Is it OK to do that?

[flash]

Re: Is it OK to do that?

IMO, structuring your work hours so that you can receive something that you do not qualify for has nothing to do with pride...but has much to do with selfishness.

If you think about it...WIC was created to help folks afford essentials who could not make it otherwise.

In your case, you can make it and you are to be applauded for stretching the dollar as well as you do.....but just up to the point where you are structuring to take something that you do not qualify for.

You have asked for opinions...and in mine, you should be happy with how well you are providing for your family and leave the WIC for the next person who needs/qualifies for the assistance to make it month to month.

Very well said, Ray.
You do NOT qualify for the aid. Yes, the limits set on the system will always make a breaking point where you are better off on aid than not, financially. But if you are putting extra money on your mortgage, have savings, and are able to work to a point where you don't qualify, be PROUD of what you have accomplished. Don't expect others to foot your bill, because that's what the aid is.

I grew up qualifying for aid, and we didn't take it. The whole family worked ourselves up and out of that situation. Not everyone has that opportunity or ability. I'll pay others bills any day, but not if it's just so they don't feel the pinch as much as the next person.

[debtfreeme]

Re: Is it OK to do that?

we qualified for aid but never used it growing up. we just did without. i remember my first new pair of shoes: first day of kindergarten and i cried when i got them scuffed up on the play ground.

in a word: no wat you are talking about is not ethical nor is it moral. Make the necessary adjustments to your budget, say a prayer of thanks that you have a home to live in, money to save, a family to love and that you are healthy and that you can politely just say no.

[cicy33]

Re: Is it OK to do that?

I think that the potty training that is mentioned above is awesome but unusual. my daughter was trained at 2 and any doctor you ask will say do not rush child to this. one, it won't work that way, and 2 you will drive yourself nuts. Most children are potty trained by 2, before that is usually mommy trained. you know, mommy says time to go and set them there until they go. but I think you better figure on diapers for a while yet. The only ones I can't stand are the pullups! I think that those are a horrible waste of money. As far as the WIC thing, I personally will not comment on whether it makes you a bad or good person. That is something you have decide. I do understand your point however, if you don't work the schedule where twice a year you show lower pay then you lose extra milk and cereal and cheese for your kids for 12 months. and who says you won't have to take that day off? Kids get sick. you get sick. I have a mixed feeling of this, if it was just food stamps I would be like suck it up and take the lower amount, but it isn't like you get hundreds of dollars of misc food, this is specifically for the children's needs and is generally just milk, cheese, juice, cereal and prob formula if under a year. then one of my concerns would be are you going to be able to purchase these items on your own? Cuz that raise after taxes ain't gonna be much! So I am not one of the perfect letter of the law people. I was one that was on wic once and aid and now I don't and have a good life, so I feel I "paid" back my dues. IN SPADES!!! and perhaps that is where you will be 5 years from now. but now is more important. I don't feel that you have to be one step from the street to get aid. I feel that it is there to assist you when times are tough. If I have to choose between accepting aid when I could make it without it but then I couldn't buy new shoes or clothes for my child, then I would accept the aid and go on with my life. I know that I am the only one on here with this opinion but I have to ask everyone, is there anywhere in your life that you cut corners to get out of things or do something that isn't 100% kosher? There are blurry lines everywhere. Everyone just has their areas they believe more strongly. Some people believe that lying or crying to get out of a ticket is shameful. others don't. just an example. Flame away but at least I am honest about who I am. I am not perfect by any means.

[stngymama]

Re: Is it OK to do that?

I I know that I am the only one on here with this opinion but I have to ask everyone, is there anywhere in your life that you cut corners to get out of things or do something that isn't 100% kosher? There are blurry lines everywhere. Everyone just has their areas they believe more strongly.

First of all you're not alone.
Secondly, folks talk at great lengths and with pride about how to avoid taxes in technically legitimate fashions but done with the aim of avoiding taxes. Not too legit in my book, when taxes pay for our streets, schools, etc., and are also based on one's ability to pay.
If you don't like how taxes are used/taken there's a very meaningful way to express your opinion, but one is not going to end up in poverty from paying too much taxes. That's an oxymoran.
I think it's much more difficult deciding whether or not you need aid to make life better for your children, when as in this case, the salary increase is so marginal as to not make up the difference in what you would lose.

[Ima saver]

Re: Is it OK to do that?

My family was eligible but we did not take it either. I can count on two fingers the number of dresses my mother bought me in 10 years.(two, and we had to wear dresses to school back then. I worked and bought my own clothes)

[PrincessPerky]

Re: Is it OK to do that?

Most children are potty trained by 2, before that is usually mommy trained.

