Summer budget panic!

[sha_lyn]

I "deem" feeding your own child a necessity So sad for your child that you don't consider that a priority.

And since I provide for your child (you can't feed them without MY money, but you can pay your DVC dues ) I will comment on what you should be doing with the cash that you don't use to feed your child

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

My two kids are totally killing my budget.

And they've been out of school for two weeks. I'm so scr*wed....


this is the first time I've tried to budget over the summer. I've been doing the "No Buy" thread since september, doing ok (better than not doing it at all and one month I came in way under), but man, having kids around, wow.

Hey girls, want some ramen noodle soup????

ps: Whoa, just reading backward on this thread, and whoooaaaaa......

 

[Plantlady]

I "deem" feeding your own child a necessity So sad for your child that you don't consider that a priority.

And since I provide for your child (you can't feed them without MY money, but you can pay your DVC dues ) I will comment on what you should be doing with the cash that you don't use to feed your child

Hmm. Interesting. Not sure when I said feeding my children wasn't a priority.

I'm still interested in seeing what everyone who things I'm so very immoral thinks I'm allowed to spend my money on. I had no idea I needed to get permission to spend it, since I am using a government program that is available in my state to anyone that makes $45,000 or less.

I pay LESS than a trip out to eat monthly for my DVC dues. Am I allowed to go out to eat? Do you honestly think that most people that qualify for government programs don't splurge in one way or another? Be it a trip out to eat, a trip to the movies, bowling.. ANYTHING? Are they suppose to stay cooped up in their home 24/7, only leaving to go to work? Just because everyone's stereotypical view of my splurge equals large quantities of money does not mean that is what it is in reality.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

My two kids are totally killing my budget.

And they've been out of school for two weeks. I'm so scr*wed....


this is the first time I've tried to budget over the summer. I've been doing the "No Buy" thread since september, doing ok (better than not doing it at all and one month I came in way under), but man, having kids around, wow.

Hey girls, want some ramen noodle soup????

ps: Whoa, just reading backward on this thread, and whoooaaaaa......

I will say that when you really pay attention to what you are spending it seems to slow it down to a halt. Of course with the price of gas we don't go out as much anymore either. The one positive is that it is forcing me to be much more creative. How old are your kids? Is it a food issue or activity issue?

 

[Plantlady]

I don't think ANY vacation is acceptable if you CANNOT AFFORD FOOD!!!!

I was only stating what others suggested previously.. as vacation alternatives that were acceptable to them.

I actually never stated I could not afford food. No one has ever gone without or come anywhere near going without food. We would not take vacations, if we couldn't come up with a way to feed the family. With that, I do agree.

 

[Plantlady]

That was me that posted about McDonalds. Just used that as an example, we don't really eat there that much but again, it is my money that I earned and I can spend it any way I want. even McDonalds.

I have to work a second job to be able to put change in the jar. The rest goes to feeding, clothing, educating, putting a roof over my offsprings' heads. Spend YOUR money the way you want. However, services from the government is for people truly in need. Not for people to save for trips (any trip, even camping).

I agree.. You can spend your money any way you want. That was my point all along.

 

[iheartdisney]

I said ABUSING government assistance programs. I think the programs are great, it's just too bad that people can't use a moral compass when using them.

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!

 

[LotsOfQuestions]

Hmm. Interesting. Not sure when I said feeding my children wasn't a priority.

I'm still interested in seeing what everyone who things I'm so very immoral thinks I'm allowed to spend my money on. I had no idea I needed to get permission to spend it, since I am using a government program that is available in my state to anyone that makes $45,000 or less.

I pay LESS than a trip out to eat monthly for my DVC dues. Am I allowed to go out to eat? Do you honestly think that most people that qualify for government programs don't splurge in one way or another? Be it a trip out to eat, a trip to the movies, bowling.. ANYTHING? Are they suppose to stay cooped up in their home 24/7, only leaving to go to work? Just because everyone's stereotypical view of my splurge equals large quantities of money does not mean that is what it is in reality.

Yup!
I know plenty of people who are really struggling who do exactly that. They cannot afford to go to the movies, go out to dinner, and yes, except for free outings to the park, they stay cooped up in their houses.

It is called Fiscal Responsibility.

 

[Karalea]

All school year long, both of my DS's ate both breakfast (free federal program) and lunch (reduced price) at school. Now, it is starting to dawn on me that they are going to be home for both these meals.....all summer long!
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. That way there will be no surprises, no whining.....and I will know exactly what to buy at the grocery store. I think we will compromise - they will have to have at least 3-4 cold cereal breakfasts, a couple of pancake/waffle breakfasts, and then two days a week we'll do something "special" like omelets or fruit smoothies. Ditto lunch, half the time they'll have to deal with cold sandwiches with a side of fruit and whatever chips are on sale, and then the other days we'll try and be more original.
I also started a new thing last summer that worked out really well - I filled a tote in the back of our van with things like cheese and cracker snacks (Handi Snacks), granola bars, fruit snacks and Roaring water pouches. That way when we are out and about and the kids decide they need a snack, we aren't tempted to stop at the store or drive thru anywhere.
I am really hoping that I don't see our grocery bill spike, I love summer, but I forget how much these boys can EAT!!

