People can't understand

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-05-2006
People can't understand
15
Tue, 12-09-2008 - 11:35am

Have you ever noticed that when you are in a mindset of being broke and unable to buy even the simplest things, it's like you're in a different world than everyone else. I recently had a bad experience with a few of my piano students parents. I am having

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-02-2008
Tue, 12-09-2008 - 11:42am

Oh Abbie I feel your pain!


When it seems like every dollar is stretched to the limit it seems like you are a world all your own. Coworkers often go to lunch all the time and I ALWAYS hear "it's gonna be less than $10" welp, maybe to YOU ten bucks isn't much but to me - its a lot some weeks. Some weeks I'm lucky to put ten bucks in my gas tank to get to work.


I'm sorry a nice gesture of yours spiraled out of control. What about ribbons that could be found at the local dollar store? Or shelf the trophy idea until the spring recital. Ask the parents UP FRONT for the money and tell them if they don't do it (front the money) then neither can you.


$65 during the holidays is a lot of money.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-17-2007
Tue, 12-09-2008 - 11:45am

Why don't you buy some kind of a musical ornament cheap and give that to the kids so that is something they can treasure years down the

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-05-2006
Tue, 12-09-2008 - 12:12pm

Even worse! I just wrote an email to a friend about how I was having a hard time getting in the holiday spirit this year and she told me that I should let some bills slide in order to keep the Christmas memories good for my children! WHAT!!!! What bills is she expecting me to let slide? The 3 mortgage payments I owe to keep from going into foreclosure? The car payment I promised I'd make so they wouldn't repo my car?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-17-2003
Tue, 12-09-2008 - 12:19pm
I feel your pain.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-02-2008
Tue, 12-09-2008 - 12:29pm
Welp, its official. Your friend is a fool. (NO OFFENSE PLEASE TO YOUR FRIEND.) Who would opt to not pay a bill in order to buy a GIFT for someone? I love my friends and family and KIDS so much. I love them enough to work hard to be current on my mortgage, utilities and car payments. If my kids had a glum looking Christmas I'd hit the dollar store with $10 and do some damage. You are doing the right thing Abbie. It's hard and harder when people don't just seem to understand. Take a deep breathe and remember that you are doing what NEEDS to be done. In January when their credit card payments come you can rest assured you are working hard to not go further into debt over this holiday. Hugs to you!
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-22-2008
Tue, 12-09-2008 - 12:35pm

Maybe saying something like " I offer the most fair price for my students by having a budget, unfortunately, the trophies were not in the budget for 2008, but I can work it into my budget for next year" , something to set everyone at ease and know it's a possibility in the future.


as for your friend, don't let it get to you. She probably thought she was helping, giving you some great advice. One person's idea of "money is tight"

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2008
Tue, 12-09-2008 - 12:42pm

Last Christmas was our first really tight Christmas.

Norma


"Patience is the best remedy for every trouble"- Plautus


iVillage Member
Registered: 09-20-2004
Tue, 12-09-2008 - 12:52pm

Hey there,


You are not alone at all.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-05-2006
Tue, 12-09-2008 - 1:03pm

Ya - I thought it was kind of strange to suggest a trophy. I never got a trophy and I had a recital every year for 13 years! Hard work is a reward in itself. You learn your song and feel proud that you got up there and played it in front of a crowd. I'm already feeling stressed about buying the ingredients to make some cookies for the recital! PLUS - I'm one of the cheapest piano teachers around already. And I come to their houses...they don't know how lucky they are! Now they want me to buy their kids gifts? I like the musical ornament idea. They have some really cute ones in the mall with notes on them. Hopefully they are not too expensive! I really appreciate all their hard work, but I don't think I need to bribe them to get them to practice.


Abbie

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-07-2005
Tue, 12-09-2008 - 1:08pm

YOu know what my daughter gets out of her recitals?

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