For those of you having a hard time deciding who to give money to...start spending some/more of it on yourself.
For those of you having a hard time deciding who to give money to...start spending some/more of it on yourself.
At this stage in life, that approach brings very little additional pleasure.
I actually am finding more pleasure in figuring out new ways to be frugal - go figure! I realize everyone is different, so YMMV.
Are there things you are passionate about that you would like to make an impact on? I saw that you mentioned scholarships which is a great way to give back. Is there a group that you would like the scholarship to target?
I want to give money (annually?) to my favorite nieces and nephews while they are young enough to benefit from the extra money. By the time we pass (if natural causes), they should all be FI or close to it. Seems pointless to me to give them money then, though I'm sure they'd still appreciate it.
But DW is adamant against it. When I ask why she's never given a reason, just "we're not giving them money." It's not that she doesn't care about the nieces/nephews as they are all from her brothers and sister. Any advice on how to sway her?
I have been lurking around here for more than three years and have enjoyed reading and learning about early retirement. I finally registered today, and it was this thread that gave me the final push to make my first comment. Eventually, I will do a more formal introduction, but for now...
I would like to appeal to the OP to consider their local schools. There are many not so affluent districts out there that could use funds to help students in need. The Mrs. and I work in schools with a wide range of students from differing socioeconomic status. In the same class we may have a student that goes to the Bahamas for Thanksgiving break and another that is currently homeless and the only meals they get are at school.
There are so many students that are in need. How about donating to help a student go on a field trip? For many, even a $25 trip is cost prohibitive. Donating a few bucks can give a student an opportunity they may never have again. No student wants to be the one left back at school while everyone else is off enjoying themselves.
There are many students that don't have enough money for school supplies. You could donate some backpacks, pens, pencils, binders, notebooks...whatever.
Winter clothes - hats, coats, gloves, mittens, hoodies, etc.
Sneakers, sweats, socks, even gift cards are great. School staff can go buy what the students actually need.
Contact the local PTO/PTA and see what they need and how you can help.
Also, I really need to also suggest your local animal shelters. These people volunteer their time and are always in need of supplies. Not just food - paper towels, blankets, peanut butter, cleaner,, etc.
OP - Please don't wait until you are gone. Your help is needed NOW.
Thank you all for letting me have this opportunity to get up on my soapbox.
Contact the local PTO/PTA and see what they need and how you can help.
Also, I really need to also suggest your local animal shelters. These people volunteer their time and are always in need of supplies. Not just food - paper towels, blankets, peanut butter, cleaner,, etc.
I have been lurking around here for more than three years and have enjoyed reading and learning about early retirement. I finally registered today, and it was this thread that gave me the final push to make my first comment. Eventually, I will do a more formal introduction, but for now...
I would like to appeal to the OP to consider their local schools. There are many not so affluent districts out there that could use funds to help students in need. The Mrs. and I work in schools with a wide range of students from differing socioeconomic status. In the same class we may have a student that goes to the Bahamas for Thanksgiving break and another that is currently homeless and the only meals they get are at school.
There are so many students that are in need. How about donating to help a student go on a field trip? For many, even a $25 trip is cost prohibitive. Donating a few bucks can give a student an opportunity they may never have again. No student wants to be the one left back at school while everyone else is off enjoying themselves.
There are many students that don't have enough money for school supplies. You could donate some backpacks, pens, pencils, binders, notebooks...whatever.
Winter clothes - hats, coats, gloves, mittens, hoodies, etc.
Sneakers, sweats, socks, even gift cards are great. School staff can go buy what the students actually need.
Contact the local PTO/PTA and see what they need and how you can help.
Also, I really need to also suggest your local animal shelters. These people volunteer their time and are always in need of supplies. Not just food - paper towels, blankets, peanut butter, cleaner,, etc.
OP - Please don't wait until you are gone. Your help is needed NOW.
Thank you all for letting me have this opportunity to get up on my soapbox.
We recently FIRE'd and are thinking about getting a will written. We are mid-50's with no kids and a modest lifestyle. I expect we would be leaving an estate in the high seven figures, low eight figures. The only thing we have come up with so far is finding 20 things to leave 5% each. We would like to include the two kids (now 5 & 6 years old) who live across the street from us and our four nieces/nephews (12 to 20 years old). In addition I would like to start two or three scholarships to a local trade school. That is nine things (45%) so far. What else? Since we just started having this conversation I am very open minded and would love to hear your suggestions. Thanks!
We maintain a fund with the local community foundation. It is designated as a "crisis fund" and receives applications from local public schools among other intermediaries. One year we funded car parts so the high school auto maintenance class could repair a couple of cars which were then donated to people who needed them. Other times we have donated winter clothing to grade-schoolers. A local pastor has applied for and received grocery store gift cards to help families in crisis. The foundation does the screening and distributes the money. We just top up the fund (via QCD) once in a while. This is all small-dollar stuff but high impact to recipients. Very satisfying. Something like this would also be very easy to set up in an estate plan.... I would like to appeal to the OP to consider their local schools. There are many not so affluent districts out there that could use funds to help students in need. The Mrs. and I work in schools with a wide range of students from differing socioeconomic status. In the same class we may have a student that goes to the Bahamas for Thanksgiving break and another that is currently homeless and the only meals they get are at school.
There are so many students that are in need. How about donating to help a student go on a field trip? For many, even a $25 trip is cost prohibitive. Donating a few bucks can give a student an opportunity they may never have again. No student wants to be the one left back at school while everyone else is off enjoying themselves.
There are many students that don't have enough money for school supplies. You could donate some backpacks, pens, pencils, binders, notebooks...whatever.
Winter clothes - hats, coats, gloves, mittens, hoodies, etc.
Sneakers, sweats, socks, even gift cards are great. School staff can go buy what the students actually need.
Contact the local PTO/PTA and see what they need and how you can help.
Also, I really need to also suggest your local animal shelters. These people volunteer their time and are always in need of supplies. Not just food - paper towels, blankets, peanut butter, cleaner,, etc.
OP - Please don't wait until you are gone. Your help is needed NOW. ...
Thanks for your contribution to education.
Man, if I had half that amount, in addition to having a will to deal with any remaining estate down the road, I'd enjoy giving away lots of it while I'm still alive. See/find a current need, help out now.We recently FIRE'd and are thinking about getting a will written. We are mid-50's with no kids and a modest lifestyle. I expect we would be leaving an estate in the high seven figures, low eight figures. The only thing we have come up with so far is finding 20 things to leave 5% each. [snip]
We recently FIRE'd and are thinking about getting a will written. We are mid-50's with no kids and a modest lifestyle. I expect we would be leaving an estate in the high seven figures, low eight figures. The only thing we have come up with so far is finding 20 things to leave 5% each. We would like to include the two kids (now 5 & 6 years old) who live across the street from us and our four nieces/nephews (12 to 20 years old). In addition I would like to start two or three scholarships to a local trade school. That is nine things (45%) so far. What else? Since we just started having this conversation I am very open minded and would love to hear your suggestions. Thanks!
. One niece's 2 kids that graduated from high school and college the same year sent us 'announcements' but somehow their thank you notes for our congratulations and monetary gifts were lost by the Post Office. They were homeschooled and religious ---> not that I'm saying they were typical.......
Have to keep an eye on things, these days. A 7-figure bequest just got pulled from a major university, due to their antisemitic support! I don't normally care if a donee supports causes I don't like, but if they go public against LGBTQ, a specific race, etc., then I'll reallocate. I also send a letter to the trustees telling them what they aren't going to receive, & why.