$$$ related..do you ever...

....pretend to have more $$$ than you do? Out of pride that is..

For example..my neighbor qualifies for free lunch for her son and she just doesnt feel right calling the school district and filling out the paperwork to get it for him.

Ive been struggling to pay for my half of camp for my daughter so tonight I swallowed my pride and asked about their scholarship program. It's a camp for children with special needs (my daughter has Down Syndrome) and it's rather expensive. They said I do qualify and that they will send me the paperwork...I dont know why I never said anything before. My pride getting the better of me I guess..

Anyone else?

Re: $$$ related..do you ever...

I think it is very normal to pretend that you have more money then you actually have. That's why so many people in this country live in debt too. We are a proud country. It's hard for us to admit when we need help, financially or emotionally. It's just not in our nature.

Don't beat yourself up over it. If you need help try to ask for it.

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Re: $$$ related..do you ever...

Message edited 11/16/2011 7:40:10 PM.

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Completely misread the question there is absolutely nothing wrong with asking for assistance... you are doing a wonderful thing for your daughter!!!!

Message edited 1/29/2008 10:31:56 PM.

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If you need it, I don't see the shame in taking it, especially when it comes to your child. There are TONS of people who cheat the system and get money that they don't deserve. It makes me so mad because people out there do need it, but don't get it. I know someone like this. She doesn't work because her kids are "disabled". Hello, they're in school from 8-3. You can work PT during those hours. She gets all of these extras that she just doesn't deserve. They were sponsored for Xmas and received tons fo stuff, her included. She said it was good cause then she didn't have to go buy them gifts. Her food stamp money goes to her 20 y/o son instead of her 9 and 7 y/o kids. She buys tons of diet pills and what not with the money she gets. OMG it annoys me to no end. The kids don't really benefit. I hate seeing her get all of this stuff when other families do need the help and SHOULD get it.

Good for you, applying for the scholarship! You'll be glad you did later on down the road.

Re: $$$ related..do you ever...

i have done that in the past, but not anymore, i have to be content with my means, i know that this is temporary and that's why i'm going to school to better myself and provide a better life for me and my daughter.

but i have applied for assistance before like the wic program and my daughter goes to a special education program with the department of education, i feel that if i qualify for it, might as well take advantage of these services.

Re: $$$ related..do you ever...

I don't think I do.

I don't think that's pretending you have more money than you do. There is nothing shameful about asking for help if you need it.

Your dd has Downs Syndrome. That tells me that you have more medical bills & co-pays right off the bat because of it. Seeing your daughter going to a camp that caters to special needs isn't asking a lot. She has a medical condition.

For your neighbor, I know a close relative of mine would not go for any type of assistance when they really needed it. Finally I gave her the flyer for LIPA for discounted rates if your income was under a certain amount & she called. It was only then that she was willing to make calls.

Please don't feel bad about accepting a scholarship or going on assistance. This is tax money at work. You pay into it to help those in time of need. You've been paying taxes since your first on the books job. There is no shame accepting it back.

Think of it as an insurance policy. Each month I pay thousands of dollars in insurance. If I were to get in an accident, I should be entitled to adequate coverage to get me back on the road. We are all entitled to no less to get us back on our feet.

Message edited 1/30/2008 6:29:40 AM.

Re: $$$ related..do you ever...

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maybe sometimes. im a coupon cutter & i try to be practical but sometimes i go on these binges, but i guess most people do every now and again. when i say binges, i mean yesterday i spend 100.00 on lilly and vernon stuff for my kids, not buying a coach bag or anything like that.

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You should definitely take the assistance. It's in your family's best interest. Any help you can get, money wise, means that much more money for your DD for other things.

Homestly, DW and I often act like we have less money than we really have. We live fairly modestly, our cars, while bought new, are now 8 and 6 years old. For us, it's a matter of pride that we are doing as well as we are, living comfortably, and not spending money to "keep up with the Joneses". There's more pride to be had in living within your means than lying to yourself and others about how much $$ you have.

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lol my son's school has free lunch for everyone (its a title I school) and I found out that my son has been eating THEIR lunch, instead of his own.. so I stopped making him sandwiches.

doesn't bother me.

Message edited 1/30/2008 8:42:08 AM.

Re: $$$ related..do you ever...

Good for you for asking to help. One of my friends is eligible for housing benefit, which means that she could move out of her apartment and into a house, while paying what they can afford and getting just that little bit more what they need to pay for a house with a backyard. I tell her she should claim the benefits, she worked really hard for years and paid taxes, now that only her husband is working and she is at home with her kids, they deserve that money! I pay my taxes so that people in her situation can get the help that they need to stay above water!