# $30 from 100 Dopers? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 14, 2012, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-from-100-dopers/621893 "2012-05-14T15:48:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-from-100-dopers/621893/21 "2012-05-15T20:17:14Z")
Keeping everyone and everything in here comforatable is important enough to us that we turned to the Dope for any possible assistance. Help if you want, it’s appreciated. Don’t want to help? No sweat off my back. But please stop trying to tell us what is and is not an emergency. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-from-100-dopers/621893/22 "2012-05-15T20:23:59Z")
I hate to jump on the bandwagon, but I’m also not seeing the emergency to request virtual strangers over the internet send you money. I’ve donated to Dopers in the past, both when people have posted for help and privately. But this is so beyond the realm of “help, I’m homeless” or “I don’t have enough money to keep the electricity on until payday”. A rainy day fund is just that, for funding the things you absolutely need and don’t otherwise have the money for. For the record, I love in Tennessee, a state with hot, humid summers and at least a bit of winter, and I don’t have central heat and air. I have one window AC unit in my bedroom (which I only bought two years ago, and I’ve lived there 8 years) and I heat with a wood pellet stove. If anyone wants to fund central heat and air for my house, they’re more than welcome to. I’m interested in geothermal. StG ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-from-100-dopers/621893/23 "2012-05-15T20:31:37Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > Have you looked into a short term loan to cover the cost of the parts? That is likely what Sis intends but we have yet to hear any amout. A loan out of one of my retirement plans would be the absolute final resort. > [@](#): > > Selling extra stuff on craigslist or eBay? Have a yard sale? Already sold anything worth selling. > [@](#): > > Do you have cable at home? Yes. No premium channels. > [@](#): > > Internet? Half of which is paid for by my employer. I have an office set up on one side of the dining room. > [@](#): > > How often do you eat out at restaurants? Rarely. > [@](#): > > There are a lot of ways to either raise money, or cut expenses to find it elsewhere. I’d hate to think of a bunch of people giving you their hard-earned money, especially someone like \*\*Broomstick \*\*who can barely afford to care for herself and her disabled husband (and yes, I’ve had disagreements w/ her in the past, but I still have sympathy for her situation) and then finding out that you eat out 4 nights a week and spend your nights watching HBO while playing WoW or something. No monthly paid accounts in any game. Hated WoW. > [@](#): > > It sounds like you can work overtime so I hope you’ve already started doing that at least. Yes. > [@](#): > > Perhaps if you’d asked people for loans that you would eventually pay back, it would sit better with people. Anyone wanting to be paid back just need ask but likely will not be possible until at least a month from now. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-from-100-dopers/621893/24 "2012-05-15T20:43:13Z")
Before anyone asks: no, we do not own a vehicle. We’ve been relying on public transportation and freinds’ vehicles for the past 6½ years. ---
**Author:** ![Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Living_Well_Is_Best_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-from-100-dopers/621893/25 "2012-05-15T20:48:42Z")
If I were going to donate money to a stranger over the Internet I don’t think it would be for this. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-from-100-dopers/621893/26 "2012-05-15T21:00:14Z")
Like I said, no sweat off my back. Just to be sure this doesn’t get lost in my reply to **Bob** : anyone wanting to offer a loan instead just need to make it clear that they expect their money back when we’re able to repay. Which would be either 6/11 or 6/25, I’m not sure. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-from-100-dopers/621893/27 "2012-05-15T21:03:13Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > Yes. No premium channels. Wait, you’re still paying for cable?! When I’ve been ridiculously broke in the past, that was the first thing to go. Like others, I just don’t have much sympathy. You are begging for money because the rabbit is too hot, and you’re big sacrifice is not having premium cable channels. That’s kinda pathetic, don’t you think? Besides, you can get a window AC unit for $150. You don’t need $3000 to keep the rabbit alive. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-from-100-dopers/621893/28 "2012-05-15T21:03:40Z")
