World Humanitarian Day is celebrated August 19th each year. It was founded to pay tribute to aid workers who risk their lives in humanitarian service, and to rally support for people affected by crises around the world.

Giving generously from your heart is very Oola. And, using the Oola Finance tool called, ‘The Green Gap’, makes giving easy.

I adore my career and family, but of the 7 F's of Oola, Finance is my favorite. I love Finance because it’s concrete in its remedy.

So naturally, my favorite Oola story is about Finance.

My husband and I earned a solid living and spent less than we earned, at least most of the time. We didn't really budget but had saved an emergency fund.

We decided to use our savings for a kitchen remodel. But then, mid remodel, a storm hit our area. Almost half of our roof needed to be replaced. Now our emergency fund had to be used to pay for the roof. The same storm also damaged knee walls and closets. Repairs, to a 110 year old house, depleted our reserves. We ended up incurring debt to fix the house. To make matters worse, soon after the storm, our car also needed repairs.

We still had a solid income and figured this is just how it’s done. Thank goodness for insurance and savings accounts, or it could have been worse.

Then the stress of debt kicked in.

We lived pay check to pay check. I couldn't figure out how we could make so much money, and yet be broke all the time. It was exhausting and I was too tired to figure out a budget. Then I discovered Oola.

Turns out I was exhausted because my life was out of balance. The OolaGuys advocate Green Gap budgeting, but we didn't have a green gap. We were in the red. Big time.

We decided to follow the Green Gap strategy. So we sold some of our belongings, cut back spending in as many areas as we could, and took on extra work. We were also gifted admission to a Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University class. All of this helped get us back on a more solid financial track.

In 4 months we:

• paid off more than $15,000 in debt

• paid cash for a used car for our daughter

• started rebuilding our emergency fund.

Here’s an Example of the Green Gap:

1. Calculate your monthly income: $5,000

2. Determine your expenses: $4,500

3. Subtract expenses from income: +$500

4. Look at each item to see what you can cut: $250

5. Look at ways to increase income: $250

6. Add this to your Green Gap: $1000

7. Put 45% towards debt: $450

8. Put 45% towards investments: $450

9. Use, or save, 10% for fun: $100

10. Repeat every month

I love seeing the results of my actions. Paying off debt, and watching investments increase, while having some fun, is very Oola.

Now, without the expense of a Visa bill, or credit card balance, we are able to give to the charity of our choice. We take that responsibility seriously, because to whom much is given, much is expected.

Recently, we donated to a Covid relief fund. Collectively, our church raised more than $250,000 to help community businesses and families affected by Covid-19.

I challenge you, on this World Humanitarian Day, to take a look at your finances, put them through the Green Gap and see how you can donate to a cause near and dear to your heart.

Giving impacts you, and your community, in ways you never imagined.

That is very Oola.

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