This should be front page news

[Warhorse]

Nice story but if you're hard up for cash do you buy $200 worth of toys for your child?

That's why she had it on layaway.

[ChitownHusker]

That's why she had it on layaway.

If you'll look above you, you'll see Oma's point sailing by.

[Warhorse]

I find myself agreeing with this statement. I'm not sure if you were being sarcastic or not. However, I also agree with Chi. Christianity doesn't say "Only help the poor." It is for good will towards all. The rich may not need financial support, but maybe emotional or other support. Maybe they are trying to kick drugs, or alcohol, or trying to reconcile with their spouse, and they need other than money to achieve these ends.

If I put something on layaway, came back to pay it off, and someone else had already paid it up for me, what would I do with that money?

Well, I'm not a wealthy person, and can use the money, so I would keep it, most likely. But I would sure as hell appreciate what was done for me, as I'm sure most are. What would be nice if I could realize ALL the money I made, rather than seeing the government take such a large chunk of it. Maybe we would all be more charitable.

Agree with what you say here. Interesting question....if you had money to give, who would you give it to? I saw a piece yesterday about a wealthy businessman (never identified him and darkened his face during the interview) who goes all over the country this time of year giving away money. He just wanders the street talking to those who are clearly down and out and gives them hundred dollar bills. Every year he gives away $100,000 and more. The words he spoke that struck me the most was....."I never judge." I know that giving to various charities is down tremendously and understandably so but I wonder if in these times we are becoming kinder and more compassionate towards each other?

[Warhorse]

If you'll look above you, you'll see Oma's point sailing by.

And apparently my point sailed well over your head (unless I am misreading you here).

[Chi-Town Cube]

I can see clothing, etc. but not toys.

I get your point, but what parent doesn't want to see joy on the face of their 4 year old at Christmas?? Ain't gonna see that with clothes.

I hardly fault her if she splurged to buy something for her kid.

Plus, it wasn't like she wasn't going to pay it off. Someone did for her.

[Warhorse]

I get your point, but what parent doesn't want to see joy on the face of their 4 year old at Christmas?? Ain't gonna see that with clothes.

I hardly fault her if she splurged to buy something for her kid.

Plus, it wasn't like she wasn't going to pay it off. Someone did for her.

This is exactly the point I was trying to make.

[OmaHusker]

I get your point, but what parent doesn't want to see joy on the face of their 4 year old at Christmas?? Ain't gonna see that with clothes.

I hardly fault her if she splurged to buy something for her kid.

Plus, it wasn't like she wasn't going to pay it off. Someone did for her.

What parent wouldn't rather see their child in decent clothes rather than have a toy the kid will play with for a week and then throw it in the toy bin and forget about it? A $20 toy should make a 4 year old every bit as joyful as $200 worth.

When you're strapped for cash, you shouldn't splurge on anything. When I was broke, my rule was rent, food, gas in that order. Christmas was about love, not material wealth.

No, it wasn't like she wasn't going to pay it off. That's precisely the point.

[Warhorse]

What parent wouldn't rather see their child in decent clothes rather than have a toy the kid will play with for a week and then throw it in the toy bin and forget about it? A $20 toy should make a 4 year old every bit as joyful as $200 worth.

When you're strapped for cash, you shouldn't splurge on anything. When I was broke, my rule was rent, food, gas in that order. Christmas was about love, not material wealth.

No, it wasn't like she wasn't going to pay it off. That's precisely the point.

Curious to know if you had children at that point in your life.

[huskrthill]

There are a lot of parents that struggle to make ends meet. Shelter, food, clothing and other basic essentials are high on their list of priorities. However, there are also good parents who will sacrifice some of their own "wants" so that they can make their children happy. They don't have much disposable cash, but layaway gives them an option of putting a few bucks per paycheck towards giving their children (and maybe nieces/nephews/others?) a merry Christmas. Is $200 worth of toys excessive? Maybe if someone has just one kid. But if someone has 4 children, $50 per child is certainly not an extravagant amount to spend by most standards.

By and large, these people most likely just want to make someone's Christmas a little bit special. They're not asking for the government to buy their gifts. They aren't begging for someone to pay off their layaway purchases. They're being at least somewhat responsible with their money by not buying everything all at once with money they don't have (credit).

Now, as for the people that are paying these things off... I'm getting the impression that some people have a problem with how THEY are spending their money. Perhaps some think that those people would be better off giving their money to a charity, because they know that it will go to those in need. Well, that may be true, but maybe they are giving some to charity in addition to paying off layaways. Or maybe they just feel like they can cut out the middle man. Maybe they feel that they're helping people that are truly trying to help themselves rather than just let government take care of them. Who knows?

I still think it's awesome that people are doing this type of thing, and I hope that it inspires the recipients to do good deeds as well. The world would be a much better place if we treated each other better at the human level.

[OmaHusker]

Curious to know if you had children at that point in your life.

Yes, right around the age of the kid who got $200 toys.

[OmaHusker]

I still think it's awesome that people are doing this type of thing, and I hope that it inspires the recipients to do good deeds as well. The world would be a much better place if we treated each other better at the human level.

I fully agree.

I take issue only with the wisdom of spending money frivolously when money is tight. It makes me wonder why some of these folks have no money in the first place.