I would rather be trained to point, than trained to change a daiper ....but many prefer to change diapers than to point. that is all personal preference.

[cicy33]

Re: Is it OK to do that?

My family was eligible but we did not take it either. I can count on two fingers the number of dresses my mother bought me in 10 years.(two, and we had to wear dresses to school back then. I worked and bought my own clothes)

this is kinda my point, I don't want to have to make my kids be the joke. and yes, especially in this day they would be if they wore the same dress all week or two dresses in 5 days. It is hard enough just being in school these days. I don't want to be miserable and make my kids miserable. And I did require my daughter when she was 16 to get a job and if she wanted something we could not afford she had to buy it, she also paid for her own insurance and cell phone and whatever else she needed. (wanted! ) I am truly hoping she never has to enter my experiences in life.

[cicy33]

Re: Is it OK to do that?

I would rather be trained to point, than trained to change a daiper ....but many prefer to change diapers than to point. that is all personal preference.

totally true! I am sure now I would do different but then I just changed diapers until about 2. after she hit about 15 months, I started putting panties on her with a rubber panty over them during the day to get her used to them and then after two diapers were gone.

[stngymama]

Re: Is it OK to do that?

this is kinda my point, I don't want to have to make my kids be the joke. and yes, especially in this day they would be if they wore the same dress all week or two dresses in 5 days. It is hard enough just being in school these days. I don't want to be miserable and make my kids miserable. ........

My husband is a good case in point! He grew up extremely poor: his father was an Army Sargent and there were 8 kids; he shared a bed with two others until he left home, he never had new clothes, his shoes always had holes since he was the last to get them, their food frugality was amazing--an avocado would be split between the 8 of them, mixed with milk;... on and on...
Now, he can't bear the smell of a used clothing store--sends him right back to his childhood; he hords, doesn't know how to budget (there wasn't enough to budget), and constantly feels he needs to treat himself, now that he's making "good" money.
He never complains of having been miserable and they were certainly creative in their play, but it definitely had a negative impact on his sense of self, oh, and his health. They were too poor to have enough healthy food on the table, PX's aren't noted for fresh veggies I guess and they couldn't garden because of where they lived, .......anyhow his teeth and his stomach paid the price.

[PrincessPerky]

Re: Is it OK to do that?

If it is a childs health at risk, by all means take the food! (but based on info given by getforfree, it isn't)

[stngymama]

Re: Is it OK to do that?

If it is a childs health at risk, by all means take the food! (but based on info given by getforfree, it isn't)

I would suggest that you include their mental health in the assessment, which we can't really judge here.

[Ima saver]

Re: Is it OK to do that?

I didn't say I didn't have clothes. My mother made me some clothes, but the point is, I got a job at age 12 and bought my own clothes, shoes and school supplies! I think it helped me to be a frugal person.

[PrincessPerky]

Re: Is it OK to do that?

Biting tounge....biting...biting...OW!

[cicy33]

Re: Is it OK to do that?

I didn't say I didn't have clothes. My mother made me some clothes, but the point is, I got a job at age 12 and bought my own clothes, shoes and school supplies! I think it helped me to be a frugal person.

Isn't it amazing how the world has changed. If a 12 year old were to work today we would be considered exploiting them and yet 20 years ago it wasn't unheard of for kids to have jobs. of course at 12 I think that the only thing kids can do is deliver papers and now I think that is more adults than kids due to the driving and stuff. at least my paper person drives, I know that. We require our kids to work around the house if they want to earn some money. Of course when my oldest was small that wasn't even an option.

[getforfree]

Re: Is it OK to do that?

My husband is a good case in point! He grew up extremely poor: his father was an Army Sargent and there were 8 kids; he shared a bed with two others until he left home, he never had new clothes, his shoes always had holes since he was the last to get them, their food frugality was amazing--an avocado would be split between the 8 of them, mixed with milk;... on and on...
Now, he can't bear the smell of a used clothing store--sends him right back to his childhood; he hords, doesn't know how to budget (there wasn't enough to budget), and constantly feels he needs to treat himself, now that he's making "good" money.
He never complains of having been miserable and they were certainly creative in their play, but it definitely had a negative impact on his sense of self, oh, and his health. They were too poor to have enough healthy food on the table, PX's aren't noted for fresh veggies I guess and they couldn't garden because of where they lived, .......anyhow his teeth and his stomach paid the price.

I don't want my kids to have problems like your dh. My kids do have healthy food. It is one of the top priorities to me. I try to eat less myself so they would have more. Whenever i make soup, I split meat in four parts, the kids get 2 the biggest parts, and I makes sure they eat them. I never give them any soda or chips.