There
has been lots of talk around the narthex these days about the concept
of “sacrificial giving.” For some of us, it is a very serious subject,
as we struggle from paycheck to paycheck, or look for months to replace
a job lost to our uncertain economy. We wish for those only blessings
and abundance.
Over the past few years many of us have been
blessed with abundance to the point where getting in touch with
sacrificial giving can be a bit of a stretch. It is for this group that
the sages of indulgence and frivolity have gathered. We have assembled
a veritable think tank to generate bright ideas for the
giving-impaired. Have you been thinking about a number for your
campaign gift, but find yourself wondering how you can stretch just a
little more and be really generous. Fret no more. Use this handy chart
to figure out how to muster that extra moolah? Consider these ideas as
offered by our experts:
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1. I finally gave up the daily
visit to my favorite coffee shop. One double-tall 2% latte, please.
Really, it’s only $3. But let’s do the math. Once a day, 5 days a
week brings the tab to $15 a week. Do that 50 weeks out of the year and
we’re talking $750 a year.
Over the 3-year life of the campaign,
that’s an extra $2,250. Impressive! Now we’re talking sacrifice!
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2. Says "Martha the Movie-goer" -- I love my movies. Twice, maybe 3
times a month. Full price, no bargain matinee. But if I give up just 1 movie a month, I can find an extra $8, or $416 a year.
That’s $1,248 over 3 years.
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3. Some folks' motto has always been, “When the going gets tough, the
tough go shopping?” But, consider this... just 1 Liz Claiborne
blazer, 1 pair of Amalfi shoes, 1 Coach handbag.
That total could easily come to $600 or more a year, or $1,800.
Not that I’ll give up shopping—just buy a little less.
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4. Okay, fellow sports fans, listen up. I have decided to give up 1
day at the ski slopes next year. Plus 1 round of golf with my
buddies. Watch the Sox on TV once instead of going into Fenway. Throw
in gas, parking and food, and I can get close to $300.
That’s almost
$1,000 over three years.
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5. Speaking of food, let’s
consider those “work” lunches. Sure, I have to network. But every day?
If I bring my lunch to work just twice a week (and go for a walk, which
would make me feel better anyway) I could easily set aside an extra $15
a week, $2,250 over three years.
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6. How about those fancy
dinners? Forgo just 1 of those little parties each month and I could
put an extra $50 a month in the campaign piggy bank.
$1,800 over three
years!
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7. One of our teenage members confesses
to an IPOD music-buying habit that’s been creeping up lately. Now his
collection grows by 25 songs a month. If he says if he just cut back by
10 songs, he can save $10 to $15 a month. $360 - $540 over three years.
For a teenager on an allowance or a part time job, this is sacrifice
that counts.
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8. Speaking of collections, how much are you
spending on books these days? When I wander around Barnes & Noble,
I just can’t resist those new titles. But then, they do have those in
the library, too—and they’re free. Two less books on my shelf every
month could translate to $40 a month,
$1,440 in three years.
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9. Several members have made different choices on
transportation. We are taking the train, riding bikes, walking more.
With the price of gas going up nearly every week, saving just a 1/2 a
tank a week could mean big bucks—at today’s prices, 10 gallons less a
week could easily yield $20, or a whopping
$3,120 in three years!
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10. Okay, now that you have the idea, you get to make up your own #10.
But here’s just one more thought from the thrifty think tank. Do you
ever spend money to impress other people? Your friends? Your
girlfriend? Your parents? Resist that urge, and see just how much you
can hang on to.
We wish you happy giving.