I feel like I should cancel my massage appointment and donate the money to people in need... :(

[+ 7829V]

With so many people in need due to earthquakes and hurricanes, I wouldn't feel good spending close to 200 dollars in a massage. I'm thinking on cancelling the massage appointment I made this week and donate it to people in need, specially Mexico.

 

Have you ever had this feeling like you shouldn't spend money is "massages" when there's people in need due to catastrophic events that might need it more? How do you cope with these feelings?

[Raven]

If that what you heart feel, do it

 

But if you only get a massage, when there no people in need, will be complicate...

 

I spend some money in alot of things and service I don't need, or end using it, but I only will feel guilty if I stole(in any shape or form)to get the money, if I work for it, no way.

[jjkrkwood]

If you are financially solvent, you can "have your cake and eat it to", and SHOULD, without any guilt. However, if its an "either/or" situation, do what your heart tells you.

[+ Tarte Gogo]

Agree with a Raven.

 

Also you might hear about those people right now because they are quite close by.

The media doesn't tell you about all the other people in needs, because they put on what brings them the most viewers.

Puerto Rico and Mexico City: many Americans know someone who is from these places, so are watching it unfold. Many views.

Democratic republic of Congo? Not so much.

[Electra225]

I understand your feelings. However, it is my experience that, while receiving a massage (or meeting with an escort), may be a luxury to you, the appointments that we make (and keep) with a masseur or an escort most often provide much-needed income to the masseur/escort. These guys have living expenses that must be met on a daily/weekly/monthly basis. It does not matter if a masseur/escort has a full-time "legitimate" job or is solely dependent upon the income from giving massages or serving as an escort, it is, more than likely, income that they are very, very dependent upon. This is why, when the hurricane and floods hit Houston a little while ago, I kept up my hiring schedules so that those whom I met would be able to carry on in at least some fashion.

[Mocha]

+1 to Electra.

 

And don't think that the masseurs and escorts may not be affected. Like for me, even though I was traveling between Nashville and Milwaukee and Denver, I have relatives and friends back in Florida who were affected by Irma. And I myself was affected. So sometimes a person can be affected indirectly.

 

And I won't get too deep off into details, as I'm sure there's lots of literature on it. But, your $200 donation to an escort will likely go WAAAYYYYYYY further in helping than $200 to a charity esp. Red Cross (which has been under scrutiny). You give to charity, you don't know who it's going to, how it's going to them, and when they'll receive it. Your $200 to charity will probably go thru 10 different hands and the final byproduct will be like $10 to the actual person for every $100 they get. Not speaking fact, but I'm sure that's how it works.

 

Donating to someone directly, you see exactly when and how they receive it. If you want to help, just send the money to me. I know many Puerto Rican friends who may have relatives and could use the help.

 

Of course not to discourage anyone from donating to charity, as I'm confident that their resources are dispersed evenly. But personally I'm just not with the notion of individual people reaching into their pockets and being guilt tripped by corporations to give up money in pity.

 

You can ask @latbear4blk for Black, but I know how Latinos are. They will not watch their people suffer (unlike some of the African and even U.S. (Us, us us) nations). Best believe, they're going to be getting hefty sums...no, RANSOMS of donations from South America, Spain, Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil, and Europe.

 

I know it's a tragedy, but...your not keeping an agreement with an appointment is likely to have greater effects than the $200 going to some charity which may not reach those in need for some time. If at all.

[+ pitman]

I agree with everything stated above. If and when you do decide you want to make a charitable donation, the following site might be useful.

 

https://www.charitynavigator.org

[+ Charlie]

I could give up every non-necessity I possess, from a bottle of good wine to a second car, and still hardly make a dent in the needs of all those who deserve help. If you feel guilty about spending money on something that you consider a frivolous indulgence, by all means give the money to those who need it more, and you will feel better about yourself. But from an objective standpoint, your sacrifice of a massage will make little difference to the suffering in the world, and could even contribute to it without you realizing it.

 

That doesn't mean I throw up my hands and do nothing. I figure out how much money I actually do not have any important use for, and budget that for charitable contributions. Then I investigate the causes I want to support and the intermediaries who will most effectively deliver it, and I contribute to them. Religions often suggest a standard amount that their members should contribute to charity, like 10% of one's income, but it is up to you to decide how much will salve your conscience (and I commend you for having a conscience).

[bigvalboy]

With so many people in need due to earthquakes and hurricanes, I wouldn't feel good spending close to 200 dollars in a massage. I'm thinking on cancelling the massage appointment I made this week and donate it to people in need, specially Mexico.

 

Have you ever had this feeling like you shouldn't spend money is "massages" when there's people in need due to catastrophic events that might need it more? How do you cope with these feelings?

