Where does charity fit into your finances? I don't generally donate to non-profit organizations or gove out money to people asking in the streets. Actually I don't do a whole lot of charity at all unless you count tipping.
That said I have a story for you. This just happened a few hours ago.
>just finished my last day of travel work after a year of living in hotels
>walking downtown looking for dinner
>see an older homeless woman on a bench
>recognize her because I said hello to the same woman three weeks ago
>she isn't panhandling, but since I acknowledged her she asked "Could you bless me with something? A couple of dollars?"
>I gave her $20 and went on my way
>a block up the road alI was about to pass a mini mart where the owner was sitting out front
>almost walked by, but saw the lotto sign in the window
>I never buy these things, but I thought wtf might as well
>the owner gets up and opens the door for me
>I pick a random ticket (the most expensive because I figure those have better potential gains)
>tell the own "If you don't see me again, it means I lost."
>the guy says "Oh I'll see you again..."
>go sit at a cafe and scratch the ticket
>picrel
>$100
I was thinking of Avalokiteśvara before purchasing the ticket and the suffering of this world was on my mind. I kind knew I was going to win in that moment and that's why I went in.
I found the woman again later. She has a couple of binders full of papers from programs to help the homeless. She has a guard card (certificate for security work) but can't work rn for whatever reason. I don't know about that stuff or how to help further. So I have her another $20.
I told the story to two employees at an establishment I've been frequenting for the past several weeks. I gave them each $20 as a tip.
I broke even overall, but they will now tell my story to others. Was it worth it?