Jun 29, 2009
The Daily Poverty Post.
Just when you’re going along minding your dollars and sense cents, something presents itself that throws a wrench in the works.
This past weekend it was a fundraiser for the local community theater that played the part of the wrench — and keeping with that tool theme, Bossy and her husband were screwed because there is little they cherish more than their local community theater.
So Bossy and her husband splurged for the tickets necessary to attend the event, and it sort of worked out financially because Bossy drank her weight in champagne — but just when Bossy thought she had the cost of patronage all figured out, Bossy’s husband got ambitious with a roll of raffle tickets.
In the past, when someone or something has come a-callin’ for a handout, Bossy has pointed that concern in the direction of someone better off financially — but this is becoming more difficult in the current economic climate. And while Bossy tries to collect her own finances around her, many of the things she cherishes, like state-funded libraries and things having to so with the arts, are sinking, fast.
It’s a conundrum. What says Bossy’s council?
Very worried hearing the sad stories about underfundings and closures coming out of libraries in the US. Frankly it was such an amazing GIFT to go to the library when I was growing up in Edward Heaths strike frozen, recession laden, UK of the early 70’s.
It was warm, and full of books….and they let you take them home…free!
I’m with bossy, it’s the community facilities that make the poverty party bearable…I just wish that Gov’ts got that
I think funding those things is, in a way, like saving money because those community resources will be there for us later if we support them. My econ. husband would laugh at me but I think you’re on the right path.
Hmmmm…. I’ve gotten a bit stingy with my donations. I rarely give cash to organizations anymore, unless I am confident that most of that cash will go towards the cause and not get lost in administration fees, or whatever.
Remember, that donating time is also valuable… and if you really believe in an organization (like your local theater), then by all means you’ve got to work that into your budget.
I’ve been donating food to the food pantry once a week and just dropped off a bunch of toys to a local Children’s Nursing Home (for kids with disabilities whose parents can’t take care of them). I feel better about those donations than any of the checks I’ve written…
I do think it’s important that we all try to help out where we can – and with what feels right for us. As we are struggling, there are others that are struggling even more…
I’m still looking up conundrum so I’ll have to get back to you and I’m not sure I was officially sworn in on the council, I still have the cap and gown from graduation so I should still look smart so wave the magic wand at anytime.
I know I need to support certain organization because after all they got that guilt factor going on and all, but contradictorily with a cheery on top, they make you wear stuff like red sparkly blouses cut on a slant and who wants that?
Audubon Ron and his wife, Little Woman, give to people in real need. Why? Because the Little Woman sees them first hand and knows what they need and gives. She’s like a paper towel dispenser in a public restroom that way. We also rescue animals from cruelty.
Pretty much everyone else needs to sell tickets and don’t call me. Libraries should be funded by the state and have volunteers. My mother volunteered at the local library. Also, look for scam artists. I hate scammers. Well, I don’t hate anyone, I just don’t like them much.
Henry David Thoreau said, “Be sure that you give the poor the aid they most need, though it be your example which leaves them far behind. If you give money, spend yourself with it, and do not merely abandon it to them. We make curious mistakes sometimes. Often the poor man is not so cold and hungry as he is dirty and ragged and gross. It is partly his taste, and not merely his misfortune. If you give him money, he will perhaps buy more rags with it.”
Sorry for the long answer, you dropped a big question on the council’s lap. The question is sort of a riddle or a puzzle or a “conundrum.”
Time is money…donating time and skills are valuable too, but Bossy knows that because she painted a brick wall that the community theatre incorporates into all it’s productions even if it’s a brick floor or ceiling.
Hubs and I decided that if it is a good cause & we get enjoyment out of it we can donate to it. But, I am sorry to say, we have hid behind the couch when the girl scouts came knocking during cookie sales. My ass can only take so much good will!
And hips. And thighs!
Bossy’s council delving deep on Monday morning! Our family decided we can make the most impact by donating locally. We stopped dumping a ton of money at hubby’s college alma mater, and became involved with a non-profit that buys brand new beds and mattresses for families in need, and 100% of the money raised goes to that cause.
If you can’t donate $, you can recycle your old furniture and household items to their warehouse. I also donate my services and update their website regularly, so there are a tons of ways to “donate” without necessarily writing a check. Just being involved and caring really counts too!
Interesting, Meg. I volunteer (and donate) at a furniture bank in Tacoma WA. Love being part of it.
I say, be generous in the direction(s) where your heart is. Just be sure to be generous.
What they said. : )
If it’s local, if it’s something your family receives great joy (and hence a benefit from), then donate. Be it time and energy when the need arises, or financially – do what you can. But don’t break your bank over it.
I figure my small donations to the special projects at the library are worth their weight in gold. Because if I had to actually *buy* all the books I read in a year? Talk about a poverty party…
I just do what Bossy does–make sure I drink my weight (which is considerably more than Bossy’s) in champagne.
