Much Ado About Money

[taylorlynzie]

No: HPFGUIDX 59358

Lately the main topic of interest on these boards has been about the 
Weasley's and their "money situation" and I decided to jump on the 
bandwagon. Most people are leaning in one of two extremes:
[1]-- That the Weasley's are wrong for spending money on a trip to 
Egypt, ect ect. 
or
[2]-- The Weasley's were correct in spending money on a trip to 
Egypt, ect ect. 

In my opinion I honestly do not think that this trip to Egypt was 
bad, in fact I think it was something good. Sure the Weasley's are 
tight on money-- even poor but they are in no way in desperate 
poverty, either. There is always food on their plates and clothes on 
their backs. Seeing as there was money for these nessessities- though 
not always in the most abundant supply- a nice Holiday to Egypt seems 
in tow. We also do not know all the details of the trip. Considering 
that Bill works there they were probably able to get room and board 
for free, or considerably cheaper then if they had gone there with no 
connections. This trip was probably a great moral booster, and a 
chance for the family to get together and spend some good quality 
time together, outside of the home. Arthur and Weasley don't see 
their children for 10 monthes of the year, 9 1/2 if they come home 
for Christmas and we all know how much that happens. 

The Weasley's are without a doubt in a bit of a tight spot as far as 
money is concerned but that does not mean that they aren't entitled 
to a family holiday if the oppurtunity is available. Also just 
because it says that the Weasley's are poor doesn't mean that they 
aren't able to pay for everything. Lots of people buy things second 
hand in order to save money, and having 7 kids would defintly qualify 
you for saving money. 

The incident in GoF that everyone discusses is Ron and Mrs Weasleys 
little incident about the maroon dress robes. To be honest, to me it 
sounds a bit like typical Ron. He has always been a bit of the pouter 
type, this is all with fairly good reason considering that he is the 
second youngest out of 7 and is probably quite accustomed to pouting 
in order to get something that he wants, this also explains his quick 
temper and extreme sense of loyalty. Of course he wouldn't like the 
robes, they were maroon, they had ruffles, and lastly and prehaps 
most importantly they were bought second-hand. I think that the 
reason why Ron is so touchy about this subject is most likely the 
fact that his best friend is Harry Potter and his best friend has 
quite a bit of money to spend as he wishes, he doesn't want Harry to 
hear they his mum had to buy his robes at a second hand shop. They 
could be almost exactly like Harrys except perhaps maroon and bought 
in a second hand shop and he would've made a big deal because they 
were maroon but it was really because of the second hand quality. 

Also people say that Mrs Weasley was at fault because she could've 
severed off the lace or she could've magically made them "better" or 
knitted Ron robes specially for him. She wouldn't have time! Think 
about this people, she has 7 children a husband, and two other people 
in her house (Harry and Hermione) to worry about, she is extremely 
busy. I can't really see her having time to just sit down and knit a 
dress robe for Ron, which of course he would have to have one knitted 
for Fred and George as well because she can't do it for just one. 
True she knits everyone sweaters and socks for Christmas but thi sis 
when everyone is off at school and she is not as busy as she would 
be. As for the severing charm she probably wasn't thinking about it. 
I don't think it was an attempt to punish Ron for anything. Buying 
these second hand isn't a crime and Ron is merely being the immature 
15 year-old boy that he is. Of course he isn't going to get it, all 
of the books have showed that Ron's canon character is a bit on the 
immature side, personally I don't see how this surprised some people. 

I am not saying that the other people are wrong, perhaps the 
Weasley's have been careless in their spendings. We won't really know 
until if/when JKR tells us what exactly is the finanical situation 
for the Weasleys. It could be that they are so povered that they 
shouldn't be spending money on lavish trips, or it could also be that 
they can get by okay on going a bit sparingly on things and still 
able to take trips. Only time will tell, but personally I believe 
that the Weasleys are not as desperate as many people think, they are 
merely a bit stretched for money oweing to the fact of having so many 
children.

Tay :D