Every year that I’ve worked here, I’ve gotten a holiday bonus of $100. At first it was a gift card of my choice at a list of online stores. Then it was an American Express gift check.
Last year I got nothing, as I changed departments.
This year, because we’ve done so well in the past year, everyone except per diem new hires is getting at least $100. I’m getting $500.
Where can I put this good fortune to the most use? I was thinking of telling my manager to keep the bonus and hire two new people by the end of January. But new hires cost far more than that, and are hired by need, not by my generosity. I want to put this money back into the economy in the best, and perhaps most direct, way possible.
To do the most good with a small amount of money, consider making a microloan through a company like Kiva(there’s others on the internet, you may need to do a little research).
If you want to do good locally, spend it on local services like snow-shoveling or car-detailing.
I’ve been whooshed again, haven’t I? You should also consider using the $500 as seed money to start your lucrative second career in pool-sharking or professional poker.
You could run out of the building and give it to the first homeless person you see.
But realistically, I think the best way to put it back into the economy would be to buy something from a mom-and-pop store in your area. Or a couple nights at an old-fashioned bed and breakfast.
I did think of both of these. But now I’m wondering how many hungry mouths I could feed. I recently saw a poster for a charity that claimed that a 1 dollar donation would feed 3 children for a day. Imagine feeding 1500!
Lots of people feel alone and isolated during the holidays. You’re on to something with the hookers and blow idea, but I really think it would be good for you to make it more of a social occasion. Invite a friend to go with you; perhaps someone who’s been out of town and you haven’t seen for a while.
