Do you Buy Boy Scout Popcorn or Girl Scout Cookies?
The other day I received an email from an old coworker who works for the same company I do. She was asking me if I wanted to purchase Boy Scout popcorn from her son. The first thing I thought was “Boy Scout popcorn is expensive!” and then I thought about how we don’t own a microwave.
I informed her that we didn’t have a microwave, and she said that was okay because they sell prepopped popcorn as well. It was around $30 for a tub. Now, I don’t know about you, but every time I have gotten a tub of popcorn it was stale. I wasn’t about to buy stale popcorn, especially not for $30!
She then also mentioned that they are selling magazine subscriptions that are $10 or $20. I thought that would be more reasonable because I have been wanting to get Real Simple magazine, and if this was an excuse to do so, at least I would be supporting a good cause by purchasing my magazine subscription from the Boy Scouts. She faxed me over the cost sheet, and on it was the magazine prices. Of course, the Real Simple magazine was one of the ones that cost $20. Grr. At this point, I felt like just saying no, I wasn’t interested. I could save my money because I don’t really need a magazine subscription or popcorn. I don’t like wasting money.
I decided that because I was supporting a good cause, and that I was kicking around the idea of getting the subscription any way, that I would just go ahead and do it. $20 is not going to make or break us, so I don’t see any harm in buying one magazine subscription.
Sometimes my frugality gets in the way of doing good things. With buying this magazine subscription, sure I spent $20 I didn’t need to, but in turn I am helping to financially support a good cause, and I’m also benefiting because I’ll be receiving a magazine that will hopefully help inspire me and will be something I will enjoy. I could have told her no, I wasn’t interested from the beginning, but I just didn’t have the heart to do so.
I like donating to charities that I believe in, and the Boy Scouts is a great program, so I feel good about my money going there. I think it’s great to be able to budget in some extra money to donate to good causes, and I’m glad that we’re in a position financially where we are able to do so. It makes me feel good to know that we can afford to give to things we believe in, and not put our financial future in jeopardy doing so.
Sometimes you just have to relax a little with money and be generous. It is a great feeling to know that we’ve helped out a young boy, and I hope that even though $20 is not a lot of money, that it will be used to bless the young boys involved in the Boy Scouts. I do have a confession: last year I was not smart enough to buy a magazine subscription, and instead bought the cheapest box of popcorn that was available. It turns out you can cut open the bags and pop the popcorn on the stove. Good thing, because that would have been a waste of money!
Do you support the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts by purchasing cookies/popcorn?
This post was included in the Festival of Frugality at Budgeting in the Fun Stuff!
Ha, I just bought a bag of caramel popcorn over the weekend! I also used to have to sell the stuff with my troop.
The problem with the BSA popcorn is they make it so expensive compared to Girl Scout cookies.
If you feel like the price isn’t right then you shouldn’t have to feel like you need to buy it. To me that goes against the Scout oath and law. If you want to donate then you could give money directly to the troop or council. Truth is, wen they sell whatever they don’t get all of the money, just a percentage. A direct donation actually gives them more money.
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Mrs Money Reply:
October 18th, 2010 at 5:21 pm
Craig-I know! That Boy Scout popcorn is super expensive!
That’s a great point- I think next year I will just give a donation. Then I can feel better and they get more of the money!
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We do buy Girl Scout cookies. Not only are the cookies delicious (though expensive…) but the Girl Scouts really are a great organization.
We run in the other direction from anything to do with the Boy Scouts, as the organization’s policies are not only homophobic, but insist that members declare a religion (i.e. atheism is not an option). It really just skeeves us out. Not sure how to deal with this if our daughter wants to join the Girl Scouts and then we have a son who wants to join the Boy Scouts….but they’re really not equivalent organizations. :-(
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Mrs Money Reply:
October 18th, 2010 at 5:22 pm
Cate- I KNOW. They are so good. I try to buy around 4 boxes a year so that we can get some and help support the Girl Scouts. I’ve never heard that about the Boy Scouts- that’s weird!!
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Craig Reply:
October 18th, 2010 at 5:46 pm
Cate- While it’s true that BSA should have some better overall policies, it’s the individual troops that really make most of the decisions. I certainly understand why you are skeeved out. OTOH, I ran a scout troop in NYC and I think I can honestly say many of our boys were able to experience things, like hiking; camping; leadership, that they would not have had exposure to if they weren’t members.
