Comments on: Better to give than receive? An illustration from popular media

By: The Charity Buzz: Make Your Dollars Count!

The Charity Buzz: Make Your Dollars Count! — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:47:09 +0000

[...] Better to give than receive? An illustration from popular media @ Sense to Save [...]

By: Susan Flemming

Susan Flemming — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 16:33:49 +0000

We too wanted to be able to give where it would do the most good and feel that we were involved in the process. The best place we’ve found to do that is through the Modest Needs foundation. http://www.modestneeds.org/

It always feels good that we are able to help individual families.

By: Shane

Shane — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 12:48:56 +0000

Kacie showed me http://www.worldvision.com, and I believe she has looked at a few different websites. When I get home from work today, I will check these sites out, too. Thanks!

-Shane

By: joanna

joanna — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 12:28:53 +0000

Have you looked into Kiva? Or iLoveSchools.com? These sites both allow you to donate in a very targeted way, and read the stories of the individuals who will receive your money, and what they plan to do with it. Kiva allows you to help people around the world, while iLoveSchools helps teachers and students in your neighborhood. If you do decide to donate to an organization rather than an individual, as a previous commenter said, looking them up on Charity Navigator first is a good idea. For me, it was eye-opening! I agree with you- "It is better to give than to receive"- the act and discipline of giving changes the giver, regardless of the results of their gift. It is the giver that has the heart-change!

By: Shane

Shane — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 11:34:49 +0000

Thanks everyone for the kind comments. I find a lot of inspiration about frugality from my wife, and she gets it from the readers of this blog. It’s great to have you!

-Shane

By: Dre

Dre — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 10:30:15 +0000

That was a really good post. I agree that it is not “how much” but where to donate. I also like watching Extreme Makeover and learn about the stories of the families who were given the chance to start over.

By: Meredith

Meredith — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 03:51:48 +0000

I am also impressed with the mindset that the two of you have toward money at such a young age. If my husband and I had been that way when I was working, we would be so much further ahead right now! Good for you for realizing the importance of budgeting and spending wisely now…you won’t regret it. (Just be sure to treat yourselves sometimes..which it sounds like you do). :)

By: Kristy

Kristy — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 02:53:49 +0000

I think its important to give to causes that you feel passionate about, and I prefer to give a lot to a few rather, than the other way around. I also like to give to organizations that I’m investing my time in, as well. For example, if I was passionate about the ministry of Habitat for Humanity, then I would want to donate money, and help actually build houses.

I do think its important, though, to investigating charities using a service like Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.org) before giving them money. Small organization or large, I want to see my donation well-spent.

By: janeywan

janeywan — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 01:50:15 +0000

I am amazed at the financial maturity the two of you already have at such a young age. Good for you, it may seem like you deny yourselves now, but believe me it will pay off in the future.

A late happy birthday to Shane. I have a son who will turn 23 in December, wish he’d learn to be frugal.

By: S.B.

S.B. — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 01:02:34 +0000

I hear ya about extreme home makeover! It makes me cry all of the time. It just makes me happy seeing them bring joy to people on that show.