Guest post by Sia Hills at Centsible in Seattle
Even more than frugality, I love generosity. When there are opportunities be frugal and generous, I get really excited.
Opportunities exist to get something for free, while giving to another. Others provide great leverage for your dollar: when you purchase something your money will be doubled and you will get product.
Regardless of your budget, there are opportunities for everyone to give. Here are a few of my favorite ways to give:
1. Read a Book. Give a Book.
At WeGiveBooks.org, you choose a book to read online. You then select a charity to donate a free book to a child in need. My girls love this program, and it teaches them about giving at a young age.
2. Donate Extra Items From Your Stockpile
You can donate items to your local food bank or homeless shelters. Check out Feeding America for a food bank near you.
Do you ever wonder what you might be able to do with all of that free soap and shampoo you have stockpiled? Send it to Clean The World and recycle your soap to save lives. Diseases like Cholera are addressed best with soap and water. Your extra soap and shampoo can save a life. Work with others you know to combine your stockpiles and share shipping costs.
Another great option is to fill a shoebox with with school supplies, small toys, toothbrushes, etc. for the children in need in poor areas of the world through Operation Christmas Child.
3. Purchase Coffee For a Cause
If you’re a coffee lover, be sure to check out OneCup.org. For every $11 in coffee you purchase, $11 will be donated to help humanitarian aid work in Africa.
In addition, Doughnut Girl Coffeeprovides an opportunity to get coffee and help another. Pay $9 for coffee and 100% of profits go to Salvation Army.
4. Buy Handmade Items from Entrepreneurs in Third World Countries
Heavenly Treasures, one of my favorite sites, offer the opportunity to purchase items that have been handmade by an entrepreneur in a poor country. These are recipients of Micro Loans, and you are supporting the growth of their business. They offer unique and affordable one of a kind gifts (many start at around $5).
5. Buy a Pair of Shoes, Give a Pair of Shoes
For every pair of shoes purchased, Tom’s Shoes gives a pair of shoes to a child in need. What is great about Tom’s Shoes is that they work from a replenishment model: the child who received the first pair will continue to get a new pair as they grow out of them or wear them out. Besides the comfort of wearing shoes, it has a significant impact on health issues for the children that receive them. The shoes are not cheap, but your purchase will impact a child’s life!
Sia Hills is a wife and mother of three, who in addition to blogging works in the humanitarian world. She loves to share money saving opportunities, as well as ways to give and live generously. Her blog, centsibleinseattle.net, focuses on sharing savings opportunities available in the Pacific Northwest.
What are your favorite ways to give, even on a limited budget?
I don’t think it was mentioned in any of the comments, but using goodsearch as a search engine is an easy way to donate to a charity.
For every search, I think it is only a penny for the charity, but it can add up. We donate to a Children’s hospital here in our state.
Here’s the link http://www.goodsearch.com
It doesn’t cost you time or money, and chances are you’re using a search engine anyway. With this one, you can know you are helping someone.
By the way, I love the book site suggestion in the post. My two year old and I have had a great time with it, and donated a few books just by reading some stories together!
Thank you for this post!
One of our favorite – and easiest! – ways to give is through the “Time, Talent & Treasure” program at our church. The ministry encourages everyone to tithe, however, when you have no income – 10% of 0.00 isn’t helping. When you’re in that desperate situation, sometimes you’re not divinely motivated to focus on tithing as much as you should, especially if hungry children are involved. That’s where the “time” and “talent” portions of this ministry come into play. You might not have $ to tithe, but you can sing like nobody’s business! The church has a need for you. Our “time” volunteers do everything from teach classes, chaperone trips with teen groups, visit home-bound members, write letters to those away in college that need religious support, drive other members to their doctor’s appointments, organize canned goods during Food Pantry drives, organize Jeese tree gifts, attend special prayer groups … the list goes on and on. In most cases, you can bring your children with you! Our “treasure” volunteers do everything from maintaining church grounds to performing during services.
It’s absolutely fantastic to tithe exactly 10% every time, but a great majority of our church members are *still* struggling to find permanent, full-time work. This ministry gives them (and my family, because we love it so much!) a chance to still fellowship, still feel like an integral part of the church and be present with people who truly appreciate & care for them.
Great post! A friend of mine is a professor who blogs about his extreme couponing hobby…but he donates ALL of it (well, save a few items here and there) to local charities. He’s also hoping to teach a class about couponing for charity, in the hopes that it will not only make college students more aware of the need in their area, but also teach them great financial skills to make them better givers. It’s an awesome (and entertaining!) blog. http://couponprof.blogspot.com/ (hope it’s okay to promote here!)
