donate more to charity

I set a goal for myself at the beginning of the year for a certain percentage of my salary, and I’m nearly there. Should be there by the end of the year. :)

Last year’s donations to charity worked out to about 2.3% of my after-tax income (in combined value of in-kind and cash donations). So this year I think I’ll set my goal for 3%. Also, I have been looking for a charity where I can volunteer, as I haven’t volunteered anywhere for several years.

So far this year, I have achieved about 1.2%. I wish I had more cash on hand at the moment since I heard the Red Cross’ disaster fund actually ran out of money because of the tornadoes and flooding in the midwest, but I already sent them enough to blow this month’s budget pretty thoroughly. I used to donate to them via automatic monthly donation; I might turn that back on again. Other than that, I will probably hold off on more cash donations (as appropriate) until the end of the year, as my company does gift matching around the holidays, so my charities will get more bang for the buck, then. I will just save up the money to donate, until then.