I imagine you have been as glued to the news as I have the past few days, seeing the horrific aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti and the heroic relief efforts that are underway.

At times like these, we are galvanized to offer help. Especially when we are being told that the need for financial donations is high. But at the same time I know so many of you are feeling so afraid about your own financial earthquakes that you have recently been through. You feel you can’t really afford to give but deep down you know that you can’t afford not to give either. So what to do?

Recognize that what you give is not as important as simply giving something.

Yes, the estimates of the amount of aid needed to help the Haitians are huge. But that doesn’t mean your donation needs to be huge. If your budget is tight, give what you can. If $10 is what you know you can honestly afford, then $10 is the right and honorable amount for you to donate. (You can text "Haiti" to 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross International Response Fund.) But here is the point. Do not feel like since you cannot do much in your own eyes it does not matter. It matters big time. I have to tell you a family that is financially struggling that manages to find $10 to donate is more charitable in my opinion than a well-to-do family that sends in $50 or $100 when they really could easily afford to send in $5,000 or $10,000 or more.

And keep in mind that Haiti will no doubt need our assistance for years.   The key will be not just to make a one time donation and feel like now you have done your part.  The key to making all this work will be for you to make that donation every month for a year or more till you see the problem has been taken care of.

Here is what I have found is one of the keys to financial freedom. Live your life with remembering to start each month by opening up your hands to say thank you for what you have as well as to what you don’t have. Open up those hands each month by giving a respectable amount to those in need. When you open up your hands and give a respectable amount of money away each month you feel generous. When you feel generous you feel powerful. And when you feel powerful the number one law of money goes into effect.  Power attracts money powerlessness repels it. So in the end by helping others you always really end up helping yourself as well. We can all do this one donation at a time.

If you want to learn more about relief organizations working in Haiti, click here.