"We need money"

With the Glee kids recently doing a nude calendar a la Calendar Girls to raise money for the bus to Indianapolis it brings into question what it is the club needs to spend money on. Like these guys can afford fabric for elaborate costumes for various performances, they can finance an entire stage show, but they have to really search for ways to get money for transport to the state that's, you know, right next to them? I smell lazy writing to bring in crazy plots. You can afford props and a rain stage for the Singing in the Rain number but not money for a bus? Or gas money for the cars most of the kids seem to have without having a proper job a la Tina?
The show clearly just needed a reason to get most of the male cast shirtless...