I included in my 2018 goals a that I wanted to increase my charitable giving to $300. I almost didn't want to include my charitable giving goals in such a publicly available forum because I felt ashamed. My charitable giving goal last year was only $200 and this year only $300. I make over $80,000 a year and I am debt free (except for my mortgage). There are people who make substantially less than me, but give 10X what give. It's shameful and embarrassing to admit my low giving percentage.
So why did I share my number? One, I wanted to make sure that I track how much I am giving financially. The only way I can improve the number is to add to it every year. This blog will keep me accountable. Two, I want to be honest and truthful on this blog. I have a low charitable giving rate and it needs to improve, drastically. Three, I want to relate to other people in this situation who are also ashamed. It is our civic and moral duty to take care of the less fortunate. However, sometimes we fail in this regard. I know I tend to be of the mindset that I will give more later once I am in a better position. (Once I pay down my mortgage, once I get my retirement savings up to par, once I get enough money saved for a care, etc, etc.). I also think, "well I volunteer a couple times a year so that also helps my charitable giving rate so I am really giving more than I think."
Every dollar that we give helps and it is important to remember that fact. If you can do more then you should do more. If you can only give a little that's okay too. Every year strive to do a little more.
Until very recently I made slightly more than you and gave $800-1000 per year. And I felt ashamed too! I have no mortgage, so I could have given more. But you have a mortgage and have to ramp up savings for retirement, so it's completely uderstandable that you gave less. You have to do what is right for you.
ReplyDeleteI agree that I need to do what is right for me. However, there are so many people in the world worst off than me and I feel an obligation to help them. If things take a turn for the worse for me, I would want someone to help me.
DeleteI have a bit of the opposite position. I don't write or talk about how much Hubs and I give because I don't want to come off as being boastful or what some might view as crazy. As Protestant Christians, we made a personal commitment to tithe (which is 10%) of our first fruits, which is on our gross pay. Hubs and I have seen time and time again that when we are faithful with our tithe, we are always better off for it. God really does provide! That being said, I also believe giving is a personal thing and I don't judge others on what they do or do not give. For me, writing on the topic of giving is challenging...hence I have yet to do so!
ReplyDeleteI have yet to find a church that I really like in my area. So I always felt that instead of tithing I would make charitable donations. The problem is I'm always focusing on other financial goals and not my charitable giving goals. I think we have obligations as humans to help others. I think blogging about it will help keep me accountable.
DeleteMaybe giving each month would help you increase it? Are you including any donations that aren't monetary? IE Thrift Store Donations? Time? If you find it more difficult to give money maybe these other 2 options would help.
ReplyDeleteI do not include my in kind donations or gifts to family or friends. I also do not include volunteering in my charitable giving number. I want to give more cash on top of other ways of helping others.
DeleteGiving is such a personal thing no one should be made to feel guilty or shamed by how much they do or don't give. We all "give" in so many ways other than monetarily and these all count if you are keeping score.
ReplyDeleteI often give to family(helping adult-ish kids who aren't fully launched yet as well as extended family that need economic help)and that comes before spreading my net wider into the local community. I feel I should "help" my own first because if I don't then they will be asking their communities for the help.
Again, it's a personal choice.
I think just being responsible and keeping yourself afloat throughout your life does a lot to take the economic burden off the community/nation/population at-large.
That's a very good point. I do give a lot to family and friends. I am at the age where many of my friends are having their second and third kids and I try to help out a bit as kids are expensive. I also tend to do a lot for my mother as she is in her 70s and beginning to suffer from health conditions. She worries about every dime she spends. Additionally, I donate clothes and household goods to goodwill every year. I also like your point that by being financially responsible I am helping the community by lowering the chance that I will become a burden on society.
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