Evacuee Purchases Designer Handbag with Redcross Donation!

My understanding was that the evacuees would receive $2,000 from FEMA, not Red Cross. They thought the debit card system would expedite the process, but have since decided that depositing money directly into bank accounts would halt most of the fraud that they could see would grow out of control. Of course, I would imagine that many of the people either left their checkbooks behind or didn't have an account to begin with. I'm sure there is a better explanation out there, but I do not think the Red Cross has ever handed out monies to victims, maybe to volunteers though.

In college, I took a course which discussed the very issue surrounding this handbag purchase. We all see it everyday...with clothing, cellphones, jewelry and cars. It's called a value stretch....individuals spend what money they have on those things that will enable them to "look" like they live the good life. They don't put much value on things such as housing, education, insurance and the like. When they are out in the nice car, wearing cool clothes and talking on their cellphones, no one "knows" the real life they have.

This type of behavior cuts across all socio-economic groups. 30A to the ghetto. If your average citizen started living like the WWII generation, our economy would collapse.

I'm not worried if someone collects their FEMA $$ (which is suppose to help get them on their feet), and they decide to blow it. Lots of people at all economic and other levels make poor choices. Why wouldn't you expect to hear of some poor choices from displaced citizens, especially given all they've gone through. I'm sure most will make the most of their allotted funds.

I agree with you tootsie, most will make wise choices......we will only hear about all the bad ones, as usual :roll:

This type of behavior cuts across all socio-economic groups. 30A to the ghetto. If your average citizen started living like the WWII generation, our economy would collapse.

Interesting, scary, and right on target Bob. :shock:

This type of behavior cuts across all socio-economic groups. 30A to the ghetto. If your average citizen started living like the WWII generation, our economy would collapse.

Good point - whole house of cards is based on consumption of goods, and more important, the per capita growth of said consumption - from KMart to SAX, Bob's used cars to Leroy's Lexus, etc.

I'm not worried if someone collects their FEMA $$ (which is suppose to help get them on their feet), and they decide to blow it. Lots of people at all economic and other levels make poor choices. Why wouldn't you expect to hear of some poor choices from displaced citizens, especially given all they've gone through. I'm sure most will make the most of their allotted funds.

You sure have gotten used to your tax dollars being blown. :roll:

If she held out her designer handbag for me to put some dollars in it - I would not. :nono1:

You sure have gotten used to your tax dollars being blown. :roll:

If she held out her designer handbag for me to put some dollars in it - I would not. :nono1:

Who here really believes that the person who reportedly purchased the said luxury handbag was a legit person in need and a storm victim? I would not be surprised if she/he was from a town unaffected by Katrina.

Personally, I think anyone who spends $600 for a purse is crazy, even if they have a gazillion dollars.

Who here really believes that the person who reportedly purchased the said luxury handbag was a legit person in need and a storm victim? I would not be surprised if she/he was from a town unaffected by Katrina.

Personally, I think anyone who spends $600 for a purse is crazy, even if they have a gazillion dollars.

I wouldn't doubt if it was an evacuee, simply taking advantage of the assistance. Though, I understand and expect some will not be making wise decisions, due to trauma that they have and are, experiencing. Smiling Joe, that was an $800 purse, even worse, huh?

How many threads has this story made?

You sure have gotten used to your tax dollars being blown. :roll:

If she held out her designer handbag for me to put some dollars in it - I would not. :nono1:

I didn't say that I approve of the designer handbag lady or her actions or others who may misuse their emergency funding. But are you really surprised? I hope she has enough money left to get her through the tough time that she is certainly having and will continue to have for a very long time. I hope that the funds will go a long way to help everyone whose lives are shattered for the moment.

I hope that the funds will go a long way to help everyone whose lives are shattered for the moment.

The funds would go a lot further if they could keep them out of the hands of folks like the designer bag lady!

The funds would go a lot further if they could keep them out of the hands of folks like the designer bag lady!

Agree! But, there is no way to monitor these funds after they have left FEMA.

Agree! But, there is no way to monitor these funds after they have left FEMA.

I agree; even if they try to limit what you can purchase (such as I believe they do with food stamps, etc.), a purse would probably be considered a clothing item.

There will always be abusers of the system. Government agencies, Red Cross, etc. can only do so much to get the money into the right hands. Unfortunately, the designer bag lady probably knows all too well how to "work the system". Hopefully her story won't deter too many folks from continuing to donate, because there are so many who truly need help.

