B’s Give Back
Big Hearted? Be Smart. Give Wisely!
March 15th, 2011 | Comments
Tags: B's Give Back, budget, Shopping
In the wake of the catastrophe in Japan we’ve received dozens of questions about charitable giving and are reprinting a piece we wrote a few months ago about being smart girls when it comes to giving. To preface the piece we’re including this quick 5 rule tip from the folks at The Charity Navigator:
1. Avoid giving to newly formed charities.
2. Send help in the form of cash (credit card/check, really) not supplies
3. Beware of solicitations. (see below phone calls/email entreaties/man on the street)
4. Give through a verified website (many are false fronts)
5. Keep tabs on your money: give to organizations that track how their money is spent and accounts for it
Give Wisely
It’s that time of year when in addition to giving to friends and family we make contributions to those in need, so several recent news stories caught our attention:
-Outside of Boston a tractor trailer loaded with toys destined for needy kids was burglarized and $15,000 worth of gifts were stolen.
-The Massachusetts Attorney General reported that 43 percent of all funds raised by charities in the state go to the solicitors and not the organizations that hire them.
-In Oregon, the Attorney General released a list of the twenty ‘worst’ charities in America; among those listed were organizations to help Firefighters, Vietnam Vets, Missing Children.
Since our mission is editing what is worth your spending time and money on, and since we believe in giving back no matter what the state of your pocketbook, all of this has raised an alarm. We want to remind you to be careful and thoughtful in choosing the charities that are the recipient(s) of your hard earned dollars. (more…)
Be a Micro-Community Organizer Connect the Dots and do Big Things.
February 6th, 2011 | 1 Comment
Tags: B's Give Back, budget, Shopping
All of us are looking for ways to make the world a better place. But how? You hear a lot about social good. Doing good. Social media doing good. And, it’s an abstract idea. Or you went on Jumo (the social network for doing good founded by the co-founder of Facebook) and you can’t figure out how it really impacts your life. 
We have an idea.
Have you ever thought of yourself as a community organizing type? Yeah. We know you’re not really interested in putting up placards, riling up passions, or running for President.
A fan wrote in today to tell us how in her neighborhood they have an online community board that connects neighbors in need. It got us to thinking. Everyone we know is on Facebook. (It’s true, even our 88 year old aunt is a stalker.) What if you were to get together a few neighbors and set up a neighborhood group or page and called it, ”The 800 Block on Orange Street in Jackson Township”. Let your neighbors know that it exists (just tell the biggest busy body on the street — we’re sure the word will spread).
Then when the next big snowstorm hits, or power fails, or heat wave strikes, those in need can post and those who are available can help.
Charity begins at home.
Girl Walk//All Day: Check it Out
February 2nd, 2011 | Comments
Tags: B's Give Back, Health & Fitness, simple pleasures, Travel & Entertainment
A while back, with great enthusiasm, we wrote about Kickstarter, a ‘platform’ for funding creative projects by people with passion, ingenuity, and creativity. From time to time, we contribute to a project or are just are so excited about an idea we can hardly wait for it to be completed.
We’re hard at work on our next book and are in the middle of a chapter on sports and exercise; our thesis is that physical activity should be joyful and fun. Imagine our pleasure at coming across this today. We want to share it with you.
Girl Walk//All Day
This is from the Kickstarter site:
What is Girl Walk // All Day? by Jacob Krupnick
“We’re making an epic, 71-minute dance music video set to All Day, the new album by mash-up musician Girl Talk (aka Gregg Gillis). The idea behind Girl Walk // All Day emerged from our desire to expand the boundaries around the idea of the traditional music video, which usually spans the length of a single track. This album-length piece will feature a talented group of dancers across a range of public and private spaces around New York City, turning the city’s sidewalks and obstacles into part of an evolving improvisational (more…)
Give Wisely
December 20th, 2010 | Comments
Tags: B's Give Back, Community
It’s that time of year when in addition to giving to friends and family we make contributions to those in need, so several recent news stories caught our attention:
-Outside of Boston a tractor trailer loaded with toys destined for needy kids was burglarized and $15,000 worth of gifts were stolen.
-The Massachusetts Attorney General reported that 43 percent of all funds raised by charities in the state go to the solicitors and not the organizations that hire them.
