyBee06]

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.

Why does one need to go to WDW? I understand that taking family trips is a good thing. But there are far more affordable places to go if you're on a budget. And as i stated in another post, vacations are a WANT.

 

[hentob]

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.

I am sure you get plenty of aid since you are not married and don't work and have children.

This mentality of "the kids DESERVE a trip to WDW", but we can't afford to feed them KILLS me.

Unreal.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Aren't there also annual fees for DVC?

 

[LotsOfQuestions]

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.

So, who do you think subsidizes these meals? Our taxes. Your taxes and MY taxes.

I also pay way more than $450.00 in state taxes. Way, way more. My kids do not get free lunches. So, basically, I am paying those state taxes to feed your kids while you buy DVC.

Did you ever think that by not abusing federally funded programs like this that all of us might not have to pay those high taxes?

I have absolutely no problem shelling out taxes to help families that need help because they are struggling.

But no family is struggling if they can buy DVC, even with saving for a couple of years.

Glad you can sleep at night. I wouldn't be able to.

 

[noodleknitter]

So, who do you think subsidizes these meals? Our taxes. Your taxes and MY taxes.

I also pay way more than $450.00 in state taxes. Way, way more. My kids do not get free lunches. So, basically, I am paying those state taxes to feed your kids while you buy DVC.

Did you ever think that by not abusing federally funded programs like this that all of us might not have to pay those high taxes?

I have absolutely no problem shelling out taxes to help families that need help because they are struggling.

But no family is struggling if they can buy DVC, even with saving for a couple of years.

Glad you can sleep at night. I wouldn't be able to.

Far too much logic. If there is money to put into savings for a trip, there is money to pay for your child's meals. Disney isn't a need, DVC isn't a need, food should be a need, but why worry about it when you can free load off of others?

 

[Mouse House Mama]

So, who do you think subsidizes these meals? Our taxes. Your taxes and MY taxes.

I also pay way more than $450.00 in state taxes. Way, way more. My kids do not get free lunches. So, basically, I am paying those state taxes to feed your kids while you buy DVC.

Did you ever think that by not abusing federally funded programs like this that all of us might not have to pay those high taxes?

I have absolutely no problem shelling out taxes to help families that need help because they are struggling.

But no family is struggling if they can buy DVC, even with saving for a couple of years.

Glad you can sleep at night. I wouldn't be able to.

This is a very true post. We too pay a fortune in taxes and my kids do not get free meals. Nor do I want them to. I don't have a problem with people who really need it but seriously- if you are going on vacations to WDW then you can afford the few dollars a week to feed your kid.

 

[flamestarrdust]

Okay- not trying to be rude here- just logical- but if you cannot afford groceries then how can you take a trip to WDW?

We haven't been able to do anything for the kids so far. I am making the down payment to WDW for our trip with my stimulus money coming next month. Since we've been supporting my mother in law, we haven't been able to afford anything. Now that we've moved, we are hoping things will change. But by no means have we been able to go to WDW or any other place for a vacation this year due to our financial situation. We didn't go anywhere last year either. I'm guessing that most of the rest of the money we put towards our trip will be our tax refunds. And most of time, we are able to get groceries. Not as much as I'd like and a lot of the time, we end up eating the same kind of stuff because we can't afford anything else. But my kids won't be kids forever and I want them to have a nice WDW vacation at least once in their lives. So I am going to scrimp and save to put aside what I can so they can go just once even if that means they end up on the free breakfast/lunch program again next year. But I would only do that as long as it is absolutely necessary. Once we are better off financially, then of course I would take them off that program but until then, I won't and I won't feel bad for putting money away so my kids can have one awesome trip to WDW. And I'm not trying to be rude either or upset anyone. I just want my kids to have at least one good thing to look forward to even when money is low. It's not their faults things are this way and they already have to suffer enough. I mean I don't think the kids like being on the free breakfast/lunch program. I remember kids being embarassed about it when I was a kid. But by no means, does this mean it's a bad thing to be on. In fact, it's becoming more common it seems in certain areas. My daughter's teacher told me about the school having to even supply deodorant to kids at the school because their parents couldn't afford it. Things are just really tight for a lot of people right now.

 

[ObsessedwiththeMouse]

I have decided that I am going to sit down with them to get a handful of breakfast/lunch options, and then we will write up a "menu" similar to what they have at school.

I just wanted to say that I do this for dinner and it's an excellent way to get organized for meals. I was so tired of going to the grocery store, spending a few hundred dollars and coming home with either junk or not every ingredient that I needed for dinner.

I plan my menu for 2 weeks out and then compile my grocery list, along with added lunch/breakfast necessities. This way, I don't go to the store and bring back unnecessary items and I also have every ingredient I'll need for dinner!

Good luck with your menu!

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

This thread has given me a new respect for my good friend who would EASILY qualify for any free program that she wanted for her kids, but who takes NONE of them. She has twins on Neocate or whatever that $$$ formula is called, and I was bugging her to apply for WIC to get free formula. She refused, and now I see why. She is struggling but is finding a way to pay for it on her own. I how applaud her, and I won't ever bug her to sign up for WIC again after reading this thread.

 

[flamestarrdust]

I am sure you get plenty of aid since you are not married and don't work and have children.

This mentality of "the kids DESERVE a trip to WDW", but we can't afford to feed them KILLS me.

