Do you practice Frugal Acts of Kindness, and if so- what are they?

[Thrifty Ray]

I loved Jeffrey's recent post about dropping pennies for someone else to find..and it got me thinking about frugal acts of kindness.

I try to practice acts of kindness each day. Some Ive done so often, they are habits more than acts...For instance, I always hold a door Im using open for anyone coming or going...often with a suprised thank you from the person walking up.

I also will look in the cars around me when waiting for someone to back out of a parking spot...if I see an elderly person, or an alone mom with kids also looking for a spot, i will wave them in and continue looking for another.

I try to always let persons with just a few groceries go ahead of me...

What are some of your fugal kindnesses?? I am hoping to get a few new ideas and expand my practice!

[baselle]

I give up my seat on the bus, and give directions to newer riders.

I buy the homeless newspaper - comes out every week.

Coming up on the season: directions for tourists poring over street maps.

DH just got done calling the grocery store telling them where a number of their carts were.

[PrincessPerky]

I have three small kids to coral, at all doors I am the one giving the Thankyous!

But I do try to let people go ahead of us in situations (my kids walk slow!)

One odd thing I try to do (fail miserably) is to leave coupons for diapers in the diaper asile. (or give them to people if they are there)

[sakigt]

I love it when people leave coupons at the grocery store I actually use them!

... I need to start doing that. Im sure it brings good karma.

[Fern]

I think FRUGAL acts of kindness refers to acts that actually save someone money.
In the days when i made more $$, i would make donations of $100 or so on a bi-monthlyy basis to my favorite environmental groups like The Nature Conservancy, Audubon, Conservation International or Bat Conservation International.

These days, I can't afford that kind of generosity, but i do still make regular donations to good will and to freecycle.org people. Intentionally dropped pennies might be entertaining for kids to find, but otherwise, you'd need to be dropping a $5 or $10 to make someone's day, i would say.

I also regularly donate books to the 'free' shelf at my local library.

[zakity]

We hold doors open for people. We let people with alot fewer things go in front of us in the grocery store. I leave coupons in grocery stores.

I guess I never thought about them being "acts of kindness". I always thought it was just being courteous.

[sweeps]

How about giving free advice to people on savingadvice.com.

[Ima saver]

This is a good topic. I always hold the door open too and do many of the things that others do. I show people how to use the auto scan thing at the grocery store, so they don't have to wait in line.

[Fern]

Holding the door open for others is a nice thing to do, but by "frugal act of kindness" i assumed this meant what things do you do for others that saves them money?

[JoyJoy]

My husband has left money in the slot machine for the next person to use because he was fortunate to win a jackpot! We have paid for things anonymously for others.

[lrjohnson]

Anyone quitting smoking gets a jar of homemade jam. Some poeple get more jam because they quit more often. :-)

I "owe" lots of rides for rides I was given in the past, so I'll always give a ride to someone who needs it.

I will treat a person to lunch or dinner who isn't doing as well financially (though my challeneg has lessened the going out).

I donate money to charity. I donate items to thrift stores.

I let cars though in traffic, I open doors, I smile. I look homeless people in the eye.

[Thrifty Ray]

Originally Posted by Fern

Holding the door open for others is a nice thing to do, but by "frugal act of kindness" i assumed this meant what things do you do for others that saves them money?

I was hoping to learn what kindnesses others do that do not cost much (if anything). But I can also use ideas that will help others save money...

In either case, the focus is doing something positive for others....I am hoping to pick up a new habit or two from everyone's responses...(and anyone who wishes to, is welcome to join in!!)

[contrary1]

I like to do things without telling people. I think I started this years ago, when there was a toll bridge in Seattle. I would pay the cars toll that was behind me too. Hopefully, they were surprised & they started their day with a grin.

I participated in one of my kids' online schools classes.........Random Acts of Kindness. The moderator would give us each an assignment for the week and we could report back to the group (online) how we did, how it made us feel, etc. One of the best classes I've ever taken. None of the assignments had to cost money; they ranged from saying something nice to someone who needed a compliment, offering a ride to someone walking, sharing your lunch, offering your seat on the bus, a note or phone call to someone you knew was lonely.......the list could go on and on.

Great topic. Just think, if everyone did just one thing a day, what a difference that would make??

[Razzy]

If I have an online coupon I am going to use at a store I will print more than I need and give the ones I don't need to people in line. I find that the people I give the coupons are suprised to get them and grateful.

We have the Entertainment book and used one of the coupons in it for a resturant yesterday. I knew we would not use all the coupons for that particular resturant by the end of the year, so I gave one of the coupons to someone and they really appriciated it (my dh objected to this and does not understand why I did it, but if you have too much by not get rid of something??) I know if they did not use the coupon for their meal yesterday hopefully they will use it in the future or give it to someone else to use.


Razzy

[PrincessPerky]

I think an assignment would make it easier, when it doesn't come naturally you have to practice.

I practiced teaching my kids lots and now I am sometimes amazed when I notice something that comes naturally to me, is actually not so normal (teaching while cleaning, isn't normal, but very effective and fun) I had to work on it but now it is a habit, I think I should work on kindness more, I never was the nicest of people!

[Thrifty Ray]

Often, when I eat a meal out, if the server gave great service...I will ask to speak with the manager...and I share how appreciative I am about the server and how they made the meal so much more enjoyable. (It is funny to see the manager walk up with an apprehensive look...I guess they are used to being spoken to for a much different reason.)

I have also done this in department stores and banks. (I know that a written note is often discussed in front of the staff at staff meetings!!)

Having been in management, I know a compliment to the manager is much appreciated by both the manager and the employee.

[Ima saver]

I leave little gifts with my tip for my waitress. Very often it is candy to match the season, some times a candle. At Christmas I give them a card with extra money besides the regular tip.

[sweeps]

Originally Posted by Thrifty Ray

Often, when I eat a meal out, if the server gave great service...I will ask to speak with the manager...and I share how appreciative I am about the server

Excellent idea.

[Razzy]

Originally Posted by Sweepsplayer

Excellent idea.

I do the same thing..

Razzy

[PrincessPerky]

I always say I am going to do that, but in the rush of kids, and diaper bags, and last potty before the road...I never do.