Why the F* should we bother paying for this site?

[Cindy]

You know what?

Why should you give a few dollars?

Why should you bother?

You are happy, the site is up,  you can ask for help, you can talk to your friends, you are safe here.

The staff will try to help when you need to cut/drug/drink/..... suicide.

Sue will supply it all?

Cindy will open her wallet and say yes to the next years finances?

For the last few years Sue and I have kept this place going. I sit in the background with a chequebook.

But I can't any longer.

I need nothing from this place, I just want to make sure no one suffers as I did in my life, so I have paid big dollars to keep this site going; but I can't any longer.

Please donate.

I cannot financially support this site any longer. My bank account is dry.

YOU HAVE TO OR WE CLOSE.

your choice.

Cindy

[CalmRage]

You know what?

Why should you give a few dollars?

Why should you bother?

You are happy, the site is up,  you can ask for help, you can talk to your friends, you are safe here.

The staff will try to help when you need to cut/drug/drink/..... suicide.

Sue will supply it all?

Cindy will open her wallet and say yes to the next years finances?

For the last few years Sue and I have kept this place going. I sit in the background with a chequebook.

But I can't any longer.

I need nothing from this place, I just want to make sure no one suffers as I did in my life, so I have paid big dollars to keep this site going; but I can't any longer.

Please donate.

I cannot financially support this site any longer. My bank account is dry.

YOU HAVE TO OR WE CLOSE.

your choice.

Cindy

If i still had a paypal account, i would've donated a bit, but i deleted mine in a fit of rage. It's a long story.

[bethany]

Dear Sue and Cindy, Thank you for all you have done to keep this place alive, but you should never have dried up your bank accounts. I wish you had asked for donations before now. You both deserve a round of applause for your efforts here.  I donated what I could afford and once I get my life on track I plan on becoming a subscriber.   I hope that Susan's will be here for many years to come as it has been a valuable asset to me.

Love to all,
Bethany

[Ltl89]

Cindy, I like you.  And I agree that Susan has done a great thing and deserves our help.  But I find this post to be a bit insulting and condescending to those who are legitimately broke and unable to donate.  You make it sound as though, we don't care and have no desire to help.  I would gladly contribute if I had the money.  The thing is I don't.  Yes, this site is amazing and everything that Susan has done is great.  I do appreciate it and would like to give back.  But if I am poor and have nothing to give, should I be emotionally blackmailed into doing something I can't.  It's not like I don't care.  I don't have it.  I'm sorry but I am in a bad place and $10 a month WOULD actually hurt me.  Again, I thank you for everything that you have provided.  I mean that.  But its not my choice about donating.  I don't have a choice.

I did, however, offer what I could to help the site in terms of volunteering.  The offer remains because I want this site to thrive and I'd like to contribute.  If there is something else I can help out with, I will gladly do so, but I can't grow a non-existent money tree.

Sorry if I took this too personally, but I found it a little insulting to say that all of us not subscribing are shrugging our shoulders saying "why should we care".  And as a moderator who knows the personalities of most the members here, I hope you don't think so little of us as people.

[Cindy]

LtL

Honey I would never ever ever insult anyone.

I will continue to help, I will continue for people like you who have hit a bad time.

Sadly it is those who are most in need who feel most and in many cases help most. I run a soup kitchen for the homeless (don't ask why I'm just mad) the people who man it are themselves homeless. The people with homes don't care. Or seem not to.

I want to raise awareness among those who can help. I never want to hurt those who need.

Of that you have my soul.

[Beth Andrea]

I will still donate, in spite of the tone (reverse psychology?) of the OP...but yes, donations should have been asked the day expenses went over, say, $1,000 USD. And in fact we did ask how to donate some months ago, and we were told to keep our britches on, for lack of a better way to describe it.

[Ltl89]

LtL

Honey I would never ever ever insult anyone.

I will continue to help, I will continue for people like you who have hit a bad time.

Sadly it is those who are most in need who feel most and in many cases help most. I run a soup kitchen for the homeless (don't ask why I'm just mad) the people who man it are themselves homeless. The people with homes don't care. Or seem not to.

I want to raise awareness among those who can help. I never want to hurt those who need.

Of that you have my soul.

No offense taken.  Again, once I have the ability to give, I will.  For now, I can only offer you assistance through other means such as volunteering my time if needed.  I hate when I am powerless to help and wish I could assist you guys.  I do hope your subscriber model will be successful and that this site continues to thrive. 

[Devlyn]

It's an Australian pep talk! The fact is, the site is here to help people, and it does that admirably. I am glad to be in a position to help, because I understand that keeping the site going helps others. I'll reinforce what learningtolive mentioned, the contribution doesn't have to be money. Volunteering your time to help keep this lifesaving place running is a good way to help, and it won't cost anything. Help how you can, but please help. Hugs, Devlyn

[Eva Marie]

I want to support the site (especially since i seem to be on the road to transition and ill need the help of my sisters here) but my wife just lost her job and things are squeaky tight right now. Hopefully I can soon.

