I used to beg for money. I was a homeless heroin addict. I learned some interesting stuff begging for money. Being white myself. When I asked white people for money they would often look at me with disdain. Ask black people and they’d usually help ya out. It always seemed crazy to me that the white guy with a suit would treat you like garbage, but the black guy with gang tattoos on his his face and a car that needs work would throw ya a couple of bucks. I’ve heard black people say it works the other way around for them, but I had no way to test it heh.

I’m completely opiate free now for better or for worse. I say it like that because I suffer from crippling depression. Life is not enjoyable to me anymore. But, there are a lot of homeless guys where I live. I give them money, and blankets in the winter. Honestly, I give zero shits what they spend that money on. I don’t care if it’s drugs, alcohol, toothpaste, or socks. The money, once it leaves my hand is theirs to do with as they please. As long as that money brings them even a moment of happiness. As long as I make their life a little more bearable. I’m fine with that.

“ This homeless guy asked me for money the other day. I was about to give it to him and then i thought he was going to use it on drugs or alcohol. And then i thought, that's what i'm going to use it on. Why am i judging this poor bastard. People love to judge homeless guys. like if you give them money they're just going to waste it. Well, he lives in a box, what do you want him to do? save it up and buy a wall unit? Take a little run to the store for a throw rug and a cd rack? he's homeless.”

• Greg Giraldo

Them: don't give money to the poor and destitute, they'll just use it for drink and drugs!

Me: what do you think I was going to use it for?

Not everyone knows this but you can actually combine multiple notes to make a bigger purchase

If a gift of money comes with requirements on how to spend that money, it's not a gift.

Same story, but I turned around and gave him another 5 bucks with the words "oh, sorry, I know that stuff's expensive, have a nice evening"

You silly. He's obviously gonna put your $5 into the stock market, wait for it to grow 1000x and then use that money to buy drugs.

Funnily enough, that's almost exactly what I did, except stock market = crypto.

Plot twist: old lady was the drug dealer

Legitimately? Spend some time homeless in a US city and you will get fentanyl for free or next to nothing. I do not recommend it.

He's not spending only the $5 on drugs! Responsibility means financing your hobbies with proper budgeting: it's called Adulting.