It’s Better to Give Than to Receive
An old adage that has proven itself to me time and time again.
Back in May, I expected a significant increase in nonrecurring expenses. In this post, I noted:
Nonrecurring Expenses (current through July)
- $700 - Vacation(s) spending money
- $500 - Orthodontist
- $410 - Car insurance premium
- $200 - BabyGirl’s birthday
- $150 - Annual vet appt
- $100+ - Auto registration renewal
- $100 - Brother’s birthday
- $100 - Friend(s) birthdays
- $60 - Annual checkups
- $55 - Rental Ads
That’s almost $2,500!! Now how the heck am I supposed to pay for all of that? Oh yea, that funny thing called a pay check…[<--you know that was sarcasm, right?]
As I planned for these expenses, I thought we would have a tight budget summer - that is…until the unexpected cash flow began to show up. And not a minute too soon!
Last month, I received a $900 tax rebate/stimulus check. Despite having ~$2,500 in upcoming expenses, I chose to donate $500 to charity. Although I needed the money, I felt compelled to give, so I did without hesitation. And the blessings were returned tenfold.
FIRST UNEXPECTED CHECK
A few weeks ago, I received a ~$1,200 check from my previous employer for retro taxes. The whole relocation bonus and claim was new to me, so I was beyond confused. I had to claim the bonus as income, but I couldn’t claim the moving expenses as deductions. *confused* Anyhoo, I knew I was going to get something back from my employer, but I didn’t know when OR how much. The refund was more than I expected and the timing couldn’t have been better.
SECOND UNEXPECTED CHECK
This past weekend, I received another unexpected check. I can’t explain the details but it’s related to a lawsuit I filed last year. After the judge ruled in my favor, my attorney asked for restitution, which was granted. However, the defendant was given ONE YEAR to pay, plus I had to justify the amount of my claim with supporting docs to be reviewed by the court. So again, I knew I would receive something, but I didn’t know when OR how much. Imagine my surprise when I saw a money order from the DA’s office for the entire amount of my request.
In total, I’ve received over $2,000 in unexpected cash this month.
I strongly believe this is a testament of how everything comes full circle. Put others’ NEEDS before your WANTS, be a joyous giver, and watch it all come back to you.
~*~*~*~*~*~Work to achieve, not to acquire.
And as always, BE FABULOUS!
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Lovely post. When done with joy, to give IS to receive…in ways that we may not even imagine at the time of the giving.
Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
AMEN.. I can attest to this as well
things you NEVER expect that’s why I’ve learned to be patient.. No matter HOW SMALL it’s always BIG 
hugs..
your crippled sis lol
I completely agree! Good for you SM
when i had a fairly good job i gave to charities and such. Now though it is hard have a job that is barely part time. but i believe because of what i did in the past i am managing. i didn’t give in the beginning to get extra in the end but that usually happens when we think of others first. glad things were made easier for you just in time !!!
My simple policy suggests when you get the chance to give, give it in full with consent from your inner ‘you’ living within, and never, never think of returns. In your case, you get rewarded very promptly but may not be that much quick with every person, but they will also get their rewards in due course.
To give is a gift! I love this quote, “Life gives to giver, and takes from the taker.” Though we don’t give to receive, it is law that what we give comes back to us tenfold. Whether it is a smile, a gesture, funds or love.
In all directions - Blessings, LiGhT & LoVe
Sage
good for you!!!
I am often the recipient of unexpected funds, though not yet in really large amounts like those. Yet I am a firm believer that things come full circle and when you do good, it does come back.
(We’re currently collecting at work to go in on a huge sheet cake for my boss’s upcoming birthday, and I’m amazed at the people who aren’t willing to contribute $1. (Yet they’ll be the first ones in line when it’s cut!) I initiated the collection since expenses like this now have to be out of pocket, and he’s a very nice man who acknowledges EVERYONE’S birthday in our department, no matter what your level. I’d prefer that he not even know this was my doing, but I continually strive for random acts of kindness. It makes me feel good, and in return I seem to continually be blessed, in all sorts of ways.)
But Amen for unexpected cash!
Lucky you, i wish i had such luck and received some unexpented money, doesn’t happen for me. This time of year is bad for me also and i have lots of one off outgoings, insurances etc.
Anyway i take my hat off to you for giving that mcuh to charity, we do try and give often and do a lot of shopping in the charity shops so i know my money is going to a good cause.
I absolutely agree with this post. The times when I have given what I thought was a little too much–just enough to make me uncomfortable, not enough to break me–I started getting back from the world in the most unexpected places. Charitable giving is one of my most favorite budget line-items. I usually give a little something each month, but I haven’t given anything since I quit my job last month. This post re-emphasized the importance of giving no matter what (but not to get!) to me. You’ve inspired me to reinstate my charity this month, even without a reliable income. Thank you, Single Ma.
It is good that you got this unexpected checks. God is so good. He has made a way for me to pay my bills and so much more over the past ten years. I have received random checks and money orders from strangers. I have given all I had and still had enough each month. On paper my life does not make sense, but since God owns it all and distributes it all, He makes it work. That being said we make it a priority every month to give back to Him first, because no matter how much we struggle, someone else always has less (especially outside of America.)
We have a child we sponser through Compassion and letters from him really hit home to my kids. He does not have much and his family makes $70 a month to live. HOW??? That again is only God!
Thanks for your blog! -Becky in NJ
Does giving time and other intangibles that can not sometimes be valued at face value, counts as a donation?
Girl, SPEAK on this!!! God is so good.
I try and give in any way I can. Sometimes it is in the form of clothing, cash, or just my time. And I always receive my blessings. Lil something here and there that add up.
For some reason the summer has been filled with unexpected expenses for me. Swimming lessons, swimming accessories, summer clothes, camp reg, trips and vacays, the list goes on. I so planned to spend LESS these 3 months. Oh well….God will see me through.
Keep blessing and being blessed Single Ma!!
Side note:
@ Kate - That ain’t “luck”……it’s God. Recognize.
It’s always nice to help someone when you can. As a matter of fact, this post reminded me that I did not make the Red Cross donation I had planned to make to help the flood victims. Off to do that right now!!!