Have you/would you do a Go Fund Me

[CookieandOatmeal]

With a vacation? Or their phone bill when they’re on FB (so have the cash for Internet) crying poverty while simultaneously talking about the latest episode of Game of Thrones (so have cash for cable)? I will help someone in dire need but I will not enable poor life choices or someone who refuses to take responsibility for those choices. “Helping” with those kind of things only makes the situation worse and continues a cycle they can’t get out of. If someone is always bailing them out why should they bother to try and figure it?

I totally agree with you. People who tend to ask financial help for those things really need to work on priorities and budgeting. It really is no one's responsibility than your own to take care of you.

Our close friends had set up a GoFundMe recently for their puppy's emergency vet bill that ended up totaling over $5000 and basically cried poverty. I did not feel moved at all to help them because I knew they just dropped $$ on a wedding, $$$ on a 2 week European honeymoon, going out to eat/drink, and home improvements like a fence for their yard. I really felt that they should have carefully considered what dog ownership was truthfully going to cost first before jumping head first into adopting a puppy. They are used to having cats. We recently went out to dinner and couldn't get over how they were complaining about the cost of puppy wellness/vaccination visits that they had to take their puppy to. People need to learn to save money I think for a rainy day instead of just spend, spend, spend. They are great people but I think money managing is not a strong point.

 

[Hrhpd]

for me, its because I dont take anything internet related at face value. I am from low income high crime area and I know a great many people around here struggle to pay for day to day life. However I know also that there there many legitimate ways they can get help, from genuine charities, church organisations and various Government schemes for low income households.

I think Ireland's social services are more robust than in the US. We don't have that many safety nets.

I only donate to verified non-profits that I have also looked up on guidestar or someone/a cause I know personally.

 

[slpeters]

I guess I'm just a little surprised at the extent of the "Am I my brother's keeper?" response. I would say I'm surprised at how few Christians there are online this morning. But I guess it is Easter--they're probably doing other things...

 

[wenrob]

I do not have a problem with them if they are for valid reasons. A friend died unexpectedly in another state and one of my friends set one up to help his mother with the funeral costs and costs to get his body home. I don't have an issue with that.

If you don't want to help someone out that way then don't. It's that simple. I'm not going to judge anyone setting it up to help cover medical costs. Many people in this country are one illness away from bankruptcy.

There's one set up to help rebuild the churches that were burned in Louisiana. I think it's awesome how much they raised considering the insane amounts of money people are throwing at rebuilding Notre Dame.

Like I said, if you don't support Go Fund Me then fine. No reason to judge people for needing help.

There’s a difference between a hand up and a hand out. I’m not against helping people who really need it but I’m against enabling a lifetime pattern. Been there, done that and went without myself to “help.” It did not help, it contributed to the problem. I sometimes wonder if all of us who “helped” could go back in time and make them stand on their own two feet if things would be different instead of the same thing DECADES later. Don’t get me wrong, I’d never let them starve but I’d make them a meal not hand them cash for it.

 

[wenrob]

I guess I'm just a little surprised at the extent of the "Am I my brother's keeper?" response. I would say I'm surprised at how few Christians there are online this morning. But I guess it is Easter--they're probably doing other things...

Oh please. Expecting people to take personal responsibility for themselves doesn’t make people non empathetic or heartless.

 

[Nancyg56]

I totally agree with you. People who tend to ask financial help for those things really need to work on priorities and budgeting. It really is no one's responsibility than your own to take care of you.

Our close friends had set up a GoFundMe recently for their puppy's emergency vet bill that ended up totaling over $5000 and basically cried poverty. I did not feel moved at all to help them because I knew they just dropped $$ on a wedding, $$$ on a 2 week European honeymoon, going out to eat/drink, and home improvements like a fence for their yard. I really felt that they should have carefully considered what dog ownership was truthfully going to cost first before jumping head first into adopting a puppy. They are used to having cats. We recently went out to dinner and couldn't get over how they were complaining about the cost of puppy wellness/vaccination visits that they had to take their puppy to. People need to learn to save money I think for a rainy day instead of just spend, spend, spend. They are great people but I think money managing is not a strong point.

