Reason number 1,232,343 to work at home!
I was glancing through the news today, and viewing blogs and opinions and came across talk about Girl Scout Cookies and Boy Scout popcorn and all those catalogs that parents bring into the workplace. All the proceeds benefit the schools or the various clubs that these kids belong to.
A couple of months ago, I answered the door and a cute little chap was there with his mother, selling Boy Scout popcorn. I declined him for a number of reasons - neither my husband or kids like popcorn, and I wear braces. Chowing down on popcorn for ten minutes leads to about ten hours of picking it out of your braces. Trust me on this and avoid popcorn if you metal-mouthed. We were also hosting a brunch and had a lot of people over. Bad timing.
Anyway, I feel bad and if he comes around again, I'll buy a little popcorn. Why? Because he was all decked out in his Boy Scout uniform and looking adorable, he was polite, and was making an effort. Doing what he was supposed to be doing - learning about leadership, doing good works, using good manners and working hard. And there I was, telling him it was a bad time and I was a bit busy. Shame on me!
Now do I feel this way about the parents who nag and guilt trip their co-workers to buy cookies and household what-nots and trinkets all day long at work? No! Back when I immersed myself in a mid-sized cubicle, in a mid-sized company in a mid-western town, I felt obliged many a time to buy Junior's cookies or shiny Christmas mug or kitchen decoration - not because I wanted to- but because Mom or Dad (my co-worker) wouldn't get off my behind!
"But look at this! You like pizza, right? These pizza kits are awesome!" or "these cookies are to die for! I can order you 10 boxes right now, if you like!". No, I didn't like! I didn't need the extra junk in my belly (or trunk, for that matter) and I didn't collect things and I didn't like knick knacks! I'm not a "stuff" kind of gal! Not to mention that I can't afford this "stuff". That's a bad enough feeling but to be pressured by parents (and some are very nice about it, but others go a tad Stage Mom about things) is not what the workplace is about. If I say no, I pretty much mean no. I'm not trying to be mean about it.
And I know it's cold and snowy but, really, walk your kid door-to-door, like my Boy Scout pal, or set up a table outside a store or church or community center. Most places are pretty good about accommodating kids. Make your kid earn the money.
That's kind-of-sort-of the point, right?
And a few healthy options would also be appreciated. I love (read: LOVE!) Girl Scout cookies but I'd also appreciate something a bit more healthy. Or at least to have the choice sometimes.
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Do you sell your kid's stuff in the workplace? Is there pressure on you to do so? Or are you a co-worker who gets pressured to buy? Would you prefer more healthy options?
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Wasn't the original question about the cookies about making the buyer fat? Here are links to nutritional information provided by the bakers of the cookies:
Little Brownie Bakers - Nutritional information in pdf (see link on their left navigation panel)
ABC Smart Cookies - Nutrition facts
Related links:
Girls Scout cookies toss out trans fat
NBC/Washington Health - GS cookies nutritional Facts at a glance
January 29, 2009 - 5:22pmThis Comment
Having a budget for charitable donations and fundraising is a good thing. DH and I also allow a certain amount for our predictable annual contributions, and it's convenient when they're made through one-time payroll deductions.
Remember to keep your receipts or statements for tax purposes!
January 29, 2009 - 5:12pmThis Comment
I actually had a separate budget each month for these very things. From wrapping paper to cookies, I can't say no to either the moms or the kids. The moms are trying to help out their child's preschool or troop...how can I say no to that?
I decided to set aside $15 a month for these types of purchases, and it saved me the aggravation of not having money or buying too much...plus it made me feel good that I could buy a roll of wrapping paper or a box of cookies and contribute to someone's office birthday party guilt-free. For me, the act of being prepared and planning for these inevitable fundraising events and office parties helped take the annoyance-factor out and let me keep being the nice, friendly, team-playing co-worker!
January 29, 2009 - 4:00pmThis Comment
Alison, that's a great idea -- I hadn't thought about having a budget just for this kind of thing.
January 29, 2009 - 4:38pmThis Comment
It has long been my suspicion that Girl Scout Cookies alone are the single most common cause of broken New Year's Resolutions to lose weight!
Think about it. Those first few weeks in January, we're totally motivated. We're eating better, we're exercising. We are on our way, but it's still tough. It's cold outside, and a bit tougher to exercise. And after just a few weeks, perhaps the novelty of eating differently is starting to wear off. The few pounds we've lost are encouraging, but the road ahead seems long.
