I have $704 to give away. Any suggestions?

I have $704 to give away. Any suggestions?

Real Estate Investor · the villages, FL · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes

I just received my FIRST social security check! Only $704 because I didn't pay enuff taxes over the 42 years of filing returns.
Anyway, I took the retirement early and this is what I receive each month. Wifey and I decided we'd rather receive it and give it away each month, rather than have the govt piddle it away.
I'm looking for suggestions . We want to give it out in small amounts so it is no big deal. PM me with someone that could use a small contribution and why. Please, not to yourself or relative, etc. You're on your honor here. It would be sent anonomously to address given.
I have a couple other organizations that I've asked for suggestions also.
Josh- I haven't forgotten BP. I tried to send donation, but it didn't accept either credit card I tried. It kept wanting me to use paypal. When wifey wakes up, we'll try that way.
I noticed there were a lot of you missing from the donor list on BP. How about pitching in. It is worth it you know. Rich

34 views

Most Popular Reply

Real Estate Investor · Austin, TX · Member since 2009 · 66 posts · 12 votes

First - Thank you, Rich! That is an awesome way to give back to causes that truly need it.

2nd - if you really want to get the maximum benefit from your donation, I suggest that you limit the number of causes (fewer the better) that you donate to. Non profits actually spend a lot of money going after anyone that has donated in the past for repeat donations. For example, if you were to donate to 10 groups, they will all spend $$ trying to solicit you again next year.

Fortunately, i am blessed with two healthy children, but might I suggest your local children's hospital? There are a million needs to pick from (obviously) but this is where I donate.

Jeff

See this reply in the discussion

33 Replies

Jump to latestLatest

Sort by

Steve M.
Realtor · Gallatin, TN · Member since 2009 · 292 posts · 164 votes
16y
Families down south still impacted by the BP oil spill? Or families here in Nashville still recovering from the 500 yr flood we had this year :)

Just some thoughts! Thank you for doing this Rich!
1 Reply
Mitch Kronowit
SFR Investor · Orange County, CA · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
16y
Originally posted by Rich Weese:
Wifey and I decided we'd rather receive it and give it away each month, rather than have the govt piddle it away.

What a great gesture, Rich! You're truly a gentleman in the classic sense of the Rockefeller's and Carnegie's who gave something back to the community rather than hoard every dime like the current cast of crooks running this country. I hope to be a position one day to follow in your steps.

I can give you a few charitable non-profits than my wife and I volunteer for, but is there a certain area you and your wife would prefer to focus on, such as children, animals, the homeless, the unemployed, etc.? Perhaps one way to turn that $704/month into $7,040/month is to invest into education somehow.

1 Reply
Greg B.
Homeowner · Burleson, TX · Member since 2008 · 756 posts · 376 votes
16y
I'm impressed too. Something I never thought of before.

On another forum I belong to we have a Kiva group. It's cool to support business people from other countries.

http://www.kiva.org/
2 Reply
Account Closed
Real Estate Investor · Austin, TX · Member since 2009 · 66 posts · 12 votes
16y
First - Thank you, Rich! That is an awesome way to give back to causes that truly need it.

2nd - if you really want to get the maximum benefit from your donation, I suggest that you limit the number of causes (fewer the better) that you donate to. Non profits actually spend a lot of money going after anyone that has donated in the past for repeat donations. For example, if you were to donate to 10 groups, they will all spend $$ trying to solicit you again next year.

Fortunately, i am blessed with two healthy children, but might I suggest your local children's hospital? There are a million needs to pick from (obviously) but this is where I donate.

