A non-profit in which I'm involved is having a special Business Luncheon in May, and the "suggested donation" is $100. A fellow board member for this org recently stated opinion that 100 bucks is a LOT of money "these days" for a LOT of people. I replied that an awful lot of folks seem to drop $100 for "dinner for two" or a couple show/sports tickets w/o blinking an eye. He disagreed...feeling perhaps due to really bad times in his small business (another architect)

Thanks to our great s2ki system, you can VOTE without divulging your own $$ decision. What I'm after is the $$ amount that you and/or your s/o would decide to spend WITHOUT taking a lot of time to consider pros/ cons

BUT it would still be interesting to hear what made your decision? Upbringing? Current income and/or net worth? Needs vs. Wants? Peer group pressure? Upcoming other major expenses? Expectations about future of the economy?

How about you? This might be a "slow starter" but could be interesting...

 

I guess for me/us, it would probably depend on what it was for.

I guess, though, that I, myself, pretty much think about almost any amount that I spend.

Jerry, are you asking specifically about a donation to something like the business luncheon or are you talking about spending money in general?

 

We haven't missed going out at least one night a week for dinner and drinks in years. I can't recall ever spending less than $50. But, on the other hand, I can't recall ever spending $100, unless it was a very special meal. I am not including attending any shows, etc. in my calculations because we don't do that very often. I'm taking four people to dinner and the Red Wings game next weekend but that's not a norm. So, I quess I am in agreement with your friend.

 

My dad would roll over in his grave if he heard me say this, but I think anything $100 or less is chump change. (I just dropped over $400 for concert tickets for an upcoming concert in June.) When I was working, as management, we were (ahem) encouraged to donate at least one large to the United Way each year. I considered this job security.

Even though I worked hard earning my money, I enjoy spending it.

I think that folks like my parents, who lived through and survived the Depression, had a whole different way of thinking about money. Having lived with that mind-set in my early years, I guess I am possibly over-reacting in the opposite way.

EDIT: I am guessing that the 2 folks who voted $10,000 or more are blowing smoke (or smoking something)

 

J-pa,

I know my limits, and live within them, but spend as required to do that. Sometimes, there are little $50 items I'll mull over for weeks, but then drop $1K on some new gadget that is a nicety, but not a requirement. Mind you, not an impulse buy, but one that doesn't require me to think for weeks. Overall I'd say I'm money conscious, not frugal and by no means extravagant.

I think for a non-profit, you have to look at your audience. A $100 suggestion donation for a business luncheon shouldn't draw much attention at that crowd. At my upcoming dart event for charity, even our special auction items barely get about $150, and most of what we raise is in the form of 5s, 10s and 20s, which suits our audience very well.

It is also noted that I may look at the same $$ amount in two contexts and think differently. $100 donation to a large national disease based charity may have much less impact (and require more mulling) than the same $100 to a local Trenton based youth involvement program to get kids off the street.

 

That is exactly right. I know an awful lot of people who think nothing of spending fairly big sums on one thing but think that small amounts for other things are way too much.

Jerry, I think in your case the range of 50 to 100 is appropriate, but again, it depends upon the appeal of the organization. An organization with a good following and a valued mission should have no problem with the 100 donation but an organization with a lesser following and a questionable or less valued mission will struggle with the 50 donation.

 

This is so true, too, for some people.

Someone I know very well, will worry about differences of only pennies per gallon of gas, but will easily spend $X,XXX on photography equipment or computer equipment without seemingly batting an eye.

 

We live a pretty controlled financial life, but that also enables us to get and do what we want.
If I think a cause is worthy, I generally give $100. But, I have given $10,000k for an inpatient care Hospice room in my parent's name. I'm a sucker for Girl Scouts selling cookies, and organizations with very low admin costs serving our military veterans.

 

I agree it all depends. Of course, it does. I just sent off $100 to the Humane Society last night. And a couple weeks back it was $100 to the Boys & Girls Club. Of course, both have a 'chance' of returning me a Cayman S!! Jerry, if I win I promise to send your club $100. I wasn't originally looking at the poll as strickly about donation to worthy organization. Gene, like you I was ok with but still very much pressured to donate to the United Fund for my entire career. As long as I could direct my funds to a specific organization - mental health, I had no problem with it.

 

^and that's what I did: I always specified my donation to causes I thought were worthy.