We all strive to be generous people. Donating to causes that are important to us, tithing at church, supporting a non-profit. Is your generosity a financial habit or do you need to learn how to practice generosity?

ONE: Be intentional

Add ‘giving’ as a line item in your two most important budgets: your financial budget and your time budget. Generosity falls into two categories giving time and giving dollars. Take the first step and identify that 'giving’ is important to you. Those who plan their time and dollars tend to accomplish far more than those who choose to ‘wing it.’

TWO: Put time on the calendar

If you are planning to "get around to doing it" or "would like to find time to be a part of that" - you will always face challenges in actually doing it. I have a team of people who help me manage my calendar - as you can imagine, it is loaded with writing, zoom and phone conversations, planning meetings with the team, and leadership tasks. But what gets on the calendar is ultimately up to me! If I am not happy with the calendar, that is my fault!

Are you being intentional with the time on your calendar?

THREE: Put dollars in the budget

Giving dollars can be broken down into the budget, just like other expenses. Budget for giving monthly, annually, and for significant events. Here are some examples:

Monthly Giving

$50 at Christmas at Walmart
Homeless person on street corner
Friends or family who had a special opportunity or need
HACK: Having the dollars pulled out in cash allows you to be "intentionally spontaneously generous"

Annual Giving

Birthdays, Anniversaries, and other annual special days
Organizations to support

One-time Gifts

Weddings, special events