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Cate Reply:
October 19th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
You’re right–not ALL BSA troops are that way, and we certainly don’t have anything against individual troops. It’s just a hard thing to gauge on an individual basis, unfortunately, and we’d really prefer not to support an organization with those kinds of policies, even if they don’t always trickle down to individual troops. :-(
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Oh yes! I got hit up for the boy scout popcorn and the girl scout cookies from several angles!
The boy scout cookies came at a bad time….2 weeks before our wedding so I had a very good reason to say no. The girl scout cookies came after the fact….in fact, I think our order is going in today
Usually I by them just because it is a fund raiser and to help our youth…not because I need or want the cookies or popcorn.
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Mrs Money Reply:
October 18th, 2010 at 5:23 pm
Lakita- I haven’t seen any Girl Scout cookie order forms yet. I agree- it’s nice to support the youth, and the other things are just a bonus!
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I’ve never been approached for Boy Scout sales, but have had that popcorn and I agree, yucky, stale and overpriced. They need to find a new item to sell! The Girl Scout cookies we don’t know anyone directly that hounds us to buy them, but the troops set up tables everywhere around town. You can go in and out of the grocery store without them begging. And we usually cave. Mainly because we’re suckers for thin mints and samoas. But I swear every year there are fewer cookies per box and the price is always higher. I remember paying $2.50 for a good size box. Now it’s $3.50 for half that!
What we do get hit with are our neighbors kids school fundraisers. We spent $30.00 on two large tubs of cookie dough, not realizing the cookie dough didn’t fill the tub. Nope, it was already rolled up into 35 cookies. Needless to say we were bummed and felt a little ripped off. Not by the neighbor kid, we adore her, but by the false advertising on her sign up sheet/flyer!
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Mrs Money Reply:
October 18th, 2010 at 5:24 pm
AJ- I wish they would find something to sell other than popcorn. It would be nice! The Girl Scouts do the same thing here and I always get them from one person, and then have to tell them that I’ve already gotten them. Isn’t $3.50 a box ridiculous? I remember when I was little they were a lot less than that. Did you know they have Girl Scout Cookie Samoa ice cream?
WOW! That’s crazy!!
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The companies that make gift wrap, sell magazines subscriptions and other forms of fundraising are the real winners. I buy GS cookies because I like the product, love the organization, and they keep a lot of the money. I don’t buy gift wrap or most other stuff because the organizations receives very little, and the products are overpriced.
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Mrs Money Reply:
October 18th, 2010 at 5:25 pm
MBD- I think the Girl Scout cookies are the best too
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I agree that it’s good to give to charities, especially those that you believe in. BUT I think it’s really easy to get guilted into buying something that you don’t want or need that inevitably ends up being wasted.
I’m glad you decided to go with the magazine subscription, since it’s something you’ll use. You were able to give to the Boy Scouts AND get a subscription you’ve been wanting. If they didn’t offer the subscription option, though, I think it would be better to donate the money outright and pass on the popcorn if you don’t want it.
Remember: you don’t have to take the “gift” to give to the charity. Don’t take something you don’t want or need just to donate! If you donate outright, more of your money will go directly to the charity anyway.
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Mrs Money Reply:
October 18th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
Karen- I should have just told her I would donate $10. I’d rather them get the whole amount of money. I know I wouldn’t have bought the magazine if it wasn’t for this deal, so at least I get a little splurge out of it.
Thanks for the idea to donate directly!
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I always buy girl scout cookies and boy scout popcorn as long as it is the boy scout or girl scout themselves asking me to buy. I never buy it from coworkers who use work time to troll the office getting coworkers to sign their kid’s order sheet. Or leave it on the lunchroom table. Nope, if the kid isn’t doing the selling, I’m not buying.
The reason, of course besides supporting the organizations, is that the memory of going door-to-door selling girl scout cookies is still crystal-clear in my memory. And how sad I was when people said no.
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Mrs Money Reply:
October 18th, 2010 at 5:28 pm
Deedee- I think that’s the best thing to do. I can’t tell kids no either! I think it’s uncomfortable when parents put you on the spot. I remember last year I was guilted into buying a box of microwaveable popcorn and we don’t have a microwave!
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@Karen, I actually did that last year for some school fundraiser where the (very cute) neighbor kids had a catalogue of (very junky) stuff to buy. I just gave them $10.00 and said I don’t want anything but I would like to donate to the fund. (Can’t remember what the fund was for, but I remember I thought it was a good idea at the time).