Pet costs. I am always baffled when someone jumps into pet ownership and has no idea what that first year is going to cost. Crazy irresponsible IMO. I also wonder that the owners have no idea what the monthly costs are, for cats or dogs. I adopted two adult cats, and one is older than what the rescue was told. I know I am looking at vet bills X 2 as they age, but I have already calculated that amount into my "unexpected" costs. So far my Figaro has been to the vet twice for issues, and it turns out my furry friend has allergies to something.

 

[Allison]

I guess I'm just a little surprised at the extent of the "Am I my brother's keeper?" response. I would say I'm surprised at how few Christians there are online this morning. But I guess it is Easter--they're probably doing other things...

Is shaming considered Christian?

 

[Nancyg56]

I guess I'm just a little surprised at the extent of the "Am I my brother's keeper?" response. I would say I'm surprised at how few Christians there are online this morning. But I guess it is Easter--they're probably doing other things...

Really? I help when and where I feel the need occurs. I have no intention of funding vacations that people have not saved for, attorneys to get people who spent like drunken sailers out of debt they incurred, new cars because they do not want used, etc. I donate to our local associations, food banks, adopt a family, pet food drives, and send money when there have been unexpected tragedy. I yu feel Christianity obligates me to give money willy nilly to people who refuse to be accountable, I will simply say The Good Lord helps those who help themselves.

 

[ronandannette]

I've never done one and I don't think I would, but a lot of that is because I'm simply very fortunate--I have insurance and a fair amount of money, but not everyone does. I can certainly see myself contributing to one under the right circumstances, and they wouldn't have to be all that dire frankly. For instance, under the right circumstances, I would kick in for someone to take a great vacation. I'm actually quite surprised at how many people seem truly incensed at the idea that someone would ask for help...

I'm not incensed in the least; trite as it may sound, I totally believe life is a team-sport. I do think it's much more natural and better for friends and family together in close relationships to support one another when needs arise. Then there would be no need for random internet appeals. For that to happen though, people actually need to be in close relationships and embrace the idea of interdependence - KWIM? IMO it's kind of a tragedy in our modern culture that isolation, pride, over-reliance on "government" and suspicion of one another have become the spirit of the age.

 

[BadPinkTink]

I guess I'm just a little surprised at the extent of the "Am I my brother's keeper?" response. I would say I'm surprised at how few Christians there are online this morning. But I guess it is Easter--they're probably doing other things...

so I guess you wont like that I dont give money to pan handlers on the street, I used to give them food but I have stopped doing that too. The last time I bought food for a pan handler, she took it, hid it behind her back so no one could she had been given food, and then proceed to give me a shopping list and wanted me to go to the local grocery store and buy her groceries... heck no!

go ahead , shame me, cos you know what I dont care. I will not enable irresponsible people to live outside their means. I will not give away my hard earned money to people who would rather beg strangers on the internet they go out and get a job. I will not pay for someones vacation cos they trot out some sob story, yet they can drive an expensive car or wear designer clothes.

So yeah, its Easter Sunday, ooopsies I guess Im unChristian , high five me!!

 

[HeatherC]

The ONLY times I would ever set one up would be to help a family who was experiencing a terrible hardship such as horrendous medical bills from cancer or some other awful disease, or if a family loses their home and belongings due to something like a fire or a catastrophic storm.

I think it very wrong to ask people to give you money for things like your kids wants to take a trip ( don’t we all?), or someone wants help with a deposit on a house, etc.. When I see these kind of go fund me, my response is...well go get a second job. I’m heartless that way.

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

Pet costs. I am always baffled when someone jumps into pet ownership and has no idea what that first year is going to cost. Crazy irresponsible IMO. I also wonder that the owners have no idea what the monthly costs are, for cats or dogs. I adopted two adult cats, and one is older than what the rescue was told. I know I am looking at vet bills X 2 as they age, but I have already calculated that amount into my "unexpected" costs. So far my Figaro has been to the vet twice for issues, and it turns out my furry friend has allergies to something.

