I wish I had more money

Not to spend on myself. I wish I had more money to help when I read things like this:

Salvation Army: 500 Kids To Go And We're Out Of Toys

We cut our kids back to 3 gifts each a few years ago, simply because we felt like they were getting way too much at Christmas. They didn't even play with everything they got. I feel like even 3 things is too much now, especially when there are kids out there who won't get ANYTHING.

We do what we can to help. We do the Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes and always adopt a couple of kids through church or the Salvation Army Angel Tree. I saw that Cabbage Patch dolls were on sale at Target for $12 each this week, so I bought 4 for the local police department's "Cops for Tots" program. Their donations are way down this year, too. I ended up cleaning out the gift closet and taking all them the toys I stash throughout the year when I find good deals. I know there will be more deals at Target this year, so I figured I could restock the closet in a couple of weeks anyway.

I don't know why some people have all they could ever desire and more and others barely make enough to eat. I don't know why I am so blessed, but I can only figure that it's because I'm supposed to turn around and bless others with what I have been given.

I just wish I had more.

I have promised myself that next year I'm going to buy less STUFF for us and use that money to pick up clearance items throughout the year. I'm cutting back on several budget categories and earmarking the extra money for charity. I'm going to buy toys, clothes, household items... whatever. I'm going to donate as much as I can throughout the year to organizations that need those things, and when Christmas rolls around next year I'm going to have a truckload of toys to give away. I'm so excited I can't stand it.

Next year I'll have more to give. That makes me smile.