Author Topic: What’s the best way to keep track of the tzedaka that you give?  (Read 12558 times)

Offline Jellybelly

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I’m hoping someone here has a good ideas on keeping track of maiser. Do you have a separate account for it? I keep all my money together and try to keep track by writing down how much I’m taking off for tzedaka and how much I’ve given. It used to work when I had more time but now it’s not working.
Does anyone have any ideas?

Offline elazarmn

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Re: What’s the best way to keep track of the tzedaka that you give?
« Reply #1 on: July 10, 2020, 01:20:02 PM »
I use seperate account and transfer on payday.

Offline lubaby

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Re: What’s the best way to keep track of the tzedaka that you give?
« Reply #2 on: July 10, 2020, 01:37:51 PM »
Try this IFTTT recipe, you send a text message that gets auto added to a google sheet.
https://ifttt.com/applets/115356182d

Or manual method:
Send yourself a quick email with basic info (organization name and amount) whenever you give, link to a google sheet that can be set up to extract / parse the data automatically based off email criteria (from you, to you, subject line charity etc.) into a spreadsheet so you can see all info in one place without having to search.

ETA:
I've used these instructions in the past to parse email data to google sheets. Pretty simple to set up and you can modify however you want, without using 3rd party apps.
« Last Edit: July 10, 2020, 01:47:50 PM by lubaby »

Offline yungermanchik

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Re: What’s the best way to keep track of the tzedaka that you give?
« Reply #3 on: July 10, 2020, 01:50:57 PM »
I have an excel spreadsheet that I put all the income in one column and all the tzedaka given in another column. It automatically calculates how much I still owe/overpaid. But I have to manually add the info. I usually do it on a ta'anis, but I forgot yesterday. I search through my chase transactions for gifts and donations/ education for tzedaka and deposits for income
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Offline mlight

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Re: What’s the best way to keep track of the tzedaka that you give?
« Reply #4 on: July 10, 2020, 01:54:06 PM »
Seperate checking account. Transfer as soon as any income hits my account.

Online CountValentine

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Re: What’s the best way to keep track of the tzedaka that you give?
« Reply #5 on: July 10, 2020, 03:04:47 PM »
Just give and don't keep track works for me.
Only on DDF does 24/6 mean 24/5/half/half

Offline Mikes@Micro

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Re: What’s the best way to keep track of the tzedaka that you give?
« Reply #6 on: July 10, 2020, 03:08:20 PM »
Just give and don't keep track works for me.
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Re: What’s the best way to keep track of the tzedaka that you give?
« Reply #7 on: July 10, 2020, 03:37:39 PM »
Here:
Only on things that common sense won't solve.  ;)
Only on DDF does 24/6 mean 24/5/half/half

Offline Jellybelly

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Re: What’s the best way to keep track of the tzedaka that you give?
« Reply #8 on: July 10, 2020, 03:46:25 PM »
Just give and don't keep track works for me.
Don’t wanna end up giving too little

Online CountValentine

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Re: What’s the best way to keep track of the tzedaka that you give?
« Reply #9 on: July 10, 2020, 03:49:16 PM »
Don’t wanna end up giving too little
You sure it is not the opposite?
Only on DDF does 24/6 mean 24/5/half/half

Offline ExGingi

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Re: What’s the best way to keep track of the tzedaka that you give?
« Reply #10 on: July 10, 2020, 03:57:47 PM »
You sure it is not the opposite?

https://www.chabad.org/dailystudy/tanya.asp?tdate=7/4/2020

Quote
Though this might amount to a very considerable sum, he need not fear violating the injunction that “one should not extravagantly distribute more than one fifth [of one’s property to charity],” for this kind of giving cannot be termed “extravagant distribution,” since he does it to redeem himself from fasting and affliction.
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
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Offline ExGingi

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Re: What’s the best way to keep track of the tzedaka that you give?
« Reply #11 on: July 10, 2020, 03:58:46 PM »
I use seperate account and transfer on payday.

Not practical for people that don't have a payday.
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
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Offline elazarmn

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Re: What’s the best way to keep track of the tzedaka that you give?
« Reply #12 on: July 10, 2020, 04:34:23 PM »
Then i feel like a monthly account assessment would be a good idea.

Offline Mordyk

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Re: What’s the best way to keep track of the tzedaka that you give?
« Reply #13 on: July 10, 2020, 04:51:00 PM »
You sure it is not the opposite?
Its a special thing to give with a goal to give 10%
#TYH

Offline JACKBLUE

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Re: What’s the best way to keep track of the tzedaka that you give?
« Reply #14 on: July 10, 2020, 05:16:41 PM »
Have a separate CC for all your donations.

Offline ckmk47

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Re: What’s the best way to keep track of the tzedaka that you give?
« Reply #15 on: July 10, 2020, 05:19:37 PM »
Sometime in mid December, I look through my checkbook and make a list.  That worked in until recent years when I have to go through my many credit card accounts, paypal and other electronic accounts. Mint.com helps.
Anything $250  and above goes in a different column and I check if I have a receipt (for tax reasons).
I compare the total and my income to see how much more I need to give. And do so.


I have a spreadsheet where I've recorded it as I've paid it out.  But I'm not reliable in filling in the data as it's generated. 


Don't follow my example.  ;D
My favorite cause: cssy.org

Offline sguitarist18

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Re: What’s the best way to keep track of the tzedaka that you give?
« Reply #16 on: July 11, 2020, 10:39:27 PM »
Google sheets, track my income across the top horizontally (I usually enter it every month or so, going through my bank account to catch all income-related deposits), have it calculate 10% of each month's income. Then that whole row (the 10% row) gets added together and sent to a single cell, titled "maaser owed."

Then I have a column with all the donations I give, and that's added to a cell next to the "owed" cell, titled, "Maaser given." It's set up to combine the 2 for a 3rd cell, "current balance."

Online YitzyS

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Re: What’s the best way to keep track of the tzedaka that you give?
« Reply #17 on: July 11, 2020, 11:00:50 PM »
I use seperate account and transfer on payday.
I would like to start doing that, but I bank with Chase (standard account) and I would accrue fees if I don't have a minimum of $1,500 in the account at all times. Any ideas to circumvent this, or another bank with free checking which is easily transferable from Chase?

Offline ExGingi

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Re: What’s the best way to keep track of the tzedaka that you give?
« Reply #18 on: July 11, 2020, 11:13:50 PM »
I would like to start doing that, but I bank with Chase (standard account) and I would accrue fees if I don't have a minimum of $1,500 in the account at all times. Any ideas to circumvent this, or another bank with free checking which is easily transferable from Chase?

I have an account with Citi that is free with one direct deposit and one bill pay per month.
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
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Re: What’s the best way to keep track of the tzedaka that you give?
« Reply #19 on: July 11, 2020, 11:17:35 PM »
I have an account with Citi that is free with one direct deposit and one bill pay per month.
As a maaser only account, I would have none of those criteria. I would have a transfer in a few times a month (from Chase), and checks and debit purchases paid out to tzedakah.