Where to donate?

[statik13]

Then you should vote accordingly.

"I'd rather my money go to gorillas than food stamps or unemployment benefits"

Is that bad in your eyes?

 

[smallcoffee]

Is that bad in your eyes?

I'm not sure without a longer discussion about the proper role of government. What I will say is that if you have the attitude, essentially, that you can spend your money more wisely than the government, then you also can't complain if other people do the same. So if you value gorillas instead of improving roads, then you can't be upset if somebody values the rainforest over poverty or women's programs or whatever.

It's largely a conservative viewpoint - which has some validity.

 

[statik13]

I'm not sure without a longer discussion about the proper role of government. What I will say is that if you have the attitude, essentially, that you can spend your money more wisely than the government, then you also can't complain if other people do the same. So if you value gorillas instead of improving roads, then you can't be upset if somebody values the rainforest over poverty or women's programs or whatever.

It's largely a conservative viewpoint - which has some validity.

No, not more wisely, just concentrated on my own personal beliefs & interests. I do appreciate your insight though and agree that your view point is a valid one

In my case the tax debate is a moot point as the places I usually donate are oversees, so I seldom receive a tax rebate for any donations anyways.

Have you considered setting up a trust when you pass away? My wife and I are contemplating doing that and not sure how to start.

 

[smallcoffee]

No, not more wisely, just concentrated on my own personal beliefs & interests. I do appreciate your insight though and agree that your view point is a valid one

Sure. Even if not more wisely, I think you could substitute your personal beliefs and interest for that wisdom. The government does support causes that, frankly, are voted into interest based on personal beliefs and interests. I'm not judging that (here at least) but since we were talking about I figured I'd just mention it.

In my case the tax debate is a moot point as the places I usually donate are oversees, so I seldom receive a tax rebate for any donations anyways.

Certainly a fair point. I don't mean the discussion to be personal.

Have you considered setting up a trust when you pass away? My wife and I are contemplating doing that and not sure how to start.

I'm not quite in that stage of my life yet. I make a comfortable living and save a boatload, but figure I can spare $15/month or something.

I'm considering joining my local Sierra Club and donating to that. Any experience (you or otherwise)?

 

[statik13]

Sure. Even if not more wisely, I think you could substitute your personal beliefs and interest for that wisdom. The government does support causes that, frankly, are voted into interest based on personal beliefs and interests. I'm not judging that (here at least) but since we were talking about I figured I'd just mention it.

Might be a fun discussion in PSRI. Start a thread there and I'll reply. It's always interesting to hear different viewpoints.

I'm not quite in that stage of my life yet. I make a comfortable living and save a boatload, but figure I can spare $15/month or something.

I'm considering joining my local Sierra Club and donating to that. Any experience (you or otherwise)?

No, but I shall research that one. It looks to be quite a good cause.

Good on you for the $15 a month. That's an awesome habit to get into. I need to get better at making my contributions regular as mine are far to sporadic.

The biggest single contribution we've made so far was when my wife and I got married. Instead of gifts, we asked for our guests to donate to one of 7-8 causes and then spent the honeymoon money we saved to match the contributions and went to a less expensive destination instead.

 

[smallcoffee]

Might be a fun discussion in PSRI. Start a thread there and I'll reply. It's always interesting to hear different viewpoints.

Can't. Banned from it (I think for only a year though). People don't like my viewpoints here.

No, but I shall research that one. It looks to be quite a good cause.

Good on you for the $15 a month. That's an awesome habit to get into. I need to get better at making my contributions regular as mine are far to sporadic.

The biggest single contribution we've made so far was when my wife and I got married. Instead of gifts, we asked for our guests to donate to one of 7-8 causes and then spent the honeymoon money we saved to match the contributions and went to a less expensive destination instead.

Nice. I personally would go all out on a honeymoon. You're a better man/woman than me.

 

[A.Goldberg]

This is something I never understood. I know people do it but I’ve always thought donations should be something you do with your own money and should never be a tax write off. Grumble grumble.



Thanks for the advice here as well. Right now I’m very strapped for time (most days I’m booked 5:30 am - 9:30 pm). I previously held learn to program sessions though and I’ve always enjoyed teaching that to people, kids in particular.

Well, in talking to your financial advisor you’re benefitting yourself and perhaps the charity. It may turn out you can donate more money than you anticipated. I guess it really depends on how much you plan on donating... if it’s just a small amount you probably don’t need to talk to planned. If you’re donating a significant percentage of your income, it’s probably better to have some strategery around it.

I don’t think anyone should ever be “pressured” into regular donations... what a lot of charities that canvass the streets like to do. I get it, they want to maximize their income, but you should always do the research first.

That’s really cool that you’be done programming sessions, but I can see that can be difficult with a regular work schedule. The vaccine clinics I do of course are like a one time thing and usually seasonal. Narcan trainings are also a one time thing... so it allows me to do it like once a month or so.

 

[smallcoffee]

Well, in talking to your financial advisor you’re benefitting yourself and perhaps the charity. It may turn out you can donate more money than you anticipated. I guess it really depends on how much you plan on donating... if it’s just a small amount you probably don’t need to talk to planned. If you’re donating a significant percentage of your income, it’s probably better to have some strategery around it.

I don’t think anyone should ever be “pressured” into regular donations... what a lot of charities that canvass the streets like to do. I get it, they want to maximize their income, but you should always do the research first.

That’s really cool that you’be done programming sessions, but I can see that can be difficult with a regular work schedule. The vaccine clinics I do of course are like a one time thing and usually seasonal. Narcan trainings are also a one time thing... so it allows me to do it like once a month or so.

Yeah I'm just looking for a regular monthly contribution so it's nothing crazy. Just $15/month or something I won't really notice but might be helpful to somebody who can do good work.

 

[A.Goldberg]

Yeah I'm just looking for a regular monthly contribution so it's nothing crazy. Just $15/month or something I won't really notice but might be helpful to somebody who can do good work.

Yeah, in that sense there’s probably no need to talk to an advisor.

 

[smallcoffee]

Yeah, in that sense there’s probably no need to talk to an advisor.

Right. I don't use an advisor anyway. I may need to soon with some properties I own.

 

[statik13]

Nice. I personally would go all out on a honeymoon. You're a better man/woman than me.

To be honest, it was purely greedy on our part. We travel a lot. Supporting the conservation of the places we love had far more intrinsic value than yet another trip (no matter how special) would of had. Zero regrets on the decision.