Hopefully, you already know that I’m conducting a campaign to raise money for Make-A-Wish.  I’m even giving away a FREE iPod nano out of my own pocket in an effort to entice people to my site to give.  I’m only asking for $2.50 per person to help make a child’s wish come true.  (No donation necessary to win the iPod.)

Raising money even for a great cause isn’t easy.  I knew that going in.  Even so, I’ve been a little disappointed by the response so far. 

I’d really hoped that more of my subscribers and site visitors would donate.  It is just $2.50 and if all my subscribers would donate, we would really be able to make a difference!

I Am Asking for Your Help!

There is still time to make this a fantastic success.  The giveaway and fundraiser continues until November 25, 2009.  Please help me get the word out!

Please share my original post with as many people as you can via e-mail, Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon, etc.  If you have a blog or website, I would greatly appreciate it if you would let your readers know about this campaign by sharing a link to my post.

Finally, if you have any other suggestions that might help me make this more successful, then please do not hesitate to contact me and let me know!

The Reasons I Chose to Support Make-A-Wish

So, why am I doing this?  Because of stories like these that I read on the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s website.

1.  Victoria, age 8, wishes to be a rock star

Victoria’s medical issues started a long time ago.  By just 9 months of age, she had undergone five organ transplants and seventeen major surgeries!

Victoria still has her challenges, but apparently that hasn’t dimmed her spirit.  She has always wanted to be a rock star and to record her own CD.

Fortunately, the Make-A-Wish chapter of Southern Florida was there to help Victoria realize her dream.  They drove her to a Miami recording studio in a stretch limo and then later gave her the chance to perform live in front of an audience.  She had her very own CD release party hosted at the Improv Comedy Club in Palm Beach.  It was a dream come true!

You can see pictures and read more about Victoria’s wish come true at this link.

2.  Sam, age 11, wishes to have a baseball field in his backyard

Sam has neuroblastoma which is a cancer effecting the nervous system.  Dealing with cancer took Sam away from his teammates and the sport he loved.

His wish was to have a baseball field in his backyard so he could play with his teammates anytime he wanted.  It took the effort of Make-A-Wish, a big group of volunteers and a lot of willing donors to pull this one off, but they did it.

Sam and his whole community enjoyed opening day festivities at Farris Field named in honor of Sam’s surname.  His baseball field came alive with an announcer, hotdogs, the national anthem and of course the crack of the bat!

You can see pictures of the field and read more about Sam’s wish at this link.

3.  Caleb, age 7, wishes to have an elephant

Caleb has leukemia.  Leukemia normally prevents the blood from clotting properly and severely decreases the effectiveness of the immune system.  These are both life-threatening issues.

Caleb has a big disease and a jumbo-sized wish.  He wanted to own an elephant!  This wish took a little creativity to grant.  Fortunately, the Make-A-Wish chapter here in my home state of Oklahoma came up with a creative solution.

They arranged for Caleb to be the honorary owner of an Asian elephant at a nearby sanctuary.  Caleb’s mom wrote, “The wish team did a terrific and spectacular job with a difficult wish.  We would not change anything.”

You can see pictures of Caleb with his elephant and read more about his wish at this link.

These Kids Are the Reasons to Donate

We grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.
~ Make-A-Wish Mission Statement

These stories make it clear that Make-A-Wish truly fulfills their mission.  This is why I personally chose them as the charity that I wanted to help this year.  I hope you’ll take just a moment of your time to help me make a child’s wish come true!

Visit my article, make a donation and enter to win a free iPod nano!

Thank you for your support!

Photo by WTL photos

One fantastic way to make yourself feel better is to do something nice for someone else. 

You can really make a difference in another person’s life and put a smile on your face at the same time!

Hopefully, you already know about my campaign to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

However, just in case, I thought I’d taken a moment to highlight why I’ve chosen this particular charity to support.

A Video or Two Is Worth a Thousand Words

I don’t think words can fully express the hope and joy that Make-A-Wish offers to children that are facing life-threatening illnesses. 

Therefore, I thought I’d put one of the kids front and center so you can see for yourself.  If this video from YouTube doesn’t move you, then your heart is made of stone!

