If you ever need money for anything, just be honest about it.

[Tobin S.]

I've given money to people who needed to save their houses. I've given money to people who needed to pay the rent. I've given money to people who needed to keep the lights on. I've given money to people who wanted to start a small business. I've given money to people to help with their college tuition and books. I've given money to people who needed help paying medical bills. I've given money to people who needed to get a car. I've given money to people who needed to buy groceries. I've bought gas for people. I've bought meals for people. I've bought booze and cigarettes for people. I helped a guy pay for his surgery.

I'm not a millionaire. Those were mostly small dollar contributions of probably $100 or less. But what I did helped people. They were all in need of something and they were all honest about it. If you ever need money for whatever reason, unless it's illegal, there's no reason to lie about it. Be up front about it and you're probably just as likely to get help as if you were to lie about it and make up some bullshit sob story.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Good policy, my dear Tobin...

I do think that some people feel ashamed about asking for help and this interferes with their being honest.

[ghostsinthemachine]

2. And, speaking as someone who has asked, and received

Thanks a lot. I would never ask unless it were an absolute last option.

Thanks.

[rwheeler31]

3. Thank you for your generosity it is difficult

to know if someone is being honest but it takes a lot to ask for help.

[PoliticAverse]

4. Indeed be honest that you need $10 to make potato salad and you could get $40,000...

http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2014/07/07/potato_salad_on_kickstarter_the_project_has_raised_more_than_9_000.html

[calendargirl]

5. That's good in theory --

But unfortunately, no one is going to post "I want to bilk innocent people out of money because I'm a bad person, or a lazy criminal." Not everyone is on the up-and-up.

[Tobin S.]

6. What I'm talking about...

...isn't about people doing anything illegal as I said in the OP. In other words, if you want money for video games or to make a car payment say that and don't make up some story about your brother getting jacked up in a car wreck.

[Iggo]

7. Which is why I find it easier to give money to some rando homeless guy then to political groups.