Anyone else spending a lot more intentionally?

[brooklynmoney]

I find myself in a weird situation which I wonder if any other Mustachians find themselves in the same spot. Normally, of course, I try to spend as little as possible. For both saving and environmental reasons and because my nature is to be very future-focused so I'm very good at delayed gratification. Now, I feel a responsibility to spend in order to support local businesses like small shops and restaurants. And then when I buy myself something I feel guilty thinking of all those suffering and then I donate to local charities. It's like the opposite of normal where most Americans spend all the time but now they can't I feel a sort of obligation to step in because I can, even though I still worry about environmental impacts and when I shop online about the people exposed during the delivery process. I also always donate to charity but have kicked it up (should be about 10% of my annual spend this year). Anyone else have this reversal in their spending life since Covid? (I should mention that I spent almost nothing from March--May as I hunkered down except takeout 1x a week).

[ChpBstrd]

Not me. According to Mint, my overall last-12-mos spending is down 10k or 35% compared to the prior 12 months. And that’s with a couple grand in postponed airfare and the purchase of a fancy bicycle.

I am holding off on spending a gift certificate I got last year at a local family restaurant because I hope they survive but that’s about it. I don’t plan to change my annual giving patterns at EOY.

[StarBright]

Absolutely! I used to proudly time how long I could go between getting takeout. I was up to 55 days in Feb of 2020. Now we get take out once a week to support our local restaurants.

We also have started buying more from the very expensive locally owned grocery store that is right by our house. It is a town institution that has been around over a hundred years. Our town would lose something if it closed.

We've also made purchases from a local book store, arts and crafts shop, a bakery, and a local brewery that just opened. Those are all things we never would have done pre-covid.

[NotJen]

No.

While I do want small businesses to survive in my community, I don't feel responsible for patronizing them in a greater way than I normally would.  When I choose to have an outdoor dining experience, I do make sure to support my favorite local restaurants, as long as they are taking safety seriously.  I have always disliked takeout, and this year hasn't changed that.

I had a targeted "give" amount in my budget this year, and I'm working my way up to spending it all, but not more.  That would only change if I needed to help out someone I personally knew (friends or family), and so far they all seem to be doing fine (no job loss).

[jamesbond007]

I increased my spending a little bit. We have not traveled, and I have a Travel budget of $200/month. So, I am spending $50 extra per month on local restaurants to support them.

[iluvzbeach]

Overall I would not say we are spending more, but we are getting takeout from locally owned restaurants at least once per week and buying local as much as possible. We’re trying to do what we can to help support small businesses. Our area was also hit hard this year by fires and thousands of homes were lost, so we’ve contributed financially to help families get back on their feet. Some of these expenses are more than we’d normally spend but it’s been offset by the lack of travel and other spending that hasn’t taken place.

We are in the fortunate position of not being financially impacted by this year’s events and, so far, we’ve stayed healthy. We want to help where we can for those who have not been as fortunate or who are trying to keep their businesses afloat.

[brooklynmoney]

Thanks everyone for sharing your experience.  I should say overall my restaurant spending is still down because takeout is so much cheaper than dining out and that I usually spend 10% on travel and I've spent barely any this year. So the numbers aren't crazy high, but I've really ramped up spending recently and it just feels so strange.

[MrThatsDifferent]

Yes. I, Mr Forever Renter, bought a property and need to furnish it better. Also, I, Mr No Car, am thinking about buying a car. Covid has made me re-prioritize things in my life.

[markbike528CBX]

As with many others we are trying to be "patrons of the arts" for local restaurants. 
In our state, you can still get bottled beer with takeout, so that adds to the cost, but only at about 1/2 the sitdown consumption.

We've committed to using the US stimulus checks from early summer to various charities.  To include local governments for speeding tickets :-)

[Catica]

No. I wasn't eating out before and I'm not going to eat out now. Until restaurants serve healthy, fresh food and pay their employees a decent wage, I refuse to support such business model.
I do not donate to charities. I don't see how donating to charities alleviate the need for them in the first place. Instead, I rather concentrate on the systematic cause that creates the underclass that needs to rely on charity and focus on the empowerment vis a vis some sort of activism.