Jeff
4 Reply
Rich Weese
OP
Real Estate Investor · the villages, FL · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
16y
Guys- this isn't much money. I was really thinking of some individuals, rather than organizations with this amount. I'd also like to do this by PM. I need Mitch, Greg and Jeff to request colleage status, so we can chat privately.
BP just got a donation. The fees from e-book will hopefully be larger and go to 3 charities, of which 1 will be alzheimers related.
No Carnegie here, just want to help out where it is needed and give something. We can all do that.
Over a year ago, I rode BP members pretty hard on donating to BP. I put my money where my big mouth was. I suggest you all give something back to BP, in exchange for the knowledge, fun and entertainment you recive here! Please PM me with ideas. Rich
0 Reply
Nick J.
Residential Real Estate Broker · Payson, AZ · Member since 2009 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
16y
Before you go giving it away to charities that feed, clothe or whatever in the now, why not use it for our future, you know we're going to need it.

Find a non-profit, or even a for-profit for that matter, that teaches youth in middle school, high school and even college, the importance of self preservation and financial literacy.

I think with $700, a single person associated with an organization like this should be able to visit several different schools and provide plenty of education.

When I was 7th and 8th grade, we had a similar program in our school where a local business basically sponsored our class. They came in and talked about business and a lot of topics related to it. We also visited their operations which was super cool!!! I can't remember the name of the program but I remember in 7th grade it was Poore Brothers Potato chips, which is ultimately owned by a larger corporation that owns several brands(look up inventure group) and 8th grade was a smaller organization but very impressive when you learn about the guy, Hazelwoods enterprises. This guy, also named Rich, is a great entrepreneur. I know he has a bar and a restaurant equipment place. I also seem to remember he owns the place where the AZREIA holds their meetings. Anyways, I remember a lot about those programs and think something like that would be much more helpful than giving handouts to our current society members. The chosen one is already got that taken care of for ya Rich.
2 Reply
Christopher Davis
Real Estate Investor · St. Louis, MO · Member since 2010 · 153 posts · 104 votes
16y
Great topic Rich

Find a contact at your local childrens hospital who can anonymously find you a struggling family that has been financially burdened due to their childrens illness or accident.
Parents will obviously go to any length for their children including financial ruin.
The $704 from thin air could really boost their spirits.
Also you will unfortunatly never run out of donee's there are always these cases.

Regardless I know whatever you do with it it will be a worthy cause.

Chris
3 Reply
Just Don
Member since 2009 · 499 posts · 117 votes
16y
Rich,

I would just like to mention a VERY needy lady. She is about 60, disabled to the point of having to use a power chair to walk.

No relative of mine, just a very appreciative for any help internet friend. Have even met once in person and is VERY disabled,,has a trained service dog helper, alot like a blind person.

Was a homeowner and a teacher in the 'prison' system in middle California till about 8 years ago. 4 people there all got sick at about same time, they called it Vally Fever. The others got disability but her.

She lives in Arizona on $500 a month in a elderly/ handicapped place and pays most of her monthly on rent.

Breaks my heart when she has to decide whether she is going to buy needed medicine or food because not enough money.

Also a few times a month is so sick cant get out of bed.Spends her time typing on puter while laying flat,,,sometimes cant do even that,cant stand ANY noise or light.

When I traveled thru there last year I went to the grocery store and bought a frig full of food then.

Altho you may think its a small amount, it would probably assure her of food for about a year!!!!

thank you for reading this about this person everybody really cares about because she is always so positive, in spite of where she is.

Be well,

just don-
1 Reply
Jackie Patterson
Real Estate Investor · Kalamazoo, MI · Member since 2010 · 681 posts · 241 votes
16y
Rich,

I love the idea of helping people out, and I agree that helping an individual would be great. $704 can make a HUGE difference to a person. Helping a family buy groceries, or make a car payment, or buy back to school clothes......what a great thing to do!

Non-Profits certainly need the money and do good things, but when you give directly to an individual you know that none of it goes to administration, and you have the satisfaction that you've really made a difference in their lives.
1 Reply
Lakia Hasenjaeger
Residential Real Estate Broker · Merrillville, IN · Member since 2010 · 35 posts · 17 votes
16y
Hello Rich,
I also think it is sooo wonderful what you're doing here. May God contrinue to bless you and keep you. Have you considered investing this money into a cheap home to renovate and provide temporary housing to victims who lost their homes to fires, disasters or anything? For example are homes for as low as $2000-$3000 here and need minimal fix up. If you have those type of deals in your area, that may be an option. Whatever you decide, I know that is would be put to good use. Goodluck!
1 Reply
Account Closed
Landlord · Seattle, WA · Member since 2010 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
16y
Rich, very generous. Often I'm amazed when traveling the hardships the poor go through in these countries. Many who are poor in the US still have so much compared to these individuals. You probably run across a number of these needy individuals in your travels.

