[hallmark]

To build habits?

My bank has free bill pay, so my wife and I have an automatic check sent out every month to a local all-volunteer charity that does very worthwhile work. We never see that money and we budget around the income we have left over. Whenever I peek at my bank statements and see those debits, I'm reminded of what we're doing.

Even a small amount, say $50/month, is a great start. This also forces you to find a worthwhile cause now, and to attach yourself to and actively re-evaluate that cause on an ongoing basis. It becomes a part of your life instead of your future.

All that said, thanks for the honest discussion. This stuff is important.

[bobdvb]

Agreed, I give occasionally when I am feeling generous and regularly to certain charities. But I also demand a certain value from the charities I donate to, I chastise any charity that sends me paper mailings because they are wasting my money and not heeding my wishes.

As to the OP's posting about waiting vs donating currently. Remember there is no time like the present and perhaps it needs to be thought of like loosing weight, you can always put it off but a little of what is good for you each day is sustaining.

Plus, loosing a small percentage of your income probably won't make you any richer, but it might make someone else's life much better. A little money can save someone's life, can the same be said for what is 'waiting' in your pocket?