The Frugal Giver

Recycling Your FOOD!

2008-08-21T20:32:00.001-05:00

You recycle your clothes and your trash--why not your food?? Yes, that's
right, food. (No, I have not gone crazy!) Below I have compiled some of
my favorite ways to "recycle" your leftovers. I love doing this--it saves
money, and cuts down on unneccessary waste. This is just a sampling of
some of the things I've done, but it's easy to think of many more once you
get started!

Chili
Hamburger meat
(If you like beans, don't forget these---a great way to stretch the chili
further)
Chili envelope packet

Make chili according to packet directions. Serve.

To "Recycle":
Make a box of macaroni and cheese. Serve chili over prepared mac and
cheese.

Boil spaghetti noodles. Serve chili over noodles.

Buy a bag of corn chips. Serve chili over chips and sprinkle with cheese.

Buy flour tortillas. Warm and spoon chili in each; sprinkle with cheese;
fold and serve.

Roast chicken
Place 3-4 lb fryer whole in crockpot (stuff cavity with onion)
Sprinkle salt and pepper and any other seasonings on top
Add 1 1/2 c water

Serve.

To "Recycle":
Cut up left over chicken. Add mayonnaise, celery, salt and pepper. Serve
as chicken salad sandwiches.

Cut up leftover chicken. Purchase and prepare a pizza dough in the oven.
Spread marinara or alfredo sauce over pizza, add chicken and cheese. Bake
10 min and serve.

Cut up leftover chicken. Buy flour tortillas. Place chicken and cheese in
tortillas, grill for 10 min, cut into triangles for quesadillas and serve.

Cut up leftover chicken. Boil any type of noodles and add cream of
mushroom soup to chicken. Warm. Toss noodles with chicken mixture and
serve.

Peach-Glazed Ham Steak
Buy 1lb fully cooked ham steak (1" thick)
Mix together peach marmalade/jam, honey dijon mustard, salt and pepper
Spread over ham slice
Grill, glazed side down, uncovered for 6-7 min. Turn ham and top with more
marmalade glaze. Grill 7-9 more min. Serve.

To "Recycle":

Cube up leftover ham and serve on lettuce. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese
and drizzle with Caesar salad dressing.

Slice leftover ham and serve as sandwiches in grilled french bread.

Slice leftover ham. Warm store bought flour tortillas. Place ham in
tortillas and drizzle with honey barbecue sauce; wrap and serve.

Leftover Vegetables (any)

To "Recycle":
Fill a pie shell with chopped leftover veggies, canned shrimp or crab,
shredded cheese, evaporated milk-egg mixture. Bake until set for a great
quiche.

Add veggies to chicken broth and onions. Add beans or pasta for a colorful
and easy soup.

Grilled Porkchops
Spinkle rosemary or other seasoning on porkchops.
Grill in minimal oil until cooked through. Serve.

To "Recycle":
Add 1 can cream of mushroom soup to pork chops and 1 bag cooked instant
rice. Serve.

Mix together an envelope of pork gravy. Pour over pork chops and let heat
15 min. Serve with potatoes.

Shred pork chops. Add barbecue sauce and let simmer. Spoon onto hamburger
buns and serve.

Barbecued Meat
Add barbecue sauce and simmer.
Serve.

To "Recycle":
Shred meat. Prepare french fries in oven. Spoon meat over fries, top with
shredded cheese and serve.

Shred meat. Prepare pizza dough in oven. Top pizza crust with barbecue
sauce, shredded meat, cheese, sliced onions. Warm and serve.

Prepare baked potatoes as usual. Split and top with shredded barbecue
meat. Top with any of your favorite toppings and serve.

Shred meat and add canned beans and diced tomatoes. Sprinkle cumin, chili
powder, and garlic salt into mixture. Let simmer and serve.

Quick tips:

Turn leftover rice into a great casserole by adding a meat or vegetable and
a creamed soup (mushroom or chicken). Bake and serve. (You can do this
with leftover pasta as well.)

Turn any leftover meat or vegetable into a soup by adding tomato sauce,
chicken broth, and herbs. Let simmer and serve.

Roast beef can always be (duh!) sandwiches, an addition to a salad, a wrap
with pita bread or tortillas, or great chopped and mixed with gravy and
spooned over mashed potatoes. YUM!

