2012 Version of No Heat November

Well, it’s another November and our family is celebrating it with “No Heat November”. Yes, that’s right, no heat. For the month of November we intentionally do not turn on our central heating.  I wrote about where this concept came from last year (thanks Mom!).
I personally thought we were done with it, but as October started winding down, our children began asking (with above average levels excitement) if we were going to do it again this year. They seriously enjoy it! Of course, the more they communicated with their grandma and told her they were going to beat her this year, I knew it was inevitable.

Although trying to come up with unique ways to teach the idea of sacrifice to our kids was the primary driver for No Heat November, the financial benefit was not overlooked as well. We have an almost 30 year old house, and when our heating/cooling is off for a long period of time, our electric bill is significantly reduced. We usually see electric bills less than half what they were previously because of simply cutting off the central for a month. I don’t know about you, but that is a significant savings.

But when you start talking about personal savings and sacrifice, things start to get muddled. What’s a true sacrifice if you can simply turn on a switch? If you can go to the bank to get money to buy a big mac? Is turning off the TV or choosing to not play your favorite video game REALLY a sacrifice? Is taking the money you save from not turning on the heat to go out to eat really a sacrifice? Well, that’s where my mind has been for a while now.

So this year we are taking the money that we save on our heating bills and giving it to charity. Our way of doing this is through Samaritans Purse, Operation Christmas Child. This is an amazing opportunity to provide a child a present that normally would not get one.

I don’t think you have to follow our example to the letter, and give to an organization that supports children. But there are enough charities out there; you will find one that supports something that you have a passion for. Maybe you are a big fan of Habitat for Humanity, and their idea of building homes for those who can’t afford them. I personally like the idea World Vision has of buying families livestock such as goats in areas of the world where this makes the most sense. Charity Water is another organization that many of my friends support. The number of people on this planet that do not have access to clean drinking water is absolutely staggering. Again, I don’t think you have to give the way we do. I just think it is important that you give. In fact, you don’t even have to give to charity. The government has a website set up where you can even give to them if that is your passion.

So, this year don’t just sacrifice, then spend. Sacrifice and give. Make someone’s day better.