Fundraiser for a RTW trip?

I've heard of high school students who raise money for school trips. I don;t see this as being that different as long as you're not at an age when people would expect you to be 'together' enough to be able to pay your own way. In any event, to my mind, if I knew that part of the money was going to charity, but part of the money was going to you, I would be less likely to attend than if it was one way or the other. I just feel that if people are doing something for charity, I shouldn't be paying adminstration costs of 50% to have some 'fund administrators' hand deliver the money after they've whooped it up and taken six months to get the money in the hands that matter.

So we all think the idea sucks big time, which it does. What're you going to do now or is there no plan beyond ripping off the friends and family??

The "charity" part really bothers me. If you're raising money for charity then raise money for charity, don't use the charity to obtain funds for yourself.

Also, be aware that people have their favorite charities. I've been in social situations where I've been forced to donate to someone elses charity and I don't like it at all.

Expecting people to donate to your vacation as well as your charity is expecting a lot.

I agree that this is one of the worst ideas I've ever heard. If a friend asked me to "donate" to their around the world trip, I would be AMAZED that I had such a tacky friend and hadn't known it before. Seriously, it doesn't get much more impolite. Miss Manners would have a field day with this one.

You've got A YEAR. I saved $15,000 in THREE MONTHS by working two jobs (about seventy-two hours per week total). Both jobs were unionized and I earned three times what my friends in similar, non-unionized jobs did. During these three months I also moved back in with my parents and kept a low profile on the social scene. If I an do it in three months, surely the two of you can do it over a year (even if you're paying rent and bills).

Also, being asked for a donation for a trip would be particularly insulting to me, having worked my ass off for those three months (leading up to a move from Canada and the crappy Canadian dollar, to Europe and the strong euro). It would be like someone saying, "Yeah, we know we could work as hard as you did, but asking you for money is easier." I can't even imagine how I would respond to such a request. It would definitely involve spitting out my drink, if I happened to be drinking at the moment.

As all above have said - why would your friends want to pay for your pleasure? However if you want to save money - either spend less, earn more or do both - you have enough time - focus on your goals and start some serious savings!
Lis
Get out of Debt and Save Money

I dont think this is the worst idea in the world, but I do agree that it could make friends and family feel uncomfortable. Why not fundraise in another way? You could have an art auction or a garage sale instead.

I know some people who collected a few art donations (as well as their own art) and then had a silent auction to raise funds. If you dont have to pay an "enterence fee" to your event, then donating money is less of an obligaton for your loved ones.