I'm preparing to begin a regular schedule of donations to worthy causes. Currently, I'm planning on $200/month, $100 to the FSF and $100 to a collection of other worthy causes. I don't know if this will end up being unmanagably high -- I'll need to see. Why should one donate to causes? If those causes work to enact your values, then funding them will advance your values. A sense of progress and contribution can lead to a more cheery life. One issue that I've encountered is that many of the charities happen to be religious, and that flat-out eliminates them from my consideration. I don't want any of the money I give going to poison society, nor to give a good name to groups that do.
I'm also making progress towards moving out -- tomorrow the people from the place I like will be giving me a call back. I'm going to see if I can negotiate the rent for the carpeted side of the house for $550, which is what they wanted for the uncarpeted side. There's also a company called roundtree rentals that someone at work suggested I look into.
