Want to “give back,” but can’t find the cash?  Here are some (almost) painless ways to come up with extra cash to share with the causes dear to your heart:

1. Don’t spend any $5 bill that comes into your possession.  (Jennifer from Pennsylvania did this for five months and saved $485 without giving up her Starbucks!  Thanks to Woman’s Day magazine for this tip.)

2. Do without just one luxury (give up Sheetz coffee every morning, pack your lunch instead of eating out . . . )

3. Never spend your change–put it in a jar, instead.  You could save $5-$10 every week.

4. Use coupons (I know, I know-I have a love/hate relationship with them, myself), and put the money saved each shopping trip aside for charity.

5. If you save $50 each month for a year, it will grow to $600 (add in interest–woo-hoo!)

See?  You CAN make your world a better place, even if you’re not Bill or Melinda Gates.

 What creative ideas have worked for you?