It is hard to know what is the real financial status of people. I know a family living like millionaires (think expensive vacations around the world, best private schools, lavish weddings and parties, only fancy clothes etc) but they are in deep debt and a lot of it is appearance (for examples clothes and accessories are often from rental places).
I also met a family living very modestly (they belong to a very strict religious sect) but they are real millionaires. You never know!!!

Anonymous wrote:Not one but TWO families I know who circulated “urgent” Go Fund Me requests within the last year or so are both on major vacations for spring break (think: Disney, Caribbean, Europe, etc.). Both GFM campaigns had significant targets to cover pressing financial issues tied to a crisis (think: medical or housing crisis).

I will never fall for the sob stories again.

I don't do GFM. It's more like Go Fu*k Me.

I gave to GFMs for the Lahsina fire and the CA fires.

I would never give anything in any form to a family member who complained in a GFM that I wasn't giving them money.

Anonymous wrote:We had a family of kids lose their single parent and relatives had to take them in. That made sense to fund. Another family got serious injuries based on negligence from a public event and couldnt work to help out their family so I funded them not knowing when and if they'd receive money from a lawsuit.

Why would people who genuinely need funds use GFM and accept their high fee haircut to the funds raised?

People are so comfortable begging these days.

I keep seeing a few influencers who are ‘famous’ because they have or had a child/partner with a terminal illness. Obviously this is horrible and there are associated costs with such issues (funeral, medical expenses, etc.) But I’ve questioned the volume of money raised and what it’s supposedly used for: both have raised closed to a million dollars plus funds from merch sales, items sent from Amazon wishlists and registries…one GoFundMe was essentially to fund the surviving parent and child’s entire life, including funds for a potential wedding.

Meanwhile, I see others with medical issues who can hardly afford prescriptions. I just question whether funds could be used more equitably, but I guess people can donate wherever they want.

I ignore all requests for money as a general rule

Suppose you were financially very well off and had done a good bit to support family members in need. One certain family member, though, just cannot get their act together financially and spends frivilously. You have offered them assistance with therapy, job hunting and coaching services etc. but they just want a blank check.

They approach you, yet again, for support and you've finally had enough, so you put your foot down. In response, this family member creates a very public gofundme about all of their trials and travails and suggesting in subtle but obvious enough ways that family has not been supportive.

Your inclination is to ignore all of this, but you've done a great deal to build a reputation in your community and this GoFundMe is starting to get back to people in your personal and professional circles. It makes you look uncharitable and cruel to family, but you would rather not go through the backstory of your family drama with your circle.

Would you just continue to ignore it all and hope that it washes over?

Not too dissimilar from what happened to football player Bo Jackson, but less of a public profile.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/crime-courts/bo-jackson-awarded-21-million-georgia-blackmail-stalking-case-family-m-rcna138236

GFM is such a scam. They keep way too much of the money as a fee.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not one but TWO families I know who circulated “urgent” Go Fund Me requests within the last year or so are both on major vacations for spring break (think: Disney, Caribbean, Europe, etc.). Both GFM campaigns had significant targets to cover pressing financial issues tied to a crisis (think: medical or housing crisis).

I will never fall for the sob stories again.

But most of the GoFund Me campaigns are for true tragedies.

You are a heartless MAGA if you write off suffering people in need!

I know that you are just shooting off, but FYI, conservatives and religious people give more to charity.

Anonymous wrote:Not one but TWO families I know who circulated “urgent” Go Fund Me requests within the last year or so are both on major vacations for spring break (think: Disney, Caribbean, Europe, etc.). Both GFM campaigns had significant targets to cover pressing financial issues tied to a crisis (think: medical or housing crisis).

I will never fall for the sob stories again.

But most of the GoFund Me campaigns are for true tragedies.

You are a heartless MAGA if you write off suffering people in need!

Anonymous wrote:Not one but TWO families I know who circulated “urgent” Go Fund Me requests within the last year or so are both on major vacations for spring break (think: Disney, Caribbean, Europe, etc.). Both GFM campaigns had significant targets to cover pressing financial issues tied to a crisis (think: medical or housing crisis).

I will never fall for the sob stories again.

I never donate to anyone. Ever.

I'm pretty sure there is one circulating our area that is a total scam. Like the story is fake. It's over 35K

We had a family of kids lose their single parent and relatives had to take them in. That made sense to fund. Another family got serious injuries based on negligence from a public event and couldnt work to help out their family so I funded them not knowing when and if they'd receive money from a lawsuit.

I contributed to Shiloh Hendrix.

It chaps my azz when an influencer who is pulling in bank has a gofundme for a cause--medical event, funeral, etc. BANK some of that money already so you're prepared for the "unexpected". I do not give to GFM, ever