With all the talk of credit crunches, interest rate hikes and rising costs you'd be forgiven for putting all thoughts of giving on the back burner. But there are lots of ways to make giving part of your daily life, without breaking the bank.

Everyone has something to give. No matter who you are, where you come from or how much money you have — there is a way for you to make a difference in your community.

Some top tips for cost-effective giving...

Give regularly

Instead of giving one lump sum to a cause, consider giving a small amount monthly by debit order or through your company's payroll giving scheme. Even R5 a month can make a big difference to an organisation over a year. Giving regularly makes it easier for those causes you choose to benefit to plan for the future — an invaluable gift.

Give locally

Find a cause close to your heart and in your own community. This way, you can get involved without having to travel too far and you can see the real impact you are having in your own back yard.

Give what you can

You may not have much cash but you can give your time, your skills, your unused goods or even your reward points to a good cause. Connect with registered organisations by logging onto www.myggsa.co.za/connect/ and post offers of time, goods or reward points online or share your skills for one amazing day on 'Do It Day'.

Be a good consumer

Instead of buying loved ones meaningless things for birthdays and other occasions, spend your money on alternative gifting websites like GreaterGood's 'Gifts 4 Good'. Vote with your Rand — buy local to support job creation and choose brands that give something back to communities.

Get creative

Use your talents and energy to fundraise for your favourite cause. Get sponsored to run a marathon, host a fundraising dinner for friends or come up with your own creative ideas to raise funds for a good cause. The Starfish Greathearts Foundation has a number of individual fundraising opportunities from dinners to running the Comrades.

Be a good citizen

This doesn't cost you a cent but makes a huge difference — vote in elections, respect difference and diversity, uphold the law and be a role model for younger people.

GreaterGood South Africa brings good causes and committed givers together in meaningful and innovative ways to end poverty in South Africa. GreaterGood is about results-driven giving: they seek out opportunities that will have a measurable, life-changing impact on people and their communities. They work to level the playing field by giving small, pioneering non profit organisations the same access to funds and capacity development as the better-known causes.

www.greatergoodsa.co.za

Do you agree that everyone — no matter who you are, where you come from or how much money you have — has something to give?