Author Topic: SG Donations & Expenditures (Read 37094 times)

DragonLady · « **on:** April 04, 2006, 08:20:00 PM »

I just want to make an accounting real quick of the site contributions, and how they're being managed. With all the payout and refunds and questions about the future, I haven't posted yet 'cause I wasn't sure just what was going to end up happening.

So far, y'all have contributed a total of $145.00!
So:

Income $145.00

Expenses:
PayPal Fees $3.08

Domain Name $9.20

Hosting
(one month trial) $14.95

Total in the "bank": $117.77

If this host works out, I'll be paying for the account on a yearly basis. If not, it will depend on what the new hosts want -some want two years; others want month-to-month; others are flexible and offer different plans according to the circumstances.

I do intend to purchase some kind of classifieds program; I have one now (a trial version) that I'm trying to make work. If it does, I'll pay for it myself, and we'll charge for ads, as I think that is more fair and equitable way of doing things. And, I feel much better offering a specific service or product to those who pay -it just seems more forthright, and professional.

In the meantime, if there's some particular feature or content you all would like to see here, let me know, and I'll be happy to see what's available.

fzxdoc · « **Reply #1 on:** April 04, 2006, 09:38:05 PM »

Wow, DragonLady, I don't know of many site hosts who post their balance sheet. I'm really impressed. Honestly, I'd like to see you be fairly compensated for all the work you do for us on this site, day in and day out, because what I didn't see on that balance sheet was the number of hours of your own time that you have so generously given us.

I can't say thank you enough for that invaluable commodity, your time.

Kathryn

DragonLady · « **Reply #2 on:** April 04, 2006, 09:43:49 PM »

That's one of the reasons I'd like to find a way for the site to earn it's own way. It would be nice if it would at least keep me in chocolates -especially if this last week is any indicator of what it's going to be like.

I sincerly hope our hosting problems are solved, and we won't have to move again. But just in case, I do have to start looking for another as a backup. But at least I'll be able to show a prospective host what we have so far, and give him a good hint what to expect.

Liana · « **Reply #3 on:** April 04, 2006, 10:56:45 PM »

DragonLady,

I would like to say how much I admire your professionalism in posting these figures. I think it goes without saying that none of us expect you to do all the work you're doing out of the goodness of your own heart. There's nothing like openness to make people feel invested in a project, and I predict that you will get a lot of praise for your actions.

I think you should run the classifieds any way you want to. I certainly trust your instincts, and you've built a beautiful site so far!

Pinkscissors · « **Reply #4 on:** April 05, 2006, 04:22:55 AM »

Dragonlady, I am totally impressed with your accounting. I'm surprised that the expenses for this site are so low. I say go buy yourself the biggest box of chocolates you can find and keep them close at hand. You deserve it!

DragonLady · « **Reply #5 on:** April 05, 2006, 09:42:43 AM »

Quote

Dragonlady, I am totally impressed with your accounting. I'm surprised that the expenses for this site are so low.

Honestly, I was surprised to find such a good deal. When someone pointed me to these folks, they said "cheap" and I thought ugh (I've done that before -no good). But, when I called them, I was quickly convinced to give it a try. Suffice to say, this is much less expensive than my last host, and if it doesn't work out here we haven't lost enough to worry about it.

I won't post who hosts us -the last time I did that it showed up on Google and some troublemaker mail-bombed my hosts. But they have a nice facility, and are available by phone 24/7. They aren't resellers -that's where most of the costs come from. A reseller buys a hundred accounts for $14.95, then resells them for $19.95 to someone who resells them again for $24.99....ad infinitum. It takes experience to weed 'em out and figure out who really owns the machines -and who exactly to contact if something goes wrong. Otherwise, you're writing to A who is reporting to B who is (hopefully) still around to elbow C....