I recall on my visit to Jamaica the small city below a nice mansion were people lived in cardboard boxes. $700 in these instances could really go a long ways. I'm assuming you are not concerned about the tax deduction.
1 Reply
Mubarak Thakur
Real Estate Investor · mumbai · Member since 2010 · 7 posts · 2 votes
16y
hi rich,
another great example that you set for other member of BP to follow. you are right when you say that it is better to give an individual then a group.
It is better to give it to someone who is really very needy something like don mentioned. GO WITH YOUR HEART.
1 Reply
Vikram C.
Real Estate Investor · Phoenix, AZ · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
16y
Rich, I like charity that has a multiplier effect. Here are the types of things that I would do:

1. Give matching funds to a poor person who wants to get a higher education - you pay 50% and the kid has to figure out the other 50%. Tie that in with minimum grade expectations. Once the kid graduates, he / she will be able to contribute to society far in excess of what you paid.

2. Pay for the rent of an entrepreneur in your area whose business idea you like. If the business succeeds, it will generate employment for many people, thus giving your money more long-term value.

I very much prefer giving money where there is more than a dollar of value created for every dollar given.
4 Reply
Jeff Tingelstad
Poulsbo, WA · Member since 2010 · 1 post · 3 votes
16y
Rich - This is great that you are looking to do this.

I second the Kiva.org suggestion. I would also recommend http://www.vittana.org/. It is a website using a microloan model for education.

I am currently living and teaching in Vietnam and many students are unable to afford opportunities to better themselves. This looks like a good way to help people.

I have account on both sites and have been happy with both of them.
3 Reply
Steve Nicewarner
Bellevue, WA · Member since 2008 · 156 posts · 57 votes
16y
Originally posted by motiv8td:

Find a non-profit, or even a for-profit for that matter, that teaches youth in middle school, high school and even college, the importance of self preservation and financial literacy.

I was going to mention something similiar. What you want, I believe, is Junior Achievement.
1 Reply
Nick J.
Residential Real Estate Broker · Payson, AZ · Member since 2009 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
16y
Originally posted by Steve Nicewarner:
Originally posted by motiv8td:

Find a non-profit, or even a for-profit for that matter, that teaches youth in middle school, high school and even college, the importance of self preservation and financial literacy.

I was going to mention something similiar. What you want, I believe, is Junior Achievement.

ya, thats what I think it was called now. http://www.jaaz.org/
1 Reply
Steve Babiak
Real Estate Investor · Audubon, PA · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 8k+ votes
16y
Rich,

I think those funds could be very useful for distribution on your trip to country #100, if you were to follow my suggestion of pursuing a "missionary" type of trip. On such a trip, you will surely encounter a number of individuals who could all benefit greatly from receiving even a portion of that amount.
1 Reply
Mitch Kronowit
SFR Investor · Orange County, CA · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
16y
So many great ideas and such an inspiration for all!

Like so many said, it may be a small amount to one, but a huge deal to someone else.

