The holidays are in full swing, marking the beginning of the giving season. This year, as we search for gifts for our friends and family, let's also keep in mind the needs of our community by taking time to make a positive impact now and even throughout the following year. 

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Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast. 

Today is Giving Tuesday, a day celebrated worldwide to honor the countless individuals and organizations dedicated to serving those in need. This global initiative promotes generosity and fosters a sense of shared humanity, ensuring that everyone can receive help through acts of service and giving.  

Take a moment today to reflect on how you can contribute to the mission of Giving Tuesday by helping and serving others. Here are a few inspiring ways to celebrate today and throughout the week: 

Direct your efforts toward local organizations that truly make a difference. Many community groups—homeless shelters, humane societies, food pantries, and soup kitchens—always need donations. Visit their websites to find out what items are most urgently needed. You can gather items individually or come together with friends or family to make a bigger impact.  

If you enjoy being outdoors, take the time to beautify your community. Giving back to your community doesn’t have to involve physical items and can involve giving your time to improve your surroundings. One great way to do this is to pick up trash in local parks, along roadways, or in other overlooked areas. Just be sure to stay safe by wearing bright clothing so that motorists can see you easily while you work especially when on the side of the road.  

While donating is wonderful, volunteering can create an even greater impact. If you love interacting with people or are looking for a fulfilling way to give back, try giving your time to help organizations by assisting with in-person needs. Many local nonprofits need volunteers to help with tasks like food service, shelf stocking, food distribution, or even dog walking. Most organizations offer simple sign-up forms on their websites, allowing you to choose a time slot that works for you. Consider how you'd like to contribute and explore the opportunities available.  

Sometimes, the chance to give comes unexpectedly. You might encounter someone in need—a person on the street, someone at the grocery store, or a local coffee shop. Prepare a few kindness kits to keep in your car or with you, so you can easily share them when the moment arises. Include items like basic hygiene products, gift cards, encouraging notes, snacks, and maybe an extra special item or two. With these kits on hand, you'll be ready to spread kindness not just during the season, but throughout the year.  

On this Giving Tuesday, embrace the spirit of generosity and take action to uplift others. Additionally, don't miss your chance to participate in our Share ‘Cuz You Care campaign by voting for the nonprofit organization that you believe deserves the top donation from Triangle Credit Union. Visit trianglecu.org or click the link in the show notes to learn more.  

If there are any other tips or topics you would like us to cover, let us know at [email protected]. Like and follow our Making Money Personal FB and IG page and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union on social media to share your thoughts.  

Thanks for listening to today’s Money Tip Tuesday and check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.  

Have a great day!