[SaveMeJeebus]

I wish i had more money to give, i truly do, but i don't even have a job. I think i read someone already mention ads, so maybe....

[Lesley_Roberta]

What is 5 bucks?

It's barely anything. It won't buy me lunch.
There are no books, no models, no games (outside of schlock on Android) I can't think of anything of value I can get with 5 bucks other than to give it to Susan.

Come on people, it's 5 bucks, it isn't that much, but collectively, if we gave Susan a lousy 5 bucks a month it would really matter.

If you can't give Susan a lousy 5 bucks, then I defy you to explain how you can waste it on internet service. Come on, it's just 5 bucks.

I might not be able to the subscriber thing and oh boohoo I miss out on a special hand shake private forum. But I likely will be able to do the random once a month 5 buck donation. My Paypal fluctuates too randomly, I never know when I might have the 5 bucks. But I can't picture going a whole month and not being able to find a lousy 5 bucks.

Cindy asked a good question and I understand why she asked it the way she asked it and it was not meant to be insulting and it wasn't.
The question is why, and the answer begins at the top of the forum home page and ends at the bottom of the home page.

Is that worth a lousy 5 bucks to you?

[AdamMLP]

I feel like I'm making excuses, but in 41 days time I'm going to be out of my parents house and fending for myself for the first time, and I have no idea how much things are going to cost.  I don't even know the price of a loaf of bread, except they're normally 12p around fifteen minutes before the shop closes and it's about to go past it's best before date.  If I knew my financial future then I would contribute, but I don't.  It's probably going to be better, but maybe that's just wishful thinking...

Thank you for everyone who is donating though, and don't think too harshly on those who are aware it would be an irrational decision to donate money they might desperately need now, or in the near future.  And as for what 5 bucks will buy, £3.25 would easily buy me lunch, or on a good day I could have got lunch and to college and back.  It'll almost buy me the pillowcases I need to get.

[aleon515]

Cindy, I am happy to donate. You don't need reverse psychology, but what you could do is give us a link!! I looked on the front page, nothing. I think that a site this big should be supported by it's participants. Obviously they are people who can't afford to, but there are others that can, and others that could donate a few dollars-- spread it around.

--Jay

[Oriah]

What is 5 bucks?

It's barely anything. It won't buy me lunch.
There are no books, no models, no games (outside of schlock on Android) I can't think of anything of value I can get with 5 bucks other than to give it to Susan.

Come on people, it's 5 bucks, it isn't that much, but collectively, if we gave Susan a lousy 5 bucks a month it would really matter.

If you can't give Susan a lousy 5 bucks, then I defy you to explain how you can waste it on internet service. Come on, it's just 5 bucks.

I might not be able to the subscriber thing and oh boohoo I miss out on a special hand shake private forum. But I likely will be able to do the random once a month 5 buck donation. My Paypal fluctuates too randomly, I never know when I might have the 5 bucks. But I can't picture going a whole month and not being able to find a lousy 5 bucks.

Cindy asked a good question and I understand why she asked it the way she asked it and it was not meant to be insulting and it wasn't.
The question is why, and the answer begins at the top of the forum home page and ends at the bottom of the home page.

Is that worth a lousy 5 bucks to you?

Maybe five bucks won't buy you lunch....but I can feed my family of three for that.

And how do I justify paying for internet?  Simple....I'm not the one paying for it.

I have to say I'm perpetually broke.  I have a child on the way (due in 1 MONTH).  I have HRT to pay for, and medication to buy...I have over 50 farm animals to feed, and we're constantly juggling funds to keep our property, to keep fed, and to keep moving forward...I have priorities, and donating money to ANYTHING just isn't high enough on that list.  Perhaps if things were better I would donate...but they're not.

Does being broke because I have a life and family and we're all struggling to keep afloat make me unworthy to set my eyes upon this forum?

Some of us just can't swing it.  I'm not happy about that fact, and nobody should be, but it's a fact nonetheless.



I appreciate what everyone does to keep this site running.  I wish I could afford to help out financially.  I hope the others on this board are more understanding.

[Devlyn]

Calm down, we're still a support site. Susan has stated that the site will remain free for everyone with the exception of one subforum. The doors aren't being closed on anyone. No one is being judged. Hugs, Devlyn

[Oriah]

Calm down, we're still a support site. Susan has stated that the site will remain free for everyone with the exception of one subforum. The doors aren't being closed on anyone. No one is being judged. Hugs, Devlyn

Just testing the waters.  If more people feel that way, I'd gladly move on.  I mean, even if the site remained free, but I'd be looked down on for being unable to donate, I wouldn't want to stick around.  I don't want to stick around somewhere I'm not welcome, even if I'm still permitted to be there.

