What to do with all those picked-up pennies?

re: What to do with all those picked-up pennies?

Saundra Neely — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:15:50 GMT

We are avid walkers and pick up stuff on the roads/sidewalks all the time. We call it 'roadkill'. I have some big jugs of pennies and it never occurred to me to make a donation out of it. Thanks for the idea Donna.

quiltersammy

re: What to do with all those picked-up pennies?

Donna Freedman — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 20:47:16 GMT

Sammy: I could also give up fresh fruit and soap -- that would save me a lot of money each year, too. The fact is, I consider the newspaper important to my life and will go ahead and splurge. (Although in my case, it's a business expense.)

Incidentally, I donate a LOT more than my picked-up coins each year. This is just one more way to give.

Thanks for reading Smart Spending.

Best regards,

Donna Freedman

re: What to do with all those picked-up pennies?

Sammy — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 19:52:30 GMT

Donna if you gave up that newspaper subscription you would have a lot more than $35 to $30 to donate each year.

re: What to do with all those picked-up pennies?

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 04:47:51 GMT

em Yes there are low income housing,food cards,low income electric,food banks,churches,wic,family cash if your not working with kids,low cost or free daycare some states have free two days a week daycare just to give you a break if your low income.medical and some states if you get up early and wait in line to get help to pay your bills for a month. Most of the housing you have to be on a waiting list in my little town that takes about a month some times not at all. But the big cities you could be on the list for years.Yes I too give year round. I work for a company that does fund raisers every other month and weekly I have a set amout that comes right out of my check .As for the stuff that comes in the mail I pick 4 a year.As for finding money well I just don't have that much time on my hands.

re: What to do with all those picked-up pennies?

Aunt Jenny — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 02:39:02 GMT

You must have very good eyesight Donna. The only money that I have found this year was a bright shiny nickle and I was using a metal detector! :)

re: What to do with all those picked-up pennies?

SuzieQ — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 02:20:28 GMT

Cindie, more than all the "givers" to organized (albeit goodhearted and good doing) charities, I salute your friend, who has the courage to step outside the box and actually throw away her money...but she also has the opinion that she's doing good because whomever asked her NEEDED the donation....duh?

re: What to do with all those picked-up pennies?

Cindie — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:43:49 GMT

Selecting appropriate charaties is the problem. Most stores, even family dollar, have their own charity drives where customers are hit up for the change left from a purchase, or a dollar to put your name up on a slip of paper. I question where the money is actally spent-my community or nationwide-and how the fund is administered , but mostly I don't appreciate the constant pressure!

I have a friend that gives a dollar to any transient that asks if she has it in her pocket. When confronted with the fact that they will use it for alcohol or drugs, her response is that it isn't her place to decide the need. That is between them and god. Her ability and willingness to respond to the request is her acknowledgement to god that he has given it to her to spare and it is enough that she has been asked.

cool philosophy

re: What to do with all those picked-up pennies?

em — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:10:04 GMT

I have a certain amount of money I feel comfortable giving every month because people do need help 12 months out of the year and not just during the holidays.

I always wonder, though, how does one get to the point they can't feed themselves, live in tents or have the lights shut off? Aren't there programs people can donate to that would get people out of poverty so we all don't feel so horrible to see people living in these conditions?

re: What to do with all those picked-up pennies?

NancyinFL — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:25:59 GMT

Timely reminder, Donna.

I usually donate once a year to our local Daily Bread food bank. I do it in November, around Thanksgiving, because that's when the Food for Families drive starts, and it's close enough to the end of hurricane season to safely donate nonperishable foods. This year, with so many in need, I REALLY cleared the shelves with three donations and worked a food drive in conjunction with the US Postal Service.

The real measure of your wealth is not what you spend; it's in what you keep and HOW you spend. I cannot keep hurricane food forever, and if some of my time helps someone else, then it is the least I can give.

re: What to do with all those picked-up pennies?

Phyllis — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:18:03 GMT

I just learned that the power company now sells gift-cards for payment on the power bill. You bet that purchasing one everytime you pay your bill and slipping it in an envelope as an annoymous gift to those you know are are struggling will be well received. Alot of the chain dollar type stores have a lot of new name brand toys for under $10. these could make alot of kids happy for as little as your coffee or soda money. Merry Christmas all