Are you convinced yet that you should make a donation to my campaign?  If not, then let me appeal to you with another video.  Please notice the emotion that wells up in this grown man when he talks about Make-A-Wish.  You too can be a part of something special!

Why Not Do Your Good Deed for the Day Right Now?

You can join my campaign and donate to Make-A-Wish right now by clicking this link to visit my donation page.

Okay, I’ll offer you one more incentive to join my effort to raise money for Make-A-Wish.  I’m giving away a free iPod nano to one lucky reader that comments on my original post about this campaign (comments on this post don’t count).  All I’m asking is that you consider donating $2.50 to support Make-A-Wish!

Photo by qthomasbower

“It is better to give than to receive.” Have you heard that one before? Of course you have.

This is timeless Biblical advice that is both powerful and, more importantly, very true. If you have had the opportunity to truly bless another with your time, talent or treasure, you know first-hand how incredible it feels to make a difference.

It is easy to see how the act of giving helps others. Those who are less fortunate benefit directly from the generosity of charitable folks, and society in general is made better when the “haves” provide assistance to the “have not’s” through their own free will.

What’s In It For Me?

In an ideal world, acts of charity would be performed freely and without the need for incentive. However, we do not live in Utopia and pure altruism is not the sole motivation for most charitable works. And the great thing is, there’s nothing wrong with that!

If you honestly assess why you give, you will probably recognize numerous personal benefits from your efforts. There is a sense of pride and self-fulfillment that accompanies a charitable act.

If you do something particularly generous, there could be substantial notoriety and even a degree of fame. Being known as “A Giver” is practically a universal badge of honor.

And, of course, there are the fabulous tax breaks! These are noble, worthwhile reasons to give, and there is no shame in acknowledging that you benefit from your generosity. After all, there is this old saying that goes “It is better to give than…”, well you get the point.

But Wait, Your Relationships Benefit, Too!

As someone who writes regularly about life and how it relates to marriage, relationships and parenthood over at Engaged Marriage, I submit that giving has even deeper and wider-ranging impacts. As you become a giver, you change the lives of not only the recipients of your charity, but (often much more subtly) the lives of those closest to you. Let’s take a moment to think about a few important relationships you may share.

• Marriage. I can tell you from first-hand experience that being married to a loving, giving person adds immeasurable quality to my own life. Those who achieve the extraordinary in their marriage are invariably selfless, generous and willing to put the best interest of others before their own. A self-centered, greedy spirit will never result in a successful marriage. If you want to be a respected and supportive spouse, you must develop the heart of a giver.

• Parenting. There is probably no relationship that more fully requires a charitable spirit than that of being a Mom or Dad. As good parents, we give up many things for the welfare of our children. We give up money, lots of time and sometimes a bit of our own sanity. However, if you have kids, you already know that what you give up to be a parent is repaid to you in multiples. This is likely the easiest relationship to recognize the real benefits of living with a giving spirit.

• Friendship. What characteristics do you most desire in a close friend? I bet you would look for someone who is trustworthy and shares common interests. But don’t you also, whether you realize it consciously or not, most enjoy associating with those who give freely of their time and are available to lend a hand or an ear when you are in need? Givers make the best friends.

• Career. There is a reason that many organizations require, or strongly encourage, their employees to give a small portion of their paycheck to a charity (such as the United Way). When you can see beyond your own self-interest and view the big picture in life, you are better able to serve others, including your clients and customers.

• Spiritual Life. Of course, the opening phrase to this post was taken from a Bible verse. The idea that giving is important for the good of others, the good of yourself and even the good of your soul is a common thread among all major religions. God even provides a suggestion for a worthy giving goal: 10%. The word “tithe” literally means “a tenth,” and it is still the benchmark for most that give advice on such matters, whether they have religious overtones or not. In my opinion, we are not asked by God to be givers solely for the benefit of others or to support our religious institutions. He asks us to trust and give our of “first-fruits” because he wants us to be givers first and see the world through unselfish eyes.

How Can I Get In On This?

The best way to realize the sometimes ambiguous benefits that giving brings to your relationships is by actually giving it the ole college try. So how do you become “A Giver”? You give. And you give generously. And you do it from your heart.

An excellent place to start would be to contribute to the Make-A-Wish Foundation fundraiser underway right here at My Super-Charged Life.  You might even win a free iPod nano!

Any small gift of charity is a worthwhile endeavor that will change you for the better. You do not need to be wealthy to be a great giver. In fact, money doesn’t even have to be involved. Remember, the tenets of true charitable works consist of time, talent and/or treasure. And the greatest part is that the best works of charity begin right at home.

Spend some quality time with your spouse, give your children the gift of a strong example, and live your life with an ever-present intent to help those you encounter. Tax breaks are great, but harnessing your own ability to impact and change the lives of others for the better is simply awesome. It really is better to give than to receive.

Dustin Riechmann created the Engaged Marriage site with the mission to help good people achieve the extraordinary in their marriage and their life. Please read a bit more about Engaged Marriage and see what it may have to offer you. You can also chime in on the conversation by visiting Engaged Marriage on Facebook.

Photo by Hamed Saber

So do Brad and Libby Birky!  They are the owners of the SAME Cafe located in Denver, Colorado.

Brad and Libby operate a very different diner.  According to their web site:

It is the intent of SAME Cafe to build a healthy community by providing a basic need of food in a respectful and dignified manner to anyone who walks through the door.

The SAME Cafe is a great example of an innovative and courageous effort to make a real difference.  It always starts with good people doing good things, doesn’t it?

So what makes this little restaurant so different?

The thing that stands out the most about the approach at SAME Cafe is that they don’t have any set prices.  You pay what you can.

They don’t have a cash register.  They have a donation box.

They also don’t have a set menu.  They serve healthy daily selections of dishes made from fresh, organic ingredients.

The Birky’s believe:

That everyone, regardless of economic status, deserves the chance to eat healthy food while being treated with dignity.

The name stands for “So All May Eat”, but this is not a soup kitchen.  It is a quaint little diner with wait staff.  It serves really great food.

It isn’t just the homeless that eat here either.  There are people from all walks of life at SAME Cafe. 

Many donate more for their meal than they would normally pay at a normal restaurant.  Why?  Because they too want to make a difference.  They want to be a part of what the Birky’s are doing in their community.

Treating people with dignity is what really sets them apart

I learned about SAME Cafe through the Making a Difference series on NBC Nightly News.  I was impressed.

What impressed me the most was their emphasis on treating everyone with dignity.  Brad and Libby Birky truly believe every human deserves to eat good food and be treated with respect while it is served to them.

In order to really get a feel for how this works, you have to see it for yourself.  I don’t normally embed video into my site, but I’m making an exception.

I really want you to see what is happening at the SAME cafe.

I encourage you to take just a few moments to watch this video.  It touched me.  The way the SAME cafe treats people is very admirable.

How you can help make a difference

Okay, so back to my original question, do you want to make a difference?

Here are a few ideas for how you can help:

1.  Make an online donation to SAME Cafe

One easy way to make a difference in the world is to join in on what others are already doing.  Obviously, it takes money to run the SAME Cafe.  They are a legitimate non-profit organization.  You can make a donation to SAME Cafe via their web site.

2.  Buy an item from the SAME Cafe wish list

On their blog every week, the cafe posts a wish list of items they need.  You could purchase one of these items for them and donate it.  This is a fantastic way to address a specific need that serves others.

3.  Volunteer at SAME Cafe

For those that cannot afford to give, but live in the Denver area, you can donate your time at the SAME Cafe.  You can help sweep up or clear tables or wash dishes.  It takes a lot more than just money to keep good things happening.

4.  Start a similar cafe in your area

Why think small?  You could start something like the SAME Cafe in your hometown.  I’m sure the Birky’s would be thrilled to know that their idea was spreading and being used to serve others.

5.  Carry forward the great philosophy

You’ve heard of pay-it-forward, right?  Well, why not carry forward the Birky’s fantastic philosophy of serving people who need help with dignity and respect?  You might not be into food service, but perhaps you could serve people in your community another way letting them pay as they can.

The opportunity to meet the basic needs of living are endless

I really appreciate it that NBC Nightly News is taking the time to focus at least a part of their newscast on the ways people are making a positive difference in this world.  It is refreshing to say the least.  I hope they keep publicizing great establishments and people like those at the SAME Cafe.  The needs are endless and opportunity abounds!

What do you think about the SAME Cafe?