Wow, thanks for all of the ideas. I donate regularly from my stockpile to womens shelters and now the animal shelter as well. Sometimes I need a little reminder about other things I can do for free too like getting back to blood donation. Some of us have “time” to volunteer which is more valuable than you realize as well. I just received a thank you letter from the animal shelter this week thanking us for the FREE(6) bags of Science Diet dog food we were able to donate from the Pet Smart sale last month with coupons. Yay. Feels so good. 🙂
Donate blood.
When I donate, I pray for the recipient and the doctors and medical
personnel working on them.
Blood cannot be manufactured, it must be donated from individuals. It is a very personal type of donation.
If you have trouble with your iron count, I suggest taking an iron supplement a couple of days ahead of time (the slow absorption ones are good), drink a lot of water and gatorade for hydration, and drink a chocolate slim-fast a few hours ahead of the donation. Please consider donating blood-it is a gift of life and it only takes about an hour out of your schedule.
Thanks for this great post.
What a great addition to the list. I love the idea! One thing that turned me off from donating blood a little bit is that my mom worked for the Red Cross and said that she felt it was a little shady that people donate blood (for free, obviously) and then Red Cross charged hospitals (and therefore the patients) a HUGE amount for that blood, while at the same time underpaying and overworking their employees (she didn’t have a great experience there).
But I guess there’s no way around it. People still need blood.
this is a great idea. I try to donate blood when I can. My father need a blood tranfusion. Without it he could have died! I was so greatfull that he was able to recive it. I feel that it is my duty to pay it back. I would like to know that by doing this, it will help some else in need.
Hospitals often have their own blood donation centers if you are worried about the fees the the Red Cross charges. I know the one I work at does!
This is an awesome addition to the list! When my sister had emergency heart surgery at 10 weeks old, she received countless pints of donated blood. My father has been a faithful donor every since.
Up until recently I donated blood 3 or 4 times a year depending on the type of donation I was doing. When they told me I was anemic my first thought was, “oh, no I can’t donate.” Now instead of donating, I work the blo0d drives. I’ll keep doing this until one day I can donate again.
I’m a single mama of three little ones and working with a very limited budget. However, I do not want my children to grow up in a home where they feel they are in want and need…I want them to sense abundance and generosity and God’s faithful provision!
We gratefully accept hand-me-downs and then we pass our things on to others. Every birthday and often other times we cull our toys and pass along the bounty to others or to Goodwill.
We regularly give financially to our church and to the extra projects and missions assignments. We love to tip generously! (though we only go out to eat once every couple of months) When neighbors have babies or move in, we deliver welcome baskets and smiles. We try to be available for childcare, carpools and general neighborly duties and are rewarded with reciprocal kindness.
By living with margins in the budget, by holding our ‘things’ loosely and remaining open and aware of others around us, we have learned to live with an attitude of generosity even with small “means.”
God has always been faithful to provide for us, and I’ve been on the receiving end of one of those surplus stockpile packages. I was ever-so-grateful for the toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoos and similar products which mama occassionally does without.
Way to go, Ladies!
That is VERY encouraging to read. I would love to be your neighbor/friend. =)
I love this post! It seems to me a lot of my couponing friends frown upon giving up just one can of beans to those in need.
I have nothing against yard sales (I love to shop em) but I am trying to give items no longer needed to those who I know may need them. I know as a teen my family didn’t have any money at all, I was and still am so grateful for the things people handed down to me! I still remember their kindness and I hope that I can show that type of kindness to others who could use the items.
I rarely ever comment on blogs, but I just wanted to say that this has been my favorite post on Money Saving Mom! It is so important to give, to bless others, even when money is tight. Thanks for posting!
Over the years my parents have donated vegetables and fruit in season from their large garden to a local missionary training facility. I have also seen requests from a local homeless shelter that my family supports for fresh vegetables for salads in addition to other food items. This is a great way to share without costing much.
DD7 and I have a budget of $5/week for food for the local food pantry. With couponing, sometimes this is a full bag of groceries or toiletry samples of shampoo, etc. We deliver it together after school on Thursdays. This week we were able to buy 2 6-packs of Ensure, 10 boxes of pasta (free at Kroger w/ coupons), 2 Pert Plus shampoo (free at Walmart), 1 small Cheerios (free at CVS). DD7 takes great pride in answering the receptionist, “Are these groceries for us?”
And 4 containers of Yakisoba (.12/each at Walmart after coupons)
Beautiful and heart-warming idea! And what a great way to teach by example!
