Hello my lovely community of readers!
May I interrupt this regularly scheduled blog to toss out (Gently!) a few questions to you? I would love your input!
1. I am looking to purchase something to give away to one of you as a means to also raise money for charity. I’ve done it before (And I’ll do it again, bwahaha!), but I’m wanting to know what item you think would be a big pull. Another iPad? A Canon camera or lens? A freezer full of breastmilk? (I kid, I kid. That freezer is for my kid, my kid.)
Think creatively, let me know what rather big ticket item you’d crave and think others might be excited about donating to charity to also have a chance to win. Thanks!
2. I’m also curious about your thoughts on giving. Donating. Tithing. Helping others in need, financially. Helping to fund someone’s adoption. Putting a check in the offering plate at church. All while in debt.
In your opinion, is it advisable for someone to give to others/charities/church when one has their own debt?
Does the kind/age/nature of the debt determine your answer? Is giving more, or less, when one is struggling to pay their own current bills a better option? What about when there are past bills? Is it a totally personal question that doesn’t have an objective right answer? I have some feelings on this one that I’d like to share (from our own personal experience with debt, bills and giving), but I don’t think I have thought through the angles yet as well as I could. I’d love to hear from you!
In other news, the folks at Lansinoh were made aware by a kind reader of mine that I gave away one of their lovely purple breast pumps the other day. They offered to give me four breast pumps to give away to you, since so many of you wanted to get your hot little, er, hands on one! Wahoo! Nope, I’m not getting paid by them (Or anyone! But if you’re offering to, just give me a shout. Ha!) to give these next four away. But if they offered to pay me with lanolin or those expensive little soft plastic valve things, I’d take them. Just in case anyone was wondering. So, I’ll be giving away those four shortly. Just as soon as I can come up with a clever way to run another breast pump giveaway. Actually, I have an idea already. That was quick.
Oh, but back to my questions. Please answer question 1 right in the comments of this post. To simplify things and keep them separate, you can answer question 2 in the thread I started right here. Please answer question 3 by sending me a telegram. (What’s that? There wasn’t a question 3? My bad.)
Off to the post office with the kids, again. Talk to you again tonight, I’m sure!
Let’s see….a Canon lens would be great but I wouldn’t turn down an iPad or a Canon camera either. I just read a comment that suggested a Kindle. That sounds neat, too. My choices in order would be 1. Canon lens, 2. Canon camera, 3. Kindle, 4. iPad. Just dreaming about winning was fun! Thanks for asking, MckMama!!
Maybe a few “smaller” “big” ticket items, Kindle or Nook, lens and one of those small FLIP video cameras?
Hmmmm….about the debt & giving…that’s a hard one. For once, I’m not sure I have an opinion. We don’t have debt now and give to a variety of charities and our church, more than 10% — but in the past, we did have debt and we gave what we could. I’m sure it wasn’t 10%, but it was from our heart.
Well, I do believe you should pay your debts and bills on time and not have them hanging over your head. Most churches don’t require the 10% tithe if you are struggling to make ends meet. Our family also gives our time with volunteering at the food bank etc when money is tight but our bodies are still able.
I’m not a big fan of online blog giveaways. The rules never seem very clear and often on most blogs there is no method mentioned on how they picked a winner.
If the charity is good it will stand on it’s own for donations. Kelle Hampton just raised over $100K for Down Syndrome charity in honor of her daughter’s first birthday.
Perhaps if you were raising money for the American Heart Association or some similar well known organization in honor of Stellan’s successful treatment nearly a year ago? That could be such a great way to honor him, thank those that helped him and perhaps help other children down the road!
I guess I just feel like people’s hearts would be in the right place if they were donating freely what they can without thinking of getting something material in return.
I guess I agree for the most part about blog giveaways. If a charity “is good”, as you said, it will stand on its own for donations.
But I guess I would just encourage you to look at the flip side, too. If Kelle Hampton had not created such a beautiful way for her readers to get excited about donating to the Down Syndrome charity in honor of her daughter, certainly that $100K would not have been donated, right?