Window units are pretty cheap. Could at least keep the bunny cool if you got one. But if you want money from me you’ll have to ask my ex-wife. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-from-100-dopers/621893/29 "2012-05-15T21:05:45Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > No, I’m with CarnalK. 90s and you need AC? Not an emergency. I’ve lived in 100 degree + weather with no AC. > > If people want to give you their money, they are welcome to, but it’s not a dire emergency, not really. It’s just AC and people all over the world live without it and have done so for thousands of years. If it was heat, things might be a little different. I asked my Indian friend why it was that whenever I went on calls to Indian family’s houses they never had their AC on, no matter how hot. He replied, “And who is going to pay for that?” ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-from-100-dopers/621893/30 "2012-05-15T21:09:10Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > I asked my Indian friend why it was that whenever I went on calls to Indian family’s houses they never had their AC on, no matter how hot. He replied, “And who is going to pay for that?” He should join the SD. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-from-100-dopers/621893/31 "2012-05-15T21:12:44Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > I don’t really care. I’m more than happy to help out. For realsies? Because the window a/c unit I bought last year is _woefully_ inadequate for keeping my apartment cool. I spent all of last summer sitting directly in front of the thing because I was too cheap and lazy to get a better one. I absolutely **need** a better a/c this summer. Chicago summers get like swamp balls, for real. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-from-100-dopers/621893/32 "2012-05-15T21:17:54Z")
> [@A Monkey With a Gun](#): > > Wait, you’re still paying for cable?! When I’ve been ridiculously broke in the past, that was the first thing to go. Never had any premium channels. In the long run, I believe it’s actually cheaper to have cable and internet as a package, and my employer is paying for half of the latter. > [@](#): > > Besides, you can get a window AC unit for $150. You don’t need $3000 to keep the rabbit alive. > [@Loach](#): > > Window units are pretty cheap. Could at least keep the bunny cool if you got one. But if you want money from me you’ll have to ask my ex-wife. > [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > This is a condo so window units are not an option. The condo board would not be very happy about those. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-from-100-dopers/621893/33 "2012-05-15T21:19:12Z")
> [@StGermain](#): > > For the record, I love in Tennessee, a state with hot, humid summers… Nothing like hot, steamy sex! ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-from-100-dopers/621893/34 "2012-05-15T21:22:48Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > He should join the SD. He would fit right in but is too busy running the 10 businesses he owns. > [@MeanOldLady](#): > > For realsies? Because the window a/c unit I bought last year is _woefully_ inadequate for keeping my apartment cool. I spent all of last summer sitting directly in front of the thing because I was too cheap and lazy to get a better one. I absolutely **need** a better a/c this summer. Chicago summers get like swamp balls, for real. Unless you get a big one (have to check the power rating and the size of the space) one probably won’t be enough to cool an entire apartment. But one bedroom? Most of the $100 ones should be adequate. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-from-100-dopers/621893/35 "2012-05-15T21:25:59Z")
Sorry didn’t see you were in a 45+ year old condo with an association. I have never seen one of those. All the developments around here that have associations are relatively new and wouldn’t have such an ancient system. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-from-100-dopers/621893/36 "2012-05-15T21:26:05Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > This is a condo so window units are not an option. The condo board would not be very happy about those. Have you thought about talking to the condo board about your situation? Either for a loan or an exemption on the window unit thing. I think I would do that before I started begging strangers for $3000. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-from-100-dopers/621893/37 "2012-05-15T21:30:02Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Unless you get a big one (have to check the power rating and the size of the space) one probably won’t be enough to cool an entire apartment. But one bedroom? Most of the $100 ones should be adequate. Son of a bitch doesn’t even cool my living room, which is all that I wanted. I got a tiny one thinking, oh, it’ll be fine. It was not fine. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-from-100-dopers/621893/38 "2012-05-15T21:30:24Z")
BTW there are portable air conditioning units that do not go in the window. Not as cheap as a window unit. Not as effective as central air. But it will keep the bunny happy. They start around $300 depending on what size room you want to cool. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-from-100-dopers/621893/39 "2012-05-15T21:32:34Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > Son of a bitch doesn’t even cool my living room, which is all that I wanted. I got a tiny one thinking, oh, it’ll be fine. It was not fine. You have to look at the BTUs. Its easy to find out how many BTUs it will take to cool a specific room. Too low and you are just wasting money. The rule of thumb I have seen is 20 BTU per square foot of room. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-from-100-dopers/621893/40 "2012-05-15T21:37:32Z")
I totally wasted my money. D’oh! I’ll probably sell it back to someone in Craig’s List and take whatever I can get for it, then dole out the bucks for enough BTUs to keep cool this time around. Sorry, this is a hijack. I’ll bow out. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-from-100-dopers/621893.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-from-100-dopers/621893.md?page=3)