Native American Culture

2008-08-16T00:17:00.004-05:00

A subject very near and dear to my heart is the continued support and assistance to Native American people. If you have not read Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee you should do so as soon as you have the opportunity. Go to the library and check it out or purchase it, but definitely read it. It is an extremely important piece of literature that captures the heartbreak and cruel genocide of the Native Americans.

While there is nothing we can do to change the past, what we can and should do is change the future for these people. Native Americans today are beset by poverty, as a result of generations of feeling "forgotten" and "inconsequential". We can help these citizens get the care and respect they deserve by doing our part. Want to help? Visit:

Native American College Fund
Keep Tribal Colleges going! This ensures that future generations of Native Americans can get the quality of education they deserve.

First Nations
According to the site: "Through a three-pronged strategy of Educating Grassroots Practitioners, Advocating Systemic Change, and Capitalizing Indian Communities, First Nations Development Institute is working to restore Native control and culturally-compatible stewardship of the assets they own - be they land, human potential, cultural heritage, or natural resources - and to establish new assets for ensuring the long-term vitality of Native communities."

Futures for Children
The site says:
"28% of American Indian children drop out of school in the Futures service area (data from US Census 2000)
96% of Futures for Children American Indian students are promoted a grade level or graduate high school
A world of possibilities is provided to American Indian children with your help through Futures for Childrens' Three Circles of Support::
Mentorship
Youth Leadership
Families in Action"

Native American Heritage Association
For as little as $15 you can "help the Native American Heritage Association supply hundreds of Native American families on the tribal reservations of South Dakota with such basic essential items as food, clothing, medical transportation, emergency vouchers and other needs as they occur.

Trees, Water, & People
For any amount, you can help the site realize this aspiration: "Trees, Water & People's Tribal Lands Renewable Energy program puts the power of nature — the warmth of the sun, the power of the wind, the shelter of trees — to work for Native Americans. Working with reservations communities, TWP plants windbreak and shade trees around homes, and builds and installs supplemental solar heaters for families in need. These solutions are sustainable, economically beneficial, environmentally friendly, and celebrate the Native Americans' respect for Mother Earth."

These are a very small number of charities that help our first people of this nation. I will revisit this topic as frequently as I can, and add more as I research them. If you have no way to donate money at this time, you can still:

--EDUCATE yourself about the plight of Native Americans. The more you know, the more you can help.
--EDUCATE others. Talk to those you know about this problem; get their feedback. You may be surprised by how many friends and family a) don't know about this topic, or b) have ideas on how to help.
--TEACH your children about Native Americans. Too much is left out in standard education. The more children who grow up being aware of this culture, the better the future will be for everyone involved.
--Remember to donate clothes to your local missions or shelters, and food to your local food bank. This is good for everyone, of course, but many Native Americans rely on these projects.
--Check back here from time to time; as I do more research I'll give more ideas for helping our Native American neighbors!

Cleaner Living For All!

2008-08-13T20:18:00.003-05:00

As promised, here are some more simple ways to live a cleaner, more environmentally-friendly life. Even if you choose one thing to do, you CAN make a difference!

Limit your fast food due to packaging and over-processing

Try out your bike for small errands

Choose just one product that is not good for the environment and stop using it. Imagine the influence over companies that we all wield. If everyone chose just one product and stopped using it, this could completely change
how manufacturers operate.

Coordinate a community clean up project or participate in one.

Collect aluminum cans and make money off of this endeavor. You can pocket the money or donate a part of it to a worthy cause.

Make your own compost pile. You can choose a section of your yard that is not in the way. Throw food wastes there and mix with dirt. Every week or so, turn the pile over to expose it to more air. In 2-4 weeks you will have rich soil that helps plants grow.

DONATE. Anything you don't use anymore, check out a local mission or resale store and donate your goods. You will want to ensure that these stores actually assist indigent people, not just resell the items.

Choose a food group and go organic. My family now only drinks organic milk. Vegetables, fruits and meats are a worthy change as well. It takes far less chemicals and processing to create these foods. Plus, it's better for you!

Recycle your paper. When you write on one side, turn it over and use the other. Don't throw your paper away until it's all been used.

Email your friends and family every week with a useful "green" tip or story. Raising awareness in others is the first step to getting them to join you!

Save some water--switch to powder detergents. Liquid uses water of course, which drains this resource. Do your part and if you can't afford the heftier price tag of green detergent, at least switch to powder!

