How Much to Give is a Pragmatic Question
By Jeff Kaufman 🔸 @ 2024-12-24T04:23 (+67)
This is a crosspost, probably from LessWrong. Try viewing it there.
nullChristoph Eggert🔸 @ 2024-12-24T09:46 (+22)
From my point of view, the biggest issue that makes this question an everlasting companion for most is uncertainty. Even if I could currently give 50% away and have the same standard, how will that look like in a few years? What if I lose my job in my 50s and struggle to find anything? What if my abilities will become meaningless because of technological advancements even earlier?
I would assume for most it's not a question of consumption vs. donations, as many essays and books make it sound. It's about the balance between how much to put into your own financial securement vs. donating. This is probably much easier to answer for promising 80,000 hours supported geniuses, but a very different picture for the Average Joe who struggled in school and to find employment in the first place. It's probably impossible to give clear answers when taking that into consideration, though.
Grayden 🔸 @ 2024-12-25T15:43 (+8)
You could try putting cash into a separate savings account earmarked for donation. When you are happy that you don’t need it, donate it. (But maybe over a few years for tax efficiency)
Joseph Lemien @ 2024-12-25T14:58 (+4)
You've put into clear words the struggle that I have always had. If I had a guaranteed income or some high level of confidence that I would always be able to find employment and gain income of a certain level, then I'd find it quite easy to give away money. It wouldn't be as scarce of a resource.
There are certain parallels to the idea of put on your own oxygen mask first, as we do need to make sure we are okay before helping others. But I also suppose that the really tricky part is considering what is okay 'enough' for us.
Davidmanheim @ 2024-12-25T19:08 (+4)
I strongly agree that you need to put your own needs first, and think that your level of comfort with your savings and ability to withstand foreseeable challenges is a key input. My go-to in general, is that the standard advice of keeping 3-6 months of expenses is a reasonable goal - so you can and should give, but until you have saved that much, you should at least be splitting your excess funds between savings and charity. (And the reason most people don't manage this has a lot to do with lifestyle choices and failure to manage their spending - not just not having enough income. Normal people never have enough money to do everything they'd like to; set your expectations clearly and work to avoid the hedonic treadmill!)
Davidmanheim @ 2024-12-25T19:00 (+14)
To follow on to your point, as it relates to my personal views, (in case anyone is interested,) it's worth quoting the code of Jewish law. It introduces its discussion of Tzedakah by asking how much one is required to give. "The amount, if one has sufficient ability, is giving enough to fulfill the needs of the poor. But if you do not have enough, the most praiseworthy version is to give one fifth, the normal amount is to give a tenth, and less than that is a poor sign." And I note that this was written in the 1500s, where local charity was the majority of what was practical; today's situation is one where the needs are clearly beyond any one person's ability - so the latter clauses are the relevant ones.
So I think that, in a religion that prides itself on exacting standards and exhaustive rules for the performance of mitzvot, this is endorsing exactly your point: while giving might be a standard, and norms and community behavior is helpful in guiding behavior, the amount to give is always a personal and pragmatic decision, not a general rule.
Josh Piecyk 🔹 @ 2024-12-24T16:17 (+3)
Thank you for writing this. I have been struggling with this question myself, and your recommendation will hopefully give me motivation to finally getting around to creating a budget