Do you ever feel guilty for spending money on things you want as opposed to giving it to people who need it?

I often feel guilty for spending money on things I don't need when I know I could invest a lot of that money in charities, organizations, research centers, etc. which help people who lack basic necessities like food and water or contribute to our understanding of how to fight disease and poverty. Whenever I buy new clothes I don't need or spend more money on a car than I need to...or the fact that I live in a house that is more than enough room for me..I just feel guilty. I feel like we're all so selfish and only care about being greedy consumers instead of caring about people who really need help just to live. I wish I didn't feel guilty so often...but I do. Still, it's so hard to give up putting myself and my desires first. Does anyone else struggle with this?

Do you ever feel guilty for spending money on things you want as opposed to giving it to people who need it?
I used to struggle with this, and still occasionally do.





You sound like the guilt is what's truly wracking you- what's upsetting you and keeping you from enjoying your life, not the actual fact that you're not contributing- since if this was the true case, you probably would have mentioned that you donate x amount and volunteer at x place once in a while.





If you truly think you feel the guilt, then suck it up and go donate the extra $$ you have, or go work a year in a third world country, or volunteer at one of the organizations-and don't say how hard it would be to do it- yeah it's hard, but completely doable (and very gratifying).





Sorry if you came here expecting to find empathy, but your post holds a feeling of self-righteous whining and does not contain any real evidence that you took action into your own hands, just sat around moping about the fact that you COULD HAVE given/helped, instead of being in the situation of actually giving, then feeling guilty that you couldn't give more.





But I give you a pat on the back for at least feeling the guilt. Take some action and I'll applaude you next time.





Good luck!
Reply:Just do both
Reply:Personally I do not feel bad for spending the money that I work extremely hard for every month on something for me. I do believe it is okay to give, but there are so many government funded programs out there that we pay for to the point that it is ridiculous.





We bust our butts for people to take advanatge of these programs, so excuse me if I say DAMN that....I spoil my self with the little money the government does not take.
Reply:I dont feel a bit guilty. My job as a social worker has me seeing the poor every day. I gladly give them our tax dollars, but I damn sure wont give a penny of what I earn. I was flat broke most of my life, but I didnt give up and sit on my azz collecting from the government. I worked hard, went to college, and Im starting to make decent money. If the poor want money, they can get a job. F*ck the poor.
Reply:yuppers!





thats why I have never gotten around to getting a Yorkie.


I don't see why I should spend $2000 on a dog when they are people would gladly would give up an arm for that kind of money.
Reply:Yes.
Reply:HELL NO!! are you kidding me? i already give enough to people on welfare. i get a big chunk taken from my pay check. which i dont get back.