Financial Generosity: Member Guide

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Charity is twice blessed-it blesses the one who gives and the one who receives. Throughout history, women have demonstrated their philanthropic spirit. They have established schools, founded hospitals, and sheltered the homeless, never questioning their ability to make a difference in the world through their donations of time and talent.

Icebreaker
What did you learn about charity while you were growing up? What lessons have you taught your own children?
Things to Talk About
Generosity is an expansive feeling of abundance that you experience when you know that you have enough and you know that you have extra to give others. Charity is one way of affirming to yourself and to the world: “I have enough to give”. Many women have found giving to others just the affirmation they needed to make lasting improvements in their own lives.Pick the question your Club finds most interesting. If there’s still time, pick another one — or make up your own!

  • What charities do you believe in? How do you support them?
  • When in your life have you felt most generous?
  • What is the greatest gift you have ever given, monetary or otherwise?
  • What gives you a feeling of generosity, of “giving back”?
  • What do you think is your greatest opportunity for contribution to the world?
AS USUAL.
Catch Yourself Doing Something Right
Share your success with your fellow Club members:

  • What Money Miracle (unexpected good fortune) did you have since last meeting?
  • What did you do since last meeting to become a Money Star (a money-savvy gal in charge of her finances)? How did you further your financial goals?
What Will You Do Today?
Choose one Small Step to do before next meeting, and pledge to the group to do it. To select that 15-minute exercise, ask yourself these questions:

  • What are your money challenges before the next meeting?
  • What do you need to focus on?
  • What is the next step in your life — and what can you do before the next meeting to achieve it?

Don’t drive yourself crazy. Remember, you can do anything for 15 minutes! For example:

  • I will spend 15 minutes researching charities that do good works in areas that I care about. I will choose to donate to one that I respect and that makes good use of its contributions.

Or

  • I will spend 15 minutes thinking about ways that I can be more generous. I will concentrate on the wealth of skills and experiences that I have to offer the world.

Or

  • I will spend 15 minutes talking with a good friend about starting a program of regular donations. We will support and reinforce each other in our good works.

You get the picture. This is like Goldilocks. Don’t try to do too much. Don’t try to do too little. Do it just right.

More Cool Ideas for Small Steps.

Money Attraction Affirmations
Choose one affirmation to motivate you to achieve your goals, something like:

  • I am a financially generous person.
  • I have everything I need.
  • I have plenty to offer the world.
  • I am ready to give back for all of the good that I have received.
The Money Zone for Next Meeting
Cast your vote: Does your Money Club want to stay in this Money Zone, or do you want to move on to the next Money Zone?If your group decides to Stay in the Zone then, future Money Star, check out these fun articles so you can discuss them at your next meeting. Even if your group decides to move to the next Zone, you still can explore these on your own.Tips on Charitable GivingDiscussion questions:

  • Which of these tips is most helpful to you in your charitable giving program?
  • Have you given to any charities that you now think might be questionable?

Charity Database

Discussion questions:

  • Did you find any charities for causes that interest you?
  • Will this new information enable you to target your charitable giving program more effectively?

Gifting Strategies to Save on Taxes

Discussion questions:

  • How can you use these strategies to save on your taxes?
  • What can you do today to set up a gifting program?
Just For You
Before the next Money Club meeting, do the Just for You Exercise called Exploring Your Gifts.Don’t skip a meeting if you don’t get this done. Half of life is showing up, Money Clubs included. You can tell the group you didn’t get it done, and they will encourage you (not bug you) to make a date to do it soon.Discussion questions for your club meeting:

  • How can you show financial generosity in your daily life?
  • What can you do to capture the joy that comes from helping others?