I think they were relatively lucky with their cats and didn’t have to take them to the vet often so had no idea how much vet bills could be.

 

[bigbabyblues]

Haven't set up one, haven't donated to one, and probably never will. If I know someone who has a need, I would give them the money personally if I wanted to help.

 

[arminnie]

I honestly don't even look at them anymore after having been offended by some I've seen.

Examples:
Two late 20 year old college grads with good jobs, no school debt, and no children. They wanted funds for expensive surgery (really optional) for a 13 year old dog. They travel on vacation multiple times a year and were saving for their wedding so wanted help with the vet bills.

A married couple where the husband is "self employed" (probably doesn't earn $500 a month) although he has a degree and an MBA. He hasn't worked in at least a decade. The wife does have a job. No kids. Wanted help with their rent. No medical issues, etc.

 

[4kids4karen]

If it is a GoFundMe for a friend in another state I ask for their PayPal. I did this for a high school friend and a military friend. High School friend sent me an email thanking me and said she hadn't even thought about using PayPal but after I messaged her, she posted her PayPal on her Facebook and several others donated via PayPay.

I think GoFundMe has a purpose but it has been abused and name has been tarnished. Also, GoFundMe takes a percentage, PayPal does not.

 

[Hrhpd]

If it is a GoFundMe for a friend in another state I ask for their PayPal. I did this for a high school friend and a military friend. High School friend sent me an email thanking me and said she hadn't even thought about using PayPal but after I messaged her, she posted her PayPal on her Facebook and several others donated via PayPay.

I think GoFundMe has a purpose but it has been abused and name has been tarnished. Also, GoFundMe takes a percentage, PayPal does not.

Paypal certainly does take a percentage if you donate through Paypal Gives or Paypal.me. GoFundMe now mostly charges the giver a percentage, although they still charge back the Visa/MC fees to the donations. For instance, if you donate $10, there is also a drop down box that asks how much you want to give GFM. We use all 3 with our non-profit, mainly because relatives want to know how to donate and don't want to send a check, so know that all of them take some of the money.

 

[wenrob]

Paypal certainly does take a percentage if you donate through Paypal Gives or Paypal.me. GoFundMe now mostly charges the giver a percentage, although they still charge back the Visa/MC fees to the donations. For instance, if you donate $10, there is also a drop down box that asks how much you want to give GFM. We use all 3 with our non-profit, mainly because relatives want to know how to donate and don't want to send a check, so know that all of them take some of the money.

On a person to person level you can choose Friends and Family and there is nothing taken out. It’s like giving them cash from your pocket to theirs.

 

[Hrhpd]

On a person to person level you can choose Friends and Family and there is nothing taken out. It’s like giving them cash from your pocket to theirs.

I know, that is why I specified PayPal Gives and Paypal.me. Many people set these up instead of GoFundMes with the false impression that they are better than GFM, so not all Paypal giving accounts are free to the recipient. With Friends and Family, you are also limited on how many "donations" you can receive before triggering a warning that Friends and Family is not supposed to be for fundraising.

 

[wenrob]

I know, that is why I specified PayPal Gives and Paypal.me. Many people set these up instead of GoFundMes with the false impression that they are better than GFM, so not all Paypal giving accounts are free to the recipient. With Friends and Family, you are also limited on how many "donations" you can receive before triggering a warning that Friends and Family is not supposed to be for fundraising.

That’s why I said on a person to person level.

 

[4kids4karen]

Paypal certainly does take a percentage if you donate through Paypal Gives or Paypal.me. GoFundMe now mostly charges the giver a percentage, although they still charge back the Visa/MC fees to the donations. For instance, if you donate $10, there is also a drop down box that asks how much you want to give GFM. We use all 3 with our non-profit, mainly because relatives want to know how to donate and don't want to send a check, so know that all of them take some of the money.

Not if you are sending money to a friend, which is what I have done on TWO occasions. I don't anticipate that I would ever exceed any limit.