Comments on: Question of the Day – Giving/Charity http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/30/question-of-the-day-givingcharity/ A personal finance blog dedicated to discussing such topics as budgeting, asset allocation, 401K, IRA, cash flow, insurance, financial planning, portfolio management, and other areas in personal finance. Thu, 24 May 2012 12:43:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Finance-4-Kids http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/30/question-of-the-day-givingcharity/comment-page-1/#comment-51472 Finance-4-Kids Tue, 05 Dec 2006 00:38:58 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/30/question-of-the-day-givingcharity/#comment-51472 We donate about 10% of our income. We have actualy made a portion of our giving automatic through payroll deduct and bank transfers. We donate about 10% of our income. We have actualy made a portion of our giving automatic through payroll deduct and bank transfers.

]]> By: Meaghan http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/30/question-of-the-day-givingcharity/comment-page-1/#comment-50537 Meaghan Fri, 01 Dec 2006 22:24:11 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/30/question-of-the-day-givingcharity/#comment-50537 My giving is probably about 90% budgeted, 10% unbudgeted. I budget a set amount for giving at the beginning of each month, and at that time decide where it's going to go. I give to only a couple causes, which reduces junk mail somewhat, and I feel more personally involved with that cause, rather than just giving $50 to a lot of different places. My giving is probably about 90% budgeted, 10% unbudgeted. I budget a set amount for giving at the beginning of each month, and at that time decide where it’s going to go. I give to only a couple causes, which reduces junk mail somewhat, and I feel more personally involved with that cause, rather than just giving $50 to a lot of different places.

]]> By: moneysmartlife http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/30/question-of-the-day-givingcharity/comment-page-1/#comment-50505 moneysmartlife Fri, 01 Dec 2006 18:18:14 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/30/question-of-the-day-givingcharity/#comment-50505 I'm more of a give as the opportunity presents itself kind of person, however, it would probably be better if I actually planned out the giving. I spend time managing my portfolio of investments, I think it would just as smart to build a charity portfolio. I could allocate my donations across various needs, donate systematically, and track their performance in terms of projects they complete and overhead costs. I guess I need to start my CharityFolio. I’m more of a give as the opportunity presents itself kind of person, however, it would probably be better if I actually planned out the giving.

I spend time managing my portfolio of investments, I think it would just as smart to build a charity portfolio. I could allocate my donations across various needs, donate systematically, and track their performance in terms of projects they complete and overhead costs. I guess I need to start my CharityFolio.

]]> By: FMF http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/30/question-of-the-day-givingcharity/comment-page-1/#comment-50470 FMF Fri, 01 Dec 2006 13:43:09 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/30/question-of-the-day-givingcharity/#comment-50470 We pay tithes (10%) based on our income to our church and have a separate, budgeted line for offerings above the tithe. We split the offerings out among many different organizations. We pay tithes (10%) based on our income to our church and have a separate, budgeted line for offerings above the tithe. We split the offerings out among many different organizations.

]]> By: Michele http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/30/question-of-the-day-givingcharity/comment-page-1/#comment-50423 Michele Fri, 01 Dec 2006 06:03:20 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/30/question-of-the-day-givingcharity/#comment-50423 I do both as well. I have donations budgeted under a broader gift category for about 5% of my income - most of which goes to monthly or annual contributions to my favorite charities. I also give for special circumstances or specific appeals when I can, especially with extra year-end bonuses. Also, I try to make it a habit to integrate charity and justice into other parts of my budget - so, I primarily buy fair-trade food products, look for fair-trade gifts when possible,and always get UNICEF cards. I have to admit though that I'm now on so many charity mailing lists that I have more address labels that I could ever possibly use! I do both as well. I have donations budgeted under a broader gift category for about 5% of my income – most of which goes to monthly or annual contributions to my favorite charities. I also give for special circumstances or specific appeals when I can, especially with extra year-end bonuses. Also, I try to make it a habit to integrate charity and justice into other parts of my budget – so, I primarily buy fair-trade food products, look for fair-trade gifts when possible,and always get UNICEF cards.

