year end update one: giving!
yep, it's been ages since I posted. Addressing that may be a new year's resolution.. we'll see. I've been busy at work and at home, so the blog, she suffers.
But at this time of year there are lots of things worthy of updating: what tracking my spending reveals about my year, notes about my travels, plans for the coming year, all manner of good things. Today I'm working on a few posts and will dribble them out over the next couple of days. We can call that my Christmas gift to you, okay?
First off: charitable giving, 2008!
Last year I did the majority of my giving in the last few months of the year. I donated to my local public radio station, and to two food banks (one in Oregon, for old times' sake, one local). At the time, I resolved to donate more often, and to have my 2008 giving surpass that of 2007.
Well, I certainly didn't donate as I went along - I gave a pitiful $82 from January through November. That left me with some last-minute decisions to make! Here's who I donated to, and why.
Alameda County Community Food Bank - because I have never gone to bed hungry. I have never wondered where my next meal was coming from. Because I'm so grateful for the lovingly-prepared food my lunch group gives me every week!
Hope Line - because I read Post Secret every week, and because that page's founder won't accept donations.His preferred cause is Hope Line. I donated because Frank asked me to.
Chicago Public Radio/This American Life - I subscribe to the free This American Life podcasts, and love listening to them when I travel. They've asked for some support this year, as providing the podcast costs their parent organization money.
Doctors Without Borders - because I am a happy reader of the Yarn Harlot, and this is her favorite organization. Read about her Tricoteuses Sans Frontières/Knitters Without Borders idea here and, even better, here.
To forestall this rather uncomfortable feeling I'm having - I really didn't have that spare cash in my budget this month! - I'm planning ahead for next year. I'm going to set aside just under 1% of each month's income, and will either donate as I go along in the year OR will have a specific pool of money to use at this time next year! My giving ranged from $20 to $100 and I am confident that every little bit helps.
So, what's important to you? Can you share a little bit of love and money?