[HuskerDynasty]

This whole thing is just a ploy by the big box retailers to coax more people into using layaway.

[huskernut]

There are a lot of parents that struggle to make ends meet. Shelter, food, clothing and other basic essentials are high on their list of priorities. However, there are also good parents who will sacrifice some of their own "wants" so that they can make their children happy. They don't have much disposable cash, but layaway gives them an option of putting a few bucks per paycheck towards giving their children (and maybe nieces/nephews/others?) a merry Christmas. Is $200 worth of toys excessive? Maybe if someone has just one kid. But if someone has 4 children, $50 per child is certainly not an extravagant amount to spend by most standards.

By and large, these people most likely just want to make someone's Christmas a little bit special. They're not asking for the government to buy their gifts. They aren't begging for someone to pay off their layaway purchases. They're being at least somewhat responsible with their money by not buying everything all at once with money they don't have (credit).

Now, as for the people that are paying these things off... I'm getting the impression that some people have a problem with how THEY are spending their money. Perhaps some think that those people would be better off giving their money to a charity, because they know that it will go to those in need. Well, that may be true, but maybe they are giving some to charity in addition to paying off layaways. Or maybe they just feel like they can cut out the middle man. Maybe they feel that they're helping people that are truly trying to help themselves rather than just let government take care of them. Who knows?

I still think it's awesome that people are doing this type of thing, and I hope that it inspires the recipients to do good deeds as well. The world would be a much better place if we treated each other better at the human level.

You are a wise man, my friend.

[Husker Poyer]

This story reminds me of a certain song related to items you wear on your feet. Luth, your thoughts?

[ChitownHusker]

There are a lot of parents that struggle to make ends meet. Shelter, food, clothing and other basic essentials are high on their list of priorities. However, there are also good parents who will sacrifice some of their own "wants" so that they can make their children happy. They don't have much disposable cash, but layaway gives them an option of putting a few bucks per paycheck towards giving their children (and maybe nieces/nephews/others?) a merry Christmas. Is $200 worth of toys excessive? Maybe if someone has just one kid. But if someone has 4 children, $50 per child is certainly not an extravagant amount to spend by most standards.

By and large, these people most likely just want to make someone's Christmas a little bit special. They're not asking for the government to buy their gifts. They aren't begging for someone to pay off their layaway purchases. They're being at least somewhat responsible with their money by not buying everything all at once with money they don't have (credit).

Now, as for the people that are paying these things off... I'm getting the impression that some people have a problem with how THEY are spending their money. Perhaps some think that those people would be better off giving their money to a charity, because they know that it will go to those in need. Well, that may be true, but maybe they are giving some to charity in addition to paying off layaways. Or maybe they just feel like they can cut out the middle man. Maybe they feel that they're helping people that are truly trying to help themselves rather than just let government take care of them. Who knows?

I still think it's awesome that people are doing this type of thing, and I hope that it inspires the recipients to do good deeds as well. The world would be a much better place if we treated each other better at the human level.

Really nice post, thill.

[Red Crawdad]

Good story Thill.

So, instead of nitpicking who, what, when, where, and why, how about just appreciating the fact that people are out there doing good deeds for other people. And then we can each ask ourselves the question: "What have I done lately?"

[SealBeachHusker]

In regards to the Entitlement 101 remark....

Charity 101, it's my money and I can help whomever I feel like. This a cool story. I am pretty picky and who I help, and I do try and get a good read on real need and how my help will be used.

For instance, on a beautiful summer day if a homeless person asks me for money, I'm likely to decline. Because there's a good chance my money is going to go for a can of cheap beer to top off the gorgeous day. If it's freezing out and raining, I'm more inclined to offer money as I assume there's a greater chance it will be used for food and to get out of the rain/cold for awhile.

[Big Red Rick]

In regards to the Entitlement 101 remark....

Charity 101, it's my money and I can help whomever I feel like. This a cool story. I am pretty picky and who I help, and I do try and get a good read on real need and how my help will be used.

For instance, on a beautiful summer day if a homeless person asks me for money, I'm likely to decline. Because there's a good chance my money is going to go for a can of cheap beer to top off the gorgeous day. If it's freezing out and raining, I'm more inclined to offer money as I assume there's a greater chance it will be used for food and to get out of the rain/cold for awhile.

A man claiming to be a vet, and was missing a few fingers, once asked me for some money for food. I could smell the booze on him, so I offered to take him to the grocery store down the street and get him a few bags of food, rather than money. He pressed for the money, and I told him no, but I would help him with food. He said thanks anyway. Must not have been that hungry...

[huskrthill]

Good story Thill.

So, instead of nitpicking who, what, when, where, and why, how about just appreciating the fact that people are out there doing good deeds for other people. And then we can each ask ourselves the question: "What have I done lately?"

Exactly.

[huskrthill]

A man claiming to be a vet, and was missing a few fingers, once asked me for some money for food. I could smell the booze on him, so I offered to take him to the grocery store down the street and get him a few bags of food, rather than money. He pressed for the money, and I told him no, but I would help him with food. He said thanks anyway. Must not have been that hungry...

You could buy me some groceries. Ribeyes and Oreos, please. And diet Mountain Dew.