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Person Clears Debt Of 1642 Folks After Fight With Fam By Using The $5k That Was For Their Gifts
Person Clears Debt Of 1642 Folks After Fight With Fam By Using The $5k That Was For Their Gifts

Person Clears Debt Of 1642 Folks After Fight With Fam By Using The $5k That Was For Their Gifts

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At least once in your life, you’ve probably heard the saying that everyone should be kind during Christmas. While some people don’t stray far from their usual level of kindness during this time of year, others take it to a whole new level.

Like the OP of today’s story. They got into a nasty fight with their selfish family, which led to estrangement and a huge unused budget for Christmas gifts. Yet, instead of simply keeping the money, they decided to make the holidays a tad better for 1642 strangers.

More info: Reddit

RELATED:

    It’s agreed upon that during the Christmas season, we should all strive to be kind to everyone, even strangers

    Person sitting with gifts by a Christmas tree, contemplating debt clearance for 1642 people using $5k intended for family gifts.

    Image credits: azerbaijan_stockers / Freepik (not the actual photo)

    In the summer, the author got into a nasty fight with family, which led to falling out

    Debt cleared for 1642 individuals after using $5k from family gifts post-fight.

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    Text discussing spending $5k on family gifts, not impacting grown kids' Christmas.

    Person in white sweater holding an open empty wallet, symbolizing debt clearance effort using $5k.

    Image credits: Karolina Grabowska / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

    Since they didn’t make up until Christmas, the budget that was meant for their gifts was left unused

    Text about clearing debt for 1642 people in New York instead of buying gifts.

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    Text about self-centered family not giving to charity, with person feeling satisfied they cleared others' debts.

    Image credits: Conscious-Farmer6953

    Instead of keeping it for themselves, the author decided to collect thousands of people’s debts

    Let’s start with the fact that the OP’s family isn’t the healthiest one. We base that on the fact that the author themselves said that for a long time, there was a fight slowly brewing. Finally, in the summer, the cauldron burst and they had a falling out. 

    Granted, the original poster didn’t specify the reason behind all of it. And they can bevarious– from mismatched expectations and clash of values to emotional or even physical abuse. In this case, we think that for us, as strangers, simply knowing that they had a falling out is more than enough as context for this story.

    The fight must have been awful enough that since summer, they didn’t patch things up until Christmas. So, since their contact had been cut off, the OP decided that there was no need to buy them X-mas presents.

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    Don’t think they are a Grinch who stole Christmas from kids in their family – all those people are grown-ups, so there was no children’s joy ruined. Maybe some adults’ joy, but knowing that they are in a fight, maybe seeing the original poster during the holidays would have been worse for them. After all, usually, estrangement happens due tonegativityin a relationship, and who wants that in their life during Christmas, right? 

    So, by not buying them gifts, the person saved 5 thousand dollars. That’s a huge amount of money! As a comparison, we can take Americans, who on average spend around $900 on Christmas (gifts and other expenses included), which is way less than the post’s author spends solely on family gifts.

    Calculator and papers on a desk, symbolizing clearing debt for many people.

    Image credits: Mikhail Nilov / Pexels (not the actual photo)

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    Yet, instead of simply pocketing such a large sum, the original poster decided to do a good deed instead. They bought a batch of debts from strangers to collect them. 

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    Basically, thisprocesshappens when the original creditors lose hope of getting the owed money from the people they gave it to and sell the debt, sometimes even for the smallest amount, so that it can be paid off.

    Because the OP did that, 1642 people in upstate New York won’t have to hear from debt collection again. So, essentially, the original poster spent money on something that people will appreciate, even if they’re strangers, rather than something their family wouldn’t even care that much for. 

    Additionally, in a way, this charitable move ended up being an “in your face” moment for the OP’s family. Well, it would be, if they found out where the budget for their presents went. They never give to charity, and are even hostile to those who they perceive as a lower status than them, so it would be a hit to them for sure.

    Folks online praised the person for handling the situation the way they did. Instead of being tempted to simply save up this relatively huge sum of money this year, they decided to make someone’s holidays a bit better, which is a thing only a kind person would do. And what is Christmas without kindness, right?

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    People online admired the author’s kindness and couldn’t stop praising them in the comments

    "$5000 gifts comment praising debt-clearing act for 1642 people.

    Reddit comment expressing surprise about clearing the debt of 1642 people.

    Positive comment praising debt clearance action, highlighting kindness and making people happy.

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    "Comment praising person for clearing debt of 1642 people, asking how they did it.

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    Text discussing donation shift from gifts to various charities.

    Reddit comment reading, "What a kind thing to do!" in response to debt-clearing news.

    Dollar bills beside festive decorations and a gift box, symbolizing clearing debt during holiday season.

    Image credits: kotkoa / Freepik (not the actual photo)

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    Comment about helping people by buying their debt, expressing joy in giving aid.