And if Mck Mama had not raised awareness for Reece’s Rainbow then certainly that $10K or whatever it was wouldn’t have been donated to Sam’s fund, right? Sometimes, it takes someone, maybe like a blogger or anyone, raising awareness about an organization, even if it already is well known, and “good”, to spur people on….people who already have their hearts in the right place.
With what you are saying, if the American Heart Association was a “good charity” or if the Down Syndrome charity was “good” they both wouldn’t need a blogger to post to their blog and try to help get donations, right? I guess what I’m saying is, I sort of hear what you’re saying about bloggers “using” their exposure, gimmicks and giveaways when people’s hearts should really just be willing to donate regardless, but given the outcome of what these women have done with their exposure, I would say it is way worth it!
At least in the cases I’ve seen
There is nothing wrong with a blogger using their blog as a platform to help a cause but why should that be rewarded with a material prize?
If I remember correctly Kelle Hampton through her blog brought more awareness to Down Syndrome by showing the beautiful pictures of the children and their families. Her photos were so lovely and the tone was humble.
Isn’t that what it’s all about? Why should we get all excited about an IPAD or a camera and take the focus off of what the charity is about; the people we are trying to help?
I don’t even know what charity MckMama has in mind for this giveaway. I think that is something we should know before we commit our money to it. Money is tight these days and my family especially wants more than anything to give with purpose whenever we can. I mentioned the American Heart Association or something similar as her son was a former heart patient and I am sure her family is thankful for his healing.
If MckMama is used as a vessel to help the charity make more money then isn’t that her reward?
And isn’t our reward the goodness we feel in our heart for what we were able to contribute in some small way to help?
I think we are on the same page. I agree that if Mck Mama is a vessel to help a charity then that IS her reward. From what I understand she is doing this for no reward other than to point to charities that she believes in.
As far as “why should that be rewarded with a material prize” I do not think it needs to be. But is it wrong if it is? So many adoption blogs raise money with giveaways. And I remember Mck Mama saying with maybe the reece’s rainbow thing that people were giving even much more than the cost of the photo software she was giving away. If that does not prove that people were doing it–giving–for the RIGHT reason I do not know what would. If it was all about the software or the ipad or the camera then that person would just buy one. But to give more than the amount of the item itself? Sounded like people had their hearts in the right place to me.
And you are right we do not even know what charity Mck Mama is talking about. I can not understand why you would say “why take the focus off the people we are trying to help” when she hasn’t even mentioned it yet.
If you want to donate to a charity, donate. If you want to enter to win something and have your entry money go to a charity, do it. But what I do not understand is what purpose you are trying to serve by nitpicking the way that bloggers do it? Is not the mere fact that they are raising awareness and money enough? Or do you need them to do it your way and with the organizations YOU think they should? I guess I have no idea what your purpose with your comments is. Are you just trying to point out that anyone who participates in what Mck Mama might be doing isn’t really doing it from the “goodness” they feel in “their heart”?
I say there are probably a million and one ways to raise awareness and funds for what we believe in. Maybe you could go find one and do it the way you want…then everyone wins! And we can support people who raise money and awareness in one of the other million and one ways, too, instead of trying to point out how that really doesn’t seem to you to be the best way.
Lansinoh supports Planned Parenthood.
I can’t find any proof of this statement on the internet. Where is your proof?
I would totally CRAVE a camera lens, but I have a Nikon camera. So if you had a Tamron or some other lens that would be compatible with both Canon and Nikon, that would like totally awesome!!!!!!
Agreed! I a nikon gal too! Giving and debt…. depends how you define debt. But a person who isin debt beyond their means should focus on that and giving in ways that do not require monetary commitment.
I LOVE the idea of a personal photography lesson! A little sketchy to be bringing someone you “met online” to your home but if you could figure out a way to make it work… ie, meeting in a hotel etc… that would be a wonderful idea!!
All expenses paid trip to the ice house?! No?
