Twitter & Page Views

For more real time updates of my progress, you can now follow me on Twitter: @10000_wishes! 

So far, 10,000 Wishes has gotten 54 page views which may not seem like a lot to some people, but to me that is 54 people who have the power to spread the word and lend a helping hand. Plus, this blog hasn't even been up for 24 hours. I'd call that a success. Thanks so much to everyone who is stopping by!

logistics

Today is the launch of 10,000 Wishes so the current goal is just to get the word out. If you are here because you saw me post something on a message board or Facebook or some other site, welcome. Please spread the word by e-mailing your friends.

I will be posting weekly updates of my progress as well as listing the names (not full names) of everyone who donates as the donations come in. If you are someone with a blog or website and you would like your name to link to your site, please e-mail me the link.

I will also be writing posts detailing all of the tips & tricks that I have learned for earning cash thus far. I do a lot of very random things to earn money so if you are in a similar situation and this appeals to you, please stay tuned.

Thanks for visiting!

the beginning!

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to 10,000 Wishes. My name is Grace and I am the typical American college student -- broke and in debt, sustaining myself on Ramen and Red Bull. This blog that I have started is not a sob story, but it is a plea for help. The idea is simple. I have amassed about $10,000 of credit card debt from years of paying for overpriced textbooks and other odds and ends associated with college life. The debt did not get out of hand because of shopping sprees and a lack of self-control but instead because I am desperately trying to earn a (very expensive) degree that will supposedly help me earn money someday in an economy where unfortunately degrees are no longer guarantees.

Long story short, 10,000 Wishes is an idea that I dreamt up one night after seeing a story about a similar website. The concept is simple. If I could find 10,000 people who each wanted to give me $1, I could be out of debt. Yet somehow, the thought of asking for something in exchange for nothing just did not appeal to me (though it has been done before successfully). The thought of selling my body or my organs was similarly unappealing. What do I have to offer? Something that I've been making all of my life and giving away to friends for free. Wish bracelets. This is another simple concept. You tie the bracelet around your wrist and make a wish. When the bracelet falls off (on its own), your wish comes true. Cheesy though it may sound, it's fun to allow yourself to believe in the seemingly impossible every so often.

The goal? To find 10,000 kind souls willing to donate $2 in exhange for a wish bracelet. Why $2? Each bracelet will generate $1 in profit (with the other $1 going to 1 stamp, 1 envelope, and the amount of string it takes to create 1 bracelet) and hopefully 1 wish. With 10,000 people, that becomes $10,000 of debt erased and 10,000 wishes that will one day come true.

How can you help? Click the donate button to the left and give ANY amount. If you choose to give $2 or more, be sure to enter your mailing address so that I can send your wish bracelet. You don't even need a PayPal account to donate. Just follow the instructions on the PayPal site.

If you are offended by 10,000 Wishes, feel free to ignore this completely, exit the screen, and go on about your day. If it makes you feel any better, just think of this as a site where you can purchase wish bracelets rather than a girl asking strangers to lend a helping hand.

Thank you so much for your generosity and support!