    Comment praising someone's action to clear the debt of 1642 people.

    Reddit comment saying "Not all heroes wear capes!" about clearing debt.

    Comment praising someone for clearing debt of 1642 people, highlighting kindness.

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    Comment questioning debt clearance method with $5k meant for family gifts.

    Text praising someone for using $5k to clear debts, called an amazing gift that changes lives.

    Comment on a positive act of debt clearance, highlighting "Christmas spirit.

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    Ugnė Bulotaitė

    Ugnė Bulotaitė

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    I am a writer at Bored Panda. I have loved creating and writing down stories about people and things since I was little and I think this passion led me to get degrees in sociology, communication, and journalism. These degrees opened various paths for me, and I got a chance to be a volunteer in the human rights field, and also try myself out in social research and journalism areas. Besides writing, my passions include pop culture: music, movies, TV shows; literature, and board games. In fact, I have been dubbed a board games devotee by some people in my life.

    Read less »
    Ugnė Bulotaitė

    Ugnė Bulotaitė

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    I am a writer at Bored Panda. I have loved creating and writing down stories about people and things since I was little and I think this passion led me to get degrees in sociology, communication, and journalism. These degrees opened various paths for me, and I got a chance to be a volunteer in the human rights field, and also try myself out in social research and journalism areas. Besides writing, my passions include pop culture: music, movies, TV shows; literature, and board games. In fact, I have been dubbed a board games devotee by some people in my life.

    Denis Krotovas

    Denis Krotovas

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    I am a Visual Editor at Bored Panda. While studying at Vilnius Tech University, I learned how to use Photoshop and decided to continue mastering it at Bored Panda. I am interested in learning UI/UX design and creating unique designs for apps, games and websites. On my spare time, I enjoy playing video and board games, watching TV shows and movies and reading funny posts on the internet.

    Read less »

    Denis Krotovas

    Denis Krotovas

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    I am a Visual Editor at Bored Panda. While studying at Vilnius Tech University, I learned how to use Photoshop and decided to continue mastering it at Bored Panda. I am interested in learning UI/UX design and creating unique designs for apps, games and websites. On my spare time, I enjoy playing video and board games, watching TV shows and movies and reading funny posts on the internet.

    What do you think ?
    Robin Roper
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is anyone else stunned that this guy usually spends 5k on gifts for his family? Maybe my family is the exception but we give gifts in the $15 range - a newly discovered but really good jam/jelly, an amazing hand cream; a jar of our favorite TJ's spice mix, etc. This year, my gift was presented in a 2 gallon Lowe's Home Improvement bucket - which everyone loved. Glad the guy did something good with the money he would have spend on his family but dang, no one should be expected to spend that much on gifts for their family.

    The Other Guest
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Perhaps he has a large family & a generous budget? But yeah, that does sound like an awful lot of money.

    Load More Replies...
    KatSaidWhat
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    While this is a great gesture, the math isn't mathing.

    Elisabeth
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When you buy up debt, you only pay a percentage. Debt collecters try to get their investment and time back and make a profit. And its risky, because not everyone will pay back their debt. So for 5000.- he might have bought 500 000.- dollars of debt.

    Load More Replies...
    sweet emotion
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My remaining family members have pretty much given up on christmas, and I certainly have. I now send the money I would have spent on gifts (and shipping!) to the local animal shelter.

    Uncommon Boston
    Community Member
    Premium
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He has taught his family to expect expensive gifts. Then people often begin to believe they are entitled to these gifts. He isn't generous, he owes them. It all goes downhill from there. My mother and I were talking about former friends who never paid for their meals, invited us into their homes, etc. They saw us as richer, never noticing how we accumulated money. No takeout, doordash or paying full retail for anything, doing without so we could afford what is important. We probably make approximately the same amount of money, but spend it differently. They resent our "better lifestyle." We paint our own homes, refinish old furniture, restore everything using YouTube. All they see is how our life looks better, not how we got there. The friendship is expensive, exhausting and not long lasting.

    Pammer R
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    $5000 divided by 1642 people = an average of $3.05. Maths, not mathing.... who goes into collections for under $5???

    Charoltte Mike
    Community Member
    10 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I never believed initially that it'll be so successful investing bitcoin and stocks with Mr Harold Kendrick, despite the fact I invested a little amount as a beginner, I'm so glad I withdraw my $31,000 profit successfully. Contact him directly ᴏɴ Watsap+ 44 7407600166.

