Centsable Giving: New Years (Save BIG - Give BIG)

In 2011 my goal is start giving back to those around me. I have always given but this year with a nicely stocked stockpile, and it continues to grow, I want to start making a habit of giving to a local food bank on a monthly basis. And to support that every Thursday on CentsAble Giving all the stores that I post weekly stockpile deals for I will post how items you can purchase from each store that will cost $10 or less.

My hope is that you can all jump on board and start giving back to your community with your savvy saving skills J. I wish everyone knew how to acquire these saving skills, but even so I can still use my own to give to those less fortunate. And these times people are in need.

Christ said the poor would always be among us, and that when we do unto others we do unto Him. So, you don’t have to be rich, just have the skills, know-how, & information to help those around you. And I am going to make it so easy for all of you to be a part of making a change in the lives around you.

Every Thursday stop on by and you will find some great deals to collect and give back to your community, for less than $10 wk.

For 2011 Centsable Stewardship is going to teach you SAVE BIG to GIVE BIG!

CentsAble Giving: Thanksgiving

For This CentsAble Giving I thought it would be appropriate to talk about Thanksgiving, since it is only one week away.

There is a two fold to this topic today. One is giving back to your community and the second is what are you thankful for, makes sense, considering we are talking about Thanksgiving :)

Luke 6:38 - "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap."

I want all of you as you make this week's shopping list, to through in a couple extra items to pass along to community services that give back to the needy. If you aren't sure of where to find a community service that does this, contact a local church in your area, I am sure you will find they have a whole list of services that are giving back and are in need of items, especially during this time of year. OR if you know of a neighbor or friend who needs a little extra help with groceries or other items. You can do one of two things either give them the extra groceries or invite them to take part in Thanksgiving dinner with you and your loved ones.

Colossians 2:7 - "Let your roots grow down into him[Christ], and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness."

Take some time to reflect on everything in your life you are thanful for. Life is not always easy, and times can certainly be tough. BUT there is ALWAYS reasons to be thankful. Just be thankful that you are alived and that God loves you should be at the top of your list.

Look around at everything you own, everyone that loves and surrounds you, look around at your surroundings. There are so many things to be thankful for in this life. Things may not always go as planned, we may not have the things our friends, family, or neighbors may have. But don't forget you have other things people in your life that your friends, family, or neighbors may not have. We sometimes thing the grass is always greener on the other side but with just a little fertilizer of gratefulness our grass we be just as green if not greener.

I challenge each of you over the next week to make a list of at least 100 things in your life that you are thankful for. It can be anything! Then share that list with your family, maybe even have your family make their own lists, and sit down together and share with each other everything in your lives that you are thankful for. Mediate and pray over these things and "...know that He is God".

HAPPY 'THANKS'-'GIVING'!!!!



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CentsAble Giving: The Christmas Jar

Today I wanted to share with all of you a great way to give back for Christmas. I read over on Meagan’s site, Frugal Fun & Fortune about the Christmas Jar. This is such a simple yet extraordinary way to help others around you.

Here’s all you have to do. Find a Jar, Cup, Piggy Bank, anything that hold some extra change. Throughout each day from now until Christmas throw all your loose change into the jar. Once Christmas rolls around take the jar and donate it to a charity group, a neighbor, friend, or family member in need, that could use a little extra change. You’ll be surprised at how quickly your jar will fill up, and how much (with so little) you’ll have by Christmas.

Here’s the other trick, don’t let that person know it was from you. Leave it somewhere where they will find it but let it be a surprise and let it be a gift from God, let God have the credit and not yourself.

The attached picture is Meagan’s personal Christmas jar, and she stated on her site (Frugal Fun & Fortune) that there is already over $30 in her jar. So, start today. We have a change cup, but I am going to get a jar and put all of our loose change in there and start adding to it daily.

I think this is a fabulous way to get your kids involved with helping and reaching out to others and teaching them about humility as well. Letting them feel great about something wonderful they have done to help others but letting God get all the glory (isn’t that how it’s suppose to be?). I plan to let my kids help decide who we are going to give this extraordinary gift too.

Who will you give this to, (don’t name names)?

CentsAble Giving: New Weekly Topic - Giving on a Budget

Welcome to a new weekly topic, CentsAble Giving. I am particularly excited about this feature. We will talk about ways of giving back to our communities, on a budget (of course!). 


I think our culture has lost touch with giving back to our communities over the generations, I also believe that we are on a trend back towards helping those around us. Really giving isn't just un-selfish thing to do, it actually is very selfish. By giving back to those around us, we grow stronger communities, which makes it a better place for us to live and makes us feel better about ourselves. 


I have no doubt it is in our nature to want to give. But I think that there tend to be a couple factors that us back from reaching out. I think time, money, and resources are the biggest reasons from us back more so than anything else. 


CentsAble Giving will give us practicable  advise on using as little money out of pocket as possible to help others. You really don't have to be rich or well off to give back. You just have to be willing and able. Thus, going on the theory we are all willing and able let's find ways of negating the time, money, and resource factors, and we can then watch our communities grow and flourish. 


Join me ever Thursday as we learn inexpensive and easy ways of giving back!