Things that are blowing your budget

[bean29]

My husband would really hate for me yo say we can’t afford something. It is a Machismo thing and Mexicans are more dangerous (as far as fundraiser go)b/c they understand the cultural thing.

I do sometimes use it is not in the budget...I might use that-it may seem the same as can’t afford, but to me it says I chose to spend my $$ elsewhere.

[raeoflyte]

I'd tell them the company doesn't do sponsorships.  If you feel like offering a donation (skip the tshirt if you won't wear it), offer that instead personally--so you're separating yourself from the business, but if you don't want to do that which is totally okay, stick with Later's script.  I'd say less is more.  Can't do it this year--best of luck!  Not explaining that its if you can afford it or not.  Just can't do it.  Could be that you can't bear the idea of supporting their gymnastics team.  Lol.  

[laterbloomer]

Jan 17, 2019 17:58:37 GMT -5 bean29 said:

My husband would really hate for me yo say we can’t afford something. It is a Machismo thing and Mexicans are more dangerous (as far as fundraiser go)b/c they understand the cultural thing.

I do sometimes use it is not in the budget...I might use that-it may seem the same as can’t afford, but to me it says I chose to spend my $$ elsewhere.

Then you don't give any explanation "I'm going to pass this time, but good luck" Big smile!

[muttleynfelix]

I would state the company doesn't do sponsorships.

Then I would either buy the shirts (because I'm a sucker), or say sorry not at this time.

[Deleted]

Jan 17, 2019 5:27:10 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

At least he’s able to use the litter box now. Poor cat had gas along with other issues. The older this cat gets the more he reminds me of DH. Love bug. I had to laugh when she gave him an antacid shot. I was expecting Tums for felines.

I know exactly what you mean.  Since the Cat is a bit battle-scarred from his younger days and DH's face is all battered now.......  Plus they sound exactly the same on their respective litter boxes 

[nikiz628]

Jan 17, 2019 18:09:47 GMT -5 laterbloomer said:

Jan 17, 2019 17:58:37 GMT -5 bean29 said:

My husband would really hate for me yo say we can’t afford something. It is a Machismo thing and Mexicans are more dangerous (as far as fundraiser go)b/c they understand the cultural thing.

I do sometimes use it is not in the budget...I might use that-it may seem the same as can’t afford, but to me it says I chose to spend my $$ elsewhere.

Then you don't give any explanation "I'm going to pass this time, but good luck" Big smile!

This. It's not really anyone's business why you aren't purchasing/donating. Sometimes, I just don't even respond to group messages for fundraisers. If they hit me up again, then I would just say "can't right now, sorry" 

[Deleted]

I tend to buy the t-shirt.  But I usually ask my DIL/DD what size whatever kid wears.  So they end up with it, not me.  It is their activity, school, whatever.  Neither has ever turned me down.

If you really don't want it, contact the sponsor of this group and ask if you can just donate the cost of the t-shirt and have the $$$ split between the two girls.  If they get more than 50%, I will be stunned!

Fundraising is a racket.  I don't really even mean by the teams.  At least they are selling something and not standing outside Walmart with a bucket begging.  It is a racket for the fundraising companies.  They use these children as their minions and pay them at best half.  The percentage gets much worse.  

But it is how schools (and parents) fund the extras.  Our basketball team went to Alaska one year to play in a tournament.  On one level, that is awesome.  Most of these kids will never have another opportunity to see Alaska.  But it is an expensive trip.  And so they have to fundraise on the backs of their parents, friends, relatives, and teachers.

There is no easy solution except "Not this time!  Ask me another time, though."  Rinse and repeat.  Rinse and repeat.  

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Jan 17, 2019 19:16:11 GMT -5 @bamafan1954 said:

I tend to buy the t-shirt.  But I usually ask my DIL/DD what size whatever kid wears.  So they end up with it, not me.  It is their activity, school, whatever.  Neither has ever turned me down.

If you really don't want it, contact the sponsor of this group and ask if you can just donate the cost of the t-shirt and have the $$$ split between the two girls.  If they get more than 50%, I will be stunned!

Fundraising is a racket.  I don't really even mean by the teams.  At least they are selling something and not standing outside Walmart with a bucket begging.  It is a racket for the fundraising companies.  They use these children as their minions and pay them at best half.  The percentage gets much worse.  

But it is how schools (and parents) fund the extras.  Our basketball team went to Alaska one year to play in a tournament.  On one level, that is awesome.  Most of these kids will never have another opportunity to see Alaska.  But it is an expensive trip.  And so they have to fundraise on the backs of their parents, friends, relatives, and teachers.

There is no easy solution except "Not this time!  Ask me another time, though."  Rinse and repeat.  Rinse and repeat.  

So much this.  I remember my dad being utterly pissed that my Girl Scout troop got only pennies on the box of cookies.  I think he would have much rather just given the troop the $25 they got from my sale of cookies rather than deal with the hassle of me selling them.  

I had to go look.  In 2014, troops get 21% of the box of cookies, or around 0.80.  

[chapeau]

I’d give each great niece $10 toward the trip. But I don’t want the t-shirts.

[NastyWoman]

Jan 17, 2019 18:09:47 GMT -5 laterbloomer said:

Jan 17, 2019 17:58:37 GMT -5 bean29 said:

My husband would really hate for me yo say we can’t afford something. It is a Machismo thing and Mexicans are more dangerous (as far as fundraiser go)b/c they understand the cultural thing.