Champagne,the arts, and a night out at the local theater = tax write-off? You are putting the “fun” in fundraiser, Missy.
Well, I have a not-so-secret weapon in that area since my husband works in theater – so we get comps to see shows at least once a month! As far as fundraising I guess it depends on how much you are donating.
As for libraries, I feel like I do my part by paying overdue fines all the time..
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School fund-raisers, a couple of times a year. Volunteer fire departments. Lots of things I’m forgetting about. If I had a big enough couch I’d crouch down behind it and stay there, but, sadly, the fundraisers would probably find me anyway.
Yay Bossy! You are made of awesome for supporting your local theater and I applaude you.
My husband works for the state in that he is a counselor at a local high school. He is taking a pay cut and losing his secretary. I’m taking our hit….
What with salary decreases and credit cut-offs left and right, we are continuing to support the charities we always have, less 5-10% or so. I try to think of it as Darwinism hard at work. The best and most useful will survive.
Give when you can and don’t when you can’t.
This is tough right now. We’re having to get verrrrrry selective about where and what we give these days. It sucks, but at the same time we’re barely keeping our noses above water. Makes no sense to drown – and take the whole family with us – trying to keep others afloat.
Pah, recession! I hates it, haaaaaates iiiiiiiiit, my precious…
I have a saying….and it goes like this:
“I give of my time…because I have NO money.”
My DH has worked professionally in theatre for over 30 years. If we get any “comp” tickets..I always donate the price we would have paid back to the theatre. We also pay to be subscribers. By paying to see the show that means there will be more shows so he continues to have a job. Times are VERY tough but when the rest of the world is about doom and gloom, I know I want to escape for a few hours and the price of a good show or a small donation to a museum to escape is well worth it. Life without art, theatres, libraries, museums..I don’t even want to imagine it.
These are very scary times and unfortunately I have had to really curtail my giving. I now only give to Animal charities and only those that I trust are giving to the animals not to the director. There is one organization that only has four letters and rhymes with geta, that I NEVER give to because they’re nuts. I’m nuts too, but they’re nuttier. I have rescued dogs and cats first hand, but now the house is FULL. A good, fun, whacky full. But waaay full and those critters take money to feed and keep healthy. So that’s the state of affairs for my family. We’re keeping our nose above water barely and give a little to those charities that we trust. This is one reason I would love to be rich. Wouldn’t it be amazing to be able to really make a difference in someone’s life- be it the two or four legged variety of someone. Ahhh… to dream.
Ugh – I’m a big supporter of a local children’s shelter where my son lived before we adopted him. I’m SO SAD that I can’t afford to give them money right now and with my new job, I can’t even volunteer.
I can’t give money anymore so i vounteer. If there is a fundraiser i am really passionate about i will use my personal allowance for it and go without something else that month; that way i can still give and the budget still balances.
What is Bossy’s email address to join the poverty party?!
Bossy’s commenters aren’t just funny — they’re thrifty and wise and compassionate, too. And resourceful.
My husband and I do a lot of the time-volunteering, too (including as EMTs, because our town can no longer afford to pay us).
If it’s important enough to us, I guess we just do it, without much though.
As my dad always said: “Simplify, for God’s sake. You never see a hearse pulling a U-Haul.”
That helps my perspective a little.
Donating time is well and good, but many worthy and important organizations are going to fold without cash. (Did y’all see the announcement yesterday that ALL SIX of the Planned Parenthood clinics in El Paso, Texas, are closing due to lack of funds?)
Hubby and I are dealing with salary cuts this year, as well. Instead of not giving, we’re giving less per organization, but to more grass-roots-y organizations. We’ll probably give less this year than last, but are spreading it around more, if that makes sense.
I bought a raffle ticket at the Buddhist Temple Bazaar last weekend because it was a good cause and the grand prize, for which I was a shoo in, was 5K. Got the first part right.
Food pantry, food pantry, food pantry . . . . I know in our area the food pantry is in desperate need of re-stocking.
We often think of our needy neighbors in the colder months, but many families struggle in warm weather, when children who could normally take advantage of school breakfast and lunch programs are home for the summer.
The food pantries are heroic in their efforts to combat hunger — I love to help them be heroes.
On a lighter note, here is a post I wrote a little while ago about our scary cell phone bill . . . .
http://twenty-firstcenturyhousewife.blogspot.com/2009/06/deal-or-steal.html
My husband was laid off a couple of weeks ago, so in the name of trimming our budget, we’ve discussed reducing the amount we contribute to our church via offering, temporarily until he’s employed again. We don’t want to completely cut it out because it’s important to us, but we just don’t feel like we can give at our previous levels. It’s a hard choice to make.