"One for One Buying"

[Della]

An idea came to be last night that I can’t think is all that original but I’ve never seen anyone advocating it. It occured to me that we could help our poor by buying one item for every item we buy ourselves or close to it.

For example, if I buy a nice dress for myself, I could buy a modest garment of good quality that’s not overly expensive to give to charity. If I buy groceries, I can buy one of the bags the grocery store provides for food shelves or I can buy canned/packaged foods or baby/household supplies that are on sale to donate.

The idea is to buy for others as we buy for ourselves–to always be on the look-out for ways to get something to donate. Not spending undue amounts of money, but as we can or feel we ought to. What do you think?

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

My late in-laws – who were actually Presbyterian (not that that matters) – had a practice that whenever they treated themselves to a nice dinner out, they gave an amount equal to the cost of the meal to some charity. Nice idea.

 

[Della]

My late in-laws – who were actually Presbyterian (not that that matters) – had a practice that whenever they treated themselves to a nice dinner out, they gave an amount equal to the cost of the meal to some charity. Nice idea.

And the same could be done with time spent in entertainment. We could serve at least a tithe of the time we spend enjoying ourselves to helping others through various outreach programs and apostolates.

 

[Ophelia23]

I think in theory it sounds great! But it is difficult when you are pinching pennies yourself to buy a much needed new pair of shoes for your child, it is hard to turn around and buy a second pair on top of that. I understand the sentiment, but there are a lot of people who would simply not be able to do this.

 

[Della]

I think in theory it sounds great! But it is difficult when you are pinching pennies yourself to buy a much needed new pair of shoes for your child, it is hard to turn around and buy a second pair on top of that. I understand the sentiment, but there are a lot of people who would simply not be able to do this.

Yes, we have no children but we aren’t well off, either, so I know what you’re saying. It’s why I proposed tithing service to others ---- or another thought, perhaps going out of our way to be helpful to some lonely neighbor. It’s the idea of looking outside ourselves a bit to see how we can help others.

 

[Cristiano]

My wife does that, when shy buys something for herself she also buys something of equal value for the mother of our son.

 

[Della]

My wife does that, when shy buys something for herself she also buys something of equal value for the mother of our son.

Seriously, though, I’m thinking of talking to our pastor about solidying the concept into our outreach program at our parish. I need to give it some thought. Please pray something more comes of it than a mere idea and good intentions.

 

[Cristiano]

Seriously, though, I’m thinking of talking to our pastor about solidying the concept into our outreach program at our parish. I need to give it some thought. Please pray something more comes of it than a mere idea and good intentions.

I think that the concept is good and the intention is excellent; however, from a practical point of view it is not efficient. A helpful solution could be to maintain a list of items that are usually needed but the poor and purchase things from that list; however, I think that maintaining such a list might not be that easy. One for one is also too much of a suggestion, it could take away from the joy of treating yourself. Some people already have a lot of difficulties in treating themselves with non essential expenses, maybe sticking to a 10% would be a good start. Bottom line is that what you are trying to do is to encourage people to have a better self discipline when it comes to financial stewardship, if you start too hard a lot of people will drop out fast. People that already have a good discipline are already giving a lot of time, talent and treasure.

 

[Della]

I think that the concept is good and the intention is excellent; however, from a practical point of view it is not efficient. A helpful solution could be to maintain a list of items that are usually needed but the poor and purchase things from that list; however, I think that maintaining such a list might not be that easy. One for one is also too much of a suggestion, it could take away from the joy of treating yourself. Some people already have a lot of difficulties in treating themselves with non essential expenses, maybe sticking to a 10% would be a good start. Bottom line is that what you are trying to do is to encourage people to have a better self discipline when it comes to financial stewardship, if you start too hard a lot of people will drop out fast. People that already have a good discipline are already giving a lot of time, talent and treasure.

Yes, it’s why I suggested buying an item of lesser value or tithing. When we go grocery shopping we try to buy some extra item we can donate–not match our total grocery bill. It’s just that if everyone did that, our food shelves, clothing needs, etc. wouldn’t be understocked. Everyone gives at Christmas, but people need food and other necessities all year round. I’d like to find a gentle way–one that would “click” with people to prompt them to make this a part of their buying habit.