DragonLady · « **Reply #6 on:** May 02, 2006, 02:35:01 PM »

Balance Forward: $117.77

Monthly hosting $14.95
_______________

$102.82

I wanted to set this up to bill me for a year; but I guess I have to call them. It automatically debited me while I was still trying to fill out the form. Anyway; I'll edit this if I get it set up properly; but it can wait 'till next month if it has to.

DragonLady · « **Reply #7 on:** May 27, 2006, 10:02:44 AM »

Balance Forward: $102.82

Donation: $30.00
PayPal Fees - 1.17
_______________

Total: $131.65

JoanneR · « **Reply #8 on:** May 27, 2006, 12:25:15 PM »

Dragon Lady, I would be happy to make a donation to this site but I do not use Pay Pal. Is there another way to get funds to you?

SuziQz · « **Reply #9 on:** May 27, 2006, 02:09:53 PM »

I was about to ask the same question.

Liana · « **Reply #10 on:** May 27, 2006, 03:22:27 PM »

If you don't use PayPal (and I don't), you can PM DragonLady, she'll send you an address where you can mail a donation.

sewnmachine · « **Reply #11 on:** May 29, 2006, 05:10:23 PM »

I don't know how popular advertising would be with the rest of the members here - but I for one really like the idea. I enjoy being able to click on something that catches my eye or interest. I have the attenition span of a gnat - so I have been known to click myself miles away from where I orginally started.

Just my opinion about ads - I give em a thumbs up!

DragonLady · « **Reply #12 on:** May 30, 2006, 02:38:16 PM »

Balance Forward: $131.65

Donation: $20.00
PayPal Fees - .88
_______________

Total: $150.77

DragonLady · « **Reply #13 on:** June 02, 2006, 02:36:18 PM »

Balance Forward: $150.77

Hosting Fees: - 14.95

_______________

Total: $135.82

I've only paid for one month again, because there's a bug in the VPS software. Also, if I pay for a year, and something goes wrong in six months, we won't receive a refund.

So...I've decided it's worth the dollar or two difference to keep paying monthly & be able to pack up and move if neccesary.

Also, if they can't fix the bug, I may have to upgrade to a dedicated IP address. This only costs a couple of dollars per month, but will fix the problem we're having with search engines indexing the site improperly.

DragonLady · « **Reply #14 on:** June 15, 2006, 09:05:49 AM »

Balance Forward: $135.82

Donation: 10.00

_______________

Total: $145.82

judith · « **Reply #15 on:** June 15, 2006, 10:40:54 AM »

Clearly, I have not been paying attention when online. I use paypal a lot, but it's always a purchase where there's a "click here" and whammo, there I am at the paypal site with the recipient info all filled in for me. I don't know how to send funds "from scratch" as it were. So Dragonlady, could you maybe provide some guidance.

I am impressed with how professionally this site is maintained, and I'm sure there are others who will be happy to make a small contribution to keep it going.

And, in case I forgot to post this before, I agree with the "thumbs up" to advertisers. So long as they are not pop ups and I can chose whether to check them out or not (and given the way this site is managed so far, I have no doubt that would be the case), I like the idea of sewing suppliers being able to make their wares available to us. I also would like to have a place where sewers could trade their gently used equipment with each other....except for me. I'm not buying any more equipment. I'm not. I'm not. I'm not.

DragonLady · « **Reply #16 on:** June 15, 2006, 03:13:57 PM »

Judith, I've sent you a pm.

DragonLady · « **Reply #17 on:** June 18, 2006, 12:43:50 PM »

Balance Forward: $145.82

Donation: 20.00

PayPal Fees: 1.08
_______________

Total: $164.74

If no one has any problem with it, I'm going to pay myself $50.00, and take the family for an outing. I've put in a whole bunch of time and work here, and they're starting to get a bit resentful...a trip to the zoo or something will make them happy campers.

Karla · « **Reply #18 on:** June 18, 2006, 02:32:52 PM »

I can't speak for everyone, only for myself, but I hope you'll take the money and enjoy some R&R. I appreciate all the work you've done on SG.

