Tell me I can do this

[KigerKat]

I think it's so sad as she was looking for help from us, and we all got sucked into all this rudest...

I've never understood why people have to be so mean on a message board. I guess it's because it's anonymous. I bet if we were all sitting around a table, this conversation would be completely different.

I try to take all the posts I read at face value. I don't know the person writing the post. Sure, they can lie or withhold disclosing all information (like who was paying for her trip), but seriously - why does it matter to the rest of us?

 

[nunzia]

But didn't she also say she could get more money from her husband if she needed to, she just didn't want to?

Funny thing about the internet, people read things differently. I read it she always goes over budget, has to get more from her husband. And this time she wants to try to not have to do that.

Yep..that's how I read it and said so about 12 pages back Now the kids are in a Dickens movie asking for gruel and will grow up with rickets since OP is trying to cut her food budget. Wow..she said previously that she knew she needed to work on her budgeting and I admire that. I also admire that even though it's clear she has been borrowing from the next months budget for awhile. I think she said many many pages back, that this had been going on for awhile..so she borrows from the next month, which makes that month short, so then needs to borrow more from the next month and so on until she has found herself having very little money for June..unless she borrows from July, which she doesn't want to do. Simple as that..she is trying to get her grocery budget back on track. Everything else read into this is just silly and slippery slope. Bottom line, of course she can do it and no one will go to bed hungry. Then come July she'll have her whole grocery budget in hand. Maybe it will need to be revised, but she didn't ask that. There have been a lot of good suggestions (and yes, please don't give the little one popcorn..or grapes, uncooked carrots, nuts, hot dogs, unpeeled apples, orange sections or marshmallows for that matter)

 

[pumpkinmomma]

If she didn't spend it all, then where did it go? Obviously her normal grocery budget is not $60 a month. If that's all she has left, she spent that money on something.

 

[thelionqueen]

I've never understood why people have to be so mean on a message board. I guess it's because it's anonymous. I bet if we were all sitting around a table, this conversation would be completely different.

I try to take all the posts I read at face value. I don't know the person writing the post. Sure, they can lie or withhold disclosing all information (like who was paying for her trip), but seriously - why does it matter to the rest of us?

 

[veraletta]

KigerKat
I've never understood why people have to be so mean on a message board. I guess it's because it's anonymous. I bet if we were all sitting around a table, this conversation would be completely different.

I try to take all the posts I read at face value. I don't know the person writing the post. Sure, they can lie or withhold disclosing all information (like who was paying for her trip), but seriously - why does it matter to the rest of us?



Yeah I guess thats why, as I wouldln't want anyone to see me as being mean...
I just hope for the best for her and her family.. I Pray that they have and enjoy the gift of their vacation, as we all know how much fun disney can be...

 

[punkin]

If she didn't spend it all, then where did it go? Obviously her normal grocery budget is not $60 a month. If that's all she has left, she spent that money on something.

From what I understood from OP's post...she dips into next month's food budget pretty much every month to cover this month's food budget.

Other people (who love to dig through old threads ) have said she spent it on other things.

Since this thread has turned quite rude almost from the very start, I doubt OP will be back with any info to enlighten us.

 

[punkin]

KigerKat
I've never understood why people have to be so mean on a message board. I guess it's because it's anonymous. I bet if we were all sitting around a table, this conversation would be completely different.

I try to take all the posts I read at face value. I don't know the person writing the post. Sure, they can lie or withhold disclosing all information (like who was paying for her trip), but seriously - why does it matter to the rest of us?



Yeah I guess thats why, as I wouldln't want anyone to see me as being mean...
I just hope for the best for her and her family.. I Pray that they have and enjoy the gift of their vacation, as we all know how much fun disney can be...

No. Some people are mean and relish their meanness. Certain people can sit around the table and tell you mean, horrible, rotten things to your face without so much as a blush of shame.

 

[sissy_ib]

I've never understood why people have to be so mean on a message board. I guess it's because it's anonymous. I bet if we were all sitting around a table, this conversation would be completely different.