I don’t get hit up too often for fundraisers, so generally do say yes. Maybe 3-4 times a year. (local elementary school once or twice, BS Popcorn, GS cookies). If it were much more than that I’d certainly be more selective. With the popcorn, I generally buy the microwave stuff (which I hate) and take it to work for others to use (and stink up the whole office with that fake buttery smell). Oh well.
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Over the years, I’ve seen great work from the Boy Scout organization in our town. Watching boys work toward the Eagle Scout rank is an awesome process involving many camp adventures and learning new skills such as swimming, hiking, to tie knots, mental preparedness and working with others to accomplish goals.
I’ve purchased boy scout popcorn for years. It’s always been delicious, never stale. My favorite is the chocolate popcorn. Yum!
Boy Scouts of America is a great organization, well worth the support.
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Mrs Money Reply:
October 18th, 2010 at 5:29 pm
Beth- My cousin is an Eagle Scout and I think that’s great! It has done a lot of good for him. I haven’t tried the chocolate popcorn but it sounds yummy!
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I also would rather just donate money. Out of the $20, the boy scouts doesn’t get very much. Maybe $2.
For the cookies the Girl Scouts only get .40 cents per box. They would have to sell 100 just to get $40.
I would rather kids do stuff for cash, like rake my leaves, etc.
The popcorn is so expensive. We bought a box around $12 last year and it was so small.
I absolutely belive in giving. I actually belive 10% of all the money I get (goes to God immediatley.) It is all His anyway. Then I also give away another 10% to our sponser kids, local pregnancy center, and misc. stuff. You can not out give God.
I am very frugal with the remanding 80% of my money. Actually I am a single mom who homeschools. We have no debt and still give. I say this not to toot my own horn, but to show that even those on very small incomes can and should give!!!
Thanks for the post. I hope you enjoy the magazine.
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Mrs Money Reply:
October 18th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
Becky R- I didn’t know it was such a small amount they get! That stinks. I would much rather see them doing chores to earn the money, too!
It feels good to be able to give to others. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to do so!
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Tony Reply:
October 25th, 2011 at 11:03 am
On the Boy Scout side, the local council and the unit get 70% of the price of the items sold. I don’t know where you got your figure of 10%, but its way off.
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Besides spending money I don’t want to spend, I also end up having food that I don’t want to eat. So no, I don’t buy them, whether it’s stale popcorn or tasty cookies.
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Mrs Money Reply:
October 18th, 2010 at 5:31 pm
Heather- I am glad they had the magazine option. I told Mr. Money that we’d end up getting GMO popcorn with hydrogenated oils (things we believe against) so I felt better about getting a magazine.
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I didn’t know there was such a thing as Boy Scout popcorn! I don’t buy either but I do give a donation to the little girls outside the front of the grocery store.
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Mrs Money Reply:
October 19th, 2010 at 12:26 pm
Mrs. Accountability- It’s crazy
I think next time I’ll just donate directly too!
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My boys are both Boy Scouts, one of whom will be Eagle by December. So excited for him! It’s been a great journey. I saw a couple of comments that I wanted to reply to, but will just put them in one reply. 1. We have never had to declare a religion in the whole time my boys have been in Scouts. 2. In our troop, the boys get 34% of their popcorn sale into their Scout accounts. So for a sale of $20, they would get $6.80 into their account. This has been a great way for them to raise money to go to camp (almost $200 every summer.)
Our troop has different fundraising opportunities throughout the year. For example, we sell Burger King coupon books. They sell for $5, and the first coupon is for a free Whopper jr. meal. That almost pays for the book by itself. Of that $5, $3.50 goes into the boy’s account. We would much rather sell those books than the popcorn. I have a hard time asking people to buy popcorn for that price. As someone else said, we have a lot of people who prefer to just give a donation. We have had several people ask what the boys’ profit would be and then they just give that as a donation.
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Mrs Money Reply:
October 19th, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Cathi- Thanks so much for responding! 34% is a lot better of an amount. That makes me feel better.
Congrats on your sons being in Boy Scouts, especially your Eagle Scout! What an honor.
I like the idea of those books better too. If a donation is given, does that go 100% to that troop?
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I can’t help it. I’m a slave to Thin Mints. If it weren’t for those, I probably wouldn’t buy Girl Scout Cookies. Darn you Thin Mints!
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Mrs Money Reply:
October 19th, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Andi- My hubby loves those too! I used to be a huge fan of the Samoas.