Unreal.

Actually, I don't get any aid since we aren't married. And I wouldn't apply for it either even if I qualified. The only aid we get is free breakfast/lunch for the kids.

 

[HoneyBee06]

We haven't been able to do anything for the kids so far. I am making the down payment to WDW for our trip with my stimulus money coming next month. Since we've been supporting my mother in law, we haven't been able to afford anything. Now that we've moved, we are hoping things will change. But by no means have we been able to go to WDW or any other place for a vacation this year due to our financial situation. We didn't go anywhere last year either. I'm guessing that most of the rest of the money we put towards our trip will be our tax refunds. And most of time, we are able to get groceries. Not as much as I'd like and a lot of the time, we end up eating the same kind of stuff because we can't afford anything else. But my kids won't be kids forever and I want them to have a nice WDW vacation at least once in their lives. So I am going to scrimp and save to put aside what I can so they can go just once even if that means they end up on the free breakfast/lunch program again next year. But I would only do that as long as it is absolutely necessary. Once we are better off financially, then of course I would take them off that program but until then, I won't and I won't feel bad for putting money away so my kids can have one awesome trip to WDW. And I'm not trying to be rude either or upset anyone. I just want my kids to have at least one good thing to look forward to even when money is low. It's not their faults things are this way and they already have to suffer enough. I mean I don't think the kids like being on the free breakfast/lunch program. I remember kids being embarassed about it when I was a kid. But by no means, does this mean it's a bad thing to be on. In fact, it's becoming more common it seems in certain areas. My daughter's teacher told me about the school having to even supply deodorant to kids at the school because their parents couldn't afford it. Things are just really tight for a lot of people right now.

I wonder if those parents that can't afford deoderant are taking their kids to WDW.

 

[hentob]

Actually, I don't get any aid since we aren't married. And I wouldn't apply for it either even if I qualified. The only aid we get is free breakfast/lunch for the kids.

But you have to fill an application out for free lunch

Why did you fill out an application that says "I can't afford to feed my kids"?

 

[Mouse House Mama]

We haven't been able to do anything for the kids so far. I am making the down payment to WDW for our trip with my stimulus money coming next month. Since we've been supporting my mother in law, we haven't been able to afford anything. Now that we've moved, we are hoping things will change. But by no means have we been able to go to WDW or any other place for a vacation this year due to our financial situation. We didn't go anywhere last year either. I'm guessing that most of the rest of the money we put towards our trip will be our tax refunds. And most of time, we are able to get groceries. Not as much as I'd like and a lot of the time, we end up eating the same kind of stuff because we can't afford anything else. But my kids won't be kids forever and I want them to have a nice WDW vacation at least once in their lives. So I am going to scrimp and save to put aside what I can so they can go just once even if that means they end up on the free breakfast/lunch program again next year. But I would only do that as long as it is absolutely necessary. Once we are better off financially, then of course I would take them off that program but until then, I won't and I won't feel bad for putting money away so my kids can have one awesome trip to WDW. And I'm not trying to be rude either or upset anyone. I just want my kids to have at least one good thing to look forward to even when money is low. It's not their faults things are this way and they already have to suffer enough. I mean I don't think the kids like being on the free breakfast/lunch program. I remember kids being embarassed about it when I was a kid. But by no means, does this mean it's a bad thing to be on. In fact, it's becoming more common it seems in certain areas. My daughter's teacher told me about the school having to even supply deodorant to kids at the school because their parents couldn't afford it. Things are just really tight for a lot of people right now.

Sorry but I know this is going to get me in trouble- You cannot buy groceries but you will put your tax stimulus and refunds and any extra money towards a trip?! Many children have survived and even thrived without going to WDW. Honestly that is disgusting.

 

[flamestarrdust]

Why does one need to go to WDW? I understand that taking family trips is a good thing. But there are far more affordable places to go if you're on a budget. And as i stated in another post, vacations are a WANT.

Honestly, WDW works best for my family because we can make payments and the trip includes food as well if you get the Disney Dining Plan. So everything can pretty much be paid in advance over a period of time. Sure, we could go cheaper places but we would end up eating the same stuff we always do and not have any money for outside activities. But with WDW, my kids get great food that we normally wouldn't have and tons of things to do without any extra fees. Like, I said before, WDW's vacations include all these things which is why I love them even more. Their vacations work best for different kinds of household budgets.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I wonder if those parents that can't afford deoderant are taking their kids to WDW.

Of course! They stay at the Grand Floridian!

 

[Grumpy'sWife4Ever]

Gosh, I sure didn't mean to bring up a topic that would cause people to start pointing fingers at others. I was just saying that summer makes the old grocery budget tighter. I thought maybe some of my ideas would help out those in the same boat. If your aren't in the boat, good for you!!
I didn't mean for anyone to start asking for justification for something as wonderful as a family vacation. I don't think that any of us owe an explanation as to why we would chose to take our kids to Disney.....If it is something we make a priority, if we scrimp and save and put all extra money aside so that we can take a memorable family trip while our children are young enough to enjoy it, and we are blessed enough to able to do so, then I certainly don't feel I need to explain myself. Isn't this kind of what the "budget board" is all about? Tips on making our dream vacations possible? True, some of us have to budget more than others. But in the end, doesn't everyone deserve a chance to see their children's faces as they visit the Mouse??