Looking for handouts?

[jaminmd]

When I first read that thread on the BB (that someone linked here on the CB) I have to admit that shortly into it, something didn't set quite right with me.. As I said earlier, I don't like to be cynical - but that particular thread is shooting all sorts of "red flags" at me..

Having said that, I think the only threads I have read that seem to be of the "hand out" nature on the DIS have been on the BB, Disney With Families, and Themes & Attractions boards.. I can't recall ever reading one on the CB - unless I missed it or just don't remember it..

I still prefer to be "less" cynical than "more"..

That particular poster had multiple threads complaining about her financial situation, like asking for advice on low cost home improvements & then stating that she can't afford $15 for a new toilet seat. Well, why ask?

I didn't want to respond to any because I don't like to kick people when they're down but I was tempted to question her motives. I help those in need that I know, not random strangers on a message board.

 

[C.Ann]

That particular poster had multiple threads complaining about her financial situation, like asking for advice on low cost home improvements & then stating that she can't afford $15 for a new toilet seat. Well, why ask?.

Well in all honesty, when someone else brought up the toilet seat (which I have purchased them brand new for five bucks), that kind of "sealed the deal" for me..

However, I still gave a polite response with suggestions for what she could do for the 2 younger children - as well as suggestions for making the season a happy one, rather than down in the dumps.. I thought that was the least I could do..

 

[kaseyC]

People need to learn to use different usernames on different boards. lol

Otherwise, googling your username will uncover all kinds of info you probably don't want people to know.

Yep, looks like there were some major financial (CC debt issues) before the job loss.

 

[penn19]

Can you tell I took a half a day off??

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2603482

When I saw the title of this thread, THAT thread was the one I thought of right away! Glad I'm not the only cynical one.

 

[Magic Mom]

Oh yeah, there is one I am suspicous of that has been hitting it pretty hard right now and seems to have done it before. Some people do take advantage of kindness.

I think I know who you are talking about. I get a bad vibe from that person's posts.

 

[quentina]

A little off topic....this weekend, I cleaned out all the closets. As my in-laws love to spend $$$, my kids have many clothes, worn once, twice, not at all with tags. So, instead of taking to goodwill, I decide to call the women and children shelter. They will not take it. I explain that these are almost brand new, many with tags that can be used for Christmas gifts etc. They tell me no storage space.

Now, I am shocked. These families are in critical situations and they don't have a storage closet to give warm, clean clothes to them.......

 

[goofyernmost]

People need to learn to use different usernames on different boards. lol

Otherwise, googling your username will uncover all kinds of info you probably don't want people to know.

I do understand what you are saying, but I'm not sure why that would be a problem. I use the same username on several different boards and unless I switch personalities from board to board, I have no problem with anyone comparing them. I am who I am regardless of where I post. I see no need to hide beyond the universal username that I have chosen.

 

[snowywhite89]

Yep, looks like there were some major financial (CC debt issues) before the job loss.

I googled and was by what I read. Six figure CC debt!!!!

 

[snowywhite89]

Well-on the bankruptcy board she lets on about all her debt-and on the DIS she is gently begging for $$

I'm sure if the Budget Boarders who are soo sympathetic to her knew she was 6 figures in credit card debt-they wouldnt be trying to find her a cheap toilet seat

She also says he was unemployed for 18 months but forgot to tell everybody about the generous severance package he got and that she stopped working the month after he took the first pay cut.

When he took a pay cut would have been the time to cut back on that spending and getting your financial house in order.

My house is as old as hers and all my door handles look and work like the day we moved in and we still have our original unpee stained toilet seats.

 

[C.Ann]

She also says he was unemployed for 18 months but forgot to tell everybody about the generous severance package he got and that she stopped working the month after he took the first pay cut.

When he took a pay cut would have been the time to cut back on that spending and getting your financial house in order.

My house is as old as hers and all my door handles look and work like the day we moved in and we still have our original unpee stained toilet seats.

Good to know my "gut feelings" are still intact.. The more I read (just in her 2 threads - didn't go searching via google), the more red flags I saw.. It's a shame, but at this point (even without google) she has said too many things for people to not be suspicious..

From what I can see, some people (myself included) are just offering her "suggestions" on how to get her older children motivated and what to do with the younger ones - with whatever she can scrape together.. I've seen no indication that anyone is even close to offering a hand out, so I assume she won't continue with this line of thinking.. Even if her situation was exactly as she described it, there are ways she can deal with it (like having the older kids get jobs, odd jobs, baby sitting) and explaining to the younger ones that this won't be a "big" Christmas without "begging".. I hope it's not what it appears to be, but my gut says otherwise..

