Generosity

A lot of people resist focusing on their finances because it can feel selfish, capitalist, or just generally icky. I've been there! Here's one reason I no longer feel that way: getting your finances in order can actually help you be more generous.

Here are some examples of how you can be structured, realistic, and planful with your money to increase your generosity:

Set money rules. Money rules are values-based rules that you set for yourself. When these rules are thoughtful and realistic, they help you avoid agonizing decision making.

• "When I buy something that feels lavish or indulgent, I donate the same amount to a local non-profit. So if I spend $300 on new dishware, I make sure I have enough in the bank to also donate $300 to the domestic violence shelter in my neighborhood."

• "I never ask friends to repay me for anything under $10."

• "I only buy books from local bookstores."

• "I always chip in when someone in my community is raising money for something important to them. It may just be $5, but I always give something."

• "I take out 10% of my annual bonus in cash so that I can give it to street performers or unhoused folks, or use as a nice big tip."

Systematize it. Every system is perfectly designed to get the result that it does, so design systems for generosity.

• Set up a separate savings account purely for giving. Set up automatic payments into that account so that whenever you come across a compelling GoFundMe or a have a friend in need, you can give freely.

• Set up monthly automatic donations to a favorite non-profit.

• Incorporate things like "getting coffee for my coworkers" or "treating my best friend to a birthday dinner" into your monthly budget so that you have a realistic sense of your spending. 

I'd love to hear how you plan for and systematize generosity. Drop me a note and share!