Give
Today’s step is very simple, but it might seem counterintuitive. You see, for Day 27 of 31 Days to a Better Bank Balance, the challenge is to give.
While giving time or money (or both!) isn’t going to improve your bank balance in the short term, it can definitely improve things in the long run, for both yourself and others.
You see, when you give in a heartfelt manner, several things happen in addition to helping others.
You feel better about yourself, for one thing. People who feel good about themselves are generally less stressed, which means they can be healthier. The healthier you are, the less you have to spend in expensive medical procedures.
When you give by volunteering your time, you also benefit from the social aspects. People with a good in-person social network have more folks who are willing to help them out, and having positive ties to others is also beneficial.
If you happen to be volunteering to help out folks who are significantly worse off than you are, you’re more likely to appreciate your own life, and less likely to spend out of a lack of fulfillment.
Giving is a win-win situation all around.
So for today, choose something meaningful to you to give to with money and/or time. It can be anything, and it doesn’t even have to be an official charity. (Although if you do give to an official charity, your donations may be tax deductible.)
You could choose your child’s school, an animal shelter, a church, a neighbor who can no longer care for their yard, etc. Pick something close to your heart and give.
What organizations might you like to give to? Or where are your favorite places to give already?)
My favorite places to support with bucks:
The Heifer Project
African Well Fund
Vittana
Kiva
PBS & NPR
Local food banks & homeless shelters
My newest favorite bucks & volunteering experiences:
Adopt a Platoon
My local Time Bank
Disclaimer: I have worked in the non-profit sector most of my adult life. My work/my salary/living my passion of helping people is supported by the donations of fellow citizens, and I think that’s pretty awesome.
I volunteer my time at the Houston SPCA and the nearby church for Angel Food Ministries. I give my money to whatever strikes my fancy at the time – the biggest organization is for Alzheimer’s research since that illness scares me.
I hadn’t heard of a few of those places, but they all sound great.
I wish I volunteered more! If I did I think I would like to do more pro bono work
Maybe you could take on one new pro bono case a month?
Good point about mentioning giving your time.
Most people think that “giving” involves only financial contributions.
Well, giving your “time” counts just as much, and depending on your talents, is sometimes better than giving money
Yup, giving doesn’t just equal sending money to a charity.