Welcome back to school, now open your wallet.
It seems like every month my kids’ school is asking me to dig into my pocketbook – and those of my friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers – to help fund my children’s education.
Obviously I don’t mind giving to the school in a reasonable capacity by way of school supply donations and the occasional Spirit Night, but the constant need is frustrating. Yes, schools are seriously hurting, but so is the average American family.
How much financial slack are parents and even teachers supposed to pick up? And don’t even get me started on over-the-top fundraising assemblies expertly designed to get my kid pumped about the possibility of winning an iPad. “Mommy, all I have to do is sell [insert ridiculous number here] rolls of wrapping paper!” Um, thanks fundraising companies for leaving me with the responsibility of killing dreams. What did I ever do to you aside from buying years and years of expensive cookie dough and subscriptions to People that went unconsumed. These companies are making parents crazy with their carrot-on-a-stick prize promises, and for what? I pimp out my kids enough on my blog; the madness has got to stop somewhere.
This year I said no more. The September fundraiser came and went and I didn’t buy a single item, which really upset my kids. They didn’t want to be the only kids not turning in a fundraising envelope. They didn’t want to be the only kids without rainbow lanyards for selling three items. I explained how we choose to support the school in other ways – like oh, the paper drive going on right now. I’m sorry, but there’s a limit to how many rolls of wrapping paper, magazine subscriptions, and frozen pizzas people are willing to buy at exorbitant prices.
I know the schools need money. I want the schools to get money. I just think there has to be a better way.
Let’s take a look at 8 fundraising alternatives to give schools the things they need and give our wallets a much-needed rest.
MOMMYFRIEND 
Don’t worry…they weren’t the only kids who didn’t turn in an envelope! I’m glad that I’m not alone in thinking that these fundraisers are ridiculous.