Taking a break from my usual nonsensical drivel to ask a question of the blogosphere. I have a "big" birthday in a few weeks and was hoping to get your opinions on whether my idea could be viewed as too cheeky to ask for.
I am toying with the idea of setting up a go fund me page for anyone who wants to give me a gift so that friends can donate what they want towards helping me get a better fitting saddle for Miss Nancy. She has been very good and hasn't once complained about the fit of her current saddle, but even my untrained eye can tell it is awful on her. *sigh*
Is it cheeky/wrong to look for a handout, even though I would never dream of specifying an amount and would rather people give me nothing vs them buying something I will never use & potentially spending a lot of money on it. Typically i tell anyone who will listen that I don't want gifts, but no one listens when I tell them that even though I do whole-heartedly mean it.
I know when I buy gifts i would rather wait and get something my friends/family actually need and/or will use versus splurging on something they might never have use of for a specific day.
I don't want people to feel they have to get me a gift, as i stated above i would honestly rather not receive anything but anyone that has asked me what i want rolls their eyes when I tell them nothing and insist they will get me something anyway.
I am not sure how go fund me works, has anyone used it before? Can it be made so that donation amounts can be kept private if the spender wants anonymity?
Is this idea greedy/selfish of me to dictate to people that I would rather cold hard cash *gulp*
I would hate to come across as selfish or conceited.
So please guys, help, what would you do in my situation?
PS: i used inverted commas around the word big to describe my birthday, as i personally don't view it as a big birthday. It's just a day like every other to me, but society insists passing decades are an achievement when really every day should be celebrated imo.
A place where I record the adventures of myself and my Irish Sport Horse mare, Kika. Who I purchased as an un-backed 3yr old in 2007. This blog follows the trials and tribulations of first-time horse ownership since moving from Ireland to Luxembourg in 2010. UPDATE: as of 2013, Kika is being joined by Nancy a Friesan X ISH mare bred by my family who I had my eye on since she was a foal and have been lucky enough to buy and add to my equine family.
I think that's a great idea! At least if people want to give gifts they can put it towards something you want. It might be easier to have someone else set up the go fund me for you, not sure though. I'm sure a few bloggers would like to chip in for your bday too :)
ReplyDeleteThat's the way I saw it too, I know when I get gifts I'd rather put my money towards something I know they want *hugs*
Deleteeh hard to tell, really. i'm with you on preferring the funds for horse-related gear and goods over pretty much anything else... but it's not always been an easy sell with my family. ultimately tho it's your choice and people will give whatever they feel like giving anyway.
ReplyDeleteTrue, thanks for the advice ☺
DeleteI think it's a great idea, but believe me - someone is going to take offense. I got married in May and we set up a honeyfund rather than a registry, because we didn't particularly need or want anything material. We definitely got some grumbles by the older folks, but most people liked the idea (and it's easier for them)! I say do it!
ReplyDeleteHonestly i can live with people taking offence, especially if it means they don't "waste" their money on something I won't use *blush*
DeleteI think that sounds like a wonderful idea. It's always nice to know what the person wants rather than having to guess! No experience with gofund me, but Happy Birthday in advance :)
ReplyDeleteThanks T, I feel the same way. I'd always rather give towards something I know the person wants...hopefully others share my opinion ;-)
DeleteI think it's a good idea! I feel incredibly guilty when people give me something I don't like or won't use. (I have a very sweet aunt who never fails to give me some sweater or shirt that is COMPLETELY not my style for my birthday/Christmas.) I'm sure your friends and family WANT to give you something you'll love and use, so I say set it up and direct people to it when they ask you what you want.
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping ☺
DeleteWhy not just tell people you'd like money towards a saddle? If you use go fund me, you lose a portion of the money to fees.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah Susan has a point, if people could venmo or paypal you some how as 'giving to a family member or friend' then you won't lose anything in fees :)
DeleteI would rather have someone do that than waste money on something they may not want. I don't think it's a big deal. You can always tell them that you don't expect anything, but if they are insisting on a gift, you're trying to save up for a saddle. No big deal.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't think how to phrase it so instead went for no gifts please, but if you can't obey donate to a charity of your choice
Delete*shrug*
I hope people listen
There is nothing wrong with wanting cash instead of presents you won't use! Just tell people you are saving up for one big thing you want (the saddle), so you only want cash. I'm the same way you are. I'd rather buy things people need, versus guessing and possibly getting something useless they won't ever use. I think I've offended people by asking them what they need.... oh well. I just don't want anymore clutter... so I wish people would give me cash... heck I need new shoes (soles fell out of mine), but no people want to buy me more trinkets to dust.... fingers crossed you get all the cash you need for a saddle!
ReplyDeleteGlad I'm not the only one who thinks along these lines!
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