Am I missing something, here? Gees, $'s too hard to come by and I don't throw it away either, Kurt! Hmm..did Tootsie get a huge inheritence :clap_1: , so that money's no object? Wish I could! I admit that I'm struggling, with this thought...But, I'd kinda like to knock her over the head with it. Who knows though, maybe a man wanted it! Nonetheless, it me off! Kurt, we don't have to put money "in her bag", she has everybody else doing that! That person's probably a pro, at working the system and others! :nono1:

You sure have gotten used to your tax dollars being blown. :roll:

If she held out her designer handbag for me to put some dollars in it - I would not. :nono1:

Maybe a nice new Marc Jacobs bag would make me feel better if I had lost anything. Me personally I would buy a nice pair of Jimmy Choos.

Just kidding...horrible someone would do that...

Am I missing something, here? Gees, $'s too hard to come by and I don't throw it away either, Kurt! Hmm..did Tootsie get a huge inheritence :clap_1: , so that money's no object? Wish I could! I admit that I'm struggling, with this thought...But, I'd kinda like to knock her over the head with it. Who knows though, maybe a man wanted it! Nonetheless, it me off! Kurt, we don't have to put money "in her bag", she has everybody else doing that! That person's probably a pro, at working the system and others! :nono1:

no inheritance here, I wish! just trying to withhold judgement of those who have lost their homes and much more.. they have a very long way to go to recover their lives and town. as I said before, its not for me to judge what a victim does with their money. I believe there will be many bad spending choices - human nature! and maybe even more bad spending choices by those who have never had money and haven't a clue about managing it. The money gives people a chance - that chance may be thrown away by some.

I realize that most people are angry about the handbag lady, and with good reason.

no inheritance here, I wish! just trying to withhold judgement of those who have lost their homes and much more.. they have a very long way to go to recover their lives and town. as I said before, its not for me to judge what a victim does with their money. I believe there will be many bad spending choices - human nature! and maybe even more bad spending choices by those who have never had money and haven't a clue about managing it. The money gives people a chance - that chance may be thrown away by some.

I realize that most people are angry about the handbag lady, and with good reason.

Yes, most people do get mad when they see their hard earned money being used like this! IMO, this is a hard call....the displaced do need funds to get them back up on their feet, but unfortunately many of them do not have the education or ability to manage this money. For many, it will hold them over until gov't. checks get rolling again. My hope is that for some caught in the cycle of poverty and welfare, this move will give ample opportunity for a new life.

Didn't all they have to do is show they were displaced? If so, someone with money, insurance, etc. could receive the debit card. Who knows, the Mayor may have received a card.

Didn't all they have to do is show they were displaced? If so, someone with money, insurance, etc. could receive the debit card. Who knows, the Mayor may have received a card.

That is my understanding. A millionaire could receive a card. At least the Mayor is using some of his money to buy a home in Dallas or Houston or one of those big cities in TX. He may be smarter than I give him credit for.

What's wrong? Baton Rouge not good enough for him?

Does anyone know who this lady was? Was she poor, rich, black, white? Not that race matters but I know everyone is assuming it was a poor black woman and I was wondering if it is.

Does anyone know who this lady was? Was she poor, rich, black, white? Not that race matters but I know everyone is assuming it was a poor black woman and I was wondering if it is.

If I was placing a bet, my money would be on a middle class female, who needed a new handbag, and bought it as a stress reliever. I know many people who feel worthy only by spending money. Shopping (buying) can be a big stress reliever for many people.

Someone asked whether this story was a myth. I still see know evidence of the truth to this report. Anyone?

If I was placing a bet, my money would be on a middle class female, who needed a new handbag, and bought it as a stress reliever. I know many people who feel worthy only by spending money. Shopping (buying) can be a big stress reliever for many people.

Someone asked whether this story was a myth. I still see know evidence of the truth to this report. Anyone?

I never assumed it to be a poor black woman - why would we? If the story is true, it was probably a woman who had plenty of money and splurged on a ridiculously expensive purse with her "extra" from FEMA. :nono1:

Joe, I tried looking this up on Snopes, but couldn't find it. Could all just be an urban legend.

Nope, heard it myself, on the news! It was either, FOX or NBC, my preferred!

I never assumed it to be a poor black woman - why would we?

So far the only folks who were given those cards were the ones in the Astrodome. Everyone else will receive theirs eventually once they do the paperwork. Statistically speaking, its most likely the person was poor, and probably black, if they were in the Astrodome, as that's who made up the vast majority of the evacuees there.

So far the only folks who were given those cards were the ones in the Astrodome. Everyone else will receive theirs eventually once they do the paperwork. Statistically speaking, its most likely the person was poor, and probably black, if they were in the Astrodome, as that's who made up the vast majority of the evacuees there.

But the post regarding this purchase states that the handbag was bought in Atlanta. Do you think the person bought a plane ticket to Atlanta with the rest of the money? Something is not adding up, and if it was reported on Fox or NBC or any other major station, they would have in chronicled on their website, right?