Which leads me to...line dry your clothes. Remember that "sunshine" smell you used to experience when you would help Mom fold clothes? It can be yours again by hangind out a laundry line. You may not want to dry everything this way, but how about linens and "unmentionables"? Even a few items can really make a difference! If you can't line dry outside, how
about investing in a drying rack like this one
or this one . Save money and
the environment!

By the way, to check out your environment IQ, take the green test:
http://www.thegreenguide.com/quizzes/greenIQ

Non-Traditional (but worthwhile) Adoption

2008-08-07T20:39:00.005-05:00

Usually when you hear "adoption", you think of cuddly children. While this is an enormously worthwhile effort, there are SO MANY other things you can "adopt" to either help the environment, make someone's life better, or even save a life, if traditional adoption isn't in the plans. Here, I have compiled some of the most worthwhile and unusual
adoption programs that you can help with. You can adopt:

A Native American Elder
Money is not accepted in this program! In adopting a Native American elder on a reservation, you will simply be responsible for sending 2 food boxes for him/her in May and October.

A Soldier
Again, no money required here. You send a care package to a soldier and make his/her day!

A Manatee
There are only approximately 3,000 West Indian manatees left in the U.S. Help save one! For $25 you get: a photo of your manatee, its' biography, an adoption certificate, a membership handbook, and 4 newsletters a year to update you on your manatee.

A Pet
As of today on this site alone, there are over a quarter of a million homeless pets. Do one a favor and adopt it!

A Zoo Species
According to the site, this program "helps support the care of 2,000 animals at the National Zoo and its Conservation and Research Center." You can read even more on how this is a worthy cause here.

A Rainforest
This contributes funds to small conservation groups in different tropical areas so that they may help stop rainforest destruction. This is a great site to get your children or class involved in. $25 protects one-quarter of an acre.

A Whale
Help researchers continue to protect these endangered animals for $40!

A Turkey (really!)
For $20, you can make sure a turkey doesn't suffer the fate of most during this Thanksgiving year!

A Homeless Family
You can contribute items, vouchers, or money to a homeless family by participating in this program.

A Hospital Room
This site is committed to turning ordinary, depressing hospital rooms into a "home away from home" for seriously ill children and their families. Check out an example of their work!

A Grandparent
This is an adult-based, non-profit program that matches adults in need of companionship with older citizens who are lonely and without friends.

A Classroom
Through this organization, you can contribute to an elementary school by providing them with a subscription to Kind News. This magazine enhances humane education throughout the country.

A Tree
This is an easy way to help give back what we take away every year. You can even visit your tree!

A Village
This is a charity in Guatemala that aids impoverished Mayan families. You can donate 2 text books or a doctor/dental visit for just $25. You can also donate 100 lbs. of corn to orphans for $30.

A Bus Stop
This is sponsored by the Washington Metropolitan Area, and lets you help keep the bus stop area clean and accessible to its patrons.

Want information on traditional adoption? Check out this site. Or, to foster/adopt for a very worthwhile organization, try CASA.

We all have the power to make someone's life better, or to ensure our environment flourishes. We can do this by being informed and choosing a very worthwhile cause(s) to champion. Go ahead, adopt something today!

Giving Back on Ebay!

2008-08-06T21:45:00.003-05:00

*Sorry for the lack of updates, but I was out of town all weekend on a tubing trip in Canyon Lake, TX. It was fabulous!*

Last week I was on the hunt for a fabulous dress to wear to my 10 year reunion this weekend. Since I'm committed to recycling clothing, I was checking out ebay. Imagine my surprise when I found the perfect dress for $14.99:

I received it Monday and am in love with it!
The best part, though is that it was on a part of Ebay that I was not even familiar with! I am pretty ashamed of this, since I try to stay as updated as possible on charities, obviously. This division of Ebay is "Ebay Giving Works". As proclaimed on the site:

"How each of us can make a difference for all of us. Together, we have the power to create an incredible amount of GOOD in the world-all it takes is buying or selling an item on eBay, or making an online gift through PayPal. Every activity you do with eBay Giving Works benefits a certified nonprofit organization of your choosing. Over $150M has been raised for charitable causes on eBay – so go ahead, what are you waiting for?"