Photo by avlxyz

When I was trying to come up with a subject for my guest post for Jeff I started thinking about the title of his site, “My Super-Charged Life”. I don’t know what Jeff means by that in relation to his life but I started thinking about what it means in mine.

The best part of my super-charged life is what I can share with others. I believe very strongly in giving. I believe the only way we can really get along in this world is to bring others with us.

How I have chosen to give

I choose to give in many different ways. I give of my time by volunteering at several local community organizations and by being willing to answer the call of others, when needed.

I give of my resources by making financial contributions to several national and global organizations in whose mission I believe.

I donate certain of my possessions for raffles and directly to our local domestic abuse shelter.

I also give of myself by being open and willing to listen to various people in my community who just seem to need a friendly ear. I admit the last is usually the toughest for me!

I know this will be controversial, but I also give to the occasional begging person I come across. Let me quickly say that I don’t come across people like that too often in my small rural community so I certainly can’t relate to issues regarding hoards of homeless people on the lookout for me as I make my way around town. That is not the reality of the situation in which I live.

When I’m in a bigger city, though, I do occasionally come in contact with people who seem down on their luck. I’m not naïve and I do understand that some of the individual people to whom I give may not actually be in need.

Why I give

I give because I see a person who appears to be hurting and to whom I’m blessed enough to be able to give a few dollars without endangering my own well-being and so I do. If that person goes along to the liquor store, oh well. It’s the giving that counts, not what the receiver makes of the gift.

The most important thing is not what you give but that you give. You don’t have to follow my or anyone else’s lead. Nor should you allow others to influence to whom you give.

I’ve read a lot of comments on various Internet boards and in response to articles on charity that highlight the controversy surrounding the issue of giving. I’m always surprised when I come across the heated nature of some of the debates.

The choices we make in giving

There are people out there who adamantly refuse to give to any organizations other than those which support animal causes. There are an equal number of people out there who decry any gift to animals, and wonder how anyone can support an animal shelter when so many children are starving.

There are people who only donate to local causes and people who only donate to global organizations. I believe very strongly in the ripple effect of every deed, good and bad, that we do. We don’t know where the donation we make to someone starving in Myanmar is going to lead.

We don’t know if the surly checkout girl at the grocery store, to whom we found something nice to say, will, as a result, be in a better mood and go out and do something wonderful.

The impact of giving

The more good deeds that are let loose in our global environment, the better the world in which we all live. Don’t know where to start? If you are open and willing, opportunities to help will find you!

I’m Mary from Simply Forties, a 47-year old single mother of a college-aged son. I write about the topics that interest me most as I make my way through my forties – finances, the environment, social responsibility and, sometimes, relationships and dealing with grown children. I hope you’ll stop by my blog and look around. You can also find me every other Thursday over at 5 Minutes for Going Green.

Photo by fabbio

Reading your nominations on a daily basis has been a very uplifting experience.  It is phenomenal to see all the good that is going on in the world!  I encourage everyone to browse through the nominations and learn more about some truly terrific charities!

At the same time, it breaks my heart to realize all the needs that exist.  I wish I had the resources to make a donation to each of the wonderful charities mentioned, but I do not.  Therefore, we have to pick a winner!

The winner of the charity donation giveaway!

I am happy to announce that Water For People out of Devner, CO was the charity selected to receive this year’s donation!

Amanda nominated Water For People as her favorite charity in comment #27 last Thursday.  I want to thank her for raising awareness on such a worthy cause.  Congratulations Amanda!

I have donated $138 to Water For People in honor of Amanda’s fantastic nomination!

The mission of Water For People

Water For People works in developing countries to improve the quality of life by supporting the development of sustainable and clean drinking water resources.  They also help to develop sanitation facilities and provide education programs on hygiene to further their mission.

Ultimately, they have a vision to provide all people access to drinking water and sanitation.  They also hope to eliminate suffering and death caused by water- and sanitation-related diseases.  Children are especially susceptible to waterborne diseases.

Clean drinking water is something many of us take for granted, but this is certainly not the case in many developing nations. 

Water For People works in countries like Bolivia, Guatemala, Honduras, Malawi, and West Bengal, India.

