Holiday Reminder - It's not always what it seems!

[AlwaysMoving]

This is how it works:

January through September: The poster mostly posts normal things, but will occasionally post about their financial issues. Just little things. The sort of things we all encounter from time to time. Kid needs braces. School supplies are expensive. Things like that. Hardly noticeable.

Hardly noticeable until early April when Easter comes along.

 

[Alesia]

Hardly noticeable until early April when Easter comes along.

True. There's usually an "I can't afford Easter candy for my 5 kids because I have to buy formula for the baby. I feel like the worst mom in the world."

I'd forgotten that one.

 

[WheelCEO]

Every year I sponsor 2-3 families through a local single mothers in need organization. I provide MORE than enough to give the children an excellent Christmas and my requirement is that they are only registered with one charity; I don't feel it is fair to all of the others out there that need assistance for someone to be signed up with various organizations. Last year we found out that one particular lady was not only signed up with 10, yes 10 charities, but on top of that she was married to a well to do doctor in the area!!! Some people are just outrageous.

 

[Metsfan520]

You didn't sound preachy to me at all.

It's a valuable PSA for those who haven't encountered this type of thing on the internet yet.

I've long since stopped donating anywhere but in my local community and through national organizations I've had the time to investigate. If I'm going to donate my hard earned money, I want it to get where it is needed most, and not into some scammer's pocket.

 

[Metsfan520]

I totally understand that people need to cut to bare necessities, as I have been there, but my son needs the internet for his homework. Our library system is only open a total of 12 hours a week do to budget cuts. So I tend not to take Internet out of the necessity group for all people. Maybe your school does not require it, and actually that would be great, but ours does.

This is OT, sorry, but I have been wanting to post that and well it came up.

BUT I DO AGREE, most things are definitely WANTS and not necessities if you can't feed your children and are skipping bills. And as the holidays approach, I will guess a lot of the posts will be of this nature.

I was going to say that as well. The internet has really become a necessity these days. I'd get rid of a lot of things before I'd get rid of that.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

If you want to do something "close to home" I suggest making a phone call to your schools guidance counselor. He or she will know if there are kids in your school who need something -- a coat or a family who needs meals. You can go from there about how you wish to participate. I've never met a counselor who wasn't happy to accept a gift card annonymously that they will pass on to a family in need.

 

[Alesia]

If you want to do something "close to home" I suggest making a phone call to your schools guidance counselor. He or she will know if there are kids in your school who need something -- a coat or a family who needs meals. You can go from there about how you wish to participate. I've never met a counselor who wasn't happy to accept a gift card anonymously that they will pass on to a family in need.

I agree.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

For those that don't understand what the OP is referring to, here are a few examples:

"Money is so tight this month that I..."

"I can't afford $15 to replace my broken toilet seat but I'm here to ask y'all where I can find home improvements free or really cheap..."

"I'm so depressed watching all of you take advantage of these sales but I have no money to go shopping..."

"How much is a honey baked ham..."

"We are so fortunate that someone donated a turkey to us so we can celebrate the holiday..."

"Thank you to the special angels that made our holiday wonderful..." (meaning some kind hearted DISer sent the poster whatever it was they were complaining they couldn't afford).

Those are just a few examples. When you hear the same story & crying poverty with every post, it makes us very cynical. Does that sum it up, everyone?

I think the only one you forgot was:

"Thanks to the kind DISer for the gift of the Canadian Girl doll (totally hypothetical item again) but this isn't the one that my DD wants so does anyone want to TRADE the one I got for the one that my DD will die without?"

Not too much longer later that gifted "Canadian Girl doll" will show up on ebay for sale.

 

[RitaE]

Those read much better after you first read about the $100,000 in credit card debt written off after the bankruptcy.

 

[DWGal210]

This is a good reminder! Thanks, OP!

 

[Alesia]

Oooh...don't forget the old standby "My neighbors are struggling to buy their kids Christmas gifts. I would love to help them, but we are also struggling. Please pray that some angel will come along to help them."

 

[undertheradar]

There was the one about getting a Wii for a family that couldn't afford food or electricity.

 

[Marionnette]

I think the only one you forgot was:

"Thanks to the kind DISer for the gift of the Canadian Girl doll (totally hypothetical item again) but this isn't the one that my DD wants so does anyone want to TRADE the one I got for the one that my DD will die without?"

Not too much longer later that gifted "Canadian Girl doll" will show up on ebay for sale.

Or Craigslist.

 

[SaraJayne]

Or Craigslist.

 

[undertheradar]

Almost like clockwork, a new thread appears.

 

[CdnCarrie]

I think the only one you forgot was:

"Thanks to the kind DISer for the gift of the Canadian Girl doll (totally hypothetical item again) but this isn't the one that my DD wants so does anyone want to TRADE the one I got for the one that my DD will die without?"

Not too much longer later that gifted "Canadian Girl doll" will show up on ebay for sale.

Totally off topic but the doll is not hypothetical actually.

We have Maplelea Dolls http://www.maplelea.com/ .

 

[AlwaysMoving]

There was the one about getting a Wii for a family that couldn't afford food or electricity.

They were very special and just about to move into a newly built home.

 

[Metsfan520]

Almost like clockwork, a new thread appears.

yeah, I noticed that too.

 

[okeydokey]

yeah, I noticed that too.

So predictable.

 

[AlwaysMoving]

Poor Richard's Almanac says today is a good day for fishing and to make sure the winter crop is being planted.