I try to take all the posts I read at face value. I don't know the person writing the post. Sure, they can lie or withhold disclosing all information (like who was paying for her trip), but seriously - why does it matter to the rest of us?

Nope. If I knew the OP and she came to me asking about how to make $60 last a month I would tell her the same thing. In fact I had a family member going on about how she could not afford clothes for her kids. It took me all of 1 minute to point out her and her husband had gotten tattoos just a few months before and she should not waste her money when she needs to feed and clothe her children. I'm not one for sugar coating things to make people feel better about their bad decisions.

 

[leighe]

The OP clearly has budgeting problems based on this and on other threads. I don't think it is being "mean" to question information that she herself put out there. I think is is much "meaner" to enable people to make bad decisions or to encourage the "disney at all costs" mindset.

 

[Samar]

Just inventoried a bit. We have about 10 pounds of ground beef, 2 pounds of meatballs, 5 pounds of popcorn chicken, 2 gallon bags full of fish, enough fish fillets for 2 meals, 1 chicken, enough pork chops for 2 meals, 3 jars of spaghetti sauce, a big box of Bisquick, enough chicken nuggets for 2 meals, 10 pounds of potatoes, a full loaf of bread, random frozen veggies. I'm really thinking that I can make this happen. I know we need milk and toilet paper right now so I am going to try to come up with a menu and see how that goes before we head to the store.

And I forgot to add, we aren't feeding the 11 or 15 year old this month (except about 4 days) and my mom is paying for the 90% of our Disney trip that is not covered by my Disney gift cards.

I haven't read every single post but looks like you can start pre-making some meals and getting your children to try fruits and veggies. I do agree that maybe Disney should wait until you have some money stashed away in case of an emergency but that is only my 2 cents, not going to cross any lines and judge.

Find ways to incorporate fruits and veggies into the meals so your little ones would be willing to try it

 

[SaraJayne]

Nope. If I knew the OP and she came to me asking about how to make $60 last a month I would tell her the same thing. In fact I had a family member going on about how she could not afford clothes for her kids. It took me all of 1 minute to point out her and her husband had gotten tattoos just a few months before and she should not waste her money when she needs to feed and clothe her children. I'm not one for sugar coating things to make people feel better about their bad decisions.

 

[thelionqueen]

Being direct or not "sugar coating" things is completely different from judging someone. Honestly I don't think anyone has the right to tell someone how to live their life unless that person asks for that from you. Then, by all means, tell them exactly how you feel. However, when someone is engaging you in conversation how is it any of your business to tell them how to live their life? Does is SEEM like a bad decision to get tattoos and then complain about finances..of course it does, but you're ASSUMING the details of a situation and assuming they value your advice or opinion at all.

Being direct and not beating around the bush is a trait I value..but you can do things with respect and eloquence just as easily. There is a certain degree of using a "filter" necessary in every situation. Saying you don't sugar coat things doesn't make it ok to assume people want your opinion and/or to pass judgment.

 

[KigerKat]

Being direct or not "sugar coating" things is completely different from judging someone. Honestly I don't think anyone has the right to tell someone how to live their life unless that person asks for that from you. Then, by all means, tell them exactly how you feel. However, when someone is engaging you in conversation how is it any of your business to tell them how to live their life? Does is SEEM like a bad decision to get tattoos and then complain about finances..of course it does, but you're ASSUMING the details of a situation and assuming they value your advice or opinion at all.

Being direct and not beating around the bush is a trait I value..but you can do things with respect and eloquently just as easily. There is a certain degree of using a "filter" necessary in every situation. Saying you don't sugar coat things doesn't make it ok to assume people want your opinion and/or to pass judgment.

I couldn't have said it better myself!

 

[okeydokey]

Yeah I guess only the rich 1 % deserve a vacation, because they can afford it...The rest of us shouldn't even thing about it...

I am far from the 1%, but we work hard and pay all our bills and budget vacation money while having more than $15 a week for food. I would say it is the same for many, if not most, folks here.

 

[Samar]

I am far from the 1%, but we work hard and pay all our bills and budget vacation money while having more than $15 a week for food. I would say it is the same for many, if not most, folks here.

