By KAREN CIMMS

kcimms@tnonline.comThere's a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes that I'd really like.Black patent leather, peep toes, and that iconic red sole. What's not to love?Sure, they're expensive. This pair retails for about $899, which is a bargain in the world of high-end shoes. Even better? They're on sale through a designer outlet and I can snatch them up for a cool $600.The problem is, even at that deeply discounted price, I still can't afford them.Not to worry. I'm going to start a GoFundMe or Kickstarter page so that my friends, family, and even people I don't know, can fork over a few bucks so that I can strut around in style.I mean why not? If Zack "Danger" Brown of Columbus, Ohio, can raise more than $55,000 on Kickstarter so that he could make potato salad, why can't I get a pair of designer heels?Are you appalled yet?Thought so. Just give me a second to remove my tongue from my cheek.There we go.I think crowdfunding can be a godsend in many situations, such as helping raise money for someone suffering from an illness or accident, or a family who has suffered the loss of a loved one, or who has lost their home from a fire or flood.I even think it's a great way for arts organizations to raise money for a film or theatrical production.Personally, I'd rather donate $10 online to the local community theater group than sit in line to get my car washed or eat a fast-food meal I neither need or want.But I think that's about where I have to draw the line. (C'mon! Potato salad?)I belong to a wonderful group on Facebook with several hundred others who share a common interest.On a few occasions, when members were going through some serious situations, like a job loss or accident, illness of a spouse, etc., other members have suggested these people start a crowdfunding page to help them get over whatever hurdle they were facing. About three or four members did just that, and the online community showed up to help.Then another member, using what she believed was the same principle, uploaded her Amazon wish list so that the rest of us could send her presents for her upcoming birthday.Only if we wanted to, of course. No pressure.Excuse me?Then there was The New York Times best-selling author who decided to crowdfund her next book so that she could self-publish.I'm thinking if you're already a best-selling author, you should be able to swing that self-publishing deal without my help.Please don't take this the wrong way, but for the record, I don't want to contribute to your next vacation; your kid's tuition to private school, camp or college; your wedding; your next book (unless I buy it, of course); or your potato salad.I make my own potato salad. It may not be worth $55,000 (which Brown donated to charity), but it's delicious.Now, about those shoes ...