Posted by Karen Godley , REALTOR® , Bosshardt Realty, 12/19/08
I’ve made a sport of saving money in the past few months. I’ve amazed myself at how much “budget fat” I’ve trimmed from my wallet. From phone lines I never used to advertising that didn’t produce quantifiable results, I’ve cut my monthly budget by several hundred dollars.
Before the holidays arrived, I promised myself that I wouldn’t spend as much this year on gifts that may be cool but may not be necessary. I also decided that I would cut back on my charitable giving. After all, my charities were expecting the cutbacks in their business just as I was in my real estate business.
So this morning while getting ready for the day, spending the required amount of time in the mirror eye to eye with myself, I worried about going over my self-imposed Christmas budget for my family. Yep, one week to go and I’m over budget. I’m not a lottery player, but I mused that if I did and I won, what would I do with a million or even a couple of hundred dollars? I thought of gifts I’d buy, investments I’d make, and maybe the party I’d throw, and I thought I’d give a nice part of it to charity.
And that is when it hit me. Even though I’ve had a good year (not great but good), I’m failing to do the one thing that makes a difference in my life and the lives of others. I stopped giving to those in need. Even though I have a roof over my head, a car that is one year old; most of my investments are OK; I have plenty of food, clothing, and my credit score is intact, I’m not doing the one thing that helps this world be a better place. I’m not giving because I’m afraid of what it will do to my personal economics. I listened to the morning news while getting ready for the day, and they were reporting on families with no income whose homes are being foreclosed on, whose children are going without presents so the utility bill can be paid. Without my contribution to the charities I have supported for years, where will those families go for help? The amount of money I give every year is not earth changing, but it would buy several children a gift of two, or it might put a dinner on a table for a couple of families, or it might keep the lights on through January in a few homes. So I’ve decided to rethink my economics.
In the end, what is the benefit to me? I may not see the smiles or hear the thanks directly from the recipients, but I’ll know I did my part in reaching out to those who are in financial crises - real financial crises. I’ll know that my charities will make sure my money is used wisely, as they have always done. I’m not going to lie, I’m going to hold my breath as I write the check, but as I had it over, I’m going to exhale, and then I’m going to thank God that I had a good year, and that I have a roof over my head, a car to drive, food on the table, and gifts under the tree for the people I love.
