Ok i am feeling a little stressed over something. The answer is probably easy but i need to hear what you would do.

So we just had the holidays that we spent tons of money on. Then we went on vacation last week and spent money. Now i get back and realize that our school is having a fundraiser on Feb 3. It's going to be a dinner/dance and the tickets are $35/each. So that's $70 plus the cost of a baby sitter from 4:30- 11. The money is suppose to be going toward field trips for the students and a new playground.

Then i find out that the baseball league we just signed up for is having a fundraiser dinner Feb 17. Cost is $20/ticket and again cost of a babysitter.

I am also needing to send in money to get my license started for daycare ($60)and i need to pay around $50-$100 for a CPR class that i need to take.

Soooooooo i am feeling overwhelmed. Do you always participate in the fundraisers?
I think my dh's business is going to sponcer a table at $100. Would that be enough and i shouldn't feel like i have to go to the dinner? I just find the timing horrible. Right after the holidays and etc.......

I'm thinking of skipping the baseball thing but what about meeting the other parents and coaches.

What would you do?????

Honestly, i don't want the other PTC moms looking at me like i'm a cheapo.....ok i admitted it.

Sorry this was more of a vent than anything. But don't you think $35 a ticket is high?

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Jodie....Wife to Andrew (1995)
Mommy to Riley (2000) and Wyatt (2003)

I know what you mean about feeling overwhelmed. I just told a friend that when we get to a point where I think I can see a tiny light at the end of the tunnel, something else comes up. It's frustrating.

I do think $35 a ticket is high. $35 a couple seems more reasonable to me...but then our schools don't have fundraisers like that, they sell JUNK. I don't always participate in fundraisers. I do what I can and then do more later when and if I'm able. I think dh's business sponsoring a table would be enough for now. What kind of fundraiser is the baseball team doing for $20 a ticket? As for the PTC moms, don't worry about what they think (yes, I know how hard that is because I worry about what EVERYONE thinks). EVERYONE has been in a tough financial situation at some point or another...

I usually opt out of certain things (especially dinners)- usually for fundraisers, I will donate what I can afford. Don't worry about what the other mothers say. If anyone says anything- use my fave excuse- something came up or one of your children was sick or you were not able to get a sitter for that day!

My oldest school has given up the usual sell stuff fundraiser- they have a carnival at the end of the school year. We will usually go to something like that, but usually if it involves me getting a babysitter- I usually don't participate!

This is what I'd do. I'd forget the baseball thing. For the school, I would write a note to the school and give whatever you can afford to give, $5, $10, etc. and just explain you 'won't be able to make it but I'd like to make a contribution'. I see nothing cheapo about that, and no explaining is necessary. Everyone will think you have other plans, and if someone actually did call you on it, you could just say that - you have other plans and but wanted to make a contribution anyway. That way you seem Generous, not cheap, to me.

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i doi not participate in every single fundraiser our school has. taht is just to expensive. i do what i can.

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Kimberley

"there is nothing to worry about, just plenty to think about" from an episode of Extreme Makeover House edition

check out my blog:
http://mommysavers.com/boards/journa...owjournal&j=21

well with this wonderful winter season and the stomach virus going around I would not go and claim someone *pick 1* was sick. You don't have to go to everything and don't worry about what anyone thinks!

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A woman is like a teabag. You never know how strong she is until she gets into hot water.-Eleanor Roosevelt

$35 each!!!! No way!!! I like Stormy's idea.

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~Happiness is a large family~

Yep, I like Stormy's idea, too. That is expensive.

Plus, I know you are doing WW. Honestly, I would skip it for that reason, too. It is hard to control the points at things like that.

$35 is really high! Have you heard anyone else grumbling about the price? I wonder is this the first time they are trying this kind of fundraiser? I remember spagetti dinners when my dd's were little and it was never more than $10 per person and the kids came too. I kind of wonder if this fundraiser isn't going to fall flat on its face!!
Do you think anyone will really question whether you are going or not. I would just not even bring it up or if you are close to one of the friendlier parents I might ask what they think of the dinner, there might be other parents that agree with you!

As far as little leauge you already paid and you know if no one has volunteered to be snack mom maybe you can buddy up with someone and do that. Money is nice but it always seems that actual volunteer help is needed. Also if you volunteer for that you can arrange your snack day to be one that isn't hard for you financially! LIke you could have snacks the day after dh gets paid!!

This is a little off track but I don't know if anyone knows but in WA little league is always looking for umpires and they train. They also pay anywhere from 15 to 20 a game I think. They will hire teenagers too I think they have to be 15. But for any baseball lovers what a cool side job or first job! So check it out

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Karen

Personally, I wouldn't go. I am not much for that sort of thing to begin with. My son was in wrestling and every year they had a beef and beer. Dh and I went one year and it was okay, but we opted not to go the remaining 6 years. Instead, I always sold extra raffle tickets. I talked to the other parents at the practices and games so I still got to know them.