Spreading Joy

Making a Difference One Person At a Time One Day At a Time

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50 Ways to Make a Difference without Spending a penny!

 
 
 
 
The question I get asked most of all is “how can I make a difference when I can’t even make ends meet?”  or I need easy ways to make a difference, or easy ideas to make a difference, or what are small ways to make a huge difference….  I hear ya! I understand! We all desire to make a difference for others but sometimes the lack of finances hinder us from doing so.  I came up with 50 Ways to Make a Difference without Spending a Penny because we often feel horrible for not doing more, for not being able to give out $500 here or there or pay off someone’s Christmas Layaway then we shouldn’t do anything at all. That isn’t the right way to look at things.
 
Making a difference doesn’t have to cost a lot.  
We all desire to give to others, to make a difference but feel that we can’t because of finances.  
 

So many people have been laid off of their jobs or have had significant cut backs as to the amount of hours worked (which is the case in my family -- my husband is not getting a full 40 hour week and boy does that hurt.) The head says “you can’t afford to give and make a difference” while your heart screams “you can’t afford NOT to give and make a difference!” So, what is a person that has a desire to give BIG (and I’m talking give “Oprah big”) supposed to do when the money isn’t there? Forget about the “BIG” portion of giving and simply do what you can with what you have. (No guilt…no guilt because you can’t do more.)

 
I truly do love to buy things for the sole purpose of giving them away. When my children see things are obviously not for them, they will immediately ask “Who is that for?” because they know that I normally don’t keep things -- I give them away.
 
With my husband’s hours being cut back, I’m still going to give or do something daily to make a difference.
 
I’m still going to be reminding others to do what you can with what you have…and don’t feel guilty about it!  When finances increase, you will likely increase your giving because you’ll be in the habit of spreading joy to others.
 
Have fun spreading joy!
 
If you find yourself asking How can I make a difference? Check out some of the ways I’ll be Spreading Joy while the finances are extremely tight!
 

1. Pass on a book that you’ve enjoyed. Write a note in the front saying what you enjoyed and instruct the next “owner” to pass it on after they have read it.

2. Instead of “googling” when searching -- use Good Search and these guys will make a donation to Spreading Joy. (there is a button on the right that will take you there)

3. Donate gently used dvd’s, vhs tapes and video games -- I’m sure Spreading Joy can find those that will love to use them.

4. Be Positive today -- with the depressing economy, bills falling behind -- this can really be tough, but it will encourage those around you and in the process bring joy to yourself.

5. Donate expired coupons to the troops overseas.

6. Thank a Police Officer today (hopefully NOT while you are getting a ticket!)

7. Give time to your spouse -- do something together, visit a park, bookstore etc.

8. Donate household items to Spreading Joy  or other Ministries to pass along to others in need.

9. Hold a yard sale and donate half of the proceeds to a Charity in need.

10. Taking the 30 day challenge? Tell me about it here.

11. Baby sit for a friend/neighbor for free.

12. Serve a meal at a homeless shelter or women’s shelter

13. Encourage our soldiers. Send a free letter here.

14. Mentor someone -- have you started your own business? Are you an expert in a certain field? Share that talent!

15. Donate unused craft items to a daycare or elementary school.

16. Turn in those Box Tops for Education -- found on Pillsbury items. Keep these, even if you don’t have kids. There is a school near you.

17. Smile at everyone you come in contact with today.

joy is net of love

18. Offer to let someone ahead of you in line.

19. Volunteer in a Nursing home.

20. Donate blood.

21. Donate Plasma -- and get paid for it.

22. Organize a book drive -- get your neighborhood to donate gently used books. Pass out a flier asking for books -- giving instructions to leave them in a bag on the porch letting them know you will pick them up the next week.

