We will interrupt the regular postings on money matters on something slightly related. It’s only fair that we also discuss on this blog another special avenue for our money: Helping other people, especially those whose lives have been forever altered by natural calamities.

If there’s something that we should all be proud of as a species, it is how we pull together in dire times of trouble. It was only within a few minutes of a massive earthquake near Léogâne, Haiti a little over two weeks ago that people from across the world started sending their prayers, wishes and donations, in cash or kind, to the grief-stricken victims. Similar catastrophes in recent months, such as the massive flooding in Manila, Philippines last September 2009 from Typhoon Ketsana have become something of a major talking point in the news worldwide. Reuters International recently released a story from the United Nations regarding how 20 million people were driven from their homes in the year 2008 alone, with possibly more still to be counted in the near-future.

It is in these dire times we learn the value of what we do have. It can be personal wealth, such as family and friends, and they can be fiscal wealth, such as money saved away, or even so much as food to eat everyday. It also is encouraging to see the scale by which people flock to help out. There are websites all over the Internet that offer ways to help, and groups such as the Red Cross, Unicef, and more, all out to help people get back on their feet.

So the question remains: what’s the best way to help out? After all, not all aid agencies or relief effort organizing groups are the same. Before you break out the prepaid MasterCards or the checkbooks, here are some basic rules of thumb that we’ve come to learn from such work.

1.) Pick the People Well
We all want to help, but we want to help where it can count the most! It is a sad fact that there are some organizations that are just not as…organized. Some groups receive a lot of donations by way of money or by goods, but they also need to shoulder some large administrative costs. This is true especially for the groups that are not as well-established as the Red Cross and the like. Try to do your research before you break out your dollars.

2.) Support What You Believe In
Remember: if you’re passionate about something, it’s not hard to give. You might feel for starving children, and donate towards food supplies. Or maybe you’re more into educational support, and are more inclined to share books or learning materials to help them when initial relief efforts are done. Wherever you give and whatever you give, try to align it. After all, your $50 pledge might be better used for something other people haven’t thought of helping out through yet.

3.) Don’t Go Overboard
Yes, there is a ‘tax shield’ effect to donating money. Yes, that lets you save a significant portion on taxes for the year. No, that does not mean you should still throw everything plus the kitchen sink in there. You still need to bear in mind: You have bills to pay and your own food to buy. Don’t dump a significant amount just because it’s fashionable now, because tomorrow, you might regret giving up that much.

Keep posted to this blog for new things to do with your hard-earned money!