Long time no blog! During this quarantine, I’m rekindling my love for journaling and blogging in a personal style, hoping to keep both you and myself entertained. It might feel like you’ve missed a lot, but we’ll catch up together. In the meantime, stay safe and remember to wash your hands.

So, it’s Day 53. Yesterday, we talked about what to do with your stimulus check—whether to spend it on non-essentials or donate it (and if you want to help feed needy families in Guatemala, here’s the link).

If you’re reading this blog, you’re probably in a better financial situation than most, which isn’t just due to luck. You’ve worked hard, saved, taken those extra shifts—so have I. I’ve built my net worth on my own as an independent single woman, and I’m pretty protective of that.

While I believe in helping those less fortunate, sometimes I wonder where to draw the line. For instance, with company bailouts: does a small business next door deserve one more than a big, wasteful company? Or, what about two small businesses with the same revenue—one with a frugal owner who saves and another with a spendthrift owner who can’t make rent. Why should one get free money over the other?

Yesterday, I mentioned that the $1,200 stimulus check seems fair because everyone gets the same amount, but should a millionaire receive as much as a minimum-wage single mom?

When you donate to a cause or a person, do you consider the choices that led them to that situation? I don’t have a clear answer. For instance, I fund scholarships for girls in my Guatemalan village based on their academic results. One girl’s father works hard in the fields, while another’s drinks away what it costs to send her to school. By covering her tuition and books, am I enabling her father’s drinking habit?

Another question I struggle with is how effective my efforts are. For instance, a homeless person mentioned that many charities are now providing food, so it’s no longer the main issue. Is buying a homeless person an $8 latte helpful, or would a decent pair of socks or a bus pass be more beneficial? When we give, do we really understand what’s in their best interest?

That’s why in my village, besides providing food for vulnerable families, I prefer giving work. Work offers them a salary and the freedom to use it as they choose.

When choosing charities, I pick ones I know well because 100% of the funds go directly to the cause in Guatemala, and others where 100% of donations go to the cause thanks to corporate sponsors covering administrative costs.

I could discuss this for hours, but I invite you to think thoughtfully about your giving. Aim not just to make yourself feel good, but to truly serve those you’re trying to help in the best way possible.