How much should you give to charity?

How much is the right amount to give to charity each year? It is a question people often try to answer with a percentage of income, and Allan reframes it as a balance between what you feel you ought to give and what you can comfortably afford. He notes there is no single correct figure, then turns to the parts a planner can actually help with: how the donation tax credit works, why combining a couple's gifts or grouping donations over time can stretch the credit, and how giving appreciated securities rather than cash can be more efficient for some donors. He also makes a case for steady, automatic giving over a scramble at year-end, which helps both the household budget and the charities counting on the support. The piece suits anyone trying to put intention and a bit of tax sense behind their generosity.