The following is a list of ways that might make it possible to be able to give a hand up towards other people without completely taking money away from yourself. These money saving tips can help you become part of something grand (alleviation of poverty) with very little cost and effort. If you are able to afford any of these “prices” then please help us fight the good fight.

Gift for yourself

During the holidays, in the midst of shopping for everyone else’s gift, I often get the urge to get something for me too. I think I am not the only one who feels this. But instead of buying something right away, we can choose to lend $25 to an entrepreneur. Once we get the money back, then we can treat it like a regular gift card although my feelings about them are pretty clear.

Data plans

Most carriers allow you to take off or add a data plan to your service package. If I go without internet on my phone for one month, I will suddenly have $30 to lend. You can do the same.

No soda

I like to drink soda. I usually go through about sixteen bottles every month. If I were to give that up at one sixty five a bottle, I will have $26.40 to put towards helping someone out.

No coffee

I do not drink coffee but I hear lattes are expensive. Ten and a half lattes at Starbucks is all you would have to give up in order to save enough ($25) to loan to someone at Kiva. When you get the loan money back, then you can double your caffeine intake to make up.

DirecTV

This service costs $30 a month. If you watch Hulu instead for the month, then that is one extra loan that can go out there in the world.

Gas downgrade

Switching from 91 grade to 87 grade gas for three months will net a savings of $25.20. I used a fifteen gallon tank a week for my calculations and a fourteen cent difference between the two grades which was common in my zip code.

Netflix

Downgrade Netflix has multiple levels of subscription. I found that switching from the premium to the lowest, will save eight dollars a month. In three months, these savings will be enough for a loan.

Zankou Chicken– eating out

Everyone likes to eat out but a meal between two people usually runs me about 26 dollars. For the sake of helping those less fortunate, I can postpone one meal. Then when I get my money back I can eat all the chicken I want.

TGIF

This is another place that is offering a meal for two costs only $20. One less visit to this place will be all it takes to fund a loan.

DVDs

The X-Men: Origins costs $24.99 at the Best Buy website. We can instead help originate (it’s a stretch) some hope for an entrepreneur in developing nation with a loan and when they pay the money back, then we can buy the DVD.

2 AMC tickets

A movie night for two people costs $26. Loan instead and watch real drama unfold as you get updates on how your money is making a difference. And after you get your money back, you can go watch movies to your hearts delight.

Stamps

The average person has a phone bill, one car payment, and six or seven credit card bills. If you were to use online billing instead of postage for all of these, you can save $38 a year. That money would be greatly appreciated in developing nations.

Freeze gym membership

Most gyms will let you freeze your membership without completely canceling it. Freeze for one month and that is an instant $30 you can use to fund a loan.

Avoid one overdraft

Chase Bank charges $33(!) per overdraft. That money could be doing so many other things, better things… Use tools such as Mint.com to keep track of your cash flow.

Pedicure

It was awkward to do the research and ask girls how much the average pedicure costs but most agreed that it usually falls between $25-$35. One month of regular looking nails is not too big a sacrifice, I think, to help someone get out of poverty.

One new hardback

Some time off from work might finally allow the bookworms among us to catch up on reading. But a brand new thriller from Amazon can easily cost $25. I think that money can go to microfinance and bookworms can instead read up on the story of how Kiva got started.

Stocking stuffer

While I was shopping for presents, I accidentally walked into Crate & Barrel. They had signs all over the store stating that they had stocking stuffer gift ideas starting at $25. Why not stuff a Kiva certificate in someone’s email inbox instead? Then when the loan gets repaid, the recipient can go to Crate & Barrel themselves and buy a $25 whisk. At least that’s what I think it was.

So there you have it. Last minute gift ideas? Maybe. But more importantly, these are just some examples of things we can give up just for the moment to help entrepreneurs in developing nations. They might seem small and trivial to us but it could possible mean surviving or not surviving for others. But one thing is clear: they do not need our charity to survive. They only want to be given a chance. That in itself is a great gift.

(photo: mercedesdayanara)

Give Back–Join Our Kiva Lending Team!
Total Team Loan Amount Since 12/24/09 — $475.00

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Related Posts:

1. Sponsored Kiva Entrepreneurs: Nulu Sseremba’s Group, 11/06/09
2. Sponsored Kiva Entrepreneurs: Mr. Oeurn San Village Bank Group, 11/20/09
3. Money Talks–CHAPTER 2 (WHY KIVA?)

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