Automating Your Thoughtfulness: Is this a good idea?

Many of you are well aware of the coming release of HowGiving.com ... very exciting!  I don't know about you, but as a dude especially, remembering AND executing upon gift giving for birthdays, holidays, etc. is a challenge.  And giving to charity like I intend to?  Just as tough, especially in this day and age of "time is money" and the constant barrage of "squirrels!" that distract my feeble mind each day.  

Outside of my own shortcomings, the impetuous for HowGiving.com came from a parallel I noticed ... with online banking.  "Okay, where are you going with this, Greg?"  Bear with me.  

In the late 80s and early 90s, I used to pay my bills like most other "responsible" peeps.  I put the paper invoices for electricity, rent, bathhouse membership (just kidding), etc. in chronological order, and I would wait until 5-7 days prior to the due date to cut a physical check, stuff the envelope, add a stamp and drop it off in the mailbox around the corner.  Inevitably, though, I would miss one.  And heavens forbid I'm off by one day on my payment ... $29 fees were the death of me.  

Here were the facts, though:

1. I had the money.  Missing the due date had nothing to do with coming up short for the month.
2. I fully intended to pay the bills on time.
3. No matter how many times it happened, I still periodically fell short on this.

So, what did I do to correct the issue?  I signed up for something called "PayTrust" (which I don't think exists anymore).  It was one of the first movers in the concept of automatic bill paying.  You set up your accounts within the service, the dates they were due, etc. and you could set up your payments to happen automatically.  

Surprise ... no more late fees.  My intentions were realized.

My point:

1. We are blessed with the funds to give ... to our loved ones, to our important customers, to humanitarian charities ... 
2. We have the good intentions to give consistently and generously.
3. [If you're like me] We fall short on this all the time.

Answer:  automate your good intentions.  

That's what the HowGiving.com mission is all about.  Pretty sweet, eh?  Can't wait to get this bad boy out there and available ... and I can't wait for the ripple effect that results ... it's going to be amazing.

Go to HowGiving.com now and sign up to be alerted when the app is available.  Let's tackle this giving thing together ...

Posted by Greg Dean

Founder & CGO, HowGiving

Find out more at HowGiving.com