Exactly. Vacations like Disney are a LUXURY compared to staycations and local camping/activities. Some years you have money, some you don't. It's one thing if it's 2 adults that want to cram themselves into a teensy budget but when you have children, they come first and fore-most. Food, clothes (they grow like crazy!!!) and transportation for them if need be.

The OP has food, she just doesn't seem to want to cook or pre-make meals. Store made Ready made meals are $$ and if the OP has time to make some freezer meals and work around her picky eaters, then that can stretch the budget a little further.

OP, not ragging on you but when DH and I were newly married and then had an oops pregnancy (love my lil guy ), we were quickly thrown into a world of realizing that we came second and kids came first. Vacations can wait, food and clothing for the kids can not. After a couple years of hard times, we now have a comfortable emergency cushion and budget out vacations. Some years it's Disney and some it's the local theme parks and movies in the parks. I hurt for those who are literally living paycheck to paycheck because I remember those days very very clearly and I am hoping that we can guide our children not to fall into the same trap that we did.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I have not read the entire thread, mostly because I hate it when people get flamed for things that are no one's business. I don't care if she has a trip planned. Just because some people have a harder time making ends meet doesn't mean they don't deserve a wonderful vacation. I think those people (sometimes) deserve it more than anyone.

I've had a rough couple of years. I deserve a vacation.

I'm not taking one - it would be irresponsible of me - but I absolutely deserve a vacation.

 

[kaytieeldr]

No where did she say she spend all her money...

Right. She spent all her money budgeted for food AND gas for 29 days of June EXCEPT $80 dollars of it. Not all. It just appears that either she spent the bulk of her budget for June for TWO necessities, or that the typical amount she budgets for food AND the typical amount she budgets for gas are unreasonably low.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Tell that to the Make a Wish children and their families who are broke from hospital bills, when all they want is to be able to allow their child a moment, no matter how small, to forget that they may not have much longer to live and just enjoy being a child at Disney.

I'm sorry, but there are people out there who do deserve a vacation. I know this has absolutely nothing to do with the OP's original questions, but it just upsets me when someone makes a blanket statement like that when there are clearly various situations that would count as an exception. Yes, I chose an extreme situation, mainly to prove a point.

Okay, first, it's a Wish - not deserved.
Second, it's the patient's wish, not the parents', family's, or anyone else's. What's requested - and ideally granted - is one thing the ill person really wants.
Third - and I hope everybody is sitting down - the Wish isn't always a trip to Walt Disney World. Sometimes it's not even a trip!
Furthermore, while in an ideal world every wish is granted that's not always the case.

 

[kaytieeldr]

From her budgeted portion of funds - she just doesn't want to ask her hubby for more money than apparantly is allotted for groceries... yes she spent it poorly, yes she probably needs a better grasp on spending, her husband probably has told her this - or she would just suck it up and ask for more!! (And I could care less about having to ask him for money - their finances, their business- and it is obvious why it is that way IMHO!!)

I'm just curious - how much less could you care?

Her Mom or whomever is paying for most of their Disney trip - they are not destitute - she is not choosing Disney over feeding her kids - the money is there if she asks for it - she is just trying to not go that route!!

Everyone is so judgmental!! Who cares!!! She just was looking for budget tips on the budget board!!!

One of the budget tips some posters have offered is for the OP to stop using whatever part of the budget she's using to get 5% off Disney gift cards at Target, and spend it on food (apply it to the food budget) instead. Her mother is paying for the 90% of the trip the OP isn't paying for.

 

[beaucoup]

Oh, please. I am so sick of this. I spent 4 years in the Air Force and my husband is active duty Navy. That does not make us more deserving of anything.

Agreed. 30 years for DH & just home from Afghanistan & we don't think we deserve a WDW trip either. Actually, we just want to be HOME. Together. Home! Last thing he actually wants is to be away from home more right now.

And we don't deserve a vacation away either. He had his time off before returning to work as allowed by law, but no one owed us a trip anywhere just because he did his job.