[BlueMR2]

I've tried to spend more.  Bought a number of silly/not entirely important items during COVID, but our overall spending is still down dramatically overall.  Plus a couple of planned projects over and above our regular budget ended up getting deferred.  1 project due to the person we need to do the work not currently having a shop.  While residential real estate is booming, commercial real estate seems to have come to a screeching halt due to COVID.  The other project is a home update, but there's way too much demand right now.  If you can even get anyone to return a call the quotes are ridiculously high.

[MudPuppy]

I’m more inclined to yield to the temptation to get takeout but I’m sure if it’s desire to support the businesses or if I am just tired all the time.

[ender]

I have definitely found myself ordering more from local places I want to see stay around.

Any year you buy a house you spend more in general though so I'm not sure our actual spending has gone up overly so compared to other years, other than this.

[lhamo]

We are doing takeout about as much as we used to spend on out of home dining -- 2-3x/month.  We do carry out from our same favorite neighborhood restaurants and tip generously.

DH did a bunch of repairs on our decks this summer so we spent more than usual on wood and other supplies/tools.  I would have preferred that he spend more at the local lumber place - slightly more expensive, but better service and baseline quality of materials, but he likes Home Depot.

I spent about $100 on seeds, several times that on potting soil/containers to expand growing space.  It was fun to grow a good portion of our own food.

We put in some terraces on an eroding section of our steeply sloped backyard.  Concrete blocks for that were around $800.  Also splurged on high quality compost to enrich the beds.

We had a surprise repair needed to our sewer line -- that added up to around $22k when all was said and done.  Had it lined, 20 year guarantee.  Being able to shower/flush without worried?  Priceless....

[Fomerly known as something]

I am another person who hasn’t seen much of a change overall dollar wise but likely a bit in composition.  A bit more in some take out but less in other as I’m no longer going to restaurants after a group run but am getting food from local places.  Overall I’m down for the year but this is the first year in several that I didn’t have a major home improvement project going.

I am pushing out a bit more additionally to charity but again, not a huge amount in the grand scheme of things.

[Zikoris]

There are very few stores that operate in a way that I feel comfortable supporting (environmental, ethical, etc), and as such I generally buy very little pandemic or otherwise. I did some pricier local experience-type stuff over the summer that I wouldn't normally do - a road trip to an interesting area I haven't been before, a helicopter ride, some island hopping/exploration, bungee jumping, and whitewater rafting. I was thinking of skydiving but the season ended before I had a chance. I'm hoping to try skeleton sometime this winter if things open up again, which also costs a shitload. But buying physical stuff, no, it's just not something I really do.

I did rage-order a freezer full of vegan meatballs from a small local vegan shop yesterday after losing my shit at not being able to find them anywhere.

[Cranky]

I don’t care for eating out in the first place, so I don’t feel any great desire to get more takeout. Many small businesses in my area support distinctly conservative causes, so I’m not really interested in shopping there more, either.

I have bought more produce from the local co-op and I’ve ordered Christmas gifts from places like Penzey’s that support the same values that I do.

I have given more to local charities. We donated our stimulus checks. I feel like programs that give nutritious food to families, support schools, and provide healthcare do actually promote wider social change.

[jeninco]

We've ordered takeout a little more then we typically would (to be clear, this means once/month instead of twice/year) from places that we'd like to see continue to exist, post-pandemic. I also just ordered some rather expensive books from our local independent bookstore, both because we want the, and to toss a little cash their way.

Most of our increased spending is going to be in the form of charitable contributions, however.

[Kris]

We’re spending less overall, but more on purchases from small businesses that normally we probably wouldn’t buy, e.g. little thinking-of-you gifts for friends, takeout, etc.

[brooklynmoney]

Yes. I, Mr Forever Renter, bought a property and need to furnish it better. Also, I, Mr No Car, am thinking about buying a car. Covid has made me re-prioritize things in my life.

I bought a car! First one ever and I’m in my 40s haha.

[OtherJen]

Yes. I bought a membership at the local yoga studio so that I can take live classes via Zoom. We've also been getting takeout more frequently from locally owned restaurant. We're also donating more to local charitable organizations.

