35 Random Acts of Kindness that Won’t Break the Bank

Lately, I’ve been reading Ann Voskamp’s book, “The Broken Way” and man, is it a game-changer. She talks about overcoming your brokenness essentially by taking a dare to give. I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately, to the point to where my heart is aching to just simply help.

One of the things that can hold me back from offering what I can is finances. I tend to think that my little contributions aren’t enough, so I do nothing at all. I want to combat this way of thinking, so I’ve come up with a list of random acts of kindness that you can do on a tight budget. Use what resources you have, alter it to fit your needs and join me in being the hands of Jesus this holiday season.

1. Bake a batch of cookies for your local police department or fire station.
2. When returning your Redbox movie, hide an additional dollar in the case for a snack!
3. Offer to watch a young couple’s kids so they can have a date night.
4. Write thank you notes to law enforcement, doctors, pastors, mailmen and other people who do things for you!
5. Clean someone’s house for them.
6. Write an encouraging text message
7.  Leave an encouraging note in a book at a bookstore or the library
8. Volunteer your time at your local pet rescue or homeless shelter
9. Create blessing bags for those less fortunate with supplies from Dollar Tree
10. Sing at a nursing home and pass out homemade cards
11. Give hot chocolate to Salvation Army bell ringers
12. Bring a movie and a snack to an invalid’s house for a movie day
13. Shovel snow or clean the yard of an elderly person
14. Teach a younger Mom a skill you’ve mastered
15. Invite a new family over for dinner
16. Next time you’re at the store, tell another Mama they are doing a great job and that their kid is well-behaved
17. Go through your closet and donate clothes that you don’t wear anymore to Goodwill
18. Write a letter to an old teacher, coach or Sunday school teacher that made a difference in your life and let them know how much they meant to you!
19. The next time you get great customer service, let management know
20. Bring your old magazines to Doctor’s offices
21. Put your cart away
22. Try to reach out to someone with a sad social media status
23. For one week, post NOTHING negative on social media
24. Listen to someone who has opposing views than you with an open heart and mind
25. Make your husband two lunches, one for him and one to give away
26. Pay for the person in line behind you
27. The next time you head out, ask a shut-in if they need something picked up
28. Have your child invite a lonely peer to your house for a playdate
29. Donate your talents to your local church
30. Let someone cut in line
31. Hold the door
32. Gather your old boxes to give to someone who’s moving
33. Leave an encouraging note for your waiter
34. Pray for someone
35. Send a greeting card to someone just because!

Did I miss any? Let me know how you spread kindness!