My Favorite Way to Give Back

I might be very frugal, but I love to be generous when I can, even on a budget.

And I find that since I’m frugal on one hand, it frees up resources to give back.

Couponing also allows me to help out the local community center because I can get cans of food or other staples for really cheap or free, and love to contribute them.

My favorite way to give back is to drop off things at the community center or local thrift stores. I don’t contribute to big chains like Goodwill — they are making millions with our donations. I want the resources to stay in my community, and I want my local thrift stores to make money off of my donations.

I love thrift stores and always seem to have something to drop off there. And I usually find something special for our house or “new” toy for Landon.

The other day someone wanted to throw away some dishes, and since I can’t stand things to go to waste, I took them to the thrift store.

At the big annual school tag sale, everything that is not being sold ends up in a big dumpster, so in the last three years I have filled up my car and driven what I can to the community center and thrift store.

It makes me feel good to know that those toys, book, and baby items don’t end up in a landfill and will go to less-fortunate families.

Giving back doesn’t have to mean that you write a big check.

Contribute to a bake sale, bring a meal to an elderly neighbor, or help someone with a skill you have (I love to teach small business owners about Twitter).

What about using the free money you sometimes get from stores like Kohl’s for good? I used my free $10 to buy socks the other day that I will donate to the clothing drive at my son’s school. Didn’t cost me anything.

How do you give back?

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