Biggest gift ever - $800 to pay the rent and utilities

I think 800 dollars officially qualifies as the largest gift I've given out on this site in more than four years of giving. I don't share this to brag or to congratulate myself. It's just nice to know that someone is really being helped out in a big way thanks to this web site. That's my whole reason for doing it.

Jennifer from someplace in the eastern United States (sorry, she asked me to keep her identity anonymous) will receive $800 to cover her rent and utilities for the month of September.Times have been extremely difficult for Jennifer and her family and they've struggled to stay in their apartment and keep the lights on.

I've been there too Jennifer. So when I read your letter, it really hit close to home for me.

Jennifer is employed full time. But it's still tough to support a family and make ends meet, especially if unexpected expenses pop up.

I think this gift will give you a little extra footing, Jennifer, and hopefully will get you and your family back on track.

As always, I'd like to thank each and every person who sent their request to me in the past few weeks. I want to reply to all of you. But it's increasingly difficult to reply to every letter. So forgive me if you haven't gotten a personal response just yet. I don't want to resort to sending out impersonal "auto responses" to emails. So I'll simply continue to respond in writing to as many people as possible. And of course, this site's mission to help others and make a few lives a little happier will continue. I hope to continue sharing my good fortune for a long time to come.

$125 being sent to Craig to invest in the stock market?! What? Are you kidding??

Well, this one will surprise you folks. Of that I'm certain.

Today's free money recipient is Craig, who emailed me a few days ago and asked for money to invest in a particular company listed on one of the major stock indexes.

Given the up and down (mostly down) nature of the market in the last month, you might think this sounds like a ridiculous idea. Well, I never said your request for free money had to make perfect sense or even be logical. But in all reality, I think that Craig has the right idea.

I don't know a lot about investing. But I do know that the old saying "buy low, sell high" makes a lot of sense. If the market is down and you've had your eye on a particular company that has a good business but whose stock has been hit hard by a volatile market, it only makes sense that you'd want to jump in and buy when the price is at its lowest. Its a good business decision and a smart move.

So Craig, I'm sending you a money order for $125. I'll add your stock ticker to my "watch" list and keep an eye on things to see if you have success with your investment.

For the rest of you, keep those requests coming! Maybe I'll find a little money for you to invest too.

$20 each to four great people who want a little fun money

Well, I just mailed out four letters, each with $20 inside to four different folks who had four different needs for money.

I know $20 doesn't seem like a lot. But I know that if I were to find a $20 bill on the ground, it would still make my day. You can take the kids out for burgers and ice cream and still have enough left over for a movie or two from the Redbox kiosk. Or it could put a few gallons of gas in your tank. You could even just save it for a rainy day.

So Michael - please put this toward the college fund.

Daniel - I hope $20 helps with car maintenance.

Christine - It won't make a whole house payment, but I hope you appreciate just a little help.

Other Christine (ha ha) - School clothes for the kids. This should get a pair of jeans or a couple t-shirts or polos.

See you all in a few days with my next update.

$100 to Eric to help raise money for wounded soldiers

I don't do a lot of charity donations via this site. I tend to prefer to give to individuals who send in their own personal requests for help. But I did receive a request from a person who was looking for money not for himself, but to raise money for servicemen and women injured while serving our country, the United States of America.

Today, I've given $100 to the Wounded Warrior Project via Eric's Warrior Dash fundraiser.

This is a worthy cause and something I'm proud to be able to support. If it so inclines you, consider giving a dollar or two of your own via this link.