We do the same thing! My daughter and I like to see how much we can get for the food pantry for $2 per shopping trip. I get to use my coupons and do something good right away. It also keeps my stockpile under control.
Love this!!
So wonderful! This inspired me to start doing the same with my kiddos. Thank you all for sharing!
Although I believe that all the ways listed are great ways to give to others I still feel the most important one is to tithe even when you feel you can’t afford to. It’s the belief that the Lord will take care of your needs that allows one to open up the checkbook and give 10%. It’s an act of complete faith and trust. It has always worked for me. I think more money came to me in my life when I tithed despite not knowing how I would pay my bills…it never failed. I always had enough and often time more than enough. Keep giving goods and service, but don’t forget to follow the Lord’s direction and write the check.
In addition to homeless shelters, check your city websites. My city has a family non profit center that gives to needy families and children. They love to get shampoos, toiletry items, etc. Also the free/cheap school supplies that go on sale work well for these places too.
wow I never heard of heavenly treasures, but apparently there’s an actual store for them near me. I will have to go check it out. I’m trying to declutter, but I love to have unique items, especially if they’re authentic and hand made, and this helps people, love it!
Some time ago, I wrote on ways to help others when you have no money to give.
In times of unemployment and underemployment, it may seem that there is no way that you can help others. Those free items that you get might be the only food that you can purchase for your own family. However, there are lots of ways to help others who are in the same sitution as you (or in harder situations). When you’re in the middle of struggling, one of the best things that you can do is find a way to serve someone else.
In the midst of our own struggles of underemployment, we have been blessed by others who were losing their homes. These families knew they needed to get rid of items, and they shared fabric with me (because they knew I sewed), and old sheets and curtains (that I used for their original purposes as well as to make clothing).
Two women who were downsizing into assisted living facilities shared their kitchen items with me (baking pans, serving spoons, cookie cutters, etc.)
A young widow whose husband died unexpectedly one night in his sleep had to move, and she shared several #10 cans of wheat and beans with me that she was unable to move.
I was also blessed by a complete stranger who had died. Her siblings were packing up her home, and they shared the contents of her pantry with me. There were many things that I wanted and needed, including lots of powdered milk, specific spices that I had been wanting, balsamic vinegar, oats, and beans. They also gave me her blender, and ours was broken.
Look for the opportunities around you to give. Those hand-me-downs that your children have outgrown that you offer to a friend might just be the only way she can clothe her growing children.
Especially, give of your prayers. Praying for the needs of others will lift your own burdens, and knowing that someone is praying for you is a great comfort.
Thanks for this great post! I have bookmarked Heavenly Treasures – I LOVE that website! I look forward to ordering from them in the future. Does anyone know what their shipping rates are? When I looked for an estimate, it said to “Contact Store”. Just curious if anyone has ordered from them before and remembers how much shipping was.
I love sharing with soldiers (anysoldier.com) – the Post Office has flat rate boxes you can order (for free) that give you a small discount for shipping care packages to military members. Often our soldiers don’t have access to stores, so they can’t purchase always the things they might want or need. (Apparently a lot of military-grade toiletries aren’t very high-quality. Some of our female soldiers, serving overseas in hot climates, say that they miss just smelling like a girl!)
I have also done a google search for “homeless shelter” and “women’s shelter” in my area and found a TON. Women who are starting over in life need new everything, often including a new toothbrush and new toiletries.
If you stay in hotels, take the toiletries – soap, shampoo, q-tips, whatever – every day. Use for Xmas boxes, homeless boxes, womens’ shelters, etc.
Love the attitude! Giving is so much more rewarding than keeping for ourselves. In fact I think it becomes an addiction once you get started. Much like tithing, once you do it and understand the heart behind it, it is refreshing for the soul!
Monetarily we are not able to give a lot. But with couponing we have been able to bless others so much more! If I am able to get something for free or close to free with a coupon, I pick it up! We are able to give to friends and family as well as to a local homeless shelter.
I know a lot of people have a HUGE stockpile of feminine products. One of the best things to do with these products is donate to a women’s hospital in Afghanistan. These hospitals have no gauze or sutures, in most cases, and pantiliners make excellent gauze replacements. You cannot fathom how dirty and impoverished these hospitals are.
Caitlin, thats a great idea. I know of a situation where a volunteer for Women Of Vision (www.womenofvision.org), a volunteer program for World Vision, sent over boxes of pantyhose for fistula patients to women in hospitals in very poor areas of Africa. Suprising sometimes that things we don’t think twice about can make a huge difference for women living in other areas of the world!