Ok, how about a free photo session in the town of the winner? I do like this one!
Mmmh, that’s all I got for now.
THATS A GREAT IDEA!!!
I’ve been thinking and thinking and it finally came to me!!! The best thing you could give away is a photoshoot…. in our hometown!! Obviously not ALL of us, but whoever wins. Fly to their hometown and shoot their family, their friends, or in my case… their WEDDING! You could even open it up to people in their area and do multiple shoots during the trip.
A photoshoot with you in my hometown beats an iPad all day long!!!
A camera would be awesome!! And as for question 2 I think giving should be done no matter the givers financial situation. Giving also doesn’t have to be monetary. We can give our time and talents just the same. I do think though if someone is behind on bills and the electric is going to get shut off or home forclosed on, then any money they have should go to those bills first.
Definitely camera!!!!!!!
Just had a sermon series at church on money. Malachi 3:8-12 talks about how we rob God when we do not give. He asks just 10% back of ALL He’s given us. It’s all God’s, right! And we’ll miss the blessing by not giving. Our pastor said, if I can’t pay my bills, do I give to the church? No, but the goal is to give something to God…to work up toward tithing. I believe tithing is 10% – to church. Offerings are over and above that to ministries/charities of choice.
A great Canon lens … would give it to my college age daughter for her bday!
Winning a Kindle sure would give me something to do during my seasonal periods of insomnia. Definitely better than playing 500 games of Solitaire or updating Facebook every hour!
Ok, maybe it wasn’t 500, but darn close :0)
I really would love any camera related giveaway or post on how we can achieve better photos.
I am always wanting that perfect shot but not sure how to get it.
Have a safe and exciting trip to Africa soon. Can’t wait for photos.
Ipad.
10% of your gross income, no matter if you have debt or not.
short and sweet and to the point. yes on both counts. : )
I would think a DSLR camera or a copy of the photo editing program you use (my brain can’t think of which one….sleep deprivation is catching up to my brain) would get people super interested!!
laptop
An iPad, for sure!
Or what about skype/online photography lessons with you – one or for actual taking pictures and one or two for editing? I’m in the same boat as some of the previous commenters…I have an awesome camera that I am still a bit afraid of and know that I am not using to its full potential!
canon camera. definitely. DSLR
1. a nice camera would be lovely, I certainly could use one.
This is related, so I’ll just mention it. I was inspired by your amazing iPad giveaways and was able to get many companies to donate $1,100 worth of prizes for a giveaway I’m running. I mentioned this last week when I was interviewed for the local paper and guess what, they mentioned you
http://www.theexaminernews.com/2011/02/dagmar-bleasdale-makes-momsense/
Thanks again for being such an inspiration, Jennifer.
Ahhh! Neat that they interviewed and that you were able to share about the giveaway you’re running and the awesome donated items! So sweet that you mentioned me. Thanks, Dagmar!
I had no idea they would make the giveaway such a focus, but it turned out to be a very nice article. Kind of nerve-wrecking to get the paper in the morning and read the article for the first time
Canon camera!!
how about a photo editing program?
Camera!!
Hey McMama… just catching up. This comment is really totally unrelated this post, but have you ever tried to freeze your milk flat? It makes it WAY easier to store b/c it doesn’t take up near as much room once frozen. Just freeze on a flat surface in your freezer and then by time you go to put your next bag of milk in there it will be frozen and you can stack or line up. This also really helps when you need to use that milk and you can easily go right to wear the oldest milk is at. You may have already had this recommendation but just thought I would tell you what worked for me
Hope you are having a great day.
Thanks for sharing! this was a lightbulb moment for me (like, duh, why hadn’t I thought of this before???). Now I know, thanks to you!
It also defrosts much quicker this way. I do wthis with spaghetti sauces etc as well:o)
i have some of those soft things for your pump if you’d like me to mail them to you??? no longer pumping & definitely dont need them!
A camera or an i-pad!
But honestly, I’ll try to donate to help others even without a fun item to win.
I would love to win a lens for my camera! An ipad? I deal with winning that, but I’d LOVE the lens! Need ideas for a Charity? Look up http://www.sourcemn.org or http://www.charitywater.org They are two of my favorites!
A canon lens would knock my socks off!
I am all for a camera! Doesn’t have to be fancy, an entry level dSLR would be nice. Or a Kindle. Or an iPad. How about some software, a bundle of stuff? Okay, I am ceasing to be helpful. Anything would be nice, it’s really about the giving. Can’t wait to see what you have cooking…;)
Canon camera.
I think a new camera would be great. I think the debt question is a good one. I think people don’t count the mortgage as debt even though it is, so if you are asking what I believe God thinks is debt, then it is any bill you get in the mail to owe someone that you can’t pay off in that month. So, for my family and I assume 99.9% on here, we all have debt since most of us have a mortgage. So, with that being said, I think you should give what God tells you to give when he tells you to give it. I might never pay my house off, so I will answer the question, yes, I think you should give even if you have debt. My family does. I think every one has a different definition of debt. I don’t think God defines it as everything except your mortage like most Americans do. Very good question for sure…making me think.
I think any giveaway is a good giveaway!
As far as the giving/debt question- I think it depends on the debt. If you have a car loan or student loans then I think giving is a great thing- you can meet your obligations and are taking care of your own family aw well as others.
But if debt=other people not getting the money they are owed (and affecting how they can feed their own kids, etc.) then it doesn’t make much sense.
The Bible has a lot to say about debt, as much as I hate to hear it sometimes!
iPad for SURE!!!!
I forgot to answer question #2.
I am currently debt free, and I do donate to a few charities through out the year. I have also been a dog walker at my local SPCA since 2008 (when I wasn’t so debt free), and I love to give my time this way. Doing something completely hands on is a great way to give and not spend a dime.
It is ones obligation to pay off ones debt. When that is done , and family needs are met, then you are able to give to others. There is much one can do to help others that will not cost money. Giving of time, being kind and so forth.
Since you’ve already gone down the ipad road, I think you should try something different. Have you ever thought of giving away a trip? 2 airline tickets and a weekend away somewhere? Well, you said big ticket item!!
I was raised in church and I learned that you give 10% of your gross income. It has nothing to do with whether you think you can aford it or that you have bills to pay or debt. If we give out of “Faith” we are trusting that God will provide for our needs. Some may say, “But I want be able to buy enough groceries to get me to the next pay check. If you give sacraficially God will provide for your needs. My father once gave to another needy family and we did not know if we were going to have enough food to eat and guess what….he got a check in the mail a few days later that was from a hospital that said he had over paid on his account. I call that “God do what he has promised”. If we give to others he will provide for us.
I agree! I have many stories like this, as well. Check out Luke 6:38 and Malachi 3:10…. good stuff! God ALWAYS provides when we trust Him.
I’d also like to add – a tithe is the first 10% of your earnings, and it belongs to God. It is a tithe, whether I put it in the offering plate or I leave it in my bank account. If I choose not to give my tithe, I am robbing God of what belongs to Him. When I realized this, it really changed my outlook on the subject.
Thanks for getting the conversation going! It’s always an important one.
I totlaly agree here.. I believe God calls us to give what he calls us to give (our tithe) regardless of what else we have come up, going on etc. We are working to pay off our debt and I have to say part of me would LOVE to use our tithe to get out of debt faster BUT I know that we are only able to have a plan to get out of debt, jobs to do so etc because of God… if we trust in Him and give faithfully no matter what, He will always provide.
The only thing I feel strongly about this at this point is that it definately takes away the blessing in Heaven when what we give financially, whether to Ministries/charities/personal friends/family, is made public. When we tell others what we are doing or have done I strongly believe it takes away the blessing.
As far as raising money to help others on a public blog, ie adoption…AWESOME.
I think to give away a Kindle would be awesome!!
I would like to win a day with you, learning tips on the best camera to use and how to take such fabulous pictures. I take pretty good pictures too. I use a simple point and shoot camera and I really want people to know that you can take great pictures without spending a lot on camera equiptment. However, I am ready for an upgrade. I love your pictures and I would love to have a day to soak up as much information as possible.
I am glad that you brought up the issue of giving and dept. I have had a lot of dept in the past after raising two kids on my own. My finances and credit are in good shape now because the kids are on their own and I have worked very hard at paying down the dept. I do EVERYTHING, based on my personal relationship with God and that includes paying down dept and giving financially to others. I believe that all financial issues are intertwined and I can’t imagine concentrating on only paying down dept without giving at the same time. When I pay any bill, I always say a prayer of gratitude that I have a job and the money to pay that bill (it hasn’t always been that way). I feel the joy of that ability and then I kiss the payment goodbye as I send it.
I ask God on a regular basis to Lead me to the places to give. It just comes to me and I always know if it is the right thing to do. I am still at the “small/medium” level of giving but each year, it gets bigger and bigger as my financial abundance increases and my dept decreases. One of the things that I started with was donating a $1 EVERY time I was asked by a cashier doing one of those “Jimmy Fund” or other fundraisers. I also give to the Salvation Army EVERY time I pass one of those bellringers. It feels good and those dollars add up. I follow that good feeling into a lot of other types of giving. It all belongs to God, who blesses me every day with His gifts. I enjoy wondering where He will lead me next and I enjoy passing the abundance around.
Ipad!
I disagree with what most people have said about giving when you are in debt. I know that giving is important, but when you are in debt I think it is more important to get out of debt first. Your debt (and I don’t mean you specifically, I mean anyone with debt) is most likely affecting someone, somewhere. Someone who is just trying to make a living. And I do not think that making someone else wait to get their money while you donate to something is responsible. Pay the debt off first and then “double up” on your donating if you would like.
Absolutely agree! There are so many other ways to give than money. Volunteer your time, cook someone a meal, write thank you notes, etc. To make giving apart of your values is more sincere to me. Make it apart of your everyday life.
Totally agree. A couple in our church are actually moving to Africa as they believe God has called them there they have a two year old daughter. When his wife spoke to the church about the trip she shared how important it is for us to have our houses in order, our finances, so that when God calls us to do it that we can actually do it.
I grew up in a home where my mother bought so many things that we could not afford on credit and I would sit with my Dad when I was a young girl and watch him agonize over how he was going to pay the bills.
As an adult I have never bought anything that I could not afford, I do use credit cards as they are convenient for ordering on-line, etc., but I pay the balance in full each month. If I can’t afford to do that then I have to wait for whatever it is I want until I have the money. I try to live by my needs vs. my wants.
I agree. You can donate your time and talents when you are financially struggling, That is what we did when we were starting out. Now we are able to give more financially.
A canon camera for sure! I saw someone put a Vitamax- would love one of those, too, but it’s not as big of a ticket item.
I would definitly LOVE to win a Cannon camera. I have never had anything more than just a point and shoot, but have always wanted a really great camera. I feel like I could preserve the memories so much better if I had one. Saddly, I forget so much that pictures are often all I have to remember something important. So I would LOVE to have gorgeous pictures of my beautiful children to look at through the years.
an ipad!!
Debt is very serious. I pay each bill every month. the interest can eat you up. Taxes are paid every year by April 15 when due. We do without if we can not afford it. I love Dave Ramsey’s method.
My husbanc has been unemployed for a while. I will nice to not have debt only what we spend. Yes, we drive old cars and do not go out to eat much and do not take trips.
Definitely a lens! Something versatile, like a 24 – 70!
And all-expense paid trip to the frozen tundra for a sleepover with you and the kids and for photography lessons?? Ha! I’ve noticed a lot of people are saying “camera.” I have a nice camera…I just don’t know how to use it. I know, I need to just get out the stinking manual, but I hate reading manuals.
In all seriousness, I would love to have a nice video camera.
Hey I think an iPad would be great. Also a Kindle! That would be something you havent done before! Also one more suggestion. I would love to win a KitchenAid Mixer! Ooooh how about that. Whatever it is I hope I win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PRAY FOR KATE MCRAE!
That amazing camera lens you rented and then bought in the past year!! :c)
iPad!
This is a cool new product I just discovered: the First Spark Kids PC. I would LOVE to win one of these!
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/You-Spoke-We-Listened/FIRST-SPARK-kids-PC/pcmcat222000050001.c?id=pcmcat222000050001
I’d say some sort of camer or another breast pump (can you tell that I’m pretty desperate to get one??). Those are two things that this Momma is definitely interested in!
Totally an iPad. Totally.
I must say that I’d love a chance to help others AND possibly win a Cannon DSLR!!
How awesome of lansinoh! So hoping to get a shot at one of those for our fifth arrival (newly pregnant!). I got rid of everything and am starting over. Love companies like that have a charitable mindst and are willing to help. There is another infant company that I’m fond of for their helping us with supplies for the orphanage in Haiti we assist. That alone makes me want to buy their products.
camera!
iVote for the iPad!
A camera or lens would be a great giveaway. But if you’re trying to raise money, then another commenter was right that the lens might be kind of restrictive. Homeschool manipulative kits or supplies would be awesome, too! Or even a giftcard/credit to a company that frames photography or something like that.
My feeling about charity/tithing while I have debt is this: I give my 10% back to Him (where it came from in the first place!) before anything else. Then I pay my creditors. My church can use that money to support the charities we love until I have more disposable income! Of course, every situation is different, though.
IPAD!!!! Or camera! Either way, I’m in!!
Danke schon. (and please, no one reply in German, because that’s all I know! Spanish is another matter, however. . .)
I think you should give away a Nikon D5000! I would LOVE to win that! Maybe with aa extra lens with it!
*an
my hubby would say the iPad, but when I’m at home with kiddos all day, I would def say teh camera! I’ve been wanting a ‘starter’ user-friendly dslr camera for the daytime (and anytime, really!)!
A Vitamax! Just something on my personal wish list!
Ooooo that’s a good one! That’s on my list too!
Ooh…I’d love to have one of those! I saw a demonstration at Costco and was drooling, but I thought my hubby would be mad if I came home with a $400 blender.
The VitaMix!! What a great idea! I just saw this for the first time on QVC last week!
A Kindle
A camera
A laptop
Love your heart Jennifer!
A kindle, a camera, or an iPad are all gifts that I would want to win.
All three together! An ipad, kindle and a nice camera! That should do it! Multi- item giveaways rule!!!
Camera!
Camera or flip video camera
On the subject of debt. I agree with others that debt is usually incured from abusive spending. However we live in an age when many very responsible people are in debt. This debt could be from the purchase of a home or vehicle. These debts differ somewhat from debts incured when one lives beyond their means. This speaks to many persons in our country today. Many (including myself) feel we have the “right” to have stuff. So, we buy and charge things that we really cannot afford.
This is not God’s plan for our spending. We are, however, instructed to give…yes tithe of what is given unto us. You see what we have…it really is not ours. What we have belongs to GOD! So, when we give to God (aka others) we are just giving from the gifts we have received.
When we go out and charge a bunch of “stuff” we have no business having…then we are using those same gifts in a negative manner.
So…long story short…..Giving to charity is good, but it also needs to be tied to a change in the way we view “our” money.
Well that is more of my opinion than you wanted to know….I am sure! And just to clarify….I am really just talking to myself and not about anyone else!
It would be nice if the give aways weren’t always USA only things.
I think debt if often caused by unwise spending and it takes time to sort that all out. Tithes come first, because that puts God in the proper place, first. God tells us to owe no man. I think we need to work on debt and clear it as fast as possible. Then to give to others. When one can’t give money, one can give time. I was a single mom with four kids so, over the years, I gave much in time–to my church, and to others.
1.) I would be SO happy to win ANYTHING really! It would be a blessing either way!
