...to not always want to "chip in"

[Raalix]

I work as a peripatetic teacher of music and drama in several primary schools in the area. Before I did this I worked as an ordinary class teacher in one school.

Several times through the year, the school would do a collection to buy something for teachers who were getting married, having a baby, had a recent death in the family, having a birthday, etc. We would be expected to chip in with anything from £1 to £5 for said cause.

Now that I work in several schools throughout the week, I find myself being asked to contribute in this way much more often. When I worked in a single school, I didn't hesitate to offer money for these causes. But now I find myself not wanting to.

As a teacher in a single school I would be expected to pay between £20-£30 throghout the year for these things. Now, I could potentially pay upwards of £100.

Am I being unreasonable to not want to always contribute? Am I within my rights to pick and choose when I want to contribute or should I say no to all of them?

My birthday falls in the middle of the summer hol so I miss out on that - no big loss!

I was given a leaving present from the school I worked at previously, but that was before I went peripatetic so doesn't really count.

you could try saying at the beginning of each year - here is £10 for all the collections through the year. You choose how to divide it up.