Scammers are working overtime as candidates push for donations, even as small as five dollars. With emotions running high, be cautious of fake headlines and misleading donation links.
MrBeast: How the most popular YouTuber made his fortune
Are you a Netflix fan, or do you prefer binge-watching YouTube videos late into the night? Tap or click here for the magic number that may dictate your preference.
If you have young kids or grandkids, you may have heard of MrBeast. He’s an internet sensation whose viral videos consist of stunts, comedy and massive acts of philanthropy.
At 24, Jimmy Donaldson, aka MrBeast, has built an empire around his YouTube channel.
Let’s talk numbers
Donaldson was born in Wichita, Kansas, on May 7, 1998, and raised in Greenville, North Carolina. He graduated from Greenville Christian Academy and briefly attended East Carolina University.
MrBeast posted his first YouTube video in 2012 and has since become the most subscribed individual on the platform. Check out these incredible stats:
- The MrBeast channel has 178 million subscribers.
- MrBeast’s videos have been viewed over 30 billion times.
- Donaldson’s estimated net worth is $500 million.
- Between cash, cars and other prizes and donations, MrBeast has given away millions of dollars.
Big giveaways
As MrBeast approaches 750 uploaded videos, let’s take a look at some of the highlights of his philanthropic efforts:
- A fundraiser for the Arbor Day Foundation raised over $20 million to plant 20 million trees.
- Donated over 100 cars.
- Adopted every dog in a shelter.
- Raised over $30 million to remove 30 million pounds of trash and waste from oceans, rivers and beaches.
- Funded cataract surgery for 1,000 people.
Viral fun
Some of the most popular MrBeast videos revolve around simple premises such as counting to 100,000 and building a fort out of plastic cups. He also ran the marathon in the world’s largest shoes.
How to donate to Maui wildfire victims without getting scammed
I have so many listeners and readers in Hawaii. I also lived in Maui for years. It’s heart-wrenching to see lives lost, homes destroyed and the devastation. We won’t know the full extent of the loss for some time.
Scammers are ready to take advantage of people’s kindness in times like these. If you’re thinking of helping out, you need to know who to donate to.
9 a.m. Monday or Tuesday
For the best Goodwill deals (or whenever your local thrift store opens). People tend to drop off donations over the weekend after cleanouts or garage sales. That means you’ll find a better selection on mornings early in the week. Should I start featuring a thrifting segment? I’d call it secondhand news.
How to declutter and earn some extra cash this January
A brand-new year means one thing around here: a hard reset on everything in our lives. This includes our closet full of things we no longer use. New Year, new us.
Most of your used electronics and other gear shouldn’t just be thrown into the trash. After all, one person’s trash might make another person’s day. Tap or click here for a list of old tech worth big bucks.
How you can help Ukraine and save almost $7,000 on video games at once
Since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, charities worldwide have sprung into action. Last Tuesday, President Joe Biden said the U.S. would send “tens of thousands of tons” of medical supplies, food and water to soldiers and civilians. Tap or click here for the best ways to donate to Ukrainian people and forces.
Scam alert: Avoid these personalized ads on social media
Scammers will use any means to steal your money and information, and social media is an ideal platform to find new victims. The biggest social networks have billions of users, so even a tiny percentage who aren’t careful offer up a huge target.
Bots are scamming people on Twitter for donations - Here's how to spot their tricks
Payment apps like Venmo, Cash App, Google Pay, Zelle and PayPal are great for paying for goods and services and sending money to friends. You can even use some of them to split a bill at a restaurant. They’re an easy alternative to credit cards that are becoming more widely accepted as time goes on.
10 apps that earn you money for doing almost nothing
Rewards programs are plenty these days, with incentives that run the gamut from traditional free airline miles to the unique offering of a drone — complete with pilot lessons. What consumer doesn’t like a bonus for their effort? Unfortunately, while some programs are amazing, the majority fall flat.
Cryptocurrency and donations: How digital currency is changing how we give and receive money
Right now, the world of cryptocurrency is like the Wild West. Just think about all of the modern-day prospectors searching for their fortunes. If you’re looking for gold in the digital world, I’ve got a ton of resources to help you!
4 digital weather tools and 1 one warning you absolutely need to know about
Talking about the weather is always a great way to break the ice with strangers. There’s always something to say about heat, humidity, snow, rain and more.
So it’s no wonder that weather tools make for popular websites or downloadable apps. If a storm is coming or the summer heat is rising, it’s handy to glance down at your phone to see how the weather progresses hour by hour.
8 tips to avoid coronavirus scams
We’ve seen some examples of the coronavirus pandemic bringing the best out of people as they practice social distancing, help elderly neighbors in getting supplies and make donations to those impacted most. Others, not so much.
How to donate to Nashville tornado relief - without being scammed
On March 3, 2020, a tornado struck near Nashville, Tennessee and became one of the deadliest natural disasters to hit the state in nearly a decade. Twenty-four people died that morning, and at the time of publication, 17 remain missing.
How to get Amazon to donate for you
Amazon is forever seeking ways to improve the quality of its customers’ experiences. Whether it be opening brick-and-mortar storefronts, reducing Prime shipping from 2 days down to one, offering same-day delivery for some areas of the country, or creating Kindle and smart home devices, Amazon has your back. And, let’s not forget Amazon offers virtually every product on the planet for purchase.
Watch local TV for free on your smartphone or computer -- in 9 major cities
Cable became a mainstay of most households just a few decades ago, but with the rise of streaming, it appears to be on the way out. Still, there are shows and events you can catch only on live TV, and there are ways to get those channels for free if you don’t have cable or an antenna. Don’t get too excited yet: The non-profit service is available in only nine cities — New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington DC, Baltimore, Chicago, Houston, Dallas and Denver.