Crowdfunding Your Life

1329614049877843I’m going to discuss a popular subject and voice what may be an unpopular opinion.  One of the benefits to having my own blog.

Now you all know that I’m relatively positive about most things, but I think I’m in a cranky mood lately.  Maybe I’m getting older.  But if you follow me on Twitter, you may have seen my rant yesterday.  Something has been popping up more and more in the running world and it’s starting to drive me crazy:

Crowdfunding Your Races

Now, don’t get me wrong.  I’m not talking about when you race for charity.  I’m aware that many times, if you’re doing a race for charity, you didn’t pay for that race.  (Personally, if I get a race entry for charity fundraising, I always make sure I donate at least the cost of the race out of my own pocket, but that’s just me.)  I’m a huge fan of charity fundraising, as you have seen me discuss before.

No, I’m talking about when people say “I want to do this race, but it’s expensive, so I need you to help me pay for the race, travel, and lodging so that I can fulfill my dreams.”

Stop crowdfunding your life.

Of course, you don’t just see this in terms of running.  I’ve seen people crowdfunding to  pay for fancy vacations or to buy a new car.  In what world is this okay?  If you want those things, you work hard and you save for them.

Now, there are exceptions to how I view this.  Your house burns down and your insurance money hasn’t come in and you need things like clothes?  Different story.  Your kid needs a specific medical device and your insurance won’t cover it?  Absolutely.  But asking someone to pay for your luxuries is selfish.

I get it.  There are plenty of awesome things that I would love to do that I cannot do because I don’t have the money.  You know how I solve that problem?  I save money and wait until I can afford them.

If you don’t have the money for something, you can’t afford it.  At least people are smart enough to not go into debt, I guess.

If you can’t afford a trip to do ten marathons in ten days, then guess what?  You can’t afford to do ten marathons in ten days.  Instead of asking your friends to give you money for this “dream” of yours, why not turn that into something good and ask them to donate to charity while you save money so you can afford the travel.  There are lots of people out there who actually do need the money.  You do not.

What are your thoughts on crowdfunding for races and vacations?

6 thoughts on “Crowdfunding Your Life

  1. I think its perfectly reasonable to crowd fund something life saving or emergency like a unexpected flight in the shock trauma helicopter (that bill is high I hear) or a medical expense that allows you to lead a normal life, but the insurance won’t cover it (like a new wheel chair).
    But I think its selfish to ask someone to pay for a perk. Like a vacation. Or new phone. Or a race entry. These are things you save up for if you really want to have them or do them.

  2. I’ve seen some pretty crazy things crowdfunded, but I have to recognize every though it can be sort of annoying to watch someone crowdfund their own car, it’s also my own right to not donate. What DOES drive me crazy, however, is when I see hateful people crowdfunding, like that anti-gay pizzeria that people donated over 800k to after anti-gay comments shut them down. THAT blows me away.
    Cheri @ Overactive Blogger recently posted…Fitness instructors, leave your ego at the door.My Profile

  3. You make a good point, Cheri. People can ask, but I don’t have to give. Of course, it still rubs me the wrong way every time I see it.

  4. I’ve never seen this but I agree 100%. I hate asking people to donate for anything, but to fund my vacation? I’d deserve to be slapped.

  5. This also rubs me the wrong way.

    What follows is just a vent: An acquaintance on social media recently posted something about raising money and racing. Thinking she was raising money for a good cause, I clicked over because I like racing and good causes. Nope! She just really likes racing, wants to be able to run 5K’s whenever she can, and wants someone else to pay for them. Her goal is $5000!

    She lives near me. You can find 5K to run around here every single weekend within a max 45 minute drive. Most cost under $30 even if sign up the same day.

    I would be embarrassed to even post something like that. Crowdfund something like medical procedures, raise money for a good cause, but don’t ask me to donate to your race fund.

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