Charity

None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.

How this was put together

  1. Focus on being kind to yourself and those close to you before giving to strangers or distant acquaintances.

    People may continue taking advantage of you if you do not guard yourself.

    one person who lived it

  2. Focus on donating to causes that are great in scale, highly neglected, and highly solvable.

    Effective Altruism suggests these characteristics define good causes.

    one person who lived it

  3. Keep a few dollars on hand to give to people who need it more than you.

    An open, giving hand allows you to receive much easier.

    one person who lived it

  4. Research charities thoroughly before donating to ensure funds are not mishandled or used for excessive administrative costs.

    Some big-name charities give less than 20% of donations to the actual cause.

    2 people, independently

4 more on this
  1. Show kindness without giving away hard-earned money.

    Money is essential life-force energy needed to keep you alive.

    one person who lived it

  2. Help friends, family, or neighbors in need directly, as they may be too proud or ashamed to ask for help publicly.

    one person who lived it

  3. Consider donating directly to operational projects or capital improvements instead of endowment funds to avoid fees extracted by fund managers.

    Donations to endowments may be whittled away by fund managers.

    one person who lived it

  4. Donate to Wikipedia or other free services you use regularly.

    Wikipedia is a daily wonder.

    one person who lived it

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