Today’s Solutions: May 07, 2026

You don’t need to be a billionaire philanthropist to make donations that matter. Even if you’re on a budget, there are some clever ways you can give to good causes—even if it’s a small amount of money. Here are five affordable ways to be a philanthropist.

Rethink your rewards

These days most stores have some sort of rewards program, and, let’s be honest, they are really designed to get you to spend more. However, that doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing, especially if we can use those rewards for some good. When you cash in those points, commit to putting the amount you saved toward a charity or a good cause.

Round up at the register

Anytime you are at the store and are asked to “round up” or donate for a cause, say yes to the “roundup” or commit to donating $1 to $5. This simple action can have an incredibly positive impact on your money mindset and gets you in the practice of giving with ease.

Gift the free gift

Odds are, you’ve purchased something because the bonus gift was too good to pass up. (You know, those 3-for-1 deals?) Usually, in those moments, we are purchasing more than we actually need in order to hit the promotional amount. This is a perfect time to consider gifts for a birthday, a thank you, or a “just because.” If it’s at the grocery store, take the extra food to a food bank. There’s no shame in regifting the gift in this case.

Give back your interest

If you’ve done the work to put your savings in a high-interest savings account, then consider using what you gain in interest around gift-giving time. It’s money you most likely won’t miss, and you won’t technically be dipping into your savings.

Donate your savings on deals

We are wired to love a good deal. The next time you get 40 percent off on something, though, consider donating that 40 percent that you saved to a good cause.

Solutions News Source Print this article
More of Today's Solutions

How Paraguay cut its poverty rate from over 50 to 16 percent in two decades

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In 2005, more than half of Paraguay’s population lived in poverty. By 2025, that share had fallen to ...

Read More

Pro parenting tips to spark your children’s life-long love for the grea...

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In today's digital world, the pull of screens can be difficult to overcome, particularly for kids. However, the ...

Read More

Rainforest nations join forces to protect biodiversity

Late last month, major rainforest nations gathered in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, to address the rising problem of deforestation and safeguard the invaluable biodiversity ...

Read More

Investigating when our bodies change the fastest and why it matters

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Aging might seem like a slow, steady march, but science suggests otherwise. If you’ve ever looked in the ...

Read More