Forking out money to strangers online... (expenses, job, exam)

[Ken S.]

There seems to be no end to stories in the news nowadays about people trying to raise money online expecting only a little but, but then ending up being beneficiaries of a windfall of support. In some cases, people have endured some sort of tragedy or injustice, so it's nice that others want to help; many other examples are just plain nonsense - like needing money for a "potato salad". Whatever possesses people to contribute to these things? Meanwhile there are people out there who are really, really struggling, or run legitimate businesses that really could use the influx of revenue. If people want to mindlessly blow $10 or $20 for no reason at all, why not just go down to a local business and actually pay for something (that you might actually also derive a benefit from)?

[Delahanty]

I know what you mean.

We've seen our share locally of these group funding pages Sometimes they're legit, sometimes not. One local case had extended family members arguing over the money.

I can't help but get the impression that, for some, the prevailing philosophy is "We've suffered a tragedy, so we might as well be rich." How sad.

[harlowvart]

The crowdfunding creeps me out sometimes. There's a person who is soliciting money to care for children after the unexpected death of a parent. The person soliciting the money has a good job but isn't going into work anymore. The 'crowd' donated more than enough money to cover normal living expenses for six months, but this person has already run through that money and is appealing for more. It's a money grab.