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StitcherHow far would you go to trust, believe, and help a stranger online? Today we’re breaking down how social media has turned struggle into a brand, how these trends exploit both empathy and algorithms, and how it may be affecting you without you ever giving a dime.
Generosity is a perfect way to spend our money but don’t give to people you don’t trust or know.
What is #BegTok?
Jen and Jill shed a light on this new wave of social media money making scheme they call #BegTok where people come in live streams and beg for money, directly. They highlighted several TikTok compilation videos of how this is becoming more and more wilder and more unhinged.
Even if we end up brushing off these types of contents, Jill points out that this is a form of emotional manipulation that taps into the brain’s spending triggers. They will use parasocial relationships to create the illusion of friendship and intimacy that build trust. And once that trust is established, product recommendations feel like advice from a friend, not an ad.
Where #BegTok Will Lead To
With enough of this potentially getting in your algorithm, you are vulnerable to supporting people who haven’t earned your trust because emotions can pull the trigger before logic kicks in. Beyond social media, companies do this too through cause marketing, when a for-profit brand partners with a non-profit to promote both a product and a social cause, often with a portion of proceeds or “awareness” going toward charity. But not every campaign has the best intentions so you might feel good, but in reality, you are helping no one.
Therefore Jen and Jill remind us that we only see a sliver of someone’s life that is carefully curated so it’s best not to easily give money to people and organizations you don’t know in real life.
Have you ever been a victim of charity fraud or similar tactic?
Jill shared the story about her giving $50 to a scammer in the dms. For Jen, it’s when she fell victim to these exploitative non-profit organizations for invisible children during her teenage years.
Bill of The Week
Thanks Laurie for sharing your bill about your sister’s 1st husband who gave you a car!
Thanks so Much for Listening!
Thanks so much for listening. We love love love reading your kind reviews of our book Buy What You Love Without Going Broke and we especially loved this one from:
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This book is classic Jen and Jill- so very applicable, but captivating at the same time! This isn’t your average finance book. This one is deeper; this one gets to the root of not just finances, but what motivates you in life and following after what you love. Read it! You won’t regret it!
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