trappedspirit: That'll teach monetary responsibility.

Is this one of those threads where one guy breaks out Ayn Rand quotes about how charity and altruism, the traits that have allowed humanity to survive these last 250,000 years, are horrible and should stop immediately? And then everyone else stands around laughing at that ridiculous person?

I don't know how to feel about this.

On the one hand you have people performing general acts of kindness without any idea of recognition.

On the other hand, these people are putting shiat on layaway that they obviously can't afford (as evidenced by the second paragraph). This isn't like picking up a person's bill at the grocery store (with food you need to survive), this is buying that new Xbox game and Pretty Little Princess that did not need to be purchased in the first place. It may suck that you aren't able to afford every little gift for your family, but going further and further into debt (and banking on someone picking up the tab) is just a horrible idea.

kingoomieiii: trappedspirit: That'll teach monetary responsibility.

Is this one of those threads where one guy breaks out Ayn Rand quotes about how charity and altruism, the traits that have allowed humanity to survive these last 250,000 years, are horrible and should stop immediately? And then everyone else stands around laughing at that ridiculous person?

Charity: Buying food, useful clothes, or shelter for somebody that is unable to afford them and will suffer without them

Not-charity: Buy a new tricycle or shake-weight for somebody.

p the boiler: This is actually a very cool story - kind of makes me want to go out and do this locally for a few families.


Looks like K-Mart figured out how to get people to help cover the loss they would have taken on all of those layaways that haven't been paid off this year.

Dang, it's dusty in here.

Sqube: scottydoesntknow: I don't know how to feel about this.

On the one hand you have people performing general acts of kindness without any idea of recognition.

On the other hand, these people are putting shiat on layaway that they obviously can't afford (as evidenced by the second paragraph). This isn't like picking up a person's bill at the grocery store (with food you need to survive), this is buying that new Xbox game and Pretty Little Princess that did not need to be purchased in the first place. It may suck that you aren't able to afford every little gift for your family, but going further and further into debt (and banking on someone picking up the tab) is just a horrible idea.

You're right. Children should have their innocence crushed as quickly as possible...? If you put something on layaway for an entire year because you want to get something nice for your kids, I don't see much wrong with it.

YMMV, etc.

If you put something on layaway for an entire year (and able to pick it up by Christmas), you're being a lot more fiscally responsible than the people who still have Christmas gifts on layaway and will not be able to pick them up by Christmas. I see nothing wrong with that. Your example has nothing to do with the people in the article.

You can have a very merry Christmas without having to throw half the store on layaway. Don't pretend like little Johnny has to have Madden 2012 or else his Christmas is ruined. Buy the kid a football ($9.99) and go play with him.

LineNoise: p the boiler: This is actually a very cool story - kind of makes me want to go out and do this locally for a few families.


Looks like K-Mart figured out how to get people to help cover the loss they would have taken on all of those layaways that haven't been paid off this year.

do you know what layaway is? and how the retailer can't possibly lose on it?

scottydoesntknow: I don't know how to feel about this.

On the one hand you have people performing general acts of kindness without any idea of recognition.

On the other hand, these people are putting shiat on layaway that they obviously can't afford (as evidenced by the second paragraph). This isn't like picking up a person's bill at the grocery store (with food you need to survive), this is buying that new Xbox game and Pretty Little Princess that did not need to be purchased in the first place. It may suck that you aren't able to afford every little gift for your family, but going further and further into debt (and banking on someone picking up the tab) is just a horrible idea.

Actually, I think layaway is a very responsible thing for someone to do. Most people would just pull out the plastic and get instant gratification. And it might be true that those using layaway don't have the plastic to pull out. however there is surely nothing wrong with the way they are paying off a purchase. No interest to pay seems pretty smart to me.

I didn't know that stores still did layaway. I remember people using it when I was a kid, but I thought the practice died years ago. And a good thing is being done here. I have always wished I had the extra money to help some random people out, sadly I don't. It must be a great feeling all the way around. For the person who paid the layaway's off to the one finding their balance is zero. Nice story.

scottydoesntknow:
If you put something on layaway for an entire year (and able to pick it up by Christmas), you're being a lot more fiscally responsible than the people who still have Christmas gifts on layaway and will not be able to pick them up by Christmas. I see nothing wrong with that. Your example has nothing to do with the people in the article.


True, but you are being more fiscally responsible by budgeting yourself correctly through the year, and not paying a layaway fee to buy your stuff. When I was growing up 'po, mom always had a christmas savings account at the local bank, where she would put 10 bucks a week or whatever it was into it, and come the holidays, would get the cash in return. At least she was earning a little interest on that money during the year.

PullItOut:
Not normal to think
Selfishness is virtuous
She died on welfare

FTFY

trappedspirit: You actually believe this without any evidence, don't you? LOL
Paying K-Mart layoff accounts as charity? That's funny.
I hope you can find enough people to stand around with you and laugh to make you feel good. It's a shame you need peer back slapping and humiliation as debating tools.

/haha
/its friday

No, I don't. Many mammal species display altruism. They tend to be extremely successful.

If someone comes in and says "Charity is bad for everyone involved", I assure you I will have no shortage of fellow chortlers.