Tag Archives: giving back

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Be Giving This Season Without Giving All Your Cash Away

You don’t have to have extravagant wealth in order to take part in the season of giving. Being charitable means “relating to the assistance of those in need”. While a charitable gift of money can definitely be helpful, there are many other meaningful ways to give that leave a lasting impact on a family. These are some of our favorites. 

Donate Your Time

Time is a hot commodity and few give freely. There are many organizations in the area that would love an extra set of hands to help them with their community outreach. If you’re not quite sure where to start, look into hospitals, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, animal rescues and nursing homes. Many of these facilities are understaffed and could use all hands on deck. 

Part With Quality Clothing

Sure you can clean out your closet to donate clothing items that have a stain or even a small hole. What’s more of a helpful gift of charity is to part with quality items to people who cannot afford it. Maybe it’s business attire so that others can have a nice outfit for an interview or another one of your favorite clothing items that will put a smile on someone’s face. 

Plan an Event

Do you have a talent for event planning? Why not plan a charity or fundraising event? There are nonprofit organizations that would love your help with planning the next event.

Learn a Craft

Have you always wanted to try your hand at knitting or woodworking? Whatever your interest or passion, it can be turned into charity by selling the items and donating the proceeds to someone you know personally that is in need or to your favorite charitable organization. If you don’t want to learn a new craft, think about your current skills or talents. You may be able to donate your services to someone, whether it be photography or doing someone’s taxes. 

The great thing about giving is that there are so many ways to make a difference in someone’s life. Giving isn’t an activity solely for the rich, but for the fellow neighbor who wants to leave a positive mark on the world around them. We can help you learn how to save money in other ways, give us a call today!

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender

Giving back in the New Year: Practicing Selflessness

Many individuals have goals and resolutions they are striving for this year. They are fostering hope for a better tomorrow and realize they need to add or dilute some of their habits in order to have the life they envision. Many, if not most, of these resolutions fail for lack of motivation. In fact, only about 8 percent of individuals end up sticking with their resolutions and that could be attributed to the type of goals made.

A majority of resolutions are self-focused. Very few of them strive for the betterment of others, which could be one of the underlying reasons for failure. While it may not be for lack of trying, goals crafted that solely benefit the self, have less success than those that are others oriented. Although, practicing selflessness can indeed improve your own happiness and household economy in other ways.

Tax Deduction

When you decide on a charity, you want to be sure they are reputable. Check out Charity Navigator to find out if you should be giving to a certain organization. Giving to these organizations may enable you to deduct from your income tax if you itemize deductions. Be sure to do your research before giving if you would like to take advantage of this benefit.

Better Money Management

Deciding on giving monetarily to a cause will encourage you to monitor your budget. Don’t have a budget? Now you have another reason to make one! Do you need to make cuts elsewhere to excessive spending? Having cause to review your monthly statements can only help your finances. Come see us at Peoples Bank & Trust to set up an automatic withdrawal to your savings account for your giving; we want to make it easy for you! When you are able to focus your attention to those in need, you are investing in yourself emotionally and financially.  Even if you are only able to give your time through volunteering, it may give rise to gratitude for what you have; decreasing your desire to purchase items you do not need with money you do not have.

What Goes Around Comes Around

Although your primary goal in helping others isn’t to help yourself, getting involved can create opportunities for you and even your children. People in need will remember those who helped them at their lowest. Maybe someday you will be in need of a favor and they will happily assist you. It enables you to make connections with others, which can help you to better establish yourself professionally.  Is your child socially anxious? Kindness has been shown to reduce social anxiety and can help set your children on a stable track for the future including scholarships and job prospects.

 

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender