I agree with the sentiment behind this, though I disagree with one of the two examples (as a vegan atheist). Christian Children’s Fund is a secular charity; I’ve donated to them myself with no concerns whatsoever. The “Christian” in the name refers primarily to the organization’s founder (a minister). They do not proselytize. (In fact, they’ve come under criticism from conservative Christian groups for “misrepresenting” themselves.)

On the other hand, I would be greatly offended if I ever received a donation to Heifer as a “gift”. It’s important to note that while you can choose a vegetarian gift like a fruit tree, etc. your donation does not actually go towards the specific gift you choose. It supports all of Heifer’s programs (including those that give away animals for food). Check the FAQs on their own website – they indicate that while they do separate gifts by category, they move funding between categories as needed and so they can’t guarantee that your donation will go to the item you “bought”.

(On the other hand, Christian Children’s Fund has a similar program, “Gifts of Hope and Love”, which I believe does match your funds to the specific gift you chose…)

Can food processors make cookie dough or cake batters with the dough blade? Or just bread doughs? How do I determine the size that I need to get (for either appliance)?

I have just recently gotten acquanted with Google Reader and must say that I love reading your blog posts!

I have a question for possible inclusion in your next Monday of answering questions:

I am currently a college student. Throughout high school I worked really hard to earn scholarships and save money for college. During my third semester in college, I started CoOping (if you are not familiar with this, it is where a college student works for a company that does work related to the student’s major, and the college student earns money and gets work experience). Not only am I funding my entire education, thanks to scholarships and CoOp, but I also have a lot of money just sitting in the bank earning no interest (on the range of about an extra $5,000 – $10,000). I am 21, and I have thought the best choice would be to wait until I make a down payment on a future house until I start investing long-term or putting money in a 401k. So I have been trying to put money in short-term CDs. However, I hear that CDs don’t even keep up with inflation at times (such as now – I think). Is there anything I can do with this spare money for short-term investing with little risk other than CDs? Is this the proper approach – waiting to invest after I purchase my first home (which I plan to purchase maybe 2-3 years after college)?

Thanks,
Tim

There are so many things I would like to learn with regard to finances and other interests, but I cannot seem to find dedicated time during the regular day. My choices are forcing myself to wake-up after I put my son to bed and work “after hours” or I get up at 3 a.m.? Which would you do?

With ING’s recent interest rate drop from 3.00 to 2.75 % for their orange Savings account, would you consider switching to other banks with higher interest rates, ie: Dollar Savings Direct (4.00%), or would you keep your money at ING?

But it’s a great great blog, many many thanks for it!

I’ve put Oxfam Novib stuff on my christmas list for a while now. When I realised that I was having trouble coming up with things I really wanted to ask for, I decided that that probably meant I already have enough stuff… and knowing that there’s people who don’t have enough by far, it was a simple choice.

There’s a magnet on my fridge now showing that ten chickens have been donated in my name.

I’m happy knowing that someone’s life was made just a little better and I don’t have something new to dust. :)

(There are some cultural differences here, though. We don’t give as many gifts (nor spend as much money on them) as seems to be the custom in the US, and there’s no such thing as a gift receipt here. The gift might be accompanied by a remark ‘I still have the receipt’, but that’s just in case it’s the wrong size or you already own that item. You’d be expected to exchange it for something similar.)

If you want to deviate from that (say 3 of you got together to give a $180 framed certificate to someone and you put it all on your credit card but the other 2 paid you back in cash) you have to request it in writing to the non-profit and the tax receipt will then be issued (or, in the case above, split up between the 3) as in the request.

But it has to be in writing because the auditors want to see that paper trail and so will the Infernal Revenue sooner or later. And only the person who actually receives the tax receipt can use it on their taxes.

I have been trying hard to pick up reading. As soon as I start reading, I tend to think of ways to avoid reading that book. Chances are it is because I have a ‘productivity’ book in my hands.

Could you recommend a few books I can get started with, which don’t bore me. I am hoping to completely read one book and use that momentum to start reading more books.

Best,
Ravi

The fund for paying bills and things should I become unemployed for an extended period is seperate (more of an “Oh, CRAP!” fund) and is, by neccesity larger.

But even Ramsey says it isn’t adequate, its just enough to Murphy at bay so you can seriously get rid of your consumer debts. Once you have those under control you beef up that emergency fund to 3-6 mos. of your expenses. I don’t think he intends for this meager $1k emergency fund to tide your family over if someone lost a job.

But you may be on to something in this economic climate. That meager emergency fund may need to be a little more that $1k. Just don’t have so much cash on hand that you neglect the debt (especially that at a high interest rate). You’d be negating any progress if you did that by keeping all that cash on hand and not paying off the debts.