Summer budget panic!

[dogluva]

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.

It doesn't work for our budget! Please, get real. You can't afford to pay for your children's lunch but you can afford the dining plan???? Please stop with the excuses.

 

[RLccweems]

 

[noodleknitter]

If your definition of "scrimping and saving" is taking benefits to feed your kids while banking the savings, that's not being blessed, that's playing the system.

Do you think about the behavior you're modeling for them? If their only framework for savings is to save 51 weeks a year and have a fun time the 52nd week, then start all over again... is that a life lesson you really want to teach? You also have the immediate example of having to support a parent who was not prepared for the unexpected twist of fate -- doesn't that make you want to dig down and make sure your kids aren't in the same boat 30 years from now?

They won't be permanently scarred if they don't go to WDW until they're in their 20s -- I didn't. We only did day trip vacations when I was a kid -- my parents were putting aside money for our educations and their retirement, so now I'm happy to say that in my middle age as I'm trying to manage in this economy I don't have to support my widowed mom. And I thank her for that.

All the way around.

I'd rather my kids be reared with a sense of responsibility than a sense of entitlement.

 

[noodleknitter]

My kids aren't embarassed by it. One, because it's all they've ever known since the financial situation has ALWAYS been difficult and Two, because pretty much every other kid in their grade gets it, too.

they know finances are rough, but that they get to go to WDW anyway? WTHeck?

 

[Mouse House Mama]

It doesn't work for our budget! Please, get real. You can't afford to pay for your children's lunch but you can afford the dining plan???? Please stop with the excuses.

Well if you get an extra bun and hit the fixins bar....

 

[Plantlady]

I'll be super positive to....be sure to have fun on that Disneyland trip that so many of us here are helping you pay for.

We might be at Disneyland next year to. If I see you, I'll say hello.

Well, yes, we're going to Disneyland. We'll also be stopping at 7 different national parks along the way. Disneyland is only 3 days of our vacation. So, yes.. I do view this summers vacation as educational, with some Disney in the middle.

 

[dogluva]

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??

Are you serious?? No, not everyone does deserve to see their children's face only the ones who can AFFORD it. The bottom line is, you feed, clothe, house, educate and take care of your child's basic needs (feeding is one of them) and then you have money for extras like a family vacation. If you can't afford to buy your children lunch (I pay 1.75 for five children daily), then you can't afford to go on vacation (expecially Disney, give me a break).

 

[flamestarrdust]

It doesn't work for our budget! Please, get real. You can't afford to pay for your children's lunch but you can afford the dining plan???? Please stop with the excuses.

I use one service from the government and I'm a bad person for wanting my kids to go on vacation? A vacation, that btw, we haven't signed up for yet because we don't know if we can? I come on the budget board here in order to find ways to save for them to go. And as I said before, I didn't come on here to discuss my reasons for them being part of that program or to explain my financial situation to anyone who's never been a part of such programs. I came on here because of the original poster's topic about trying to find ways to save to feed the kids over the summertime.

 

[dogluva]

Yes, absolutely. Since we have a very small amount of points, we have a small annual fee. We account for that, by setting aside the money monthly.

Do you set aside money for your kids lunches? oh, that is right, you don't have to.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I use one service from the government and I'm a bad person for wanting my kids to go on vacation? A vacation, that btw, we haven't signed up for yet because we don't know if we can? I come on the budget board here in order to find ways to save for them to go. And as I said before, I didn't come on here to discuss my reasons for them being part of that program or to explain my financial situation to anyone who's never been a part of such programs. I came on here because of the original poster's topic about trying to find ways to save to feed the kids over the summertime.

If we all got just one service that would be a whole lot of money.

 

[Plantlady]

Just bolding this so others can see.-

I think if anyone WANTS to pay for food so they can eat they can.

I 100% agree.

 

[Plantlady]

Do you set aside money for your kids lunches? oh, that is right, you don't have to.

Actually, I do. Thanks for asking. I never said I got free lunches. I pay money to the school each and every month for my kids to eat lunch.

This is how I live life. Saving, budgeting, and prioritizing.

 

[LotsOfQuestions]

I am really trying to stay super positive here, but when did this post leave the land of "summer budget stretchers" and become a diatribe on who should be or should not be allowed to take vacations? How come all of sudden everyone who is eligible for reduced lunches is scamming the government? I am feeling a bit judged here, and while I am tempted to explain my entire family situation to prove I am not a criminal, won't. I just want to thank those who took the time to share their ideas for summer meals for my kids.

I think because your title is "Summer Budget Crisis".

You mention in your first line that the kids are on the Free and Reduced program. It implies you are in a crisis in having to feed your children without these programs, yet you have a trip counter for a trip to Disney in your signature.

So, by saying you are in a budget crisis, saying you rely on the free food program during the school year, but hell with it all - we are going to Disney, you touched a nerve.

The way I read your post was: We have a vacation Budget problem because we are not getting freebies this summer. Not a post requesting how to share budget meal ideas. If that was not correct, I apologize. But that is the way it came across.

I love the sharing of ideas on how to reduce grocery budgets. I think all income levels can benefit by this. There were some great ideas in some of the posts.

