4 Ways to Give to Charity for the Money-Conscious

Giving to charity without feeling the pinch

We all know there are others less fortunate than us. We all wish we could give back, but find a number of reasons to not give to charity: there are so many charities out there that we don't know which one to pick. We might feel like there's not any point in giving if we can't give "enough". Or we might simply feel like someone should give to us. 

There are a number of ways you can support organizations and causes you believe in without breaking your budget so that giving back is always part of your life. Here are four of our favorites:

1. Select a charity through Amazon Smile

Amazon carries so many products! It's become almost a synonym with online shopping - why not turn it into an opportunity to give back? Amazon Smile will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible items to the charity of your choice. You can shop for all the things you buy on Amazon through Amazon Smile and change your charity anytime; however, not all items are eligible for donations. Bear in mind also that Amazon Smile donations are not tax deductible by you. To learn more about the AmazonSmile program, click here.

2. Give your time

If you still feel like you have no money to give, give your time! Organizations like libraries, food banks, soup kitchens, and shelters are often understaffed and unable to hire more employees. Volunteering your time is a great way to contribute to the great work these organizations do and see more closely how they're helping the community. Some organizations will also have opportunities to volunteer that can involve your children - a great way to get your kids involved in the community from a young age.

3. Give your skills

Giving your time can also involve using your skills to do some good and make others happy! From donating baked goods for a fundraiser, translating for migrant families or capturing the joy of adoption for new families, volunteering can also include using your hobbies and some of your favorite activities to help others. Check the Volunteer section of your favorite organization's website, or simply ask locally how can you help!

4. Donate - from unused items to blood - even your organs!

You might be familiar with organizations such as Goodwill or The Salvation Army for donating your unused items. The American Red Cross often conducts blood drives where you can donate, or you can visit their local branch to find out more. There is also a great need for blood donations and organ donations. According to the American Transplant Foundation, "on average, 20 people die every day from the lack of available organs for transplant". Many states will let you opt-in for organ donation on your driver's license, or you can sign on to be an organ donor. You can learn more about organ donation through the United Network for Organ Sharing. 

As you can see, giving back doesn't have to include a giant check. We can all help others, regardless of our financial situation, skill set, or our busy schedules. Giving to charity can do great things for you - from providing a valuable lesson to our children, connecting us to others in our communities, and giving us a different perspective. These are simple ways available to everyone. How can you make the world a better place?

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