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Andi B. @ Modern Tightwad Reply:
October 21st, 2010 at 12:14 am
The Samoas are my husband’s favorites. I’m thinking the Girl Scouts make their main profits on just a few cookie lines.
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We ALWAYS buy Girl Scout Cookies because we absolutely LOVE them. While we can pretend we are supporting a good cause I don’t think we actually are. I used to be in GS and when I sold cookies our troop only received about 35 cents for every box we sold. More good could have been done by someone donating the $3.50 a box straight to our troop.
Since we started our budget we won’t be adding these types of things until we have to buy them from our own kids!
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Mrs. Accountability Reply:
October 19th, 2010 at 7:08 am
JTOH, that makes me feel better since I usually do just give a straight donation instead of taking the box of cookies. Who can say no to those adorable young ladies who are trying so hard to sell sell sell those cookies! I would have been too shy to do it when I was a little girl so I really admire that they are doing their best.
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Mrs Money Reply:
October 19th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Journey to Our Home- Wow! That is not a lot of money. I’ll have to just give donations to the troops. I can’t believe that’s all the Girl Scouts get from one box!
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I thought one of the things in the boy scout oath is to be thrifty. I realize the popcorn gives them the best payback but maybe within the organization of scouting they need to be thrifty and cut back and we wouldn’t have to raise as much money. Instead we sent these boys to sell this over priced popcorn it is disgraceful.
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Mrs Money Reply:
October 19th, 2010 at 12:29 pm
Sandy- It would be nice to see them do other types of fundraisers or sell coupon books. That would be a great compromise!
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Craig Reply:
October 19th, 2010 at 1:28 pm
Hi Sandy – You have to realize that the money a troop uses to go camping doesn’t come from the districts or the organization as a whole. It’s up to the individual troops to either pay for activities or raise money. Campsites, awards, food, Summer camp, sometimes the meeting location – all cost the troop money.
By this nature a troop almost has to be thrifty (though it’s already in their best interest to do so).
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I always buy girl scout cookies because I have fond memories of participating in that organization. It’s real easy because a couple of my co-workers have daughters in scouts and they bring the order form to the office.
I haven’t bought anything from the boy scouts in years. I just don’t have the affinity for that organization.
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Girls Scout cookies…I just love there cookies…i buy about around 15 box..each year..i wish they had a like cookie shops
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The problem is that local scout troops are no longer allowed to do their own fund raising, such as placing neighborhood flags or bake sales, because the BSA wants to ensure that the money comes back to them. The only fundraising now allowed is selling this grossly overpriced BSA popcorn for which a very large cut is sent back to their coffers. This helps pay the chief scouting executive his $1.2 million annual salary and the local scout managers very high six figure salaries, as high as $350,000. All of this money being siphoned off to pay these “good old boy’s club” members rather than going back to the scouts and maintaining decaying scout camps. BSA administration has become corrupted and they are always more interested in their paychecks and hundreds of millions in their retirement funds rather than meeting the needs of the boys in scouts.
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Pat Daly Reply:
February 16th, 2012 at 11:58 am
You are absolutely wrong. A troop, pack, crew, ship, or team can submit a form to their council for any fundraiser they want to do. Council checks that it’s not in conflict with other groups9even outside BSA) and is appropriate and approves it. Every unit I know does several fundraisers each year. All of the money is kept by the unit.
Popcorn sales profits are divided between the unit and council. Units make 32% to 40% depending on total sales. The remainder of the 70% goes to the local council. Much of the council’s cut goes to maintain camps, provide training and programming to scouts.
As for our decaying camps why don’t you look up Philmont High Adventure camp or Florida Sea Base. Our local camp here in Cape Cod just received a $35,000 grant for a COPE (climbing) program which will be used by all youth not just Boy Scouts. Also, the Venturing program for youth 14 to 21 yrs. old is co-ed. Yes, female youth can join BSA.
Regarding the adults on the BSA payroll, Ive never met one that didn’t work far beyond the hours expected nor any that that weren’t highly committed to our youth.
If you’d like to know where my info comes from I’ve been in BSA for 14 years, 10 with a Pack, 7 with a Troop, 4 with a Crew. Currently I am a Crew Advisor, a Council Popcorn Kernel, and an Eagle Scout mom.
Passion and opinion can be a beautiful thing. It’s sad that yours, Kenny, is based on info that is so far from fact.
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