2.)I learned in Church Sunday School, that you give whatever you have. Everything you have belongs to God anyway, not to yourself. I want to share what I have so I try to make sure that what I’m donating to is something that is a great GREAT cause. I also make sure that it will not put me behind on any payments. We do have debts, so I make sure to work donations into the budget.
Giving is not a matter of wisdom, it is a matter of obedience. If we don’t give back to God (via others) what He has already given us, then we have a real heart issue and that is much more important to deal with than a debt issue.
And I love the idea of a Kindle. Saving for one myself.
iPad for sure. Maybe a digital camera, not a dslr but something nice. I dream of a cruise or carribean vacation, but I suspect that is what everyone overwhelmed with the increase of children in their house dreams of when they have gone yet another day without a shower and have to leave the house or answer the door in funky hair’d shame.
1. I like the idea of an iPAD.
2. We give – we no matter what our debt is or has been have always tithed. In our house that is not even a question of weither we give it is a question of how much, but we always tithe 10% of our gross – give to God what is God’s and He lets us have the other 90% to do with what we want. This has not and is not always easy, but God has convicted us to do it – so we do. We also pray about giving to other things every time they come up and often we give something.
God has greatly blessed us and we have never gone with out – even when logically we should keep the money to buy groceries or pay a bill; He always provides and we always have food on the table and a warm roof over our heads.
iPad sounds good.
Camera please! It’s been on my wish list for ever!
or or or a maid service for a month? or for … ever?
A camera would be awesome!
I, like others, believe in paying tithing. However, for those who don’t, donating money while in debt can also give blessings. It makes you feel good and gives awareness of how your money is spent. Donate $1 and skip the soda at lunch.
I think you should give away a magic bullet. And I also think you should pick me to win. K? Thanks.
Also, I think you should pay bills & credit card debt before donating money. You’ll save money by not paying as much interest and then be able to donate more in the end. We just payed off all out our debt (except for mortgage) and then we were able to donate a bunch! whoop!
Canon camera!!! Or an Ipad!!! I would love to win/donate for either one!! Thanks for the opportunity again
How about giving something away like a maid service? Surely there are places where you could purchase a one-time service or something like that!
I think a camera would be a great great giveaway. Anyone could use one, and I could use a really good one! I have an $89 cannon that I like…but with 4 kids, it would be great to have a really really good one.
Also I think everyone should tithe and give above what they can.
Camera, computer, Ipad…. =)
We continue to give and trust that God will provide.
A Canon camera…WOW…I would so love to have something so totally awesome like that!
Love to read about your ups, downs and everythings in between, thanks for sharing with us, blessings, always!
The bible says to give tithes AND offerings… so no I think it ok to give even if you have debt. If you are working toward paying off the debt then I think God will bless the generosity.
A camera would be good. I think anyone could get use out of and love a camera. It’s pretty universal. I’m not sure an ipad is really universal. I wouldn’t care about an ipad. Believe it or not…I loathe Apple products…GASP! The horror!!! I’d probably donate without a product anyway, but I would be thrilled to have a chance at something really useful. (Like a camera
1.A camera would be great.
2. the bible states to give tithes and then the Lord will pour out the blessings of heaven and there not be room enough to hold it. We tithe 10% first, always and then work on everything else. It really is the Lord’s anyways, we are just showing obedience by following his commandments.
I completely agree. One person to read about is Dave Ramsey. He has an excellent resorce called Financial Peace University that our church did and found very helpful. His testimony is amazing- lots of debt, lost everything, now financially secure again. Tithing is very important! As to other giving, I personally would always pay my debt first while tithing, and then give give give when money is no longer an issue.
Oops. I clearly commented before I finished reading the post. Moving my answer now
I Pad would be neato.
thats awesome that they donated some more pumps to give away, its such a blessing to those who need them
A Camera would be a great idea, its more of a need than an iPad!
