5 Ways to Really Enjoy Releasing the Charitable You

How to give effectively and painlessly...and have a great time doing it!!

If you're like us, you're being inundated with bonafide requests for campaign contributions for the upcoming election. Some of these requests are issues centered, some are candidate centered, pro or con.

Unlike years past, we've really enjoyed selectively contributing this year, thanks to a slightly different perspective on the role of our contribution, the amount of the contribution, and the awareness that we cannot sweat the concern that somewhere someone is giving more time, energy, or treasure than we are.

The following are some of those thoughts and perspectives that have made giving a thorough pleasure this year, instead of the dilemma it has presented in the past. Feel free to adjust these ideas to your own circumstances, passions.

1. Establish a monthly 'budget.' Ask yourself, how much can I contribute each month to selected causes (political or otherwise) without harming the welfare of me and my immediate family, and not having "buyer's remorse" at the end of the month? That number could be $10, $100, $500, $1000 or more. If it is less than $10, try working the formula quarterly instead of monthly.


Rule #1: Never EVER, "Give 'til it hurts." If it hurts, something is wrong with the equation!

2. Understand your contribution's role. Be OK with knowing that any cause is a TEAM effort. The good news is you are not doing doing this by yourself, any more than your one vote in a million elects the President. It took me years and years to understand this concept. Consequently, for years and years I was reluctant to give, or vote in elections. WRONG!! To someone coming from that old perspective, it can be hard to explain why it is not a productive one.

Moral suasion is confrontational, and typically causes the reluctant giver to dig in his heels. So-called 'practical arguments' also invite opposition; stiff opposition at that!! Frankly, I haven't been exhorting anyone to change their behaviour or priorities. I've been having too much fun delighting in this new world I've discovered!

And therein is the key. I'm happier. Literally having more fun. Not feeling so insignificant and helpless. And what better way to influence duplication of behaviour than being a living example of its product?

Rule #2: Be a member of a big team. By choice!

Enjoy---the world's not resting on your shoulders alone, and you're not sitting on the sidelines throwing a pity-party!


3. Most requests for dollars start high. Rightfully so. We seldom get what we don't ask for. Don't worry about that. There's generally a menu, in descending order, of gift amounts. But how do you select the 'painless' but fun amount for you to give? Substitute whatever numbers you like, I use factors of 10. I take my monthly budget and divide the aggregate amount by 10. That gives me 10 'slots' for the month. Up to 10 different gifts I can give, @ 10% of my budget.

Rule #3---simply put, Spread the risk and your Wealth in a reasonable way.!

4. Enter the "yahbutts." Yahbutt, what if I get ripped off? You will get ripped off. Yahbutt, what if I give money to a cause and it's not allocated to the purpose I was supporting? That will happen. Remember, you're spreading your risk amongst a NUMBER of recipients. There will be good ones and bad ones. Over time you sift out the ones with which you're uncomfortable, even feel cheated. You'll also develop favorites, and you will also get experience spotting ones to avoid. If you don't "give 'til it hurts" in the first place, you can chalk the whole thing up to your own education!

Rule #4---Enjoy being an adult. Infinite choices, self-responsibility, personal power, control.

5. Avoid the temptation of OPM. The quickest way to kill the beauty of giving is to try to countefeit it through theft from others, e.g. government programs. Also avoid "United Way" type approaches that bundle giving at the discretion of third parties. Those of us who've been around for a while know how that approach is toxic to the spirit of charity.

Rule #5---Charity means freedom. Defend it with the same tenacity you would defend your home from intruders.

You knew I'd get back to a libertarian theme, didn't you?

Hope you, or some friends and relatives of yours, find this useful. Join us in the comment section. Let us know!!

Jack