Panhandling at a Whole New Level

Hi friends! It’s been a while since I’ve written, but I experienced something today that was super funny and about as original as the idea for this blog. It relates to internet begging, but is more closely related to panhandling money in traffic. I was driving today and and passed a couple people with the ‘will work for food’ signs. This is not uncommon in my city. In fact, I’ve actually handed out a couple of 5s, just because I know that giving opens up an avenue for receiving. Unlike some, I don’t really care what they are going to do with the money. I give it freely, because I know that people have given freely to me in my times of need.

So, driving along in traffic, I get to a stop light at an intersection. I look up and see what can only be described as a red Power Ranger with no face. This dude was dressed in a full face, full body leotard, bright red, with a cardboard sign that said something to the effect of..

Crash landed on Earth. Need $1 for repairs. We come in PEACE!

Now, I drive an 86 VW Bus, and I have experienced a sign that was flipped over for my benefit. As I approached, dude with dreads flipped the sign over and showed me the phrase that read ‘VW Bus broken down. Need money for repairs.’ I have no idea if this was the reality of the situation, or if he was simply smart enough that he knew how many ‘bus people’ live in my town and figured he could cash in on the camaraderie of hippies who drive a bus. Either way, I pulled over, dug like 12 bucks out of my purse and handed it to him. For my fee, I got a great repair tip regarding a simple change of the fuel filter!!

But the alien thing was brillant! There were actually 2 of them, both dressed in a red, full bodysuit on opposite corners of the intersection. Waving to people, flashing the sign. I’d LOVE to know how much money they ended up with at the end of the day.

Lots of people get really annoyed at panhandlers, but I think that panhandling attempt may have been just brilliant enough to earn rewards for creativity. Unfortunately, I had no cash on me today or I would likely have contributed myself.

Resources: The picture was taken from Google images, but if you click it, you’ll be taken to the website that offers these handy bodysuits for sale! Maybe this idea could work for you in your town. (DoItStyle.com)

The point is synchronicity. I believe in it and it’s arrived into my life today in the form of another post, on a blog I just started following about 3 days ago.

This guys is cool. He writes in a very straightforward way about making money online. I like him. I like what he writes about. I’ve already gotten some pretty good information from him. I subscribed to his blog, Dat Money, and got a post in my inbox today about…. of all things… being an internet BUM!

Well, how ironic. Of course I read the entire post, and of course I couldn’t help but to respond. How much fun is that? Basically, he’s suggesting to his readers that begging online might be the ticket! Imagine… great minds think alike, right?!?!

So, in all honesty, I think it’s a sign. Let’s get this rolling, people! Christmas is coming. Vote for your favorite charity organization and send me a buck. Please? lol

~Peace

What a fun read!

Dream Weaver Enterprises is full of comedy and hard work.  Steve describes himself as ‘Just a blue collar kind of guy who spent most of my life collecting memories instead of assets.’  He warns that his ‘language is normally so bad it’s been known to make sailors and felons blush’ so if you’re easily offended, you’ll miss out on a great collection of successive belly laughs.

I encourage you to go and check out Steve’s blog.  I enjoyed it tremendously and wanted to pass on the word.  Steve declined my offer for free advertising with a button or text link, but one of the many reasons I started this experiment is to meet and share some really cool sites, stories and people.  Even though I’m asking for $1 million dollars, sharing is what’s really in my heart.  If you see my vision, too, please donate your $1.00 to the Internet Begging Experiment and pass word along to everyone you meet.

So far, the results are making me chuckle. Most people, in fact 50% of voters so far, are saying that I should donate the money to smaller and lesser known charities. That is GREAT and I’m so glad that I made it one of my choices.

What’s really making me chuckle is that NO ONE has voted for Oprah or Dr. Phil’s charities. Why does this make me chuckle? Well, it’s actually nice to see that people are thinking about the little guy. That’s encouraging for me, since I’m little right now. It shows me that you all are looking out for the individual, which is my entire aim for this experiment. (In case you missed it, go check out the Ultimate Goal for the IBE).

So, even though Dr. Phil and Oprah’s charities help SO many people, I like the idea that you guys want me to help someone who’s lower on the food chain. It’s because of this that I need more of your help.

Please leave comments with your suggestions on a smaller and lesser known charity that you’d like to see receive half of the million. I’ll take them all into consideration and may even place another ballot box online. All your support on this endeavor is greatly appreciated!!

So did you donate??  If so, forward me your paypal receipt and attach your 125×50 banner or text link.  I’ll link it to your website and you’ll have free advertising on a very popular website!

PS. In order to make your free advertising even more worthwhile, please share the Internet Begging Experiment with everyone you know.  Share on Facebook, Twitter, your blog, etc.  I really want to change the world with this, and if you share my vision, please feel free to share the link as well.

http://www.internetbeggingexperiment.com

Thanks and I hope you get loads of business from your free advertising on IBE.

If you need web hosting, you should absolutely check out The Design Shoppe.  A major factor in accomplishing any goal in life is the quality of help that you have access to.  Julie provides stellar customer service.  She’s fast, she’s helpful and she’s pleasant, and the tools that come with your hosting account will allow you to do just about anything you can imagine with a website.  If you have a need, all you have to do is ask and Julie will point you in the right direction for web hosting services.

After all these years, I have never thought for a second about switching web hosts.  I have always been perfectly satisfied with everything about The Design Shoppe.  And I want to again, personally thank Julie for seeing my vision and helping contribute to the Internet Begging Experiment.

Thanks Julie!!!

The IBE was launched on June 11th, 2009.  So many fun things happened on that first day that I decided to create a blog.  This blog will keep you up to date on every fun thing that happens to, for and because of this experiment.

The Internet Begging Experiment was created because I need some help.  I am a pretty brilliant chick who always works to stay positive and upbeat.  I have an awesome 2 year old son and I hit a really difficult road.  Now, like any brilliant, positive and upbeat chick, I turned that pile of crap that I was dealt into a beautiful garden and then got in my car and left it for the neighbors to tend to.

So, I find myself in a situation.  And because of that, I decided to embark upon an experiment that will not only change my life, but the lives of many, many other people.  First of all, when I go, some people are coming with me.  You’ll meet them one by one if you follow this blog.  Secondly, I plan to donate half of the donations to a charity that you choose by voting in the poll on the IBE home page.  And third, and perhaps most importantly, once the experiment is successful and complete, I plan to work on creating a non-profit agency that will assist individuals in financial crisis.

But there are already non-profits like that…you say?  Well, what I want to do is help individuals.  People who, like me, need new tires on their car or they won’t be driving it much longer, or people who got a disconnect notice from their electric company like 2 weeks ago and are facing a life in the dark.  People who just need a pick me up that might serve to change their lives.  I do believe we are all responsible for our own choices, but at the same time, I believe that sometimes a helping hand can be just what we need to gather enough gumption to get BACK into control of our own lives.

Ok, since this is the introduction to the Internet Begging Experiment post, I’m not going into any more detail.  Come and follow this blog and stay up to date on all the fun goings-on with the Internet Begging Experiment.  I’ll be posting as often as fun things are happening.