Ask MelanieAsk Melanie: Why you should afford to be charitable

Giving is often spontaneous. Things happen over the course of a year that tug at the heart strings and loosen the purse strings. This is as it should be but you can also approach gift giving in the context of your wider financial objectives, so as not to compromise family goals.

Giving helps create an important sense of connectedness to our communities and it does not have to be on a grand scale. In his book, How Much is Enough?, Arun Abey notes that, "While the resources that each of us has will vary, if you make a difference to just one person the impact on the well-being of both of you can be similar to those whose reach extends to millions."

Deciding, as a family, which charities to support, often prompts a good discussion about family values, life experiences (sometimes painful encounters with illness or disability) and plans. Consider whether you want to choose a charity in which you can be involved in different ways throughout your lives - perhaps giving money now, but time and skills later.

Many charities are looking for assistance beyond money. A friend's teenage son, Louis, recently enjoyed raising funds for a charity that gives access to solar light to villages across rural India. The family is pulling together to help Louis work in India with the charity during his gap year.

Many clients have, as part of their financial plan, a stated goal to give money or time to their chosen charities. Some have succeeded in taking charitable sabbaticals that are increasingly endorsed and encouraged by the companies they work with.

Planning for this has included not only covering the income hiatus but also travel expenses and insurance cover.