| When
I first heard about the "SaveKaryn.com"
website, I thought 'Wow! I gotta do a story on this...
people are just giving away their cash!' I then realized
that I would be giving these people more publicity than
I cared to and reminded myself that I don't like to
spotlight dumb people.
After
thinking it over during the past little while and seeing
so many of these sites popping up, I decided to write
about them. Here's the latest info on the newest trend
in websites and, I suppose, philanthropy: Cyber begging.
How
Cyber Begging Works
It
goes something like this: Someone makes a
website saying that they are in need of
financial assistance and explain why. They
subsequently provide an address and people send
them various amounts of money.
From
what I can tell, they seem to be getting other
items as well. For example, Karyn received an
eraser to erase her debt.
Karyn
was the first to get 'famous' by putting together a
fairly detailed website. She explains how she got into
debt (she tends to overspend and use her credit cards
like crazy) and visitors to her website can help her get
out of her $20,000 debt (donate and she'll thank you on
one of her pages).
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She also provides regular updates
regarding her financial situation. She has appeared on
TV (the Today Show among others) and apparently been offered book and
movie deals. Unreal, I swear!
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...Karyn
received an eraser to erase her debt...
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Karyn
Bosnak - BrianX.com brings
you exclusive pictures of her from MSNBC where she
was interviewed in November 2002. |
Who
is Responsible?
Actually,
the real question is, who is IRresponsible? And the answer
is: most of THESE people! I mean, why should other hard
working people who have a heart and pay for these poor
saps who don't know how to manage their cash flow? I am
willing to bet they are more irresponsible than the
average person and tend to be self-centered. On the other
hand, I applaud their guts for doing this!
But
these people probably aren't such 'nice' people, given
that although many requested to be listed on this page,
many couldn't be bothered to thank me on their website or
put a link to this page, even though they informed me that
they were receiving visitors that I had sent them.
Moreover,
they are expecting something for nothing and many don't
even bother to keep their websites updated which is
insulting. The website goes up, they plan to announce
weekly contributions and do so for a while but when money
only trickles in, they stop. Well, it's no wonder many of
these sites aren't getting any financial aid.
Parodies
and Novelties
Like
any and all successful trends, especially in a free
country, there are bound to be imitators. I must say that people
have adapted the idea to their own needs quite creatively.
Michel
(Michelle) from giveboobs.com received the $4,500 she
wanted to get breast implants. Visitors to her website
paid for her breast implants because
there are enough guys out there who gladly support
that kind of thing. In any case, I received an email from
her a while back... not too much going on upstairs from
what I can tell so maybe she can fake her way through life
for a while. Never forget that beauty fades but dumb is
forever.
Angela
is a graduate student and single mom who needed some
financial help (her site is gone). Since
Jessica (LendMeABuck.com)
was brave enough to provide pictures, I suppose she merits
some sort of compensation. Penny wants to get divorced and
offered a picture of her on her
website that sadomasochists loved! (The site is now
gone)
Maggie
needs help with her Trigeminal Neuralgia medical bills
(Save Maggie - website now gone) which is a noble goal. Maybe if the price of health care in the United States wasn't so ridiculous,
she
wouldn't have to make this kind of site. In any case, at
least she appears to have good intentions.
Anyways,
the list goes on and I'm sure we'll be seeing even more of
these as word spreads. Just about everyone could use more
money so there won't be a shortage of the sites anytime
soon.
In
the End...
Sending
strangers cash for their supposed problems is kind of
hypocritical. Just because they have a website doesn't
mean they are legit. Cyber begging and cyber beggars are
sure to continue over the next few years although the fad
will likely die off. Perhaps if more people aimed their
benevolence at more local causes, the world might be a
better place.
Finally,
one thing that has impressed me about Karyn is that she
got out of debt in November 2002 and has
decided to give her extra income to others who she feels
are in need.
The
send-me-money sites that went bankrupt!
The
send-me-money sites range from credit card debt, medical
and school bills, saving homes and families, to paying for
dates, breast implants, and divorces. Not
surprisingly, there are lots of others springing up all the
time and believe it or not, the list above is only
a partial one! On the other hand, it seems that
the majority of these sites come and go quite
quickly in most cases because they aren't making
any moolah. Sites
that were once listed here as being active but
have since quietly disappeared...
Save
Karyn Not (a couple raising money for
charities)
Save
Kristen (the site is not asking for $ anymore)
A
mom in desperate need of your help (Rebecca
Vasquez)
Send
David to College (ditto,
and the site has changed)
Save
Mike and Dave
Save Nicki and Her Daughter
Don't
Save Karyn (a parody of the original)
Help
Shannon Make His First Film
Help
a couple and their dog
Help
Send My Daughter to College
Save
Kristin, Deb, another Deb, Debbie, Mike, Dave, BG,
and lots of others!!
Save
Lisa (123SaveMe.com)
Save Deb
Save a Grad Student
Help
Brian with Paramedic School (No relationship
to BrianX)
Rescue
a Social Worker
Help
a Cancer Victim
Help Raquel with College
For Gina who was murdered
Help Kristin in College
Help Chris Date Hot Women
Help 4 Jen Who Wants a Yurt
Save Dana
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