I do sometimes use it is not in the budget...I might use that-it may seem the same as can’t afford, but to me it says I chose to spend my $$ elsewhere.

Then you don't give any explanation "I'm going to pass this time, but good luck" Big smile!

 after the little correction I made. No sense in setting yourself up for requests until the end of time...

[geenamercile]

Yea I think I read that on a 5 dollar box of cookies they get 1.  I would rather give them 2, go to the store and buy a 2 dollar knock off (or the thin mints ones are 1) and save the extra.  But really we don't need cookies anyway.  Personally if you want to fund raise, come clean my bathrooms .  Our school clubs around here do a lot of car washes to raise money spring and fall.  Business let them set up outside, and they get to keep the full amount.  

Right now the budget busters seems to be paying and reserving things for the summer vacation.  But at least we are pretty set, and it should make summer cheaper right?  

[bean29]

My husband told the wrestling coach he wanted to “buy out” of their cookie dough fundraiser. The school did not like this idea at all. They made DH pay something like $500. He said it was the full cost of whatever DS would have sold.

But this is why I get PO’s by constant fundraising requests. We never asked anyone to buy anything but GS cookies.

If you want your kids to do club sports + girl scouts, boy scouts etc, you will need to fund it yourself.

[Deleted]

Jan 18, 2019 11:28:40 GMT -5 bean29 said:

My husband told the wrestling coach he wanted to “buy out” of their cookie dough fundraiser. The school did not like this idea at all. They made DH pay something like $500. He said it was the full cost of whatever DS would have sold.

But this is why I get PO’s by constant fundraising requests. We never asked anyone to buy anything but GS cookies.

If you want your kids to do club sports + girl scouts, boy scouts etc, you will need to fund it yourself.

I'm torn on this after being the treasurer for our Cub Scout Pack, because there are kids whose parents truly can't afford it and these are the kids that often benefit from these programs the most.  Popcorn sales is how we can keep the cost low for everyone in the Pack.  If we eliminated that, dues would have to go way up to cover not only the unit level, but the district and national as well.  While only 32% of sales went to the unit (12% to the Pack and 20% to the kid's account), another 35% went to the district.  Covering just the dues shorts the district. 

[muttleynfelix]

Jan 18, 2019 11:28:40 GMT -5 bean29 said:

My husband told the wrestling coach he wanted to “buy out” of their cookie dough fundraiser. The school did not like this idea at all. They made DH pay something like $500. He said it was the full cost of whatever DS would have sold.

But this is why I get PO’s by constant fundraising requests. We never asked anyone to buy anything but GS cookies.

If you want your kids to do club sports + girl scouts, boy scouts etc, you will need to fund it yourself.

This is why I like the elementary school's fundraiser. They just ask for money. No selling anything, just money.

[chapeau]

Jan 18, 2019 12:42:55 GMT -5 muttleynfelix said:

Jan 18, 2019 11:28:40 GMT -5 bean29 said:

My husband told the wrestling coach he wanted to “buy out” of their cookie dough fundraiser. The school did not like this idea at all. They made DH pay something like $500. He said it was the full cost of whatever DS would have sold.

But this is why I get PO’s by constant fundraising requests. We never asked anyone to buy anything but GS cookies.

If you want your kids to do club sports + girl scouts, boy scouts etc, you will need to fund it yourself.

This is why I like the elementary school's fundraiser. They just ask for money. No selling anything, just money.

DD’s school does a read a thon to raise money for the library and a walk-a-thon for the whole school. At least they aren’t selling stuff, and I can make a reasonable donation to cover her “share.”

[Deleted]

Jan 18, 2019 14:34:23 GMT -5 chapeau said:

DD’s school does a read a thon to raise money for the library and a walk-a-thon for the whole school. At least they aren’t selling stuff, and I can make a reasonable donation to cover her “share.”

Yes, I REALLY prefer these. I don't want to buy junk food or clothing made in China, especially when so much of it is profit to the manufacturer and distributor and (in the case of scouting) little stays in the area. The added benefit is that you can hit up people who live many states away. (Ask me how I know. )

[countrygirl2]

My husband gives me I didn't work and save all these years to do without things when I retired.  Well without much income being generated by the money we have it will eat away at it.  The income is from rentals and still being put back in, but at our home too right now. Our SS will meet basics still, but just.  Not the insurance or federal and state taxes, that is from the RMD's. That was not our intent, but already basic bills are eating up our SS.0

I said we don't have to worry about money but we can't spend like water too.  He says you buy what you want, well I used to but that is changing fast.  I told him I expected expenses to rise but not as fast as insurance is and cost of living so we just need to not waste and both of us be aware is all.

Then today me, and impulse spending, sigh.  $40 at the grocer, $3 at McD's for DD, about $50 at Walmart, a sweater for $12 I could have lived without, about $15 for stuff for grandson on sale I did not need to buy.  I was going to wash the truck again even though its cold and awful.  I hit the edge of a skunk spot in the road and the smell is awful, I forgot to go and its so bad we are going to have to take the truck out of the garage!  That would have been $10.  And I still need to get another script probably another $50. Every time I step out of the house its $50 or $100 so I'm trying to stay home more and I'm dying of boredom.

About now I wish son were in the south where I could take the motorhome to stay in and go live for a couple of months in the winter. This area is dying more, but all small towns are so this is not unique.