The Saving Advice Forums - A classic personal finance community.

Opinions

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • #16
    Originally posted by frugal saver View Post
    I would assume that GoFundMe proceeds would be considered gifts from the individuals that donated the money, so not taxable.

    I have a neighbor, very sweet, who had a horrible thing happen to her son. He was in and out of the hospital for almost a year, but is finally ok now. Her husband has a good job and they have insurance, but she (or someone) set up a GoFundMe for their medical expenses.

    A good bit of money was raised, the insurance paid for everything, and now every time I turn around she's posting on FB about this or that new thing that they just got. The latest was two new puppies--rare breed--that were at least $2500 each. (Edit: I just went to the breeder website--the puppies were $3000 each.)

    I don't begrudge them the shopping--they've been through a lot--but I doubt the people donating expected to be funding puppies and 70" tv's.
    I know I would be pissed off if I helped them and they were buying a TV.

    Comment


    • #17
      Originally posted by FLA View Post
      that's awful!

      I would be embarrassed to post that I spent any money on things other than necessities on FB if people had raised money for me
      Originally posted by StormRichards View Post
      I know I would be pissed off if I helped them and they were buying a TV.
      And that speaks to my earlier point about these campaigns often bringing in a lot more money than needed. Sorry, I'm not funding your lifestyle elevation.

      I had a somewhat awkward situation about a year ago. A good friend was diagnosed with cancer. A campaign was started (not by him) to help him and his family. They asked for donations of supermarket gift cards and restaurant gift cards and such to help them out while he was going through treatment.

      The problem I had is that I happen to know exactly how much he earns and have a reasonably good idea of how much his wife earns and their combined income is considerably higher than my own, a healthy 6-figure income. Plus he has good health insurance and disability insurance. As much as I care about him and his family, I just couldn't bring myself to give him money just because he happened to have cancer, as awful a thing as that was for him to deal with. It just wasn't the kind of support I felt comfortable giving him. A ride to the doctor? Sure. Watching the kids for a couple of hours? Definitely. But handing over cash, essentially? Nope.
      Steve

      * Despite the high cost of living, it remains very popular.
      * Why should I pay for my daughter's education when she already knows everything?
      * There are no shortcuts to anywhere worth going.

      Comment


      • #18
        Steve's story reminded me of something we encountered last year. I don't want to go into the details, but we felt the woman rallying the troops was doing it more for herself than the person in need.

        A "look at me and the wonderful thing I am doing" situation.

        It wasn't a cash situation. Meal prep, which of course has a cost. We were happy to help of course, but hated the feeling that the person organizing it wasn't genuine with her reasons. Of all of the people we have met through our daughter's athletics, she is the most despicable two faced piece of sh*t that we know. We aren't the only ones that see through her facade, but really can't call her out in situations like that.

        Comment

        Working...
        X