[Anon in Alaska]

Our company is doing well this year, so we all got a $1,000 (after taxes) bonus. Our boss noted that we could do whatever we wanted with it, but he asked us to consider shopping locally.

I bought a treadmill from a local store. I quit going to the gym at the end of February. I was able to walk outside earlier in the year but his is Alaska so it's now a bit cold and dangerous (slip on ice, break bone, have to go to ER, get COVID in waiting room) to walk or bike outside; so this will help me stay in shape.

I'm frugal so $1,000 is a "lot more" to me. I was already on track with my savings goals, so I decided that losing weight and thereby likely living longer to enjoy all my other savings was more important than saving this $1,000.

[MissPeach]

I bought a house this year as rents were still going up 5% again this year and I'm getting sick of dealing with all the increases. So with that there has been a big increase for decorating, plaint, repairs, etc.

I would say our food spending is up a lot this year. I have been buying in larger batches rather than just buying a few days at a time and I think we're accumulating a bit excess and need to plan some meals to use that.

Clothing and other frivolous spending has been more in spurts when the weather changes or the kiddo grows. It's probably less overall and per item it's cheaper to buy t-shirts and sweats than fancy office/school clothes.

[MrThatsDifferent]

Yes. I, Mr Forever Renter, bought a property and need to furnish it better. Also, I, Mr No Car, am thinking about buying a car. Covid has made me re-prioritize things in my life.

I bought a car! First one ever and I’m in my 40s haha.

Congrats! Enjoying it or regretting it? Do you feel you’re getting the use out of it you wanted?

[brooklynmoney]

Yes. I, Mr Forever Renter, bought a property and need to furnish it better. Also, I, Mr No Car, am thinking about buying a car. Covid has made me re-prioritize things in my life.

I bought a car! First one ever and I’m in my 40s haha.

Congrats! Enjoying it or regretting it? Do you feel you’re getting the use out of it you wanted?

I’m like you I was dead set against cars for my whole adult life. But now I love it. It’s part of my new suburban existence which I also love. I still barely drive it as I don’t need it for work but it makes going hiking SO much easier and also not having to carry around anything I buy like groceries is also nice.

[tygertygertyger]

We tried to buy a house (had planned on it pre-pandemic), but found everything was too expensive. We put a bid in on one house but it received 5 offers within 2 days, so we did not get it. Still renting.

I am donating more $$ to charity and other needs, like our local food bank and an organization to help local homeless folks. Trying to do my christmas shopping at local shops too, because we're already seeing the retail apocalypse here.

But, I'd reduced my retirement savings this year with the goal of buying a house, and then had reduced hours at work for several months, so overall I think my spending is down... just shifted between categories. 

[achvfi]

I am spending more this year on my family's experiences, gifts and charity. Its just that everyone is so stressed out mentally, I want to indulge them some excesses and make feel special.

[formerlydivorcedmom]

For the most part, our overall spending is the same.  Commuting costs have gone way down, vacations were cancelled, etc.  All of those savings were redirected to helping local businesses and charities.  We have spent a lot more this year on takeout than ever before (and used delivery for the first time).  Enough that middle kid whined that she was tired of "eating out".  That's intentional to help local businesses.

We saved a few thousand by doing a big landscaping project ourselves (since H was home) ... and splurged by going more over the top than we otherwise would have.

I'm okay spending the money (and leaving giant tips) to help the economy right now.

[brooklynmoney]

We’re intentionally spending more.  The DH is high risk and his workplace didn’t see a need to provide any sort of protective adaptations for the public facing staff, so he quit his job back in the spring.  He’s a jack of all trades and used to being productive, so we’ve been purchasing material for various home improvement, food production, and neighborhood community building projects to keep him busy.  Normally we keep a running 5-year plan for big ticket spending, so we know we haven’t splurged on anything we wouldn’t have gotten in the next few years anyways, but he’s burned through 2 years of high labor, low cost projects in the past 9 months.  I consider the money well spent.  We’re buying local when we can benefitting our neighbors, and it’s easier for the DH to stay home while I’m still working because he knows he’s contributing to a safer, more comfortable FI/RE in a few years.  We usually update the 5-year plan every December.  It should be an interesting discussion this year.

