The holidays often inspire people to give back to those less fortunate. However, if you\u2019re on a tight budget, you may not think that you have the means to do some good. Giving can be done any time of the year. You also don\u2019t need to be a professional athlete or Hollywood actor to make your own mark in this world. Here are 6 creative ways you can be more charitable without breaking your budget.<\/p>\n

Offer Your Time<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking to be more charitable, your time can be a precious gift. If you\u2019re handy and do a good job maintaining your home<\/a>,\u00a0 you can volunteer to build houses for those in need. For those who love and adore animals, you may want to foster dogs and cats until they\u2019ve found their forever homes. After work, tutor kids in language, math or reading at an under-privileged group home. During the holidays, offer to serve meals or hand out food at a food bank or soup kitchen.<\/p>\n

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Save Spare Change<\/strong><\/p>\n

Between work and family, your life may be filled with challenges. Money struggles, going through a divorce or being falsely accused of domestic violence<\/a> can prove devastating. The struggles can even ruin your reputation and hinder you from getting ahead with your career. However, by becoming more charitable, you\u2019ll be bringing good into your household. With the wide number of groups and organizations that are looking for assistance, you may not have the funds to assist everyone.<\/p>\n

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If you\u2019re limited on cash and have spare change lying around, put it in a bucket. Every time you pay for groceries, clothes or other necessities, you can put your change into this container. As the money adds up, you\u2019ll have enough coins to put toward charities such as the Salvation Army kettle. There are other small monetary donations that won\u2019t make too much of a dent in your checking account. Popular methods include when the cashier at a retail establishment asks you to donate $1 to help a homeless pet shelter or child with cancer.<\/p>\n

Keep Your Eyes Open<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Your local supermarket or retail clothing store may offer two-for-one sales or discounts on items. If you get an extra set of freebies, think about donating goods to a homeless shelter<\/a>. The holiday season is a great time to declutter your home.\u00a0If your used merchandise is in good condition, your local Goodwill center or thrift store may benefit from the clothes, shoes, coats and housewares. Your old electronics may also be valuable as they can be refurbished and sold to families in need. Eyewear can also be costly. Instead of tossing out your old glasses to make room for new, the Lions Club has a sight program that collects used eyeglasses.<\/p>\n

Be Kind to Planet Earth<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Earth has taken a beating in recent years as pollution and other contaminants continue to harm the planet. If you\u2019re looking to protect Mother Nature, adopt eco-friendly habits<\/a> with the family. If you get the paper or magazines delivered, recycle the material. You can also use cloth bags routinely when grocery shopping or tote a reusable mug when bringing your coffee to work. You may also volunteer for your cities trash cleanup program designed to keep roadways and highways litter free.<\/p>\n

Get Moving for a Cause<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking to become more charitable and stay fit, you can walk or run for a cause. There are a number of organizations such as finding a cure for breast cancer and helping the hungry who use walks and races to raise money. Encourage your friends and family members to get more involved and make a day out of the event. The Internet has a host of offerings, and the money to race is typically minimal.<\/p>\n

Focus on Your Family<\/strong><\/p>\n

Some say that charity begins at home, and it actually does. Although you may have plans to save the world, offer your family some love and undivided attention first. Instead of burying your nose in your laptop or cell phone, ditch the electronics and focus on your children, pets and partner. Break out the games or get outside and go for a walk or bike ride.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve stretched your finances to the brink, it can be challenging monetarily to offer your assistance. But giving back to those who are in need doesn\u2019t always mean reaching for your check book. Using the above strategies, you can become more charitable and still stay on target with your budget.<\/p>\n

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This is a sponsored guest post that does not necessarily reflect the views or ideals of Mommy Ramblings.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n