Parsnips and Parsimony

[weed]

They were also SO excited about those box tops too. What are they worth? 5c or something?? LOL Charity sells them on her etsy site to save up money for nursing school. She will NEVER get to nursing school if she is counting on box tops for her tuition money. I find it really sad that the parents don't think that helping her to get to nursing school is important enough for them to put money towards it. Poor girl!

[DoodleBop2]

What I find odd is how people are happy Charity knows how to find a good deal. I suspect unless she can find a way to begin applying for scholarships there won't be any nursing school and she'll be married before she's 20. IDK how she'd even compare to other applicants what are her accomplishments beyond some volunteer work and selling things on etsy - she can cook for a large family and find really good deals when shopping even Charity asked if Art really wanted all the butter.

I have to wonder if they were so out of food they just had to go shopping that day.

[weed]

I fear that you are right. I can't see that girl ever going to Nursing School. She would never do well at an interview and her CV would be abysmal. She has been so isolated thus far in her life that she would be socially awkward and not really cope with her parents directing her every move.

Janelle didn't look too sick to me.

[DoodleBop2]

Quite a few YouTube moms with oodles of kids seem to take to bed with mystery illnesses or headaches quite regularly. I think they realize how little they actually do even their fans would question why they need a break when they hardly do anything.

[dahell]

It was more t see that the kids were allowed to spend $5 each on whatever they wanted for once. Off course the money was girted to them from followers, because heaven forbid that Art and Janelle would ever allow that with their own money. LOL I tend to be a bit of a minimalist, but I don't think there is anything wrong with letting kids stock up on rubbishy things once in a while. They all need to at some stage.

I did notice that all of the kids who mentioned what they bought included food in their pile. John actually was loaded up with packets of biscuits,etc. I think those poor kids are hungry. I do believe in feeding kids good nutritious snacks, but those kids never get anything! If they ever get out into the real world they I fear they will go crazy with their diet.

So true. We had a pediatrician once that, by her own admission, was raised by “hippy, health nut parents”. She said in college she went nuts and gained a ton of weight. Thankfully it was a stage and she realized it and went to a sensible way of eating/living.

[dahell]

I’ve said this before and maybe it’s petty of me but it really gets to me that they think it’s okay to sell Box Tops. I know tons of people do it. I’m a part of a group that funds its entire library and gym equipment with Box Top money. It’s a generous program that I hope people like Art and Janelle don’t ruin. Taken from the Genral Mills site:

. In addition, the reproduction, modification, purchase, sale, or trade of Box Tops or Bonus Box Tops is not permitted, renders these items invalid, and renders any attempt to submit these items invalid.

And:

Schools and/or coordinators are subject to expulsion from the Box Tops for Education program in the event that such school and/or any associated coordinator promotes the sale or purchase of Box Tops or Bonus Box Tops, knowingly submits fraudulent Box Tops, or otherwise knowingly promotes activity that violates the rules in this paragraph.

https://www.boxtops4education.com/official-rules

Again...I’ll admit maybe I’m being a stickler and I’ll accept if you all think I’m being too crazy on this but it’s such a generous program and I feel they are “party to a crime” or at least “party to rule breaking”. Lol.

[DoodleBop2]

I didn't know they sell box tops. Funny how often Janelle loves to get on her high horse and claim to be morally superior to everyone.

[weed]

I'm not aware of the box tops system ('m not from the US) so not sure how it works, but if it is illegal to sell them then how dare they do it so blatantly on YouTube? They pretend to be so upright and honest, but in reality they aren't. They either don't care, or they are stupid. Not a positive role model for their kids at all.

[gibberish]

I'm not aware of the box tops system ('m not from the US) so not sure how it works, but if it is illegal to sell them then how dare they do it so blatantly on YouTube? They pretend to be so upright and honest, but in reality they aren't. They either don't care, or they are stupid. Not a positive role model for their kids at all.

I don't think it's illegal to sell them. However, if the company (General Mills) finds out the person cashing them in - bought them outright rather than obtaining them by purchasing the company's product (with the Box Top on the box) - then General Mills can declare the Box Tops invalid and not honor the schools attempt to cash them in for items they want. So, the Parsnips are potentially selling something their buyer may not be able to use. They are profiting off of something that allows their buyer to break the rules the company set out.

OTOH, the Box Tops WERE purchased by SOMEONE. So, General Mills did receive their money from the initial sale. The company is not out the purchase money. They just object to the method the Box Tops are gathered and turned in. They don't want anyone else profiting from their program.

[dahell]

Right, not illegal but not within the programs rules. Again, it sounds like many must do it (just based on my quick search for the company rules). And I did admit it’s a little petty of me but I think it’s because the group I’m in benefits so greatly. We are a small group and I’m guessing we don’t get tons and tons (I know a lot of us shop at Aldi and don’t use tons of processed food that you’d get box tops on) but it really adds up! I always hate to see people ruin it for others. I know the likelihood of General Mills actually knowing how the Tops are obtained is unlikely, just irks me a bit.

