Hack 96 · Next-Level Wins & Lifetime Habits
Set Up Automatic Giving
Automatic giving sets up a small recurring donation to a cause you care about, so generosity happens by default rather than by occasional impulse. Regular giving is consistently linked with greater optimism about money and higher wellbeing, even at small amounts. Choosing the amount once means it happens without further decisions.
How to do it
- Choose one cause and verify it is legitimate before committing.
- Set a small recurring donation you can sustain indefinitely.
- Review it once a year rather than reconsidering each month.
What it typically saves
Builds a sustainable giving habit and, in many places, a tax deduction.
Questions people ask
Should I give if money is tight?
Only what you can genuinely sustain. Giving that creates financial stress is not a habit worth building right now.
How do I know a charity is legitimate?
Check an independent charity evaluator and look at how funds are used. Recurring donations especially deserve that check up front.
Is it tax deductible?
Often, depending on your jurisdiction and the organization's status. Keep the receipts either way.
Go deeper
This is the short version. The full walkthrough lives in The Money Mindset, book 5 of The Everyday Money Upgrade — where this hack comes with how to vet a charity properly, choosing a sustainable amount, and the record-keeping that makes deductions straightforward.
Free: the 5 Quick Wins guide
Five hacks you can run this week, in one short PDF. Free.