-In Oregon, the Attorney General released a list of the twenty ‘worst’ charities in America; among those listed were organizations to help Firefighters, Vietnam Vets, Missing Children.
Since our mission is editing what is worth your spending time and money on, and since we believe in giving back no matter what the state of your pocketbook, all of this has raised an alarm. We want to remind you to be careful and thoughtful in choosing the charities that are the recipient(s) of your hard earned dollars.
Ask these questions:
-Is this a non-profit charity or a for-profit business asking for your gift?
-Are you giving funds to a soliciting agent or the charity itself?
-How much of the money the charity receives gets spent on the cause and how much goes to funding the fundraising and/or the administration of the organization?
-Consult your state Attorney General’s office and online sites like Charity Watch and The Charity Navigator before giving.
Our point is not to stop giving. Our point is to be wise and watchful about who you give to. We never give to any organization that solicits over the telephone. Period. Who hasn’t received the call -usually in the middle of dinner- from the Fireman’s or Police benevolent fund? The organization that promises to help the local youth something-or-other-league? The teacher/PTA/school educational fund? You know the aggressive solicitor who intentionally make you feel like a heartless bitch if you don’t contribute to the cause or who subtly imply that should there be an emergency perhaps no one will come to your aid.
Our response is always firm and the same: “We don’t give over the phone. Please send us materials in the mail and we will evaluate your cause.” We have NEVER received any material in the mail. Think about that.
Look, this is tricky, charities need to spend money to get money and we’re not complaining about this. Just make sure you do some research into the charity you are supporting and not giving to a charity that spends 95% of monies raised on themselves and 5% on their cause.
The theft of the toys from the trailer is an obvious loss, the misuse of charitable dollars is a hidden one.
B’s Give Back: Teaching the Next Generation
June 12th, 2010 | Comments
Tags: B's Give Back, Community, Shopping, Volunteer
On Saturday we bring you examples of women who find creative, meaningful ways to give to others. This week we’re featuring Michele S. and her five year old son. Given events in the Gulf, we can’t think of a more timely message of giving back, not only to her community and her family, but to the future of our planet.
Michele wrote to us about how she donates clothing to shelters, teaches art to underserved children and serves as a role model to teach her son about reusing and recycling clothing, materials and plants. We were intrigued so we asked her to share more about how she and her son reuse what is around them. (more…)
B’s Give Back: Dining Diva
May 16th, 2010 | Comments
Tags: B's Give Back
A modern woman knows what she needs and knows how to get it. She also knows that other people need things, too–that we’ve got to look out for one another. Every weekend we bring you examples of women who find creative, meaningful ways to give to others, even when money and time are tight. We write in our book that you should find an activity that you love to do and find friends you love volunteering with –
Heidi, has this all figured out:
“I started a group called “Dining Divas”. We eat out together once a month at a locally owned restaurant to contribute to our local economy. Every dinner participants donate $5 to our Philanthropy Pot which is used to help local women who are struggling financially. We also walk as a team for chartible events throughout the summer to raise money and awareness. There is nothing more powerful than a group of women…we support one another and we support our neighbors. Currently we have 75 members and are going strong!”
Heidi L.
Remember to send us your stories. Leave them in the comment box above or email us at info@bitchesonabudget.com.
A Tennessee Volunteer
May 7th, 2010 | 2 Comments
Tags: B's Give Back, Community, Nashville Floods, Volunteer
B’s Give Back
We write in our book about volunteering: “If this time has taught you nothing else, it should teach you that life spins and turns on a dime; we are separated by only an accident of time and space, and the person on the receiving end of your help could just as easily be you.”
While Saturday is the day we feature a member of our community and how she gives back, we just received this story and decided to not wait until tomorrow. There is so much in our world that demands and commands our attention–a baby crying, a husband whining, oil spilling in the Gulf, Greece defaulting, bombs in Times Square, — that the devastation from flooding in Tennessee seems to have gotten lost.
“Hi!
I keep your book on my bed-side table. I love it! I’ve been thinking about budgeting, limited resources, etc. quite a bit this week. I was extremely fortunate to come out of this weekend’s flood with absolutely no damage at all, but there are those in Middle Tennessee and parts of West Tennessee who lost nearly everything. (Do a you-tube search for Nashville Flood and you’ll see what I mean). I volunteered at a disaster assistance center for the first time today, and it made my heart hurt to hear how much people had lost. It’s only going to get worse as the water recedes and we see exactly how much damage was done.
