Ask HN: What $1 can spend to make someone's life easier within a month?

7 comments

• nickpsecurity 3 days ago
  Gospel tract. If they repented and believe, then one day God will wipe away every tear from every eye. They'll have His help in this life facing all other problems. You'll have 92 cents left over.

  That's why we give them out. Also, sometimes we don't have time to or can't have a real conversation. So, it's quick encouragement for later. Many have thanked me on the spot saying how much they "needed that." Also, Moments With the Book is a good supplier:

  https://mwtb.org/

  Here's the one I'm currently using (has preview):

  https://mwtb.org/products/how-to-be-saved?variant=2201051329

  If you go above a dollar, the homeless people we serve get very far with shoes, a jacket (with pockets!), a good backpack, a wifi-enabled phone with good battery, and a charger. Some just had a phone. With these things, God's grace and their hard work can lead them to many other things.

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  • ted_tungha 3 days ago
    That’s a thoughtful perspective, and it’s great that you’ve had positive experiences sharing encouragement with others. One thing to consider is that not everyone may connect with a religious message in the same way, especially if they’re facing immediate physical needs
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    • tomcam 2 days ago
      I’m not following the logic. If I recommend martial arts to someone, should I also recommend swimming even if swimming didn’t benefit me? If I recommend learning how to program in go, should I also recommend programming in typescript?

      It seems to me what you are suggesting is implied in any recommendation.
• FloatArtifact 2 days ago
  You won't spend a cent but it'll cost you more than a dollar. Spend time with people in their day-to-day life intentionally. That's truly a gift that can impact anyone not just people with low income. It might just change you, too. You won't be able to do with many people, but do it with a few.
• toomuchtodo 3 days ago
  If you're fiat poor, perhaps you have more time and could contribute to volunteering in your local community?
• erehweb 3 days ago
  Doctors Without Borders has a page showing examples of this https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org/c3-give-now - various vaccines and treatments available for under $1 / person and making their life easier. So donating to DWB seems like a pretty easy approach.
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  • ted_tungha 3 days ago
    Some people might prefer an option where they can personally see the impact of their spending. But overall, supporting life-saving medical aid is definitely a meaningful choice!
• neuralkoi 3 days ago
  You can go to the thrift store and buy a book that is worth approximately $1.
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  • ted_tungha 3 days ago
    A good book can provide knowledge, entertainment, or even a new perspective for just $1. One small challenge is that not everyone has easy access to a thrift store, and book availability can be hit-or-miss.
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    • ploum 3 days ago
      The fact that we close bookstores instead of opening them is telling everything you need to know about our society.
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      • ted_tungha 3 days ago
        No one has time for a book but has plenty of time for social media, sadly
• Cathie_on_paws 3 days ago
  probbally but its very unlikely