A different kind of bonus: A Plan for giving back 

This time of year brings a unique sense of abundance. We see it in the boxes of sweets we share with neighbours, the thoughtful gifts we choose for our loved ones, and the bonuses we give to our household staff.

There’s a clear pattern here: our spending is directed outwards, designed to bring joy to others. We intuitively understand that our own happiness is magnified by what we share, not just by what we acquire, and many of us budget for these celebrations meticulously.

But what if we applied that same intention to a different kind of bonus this season? Not the one that lands in our bank account, but the one that enriches our lives in a more lasting way: the return that comes from giving back.

From celebration to intention: architecting your ‘joy bonus’

The joy we feel from giving during the festive season is real and important. But what if we could extend that feeling into a lasting sense of purpose?

To draw a parallel, our first investments were often impulse-driven, perhaps based on a friend’s recommendation. Over time, we moved toward a systematic approach, where investing became a regular, thoughtful part of our lives. 

The same evolution can apply to our generosity. We can move from reactive, event-driven actions to creating an ‘Impact Plan’ that is aligned with our deepest values. This transforms giving from a simple transaction into a strategy, a true expression of who you are and what you stand for.

The two principles behind your impact plan

First, depth over breadth. Just as a focused investment strategy often outperforms a scattered one, sustained support for a cause you truly believe in can create far deeper change than small donations scattered widely. 

For example, let’s say educating disenfranchised children is a cause dear to you. Here, focusing your support towards bodies that work towards this cause exclusively would help make the most difference towards something that you really care about.

Second, consistency over intensity. We build our wealth through the patient habit of regular saving. What if we applied that same discipline to our generosity? An ‘Impact SIP,’ a regular monthly or annual commitment, transforms giving from a one-time event into a sustained force for good. 

Redefining legacy: a garden to tend, not a monument to build

The word “legacy” can feel intimidating. We often see it as something grand, static, and reserved for the final chapter of life, irrelevant until our wealth feels far beyond our own needs.

I want to challenge that perception. In my opinion, legacy is more like a garden than a grand monument. A monument is built once and stands frozen in time. A garden, however, is a living thing that grows and evolves as we do.

It needs to be tended to today. In practical terms, what does that mean?

It’s not just about leaving a sum of money. It’s the values you instill in your children about wealth and responsibility. This is perhaps the most meaningful interpretation of ‘charity begins at home’, a legacy built not just for your children, but within them. 

It could be as simple as involving them in the family’s decision on which cause to support with your ‘Impact SIP’, teaching them the profound connection between wealth and responsibility firsthand. 

Here’s another idea to reinforce these concepts for your children/ grandchildren. In case you are planning to give them some money for Diwali, turn that into an Investment on their behalf. It could be a lump sum or even better, start a SIP in their name. You can show them how wealth creation really happens and how patience can help them achieve so much more.

It’s the time you invest in mentoring someone in your field. It’s the support you give to a cause that improves the community you are a part of.In this way, legacy goes beyond a transaction and becomes something truly alive.

The true enabler: a plan that creates capacity

This approach isn’t a lofty ideal; it’s a practical strategy that coexists with securing your family’s future.

As I mentioned in my last letter, a well-architected financial plan is the ultimate “Permission Slip.” Its highest purpose is to provide clarity. It answers the question, “How much is enough for us?” This clarity is liberating. It removes the fear that you are compromising your future by giving today, allowing you to spend without guilt.

When your plan confirms that your financial pillars are secure, ambiguity vanishes. The decision to contribute to a cause becomes a logical one, made with the confidence that it fits within your larger, well-designed life.

The echo of a rich life

As you celebrate your hard-earned prosperity this festive season, even if you are still on the journey, you have the opportunity to create wealth of a different kind. This is wealth that touches lives and strengthens the community you are a part of.

The measure of a rich life isn’t just what we accumulate, but the positive impact we make. That impact can be on the lives of those around you and perhaps on those you will never meet.

The only question is: what impact will you choose to make?

P.S. At Scripbox, we believe a financial plan is incomplete if it doesn’t make room for your purpose. These are often the most meaningful conversations we have, and we are always here to have them.