My dress, for example, donated 25% to the Christmas Wish Program, Inc. for children. It's fabulous! I felt so wonderful after buying this dress; I saved money, but helped homeless children at the same time. How cool is that?

Please, go to www.ebaygivingworks.com/ today and get what you need at a discount price while helping a worthy cause in the process!

11 Billion Dollar Ransom

2008-07-31T22:08:00.002-05:00

I read a disturbing article today about how Exxon Mobil has posted over 11 billion dollars in profits for their 2nd quarter. This breaks the record of any corporation in United States history. In 3 months, Exxon Mobil has made more money that some countries have.
This astounds me.
I pay dearly at the pump, just like every other American, and I am held hostage by this expense, as I would have no other way to earn money without my vehicle. There is no real transit system where I live, so my options are pretty much nil. I find myself balancing finances routinely to make ends meet, just like the average American. I do all of this, live a pretty upstanding life, and still wonder about my future financial security.
And Exxon Mobil, those holding my entire livelihood for ransom, are living it up at the expense of my LIFE.
I simply don't understand how more people are not utterly outraged by this. Why are we allowing our government to conduct "business as usual"? How many lives are being lost right now in the Middle East in the name of oil?
It is time that we elect leaders who CARE about alternative fuels, and who will actually REGULATE these big oil companies. For too long they have been allowed to run rampant, walking on and breaking middle and lower class backs in their rapacious greed.
Do me a favor, come election day, please vote for anyone except "Washington as usual". Let's get our planet back.

Inexpensive Ways to Green Your Life

2008-07-30T22:17:00.002-05:00

Changing a lifestyle can seem overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. Here are some tips for living a cleaner, more planet-friendly life, and you don't have to spend a fortune to do it!

--Buy a water filter pitcher. Americans use thousands of water bottles every hour, and only 1 in 5 are recycled! You can get a reusable water bottle to take with you and you'll still have your bottled water--but without all of the bottles! I like the SIGG Kids Bottle. It holds 0.6 liters of bottle (a normal water bottle holds 0.5), but more importantly, it's 100% recyclable (after you use it for a LONG TIME), practically indestructible, easy to clean, and doesn't leach any harmful chemicals. The liner resists bacteria also. For about $30 total, you can have a system that not only saves you money, but helps save the planet!

--CHANGE YOUR LIGHT BULB(s)! If you can change at least one light bulb in your home to a compact fluorescent bulb, you can make a difference. They use about 65% less energy than a regular incandescent bulb AND last 10-20 times longer! Not to mention, you actually SAVE more than $20 per year on each light source you change.

--Practice turning things off! Make sure your lights are off when you don't need them. Make sure you aren't running water unnecessarily, and watch the thermostat. If there is a great breeze outside, open the window! If you can add a layer or two in the winter, turn your thermostat off. This takes practice if you aren't used to it, but you can do it.

--Switch to recyclable napkins and practice using less. This is a practical solution that everyone can do.

I'll post more easy solutions in future posts, but remember the golden rule--Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!!

Back To School Savings

2008-07-29T22:27:00.002-05:00

It's almost time for school again--sigh--and there are a few things you can do to make sure those school supplies and clothes don't break the bank. Here is a list of things I'm doing this year to save on this usually expensive venture:

1) Use leftovers from last year.
At the end of the year, teachers send home the supplies that the students didn't use. Although this might seem like a no-brainer, it's easy to forget about that stack of overstock you put in the closet shelf. Take it down and sort through what can be used for this year. If you can't use it, put it up again and see if you can use it another year. Also, ask any friends if they had any school supplies left over that they can't use this year. They may be willing to trade for yours or just give them to you.

2) School Supply Drives
Look in your local newspaper or "google" back to school drives in your community. The United Way usually will have information on these drives as well. You can get a back pack of supplies at no cost, or just what you need if you are struggling financially.

3) Check your home for basic things you may already have.
I found scissors, sharpie markers, pencils, and an old school supply box around our house. USE these! Just because a list may have a "brand" name, doesn't mean you have to conform. Trust me, I've been sending Cameron to school with whatever was economically feasible for me for years.

4) Go to your local dollar store.
I found tissues for extremely cheap. You can find some really good deals here.

5) CHECK EBAY.
Supplies and school clothes ARE available. Just type in your child's clothing size or specific items in the search bar. You'll be amazed at the variety of items you can find for well below retail. I found a bulk sale on boy's clothing (15 pieces!) for $30.00 total.