And, I Have debt, and do donate things to worthy causes… because the 10.00 or 20.00 doesnt make TOO big of a difference on my debt, unfortunately. but, It can make a HUGE difference when given with money from others, that it makes it more worthwhile!
I would love a camera giveaway, specifically a Canon EOS Rebel XS SLR. I have had my eye on that camera for ages, but don’t have the funds to make it mine
I think that, in regards to your second question, there are other ways for people in debt to give back, rather than to just give money. If you aren’t financially stable then volunteer your TIME somewhere instead. That is free and just as appreciated
a canon lens?! yes please.
I’ve really been wanting a Kindle…
I like the idea of a KIndle! I’ve been wanting one as well!
I LOVE the idea of a kindle! I want one soooo bad!!!
I wouldn’t do a lens, because that would really restrict interest (only people who have the right camera would be interested), I think something like an iPad would have a more universal appeal.
Ahhh, great point.
Ooo – a lens or an IPAD! But – it doesn’t really matter to me, because in response to your next question – no, I do not donate while in debt.
I would love to be able to financially help others, but while my husband and I get us and our family on the right track, our money stays with us. Right now – we’re not contributing anything to our retirements, our son’s college fund, or any savings what so ever – just trying to pay off the debt we have now (about $5K worth) as quickly as possible. For us – it’s important we get ourselves where we want to be before we can comfortably help others out.
1. Tech items like iPad or nice Camera sound great to me! And they’re relevant to your blog (homeschooling, photography)
2. Debt, in most cases, is a result of irresponsible money decisions. Tithing/giving/donating is arguably the most responsible thing you can do with your money. If you’re a believer in God’s word (and I know you are) there are great promises for obedience and tithing and investing in others. And I say, if it doesn’t hurt a little, what’s the point? If you only give out of your abundance it’s not really costing you anything. I’m also strongly in favor of getting out of debt as quickly as possible and avoiding any new debts with a goal of being able to give more and more in the future!
Blessings to you! I love your blog.
Amazingly concise input on the debt question. Mulling over what you were kind enough to share.
Sorry I didn’t notice the link to the other thread until after I posted. I was going to copy my comment over there but I’m having trouble.
No problem!
This is SO true! God doesn’t tell us to give but only if we can do so while staying comfortable. God wants us to put him and others first. However, if you are in debt, it probably isn’t the best idea to give large sums of money away; I don’t think God wants us to be irresponsible with our money. A lot of times, we get into debt by making really bad choices and being excessivly materialistic. He also doesn’t want us to do wrong to others and hurt them by skipping out on our debts. I do think every situation is different and different in regards to the type and amount of debt and where it originated from. Right now, money is SO tight for us and we made a horrible financial decision (and were scammed by a greedy loan officer- very long story) a few years ago that sent our monetary world crashing down on us. We ended up in a place we didn;’t think we would be in and have had to make super hard choices. We are working at paying down our debt slowly and scarily living paycheck to paycheck, but we do donate to church as we can and we make personal sacrifices so we can still find ways to be generous to others. I try to be a thoughtful person with my money and with my time. I think that you can make an impact that is as great or greater in others lives just by being present and lending a helping hand.
Oops! Also, we had an amazing sermon series out our church in the fall about money and how it relates to the bible. It was amazing!!! One of the things our church handed out were key chain things. On the front is says, “Contentment”. On the back it reads, “Lord, help me to be grateful for what I have, to remember that I don’t need most of what I want, and that joy is found in simplicity and generosity” -Enough by Adam Hamilton
A Silhouette machine would be FABULOUS!!
I vote for another iPad, I’d love to get my hands on one of those!
For me personally, a camera would be an amazing thing to get. I am new married (6 months) & my husband is starting to do campus ministry in New York. So a new {good} camera would be an amazing thing for our ministry.
Can you give me 8 hours of sleep? No? Then I’m out of ideas…
Hahahaa!!
I think a Canon 24-70L would be a great giveaway lens…
Techy stuff would be awesome. A lens…check, and ipad…check, hmmmm that’s all I got and you already gave us those…