However, when people say they can't feed their children but then take big trips, and use the taxpayer's money to fund it, it trips people's triggers. Especially the ones who are paying for these Disney trips for the posters.

 

[flamestarrdust]

they know finances are rough, but that they get to go to WDW anyway? WTHeck?

Because they suffer as much as the adults do. This may be a little off topic, but we watch as the parent we support uses extra money to fund her cigarettes instead of buying extra groceries. Yet, I can't say I'm going to set aside some money so my kids can go to WDW because my kids are on a free breakfast/lunch program. Plus this past weekend we just moved and are staying with a friend until my mother in law's disability kicks in so we can continue to pay her bills. And in the meantime, until school starts I can't get a job because I can't afford daycare during the week. My kids watch as days go by where we can't afford a fancy bday party or when mommy is scraping together what she can in the kitchen to make dinner. So if I want to use my stimulus check and tax refund to take them on a trip, then I will. But who knows if we'll be able to do that because the money may end up having to go to something else once again and the kids will again watch as something they want to do can't happen once again. And in the meantime, me and their dad are doing everything we can to make sure they have better than we could. So what if we have to use the free breakfast/lunch program in the meantime? Which btw, is the only free government service we use.

 

[iheartdisney]

If the taxpayer is helping to fund the vacations by providing aid in other areas, then yes, you absolutely have an obligation to those taxpayers to explain why they are funding your meals and you can still afford to go on a luxury vacation.

If you were not using funds provided by others, then you would be right - you do not owe an explanation to anyone on how you use your funds.

But you and many here are not. You are using funds for your family that are provided by the United States of America, in otherwords, the citizens of the US.

And it is our obligation to monitor and question whether our taxes are being used in the way they were meant to be used.

I find it VERY ironic you can hold an opinion like this while supporting the most liberal and socialist candidates we've ever seen.

Let me stress, there is no abuse of system when someone qualifies for a government program like reduced lunches or WIC.
Abuse would be if the cutoff was $45,000, and I bring send in last years paycheck that shows I make less than I do. Or claiming dependants that don't live with you.
I qualify or most programs because my husband is enlisted in the military. So, since your taxmoney pays our salary (his military paycheck) should you have a say in what I do with my paycheck?
Seriously, who knew a Disney board could be so judgemental?

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Because they suffer as much as the adults do. This may be a little off topic, but we watch as the parent we support uses extra money to fund her cigarettes instead of buying extra groceries. Yet, I can't say I'm going to set aside some money so my kids can go to WDW because my kids are on a free breakfast/lunch program. Plus this past weekend we just moved and are staying with a friend until my mother in law's disability kicks in so we can continue to pay her bills. And in the meantime, until school starts I can't get a job because I can't afford daycare during the week. My kids watch as days go by where we can't afford a fancy bday party or when mommy is scraping together what she can in the kitchen to make dinner. So if I want to use my stimulus check and tax refund to take them on a trip, then I will. But who knows if we'll be able to do that because the money may end up having to go to something else once again and the kids will again watch as something they want to do can't happen once again. And in the meantime, me and their dad are doing everything we can to make sure they have better than we could. So what if we have to use the free breakfast/lunch program in the meantime? Which btw, is the only free government service we use.

But if you are scraping by to put food on the table how on Earth can you justify a trip?! Starve them all year for one week?!!!!

BTW- Once again- if we all used just one free service then that would equal a lot of money.

 

[mommytobug]

[/B]

Sure- if they are working and paying their own way not taking government money meant for people who are TRULY in need. So yeah- when I pay taxes that go to support people who really need it those are the people who should get it. Not people who think vacations to WDW are neccessities. Sorry but that is how I feel.

I am sorry, but I have to agree. When reading your post, I was sitting here thinking if I had all the money I have to pay for lunches all year, I would be able to add a nice lump to my vacation fund. But, I can't and I don't and so my $$ goes where it should go, to feed my dd. If part of budgeting for Disney is getting free lunches, it is not right.

 

[LotsOfQuestions]

DH has 1 full time job, 1 part time job, in which he's self employed and the state takes 40% of that revenue in taxes. I work two jobs as well. I also help out with his business. Four jobs, two parents. I guess we could give up sleeping? Instead though, we just budget well. .

If you are in the 40% tax bracket, you are making WAY more than the $45,000 per year that you said was your state cut-off.

 

[flamestarrdust]

But if you are scraping by to put food on the table how on Earth can you justify a trip?! Starve them all year for one week?!!!!

BTW- Once again- if we all used just one free service then that would equal a lot of money.

As I said before, the below trip in my siggie is not even reserved yet. We just plan on trying to get that vacation but it may or may not happen.

 

[Quest4fun]

If the taxpayer is helping to fund the vacations by providing aid in other areas, then yes, you absolutely have an obligation to those taxpayers to explain why they are funding your meals and you can still afford to go on a luxury vacation.

If you were not using funds provided by others, then you would be right - you do not owe an explanation to anyone on how you use your funds.

But you and many here are not. You are using funds for your family that are provided by the United States of America, in otherwords, the citizens of the US.

And it is our obligation to monitor and question whether our taxes are being used in the way they were meant to be used.

And this is coming from a Democrat!