According to the article, "The Maricopa Integrated Health System's foundation forgave the costs not covered by the Nielsons' insurance and even paid Christian's student-loan payments while he was in the hospital. After Christian left his job, the foundation paid the family's COBRA premium and will continue paying it until the COBRA benefits expire in the Spring (2010), a cost of $1,256 per month. The foundation also created a tax-deductible donation account dedicated to the Nielsons' medical and emergency expenses. About $38,000 was raised. Much of this already has been used."
Her stay at the University of Utah hospital was approximately $128,000 which the Nielson's were responsible for $2700 of the bill.
Many fundraisers, auctions, and concerts held for the Nielson's raised over $290,000.
Another article from January 2011 that discusses how many page views Stephanie's blog receives (approximately 3 million per month).
Another article from July 2011 discusses BlogHer's ad compensation. The compensation can be from zero (for public service announcements) up to $10 on a cost per thousand (CPM) basis. For example, if her ads were rated somewhere in the middle (say $5), her average income would be $15,000 per month. BlogHer gets a portion of the ads and the rest is paid to the blogger.
There have been lots of discussions about "Nie's Homemade Christmas" post in December 2010. In her own words: " These past few weeks, I have been bombarded with so many handmade gifts that I felt like a spoiled brat-Which I kind of am." She goes on to add, in very small font, "I couldn't use every single amazing homemade gift that was sent. I am sorry. I will probably use what you have sent at some point, and I must make it known, I can't send back your homemade pretties either."
There are many people that donated their time, hard work, and talent to raise money, donate items, and provide for her family. What she has gone through is one of the most devastating events one can imagine. But where is the line between making money and taking advantage of a situation?
What are your thoughts?
My thoughts are this: you are bitter, a democrat, and probably on welfare.
ReplyDeleteNope. None of the above.
DeleteSeems to me that "My Sparkling Life" is actually very dull and boring. Not sparkling whatsoever. Get a job, a hobby or just be happy and focus on yourself and your own family (if you even have one). Wow, seriously amazes me how miserable and jealous some people are. You should actually be "My boring life.....filled with envy and hate."
DeleteI feel bad that people are quite cruel to you on here. I will agree with you that the nielsons definitely are taking advantage of their tragedy to bank from it, but it's not really worth making a blog over it and having people be so mean to you is it? It's obvious by her posts she's just one of those people that kind of irks some or is viewed as a saint to others.. You either love her or you don't. I do however think your posts might open the eyes of others as far as realizing how much they really make off of her blog posts and her speech engagements where she is literally there telling people what they want to hear.. however, thats the way she's choosing to make her money. All you can really do is be glad you aren't her ya know? She's not the first to do something like this and sure won't be the last.. Popular bloggers are known for whoring out their children and their tragedies and their "wonderful beautiful struggle of a life" and making money off of it, and then doing sponsored posts or posting pictures of their kids wearing items people sent them to get the latest and greatest of material items. It's annoying but it definitely isn't worth getting so worked up over. I hope you're able to find some clarity with your annoyance of this family's way of making a living. like I said before.. just be glad you chose to make money for your family differently.
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