Sounds like a life well planned and lived!

[brooklynmoney]

For the most part, our overall spending is the same.  Commuting costs have gone way down, vacations were cancelled, etc.  All of those savings were redirected to helping local businesses and charities.  We have spent a lot more this year on takeout than ever before (and used delivery for the first time).  Enough that middle kid whined that she was tired of "eating out".  That's intentional to help local businesses.

We saved a few thousand by doing a big landscaping project ourselves (since H was home) ... and splurged by going more over the top than we otherwise would have.

I'm okay spending the money (and leaving giant tips) to help the economy right now.

Yes I love that you are tipping a lot. I am a NYer and we tip for everything so I am also used to leaving generous tips.

[jrhampt]

Yes, lots more takeout from all my favorite little places, much larger tips, food pantry donations, and more support to the local symphony.

This may be somewhat offset by very little travel this year and canceling gym membership.

[Kepler]

We have made a point of visiting some nearby attractions that you need to pay to visit (we're in New Zealand, so travel isn't an anti-social activity in current alert levels...) - on the one hand, it supports jobs particularly badly hit by our border closures; on the other hand, it's also currently vastly discounted and much less crowded than if we had tried to do the same thing last year...  I'm not totally sure whether to feel exploitative (since we wouldn't be doing this, even now, if we had to pay the normal prices...), or whether to feel like we're doing something for the local economy...  But it is true that we are making a conscious point of doing some "paid" things, where normally we would probably just head straight for a trail or the beach...

[gooki]

Yip. Spending is well up this year. I did the same in 2008-2009. Yes it’s not the most prudent for my own financial position, but if it helps others it’s better for society.

Note: spending is focused on service industries where the majority of the money goes to those who provide the service.

[OtherJen]

I did our weekly grocery shopping entirely at the small, independently owned market by my house. I definitely paid more than usual, so I might start shopping there one week and at Aldi the next.

[TheFrenchCat]

In the beginning of all this, we did take out from our usual post-church diner every week.  Once they opened up the dining room, we stopped since we figured they would have most of their patrons back, and we didn't want to go in to pick up with so many other people inside.

Other than that we haven't done a ton of extra spending, so we're saving a lot.  I'm trying to think of more local places to buy gifts from, but we don't have a huge selection near us.

[Dicey]

No. I wasn't eating out before and I'm not going to eat out now. Until restaurants serve healthy, fresh food and pay their employees a decent wage, I refuse to support such business model.
I do not donate to charities. I don't see how donating to charities alleviate the need for them in the first place. Instead, I rather concentrate on the systematic cause that creates the underclass that needs to rely on charity and focus on the empowerment vis a vis some sort of activism.

Gee, what sort of activism do you have in mind? Is it something you are actively pursuing at present?

[brooklynmoney]

I did our weekly grocery shopping entirely at the small, independently owned market by my house. I definitely paid more than usual, so I might start shopping there one week and at Aldi the next.

Yes I did something like this. Go to small local fancy market 1 week and the next the big grocery store.

[Catica]

No. I wasn't eating out before and I'm not going to eat out now. Until restaurants serve healthy, fresh food and pay their employees a decent wage, I refuse to support such business model.
I do not donate to charities. I don't see how donating to charities alleviate the need for them in the first place. Instead, I rather concentrate on the systematic cause that creates the underclass that needs to rely on charity and focus on the empowerment vis a vis some sort of activism.

Gee, what sort of activism do you have in mind? Is it something you are actively pursuing at present?

Why gee?

[Dicey]

No. I wasn't eating out before and I'm not going to eat out now. Until restaurants serve healthy, fresh food and pay their employees a decent wage, I refuse to support such business model.
I do not donate to charities. I don't see how donating to charities alleviate the need for them in the first place. Instead, I rather concentrate on the systematic cause that creates the underclass that needs to rely on charity and focus on the empowerment vis a vis some sort of activism.

Gee, what sort of activism do you have in mind? Is it something you are actively pursuing at present?

Why gee?

Why not? I'm trying to understand what you're saying.

