The other evening, my wife and I attended a school reception for parents and alumni who had generously donated during the school year. The atmosphere was warm and intimate, allowing us to mingle with fellow parents, share stories, and listen to the head of school and trustees discuss the significance of giving. This event served not only as a heartfelt acknowledgment of contributors but also as an opportunity to learn about new initiatives within the school.
As I stood there, I was struck by the profound impact of giving. When you contribute, you become part of something larger than yourself, enhancing the collective well-being of the community. The tangible evidence of your support is visible in the smiling faces of children, the opportunities created, and the positive changes made possible.
Giving Feels Better Than Receiving Or Taking
One reason Financial Samurai has remained free since its inception in July 2009 is the incredible feeling of helping others solve their financial challenges.
Over the past 16 years, I’ve received countless messages from readers who have built more wealth than they ever thought possible, found the courage to negotiate better jobs, or even retired early to pursue their passions. This has been the greatest reward for me, far surpassing any subscription fee or paywall.
However, when your household consists of dual unemployed parents, the idea of donating a significant amount can feel daunting. As I listened to the head of school express gratitude to the donors, I couldn’t help but wonder: can my wife and I really afford to donate another significant amount to the school next year?
With our wealth not being unlimited, we also want to allocate a similar donation to the Pomeroy Rehabilitation Center, which supports individuals with injuries and disabilities. Meanwhile, we’re still about $30,000 a year short of reaching our ultimate passive income goal.
The Delicate Balance Of Remaining Unemployed And Giving
When you are unemployed or pursuing Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE), every dollar you give slightly increases your chances of having to return to work or running out of money. Giving while unemployed is, in many ways, an act of faith: faith that your investments will hold steady, faith that your expenses won’t balloon, and faith that your calculations about your safe withdrawal rate are accurate.
Adding the responsibility of raising children in an uncertain world—especially one being reshaped by artificial intelligence—makes the decision to give even more complex. It’s not just about you anymore; it’s about ensuring your children have opportunities and safety.
In personal finance circles, we spend endless time debating safe withdrawal rates and the 4% Rule. Therefore, when you give, that money should ideally come out of your withdrawal rate budget. If you’re nearing your safe limit yet still want to give, the prudent move is to trim your spending elsewhere. Otherwise, your generosity could come at the cost of your financial freedom.
Yet, despite these considerations, the act of giving still calls to us. Why? Because the returns—emotional, psychological, even spiritual—are worth it. Since leaving work in 2012 and 2015, we haven’t given as much as we’d like, primarily due to focusing on keeping ahead of inflation while raising two children in costly San Francisco.
However, now that we have a larger financial cushion two years after purchasing a house we didn’t really need, we feel more comfortable giving larger amounts again. This post explores ways to give even without a steady active income. All ideas are welcome!
Solutions To Giving When Unemployed Or FIRE
If you’re unemployed or pursuing FIRE, here are four solutions to help you continue giving.
1) Replace Your Expenses
After donating a certain amount in 2025, my wife and I agreed to cut back on other expenses by the same amount. The easiest area to reduce was travel. Instead of renting a vacation home in Hawaii for $16,000–$26,000, we stayed with family, saving the difference.
That savings went directly into remodeling my parents’ in-law unit. While it wasn’t the same as sipping mai tais on a luxurious rental, it still felt meaningful. By redirecting money from lifestyle luxuries, we managed to give to the school and improve my parents’ property.
2) Earn Side Income To Give Away
If cash flow is tight, consider creating income streams specifically earmarked for giving. You can either donate all side hustle income or a set percentage to an organization of your choice. I briefly worked at a fintech startup, generating extra cash that I could save, invest, spend, and give.
Later, I turned to personal finance consulting, helping individuals through one-on-one sessions. This not only promoted my book, Millionaire Milestones, but also generated extra income for donations and investments. It was a quadruple win that I’m considering reviving before year-end.
Even a modest side hustle can fund meaningful donations. For someone who’s FIRE, this is an empowering way to stay engaged, sharpen skills, and make a difference.
3) Donate Appreciated Investments
A tax-savvy way to give is by donating appreciated stock through a Donor-Advised Fund. This allows you to avoid capital gains taxes while the organization receives the full market value.
For instance, if you bought Amazon stock for $10,000 a decade ago and it’s now worth $50,000, selling it would incur over $13,000 in taxes if you live in California, leaving just $36,800 to donate. By donating the shares directly, the full $50,000 goes to the nonprofit, and you also receive a tax deduction. It’s a win-win.
This method is particularly appealing when you’re living off your portfolio, allowing you to be generous without straining your withdrawal rate.
4) Donate Your Time
Finally, when money feels tight, don’t underestimate the value of your time. In fact, time is often the most precious resource you can give. Volunteering at your child’s school, mentoring young professionals, or lending your expertise to a nonprofit board can create ripple effects far larger than a check ever could.
My wife volunteers to support teachers and helps with school events. For example, she’s dedicating two hours, three days a week for the next two weeks. I see the joy she derives from being involved, as it allows her to interact more with teachers and school administrators.
Being physically present in your community fosters connections, allowing you to meet people, share knowledge, and help solve problems in real time. Given that you are unemployed or pursuing FIRE, donating your time is often more feasible than for those who are working.
Practice The Mindset Of Giving
One downside of FIRE is that it can make you overly cautious and stingy. You become so conditioned to preserve your nest egg that generosity feels risky.
If you feel you can only live off $30,000 a year, there’s not much room in your budget to give. Ironically, giving often multiplies your returns in ways you can’t predict.
Not only is it fulfilling, but it can also open doors you never anticipated—new friendships, opportunities, even investments.
A friend of mine met a venture capitalist at a charity function, leading to an early-stage investment that skyrocketed in value. While luck played a role, it was luck that wouldn’t have happened without showing up, giving, and engaging.
You never know who you might inspire or who might one day lend a hand to you or your children.
Perhaps one of you readers will become a bigwig 15 years from now, and if my kids ever struggle to find work, you’ll remember the value you got from Financial Samurai and give them a chance. That would be amazing, and I would be forever grateful.
You just never know.
The Ripple Effect Of Generosity
Ultimately, the exact dollar amount doesn’t matter as much as participation. Giving is a practice, much like investing. You may never feel like you have “enough,” but if you can find a way to give—even a little—you’ll almost always end up richer in spirit.
Generosity is contagious. When others see you give, they’re inspired to give too. At the event, I learned some parents contributed significantly more than we did. Their generosity and good fortune left me in awe, reminding me that giving exists on a spectrum, and we all have a role to play.
Financial independence grants us freedom. However, true wealth comes from using that freedom to help others. You don’t need to be a billionaire philanthropist to make a difference. You simply need to show up, contribute what you can, and practice the habit of generosity.
And that’s exactly what I plan to do, whether I’m unemployed or not.
Readers, what are your thoughts on continuing to donate money while unemployed or FIRE? Is it irresponsible if you already feel financially precarious, or is giving still worth prioritizing? How do you personally find ways to keep giving when your active income dries up or becomes minimal?
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