It used to be that you asked your landlord for an extension when you couldn't make rent, but some renters are taking a different route. ABC News profiled people [1] who recently threw profitable parties in the name of raising rent money, blaming their monthly shortfall on economic forces.

The idea is to charge guests about $10 for snacks, drinks, and a place to party. Rob Alica collects up to $400 from successful rent parties and said, "When people move into apartments they throw housewarming parties and people donate things. So I said to myself, 'Why can't I just throw a party and have people just donate money to a cause?' The cause being me."

ABC has a few tips for people interested in throwing their own rent party: have the party at your apartment to "show partygoers where their contributions are going"; collect cash as guests arrive; don't spend all the donations on food and drinks for the party; create a fun playlist to keep the party going.

What's your opinion of rent parties?

Source [2]