I have to admit though that I’m now on so many charity mailing lists that I have more address labels that I could ever possibly use!

]]> By: Stacey http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/30/question-of-the-day-givingcharity/comment-page-1/#comment-50422 Stacey Fri, 01 Dec 2006 05:59:27 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/30/question-of-the-day-givingcharity/#comment-50422 We "Parish Pay" our contributions to Church...(your choice of contributing via your checking acct or a credit card for a set monthly amount, plus your choice of amounts for Easter, Christmas offerings, etc.) Yeah, I hate feeling like a heel "passing" the basket, but I know we have efficiently paid "our share"...(saved envelopes, mailing, payroll, etc.) It's what's in your heart, not what other people think you're contributing that matters, right?!! In the fall I make a token donation to our Alma Mater's world-renown library. We give more generously to a local Family Counseling Service that sponsors Big Brothers/Big Sisters, counseling in anger mgmt, family stuff, etc. Of course there's a handful of other charities that receive up to $50. I always support my high school. Salvation Army always gets something each time I grocery shop, etc. So it's a mix of 98% budgeted, 2% unbudgeted. Plus, Goodwill gets the clothing and household castoffs that don't sell at our garage sale. I also ardently support (thru my time and treasure)Scouting and PTA activities. There is so much to be grateful for...and there is so much need in almost every community...it irks me when people give nothing (who can afford to give something.) Start w/your time, if it hurts too much to crank open your wallet. OK, I know I've just offended someone out there...sorry for that, but start looking outside your own world and make a difference. P.S. Especially irksome is while selling Cub Scout popcorn in front of the grocery store, folks claim that they "left their wallet at home, in the car, etc." Just politely say to these hard-working Scouts that you're not interested and wish them well. Another favorite is gals w/their designer purses and manicured nails who "don't have any money on them." Gee, I wonder why! The soapbox has now been removed... We “Parish Pay” our contributions to Church…(your choice of contributing via your checking acct or a credit card for a set monthly amount, plus your choice of amounts for Easter, Christmas offerings, etc.) Yeah, I hate feeling like a heel “passing” the basket, but I know we have efficiently paid “our share”…(saved envelopes, mailing, payroll, etc.) It’s what’s in your heart, not what other people think you’re contributing that matters, right?!!

In the fall I make a token donation to our Alma Mater’s world-renown library. We give more generously to a local Family Counseling Service that sponsors Big Brothers/Big Sisters, counseling in anger mgmt, family stuff, etc.

Of course there’s a handful of other charities that receive up to $50. I always support my high school. Salvation Army always gets something each time I grocery shop, etc. So it’s a mix of 98% budgeted, 2% unbudgeted. Plus, Goodwill gets the clothing and household castoffs that don’t sell at our garage sale. I also ardently support (thru my time and treasure)Scouting and PTA activities.

There is so much to be grateful for…and there is so much need in almost every community…it irks me when people give nothing (who can afford to give something.) Start w/your time, if it hurts too much to crank open your wallet.

OK, I know I’ve just offended someone out there…sorry for that, but start looking outside your own world and make a difference.

P.S. Especially irksome is while selling Cub Scout popcorn in front of the grocery store, folks claim that they “left their wallet at home, in the car, etc.” Just politely say to these hard-working Scouts that you’re not interested and wish them well. Another favorite is gals w/their designer purses and manicured nails who “don’t have any money on them.” Gee, I wonder why!