Remember the fable of the man who found a number of starfish washed up on the beach and dying in the hot sun. He ran over, picked one up, and tossed it back into the ocean before continuing on his way. His companion said, "There must be thousands of starfish on that beach. Throwing one back in won't make a difference." The man looks at his friend and replies, "It made a difference to THAT one."
0 Reply
Rich Weese
OP
Real Estate Investor · the villages, FL · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
16y
I've been studying kiva.org this afternoon. What a fantastic program. I suggest everyone take a look at it. For as little as a $25 loan, you can help someone help themselves worldwide. Check it out. Rich
0 Reply
Mark UpdegraffBusiness Member
Real Estate Broker · Rochester, NY · Member since 2010 · 1k+ posts · 713 votes
16y
Originally posted by Rich Weese:
I've been studying kiva.org this afternoon. What a fantastic program. I suggest everyone take a look at it. For as little as a $25 loan, you can help someone help themselves worldwide. Check it out. Rich

Yup, lots of lending sites like this are popping up. There has been a lot of controversy about US sites like prosper and the like.
http://www.my-personal-finance-blog.com/2007/01/15/prosper-sells-off-first-batch-of-bad-debts/

I think it is an excellent concepts as long as there is a good way to screen the person you are lending too or a better way of vetting "borrowers".
Podcast Guest on Show #112
Updegraff Group Realty4.742 Reviews
Website View Page
0 Reply
Account Closed
OR · Member since 2008 · 1k+ posts · 845 votes
16y
I won't give to any National organization. I don't want my money going to "administration", advertising, and fund raising.

My charity dollars go to:

Local battered woman's shelter.

A local shelter for unwed mothers that teaches the girls how to manage their lives, makes them finish school, gives parenting classes, trains them for employment, encourages college. (generally keeps them from turning into welfare mamas)

The local humane society

The local food bank

Since you travel, even small donations to any organization that runs a spay neuter and rabies vaccination program for local stray dogs would do a world of good, In any Latin American country and probably just about anywhere in the far east.

Suggestion: instead of handing over cash, pay a struggling person's electric bill.

Pay for a teacher's aid for a local elementary school that is over-crowded. (help 30 kids, not just one)

Most boys and girls clubs and head start type programs are struggling. Again, help 30 kids, not just one.

Give scholarships in fields that you want to encourage. It will make a difference to a smart low-income kid.

Didn't do it myself, but know a guy who bought a brand new pair of sneakers for every child in an orphanage. That was in Latin America, I don't know how well funded orphanages are around here.

Pay someone to go around to schools and teach both nutrition and how to balance a check book-- help hundreds of kids.

That's probably enough $ to run a dance studio in the ghetto, with some volunteer help. Give kids focus, discipline, skills that they can springboard off of.

Hey, if you are going to travel around the country handling out checks, you could probably get a reality TV show.
1 Reply
Mike McKinzie
Investor · Westminster, CO · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
16y
There are lots of excellent ideas here. Just posting it will encourage other's to make donations so that in itself expands your donation Rich.

As a Finance Director for a $7M Non Profit, I see where small amounts of money can go a long, long way. We service over 2,000 families a year with our various programs. I can tell you that the toughest group to gain funds for are the Elderly. I deliver Meals on Wheels once a month, and the kind of poverty I see in the United States is a complete embarrassment. (I work on a Native American Reservation).

Another needy area is Job Training. The education system has let the Capital System down, so anything you do to help in the Education and Training area will have a great impact. We provide scholarships and the two top areas are nursing and truck driving. When a single mother goes from waitress to RN, what a difference it makes for her and her children.

One other group that has helped me personally is the Red Cross. When my house burned down, they were on the scene with vouchers to hotels and restaurants (I owned only 2 rentals at the time, both negative cash flows!).

God Bless you Rich!!
:clap:
1 Reply
Account Closed
Member since 2010 · 156 posts · 65 votes
16y
rich colleague request sent
0 Reply
Rich Weese
OP
Real Estate Investor · the villages, FL · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
16y
Thanks Mike M
MB- I accepted your request. PM me. Rich
0 Reply
Rich Weese
OP
Real Estate Investor · the villages, FL · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
16y
Thank you so much for all these great suggestions. I learned a lot from checking into many of the programs BP members reccommended. I have a lot to consider.
I was asked by several BP members what I decided. Happy to reply. The first check was split as follows:
donation to BP
a poor area elementary school
an elderly lady in need

All of these were suggested by BP members. Thanks again. Rich
3 Reply

Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.

Log In Join for Free