Please read the original post before you post anymore judgemental comments.
Please point out where she said she can't afford to feed her kids and was putting a trip to Disney above feeding them.

 

[LotsOfQuestions]

My two kids are totally killing my budget.

And they've been out of school for two weeks. I'm so scr*wed....


this is the first time I've tried to budget over the summer. I've been doing the "No Buy" thread since september, doing ok (better than not doing it at all and one month I came in way under), but man, having kids around, wow.

Hey girls, want some ramen noodle soup????

ps: Whoa, just reading backward on this thread, and whoooaaaaa......
_________________
Latest: Vero Beach April 5-11 Next: Villas at Wilderness Lodge December 2008

I give up.

This is why I don't visit the budget board often. Somebody says they are screwed, feeding their kids ramen soup, then I read their siggie.

I will hope these were/are family paid-for vacations from a benevolent family members.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Yup!
I know plenty of people who are really struggling who do exactly that. They cannot afford to go to the movies, go out to dinner, and yes, except for free outings to the park, they stay cooped up in their houses.

It is called Fiscal Responsibility.

You know those people too?

 

[luvindisneyworld]

What is it I'm allowed to spend my money on.. in your mind?

Can I have a phone? Can I get my car fixed? Mortgage? Or should I not be allowed to buy a house.. because YOU are paying for my kids to eat?

Where do you draw the line?

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.

 

[LotsOfQuestions]

I was only stating what others suggested previously.. as vacation alternatives that were acceptable to them.

I actually never stated I could not afford food. No one has ever gone without or come anywhere near going without food. We would not take vacations, if we couldn't come up with a way to feed the family. With that, I do agree.

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?

 

[Frankiesmom]

I have to agree with all the other posters- if I was in the position where I had to accept free/reduced price lunches I darn sure wouldn't be planning a WDW trip!!! And I wouldn't be on here whining that since it was summer that I actually had to feed my own kids with my own $$$?? Are you for real? A box of eggo waffles is $1.99 add a 1/2 gal of OJ for $2.50 and some syrup @ 1.59 and you're set; lunches some bologna and cheese with mayo or mustard and some bread and an apple won't set you back very much-and water is basically free!!! You have got a screw loose- sell your DVC and then feed your kids without mooching off the govt!!!

 

[hentob]

Umm. Wait. Are we agreeing?

Dear me oh my

 

[Plantlady]

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!

 

[sha_lyn]

Umm. Wait. Are we agreeing?

Dear me oh my

I think we need a fainting smiley LOL

 

[LotsOfQuestions]

Please read the original post before you post anymore judgemental comments.
Please point out where she said she can't afford to feed her kids and was putting a trip to Disney above feeding them.

She changed the title to the thread.

It originally said she was in a Budget CRISIS.

This implied that she was in a crisis because her kids were now home for the summer and no longer were on the free and reduced food plan.

 

[Plantlady]

I have to agree with all the other posters- if I was in the position where I had to accept free/reduced price lunches I darn sure wouldn't be planning a WDW trip!!! And I wouldn't be on here whining that since it was summer that I actually had to feed my own kids with my own $$$?? Are you for real? A box of eggo waffles is $1.99 add a 1/2 gal of OJ for $2.50 and some syrup @ 1.59 and you're set; lunches some bologna and cheese with mayo or mustard and some bread and an apple won't set you back very much-and water is basically free!!! You have got a screw loose- sell your DVC and then feed your kids without mooching off the govt!!!

I'm pretty sure I'm the only person that stated I have DVC here. At no point did I ever even imply that it was a burden to feed my children.

I pay less for my DVC dues on a montly basis than that meal you suggested. Also, I could make that same meals for about 1/4 the price, which allows me to save my money.

Now, I just need to find what is acceptable for me to spend my saved money on, without causing the DIS to attack.

 

[hentob]

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?

Agreed. Did anybody FORCE you to fill out the application for free/reduce lunch/breakfast?

A long time ago, these government programs were put into place to help the children whose parents could not afford to feed them. People would try NOT to qualify and even if they did, they would rather die than admit they needed help giving food to their wee ones.

Now we have people wondering how to feed their children during the summer , since the school feeds them all year long Now we have people who have luxury time shares, but allow the government to pay for their children to eat.

Sickening.

Where has the pride gone in the USA?