That night, I went to a school reception for parents and alumni who donated at least a certain amount during the calendar school year. It was a passionate, intimate gathering, I mixed with other parents, shared stories and heard the school principal and several trustees talking about the importance of dedication. The event is not only a thoughtful way to recognize contributors, but also an opportunity to understand the new school plan.
When I stood there, I realized how powerful the act of dedication was. When you give, you will be part of something bigger than yourself. You contribute to the collective well-being of your community. You will see tangible evidence of your support in the smiling faces of the children, the opportunities created, and the positive change.
Give better than receiving
One of the main reasons why financial warriors have remained free since their inception in July 2009 is because it feels incredible to help others solve their financial problems.
Over the past 16 years, I have received thousands of messages from readers whose wealth is beyond their imagination, discovering the courage to negotiate better jobs and even retire early to pursue their passion. This itself is the biggest reward for me, far more than any subscription fee or paid Wall offers.
But it’s the friction: when your family is made up of double unemployed parents, donating a lot of money can feel tough. When I listened to the school principal thanking the donors, I couldn’t help wondering: Can my wife and I really donate to the school next year?
Since our wealth is not limitless, we also want to provide similar donations to the Pomeroy Rehabilitation Center, which supports injured and disabled people. Meanwhile, we still haven’t reached the final passive income amount each year, and we still have only about $30,000.
A delicate balance between the remaining unemployed and the giving
Every dollar you pay slightly when you lose your job or open fire Increase The chance you have to go back to work or run out of money before you die. In many ways, giving is an act of faith when unemployed: Believe that your investment will remain stable, your expenses will not be angered, and believe that your calculation of the safe withdrawal rate is correct.
Add to the responsibility of raising children in an uncertain world, especially a world reshaped by artificial intelligence, and the decisions made become more complicated. It’s not just you anymore. It’s about making sure your child has a chance and is safe.
We spent endless time debating the safe withdrawal rate and the 4% rule in the personal finance circle. So when you pay, that money really should come from your withdrawal rate budget. If you are approaching security restrictions but still want to give, then a cautious move is to trim your spending elsewhere. Otherwise, your generosity may come at the expense of your financial freedom.
However, even with all these considerations, we should call on our actions. Why? Because the rewards of dedication (emotionally, psychologically, and even spiritually) are usually greater than anything you get in the stock market.
Solutions available when unemployed
If you are out of work or fire, here are four solutions that can help you with.
1) Replace your fee
Since my wife and I donated X amounts in 2025, we agreed to reduce other expenses. The easiest area to cut down is travel. Depending on size and location, renting a five-week vacation home in Hawaii will cost between $16,000 and $26,000. Instead, we lived with our family, my parents for four weeks, my aunt’s beach for a week and saved the difference.
These savings are used directly to rebuild my parents’ in-laws unit. Is this the same thing as drinking Mai Tais on a Lanai for a rent of $26,000? Not even closed. But it still feels meaningful. By redirecting money, we will spend on lifestyle luxury that we can give to schools and help improve parents’ property.
2) Earn the side income to give away
If cash flow is tight, create a revenue stream dedicated to donations. I worked in a fintech startup, but quickly realized that it wasn’t mine. Afterwards, I turned to personal finance consulting to help individuals with one-on-one meetings. These not only promote my book, Millionaire milestonebut it also generates additional income that I can donate.
Even the humble side of the hustle and bustle can fund meaningful donations. For a fireman, it’s a way of empowering to stay engaged, improve your skills and still make a difference. My wife also contributes by giving time at our children’s school, which reminds you that giving is not always about money.
3) Donate and appreciated investment
A tax-savvy way of donating is donating appreciated stocks through donor-suggested funds. You avoid capital gains taxes while the organization gains full market value.
For example, suppose you bought Amazon stock for $10,000 a decade ago and now it is worth $50,000. If you sold it, if you live in California, you will owe $13,000 in taxes and donate only $36,800. By donating stock directly, all $50,000 will go to nonprofits and you will also receive tax deductions. That’s a win-win situation.
This approach is especially attractive when you live in a portfolio. It allows you to be generous without additional pressure on the withdrawal rate.
4) Donation time
Finally, don’t torture the value of time when money feels too tight. In fact, time is often the most valuable resource you can provide. Volunteering at a child’s school, coaching young professionals or lending to nonprofit organizations can have a big ripple effect.
My wife is the head of the Girl Scouts at our school and also volunteers in other ways. I saw her more involved in the goal and joy. She can also interact more with teachers and school administrators.
I noticed that when I wrote donation checks, I felt that the era of the community that was most connected is not necessarily when I was physically but when I was there – sharing with people, sharing knowledge and helping solve problems in real time. Reasons for financial support. Time changes them.
Practice giving mentality
One downside of fire is that it makes you too cautious and stingy. You are so perfect for saving nest eggs that generous people will feel risky.
If you feel like you can only live on $30,000 a year and ride a bike, there is certainly not much room to pay for in your budget. But ironically, the rewards you often multiply in unpredictable ways.
Not only is it satisfying, it also opens doors you’ve never seen before – new friendships, opportunities, and even investments.
A friend of mine once met a venture capitalist in a charity function. This connection leads to early investments in anthropomorphism, worth 12 times in less than two years. Of course, this is luck. But this won’t happen without showing up, giving and attracting.
The truth is, you never know who you might inspire, or maybe one day you can reach out to you or your child. Maybe one of you readers will be big wings from now 15 years from now, and if my kids struggle to find a job, you will remember the value you get from the financial warrior and give them the chance. That was amazing.
you will never know.
Generous chain reaction
Ultimately, the exact dollar amount doesn’t matter. The most important thing is participate. Dedication is an exercise, just like investment. You may never feel like you have “enough”, but if you can find a way to give (even a little bit), you will almost always be more spiritually richer.
Generosity is also contagious. When others see you give, they are also inspired. During the event, I learned that some parents contributed more than we did. I am in awe of their generosity and good luck. Their example reminds me that dedication is a spectrum and we all play a role.
Financial independence gives us freedom. But real wealth comes from using this freedom to help others. You don’t have to be a billionaire philanthropist to make a difference. You just need to show up, contribute your abilities, and continue to practice your habit of generosity.
This is exactly what I plan to do for the rest of my life (whether it is money or time).
Reader, what do you think about continuing to donate when you lose your job or open fire? Is this irresponsible if you already feel financially superior, or still deserve priority? How do you find ways to keep donating when your active income is dry or minimal?
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