Let's Re-Prioritize Our "Holidays"
Thanksgiving. Black Friday. Cyber Monday. Giving Tuesday.
I think we have our "holidays" in the wrong order. For the past few weeks, we have been bombarded with advertisements, holiday preparation advice, images promoting exceptional situations, and now, end of year charitable giving requests. Charitable giving is important, but should come from our abundance, not from what remains after we have purchased that which is not necessary to a comfortable life. Many organizations depend heavily on "Giving Tuesday" campaigns, and I do not want to remove the support these worthy causes require to be effective.
Let's make "Giving Tuesday" part of our regular routine, not just a once a year event. Once you have attained personal financial security, giving substantially to your church and other charitable organizations is best placed in your budget before non-essential items like holiday presents. Set a budget for one-time requests from the young people at the door asking for donations to their service project, and consider how to maximize the impact of your gift to local organizations throughout the year. It's possible that if the tax situation would be the same for you and the receipient, then during a matching donation campaign would be the most effective. Our financial gifts should not be an "after thought." They should be thoughtful, and part of our overall plan.
Please remember that a personal interaction is always the most meaningful. The internet based news cycle can make us forget the neighbor whose spouse died this year. We forget to look up from our phones on the sidewalk, and to hold the door for someone else. Make your donations in person, if possible. Greet the cashier at the grocery. Bring that neighbor some cookies, and stay a few minutes to chat about the weather.
I think we have our "holidays" in the wrong order. For the past few weeks, we have been bombarded with advertisements, holiday preparation advice, images promoting exceptional situations, and now, end of year charitable giving requests. Charitable giving is important, but should come from our abundance, not from what remains after we have purchased that which is not necessary to a comfortable life. Many organizations depend heavily on "Giving Tuesday" campaigns, and I do not want to remove the support these worthy causes require to be effective.
Let's make "Giving Tuesday" part of our regular routine, not just a once a year event. Once you have attained personal financial security, giving substantially to your church and other charitable organizations is best placed in your budget before non-essential items like holiday presents. Set a budget for one-time requests from the young people at the door asking for donations to their service project, and consider how to maximize the impact of your gift to local organizations throughout the year. It's possible that if the tax situation would be the same for you and the receipient, then during a matching donation campaign would be the most effective. Our financial gifts should not be an "after thought." They should be thoughtful, and part of our overall plan.
Please remember that a personal interaction is always the most meaningful. The internet based news cycle can make us forget the neighbor whose spouse died this year. We forget to look up from our phones on the sidewalk, and to hold the door for someone else. Make your donations in person, if possible. Greet the cashier at the grocery. Bring that neighbor some cookies, and stay a few minutes to chat about the weather.