And that’s why I love World Vision. The empowerment it brings to people to be able to volunteer and give back is what makes being human so good. In the midst of natural disaster and war, there is still good in this world.
Can you give me an idea of how they used the pantyhose. I have served as a field medic and nurse in many countries and can get pretty creative in my supplies, but have never heard of this. Fistula is basically a whole between two openings, but doesn’t refer to a specific part of the body. Can I assume this fistula is related to childbirth problems? Please enlighten me further.
Another unexpected use: tampons are frequently found in emergency first aid kits worldwide, including US military kits. They are sanitary, highly absorbant, expand to block bleeding wounds, and easy to use.
That’s actually true. My neighbor was in the army, and when men wrote home for care packages, they asked their wives for tampons because they fit well in shrapnel wounds.
http://www.freerice.com Build vocabulary skills and donate at the same time
Fun post! Great ideas!
It’s very easy to donate to Operation Christmas Child on a budget, especially if you like to shop with coupons. I’m currently doing a series on my blog on how to pack a shoebox for a needy child for just $10 (including the $7 donation for shipping and handling!).
For those of you packing shoe boxes that are worried about the $7 shipping costs, check into your church sponsoring the boxes. Our church has people that don’t like to pack the boxes themselves but still want to help by gifting a monetary donation to the project. Also, not many people know this but if you don’t include the shipping, OCC will still take the box and use it for the project, probably for the same reasons, that they have monetary donors. My mom sister and I pack a ton of boxes, this years goal is 200, but could never afford to pay the shipping on them all. So this is a huge help to us knowing that they will still make it to the children and that there are people out there who just donate money for the shipping instead of packing the boxes.
Great ideas and great post. I think heavenly treasures is a great idea!
I committed several years ago to donate at least one grocery item a week (most weeks depending on the deals, it’s more) to our church’s food pantry. However, I found the greatest blessing when I began to volunteer my time with the food pantry. It’s usually the best two hours of my week.
tenthousandvillages.com also offers a variety of handmade items from around the world and they have several brick stores throughout the USA. It is a ministry of the Mennonites.
I agree…Tithe your time!! That “emotional paycheck” is better than any monitary paycheck ever!!
Great post! I know when I was younger, I struggled with wanting to give but not knowing how. This is a great list.
I’d also of course add #6: Your time!
A lot of people hate the huge stockpiles of others, but by keeping my stockpile full, I am able to provide my family with the things that we need and some that we just want too. But I am also able to pack up 2-3 boxes a week to give to families within our church who are struggling. It’s a great way to help families that are going through tough times within our church or by ministering to a family that someone in our church knows. This often opens the door to many more opportunities to minister as well. Our church keeps the families identities confidential when they come with prayer requests during struggling times but they pass on the general info for the family to me. (ie 2 adults, 1 teen and 2 small children) I am able then to go through my stockpile and pack up a box to help them out a bit. I don’t think a lot of us realize how much a box with only maybe 20-30 items in it can really make a difference. Those products might not cost us much but for a typical family that is a lot of money they can save from not buying those items at the prices that they would normally pay. I received a thank you note just the other day that expressed their gratitude for the new toothbrushes and how they were really in need of them. For a family that is struggling, even a new toothbrush might seem like a splurge. So when I go and buy 30 tubes of toothpaste in one week, I wish so many of us wouldn’t be so judgmental 🙂 I don’t advocate clearing shelves though, I will visit the 6 Riteaids that I have within 10 min of me in a given week and get a little from each or I am big on the pre-order concept too. My stores are great about getting larger quantities for me when I need them.
Bonnie, nice post! I must say though that I have seen many a couponer clean out the shelves in one store…it is nice that you drive to so many stores to spread it out, but don’t assume this is the case with many extreme couponers…
that is an annoyance to those of us who can’t buy the product because someone’s obsession has wiped out the stock
I have no problem with people having stock piles IF and ONLY if they can use what they have before it goes bad. It drives me crazy seeing a family of two or three having 5 years worth of laundry detergent or pasta sitting in a room somewhere — just because they were able to get it for free. I think that donating those excess items is a fantastic way to help others and teach your children about giving (while still using your free items for your family as well).
Once when the children were small and we were on a limited budget, we heard about a family in our church with a large family that was really struggling. We cleaned out each room in the house, including the children’s and we had a big garage sale with the knowledge that all of the profits were going to the family. The children were especially willing to donate knowing where the money was going. We gave the money anonymously through a church member, but we did write a card expressing our desire to bless their family. The children have never forgotten this and I believe that it remains one of our best teachable experiences.