6) Rely on summer birthdays.
If your child has a birthday in the summer, you can request that most relatives get your child an outfit. Put it away until school starts. I have saved countless money using this method. (Get your child those "cool" toys and tell a few relatives about them as well so that he/she doesn't feel ripped off, of course!)

7) Back to school clothing drives are your friends.
You can find clothing drives in your area by applying the same principals as your back to school supplies drives. There is no shame at all in needing help, and if it makes you feel better, drop off some of your child's outgrown clothes as a "trade".

8) Have your child ride the bus.
If you live in an area that qualifies, let your child ride the bus to and from school if possible. Not only does this cut down on emissions from vehicles, but it also saves you gas money. Truly a win-win situation.

Hope these help, and here's to another year of homework and headaches!

The Real Cost of Clothes

2008-07-28T20:40:00.003-05:00

I found this on a great site--www.behindthelabel.org:

It's one of those realities that we are all guilty of turning a blind eye to, but it must be faced. Trade regulations in our country are not what most of us would hope. There are millions of people all over the globe forced into sweatshop labor. Sweatshop labor can involve child labor, forced overtime, unsafe working conditions, abominable wages, and intimidation of anyone trying to form a union. It is a life of drudgery and indentured servants, and these people pay a huge price for the things we wear, or allow our children to play with everyday.

This was difficult for me to come to terms with, and I am still struggling to find ways to reduce my personal involvement in these profits. Today I tried to find clothing marked "fair trade" online, and did manage to come across some sites --www.thehungersite.com, www.nosweatapparel.com, and www.peaceofmyheartonline.com were my favorites--but it is woefully sad how few options there are out there. I applaud these sites for the work they are doing, though, and hope to see many more like them.

I have decided, however, that until fair trade becomes more prevalent, the best thing I can is to purchase my clothes and my family's clothes at thrift stores and ebay. In this way, we will be a) reducing our carbon footprint by recycling clothing, and b) not contributing to the demand for more clothing produced via unethical and morally wrong methods. This will take some adjustment, but I am confident we can do it. I've never been a person who cared at all about brand names, and neither is my husband, thank goodness. I am hopeful that we will also be teaching our son that clothes can only define who you are if you are using them to help someone else. Growing up in home where we were not financially secure was probably the best thing that could have happened to me. I learned to see the world in a broader sense, not within the lines of brand names, cash, and "status" symbols. My hope is that my son will learn the same lessons, even though we have more means than my parents did.

I am committed to following through with this effort. In the event that we can't a) buy via ebay or thrift stores or b) buy fair trade, we will donate to the Alliance for Global Justice, which promotes"development of a unified domestic and international movement of transformational grassroots organizations that promote a socially, ecologically and economically just world."

Maybe our meager awareness and conscience toward these injustices will help just one person working in a sweatshop attain basic rights. It's definitely worth any effort.

Here is a list of commonly known sweatshop users (based soley on notes I have taken on the subject):

Nike
Phillips-Van Heusen
Disney
Guess?
The Gap
Banana Republic
Old Navy
Tommy Hilfiger
Reebok
Levi Straus
Liz Caliborne
Ralph Lauren
Mattel
Wal-Mart
Hanes
Kohl's
K-mart
Abercrombie & Fitch
JC Penney
Pier 1 Imports
Sears
Mattel
Bugle Boy
American Eagle
Adidas

The list goes on, and that's the problem. There is simply no way to know who DOESN'T use these. And that's the saddest part.

The Easiest (and Cheapest) Recipes Around!

2008-07-24T21:37:00.002-05:00

Here are some thrifty meals you can make that won't break the bank. I will post these as I think of them from time to time. Just a little "taste" of my personal collection during harder times. I hope it helps!

Beanie Wienie

1 can Pork 'n Beans (any brand)
1/2 package wieners, cut into 1/2 inch rounds

Heat up beans. Place wieners into pot with beans and serve.

Ramen Noodle Chicken

4 packages ramen noodle creamy chicken flavor
1 can of chunk chicken

Prepare ramen noodles according to package directions. Add chicken and
serve.

Penne Pasta and Sauce

1 package penne pasta
1 can marinara sauce

Prepare penne according to directions. Heat sauce and serve atop pasta.