BetsyV · « **Reply #19 on:** June 18, 2006, 02:48:56 PM »

I agree with Karla - have a great time with the family. You deserve it!

BetsyV

LindaE · « **Reply #20 on:** June 18, 2006, 02:57:13 PM »

DL,
enjoy you outing.. You deserve it..

Natasha J · « **Reply #21 on:** June 20, 2006, 08:00:57 AM »

$50 seems like pretty puny pay for all you do.

Enjoy the zoo or where ever you decide to go.

cmarie12 · « **Reply #22 on:** June 20, 2006, 08:07:31 AM »

Dragonlady,

I don't have a problem with it either! Enjoy the day!

DragonLady · « **Reply #23 on:** June 21, 2006, 12:20:23 PM »

I just wanted to say "Thanks"...even though we didn't get to go (long story). Maybe next weekend, if things work out right.

Liana · « **Reply #24 on:** June 21, 2006, 12:31:19 PM »

Oh, and here we all thought you were having a wonderful time! Well, go when you can, and enjoy yourself. You certainly deserve it!

fzxdoc · « **Reply #25 on:** June 22, 2006, 08:50:09 AM »

Gosh, I'm wishing the coffers were deeper so you could take more out, DL! Enjoy your well-deserved family time.

Kathy in NE Ohio · « **Reply #26 on:** June 22, 2006, 11:31:39 AM »

DragonLady if you send me PayPal instructions, I will be happy to contribute. Thanks so much for your time and talent.

Kathy

DragonLady · « **Reply #27 on:** June 22, 2006, 07:59:58 PM »

Balance Forward: $164.74

Donation: 40.00

PayPal Fees: 1.46
_______________

Total: $203.28

I'll have to double-check the PayPal fees, as they've recently increased. I'll subtract the $50.00 if and when I actually get a chance to get out of here.

Fran G · « **Reply #28 on:** June 23, 2006, 04:52:17 AM »

Dragonlady,

I just became aware that donations were accepted on this site. See what happens when one reads topics beyond what they generally limit themselves to??? I would suspect that many are not aware.

I do not have a Paypal account but my husband does. If you can send me instructions I will happily make a donation.

fzxdoc · « **Reply #29 on:** June 23, 2006, 05:55:06 AM »

Hey Fran G, congrats for walking on the wild side and exploring other topics!

I'm off to the Sharing thread now to see if your jacket issue has been happily resolved. See you there!

Fran G · « **Reply #30 on:** June 24, 2006, 06:20:21 AM »

Oh, yeah, Kathryn, that's me! Wild Fran G! Ha!

Coming attraction: resolution of the sleeve issue. Silly me..and I thought that maybe I could simply cut a smaller size sleeve. I should have known that when Anne responded that I should visit, that "a smaller sleeve" was NOT the solution! Had such a fun day at her sewing camp..an all day sew-a-thon with the nicest women around. And talent??? Oh, my, goodness..beautiful stuff! I will make my report over on the other thread.

DragonLady · « **Reply #31 on:** June 24, 2006, 02:50:03 PM »

Balance Forward: $203.28

Donation: 25.00

PayPal Fees: $1.03
_______________

Total: $227.25

Quote

DragonLady · « **Reply #32 on:** July 05, 2006, 08:26:48 PM »

Balance Forward: $227.25

Hosting Fees: $14.95
_______________

Total: $212.30

cbkins · « **Reply #33 on:** August 17, 2006, 06:57:53 AM »

I was exploring today and found this thread. I am sorry I wasn't aware of the chance to contribute to this site. It is worth it's weight in gold. Please tell me how I can contribute since I don't have a pay pal account.

DragonLady · « **Reply #34 on:** August 19, 2006, 12:21:31 AM »

If you send me a pm, I'll give you a snail mail address where you can send a check or money order.

News:

Author Topic: SG Donations & Expenditures (Read 37094 times)

JoanneR