Woke up early today and decided to share a story with you

I'm not sure why, but I woke up very early today. It's Saturday and I think I'd prefer to sleep in. But here I am, with it still being totally dark outside, and I'm wide awake.

I figured I'd take a few moments to share a story from a week ago or so.

I received a letter from a lady that I'll call Vanessa. She shared a story that is all too common these days. She's lost her job. She's been looking for another one but hasn't had any luck in several months. Unemployment is helping keep the lights on and some of the bills paid. But she has a child who is approaching college age and is considering attending one of several local schools.

One of my goals with this blog is to do just a little bit to make folks' lives better and help make the future brighter for everyone.

While some may not view paying tuition and fees for college as an immediate need comparable to medical bills, groceries and a mortgage, I see it as a way to provide a more secure future for one's self and one's family.

Not everyone necessarily has the skills or the opportunity to go to college. But everyone has the ability to work to make their lives and their family's lives better - whether that's through pursuing higher education, or by taking on a second job to provide a few extras, or through the charity work we do or even just by taking the time to read a few pages from a storybook to your child each evening. No matter our circumstances or the size of our paychecks, we each have the opportunity to enrich lives.

I decided to share $500 with Vanessa as my way of helping her enrich the life of her child.

As I said, providing money for someone is just one way to helping them to a better life. I urge you, no matter your circumstances, to wake up each day and try to find a way to make life better for you, your family and your neighbors.

Contribution to a good man's Christmas fund

I received a letter recently from a man I will call Carlos. He's in the middle of trying to buy Christmas gifts for his family and asked for a little extra assistance from me.

He's working, but not at a job that pays what is necessary to make ends meet every month. It seems like a lot of folks have found themselves in a similar situation. They are working hard, but right now they're just not earning what they may have been making a few years ago or at a previous job.

I am sending $200 to Carlos to use toward his Christmas fund this year.

As we celebrate our various holidays this year, remember to be generous with family, friends, neighbors and strangers. If you have a little extra, don't hesitate to share with those who have less than you or who may be struggling.

I continue to encourage your letters and look forward to continuing to respond to as many as I can.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you. I hope to return soon with more updates.

I'm back and ready to give away more free money

I've posted updates very infrequently in 2010 due to the sheer busy pace of life and other distractions. I don't suppose this is the best excuse in the world. But be assured that I am back and hope to update this blog much more often.

Although I haven't updated the blog, that hasn't slowed the pace of my giving. I've received hundreds of emails over this year and have tried to reply to many of them. I continue to share what I can with whomever I can too.

Let's start out today with a bang. Today's letter comes from Dennis, who lives somewhere in Tennessee. He tells me he's behind on car payments. But without a car, he can't look for jobs and go to the interviews he needs to find employment.

I'm sending Dennis $250 to help catch up on those car payments and hopefully get him back on track with his job hunting.

I know times are hard. But we've all got to pull together and help each other out. If you came here in need, know that I'm reading your messages and considering them carefully. In the meantime, no matter how little you have or how difficult things may be, remember that there are others out there struggling too. Perhaps you don't have the money to help them. But there are still ways you can make a difference. Donate clothing or household items to a charity like the Salvation Army or the United Way. Offer to rake leaves or mow the lawn of an elderly neighbor. Surprise a friend and invite them over for dinner with your family tonight.

We're not all rich in terms of dollars. But we're all able to make the world a better place. Think about this as you go about your day today.