 

[jaminmd]

Good to know my "gut feelings" are still intact.. The more I read (just in her 2 threads - didn't go searching via google), the more red flags I saw.. It's a shame, but at this point (even without google) she has said too many things for people to not be suspicious..

From what I can see, some people (myself included) are just offering her "suggestions" on how to get her older children motivated and what to do with the younger ones - with whatever she can scrape together.. I've seen no indication that anyone is even close to offering a hand out, so I assume she won't continue with this line of thinking.. Even if her situation was exactly as she described it, there are ways she can deal with it (like having the older kids get jobs, odd jobs, baby sitting) and explaining to the younger ones that this won't be a "big" Christmas without "begging".. I hope it's not what it appears to be, but my gut says otherwise..

She's already gotten a couple of hand outs from DIS'ers already, according to her posts, so there are those with kind hearts that are getting suckered. That makes me sad for those who couldn't avoid their bad situations.

 

[jaminmd]

I don't normally play DIS detective but there was just something about that poster that got to me.

 

[C.Ann]

She's already gotten a couple of hand outs from DIS'ers already, according to her posts, so there are those with kind hearts that are getting suckered. That makes me sad for those who couldn't avoid their bad situations.

Really? When was that? I don't recognize her user name - and the only 2 threads I have read are the most current ones.. Do you see those same people responding now - that helped her out before?

That's a shame..

 

[Hannathy]

She could probably sell all the things that she bought to get that far into debt and have way more than 3/4th of the people reading about it.

Her kids are already getting free lunches and probably food stamps and her DH is working, I don't think they will starve in the near future and can probably buy a couple things for Xmas, of course if her kids have as much as I think they do what else could they possibly need?

 

[jaminmd]

Really? When was that? I don't recognize her user name - and the only 2 threads I have read are the most current ones.. Do you see those same people responding now - that helped her out before?

That's a shame..

No, she only referred to them as "angels." I think one of them actually paid for her DD to go on a class trip.

 

[C.Ann]

No, she only referred to them as "angels." I think one of them actually paid for her DD to go on a class trip.

That's sad.. Whatever the case may be, she's going to have to answer to a much higher authority than us one day - and then there's that whole "Karma" thing - so if justice is warranted, it will come - sooner or later..

 

[DawnM]

I don't think she wants suggestions.

That much CC debt and not paying them at all right now bothers me more than anything. Who gets to pay for all that when the person who stole the goods isn't paying?

Dawn

Well in all honesty, when someone else brought up the toilet seat (which I have purchased them brand new for five bucks), that kind of "sealed the deal" for me..

However, I still gave a polite response with suggestions for what she could do for the 2 younger children - as well as suggestions for making the season a happy one, rather than down in the dumps.. I thought that was the least I could do..

 

[cheermom1]

WOW I saw it earlier but I didn't pay much attention. I know that our christmas is not going to be that great but I've already talked to the kids and they understand. You can talk to your kids about it and most will get it. They will all be getting one big gift and a few little ones and that is it! There is no need to try to go all out every year if you can't. I don't understand why some seem to think that if they don't or can't spend so much on each kid that ity is the end of the world?

 

[snarlingcoyote]

I am related to and know people in a much worse shape than the poster everyone is referring to. . .why on earth would I send her money? I volunteer with an animal rescue, am a member of church with plenty of good charitable causes, have a DF who volunteers with a food bank/charitable aid (they mainly give out food, but also give out school uniforms and other clothes) organization, and live in a city with a food bank that is part of a local network that is one of the best run charities in the country. With all those choices, why would I send someone I don't know money when she sounds as though she's in a much better shape than many people I DO know?

 

[chellewashere]

A little off topic....this weekend, I cleaned out all the closets. As my in-laws love to spend $$$, my kids have many clothes, worn once, twice, not at all with tags. So, instead of taking to goodwill, I decide to call the women and children shelter. They will not take it. I explain that these are almost brand new, many with tags that can be used for Christmas gifts etc. They tell me no storage space.

Now, I am shocked. These families are in critical situations and they don't have a storage closet to give warm, clean clothes to them.......

This happened to me. When my DD was born to say we were excited is an understatement. We had 2 stores here shutting down and they had HUGE sales so I bought wayyy to much stuff. After her first birthday I went thru the closet and found many clothes, toys and other essentials she had never used. I called the domestic violence place where I live to donate them and they told me they could take no toys or the spare highchair, carseat, pack and play and items such as that due to recalls (i get that but these were never used) and for the clothing I could drive them 2 hours to the main office if I wanted to donate them. I couldnt beleive it. There were a ton of brandnew clothes the only place that would take my donations was the Childrens Hospital took ALL her stuffed animals that we had.