[Catica]

No. I wasn't eating out before and I'm not going to eat out now. Until restaurants serve healthy, fresh food and pay their employees a decent wage, I refuse to support such business model.
I do not donate to charities. I don't see how donating to charities alleviate the need for them in the first place. Instead, I rather concentrate on the systematic cause that creates the underclass that needs to rely on charity and focus on the empowerment vis a vis some sort of activism.

Gee, what sort of activism do you have in mind? Is it something you are actively pursuing at present?

Why gee?

Why not? I'm trying to understand what you're saying.

So what does "gee" mean in your question?

[Kris]

No. I wasn't eating out before and I'm not going to eat out now. Until restaurants serve healthy, fresh food and pay their employees a decent wage, I refuse to support such business model.
I do not donate to charities. I don't see how donating to charities alleviate the need for them in the first place. Instead, I rather concentrate on the systematic cause that creates the underclass that needs to rely on charity and focus on the empowerment vis a vis some sort of activism.

Gee, what sort of activism do you have in mind? Is it something you are actively pursuing at present?

Why gee?

Why not? I'm trying to understand what you're saying.

So what does "gee" mean in your question?

I mean, I’m not even part of this conversation, but if you have no intention of answering Dicey’s question, just say so.

[lhamo]

No. I wasn't eating out before and I'm not going to eat out now. Until restaurants serve healthy, fresh food and pay their employees a decent wage, I refuse to support such business model.
I do not donate to charities. I don't see how donating to charities alleviate the need for them in the first place. Instead, I rather concentrate on the systematic cause that creates the underclass that needs to rely on charity and focus on the empowerment vis a vis some sort of activism.

Gee, what sort of activism do you have in mind? Is it something you are actively pursuing at present?

Why gee?

Why not? I'm trying to understand what you're saying.

So what does "gee" mean in your question?

I mean, I’m not even part of this conversation, but if you have no intention of answering Dicey’s question, just say so.

I'd also be interested in knowing more precisely what you are doing to "concentrate on the systematic cause that creates the underclass that needs to rely on charity and focus on the empowerment vis a vis some sort of activism."

Maybe some of us will be inspired to take similar actions.  Or not.  But generally it is more constructive to propose an alternative action than just throw around slogans that criticize what others are actually trying to do to make a difference, however small or ineffectual their efforts might be.

[Catica]

No. I wasn't eating out before and I'm not going to eat out now. Until restaurants serve healthy, fresh food and pay their employees a decent wage, I refuse to support such business model.
I do not donate to charities. I don't see how donating to charities alleviate the need for them in the first place. Instead, I rather concentrate on the systematic cause that creates the underclass that needs to rely on charity and focus on the empowerment vis a vis some sort of activism.

Gee, what sort of activism do you have in mind? Is it something you are actively pursuing at present?

Why gee?

Why not? I'm trying to understand what you're saying.

So what does "gee" mean in your question?

I mean, I’m not even part of this conversation, but if you have no intention of answering Dicey’s question, just say so.

I'd also be interested in knowing more precisely what you are doing to "concentrate on the systematic cause that creates the underclass that needs to rely on charity and focus on the empowerment vis a vis some sort of activism."

Maybe some of us will be inspired to take similar actions.  Or not.  But generally it is more constructive to propose an alternative action than just throw around slogans that criticize what others are actually trying to do to make a difference, however small or ineffectual their efforts might be.

I didn't criticize anyone. I stated what I don't engage in and why. You instead attacked me without a reason. Did I do something to you?
Here you go:
I volunteer at the local soup kitchen that allows me to be face to face with people who happen to be in dire straits, conversing with them, and uplifting them in the circumstance they are in. This experience is very humbling and makes you appreciate life in general rather than just bickering about nonsense. I don't have a problem that people just want to write a check. Here is one of the reasons why I don't donate: https://smartasset.com/mortgage/the-50-worst-charities-in-america-how-to-keep-from-being-scammed
Please don't project anything into my statements as I certainly didn't criticize anyone for donating. I could careless what others do in regard to charities.

[Dicey]

My food bank buys produce for twelve cents a pound. I give them money, because they can stretch a buck better that I can, and I'm pretty damn good at it. I also helped organize a food drive on their behalf recently, which netted 19 tons of food and almost $17,000...

