Tithing
My income is a lot higher than it was 5 years ago. So much higher, in fact, that despite the fact that I'm now, of my gross income, paying 30% tax and 20% chambers rent, and despite the fact that I now have £450 in student loan payments each month, and am paying £600 in rent now as compared to £350 then, I still have, as far as I can tell, approximately the same amount of spending money as I did then. I probably should have been tithing then, but my view was that my situation was temporary, and I didn't know what would happen to my income in the future. So I got a sponsored child and left it at that. However, I do now know that, barring the fluctuations in payment by solicitors and the Legal Services Commission that are endemic to the barrister's existence, my income is going to stay pretty OK. Probably even go up a bit. So it's time to begin, properly.
So I'm looking for recommendations for who to give to. I do already have a sponsored child, as I say, through World Vision. So I'm looking for recommendations for homelessness, environmental, and international charities.
What I'm considering:
At least two refugee charities, probably Refugee Council and Refugee Action, or maybe Asylum Aid, or if someone could suggest one...?
Amnesty; hesitating about Oxfam because of what I've heard about the bigger charities' admin costs, and I shop at their stores quite a bit anyway.
World Food Programme
A homelessness charity and I am completely open to suggestions on this, if anyone has any knowledge as to which is most effective or of a particularly good one in the London area.
Greenpeace, unless a better environmental charity comes to mind. As a Vancouver girl, there's loyalty involved too, but I would like to give knowing that a lot of what I'm giving is going to sustainability issues/the fight against climate change.
An international disaster charity -- right now it's between DEC and the Red Cross/Red Crescent.
Perhaps an organisation in London working around urban poverty/youth issues.
Any and all help much appreciated!
So I'm looking for recommendations for who to give to. I do already have a sponsored child, as I say, through World Vision. So I'm looking for recommendations for homelessness, environmental, and international charities.
What I'm considering:
At least two refugee charities, probably Refugee Council and Refugee Action, or maybe Asylum Aid, or if someone could suggest one...?
Amnesty; hesitating about Oxfam because of what I've heard about the bigger charities' admin costs, and I shop at their stores quite a bit anyway.
World Food Programme
A homelessness charity and I am completely open to suggestions on this, if anyone has any knowledge as to which is most effective or of a particularly good one in the London area.
Greenpeace, unless a better environmental charity comes to mind. As a Vancouver girl, there's loyalty involved too, but I would like to give knowing that a lot of what I'm giving is going to sustainability issues/the fight against climate change.
An international disaster charity -- right now it's between DEC and the Red Cross/Red Crescent.
Perhaps an organisation in London working around urban poverty/youth issues.
Any and all help much appreciated!