'Tis the Season to Give What You Can

If your household is anything like mine, the past few weeks have been a blur of spending, spending, and more spending. Considering the staggering amount of money Canadians spend at this time of year, it can feel like a horrible time to dig even further into our wallets to give to those less fortunate. But as we all know, this is the time of year when many people are most in need of a little help.

So if you're feeling a little stretched this year, and you've left your charitable giving to the last minute (like I have), don't think it's too late. TD Bank is one of many organizations making it easy on consumers to turn their thoughts from spending to giving, and reminding people that charitable giving is a year-round concept. TD is encouraging its customers to sign up for automatic monthly withdrawals from their bank accounts, for as little as $2 a month, to support the children's hospital in their region through the Children's Miracle Network. The bank will match every toonie donated to the Children's Miracle Network up to $1 million.

Because TD covers administration costs, John Hartman of the Children's Miracle Network says, "The funds raised go directly to providing vital services, programs, equipment and research devoted to improving children's health."And because TD's campaign is about helping children, TD personal finance expert Patricia Lovett-Reid encourages involving the whole family in the giving process.

"Many of us talk to our kids about spending money and saving money, but we don't always talk a lot about giving back," she says. "Children relate to other children, and they want to help. Tell kids that it's not important how much we give, but that we give. Start off small, and once a habit is established, it will grow from there. It can be as easy as having the family discussion about how you can make a difference."

TD Canada Trust customers can set up their donations through Internet banking (log into EasyWeb, click on Special Requests, then Make a Donation), or by visiting a TD Canada Trust branch. But Lovett-Reid stresses that you don't have to be a customer to help out. "Anyone can go into a branch to make a donation," she says.

More on this topic:
Open Your Heart and Eyes When You Donate
Forget the Socks - Give the Gift of a Goat