Podcast Summary

Podcast: The 7: Try This – "I want to give back! How do I afford it?"
Host: Christina Quinn (with guest Michelle Singletary)
Date: December 31, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode is the second of a two-part series focusing on the practical and financial realities of giving back—especially when money is tight. Christina Quinn sits down with Michelle Singletary, longtime personal finance columnist for The Washington Post, to discuss how to make charitable giving a sustainable and intentional part of one’s budget and lifestyle. Michelle shares her lived experiences, tips on budgeting for giving, the value of non-monetary contributions, and how to ensure that your gifts make a real difference.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Give? The Personal and Emotional Motivation

• Michelle shares her upbringing story. Raised by her grandmother (Big Mama) after facing potential foster care with her siblings, Michelle’s life began with an act of charity.
  • Quote (Michelle, 03:46):
    "My existence actually started with charity. My grandmother took me and my siblings in... Had it not been for my grandmother rescuing us, where would I be?"
• This experience instilled a lifelong ethos of giving, both financially and through service.

2. Budgeting for Charity: Give From "Abundance"

• Michelle underscores prioritizing essentials (housing, food, savings), then making giving a deliberate part of what’s left.
  • Quote (Michelle, 04:20):
    "You give out of your abundance, you give out of your extra. So you make sure you've taken care of your necessities...and then you allocate that to charitable giving."
• She practices tithing—regularly giving 10% of her family’s gross income, primarily to her church’s community work.
  • Quote (Michelle, 05:46):
    "When you're a tither, that means you've left with 90%. It makes you real tight with your money because you want to make sure that that 90% is doing what it needs to do."

3. Adapt the Principle, Whatever Your Faith or Means

• Even non-religious listeners can adopt a "percentage giving" model. Michelle points out that almost any budget can reveal opportunities to give if one tracks spending priorities—cutting back on extras like multiple streaming services or frequent takeout can free up resources.
  • Quote (Michelle, 07:36):
    "I just, you know, you get to choose, right? I'm not telling you you have to give. I think that's a personal decision..."

4. Giving While in Debt or on a Tight Budget

• Michelle suggests balancing debt payment and giving, even if the amount is small. Every bit helps, and time or service can be just as valuable.
  • Quote (Michelle, 08:34):
    "Maybe you only have a doll left or $10. Every charity I know will accept whatever you want to give at that level. And if you really don't have it, ... then you can give up your time."

5. The Value of Giving Time

• Volunteering, mentoring, community work—especially involving children—can normalize a culture of giving in the family.
  • Quote (Michelle, 10:09):
    "I personally think that everybody should have some of their time devoted to giving to charity or working."
• Michelle points out the immense impact of presence—visiting nursing homes, serving food, tutoring—especially year-round, not just during holidays.

6. Making Charity a Family Value

• Both Michelle and Christina encourage involving children in giving, whether through donations or volunteering.
  • Quote (Michelle, 12:02):
    "Normalize the giving of your time and your money. If they see you do it... they'll probably do it."

7. Choosing Where and How to Give

• Michelle recommends starting with employer or community-organized projects, but also just Googling local opportunities.
  • Quote (Michelle, 12:37):
    "If you make it part of who you are and your personal mission...I probably do have a mission and vision statement for myself, ...it stems back to my gratitude..."
• She emphasizes regular, thoughtful giving over holiday-only donations.

8. Any Motivation is Good Motivation

• The hosts discuss whether "guilt giving" or tax-incentivized donations are lesser forms of philanthropy. Michelle’s stance is pragmatic:
  • Quote (Michelle, 14:29):
    "From the charity's perspective, like, bring that guilt money, I don't care... If you wanted to give for the tax break, you know what, go ahead and give... Something is better than nothing."

9. Avoiding Charity Scams and Giving Wisely

• Michelle highlights the importance of due diligence before donating—especially with unsolicited requests or in the wake of disasters.
  • Key resources:
    • Federal Trade Commission (ftc.gov)
    • BBB Wise Giving Alliance
    • CharityWatch
  • Quote (Michelle, 15:34):
    "Before you give to anybody, any charity, please, please check it out, because you want your money to be used well, and you don't want it to fund a scammer."
• When it comes to GoFundMe campaigns or one-off requests, Michelle recommends setting aside a portion of your charitable budget for unexpected needs—and always verifying legitimacy.

10. Creating an Intentional Giving Plan

• Plan your giving—list causes, set an annual budget, and leave space for unplanned opportunities. Doing so makes it easier to say no to requests outside your plan.
  • Quote (Michelle, 18:52):
    "If you've got a plan, you can say, well, you know what? ... These are the charities I give to. And this is not part of my charitable plan."
• Treat charitable giving like other regular expenses (e.g., Netflix subscriptions).
  • Quote (Michelle, 20:16):
    "You have things that you do regularly... Add a charity, you know, to that, right?"

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “My existence actually started with charity.” (04:00, Michelle Singletary)
• “Give out of your abundance, you give out of your extra.” (04:20, Michelle Singletary)
• “Normalize the giving of your time and your money. If they see you do it... they'll probably do it.” (12:02, Michelle Singletary)
• “If you wanted to give for the tax break, you know what, go ahead and give... Something is better than nothing.” (14:29, Michelle Singletary)
• “Before you give to anybody, any charity, please, please check it out...” (15:34, Michelle Singletary)
• “Be intentional about checking out charities. Be intentional about giving. Be intentional about giving of your time. And I tell you, when you work in the community ... it creates a sense in your soul that I think makes you a better person.” (20:24, Michelle Singletary)

Important Segment Timestamps

• [03:46] – Michelle’s personal story and charitable origins
• [05:10] – What is tithing?
• [08:34] – Advice for giving while in debt and non-monetary giving
• [10:09] – The importance of volunteering and involving children
• [12:37] – How to find reputable places to give
• [14:29] – Discussion: Is any motivation for giving a good one?
• [15:34] – Avoiding scams and verifying charities
• [17:39] – Advice on GoFundMe and giving to special needs
• [18:52] – Building a giving plan and handling multiple requests
• [20:16] – Planning charitable giving like a budgeted expense

Actionable Takeaways

• Build giving into your budget—after your essentials, designate a percentage or set amount for charity.
• Start where you can—every little bit helps, and time or service is often as valuable as money.
• Be proactive and intentional—have a plan, list causes, check organizations, and teach children through example.
• Verify before giving—use trusted resources to avoid scams.
• Don’t let motivation stop you—guilt or perks aside, your giving still makes a positive difference.

Closing Note

This episode makes it clear: Sustainable, effective giving is possible for everyone—start small, be intentional, and include the next generation in your philanthropic journey. As Michelle says, "Be intentional about giving, and it will make you a better person.”