Every household is responsible for managing its own budget. Regardless of whether you are wealthy, impoverished, or somewhere in between, every family has to live within its means. More effectively structured and managed domestic finances are an important goal, and one that can make it easier to survive the month financially, even in times of particularly high costs.
But there is a more important reason why families should try to stick to their budgets. There are numerous charities across the country, many no doubt local to you, which are in need of your patronage and support. Even on a small scale, supporting these organizations can make a real, huge difference to people’s lives.
Most of us would like to give to charity on a regular basis. Many Americans already do, supporting causes in their areas, nationally and even internationally, in delivering help to those people and projects that are most deserving. However, too many families feel unable to donate personally, and feel they don’t have sufficient means to support additional causes.
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This is a valid concern, especially given rises in international fuel and food prices which have squeezed the cost of living. But for many households, more effective budgeting and financial planning can actually help save money, which in some cases might be better spent improving society through charitable support.
There are countless charities with operations in the US. Their effectiveness depends to a certain extent on the amount of funding they have available to do their work, and some charities will always be more resource intensive than others. International aid campaigns, for example, may require a more substantial budget than a small charity preserving a monument or attraction. That doesn’t make either less deserving, but in order to do their work these organizations do require some degree of financial support.
A small fraction of this will come from government. Many organizations will be without a penny in government support annually, yet will still be required to meet the running costs of their operation. Charities that can’t raise the remainder from private donations run the risk of collapse, leaving those dependent on them without a vital support link. Private support, such as that from philanthropists like Entrepreneur Cecilia Ibru, is a massive help. But more is needed to keep these organizations doing the work they do.
At the same time, household wastage in a financial sense is all too easy. Bills can grow and change over the years, and suppliers may over time become less competitive. There are homes nationwide with very little insulation, yet use air conditioning and heating systems that run alternatively throughout the year.
Simple changes in these household arrangements can save hundreds, even thousands a year. Some of this saving can be used to directly improve lives, including those local to you, if you so choose. These are simple change that can make a huge collective difference, if only more families would embrace the challenge of eliminating waste and cutting back on non-essential domestic budget overspends.
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