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Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Math, Math, Math ... Elvira!

I belong to flash sale sites like Fab.com, Ideeli, Rue La La, Jetsetter, Groupon, Joss and Main, etc.

And have logins to other favorite online stores like ASOS, ShopRuche, Everlane, etc.

I occasionally click on the email promptings or log on to see how I can spend my money.

I need a lot of things:

reliable winter tights
a rug for our living room
a trip somewhere tropical in February
a chandelier for our dinning room
scented candles for housewarming gifts
sweaters that pair well with button downs
comfortable flats for the office

Did I say need? I mean, first-world-need/want.

Thankfully I get overwhelmed when I have two things in my cart and end up closing the browser window in a panic.

Was I really about to spend $100 on 2 sweaters?

I know that this is a lot of money to some and not so much money to others. For sweaters anyway.

The past few clothing purchases I've made have been hit-or-miss in satisfaction. I even find that the more I weed my closet of the unwearables, the easier it is to get dressed.

You have one pair of black pants and 4 sweaters that look good with those pants and 2 pairs of shoes that hit the hemline just-so, so you only have ... math, math, math ... 8 options for an outfit. Easy!

But you know what I have no problem spending money on? Others who really need it.

I love to love people with my credit card. And I can't tell if that statement is endearing or sad.

So when I got an email prompting from Kiva this morning, I click-clicked through to find Elvira's story and click-clicked to help her buy charcoal to sell.

from Kiva.org

She lives in the Philippines where the average annual salary is $1175. She needs a $400 loan to continue her business (... math, math, math, that's 8 fancy sweaters).

So if you feel like going on a shopping spree to help people all over the world with a lil' micro-lending, check out Kiva. And when you get paid back (and I usually do), you can relend the money for even MORE giving and shopping!


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I am in no way compensated for this post. I just really love Kiva and believe in their mission.