Summer budget panic!

[kgc07]

And this is coming from a Democrat!

As far as I know, Democrats support government programs for people who are in NEED of them. The government programs were never meant for people who recieve them to be able to afford vactions (if you are able to spend money on vacations, you are not in NEED of government assistance). They are supposed to be for people who, without them, could otherwise not afford to feed their family.

 

[dimimi]

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.

When I was a kid, money was tight and we NEVER went to Disney. We had fun trips. We would go somewhere for one or 2 nights and maybe to a local amusement park. Oh, and we didn't get free lunches. My parents saved money so they could help me pay for college. Trust me, the kids aren't suffering to not go to disney.

 

[tarheel618]

Lets just save all our benifits for the illegal immigrants, right? They really need them!

Wait a minute. As long as they meet the guidelines why would YOU have a problem with it. After all this has been your defense that YOU meet the guidelines, so if they meet the guidelines WHY would you have a problem with that?

There is flaw in your thinking. After all if you're entitled why not everyone else legal or not or maybe you're worried they are taking a cut of your action.

 

[dimimi]

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??

Sorry, but you aren't blessed enough to afford it if tax payers are paying for your kids lunch. If we had lower taxes we could go to disney more! Also, your kids can have a great look on their faces doing other fun things with their family!

 

[hentob]

never mind.

I think we're at a stalemate.

You'll never see where I'm coming from. I'll never agree that I'm an immoral person. Life will go on.

But, does the fact that MANY people are shedding some light on what you are doing make you even rethink your actions?

 

[Frankiesmom]

exactly! I think that the illegals are more entitled then people paying for their DVC instead of feeding their kids during the school year and then b**tching about having to spend their own cash for the summer! I would rather the immigrants got the $$$ then a ??? I can't even find the words...

 

[Mom2Nick]

Maybe someone can make a list for us.. what are we allowed to spend our money on.

Then all our troubles will be solved.

Pay for ALL your necessities first, luxuries second. It's a common sense practice most people have.

 

[Plantlady]

You have just run out of excuses on why it is acceptable to take money from the governent and then go on nice vacations.

But, does the fact that MANY people are shedding some light on what you are doing make you even rethink your actions?

Nope. I have never felt I had to *excuse* myself in anyway. It is actually just a handful of people doing the attacking.

This board is designed for people to come up with ideas on how to save money/budget money, ect. It is not meant as a place to bully other people, and tell them that they are immoral, criticize their values, accuse people of being bad parents, and inform people that they are the reason for the current state of the government.

I am done trying to explain my point of view though. Because as immoral as you think I am, that is how close minded I think other people are. Stalemate meaning.. we will not ever agree to agree. What good is it to continue to run around in a circle.

 

[Plantlady]

You are absolutely grasping at straws.

no, not really.

The government is attempting to fix the state of the economy, by boosting it. It's assistance. What do you think it is?

 

[iheartdisney]

Wait a minute. As long as they meet the guidelines why would YOU have a problem with it. After all this has been your defense that YOU meet the guidelines, so if they meet the guidelines WHY would you have a problem with that?

There is flaw in your thinking. After all if you're entitled why not everyone else legal or not or maybe you're worried they are taking a cut of your action.

This is WAYYYY OT, I used it as an example of how quickly this thread was going straight down-hill. PM me if you want to know my objections to illegal immigration.
The only govt. program I use is WIC. And I am on it because when we had to take the Navy's "budgeting for babies class", This is one of the first items on the list. You are entilted to WIC, use it. Otherwise, I never would have thought to apply. And at the WIC office, they have never asked me what my summer plans were. When was the last time I left my home. Because it is irrelevant to the program. The requirements are how many people are in your family? and What is your family income?
And even though the question was adressed to someone else, I'll answer.

But, does the fact that MANY people are shedding some light on what you are doing make you even rethink your actions?

No, because I'm doing nothing wrong, illegal or immoral. There has been no light shed in this thread, other than how extremely judgemental complete strangers can be!

 

[Frankiesmom]

You're not even the OP. So- stop hijacking this thread!

