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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

School asked me for 20p

195 replies

MoanCraft · 11/05/2015 22:06

Ds is going on a field trip. I'm always really busy (aren't we all), partly because I help out with lots of community things and one is the school committee.
I spend a lot of money when funds don't come through to cover for stuff that's asked for or needed by teachers etc., it goes without saying that I have given a lot of my time at events.
School asks for money to pay for school trip. I mistakenly underpay by 20p.
I get a call from the school asking me to bring in the 20p.
AIBU to be a bit miffed.

OP posts:
BadgersArse · 11/05/2015 22:16

so PAY UP THEN!

ShootPeppaPig · 11/05/2015 22:16

Does seem a bit splitting hairs but it might just be that the person who sorts out the money for this trip isn't aware/hasn't connected your other contributions to factor it in when asking for 20p?

DoMeDon · 11/05/2015 22:16

Your time and effort is not relevant. Don't put in it in if you're not doing it without expectation.

BadgersArse · 11/05/2015 22:16

' wavered it on this occasion considering the fact that I have probably given hundreds in the short time '

ERGO - you expect a reduction on trips

CamelHump · 11/05/2015 22:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

msgrinch · 11/05/2015 22:17

yabu, you're not forced to help them out, you do it because you want to. They need that 20p as part of the cost of the trip. Pay it, it's 20p. I will lend you the 20p Grin

PoppyBlossom · 11/05/2015 22:17

I'm a bit confused, are you personally subsiding school buegets? Or simply a generous school fundraiser?

TheWildRumpyPumpus · 11/05/2015 22:17

Are you the same poster who borrowed 20p from a colleague at work and was amazed that she asked for it back?

LynetteScavo · 11/05/2015 22:18

I was once asked for 5p for school lunches - The letter was in an envelope which looked like it cost more than 5p Confused

I just paid it then held a grudge for several years

Pipbin · 11/05/2015 22:18

As a teacher I spend a lot of my own money on things for the classroom.

The 20p had to come from somewhere, but I agree it wasn't worth a phone call.

WorraLiberty · 11/05/2015 22:18

I'm surprised you got a phone call rather then them just asking your DC to tell you, you need to send them in with 20p - so YANBU there.

YABVU to think the school committee thing should make any difference.

CamelHump · 11/05/2015 22:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MeggyMooAndTinkerToo · 11/05/2015 22:19

Piper it's not in my school. Trips are paid by parents as we simply don't have the funds to subsidise them anymore. I've had to stop school trips as (a) a lot of parents couldn't pay/weren't willing to pay and (b) the parent council are struggling for members to help fundraise.

Original poster
MoanCraft · 11/05/2015 22:19

In the big scheme of things and taking into account how much I give them charitably, I am just saying that on this, the only occasion I have mistakenly underpaid, that they could've just put it to one side. I might add that money for trips is given on a 'voluntary basis' towards the costs. I would gladly overpay for anything they want to cover costs. I am even taking some of the kids on the trip to save on coach costs.

OP posts:
IFinishedTheBiscuits · 11/05/2015 22:19

Don't take it personally, they're probably well aware how much you do but have to be seen to treat everyone the same.

Eigg · 11/05/2015 22:20

Moan I was speaking hypothetically.

I probably give many hundreds of pounds a year to my church. In collection, in time though volunteering and in donating things for use by the Sunday School, other organisations etc.

Come the Woman's Guild coffee morning, I'll still be paying my full £2.50 entry fee.

Ps you are meant to volunteer altruistically - you aren't meant to expect anything in return.

BadgersArse · 11/05/2015 22:20

well they cant work their books out on that

" she helps in library so...'

get over it and pay up

Topseyt · 11/05/2015 22:20

20p wasn't worth a phone call. It could have waited until the next time they saw you, which wouldn't have been long, and they could have gently mentioned the slight underpayment. If they have to fund 20p for a day or two in the meantime it will hardly break the bank.

greeneggsandjam · 11/05/2015 22:20

I don't think you're being that unreasonable. You have, as you say, contributed over the required amount numerous occasions so they could have taken that into consideration. Perhaps the person dealing with it didn't realise or were so busy they just had a number to call and an amount to request.

DioneTheDiabolist · 11/05/2015 22:21

What do you mean you spend a lot of money on stuff that the teachers ask for or need? Are you reimbursed once the funds do come through?

PoppyBlossom · 11/05/2015 22:21

I think it's a bit petty to Lord charitable donations over them.

Original poster
MoanCraft · 11/05/2015 22:21

Camel hump it's 20p, there is not point in asking what if it were more, it was 20p.

OP posts:
msgrinch · 11/05/2015 22:22

Ok why post? you seem so certain you're not unreasonable.

Samcro · 11/05/2015 22:22

do you need a mn collection?

LynetteScavo · 11/05/2015 22:24

And I've often payed double for trips to cover the cost if the child who's parents can't/won't pay because I want the trip to go ahead for my child.

Never a word of thanks or acknowledgement, or a "Mrs Scavo you are so thick you've paid double, here's your money back".

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