[Jamie D]

I look at it this way.  I come here every day - not just to moderate, but to learn and grow.  I have made wonderful friends here.  I have found love and support when I needed it the most.

Is this site worth 35 cents per day?  You bet it is.

I think we all realize that times are tough, with a worldwide recession that has lasted more than four years.  It sucks.  Two years ago I had a $3 million solar deal fall through because of the economy. 

I know that many of us are on fixed incomes.  In 2004, I was making a salary in six figures.  Then I got sick.  I still have a mortgage, kids in college, medical expenses, all the normal bills any home owner has.  Right now I am at a just break even point.  But this place is a priority.

I will happily economize to help others here.  I will be glad to do a little more, because I can.  In return, I would hope that other members can find a few extra dollars in their budget.  17 cents per day works out to $5 per month.

I am trying to think of ways to raise money for the site.  I think, if we brainstorm the problem, we can find solutions.  Who can help me?

[Ltl89]

What is 5 bucks?

It's barely anything. It won't buy me lunch.
There are no books, no models, no games (outside of schlock on Android) I can't think of anything of value I can get with 5 bucks other than to give it to Susan.

Come on people, it's 5 bucks, it isn't that much, but collectively, if we gave Susan a lousy 5 bucks a month it would really matter.

If you can't give Susan a lousy 5 bucks, then I defy you to explain how you can waste it on internet service. Come on, it's just 5 bucks.

I might not be able to the subscriber thing and oh boohoo I miss out on a special hand shake private forum. But I likely will be able to do the random once a month 5 buck donation. My Paypal fluctuates too randomly, I never know when I might have the 5 bucks. But I can't picture going a whole month and not being able to find a lousy 5 bucks.

Cindy asked a good question and I understand why she asked it the way she asked it and it was not meant to be insulting and it wasn't.
The question is why, and the answer begins at the top of the forum home page and ends at the bottom of the home page.

Is that worth a lousy 5 bucks to you?

In the grand scheme of things 5 or 10 dollars a month is not going to break most people.  If you have stability,  tou should be able to make it.  For those whi don't,  it's more complex.  I have money saved up, but not really anything I can spare at rhe moment.   I don't buy games, books or go out for lunch.  I use what I have as an investment for my future.   Transitioning hasn't heen cheap for me and I have other expenses comibg in that have hurt.  I am 24 and searching fir meaningful employment, bur haven't found it yet.  I may not be able to live at home in rhe future, because my family does not approve, and will likely have to pay around  $1000 monthly for rent.  These are expensive costs for me.  Besides that I have applications fir grad school to pay which will cost me around $500 dollars.  So you are right that the cist here isn't much, but sime of us can't do it rifhr now.  I'm not being stingy.   I have no money to spare.  Keep in mind 5 dollars is close to an hourly wage for many Americans.   If you don't live rhat reality,  good for you.  But try ro emphasize with those who do.

Having said that, when or if I can ever contribute monetarily I will.  But I can't add more on my plate even though its a small amount because I do not have it.  Im in a shaky place right now.  Again,  yiu need help with volunteering or site assistance,  I will do what you need.  But I don't like being seen as cheap or unhelpful when I don't have rhe ability to donate money.  Therw are others here whi feel the same.  Give us rhe benefit of 5he doubt.   

I look at it this way.  I come here every day - not just to moderate, but to learn and grow.  I have made wonderful friends here.  I have found love and support when I needed it the most.

Is this site worth 35 cents per day?  You bet it is.

I think we all realize that times are tough, with a worldwide recession that has lasted more than four years.  It sucks.  Two years ago I had a $3 million solar deal fall through because of the economy. 

I know that many of us are on fixed incomes.  In 2004, I was making a salary in six figures.  Then I got sick.  I still have a mortgage, kids in college, medical expenses, all the normal bills any home owner has.  Right now I am at a just break even point.  But this place is a priority.

I will happily economize to help others here.  I will be glad to do a little more, because I can.  In return, I would hope that other members can find a few extra dollars in their budget.  17 cents per day works out to $5 per month.

I am trying to think of ways to raise money for the site.  I think, if we brainstorm the problem, we can find solutions.  Who can help me?

As I said before,  this site is worth that, but I'm not in the position to donate at rhe moment.   I can help other ways, but rhis something I can't do.

[gennee]

Cindy, how do I go about donating? Paypal? Or some other method?

[Devlyn]

Cindy, how do I go about donating? Paypal? Or some other method?

You're the second person who's asked that. My version of the site has Donation and Subscription links at the top of every page, above the posts. Hugs, Devlyn