It’s School Fundraiser Time!
So my son just brought home the school fundraiser catalog. Here’s the thing, I couldn’t stand it when I worked in an office and everyone would it me up to buy from their kids’ fundraisers, so my husband and I don’t bug our friends and neighbors. Sometimes we’ll ask family members, but they have their own kids’ fundraisers to deal with, so usually I let it go. Many times, I don’t buy from the fundraiser at all. I’ve known a few tongues to wag because I’m not helping the school, but my astronomically high property taxes cover more than enough of my fair share, thank you very much. Plus I do buy books and calendars.
The most recent fundraiser was one I could get behind though! Bulbs and seed mats! I don’t want candy in the house (though I did get a chocolate puppy/kitten set for my son’s Easter Basket) and don’t need any more overpriced wrapping paper. I will buy bulbs and seedmats, however, because I can always find great places to plant. Last year I bought a couple of seedmats for the front of my house and they looked gorgeous, I don’t mind buying them again. I also bought a couple of sets of spring bulbs.
Ever since my son began kindergarten, I’m being hit up for money on a regular basis. I won’t buy anything, but if it’s something we can truly use or enjoy, and it adds beauty to the world around us, I can make an exception.
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POSTED IN: Simpler Thinking
3 opinions for It’s School Fundraiser Time!
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate
Feb 27, 2008 at 9:07 pm
I just detest these catalog sales things. . . It starts such a cycle. If your friends buy some junk they don’t want from you, then you feel obliged to buy their junk when they sell it. You all wind up with overpriced things you don’t need.
I just send in a note to the teacher telling them that I don’t participate, and why~offering to help with any type of fundraiser that requires volunteering or contributions (ie car washes, bake sales, craft fairs etc) and including a check as a donation-usually for around $15.
The hardest part is that the kids are disappointed about not getting to win “Prizes” for selling things, but I told Princess (6) that I’d take her to the dollar store and let her pick something out.
Deborah Ng
Feb 28, 2008 at 4:51 am
Jenn, My son’s school doesn’t allow for prizes. They feel it encourages door to door selling, which can be unsafe. So at least we don’t have to worry about that.
Jim Berigan
Mar 12, 2008 at 6:20 am
Hi Deborah!
I have enjoyed your writing for months now- on all your sites. Thank you!
I run a blog called http://www.TopSchoolFundraisers.com and I see that many people, like you, are frustrated by poorly chosen product sales in their kids’ schools. Cheers for sticking your ground and only purchasing what you can use. Parents shouldn’t have to buy useless junk.
Make sure to let your school fundraising team know your feelings, however, so that next year, they can continue to choose wisely. If enough people speak out against dumb products, maybe they’ll stop selling them.
Fundraisers are a necessity in our schools, as budgets are continually cut, but that doesn’t mean we moms and dads should be forced to buy stuff we don’t want or need. There are so many cool and useful items out there that could be sold to raise money. I wish more schools would consult with parents before making their product choices. Maybe then, they’d see their profits increase.
Thanks!
Jim Berigan
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