You’ve taken the pledge. You’re going to give a percentage of your income to effective charities working to save and improve the lives of those living in extreme poverty. Nicely done!
But now what?
Three and a half years ago, I took the same public pledge. Keeping it has been easier than I thought it would be, thanks to some tips and tricks I picked up along the way. Every week, I’ll be sharing a strategy that worked for me or another fellow pledger.
If you have a giving strategy that you’d like to share on this blog, email it to info@thelifeyoucansave.org.
Strategy 7: Give away your raise
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When you get a pay raise, the impulse is to increase your standard of living. A bigger paycheck each month can pay for a nicer car, a larger house, a better wardrobe. Don’t do it. Instead of spending that raise on yourself, give it away. Make a commitment to maintain your standard of living. Use your raise to improve the lives of others, and you will have met – even exceeded – your pledge, without making any changes to your current lifestyle.
I used this strategy the last time I got a raise at work, and I was able to triple my annual giving with minimal effort on my part!
If you don’t feel like you can give away your entire raise, trying giving away half of it. You will still be increasing your impact for those living in extreme poverty, and meeting your financial obligations at home. |
We all handle money differently, and our relationship with money changes overtime. You know best what strategy will work for you. Mix and match the strategies on this blog, or come up with your own. Just keep giving!
Have you found a great way to keep your pledge? Share it with us!
Claire Knowlton is President of the Board for The Life You Can Save. She lives in Los Angeles and works as an accountant and auditor of nonprofit organizations.