    Renate Stargardt
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A few years ago a friend left her husband because he had cheated on her... and his entire family knew about it. Since she no longer had to buy (usually expensive) gifts for ten + "ex family members", she decided to search for wish trees in local supermarkets and grant wishes there. One store not only covered half the costs (e.g., a wish costs $10, and the store covers $5 of that), but also hosted a Christmas party for everyone involved. The gifts were all anonymous, but this allowed the gift givers to see the joy in the recipients' eyes, which, for my friend, was the most wonderful and by far the best Christmas present ever. That first, year she bought 15 gifts and included a gift card for the store with each one... and she contued to do that in the comming years.

    similarly
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hey, BP, can we NOT downvote people just for not knowing something? There's plenty of behavior on BP that deserves a downvote, but not knowing something really doesn't qualify. This kind of thing was never taught in my high school economics class decades ago, so this is news to me, and I appreciate the people who know this and have explained it so well in the comments, but I'm a bit sad that people who don't know, or don't understand are getting slapped down.

    Abraxas59
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    While I’m gobsmacked at the amount you spent on ungrateful family you made up for it with your sheer generosity of buying up debt don’t think it’s a thing here in the uk but what a full on wonderful thing to do op blessed be x

    Ruth Watry
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Must have been $5K per family member, or he would have only spent around $3 for each of the 1642 people

    Nikki Angulo
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No, read it again. His family is not 1642 people, those are the people whose debt he bought.

    Load More Replies...
    Robin Roper
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is anyone else stunned that this guy usually spends 5k on gifts for his family? Maybe my family is the exception but we give gifts in the $15 range - a newly discovered but really good jam/jelly, an amazing hand cream; a jar of our favorite TJ's spice mix, etc. This year, my gift was presented in a 2 gallon Lowe's Home Improvement bucket - which everyone loved. Glad the guy did something good with the money he would have spend on his family but dang, no one should be expected to spend that much on gifts for their family.

    The Other Guest
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Perhaps he has a large family & a generous budget? But yeah, that does sound like an awful lot of money.

    Load More Replies...
    KatSaidWhat
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    While this is a great gesture, the math isn't mathing.

    Elisabeth
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When you buy up debt, you only pay a percentage. Debt collecters try to get their investment and time back and make a profit. And its risky, because not everyone will pay back their debt. So for 5000.- he might have bought 500 000.- dollars of debt.

    Load More Replies...
    sweet emotion
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My remaining family members have pretty much given up on christmas, and I certainly have. I now send the money I would have spent on gifts (and shipping!) to the local animal shelter.

    Uncommon Boston
    Community Member
    Premium
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He has taught his family to expect expensive gifts. Then people often begin to believe they are entitled to these gifts. He isn't generous, he owes them. It all goes downhill from there. My mother and I were talking about former friends who never paid for their meals, invited us into their homes, etc. They saw us as richer, never noticing how we accumulated money. No takeout, doordash or paying full retail for anything, doing without so we could afford what is important. We probably make approximately the same amount of money, but spend it differently. They resent our "better lifestyle." We paint our own homes, refinish old furniture, restore everything using YouTube. All they see is how our life looks better, not how we got there. The friendship is expensive, exhausting and not long lasting.

    Pammer R
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    $5000 divided by 1642 people = an average of $3.05. Maths, not mathing.... who goes into collections for under $5???

    Charoltte Mike
    Community Member
    10 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I never believed initially that it'll be so successful investing bitcoin and stocks with Mr Harold Kendrick, despite the fact I invested a little amount as a beginner, I'm so glad I withdraw my $31,000 profit successfully. Contact him directly ᴏɴ Watsap+ 44 7407600166.

    Renate Stargardt
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A few years ago a friend left her husband because he had cheated on her... and his entire family knew about it. Since she no longer had to buy (usually expensive) gifts for ten + "ex family members", she decided to search for wish trees in local supermarkets and grant wishes there. One store not only covered half the costs (e.g., a wish costs $10, and the store covers $5 of that), but also hosted a Christmas party for everyone involved. The gifts were all anonymous, but this allowed the gift givers to see the joy in the recipients' eyes, which, for my friend, was the most wonderful and by far the best Christmas present ever. That first, year she bought 15 gifts and included a gift card for the store with each one... and she contued to do that in the comming years.

    similarly
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hey, BP, can we NOT downvote people just for not knowing something? There's plenty of behavior on BP that deserves a downvote, but not knowing something really doesn't qualify. This kind of thing was never taught in my high school economics class decades ago, so this is news to me, and I appreciate the people who know this and have explained it so well in the comments, but I'm a bit sad that people who don't know, or don't understand are getting slapped down.

    Abraxas59
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    While I’m gobsmacked at the amount you spent on ungrateful family you made up for it with your sheer generosity of buying up debt don’t think it’s a thing here in the uk but what a full on wonderful thing to do op blessed be x

    Ruth Watry
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Must have been $5K per family member, or he would have only spent around $3 for each of the 1642 people

    Nikki Angulo
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No, read it again. His family is not 1642 people, those are the people whose debt he bought.

    Load More Replies...
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