It’s pretty fair to say that at some point in our lives, most of us will live on a pretty tight budget. Med students and their families are often in this phase for a while, since students spend 4 years in school, unable to work. Many people live completely off loans, so there’s not much cash to spare. BUT having a tight budget doesn’t mean you can’t be generous! It’s so freeing to give to others, even if you don’t have much, so today I wanted to share some practical ways to be generous without breaking the bank!

1. Buy someone’s coffee.
2. Invite someone over for dinner.
3. Offer to babysit for free.
4. Serve in your church.
5. Volunteer at a pregnancy center, food pantry, or humane society.
6. Help someone move.
7. Make your spouse’s friends snacks while they study.
8. Donate your clothes and other unused items.
9. Make a meal for a sick person or new parents.
10. Add generosity to your budget.
11. Offer to help your spouse study.
12. Ask if you can help a coworker.
13. Share career advice with a college student.
14. Bring someone flowers.
15. Give gas money when others drive.
16. Bring cookies to a new neighbor.
17. Lend things you don’t currently need to a friend.
18. Offer to do errands for someone.
19. Listen with empathy to someone who needs to share.
20. Make homemade birthday cards for people.
21. Teach someone a skill you have.
22. Be generous with praise and compliments.
23. Do a chore your spouse doesn’t like.
24. Call a friend you haven’t talked to in a while.
25. Drive someone to the airport.

Thanks to my fellow student doctor wives for sharing your suggestions with me! No matter what your budget looks like, it’s always a good idea to be generous. Not only is it a blessing to others, but, as the saying goes, it’s better to give than to receive. If you think of any other ways to be generous, I’d love to hear them!