23. Turn in your Campbell’s Soup Labels

24. Have a family meal at the table -- talk about current events in the family.

25. Give a handwritten note of encouragement.

26. Start a Gratitude Journal -- leave it out for others to see as they visit you.

27. Donate gently used magazines to a nursing home

28. <-this has been missing for a year and a half, and NO one has said a thing to me about it. LOLOLOL just realized today 10.10.10 hahhaha. I LOVE it!, Leaving it and thank goodness for bonuses. LAUGH at YOURSELF is #28 🙂

29. Call someone who is not feeling well and talk until you make them laugh

30. Volunteer at an animal shelter -- play with the animals.

31. Visit with the elderly or someone who can no longer get out as much as they’d like.

32. Pick flowers from your garden and give away.

33. Volunteer for your local church.

34. Give a thank you card to someone who has made a difference in your life.

35. Run errands for a new Mom (or someone that is sick)

36. Pick up trash you see as you are walking on your route.

37. Volunteer to read to a class at your local Elementary school

38. Write a thank you note to your child’s teacher.

39. Seek out a store manager and let them know what an excellent employee your grocery bagger was. (or cashier).

40. Donate gently used clothing.

41. Volunteer at a hospital.

42. Donate your “free items” from the buy one get one free -- to a local food pantry.

43. Leave a note hanging in or on your mailbox thanking your mail carrier for always being so dependable!

44. Speak to the elderly you pass -- look them in the eye and smile. We tend to forget about the great individuals who paved the way for us.

45. Say Please and Thank you -- show sincere appreciation.

46. Go to Church. There are so many churches. When people get discouraged, that is one of the first places they’ll go. You can encourage so many people this way!

47. Make extra chili and cornbread muffins -- and take to a neighbor.

48. Bake homemade cookies with items you have in your pantry and share with neighborhood children.

49. Donate extra blankets to a homeless shelter.

50. Give a basket of home grown veggies.

51. (a bonus!) Host a game night with your family -- eat dessert first! Turn off cell phones (ok -- kids, you can leave yours on….) but spend time laughing together playing games!

There you have it -- 50 Ways to make a difference without spending a single penny.

If you loved this article then you’ll absolutely LOVE our book -- Spreading Joy Daily!  Easy to read with ideas of inspiration for every day!  Men, Women and Children can do these things and impact others!  Click Here to Check it Out

 
 
Everyone can absolutely make a difference! The real question is -- will you?
 
Make a Difference
 
How are you Spreading Joy? Do you have any other ideas of making a difference without spending any money? If so, please share them in the comments! (that would count a too -- because we all need as many ideas as we can get!)
 
 
Below is a PDF version of this post you can easily print. Enjoy!
 
 
If this has helped you, then check out ANOTHER 50 Ways to Make a Difference Without Spending a Penny. You will LOVE it!
 
Have fun making a difference!
no joy like spreading joy

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© 2009 -- 2020, Spreading Joy. All rights reserved.

Comments

  1. 59

    Hi!
    Tried number 13. The link for letters to the troops is not working. Do you have another link that will work? Thanks!

    Reply
  3. 61

    Great list! I do offer extra big thank yous and compliments to customer service people especially if service was both exceptional and my child(ren)’s behavior(s) not so much.

    Reply
  7. 65

    These are some really thoughtful ideas. I did have a thought about your police officer comment though. What if you DID say thank you while getting a ticket? What a witness that would be! I really struggle with driving slowly. We live in the middle of nowhere, and I’m really bad at spending 30 minutes sitting in the car. I wrote about it a couple of weeks ago.
    http://heavennotharvard.com/2015/06/11/a-speeding-ticket-lesson-in-grace/
    Jennifer DeFrates/Heaven Not Harvard recently posted..Celebrating the Days of Summer

    Reply
  12. 70

    Love it! I’ve been doing the minimalism thing for a couple of years now and I think your list definitely reflects a lot of those same ideas — simplicity, spending money and energy on experiences rather than material things, challenging the American dream. Awesome!
    Jodi Spencer recently posted..Where is God when I hurt?

    Reply
  15. 73

    I’ve just been doing the first one on your list. While I was organising and decluttering my Study I found some books that I have really enjoyed and knew my friend would enjoy them too. She is a great reader but well money is not plentiful at the moment so off these books went to her to bring her a little more joy. Every time I see a free ebook I think she might like I send her a little message too so that now she will rarely have to spend anything on books but still have loads to read.
    Sandra @ Sandra’s Ark recently posted..The Spider in the Hall! – A Dose of Encouragement 81

    Reply
  16. 74

    This is a great list! i was raised on the idea that making a difference is essential. I have done some on this list, but I mist do more

    Reply

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