Sharing the Wealth
by Maria Niles

One of the best things about blogging is that you can share your gifts, learn about anything and find fabulous examples of sharing the wealth.

Krista at Living Like No One Else points us to an article by Cara Bonnett in The News & Observer which highlights six families who have banded together to create a group that embodies the Bolivian spirit of ayni...

In Bolivia, the natives call it ayni, which translates to "today for you, tomorrow for me." In Amish country, that same spirit of reciprocity and interdependence has inspired community barn raisings since the 1700s.

moneydummy helped her friend Cancer Girl set up a breast cancer blog and it helped moneydummy put her problems in perspective. Now she's reaching out for your help...

Also, you experienced bloggers you, if you have any tips for her as far as increasing traffic or monetizing her blog goes, let them rip! She’s trying to come up with any way she can to earn a little extra money for the treatments.

At the blog Financial Baby Steps, just-turned-one baby blogger Saving Advice shares a terrific story by Stacy Wolford in The Valley Independent of how one mom didn't give up on sending her daughter to college. She turned to friends who not only helped but

[i]t didn't stop there. The inspiration that the effort they put in to making sure her daughter went to college inspired others and it has now been turned into a non profit organization to help others wanting to attend college. It's a wonderful story that shows the possibilities when you are committed.

Sometimes we might feel a little uncomfortable asking for money but sometimes people are happy to pay us for our talents because it helps them out. News Girly at Seeking Serendipity recently found out that asking was worth $500 to her.

And, finally, don't forget to be true to yourself so that you can be in a position to really share your wealth. Nina Smith at QueerCents shares a post by Peter Berkery at Planet Out which encourages coming out as an important step in financial planning. I think this lesson can apply to anyone not just closeted gays. You can't let your light shine and share your wealth if you are holding back and hiding in any closet of your own making, whatever it may be.

How about you - have you stumbled across any great stories of sharing the wealth or do you have any of your own to share with us?