Being FIRE gives me the time to give back in ways I never imagined. Of course, my community volunteering began long before I reached FIRE. It's just that this MMM shit works, it really does. Now I get to be generous with money, time and effort. It feels damn good than I am able to help, even though it sucks that the need is so great.

"Gee" is an indicator of surprise or enthusiasm. I was surprised by the vitriol in your post, particularly the parts in bold. Funny that you focused on that word and ignored my polite request for clarification of your specific points. I do not see where anyone is attacking you, but I am sorry you feel that way.

Finally, damn skippy you're donating to charity. Your time and life energy are not free.

[lhamo]

No. I wasn't eating out before and I'm not going to eat out now. Until restaurants serve healthy, fresh food and pay their employees a decent wage, I refuse to support such business model.
I do not donate to charities. I don't see how donating to charities alleviate the need for them in the first place. Instead, I rather concentrate on the systematic cause that creates the underclass that needs to rely on charity and focus on the empowerment vis a vis some sort of activism.

Gee, what sort of activism do you have in mind? Is it something you are actively pursuing at present?

Why gee?

Why not? I'm trying to understand what you're saying.

So what does "gee" mean in your question?

I mean, I’m not even part of this conversation, but if you have no intention of answering Dicey’s question, just say so.

I'd also be interested in knowing more precisely what you are doing to "concentrate on the systematic cause that creates the underclass that needs to rely on charity and focus on the empowerment vis a vis some sort of activism."

Maybe some of us will be inspired to take similar actions.  Or not.  But generally it is more constructive to propose an alternative action than just throw around slogans that criticize what others are actually trying to do to make a difference, however small or ineffectual their efforts might be.

I didn't criticize anyone. I stated what I don't engage in and why. You instead attacked me without a reason. Did I do something to you?
Here you go:
I volunteer at the local soup kitchen that allows me to be face to face with people who happen to be in dire straits, conversing with them, and uplifting them in the circumstance they are in. This experience is very humbling and makes you appreciate life in general rather than just bickering about nonsense. I don't have a problem that people just want to write a check. Here is one of the reasons why I don't donate: https://smartasset.com/mortgage/the-50-worst-charities-in-america-how-to-keep-from-being-scammed
Please don't project anything into my statements as I certainly didn't criticize anyone for donating. I could careless what others do in regard to charities.

I did not attack you.

Your original post was critical of actions many of us have been taking, but you failed to provide details of what constructive action you were taking. Glad to hear you are volunteering and find it meaningful/ believe it is making a difference.

There are lots of resources available to evaluate charities: guidestar, charity navigator and give well all have useful ratings and metrics. Better still is to volunteer with a local organization so you can see how any donations and grant funds are used. Volunteer hours are valuable but it takes money to keep the lights on.

[Zikoris]

I got a haircut at a salon for the first time in like... 3 or 4 years? Normally I just go get a quick, cheap clipper at the barber, but they were all closed today and I was losing my mind from the shagginess. I learned something interesting - the stylist mentioned that this year salons are expecting to get absolutely hammered financially, because apparently doing hair for Christmas parties, especially office Christmas parties, is a huge chunk of their annual revenue, and those are all cancelled this year. I never even realized that, because it would never even be on my radar to get my hair done for an event, but apparently it's a very big thing.

[Dicey]

I got a haircut at a salon for the first time in like... 3 or 4 years? Normally I just go get a quick, cheap clipper at the barber, but they were all closed today and I was losing my mind from the shagginess. I learned something interesting - the stylist mentioned that this year salons are expecting to get absolutely hammered financially, because apparently doing hair for Christmas parties, especially office Christmas parties, is a huge chunk of their annual revenue, and those are all cancelled this year. I never even realized that, because it would never even be on my radar to get my hair done for an event, but apparently it's a very big thing.

Imagine how the caterers and event planners feel these days...

[Cranky]

No. I wasn't eating out before and I'm not going to eat out now. Until restaurants serve healthy, fresh food and pay their employees a decent wage, I refuse to support such business model.
I do not donate to charities. I don't see how donating to charities alleviate the need for them in the first place. Instead, I rather concentrate on the systematic cause that creates the underclass that needs to rely on charity and focus on the empowerment vis a vis some sort of activism.