 

Personally I have never had those feelings, but then again I do contribute on a regular basis to a local charity and to a dog rescue shelter through a local veterinarian. I often realize how blessed I am considering the circumstances of others, but I also realize that I can't help in every situation or catastrophe around the world. If you're looking for a way to feel better about helping those in need while still indulging in those little extras, you could donate your time also.

 

The feeling of being personally involved is often times more gratifying. You could also send a lesser amount than the two hundred dollars. Donations in smaller increments I'm sure would be just as appreciated. Good luck...

[jjkrkwood]

With so many people in need due to earthquakes and hurricanes, I wouldn't feel good spending close to 200 dollars in a massage. I'm thinking on cancelling the massage appointment I made this week and donate it to people in need, specially Mexico.

 

Have you ever had this feeling like you shouldn't spend money is "massages" when there's people in need due to catastrophic events that might need it more? How do you cope with these feelings?

 

Really, its not about giving solely in time of need. Your charity should be a constant, on going thing. Finding ways to give back even when there's no disaster. I find people that donate only to disaster causes are compensating to make themselves feel good. That's not what its about.

 

So if I want to indulge MYSELF, I have no guilt feelings about it at all.

[Mocha]

Good word up above. I think it's important to talk about this, as I was wondering too maybe people might start pulling back due to donating to charity. But I would assume and bet most are clients have enough financially prowess to where they've got it figured out already.

 

And to backup what I was saying, here's an interesting article that I found that elaborates further to what I was saying (especially the $200 likely ending up becoming pooped out into $10 by the time it goes through all the financial digestive organs lol)

 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/phildemuth/2014/12/22/please-dont-give-to-charity-but-if-give-you-must/

[Mocha]

Really, its not about giving solely in time of need. Your charity should be a constant, on going thing. Finding ways to give back even when there's no disaster. I find people that donate only to disaster causes are compensating to make themselves feel good. That's not what its about.

 

Not necessarily. I think disasters touch into people's philanthropic side and they want to help. Feeling good comes naturally out of it. You can't help but to feel good. But, it's not as cut and paste as it seems, and giving to charity may not H

have the same impact as someone who directly receives the money.

 

Like I said, I only seen Irma on TV, but there was a category 5 hurricane in my goddamn schedule with all the damn cancellations. A hurricane is a hurricane. Whether it's an alcoholic beverage, a cloud formation, or a whirlwind of a situation, it's purpose is to fuck some shit up.

[+ Topseed]

To 7829: I applaud your sensitivity, your spirit, and your awareness of the world in which we live.

 

I say: Live in the truth. Like the person you see in the mirror each morning. Be joyful. And subversive.

 

Remember: it's not how we make our money that matters. What truly matters is how you spend it. Our checkbook is but one measure of our life; yes, there are others.

 

Do what is right for you.

[YoungAD]

Not necessarily. I think disasters touch into people's philanthropic side and they want to help. Feeling good comes naturally out of it. You can't help but to feel good. But, it's not as cut and paste as it seems, and giving to charity may not H

have the same impact as someone who directly receives the money.

 

Like I said, I only seen Irma on TV, but there was a category 5 hurricane in my goddamn schedule with all the damn cancellations. A hurricane is a hurricane. Whether it's an alcoholic beverage, a cloud formation, or a whirlwind of a situation, it's purpose is to fuck some shit up.

 

The depth of your selfishness never ceases to amaze me.

[rustyrex]

With so many people in need due to earthquakes and hurricanes, I wouldn't feel good spending close to 200 dollars in a massage. I'm thinking on cancelling the massage appointment I made this week and donate it to people in need, specially Mexico.

 

Have you ever had this feeling like you shouldn't spend money is "massages" when there's people in need due to catastrophic events that might need it more? How do you cope with these feelings?

 

I can understand your sympathy/empathy. I just had massage yesterday...not the $200 kind but the guy was genuinely grateful for my business. Bad things will always be a part of this world and people will suffer, that will never change. Doing what you can is always appreciated. I donate most of the time, I feel that the less fortunate can always use a little help. Disasters usually bring out the best in humanity. If you feel your heart is moved to help all the more reason to give.

[Mocha]

Also being that Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, they should be effectively getting help from the government who adopted them. Not yours or our paychecks. That's already being taxed up the ass.

 

Hopefully, the billions planning to be spent on a border wall can be put to good use instead by helping the islands that the U.S. faithfully adopted.

[Mocha]

Oh and 1 more thing about Puerto Rico and the other islands:

 

Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines (for which the United States compensated Spain $20 million, equivalent to $576 million in present-day terms), were ceded by Spain after the Spanish–American War in the 1898 Treaty of Paris.

 

So yeah...I'm sure PR will be in good hands. Hopefully mine too because them Puerto Rican boys be so FINE..

 

http://m.quickmeme.com/img/88/886d474109163576ed1cf695b74de21f22fa6979d04d6dde23d71c9100897c95.jpg