How to Give Wisely During the Holidays

It is the giving time of year - Christmas. Giving is great, but be sure to give wisely. Otherwise you may not be giving at all.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• awareness
• to ask questions

1. Give wisely when you give to charities, non-profit organizations, etc. There are many reasons to do this, but most important is to make sure the sincere intent with which you are giving is being honored. Research the organization to ensure that your donation will be used for the cause you intend it to be: research, homeless people, animal shelters, etc.

2. Realize how blessed and fortunate you are and if you have some extra money, give it to someone that needs it more than you do. There will be hundreds of bell ringers for the Salvation Army and other organizations this year. Drop some money in their locked iron kettles to ensure that it will get back to the help he cause. If there is not proper, legitimate looking logos and signs displayed, give somewhere else.

3. Give to a charity you are familiar with, feel a personal attachment to, or have volunteered with in the past. You can make donations in memory of someone or in honor of someone and ask that they or their families receive a card stating that you have done so.

4. Give to your church and earmark the donation for the homeless, orphans or widows. Churches are inundated with requests for help from people passing through or needy people who have nowhere else to turn.

Tips & Warnings

• Be careful for scammers. If you give to a credible, reputable organization there is much more of a chance the money will get used for the right reasons and to help the maximum number of people.
• Be cautious of telemarketing. Much of the money they make goes to overhead and not always to the cause.

[mizchulita]

on 12/6/2008 This is so timely and true.