I have dreamed a few dreams in my time. Many, if not most, don’t work out as I imagined they would.

Some fizzle out and many head in a different direction. Some grow into something unexpected.

I was grateful recently when a dream went wrong, helping me dodge a bullet in the form of a sudden, unavoidable expense.

The dream was a GoFundMe-style investment programme that combined investing and do-gooding, two of my favourite hobbies.

Individuals pledged cash into different pots to fund solar power installations for charitable organisations and other good causes.

Investors could choose projects according to their interests. I invested in solar panels, for a school for children with special needs, a society for the blind, and an old age home.

Once a project had reached its target, the solar panels were installed and the organisation started to pay rent to the investor.

When I chanced upon the project, we were deep in the dark days of loadshedding. Those who could afford it were installing solar panels for their homes or businesses.

The organisations this project targeted didn’t have the money to fund the solar installation. Neither did I as an individual, but this programme required investors to buy just a few cells in a panel or a few panels alongside other investors.

The return over the rental period was decent. I figured it was a good place to put some cash. Also, it was a way for me to be part of the shift to renewable energy, before I could afford to go off the grid myself.

I loved the idea of helping good causes access cheaper, more reliable power. I invested what I could afford and watched with pleasure as the projects I had selected ticked upwards.

I couldn’t resist adding more funds. The installations took place and I started to see rental Rands trickle into my account.

My imagination ran wild. I imagined letting those rental Rands build up, and buying more panels in more and more interesting projects.

I could see myself driving past homes for orphans and the elderly, thinking, I own some of the cells or panels on that roof. I have done a little something to help them.

I puffed up with pride when I thought of helping people get off the grid. With enough time and a few additional deposits, I could become a significant contributor.

Since then, my life has changed and money has got tighter. I have sold a few investments over the years, but I hung on to this one. It was too high on feelgood factor (and low on value, if I am honest) to sell, although that was always a choice.

Then, out of the blue, one of those annoying home-ownership things happened that had me in a tight squeeze.

I logged into my GoFundMe portal and discovered that my panels were about to be sold.

I had missed emails notifying investors that a deal was on the cards, and that it would proceed if approved by a majority of investors.

All I had to do was tick a box and the money — my investment amounts and a few years’ worth of earnings — would be paid into my bank account.

The sale to a supplier of solar panels meant the beneficiaries would be getting an even better deal.

I felt deflated when I thought of my grand plans, but I was pleased to have cash to make the required investment in my home, saving me a lot more later.