Could you give us TN people a mention on your site?
 People’s true character comes out when disaster strikes, and I have to say that the people of Nashville are freaking awesome! Hands-On Nashville has been coordinating volunteer efforts and from what I can tell, the response has been overwhelming. Other volunteer efforts are underway as well. In spite of all that, Tennessee could use some help. If you see fit to mention it on your site, there are many ways people can help. Hands-On Nashville (www.hon.org) has volunteer opportunities. Nashville Red Cross is accepting donations, as is the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee . Second Harvest Food Bank is in need of more food donations as well. These are just the few I know about. I’m sure there are others.
Thank you for your time. Again, I love the book!
Jennifer”
Thank you, Jennifer.
Remember Saturday (usually) is B’s Give Back. Please tell us about urgent needs, or simple ones, in your community (or the world), and how you give back.
B’ Give Back: Keeping Sanctuary
May 1st, 2010 | Comments
Tags: B's Give Back, Health & Fitness
Saturday is B’s Give Back day where we feature a member of our community and how they give of themselves to help others. Since one of our favorite haunts is the bird sanctuary (there is a whole section in our book about it), we were delighted to receive this note from a self-confessed Prada wearing, mud loving fan!
Ann Linde wrote:
“I’m a Prada bag by day and Wellies by weekend girl.
I live near an Audubon conservation area and it is the most beautiful place to go for a day trip. I started by just going for walks with a girl friend. Then as I got familiar with the trails, I started bringing a picnic lunch, a Field Guide to Birds and binoculars. It’s beautiful.
I don’t have time for regular commitments but there are always ways to participate. Everyone laughs when I tell them about the Loon count, groups of us go and count birds in a specific location. Other days I go and spend a few hours helping to clear paths. I get to meet tons of people and volunteer for a great organization.”
Tell us how you give back and maybe you and your organization will be featured in an upcoming Saturday story. Just leave your comment above or write us at info@bitchesonabudget.com.
Given the events on the Gulf Coast our thoughts are with all those preparing to help endangered wildlife survive the looming environmental catastrophe.
B’s Give Back: “Chocoholics for Charity”
April 24th, 2010 | 3 Comments
Tags: B's Give Back, Volunteer
Each week we feature a member of our community and how they give back. When we saw that this Saturday’s Queen B, Amy, participated in a ‘Chocholics for Charity’ event we knew that we had to share her story with you. It reminded us that there is no greater ‘rush’ than giving of yourself in a way that helps someone else.
Of course, what makes Amy extraordinary is that she gives back in so many different ways. As she wrote, “If they need a volunteer for something, I’m there!”
Here is Amy’s story:
“I deliver Meals on Wheels twice per month to local residents and shut-ins, and I coordinate 60+ volunteers from my office to deliver meals the other days of the month I am not available to do so.”
“I volunteer for an average of three (3) events per year for Treasured Chests, which rasies money to fight breast cancer in the Minneapolis/ St Paul area. Anytime the National Bone Marrow Registry has a recrtuitment event (such as at Twinsfest 2010), I staff booths, hand out literature and do whatever other miscellaneous tasks they need done (my brother-in-law is the National Volunteer coordinator for that organization).”
“I am signed up to work with Chocoholics for Charity this year, which is debuting for the first time in Minneapolis this year; (more…)
B’s Give Back: A Lifelong Giver
April 17th, 2010 | Comments
Tags: B's Give Back, charity, Community
A modern woman knows what she needs and knows how to get it. She also knows that other people need things, too–that we’ve got to look out for one another. Every weekend we bring you examples of women who find creative, meaningful ways to give to others, even when money and time are tight.
When Kim wrote in to tell us of being a busy graduate student, part time clerk and volunteer extraordinaire we wanted to know more about her. We were even more impressed when she shared with us that she began volunteering at age 11. Her long list of volunteer experience is impressive, and we were totally hooked when she told us about the wide range of organizations she has volunteered for: breast cancer research, animal shelters, literacy programs, book drives, digitizing library archives, serving holiday meals, Alzheimer’s research… and more.
In her words:
(more…)
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