Like most aspects of life, charitable giving doesn’t come with a hard-and-fast rule. There isn’t a magic number of how much you need to make before you give, or how much you should give once you achieve “it.”
Giving to charity is an act of kindness that you have complete control over. It’s dependent on your priorities and your budget. When it comes down to it, you can’t give what you don’t have, and you don’t want to put yourself in financial ruin by giving away all of your money and leaving nothing for yourself.
While there aren’t any set-in-stone rules on when you’re ready to make charitable donations, there are some key guidelines to follow that will help you feel good about what you’re giving.
1. You have a balanced budget.
Determining whether or not you can afford to donate to charity ultimately comes down to your budget. The same could be said for anything you do, really. So, if you can give, or the amount you can give, comes down to how it fits into your budget.
If you budget an appropriate amount for your expenses and savings and still have money left over, that’s a great sign that you’re ready to donate a portion to charity. Even if that amount is small, you’ll feel good about assigning a monthly amount to help others. Dave Ramsey’s budgeting forms can be a great start to understanding how much you’re spending in each area.
2. You’ve saved enough for 3 to 6 months of living expenses.
Knowing that you have a minimum of three months worth of living expenses saved will make you feel more secure in your giving. With adequate savings, you can more easily assess an amount that fits well into your budget without taking away from your day-to-day expenses.
Giving to charity should also not keep you from continuing to save. Ensure you have enough to put a reasonable amount into both parts of your budget. Without stretching yourself too thin, focus on saving first so that you keep moving toward your financial goals while still making donations.
Tip: Donating to one charity instead of multiple maximizes the benefits of your effort. Rather than giving a small amount to three charities, donate a larger amount to one. While donations from multiple people add up, imagine how much more your favorite charity can do with $150 than with $50, for example.
3. You’ve paid off all your debt.
Echoing our previous point, with less to worry about financially, you can do more when it comes to giving. Without that monthly debt bill, you have more to allot for charitable giving. Consider also that you’ll have more to give when you aren’t paying a monthly interest payment on that debt.
4. You’ve identified the best ways to give.
Of course, you can donate online or send a check in the mail, but did you know there might be better ways to give? A financial advisor can work with your charitable giving plan to identify how to maximize the benefits of your donation. An advisor will take a holistic approach to determine how your charitable giving can best fit into your overall financial health.
SageSpring is here to increase the impact of your donations. We specialize in charitable giving because we love sharing the wealth. Contact us to learn more about our approach to charitable giving and how it can help you help others.
