I've really had enough today...

blue_sea

Hi Guys


end of rant x:rolleyes:

cattie

Oh blue_sea, it's awful when you feel everything is getting on top of you.

Regarding the school trip, would you consider ringing up the school & telling them you want your daughter to go & don't want her to be left out, but are having a difficult time financially at the moment & say that the £6 cost is a bit too much for you right now?

I know it may be a hard thing to do, but also understand that £6 is a lot of money to pay out when you are struggling to cope with day to day living expenses. Surely the school would understand this too is & probably why they mentioned voluntary contributions.

Also, if they are asking voluntary contributions, there must be a fund or something that is there to pay for such school trips. This probably is funded by you anyway, via your council tax.

blue_sea

Hi Cattie

Thanks for the reply, the letter says

"We are asking a voluntary contribution of £12, unfortunately if we do not receive sufficient contributions the trip may have to be cancelled"

:S feel like

<rock> (blue_sea) <hard-place>

cattie

Have pm'd you blue_sea.

hilstep2000

Have a quiet word with your child's teacher. When I was working (I'm now retired) I once paid for a child to go on a trip, because I knew it was difficult for them to even ask Mum for the money, but I knew he would benefit from the trip, and he did.
Credit cards: If they are coming to the end, try and find another 0% if you can, or a long low interest rate.
Good Luck!

Zara33

Would they let you pay a couple of quid each week until the trip date?

blue_sea

they want it by end of next week, it's ok, will get it together, just feels like there's always something y'know

and today was a bit of a breaking point thanks for everyone's kind advice

Tibbs,The_Freebie_Hunter

Cattie has given good advice in that there must be a fund that the school can access - remember you'll be indirectly paying for this somehow or another (it's there when you need to use it). Remember these payments are voluntary. Don't think that because you can't manage this time round that the entire trip will have to be cancelled - this won't be the case.



I came across the following, but I don't know if this is any use for you re: your debts.

What expenses can a budgeting loan be made for

A budgeting loan can only be awarded for essential items or services in certain categories of expense. You can apply for a budgeting loan for help with furniture and household equipment, clothing and footwear. You can apply for help with rent in advance or removal expenses to new accommodation. You can apply for help with the costs of improvement, maintenance and security of your home. You can apply for help with essential travelling expenses and expenses associated with getting or starting a job. You can also apply for a budgeting loan for help with hire purchase payments and other debts, if the money was borrowed for expenses in any of the other categories.
Before you apply for a budgeting loan, you should check whether you are able to apply for a community care grant, or entitled to a maternity grant or funeral payment, as these grants do not have to be repaid.
How to apply for a budgeting loan

You can apply for a budgeting loan on form SF500, which is available from local benefit offices.
In England, Wales and Scotland, you can download a copy of the form from the Department for Work and Pensions website at: www.dwp.gov.uk. In Northern Ireland, you can download a copy of the form from the website of the Department for Social Development at: www.dsdni.gov.uk.
Because budgeting loans depend on your circumstances, you must answer all the questions on the form which apply. You do not have to specify exactly what you need or why, but you must indicate the category of the expenses for which you want a loan and the amount of money required (see under What expenses can a budgeting loan be made for, above).
If you would like help with applying for a budgeting loan, you should ask an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.
The budgeting loan decision

The minimum amount of budgeting loan that you can be awarded is £100, and the maximum amount is £1,500. The award will be decided by looking at your circumstances, at any existing budgeting loan you owe, any capital you have over the capital limit, and your ability to repay the loan. The award will also depend on the district Social Fund budget. The budgeting loan decision will tell you how much you can borrow and what the repayment rates will be – it may offer you more than one arrangement. A loan should normally be repaid within 104 weeks (2 years).
If a budgeting loan is refused, or you are awarded less than you applied for, you can ask the benefit office to look at the decision again. If you are still unhappy with the outcome you can ask for a review by the Independent Review Service for the Social Fund (IRS). This is an independent organisation completely separate from the benefit office. You can find out more about the IRS at www.irs-review.org.uk.
If you need advice about deciding between budgeting loan offers or if you are not happy with a budgeting loan decision you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.



Please continue to keep contacting the CSA, and go to your CAB for advice.

Always remember that you are entitled to help. We have a good support system in the UK. Don't be afraid to ask for the support.

Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.

flossy_splodge

Regarding the school trip, would you consider ringing up the school & telling them you want your daughter to go & don't want her to be left out, but are having a difficult time financially at the moment & say that the £6 cost is a bit too much for you right now?Unfortunately these days you can't be sure such info will be kept confidential - have seen numerous cases of staff, with complete indifference to the child, discuss their'non contribution' in the hearing of all and sundry. And please don't tell me it doesn't happen because i assure it does.
If you go this route suggest you in fact go to the head or if they have one the 'pastoral care' teacher and ASK for complete confidentiality.

Surely the school would understand this too is & probably why they mentioned voluntary contributions.
Nice thought but no! When a few years back Government decreed that schools could no longer 'require' parents to pay for trips the way out was this joke about 'voluntary contributions'. The school DOES expect parents to pay, they just wrap it up.

Also, if they are asking voluntary contributions, there must be a fund or something that is there to pay for such school trips. Not necessarily but certainly ask!
And don't EVER be put off by embarrassment to look for assistance when times are hard. Grit your teeth and do it and remember if you ask, you may well get and your child will benefit in two ways:
1. They get to go on the trip
2. You will be less stressed at having this unwanted strain on your finances removed so they will see you happier.
very best of luck and remember many many people go through really hard times and most will sympathise not judge.

SuziQ

At my sons school if you can't manage they ask for 'whatever contribution you can make'. It is not your fault you can't pay for what in effect is a luxury-and I do take issue with schools who would be careless with such sensetive info and who badger beleagured parents to pay in this way. When my daughter was still at 6th form I was asked for £55 for her,£22 for my oldest boy and £12 for my youngest for trips-all in one week! There was just no way I could do it,the younger twos wschools accepted a donation (they knew I am on IS and kids getting free school meals) and the college gave £50 from the college hardship fund. But I hated asking and I know my kids hated the thought of people knowing we are 'poor'!

woody01

I will pay the £6 so your daughter can have her trip!
I don't always agree with adults and what they do but i don't like seeing the kids missing out

When i was younger, my mum was broke and i used to listen to her cry when i was in bed as she couldn't make ends meet.
I missed out constantly so now i am in a position to help i would like to.

Do you have PayPal? If so, PM me your email addy so i can transfer it.

(This isn't a joke or anything........it would just be good to help someone for a change. Humility isnt my strongest trait but even now and then it kicks in )