 

[AnninIowa]

*RING, RING*

"Hello, this is Suze Orman! Thanks for calling The Suze Orman show and the 'Can I Afford' it segment. What is it you would like to buy?"

"Well, Suze, my husband and I would like to take our family to Walt Disney World. We really want a vacation, and the total cost would be $2000."

"Girlfriend, show me the money!"

"Well, my husband and I both work full time, but we have nothing in savings and it's hard to make ends meat. We basically live paycheck to paycheck. However, we save some money on food as our kids qualify for government-sponsored school lunches. Plus we take them to Sam's Club for the free samples. The money we don't spend on food then goes into saving for Walt Disney World."

"So Suze, can we afford it???"

"Girlfriend, you are DENIED! DENIED! DENIED!!! YOU CANNOT AFFORD IT!!!! Are you kidding me? You have NO money in savings, you can't even afford to put food on the table, and you are asking me if you can take a vacation! Don't you dare, do you hear me?!"

*CLICK*

 

[Mouse House Mama]

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?

When you are not on government assistance I don't care what you spend your money on. When I have to subsidize you then I would think it would be obvious what you should be spending money on.

 

[tarheel618]

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.

Yes, we know you can afford it~it's that you choose not to and expect others to pick up the tab.

 

[dimimi]

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.

They wouldn't have to "suffer" if you weren't using the stimulus check and tax refund for Disney or any vacation. YOu could afford daycare for the summer, your could have a bday party and you wouldn't have to scrape food together! This is the budget board and perhaps these are things you aren't realizing. You said you are staying with a friend. If you can't afford your current housing situation and still help your mom...then you need to save the stimulus check and the tax refund so you don't have to live with friends. Your kids are 10. They will have fun at a swimming pool!

 

[Aurora D]

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

I know what you mean about pride. I am all about accepting help when you need it. I received WIC when my kids were small. My DH was disabled and I was going to college and waitressing to pay the bills. We did not take vacations to Disneyworld. Also, we qualified for free lunch for years, but I never signed up for it because I did not want my children to ever feel less than. If kids are brought up accepting "entitlements" to programs(and thinking that's normal)they are more apt to perpetuate it as adults.
I know that my own parents would have shamed me if I bought DVC, went to Disney- yet accepted assistance to feed my kids.

 

[hentob]

Yes, we know you can afford it~it's that you choose not to and expect others to pick up the tab.

Now--Does this PERFECT statement above make anyone rethink what they are doing?

If you CAN afford to feed your children, WHY aren't you?

It's so simple. Give your children the money for lunch. Give your children the money for breakfast. DON'T use a government assistance program if you DON'T have to! That is just a gross thing to do.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Now--Does this PERFECT statement above make anyone rethink what they are doing?

If you CAN afford to feed your children, WHY aren't you?

Well Duh! Because they are "entitled" to assistance.
Silly!

 

[Hayloburger]

*RING, RING*

"Hello, this is Suze Orman! Thanks for calling The Suze Orman show and the 'Can I Afford' it segment. What is it you would like to buy?"

"Well, Suze, my husband and I would like to take our family to Walt Disney World. We really want a vacation, and the total cost would be $2000."

"Girlfriend, show me the money!"

"Well, my husband and I both work full time, but we have nothing in savings and it's hard to make ends meat. We basically live paycheck to paycheck. However, we save some money on food as our kids qualify for government-sponsored school lunches. Plus we take them to Sam's Club for the free samples. The money we don't spend on food then goes into saving for Walt Disney World."

"So Suze, can we afford it???"

"Girlfriend, you are DENIED! DENIED! DENIED!!! YOU CANNOT AFFORD IT!!!! Are you kidding me? You have NO money in savings, you can't even afford to put food on the table, and you are asking me if you can take a vacation! Don't you dare, do you hear me?!"

*CLICK*[/QUO

Priceless!! Boy does this sum up this thread and accurately too!!!!!!

 

[hentob]

Well Duh! Because they are "entitled" to assistance.
Silly!

This is why our country is going to hell in a handbasket

So depressing.

Sigh.