Scalloped Casserole

1 box scalloped potatoes
1 lb hamburger meat

Prepare potatoes according to directions. Brown meat and drain. Stir meat
into cooked potatoes and serve.

Quesadillas

1 package tortillas
sliced American cheese
jar salsa

Heat up skillet. Place cheese and 1 tbsp salsa on tortilla. Place another
tortilla on top. Grill both sides in skillet. Cut in fourths and serve.

Spanish Rice Casserole

1 box or pkg of spanish rice mix
1 lb hamburger meat
1 can whole kernel corn

Prepare rice according to directions. Brown beef and drain. Add beef to
cooked rice, as well as drained can of corn. Heat 10 min and serve.

Broccoli-Cheese Chicken

1 can broccoli-cheese soup
1 lb chicken (thighs, breasts, whatever you want)
3 bags instant white rice

Heat soup with can of milk. Prepare rice and cook chicken through. Mix
together and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Tuna Noodles

1 pkg egg noodles
1 can tuna, drained
1 can cream of mushroom soup

Prepare noodles according to directions. Heat soup. Mix tuna into soup
and pour over pasta. Serve.

"Homemade" Marinara Sauce

2 large cans whole tomatoes, broken up
4 tbsp italian seasoning, 2 tsp salt, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 2 tsp sugar
sauteed diced onions

Sautee onions and add all dry ingredients once onions are soft. Sautee
another 3 minutes. Add canned tomatoes. Let simmer 20 min. Serve over
pasta or meat.

Hot Chicken Salad Croissants

1 pkg croissant rolls
1 can chunk chicken
2 tbsp mayo
salt and pepper to taste

Mix chicken with mayo, salt and pepper. Spread a tsp onto flat croissant.
Roll up into croissant shape and place on baking sheet. Bake according to
package directions and serve.

You Can Give...Even When You're Broke!

2008-07-23T19:58:00.006-05:00

I know, I know, how can we be "frugal" and still find money for charity? Well, what if I told you that by simply by clicking 6 links a day you could:

give 1.1 cups of food to the hungry,
help pay for a mammogram and to fund breast cancer research,
contribute to the health care of a child,
help give children books to end illiteracy,
help preserve part of a rain forest,
give food to pets in need via shelters?

That's right, for NO MONEY at all you can do these things. All you have to do is go to The Hunger Site. It works because for every click, site sponsors provide funding to assist these causes. 100% of funding!

There is also a wonderful shop, with economical pricing, that allows you to help others with every purchase you make--think Christmas and Birthdays; why not shop here for those gifts? If you do decide to purchase something, you can click on one of the tabs depending on your own determination of which to contribute to, and it will tell you that "with this purchase you are contributing 50 cups of food, or 1 book" and so on. Plus, most of the goods have such interesting stories as far as how they were made/produced.

I signed up for their daily reminders (you can only click the 6 tabs once a day) and it makes me feel like I am helping, even if I don't have very much money to contribute. This is something ALL of us can do, so please, visit today--www.thehungersite.com

First...

2008-07-23T19:39:00.005-05:00

I've spent a lot of time pondering the usual question--"what's it all mean?" I have to say, I have NOT figured it out (big surprise, I know), but I have figured out one universal truth.
I have figured out that it doesn't mean Prada shoes, huge houses with multiple cars in the garage, yet another credit card (platinum this time, thank you very much), or following the latest trends. It doesn't mean continuing to live irresponsibly, with no care or awareness for this planet we inhabit. It doesn't mean ignoring the untold amount of people who are suffering from poverty, hunger, abuse, ignorance, or any number of horrors, either right in your own town, or across an ocean.
I don't have all the answers; heck, I am lucky to have a few, but I am banking that if I can come up with what is not the answer, I'll be a little closer than I was when I started this journey of awareness.
Most of all, I'm counting on anyone who reads this--whether to find out a new money-saving household/travel/wedding/life tip or recipe, to get a couple of simple environmental ideas, or to find information on how to give or where--to give me new insight, a fresh take on a topic. I'm counting on society to help me figure it all out.
I believe that despite the materialism we may see around us, that there are still a majority of people who, underneath it all, have an economical, concerned, charitable spirit. It's what drives me to do this, and what gives me hope every day.
I look forward to going through this part of my journey with all of you. Let's see where it takes us!