More information about Water For People and how to help

Clean drinking water is the most basic need for human survival.  I can’t think of a better way to make a difference in the world than by trying to provide people with water to drink and sanitation facilities to keep their water from becoming contaminated.

Water For People’s website is loaded with information about what they do and ways to get involved.  You should check out the Water For People FAQ if you want to learn more.  You can also make a donation online at their site.

I checked out Water For People at Charity Navigator and found that they have received the highest rating of 4 stars for six years running!  It appears that they are a very efficient and well-run organization.  This makes me feel comfortable giving them my donation.

Thanks again for participating in the donation giveaway!

I want to sincerely thank everyone that nominated their favorite charity.  It was great learning about so many fantastic causes. 

If you would like to give your charity another chance to win a donation, you can visit Pongo Resume’s $250 Holiday Giveaway: Nominate Your Favorite Charity.  You should also keep an eye out for when GreenStyleMom conducts her giveaway.

Thanks for participating!

Photo by Julien Harneis

There were some very interesting charities mentioned.  I hope you will take some time and look over the comments that I received.  There are a ton of great non-profit organizations out there performing fantastic things everyday!

The nominations are over, but the winner is still to be announced!

I have closed the comments on this giveaway and will not be accepting anymore nominations.  I hope you enjoyed sharing a little about your favorite charity.

I will be announcing the randomly selected winner of my donation in my post on Thursday. 

Please check back then to see if your favorite charity will receive my donation.

Thanks again for participating!

I will donate up to $500 to the winner’s favorite charity!  All you have to do is nominate the charity of your choice by leaving a comment on this post.  I will randomly select a charity from the nominations and then donate $1 for every comment received.  It is as simple as that.

I have been greatly blessed this year and in the spirit of Christmas, I earnestly want to give back.  I thought this would be a great way to do it and to learn about some new charities along the way.

Guidelines for nominating your favorite charity for the donation

This is an excellent opportunity to spread the word about the charity of your choice!  Also, in order to make the donation, I need to be able to positively locate the intended charity.  Therefore, let me offer these guidelines to ensure your charity gets the consideration it deserves.

In your comment:

• Be sure to use the exact official name of your charity
• In 2 to 3 sentences, tell us who your charity benefits and what they do
• If you would like, leave a link to the charity’s website so I can find it
• Tell us what you particularly love about this charity

Following these guidelines should help ensure that all the necessary information is included to qualify your charity for the giveaway.

Rules for the charity donation giveaway

What would a contest be without a few rules, right?  I’ll keep it simple, but I do have to set a few boundaries in order for this to be fair and meaningful.  Here it goes!

1. All organizations nominated must be actual non-profit charities.  Please no “I’m my favorite charity” nominations!  A Charity where I cannot verify its official status will not be considered.
2. I will close the comments on this post on Tuesday, December 9, 2008 at 5:00 P.M. Central.  Only comments received prior to this time will be a part of the random selection giveaway.
3. Please only one nomination per person.  No spam comments!
4. I reserve the right to disqualify any charity that offends me or my beliefs.  I doubt this will be an issue, but I thought it was worth mentioning.
5. Again, I will donate $1 per legitimate comment to the charity nominated in the randomly selected comment below.  The maximum donation is $500.  I’d love to see 500 valid nominations!

Be sure to tell your friends so they can nominate their charity!

This is a great way to support your favorite charity without having to spend a dime out of your own pocket!  Why not let all your friends, so they can participate too? 

Spread the word! 

Note: My wife saw this idea in the December 2008 edition of Real Simple Magazine.  In response to the “Your Words” question of  “How Do You Give Back During The Holidays?”, Kristen from GreenStyleMom mentioned how she did this last year.  It seems like a fabulous idea so, I borrowed it.

Photo by dental ben

There are things you can do today to improve your life.  Self-improvement doesn’t have to be difficult or drawn out.  You can choose one thing off the list below, take action, and it will improve your life.  Why wait?  Why not start making a positive difference?  It really is as simple as that.  Every small step we take in the right direction produces an incremental improvement in our life.  Continually and consistently making good choices in our actions will enable us to live the best life possible.

Here are a number of ideas to help you get started living life to the fullest!  Below each idea I have provided a list of resources to help you get going.

