As with any conversation about money, a discussion with your spouse about charitable giving may not be easy. These talks often reveal that you and your spouse have very different views on how much is enough. But there is hope.

Here are three simple ways that you and your spouse can work toward bringing your philosophies of giving into alignment:

1. Initially ask "Can we?" not "Should we?"
Look at things practically, rather than emotionally. Examine your budget together to determine how much you can afford to give. It's also not a bad idea to visit your financial advisor who will likely have valuable information about your giving options.

2. Follow your passions
Draw up a list of the various causes that you and your spouse are most passionate about. It may include finding a cure for the disease that your father struggled with, or sponsoring children in the country where your husband grew up. Most people give to what they feel most strongly about.

Once you've listed your causes, identify related charities. Research their work to find out if they jive with your values. The more closely aligned you are with a charity, the more you'll enjoy giving.

3. Take time to compromise
Making decisions together can take a while, but it's worth it. Give yourselves time to work out compromises. If one of you is not up to giving as much as the other one right away, a compromise is to establish a giving goal—and then take baby steps toward it.
 
To discover more about your own attitudes toward giving, take the What's Your Giving Style? quiz.
For information on sponsoring a child, click here.
To purchase a gift from World Vision's Gift Catalogue, click here.