Keep On Giving: Times Are Even Tighter For Others

Instead, move the category up closer to the top. We tend to fund our expenses starting with the most important -- housing or transportation, for example -- to the least important -- pet grooming or video rentals. When things get tight we start cutting from the bottom up because that's where more of the expendable costs are located.

On the budget sheet for my household, the line item for tithing is first, even before the mortgage payment. The line item for church offerings and charitable giving is listed right after major expenses such as housing, food and transportation.

Treat your donation like it's a bill, advises Melissa Brown, associate director of research at the Center on Philanthropy, who co-authored its donor stability study.

Brown said her family agreed to give up a regular treat to make room for a monthly charitable contribution.

"We are trying to teach our children about philanthropy," Brown said. "So we told them we had to give up something to do this."

And they did.

"We have a lot of options in our modern lifestyle rather than cutting off contributions to people who have less than we do," Brown said. "We consume so much. When you challenge most people, they can find the money."

If you are worried about the economy or your own finances, there's another way to find money to give. De-clutter your house.

When's the last time you used that treadmill? What about the barely used clothes your children have outgrown or the toys buried at the bottom of bins in their bedrooms?

Pack up all the stuff you're not using and sell it at a flea market or online and then donate the proceeds. In fact, make this the yearly fundraiser in your household. You get to clean out your house and do some good.

Looking for a way to cut your taxes? Try giving. Your donations could add up to a sizable tax deduction if you itemize. Just be aware that to deduct any charitable donation of money, you must have a bank record or written communication from the recipient showing the name of the organization and the date and amount of the contribution.

Also keep in mind that if your contributions entitle you to merchandise, goods or services, including admission to a charity ball, banquet, theatrical performance or sporting event, you can deduct only the amount that exceeds the fair market value of the benefit received.

Finally, become involved. You are likely to be a persistent giver if you maintain an active relationship with the organizations you support.

I know that giving is personal. But don't be a fair-weather giver. If we all gave regularly, the burden would be easier on everyone in good times and bad.

· On the air: Michelle Singletary discusses personal finance Tuesdays on NPR's "Day to Day" program and at http://www.npr.org.

· By mail: Readers can write to her at The Washington Post, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071.

· By e-mail: singletarym@washpost.com.

Comments and questions are welcome, but because of the volume of mail, personal responses are not always possible. Please note that comments or questions may be used in a future column, with the writer's name, unless a specific request to do otherwise is indicated.