1.  Take a marriage class.

Our marriages have a huge influence in our lives.  You are likely to experience a lot more fulfillment if you improve your relationship with your spouse.  We all have room for improvement in learning to get along with one another.  Your relationship doesn’t have to be in trouble for you to take a marriage class together.  Spending time together in a structured way that encourages you to focus on your relationship will help you to grow closer.  It will strengthen any marriage.

• Keeping the Fire Alive in Your Marriage
• Eight Keys to a Happier Marriage
• 7 Things to Discuss Before the Marriage License

2.  Read a self-improvement book.

Reading a book is a concrete action step that will give you further ideas on ways to improve.  Books inspire by broadening our views and understanding of ourselves, others, and the world at large.  When was the last time that you read something that challenged your thinking and motivated you to seek a better life?  A couple of my favorites are As A Man Thinketh by James Allen and The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Tim Ferriss.  Two very different books, but both challenge me in unique ways.

• Top 10 Recommended Books to Improve Your Life
• Self-improvement Books You HAVE to Read
• 30 Books Everyone Should Read Before Their 30th Birthday

3.  Start a budget to win with money.

Creating a written budget is the best way to get control of your finances and to start winning with money.  Would you run a business without a budget?  Budgets give you a tool to direct your money in how you want it to work for you.  It doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming, but it does need to be complete and thought out.  By deciding in advance how you want to spend your money each month, you will turn your finances around and start winning with money.

• Things I Learned Living on a Budget – Part 2
• How to Implement an Envelope Budgeting System
• 12 Steps to Setting a Financial Goal

4.  Mend a relationship.

Broken relationships create stress and drain us of our energy.  Don’t let it go another minute without taking a positive step toward reconciliation.  It is much easier to apologize and forgive than it is to continue carrying around the burden of resentment and anger.  Your negative feelings aren’t hurting the other person, but they are hurting you.  Make a plan now to get this resolved and you will feel better instantly.  It will free you up to concentrate on positive things in your life.

• 11 Ways To Make Your Apologies More Meaningful and Effective
• Building Healthy Relationships
• 7 Reasons My Life is More Fulfilling

5.  Begin an exercise program.

Exercise helps to improve blood flow which delivers more oxygen to the brain.  When our brain is more nourished it thinks more clearly and grows.  Exercise also relieves stress and adds to our endurance.  This gives us the ability to work and play harder.  The proven health benefits of exercise are powerful and indisputable.  You don’t have to become a body builder to recognize the benefits of exercise.  You just need a program that is consistent and effective.

• 13 Scientifically Proven Health Benefits Of Exercise
• How to Make Exercise a Daily Habit
• How to make exercise more fun than sex

6.  Stimulate your mind.

Mental atrophy seems like an epidemic.  We have so much more creativity and intelligence than we realize.  You can literally do anything that you set your mind on and make a firm decision to achieve!  Take a step today to get your mind going and you’ll reap the benefits in short order.

• 40 Positive Effects of a TV Free Week
• Twelve Reasons to Turn off the Television
• 20 Ways To Train Your Brain For Peak Performance
• 120 Ways to Boost Your Brain Power

7.  Start a business.

There are many benefits to owning a business.  As an entrepreneur, you control your own destiny.  If you are willing to work hard and smart, then you can make a lot of money.  You reap the fruits of your labor directly.  You also control your schedule.  These are generally the reasons that many people start their own business.  Of course, it is also fun and challenging!  I can’t think of a better way to start improving your life.

• 50+ Resources to Legitimately Raise Your Income
• My New Retirement Lifestlye Cash Flow
• Basic Business Advice from an Accidental Entrepreneur

8.  Give back out of your abundance.

It is funny how we usually think that to improve our lives we have to attain something we don’t have, but we can often find greater fulfillment and happiness from giving rather than from receiving.  It is important to find a way to give back to help others that are in need or aspiring to improve their lives.  In doing so, you might just find what’s missing in your life.

• Become a Virtual Volunteer and Make a Real Difference
• Microloans Make A Difference For Those Living In Poverty
• How to Find and Evaluate a Charity

9.  Spend a day with the kids.

This truly will improve your life and if you do it often, it will also improve theirs.  Children help us to realign our priorities.  They also will give us a new lens to view the world through.  Kids are full of energy, enthusiasm, and a desire to have fun.  Some of this is bound to wear off on you if you spend a little time around them!

