Should I Crowd-Fund an LDR Trip?

[VerinaWrinn]

I've been desperately wanting to meet my LDR Boyfriend, both of us have been trying to save up our money, but things just aren't working out. Do you think I should try Crowd-Funding a trip to meet my LDR Boyfriend for the first time?

[Chris516]

I've been desperately wanting to meet my LDR Boyfriend, both of us have been trying to save up our money, but things just aren't working out. Do you think I should try Crowd-Funding a trip to meet my LDR Boyfriend for the first time?

Is it the cost of a flight?

Going by your locales'

I used St. Paul, Minnesota and Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Just to get an idea of transportation cost.

Amtrak is $231-$982 depending on the kind of ticket you would get.
Greyhound doesn't service that route. But I know you didn't say specifically. What part of Minnesota and North Carolina.

[LisaS]

I would say no just because it doesn't seem sustainable...would you do a crowd-fund for every time you wanted to see him? It's up to you though, you see crowd funds for all sorts of things these days so you could give it a try! Also I hate to even suggest this, but another option is to charge it on a credit card, and look for a better paying job in the long term. Unfortunately LDRs requires saving a lot of money.

[Honour]

I would say no as well, because all of us, by example, are in LDRs or have been in them, and know that with LDRs come certain differences to close-distance relationships. LDRs mean sacrifice and compromise, and personally I don't think it would be a good idea to "crowd-fund" when others scrimp and save like crazy just to see their SOs.

[Moon]

I would say no just because it doesn't seem sustainable...would you do a crowd-fund for every time you wanted to see him? It's up to you though, you see crowd funds for all sorts of things these days so you could give it a try! Also I hate to even suggest this, but another option is to charge it on a credit card, and look for a better paying job in the long term. Unfortunately LDRs requires saving a lot of money.

She's 16, she can't get a credit card.

OP, do you have your parent's permission for this trip? If so, maybe you should be asking them for money for things like Christmas and your birthday to put towards the travel. You can't rent a hotel, so are his parents willing to let you stay with them? Money isn't your only issue here and crowd funding sites are flooded with people asking for money, so your chances of actually getting enough cash aren't great. Do you have an after-school job? If not, you should, take anything as long as you can get a paycheck. Good luck.

[LisaS]

She's 16, she can't get a credit card.

OP, do you have your parent's permission for this trip? If so, maybe you should be asking them for money for things like Christmas and your birthday to put towards the travel. You can't rent a hotel, so are his parents willing to let you stay with them? Money isn't your only issue here and crowd funding sites are flooded with people asking for money, so your chances of actually getting enough cash aren't great. Do you have an after-school job? If not, you should, take anything as long as you can get a paycheck. Good luck.

Well you need a credit card to book a flight so I just assumed she had one!

[Moon]

Well you need a credit card to book a flight so I just assumed she had one!

Not of her own, it isn't legal, which is why I asked if her parents knew about this. Also, a train or bus ticket would be cheaper and you can pay cash.

[LisaS]

Not of her own, it isn't legal, which is why I asked if her parents knew about this. Also, a train or bus ticket would be cheaper and you can pay cash.

Didn't realize her age initially, but yes this should definitely be discussed the parents!

[sasad]

I've been desperately wanting to meet my LDR Boyfriend, both of us have been trying to save up our money, but things just aren't working out. Do you think I should try Crowd-Funding a trip to meet my LDR Boyfriend for the first time?

I don't think so, especially with your age.. I would definitely talk with your parents and see if they can come up with a plan.. Maybe your BF can come visit you? As a mom of a daughter, I would much prefer that ...

[kittyxuchiha11]

The age issue aside, crowd funding isn't really a good idea because of the fees you have to pay to even set up your project. I once interviewed someone who crowd funds for her novels she writes and i was totally amazed that the website keeps a majority of the money you make and have pretty high fee's for setting up a project. Crowd funding definitely isn't something you want to do if you don't have a lot of money to begin with. Like the others have said, talk to your parents and ask your family for money for birthday and christmas to try save up.