Gee, what sort of activism do you have in mind? Is it something you are actively pursuing at present?

Why gee?

Why not? I'm trying to understand what you're saying.

So what does "gee" mean in your question?

I mean, I’m not even part of this conversation, but if you have no intention of answering Dicey’s question, just say so.

I'd also be interested in knowing more precisely what you are doing to "concentrate on the systematic cause that creates the underclass that needs to rely on charity and focus on the empowerment vis a vis some sort of activism."

Maybe some of us will be inspired to take similar actions.  Or not.  But generally it is more constructive to propose an alternative action than just throw around slogans that criticize what others are actually trying to do to make a difference, however small or ineffectual their efforts might be.

I didn't criticize anyone. I stated what I don't engage in and why. You instead attacked me without a reason. Did I do something to you?
Here you go:
I volunteer at the local soup kitchen that allows me to be face to face with people who happen to be in dire straits, conversing with them, and uplifting them in the circumstance they are in. This experience is very humbling and makes you appreciate life in general rather than just bickering about nonsense. I don't have a problem that people just want to write a check. Here is one of the reasons why I don't donate: https://smartasset.com/mortgage/the-50-worst-charities-in-america-how-to-keep-from-being-scammed
Please don't project anything into my statements as I certainly didn't criticize anyone for donating. I could careless what others do in regard to charities.

How does volunteering at a soup kitchen promote systemic change?  If there’s one thing that depends on charitable donations, especially of $$, it’s soup kitchens and food banks.

[OtherJen]

I got a haircut at a salon for the first time in like... 3 or 4 years? Normally I just go get a quick, cheap clipper at the barber, but they were all closed today and I was losing my mind from the shagginess. I learned something interesting - the stylist mentioned that this year salons are expecting to get absolutely hammered financially, because apparently doing hair for Christmas parties, especially office Christmas parties, is a huge chunk of their annual revenue, and those are all cancelled this year. I never even realized that, because it would never even be on my radar to get my hair done for an event, but apparently it's a very big thing.

Oof. I usually cut my own hair but now I'm thinking maybe it's time for a salon cut. It's been 2 or 3 years since my last one.

[Kris]

No. I wasn't eating out before and I'm not going to eat out now. Until restaurants serve healthy, fresh food and pay their employees a decent wage, I refuse to support such business model.
I do not donate to charities. I don't see how donating to charities alleviate the need for them in the first place. Instead, I rather concentrate on the systematic cause that creates the underclass that needs to rely on charity and focus on the empowerment vis a vis some sort of activism.

Gee, what sort of activism do you have in mind? Is it something you are actively pursuing at present?

Why gee?

Why not? I'm trying to understand what you're saying.

So what does "gee" mean in your question?

I mean, I’m not even part of this conversation, but if you have no intention of answering Dicey’s question, just say so.

I'd also be interested in knowing more precisely what you are doing to "concentrate on the systematic cause that creates the underclass that needs to rely on charity and focus on the empowerment vis a vis some sort of activism."

Maybe some of us will be inspired to take similar actions.  Or not.  But generally it is more constructive to propose an alternative action than just throw around slogans that criticize what others are actually trying to do to make a difference, however small or ineffectual their efforts might be.

I didn't criticize anyone. I stated what I don't engage in and why. You instead attacked me without a reason. Did I do something to you?
Here you go:
I volunteer at the local soup kitchen that allows me to be face to face with people who happen to be in dire straits, conversing with them, and uplifting them in the circumstance they are in. This experience is very humbling and makes you appreciate life in general rather than just bickering about nonsense. I don't have a problem that people just want to write a check. Here is one of the reasons why I don't donate: https://smartasset.com/mortgage/the-50-worst-charities-in-america-how-to-keep-from-being-scammed
Please don't project anything into my statements as I certainly didn't criticize anyone for donating. I could careless what others do in regard to charities.

How does volunteering at a soup kitchen promote systemic change?  If there’s one thing that depends on charitable donations, especially of $$, it’s soup kitchens and food banks.

Yeah, i get that it makes Catica feel good (and hey, soup kitchens are needed for sure), but as someone who did this for more than a decade myself, I fail to see how it promotes systemic change.