• 70 Great Things About Having Children
• All I Really Need to Know I Learned from a Picture Book
• Instruction-Free Art Time – Watch Your Child Create

10.  Go on a vacation!

I saved the best for last!  Going on a vacation is a fantastic way to clear your mind, broaden your horizons, and relax.  It will have an immediate positive effect on your life.  Of course, you want to plan your vacation properly so it is relaxing instead of being just another issue you have to deal with.  For me, going on an adventure is always rejuvenating!

• 11 Adventures Anyone Can Use To Spice Up Their Life
• Maximize Your Staycation With Preschoolers
• My Best Excuses for Remaining in a Rut

Photo by bingbing

Has the economy changed your charitable giving?

Are you giving less to charities now that gas prices have topped $4.00 per gallon and the price of a gallon of milk is $5.00?  It has to be getting tougher for families to donate.  In my house, we give most of our charitable donations as a tithe to our church.  We have been giving about 10% of our net income for around ten years now.  We don’t really miss it since we’ve been doing it for so long.  As a result, I don’t see us decreasing what we give. 

Of course, a lot of the money that charities receive comes from corporate donors.  If their profits are less, then one can rest assured that their giving will go down.  After all, businesses have stakeholders they have to be responsible for and protect.  It will be interesting to see what charities receive in total donations this year.  I hope that individuals and corporations realize the importance of their giving and keep it up.

Impact and benefits of charitable donations.

I have personally benefited from the generosity of others after my home got destroyed by a tornado.  So, I know the importance of giving and I feel a sense of responsibility to donate and to encourage others to do so as well.  With so many people impacted in such extreme ways by the flooding in the Midwest and the fires in California, I can assure you the need has not decreased and neither should the giving.  We have to pull together as a country to get through difficult times. 

Of course, charitable giving is not completely selfless.  We get the following benefits from giving:

1.  Tax deduction

I’m not qualified in anyway to give tax advice, but I know that generally contributions made to charitable organizations are tax deductible.  So, instead of giving your hard-earned cash to the government, why not give some of it to your favorite charity?

2.  Good feeling from helping those in need

We’ve all heard the old adage that, “it is better to give than to receive”.  Well, it is true.  Haven’t you ever been more excited about giving someone a special gift than you were about what you might receive in return?  Giving to worthy causes is a great way to feel good about yourself.

3.  Improve your community

By giving to local charities, you are actually making your corner of the world a better place to live.  You then reap the benefits of living in a community you helped to improve.  The better your community the more economic development which can lead to higher home values, better jobs, and a better tax base.

Alternative ideas about giving when finances are tight.

If your budget just won’t allow you to give much in the way of cash, then you might consider these ideas to help:

1.  Donate your time.

A great way to make a contribution even when you don’t have any money is to volunteer.  You can even volunteer online if that suits your situation better.  Charities always need workers that are willing to do tasks for them.  My wife recently folded and stuffed newsletters for a local charitable organization.

2.  Recycle a single donation.

Microloans are an excellent way to make a difference.  As an added bonus, when you loan someone money, they pay it back.  Once the loan is repaid, then you can relend it to another foreign entrepreneur.  This makes a single small donation go a long way!

3.  Give items you no longer use.

You’ve probably done this before, but I thought it was worth mentioning anyway.  We could all probably be more intentional about this instead of waiting until someone calls us or until our next spring cleaning.  Why not donate your items today?  You could probably use the extra storage space!

4.  Apply snowflaking to charitable giving.

Snowflaking is a technique often used to gather small bits of money together to pay off debt.  However, why not throw your spare change in a jar at the end of each day and see how much accumulates over a month to give to charity?  You might be surprised how much these small sums add up to be at the end of a month or a quarter.

Don’t give up on giving because your budget is tighter.

I hope you won’t throw in the towel on your charitable giving just because money is a little tighter this year.  It is still important to be generous with what we have.  We still live in a very rich country and most of us aren’t recovering from the disasters that others are facing.  I hope I have provided you with ideas on how to continue making donations even in tougher economic times.

What other ideas do you have for finding ways to give when finances are tight?  Leave a comment below and share your thoughts!

Photo by Elaine Vigneault