The soapbox has now been removed…

]]> By: dimes http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/30/question-of-the-day-givingcharity/comment-page-1/#comment-50413 dimes Fri, 01 Dec 2006 05:00:23 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/30/question-of-the-day-givingcharity/#comment-50413 Both. We have a set minimum but if fortune smiles upon us we may exceed that, or if something unforseen happens we may shell out again. My husband melted like butter when he got a letter in the mail from Catholic Charities after that tsunami. Charities that sell our names and charities that approach us unsolicited are certain to be disregarded. Our alma mater has sold us out to every charity in that city, and I regularly get appeal letters at my in-laws' house (I've never lived there, so I have no idea why). That's really irritating. Both. We have a set minimum but if fortune smiles upon us we may exceed that, or if something unforseen happens we may shell out again. My husband melted like butter when he got a letter in the mail from Catholic Charities after that tsunami. Charities that sell our names and charities that approach us unsolicited are certain to be disregarded. Our alma mater has sold us out to every charity in that city, and I regularly get appeal letters at my in-laws’ house (I’ve never lived there, so I have no idea why). That’s really irritating.

]]> By: Jeremy http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/30/question-of-the-day-givingcharity/comment-page-1/#comment-50401 Jeremy Fri, 01 Dec 2006 02:35:54 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/30/question-of-the-day-givingcharity/#comment-50401 I don't have a charity budget, things are too tight for us lately, but I do still give. I personally wish I could give all of my spare money to others in need, but that will have to be sometime in the future when we are financially secure. Instead of giving to charities, I prefer to give to those in need directly. For example, where I work there is a public cafeteria, and meals/food are quite reasonable. Occasionally some of the homeless come in with a meager dollar or so in change to buy a cup of soup or something. I like to give them a couple dollars so they can get a full meal. They are so thankful and to see a genuine smile on their face from receiving just a few dollars is worth more than anything I could otherwise give. Other than that, we generally take a great deal of our unused belongings to Goodwill or the Salvation Army. I would also agree with JLP though, and that is about charities you do contribute to and asking for more! We constantly get mail from charities we have given money to asking for more more more. It is a bit of a turn-off when you give and then continue to receive things in the mail reminding you to give again. I don’t have a charity budget, things are too tight for us lately, but I do still give. I personally wish I could give all of my spare money to others in need, but that will have to be sometime in the future when we are financially secure.

Instead of giving to charities, I prefer to give to those in need directly. For example, where I work there is a public cafeteria, and meals/food are quite reasonable. Occasionally some of the homeless come in with a meager dollar or so in change to buy a cup of soup or something. I like to give them a couple dollars so they can get a full meal. They are so thankful and to see a genuine smile on their face from receiving just a few dollars is worth more than anything I could otherwise give.

Other than that, we generally take a great deal of our unused belongings to Goodwill or the Salvation Army.

I would also agree with JLP though, and that is about charities you do contribute to and asking for more! We constantly get mail from charities we have given money to asking for more more more. It is a bit of a turn-off when you give and then continue to receive things in the mail reminding you to give again.

]]> By: MarshallMiddle http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/30/question-of-the-day-givingcharity/comment-page-1/#comment-50400 MarshallMiddle Fri, 01 Dec 2006 02:33:53 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/30/question-of-the-day-givingcharity/#comment-50400 We budget offerings for church, but we still give to good causes randomly. We budget offerings for church, but we still give to good causes randomly.

]]> By: Enough Wealth http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/30/question-of-the-day-givingcharity/comment-page-1/#comment-50382 Enough Wealth Fri, 01 Dec 2006 00:03:03 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/30/question-of-the-day-givingcharity/#comment-50382 I budget 0% for giving, and only occasionally give a token amount ($10) if the mood takes me. I just don't feel any urge to give. When I do donate, I make sure it's direct to the charity (eg. via their website or mail). A lot of the people collecting for charities on the street get paid a large (40% or more) fraction of the money collected. I budget 0% for giving, and only occasionally give a token amount ($10) if the mood takes me. I just don’t feel any urge to give.

When I do donate, I make sure it’s direct to the charity (eg. via their website or mail). A lot of the people collecting for charities on the street get paid a large (40% or more) fraction of the money collected.

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