[gibberish]

I'm sure General Mills would be aware the Box Tops are being sold. If they wanted to, they could contact the selling platform and ask them to take the listing down. Account holders can be suspended for a time or have their accounts deleted if they get "VERO strikes" against them. Many companies do not allow their products to be resold online. Even if the item is authentic. btw, there are even certain keywords that are not allowed...such as Velcro, Onesies, 3-M, etc.

So, General Mills can do something about it regarding the seller without taking action against those who legitimately use their program.

[dahell]

I'm sure General Mills would be aware the Box Tops are being sold. If they wanted to, they could contact the selling platform and ask them to take the listing down. Account holders can be suspended for a time or have their accounts deleted if they get "VERO strikes" against them. Many companies do not allow their products to be resold online. Even if the item is authentic. btw, there are even certain keywords that are not allowed...such as Velcro, Onesies, 3-M, etc.

So, General Mills can do something about it regarding the seller without taking action against those who legitimately use their program.

Yes, I totally understand that. I’m just saying, it’s usually just a few people who ruin things for the rest.

[gibberish]

I'm sure General Mills would be aware the Box Tops are being sold. If they wanted to, they could contact the selling platform and ask them to take the listing down. Account holders can be suspended for a time or have their accounts deleted if they get "VERO strikes" against them. Many companies do not allow their products to be resold online. Even if the item is authentic. btw, there are even certain keywords that are not allowed...such as Velcro, Onesies, 3-M, etc.

So, General Mills can do something about it regarding the seller without taking action against those who legitimately use their program.

Yes, I totally understand that. I’m just saying, it’s usually just a few people who ruin things for the rest.

Yes, I've seen that happen.

[weed]

Maybe I'm missing something here, but I honestly don't understand why they don't just use the boxtops instead of selling them. What are they cashed in for that the Parsnips can't use? Surely it would make more sense to use them themselves? If Charity wants the money for Nursing School (sorry, that is just so ludicrous to me considering how many she would need) then the parents could reimburse her the money for them couldn't they and then use them?

[gibberish]

The Parsnips homeschool does not qualify for the program. I found this under official rules regarding eligibility: Only Box Tops for Education registered schools can redeem Box Tops. The Box Tops for Education program is also open to Internal Revenue Service recognized 501(c)(3) home school associations in the United States, organized and operated primarily for educational purposes and containing a class of 15 or more students in one or more grades from kindergarten through eighth grade.

[DoodleBop2]

The box tops thing is just another thing people do when they want to avoid work. Yet it seems to be so much work to avoid working a typical job. They're so proud to say they're not being controlled by the man etc

[weed]

Ah, so box tops aren't like coupons for the general use. they are designed to be cashed in my schools. No owner they are trying to sell them.

It really annoys me how they aren't willing to send their kids to school, but are quite happy to make use of school facilities where they choose to. They sometimes take the kids to the local high school and use the running tracks and equipment there for fitness training. Isn't that private property?

It must be really strange for those kids when they are with Art and he is delivering instruments to the local schools as well. I wonder if any of them have ever asked why they can't to school? The parents would squash that quickly of course, but it would be interesting to know if the kids would like to go if they ever had a choice.

[DoodleBop2]

IDK about running tracks but it's common to use the playgrounds behind schools even if you don't attend that school or during the summer. Here the only school with a running track it's fenced off and the gate is locked.

[gibberish]

Ah, so box tops aren't like coupons for the general use. they are designed to be cashed in my schools. No owner they are trying to sell them.

It really annoys me how they aren't willing to send their kids to school, but are quite happy to make use of school facilities where they choose to. They sometimes take the kids to the local high school and use the running tracks and equipment there for fitness training. Isn't that private property?

It must be really strange for those kids when they are with Art and he is delivering instruments to the local schools as well. I wonder if any of them have ever asked why they can't to school? The parents would squash that quickly of course, but it would be interesting to know if the kids would like to go if they ever had a choice.

The school kids are encouraged by the school to collect and turn in Box Tops to the school so they can redeem them. The kids urge their parents to buy products with Box Tops. Marketing! lol.

As far as them using the playground equipment and the running track...it's up to the school whether they care or not. Most don't as long as the equipment is not vandalized or attracts gangs etc. to gather. All home and business owners pay school taxes. So, although Art and Janelle do not send their children to public school, they pay school taxes so other kids in the community have a school. They have as much right to use the equipment as any other tax payer in that school district.

[weed]

Taxes for school ... really? Wow, I've never heard of that before. If so, then I understand why they feel they can use the equipment then. All our schools here are fenced and gated.

The box tops system sounds like a similar system we have. Kids can gain points with the receipts from various supermarkets and redeem them for sporting equipment.