And then, what happens? Girl Scout Cookies! Boxes of sugar and chocolate that are society-approved because we're donating money to the Girl Scouts! The more you buy, the more you donate! And even if you say no, when they're delivered to your coworkers you have to contend with Peanut Butter Patties at this desk and shortbread at that desk and Thin Mints (be still my heart) down the row. It's like a calorie minefield! (Oh wait, I hear my "I'll only have one" evil twin coming out...)
Yes, in an office, the signup sheets are passed around, but I actually feel ok about demurring there; it's a lot easier for me to say "thanks SO much, but NO!" with a laugh, and pass it to another co-worker, than it is for me to say no to a kid at the door (or even at the supermarket entrance.)
As a young Camp Fire Girl, we sold candy door-to-door, and I lived in Denver then. So I remember lots of cold days stomping around in coats and snow boots with a cardboard box of candy, ringing doorbell after doorbell and trying to hone my sales pitch. It is hilarious to think back on it now. I am still so grateful to those people who said "yes" that when a kid comes to my door I just can't resist!
(My favorite kid these days, however, is the 12-year-old neighborhood boy who makes his rounds with a shovel when it snows, and offers to shovel the driveway for whatever a person thinks it's worth. We have our own shovel and it would take me maybe 5-10 minutes at most to do it myself, but I can't resist his enterprise!)
Oh, and another thing I'm a total sucker for? When my nieces and nephews are selling things. Now that's just not fair. =)
January 29, 2009 - 9:59amThis Comment
I've not been pressured by co-workers to buy stuff for their kids' fundraisers in a long time. It only happened once, years ago, when I worked at a bank and there was one mom in particular who would pressure co-workers to buy Girl Scout cookies. I never did, simply because I thought it was odd that parents were selling for the kids. Isn't it the whole point for the kids to do it and feel that they accomplished something? Anyway, like Tina, if a kid comes to my door, I am a total sucker and will whip out the checkbook.
January 28, 2009 - 9:52pmThis Comment
As a kid, I usually ranked in my school's top sales World's Finest Chocolate (I learned about corporate marketing at a very early age), and even still have a manual typewriter I won as a top prize. I'm not going to tell you what decade that was, LOL! When my kids were in Scouts, I was on District Council with the Boy Scouts and a GS Troop Leader and had to deal with fundraising efforts.
Factoid: the Boy Scouts keep a higher percentage of proceeds from popcorn sales than the Girl Scouts do from cookies.
The Girls earn $0.50/box (sold @ $3.50/box) and extra incentives, like $0.05/box if the paperwork is turned in by a certain date. Then, there is a rather complex set of rules determining how to earn an additional $0.14/box. So, their potential "profit" is a max $0.69/box, or just under 20%.
Compare this to about 33-35% profit to the Boy Scout Troop on popcorn sales and some really cool prizes to the Scout. Plus, the BSA promotes a tax-advantage slant to their "customers," as 68% of the sale is tax-deductible to the buyer (split between the Troop and Council). This is a terrific corporate marketing tactic. In 2007, if you made a $25 tax-deductible contribution to the Scout Troop, Trail's End, the popcorn producer, sent popcorn to our Service Troops. They still have a Military Donation program.
Your purchase of Girl Scout cookies are tax-deductible only if you do NOT keep the cookies!
Now, I do support my little neighbors selling their popcorn and cookies, largely because my kids went through all that and I have a soft spot for the Scouting programs. I just take the goods to work or class to share, or have movie night at home.
Diet conscious? Get the whole kernel corn to air pop, and stick to the lower fat/lower calories cookies and support your local Scouting organizations. :)
January 28, 2009 - 6:35pmThis Comment
I am the biggest sucka on the planet when it comes to buying cookies, candy bars, you name it -- from my colleagues slinging it for their kids.
I once ordered a one-gallon container of peanut butter cookie dough from a coworker only to discover it contained an artificial sweetener that gave me severe stomach cramps.
I'd much prefer wrapping paper or greeting cards, frankly to any food, even healthy food. Usually if I want to eat something I'll buy it.
But I do appreciate the work of kids trying to earn a prize from school.
January 28, 2009 - 3:01pmThis Comment