April 2020
This post is a bit long so I am going to archive it and start a new one.
January 2020
In order facilitate sponsors' payment for the monthly hosting or to raise the amount needed to incorporate as not for profit, I considered various options. Some come with considerable fees others are almost free. Once the soup is incorporated, more convenient options will become available.
Below are the methods that you can use to send me your contribution. Please note that I am not getting anything out of this and end up picking up the tab whenever there are discrepancies due to exchange rates or processing fees.
So, to sponsor a month of hosting or add to the “pot” here are the methods you may choose to use, with their pros and cons.
1- PayPal
Following to my previous update, I have set up a PayPal pool for the.fmsoup.org,
You may send your sponsorship using the following QR code
Or follow this link
PROS: Easy. Instantaneous. You may pay using your credit card or PayPal account. Trace.
CONS: Expensive. PayPal charges fees and commission to send, has inflated exchange rates. At this time, it’s my personal PayPal account and I am not very found of the potential taxes complications this can cause me.
2- Apple Pay. Apparently iOS users can send money to each other through iMessages.
PROS: Sounds easy and fast. My wallet already has my cards set up.
CONS: Never done it so I do not know if there are fees or caveats or how it works with different currencies. My personal account so, like for PayPal, potential taxation issues.
The next two methods are those that we have been using until now.
3- Wire transfer or eTransfer. I send my IBAN Swift or AFA infos by pm to the sponsor who communicate those infos to his/her financial institution with the wire instructions.
PROS: Trace. Low fee (eTransfer) Acceptable exchange rates.
CONS: Fee up to $30 (Wire) A bit complicated to figure it out the first time. Takes between a few hours to 2-3 days to complete.
4- TransferWise to TransferWise transfer. My favorite. If you often send money internationally or plan to become a regular contributor, consider opening a TW account. You can use the following link (technically it’s a reward for both kind of link but we’re dealing too small amounts for it to kick in. I still provide it because it is the easiest way to set up an account) link
Note, my TW account is my business’ international accounts so, tax wise it is easier for me because I can balance payments to Discourse and amounts received for that purpose.
PROS: Payment received within an hour. A real regulated financial institution. No TW transaction fees. True exchange rates (TW commissions are almost imperceptible). Real bank accounts in countries for the currencies. Free to open and maintain accounts in as many currencies as you wish.
CONS: initial setup required.
November 16, 2019
As the community is growing, we will have to face certain charges to incorporate as a non profit. The reason why this is desirable is that we will get half price on the hosting fees, so upgrading to the bigger plan would cost $150 monthly instead of $300.
We are NOT upgrading at this time but getting ready for all paperwork and such. You are invited to pitch in this pot. Instructions will be provided in the next few days. Amount to raise: $400
August 23, 2019
During our general meeting, we chose to insure the financial support of the site via private support. Each month, a sponsor volunteers to pay the hosting fees of $100. Shortly before the end of the month prior to its turn, the Sponsor is provided my IBAN number to make the wire. My credit card gets billed every month.
HOSTING
Please respond below to choose your month and add yourself to the list of monthly sponsors.
List of sponsors
July 2019 - Torsten Bernhard
August 2019 - Cécile Savoie
September 2019 - Markus Schneider
October 2019 - Markus Schneider
November 2019 -Picatso
Logo - Cheesus
December 2019 - Andy Hibbs
January 2020 -Picatso
February 2020 - PointInSpace
March 2020 - EfficientBizz
April 2020 - MonkeybreadSoftware
May 2020 - Andy Hibbs
June 2020 -Torsten Bernhard
July 2020 -Torsten Bernhard
August 2020 - Markus Schneider
September 2020 - Markus Schneider
October 2020 -
November 2020 -
December 2020 -
January 2021 -
February 2021 -
March 2021 -
SPECIAL POT for registering fmsoup.org as a not-for-profit (target 500):
Pot value (2020/03/07): CAD 546
Pot contributors: David W. V., David R, Christian S., Benjamin F., Peter G.
