In keeping with today’s theme of consuming less and giving more….

Tip # 1 – Add a donation link for a charity to your website or blog. This will direct people to that charity’s website and potentially increase awareness and funding for them.

Tip # 2  – Volunteer your expertise.  Many charities (and even some schools these days) can’t afford certain types of manpower, like web designers, engineers, doctors, musicians, and accountants. If you have expertise in a particular field, consider donating your abilities.

Tip # 3 -  Search for volunteer opportunities of all kinds with the click of a button by using volunteer websites. One such site is Volunteers of America, which allows you to easily find matches anywhere in the country.

Tip # 4 – Teach kids about the trappings of consumerism and the joys of giving back from an early age.  Our guests today from Echoage offer a great tool for getting that dialogue started.

Tip # 5 – Cut back on video games.  There is nothing wrong with video games, but they are a form of consumption and like everything else, moderation is key. In speaking about video games in a recent article, authors, Brett & Kate McKay state that:
“Whereas men once fought as soldiers, they now pretend to be ones. Where men used to play baseball and football, they now control avatars who play for them. Where men used to play an instrument, they now press buttons on a plastic toy. Where we once created, we now consume.

Create More. Consume Less.