Let’s talk about my new BFF (although she doesn’t know it), a delightful woman named Betty Londergan. She has a blog called What Gives 365. She decided to give 100 dollars a day to charity, any charity that tickled her fancy, using some money she inherited – even though she had just lost her job.
She writes that, “Yes, loss has raised its ugly head so frequently in my current life, I figure the only rational response is to roll with it. And start giving stuff away on purpose. Of course, I am ridiculously blessed, so I should be expressing my gratitude every minute of the day … which would likewise be a step in the correct karmic direction.”
I cannot admire this woman more. Betty is a Catholic, and in my Pope-of-a-different-type opinion, a model Christian because she actually models Christ-like behavior. When she started giving away money, consciously rejecting materialism, Jesus gave St. Peter a high-five and a hip-bump, while Mammon slunk away whining. If I ever meet this Betty in person I will give her the official SCNa Papal blessing of a Big Hug. Then I will canonize her. Her Saint’s name (you get a special Saint Moniker when you are canonized in the SCNa, BTW) will be St. Buffy. She will be one of the elite Mammon Slayers.
Needless to say, I am stalking following her on Facebook and Twitter.
Believe it or not, there are experts who can calculate charity-giving recommendations for you, so you are doing what you can without bankrupting yourself. One of those sites is thelifeyoucansave.com where you can use their handy-dandy sliding scale calculator to show what you could probably give over the course of 12 months. For example, the average family income for the bottom 90% of Americans is $31,244, while the average income for the top 91-99% is $164,647 and the top 1% has an average income of $1,137,684. (I will blogging more about this revolting disparity, of course.)
According to the calculator, if you make $31,244 you should try to give $312 a year, which is $26 a month. If you make $164,647 per annum, you should try to donate $756 a month. If you make $1,137,684 annually, then you should try to donate $14,327 every month. Frankly, if you make 1,000,000 a year and don’t donate lavishly, you are a total asshat. That’s not my opinion … that is a fact.
Now, go forth and don’t be an asshat.
Saint Buffy is now my hero – second only to some other Betties I know!
How awesomely cool is that!
I love people who are so genuinely beautiful and generous. Like you, and her.
Julie
LOVE!