where along the meaness to generosity range are you ?

I can spend money on others no problem but I feel guilty if I spend any money on myself .

BusterTank, that's my downfall too.

I hope that I am generous in general "giving", both financially when possible, and of my time and of "myself". (I've found that some of the least generous (in any way) people whom I know, are those who have the most money.....)

EllanVannin i hope this mean we are good people ?

Never mean spirited I hope..... and always try to help my kids with money if they request or I think I might help.... Dont expect it back , it’s all theirs eventually.

Well, I like to think that I am not mean, moneywise, just able to use my money wisely. I have always had a low income, so what I regarded as thrift others may see as meanness.

I try to give freely of time and help to others.

Calendargirl
My late H had Yorkshire relatives on his mothers side.It took them a long time to accept myself being south of the border.Never could understand half of what they said Perhaps as well!

Generous to our close family give to charity when can: I am at the moment going through cupboards draws things I don’t use anymore will be going to whoever needs it : I get a real sense of satisfaction to do that

I fluctuate on both things. I am careful but not mean.

I'm another who fluctuates have been generous to nearest and dearest with large amounts but can be penny pinching too, a trait I perceive I inherited from my father who was parsimonious a lot of the time except if he wanted something then he wasted money, I grew up thinking it was normal to go off to the theatre and ballet from time to time whilst simultaneously having clothes that were too small and shoes that had seen better days.

I am in generous in spirit, will help anyone with time but not always money, it depends. I have helped both my children out and do't expect it back. My GC, well I haven't given presents for years but they have all had the chance of driving lessons and help buying a o no I am not mean.

I spend money on anyone and everything. Then I tell my DH off when we are a bit short! To be honest, I cannot stand mean people. It is one character trait I just loathe.

Family and friends can the shirt off back .?

Oops!
Friends and family can have the shirt off my back. ?

I tend to be generous, verging on over generous with the 'kids'. I have to watch that I dont spoil them. I find it perplexing when I go out with girlfriends for a meal and some of them will only pay for exactly what they had, on the grounds that if we split the bill equally someone might get a better deal because they had a glass of wine. I quite literally couldnt care less, although I keep quiet in the interests of diplomacy. I roll out the red carpet for visiting friends because I like to do it. Whether they reciprocate is irrelevant to me, indeed one couple have been visiting us for twenty years (as part of a group of eight) and have never ever invited us back. Its weird, but it doesnt stop us inviting them over and they always accept.

I think it's ridiculous to remind someone to thank you. I

Should anyone not thank me when I go out if my way to help, I just stop the help.
A one-time friend became so used to asking me for lifts because her husband refused to leave the TV and glass of whisky or lunchtime drink at his local, that she went too far and objected to me not picking her up outside the supermarket entrance. She left the trolley pushing and packing to me, although perfectly capable of doing it herself.
I bought flowers and left a note saying it was nice while it lasted but I'm unavailable in future.
Her children didn't visit for the same reason.

I if of.

I never lend money and am careful with requests for help.
If I think it's likely that it will become a habit, I decline.
If I promise to do or give something, I will absolutely keep that promise.

I give whatever I can to DD and grandkids...money or more so, my time. Don't have much money as just get by myself month to month but always have time when not working to help. Nothing more valuable than seeing them happy and smiling

Calendargirl You're right, it does make us sound awful but I've never met a Yorkshire person who conforms to the characteristics in that rhyme.

Yes, lemongrove I agree.

I don't have much dosh, being on a basic State pension with a high rent to pay but when I have something to give (either money or goods) it is to the smaller, local charities.

There is one in particular that I love.
It's called Koha Kai (A Gift of Food) which began in 2013 as a means of helping people with a disability (intellectual or/and physical) learn cooking skills for confidence and independence.

This quickly went into not just eating what was prepared but providing needy children in schools with good, nourishing hot meals at $1 each (49p).

Now they not only grow much of the food they cook but also teach children about the joys of doing so.

I feel very proud of them and that I've been able to support them, albeit in a minscule way, since their small beginnings.

If anyone is interested in reading about Koha Kai...

www.theimpactinitiative.org.nz/case-studies/koha-kai

He who waters others will himself be watered. Proverbs 11.24 (and she, obviously!).

I think I’m probably a bit too generous with my grandchildren, but I love to spoil them.

One of my daughters is in a bad relationship, always very short of money and time, so I help out a lot with both, sometimes I feel like I’m enabling her to carry on with it, but I can’t bear to see her or the children going without.

I would do the same for my closest friends, knowing they would do the same for me.

Somewhere middling I suppose. It depends how guilty I’m feeling.

So interesting reading your replies. I find it fascinating and read that mental tapes in your head about money are set in childhood. Generous people seem to have a happier life a more active social life and good karma generally. When our 3 children met and married their better halves over 10 yrs ago I watched them form their own levels of generosity and feel they have got a balance which means they are not mean but not over generous with their resources of time skills and money. I have to say the transition was not always easy. With my dear hubby and me our family rules are so different in this aspect that it still has to be managed. Hence the question.

I heard a snippet on R4 this morning with regard to financial donations to charities from wage slips, apparently highest earners give the least. Of course people donate directly, or in other ways too.

Money is only useful if you can exchange it for a necessity or something that gives you pleasure. Possibly giving to others gives the most satisfying pleasure?