Pay It Forward - Schaumburg,IL

That is so cool. A friend of mine experienced the very same thing. I like to donate to shelters or take food to the Catholic Charities, but never think to do a random act of kindness like that.

Although, we did go to Knott's Berry Farm a few weeks ago and I had an extra coupon from my entertainment book. I took it from my husband and handed to the guy in back of me. He was from abroad, so he asked what I handed him and I told him it was a discount and he smiled and said "Cheers".

If you know where the local homeless population hangs out, take gently used coats/jackets out there for them or even a big pot of chili or stew.

You could also pay the bridge toll for the car behind you.

Paying for someone in back of you at a drive through (I know - not totally different than a restaurant).

Getting some breakfast treats and giving them to the local police/fire station.

Paying for $10-15 at the gas pump would be a nice surprise for the next person that pulls up!

(as far as paying for groceries, you can get a gift card and immediately turn around and hand it over the the person behind you).

I NEED to do this more often - thanks for the reminder.

Auto mechanics shops - an unexpected repair can really cripple a struggling family

Nicor or ComEd's charitable fund to help cover the bills of the needy

How does one go about paying for others' groceries? I tried doing it at Target one day and the sales clerk told me she couldn't let me do it--I was kinda shocked and then felt stupid for even asking.

What a lovely story, J.! Thanks for sharing.

We carry coupons in our car, good for a free meal at a restaurant that caters to the homeless. We also smile and look people in the eye and ask "How's your day?" or something appropriate when we hand them out. Most of these folks really appreciate being treated like a real person (not all; some are too shy/ashamed/mentally ill to respond easily).

Many years ago, when I was separated from my husband and raising my daughter on a minimum-wage job as a teacher's aid, a church gave all low-income families at mt daughter's preschool a $20 check for holiday groceries. Although I was just making it, this helped so much. I've been paying it forward ever since.

If I notice a family living in a car, I'll drop off a bag of fruit, cheese, and water if possible. I chat when I can, but there's very little else I can offer on my budget. But another "free" favor I sometimes do is to help little old shoppers reach items on shelves or read labels.

How cool is that! While you were in the midst of paying it forward yourself, someone paid if forward on you! Love it! There are so many ways to give; just keep your eyes peeled and you will indeed come across someone in need. We see them everyday, just look. Good on you! :)

If we are at a restaurant and we have police officers, firefighters or military personnel in line behind us we pay for their food.

I feel it is the least I can do because of what they do for us.

On my 44th Birthday (this past January) I was in a drive thru buying hot cocoa for my kids and decided to pay for the guy behind me. He was totally confused when the cashier told him, lol, I swear it took longer for him then if he had paid himself. My kids asked me why I did it and I said just because I wanted to make someone's day happier. Then I decided that I would do 44 random acts of kindness this year, one for each birthday I have had. My kids loved this idea and vowed to do equal to their birthday year as well.

So far I have paid for groceries, CVS purchases from a bunch of teen girls (they kinda freaked out), left coupons in a store by what they were for, gave a box of girl scout cookies to the garbage man, recycling man and mail man, and a few other ones. I keep track in a book cause I tend to forget, lol.

There was a pinterest thing that had a list of neat ones to do. Perhaps google it? Look up Random Acts of Kindness

I would wait for the right opportunity to present itself. You will know when it happens.

Pay off some one's lay away. This is really good at christmas, but it works all the time.

I love the auto repair idea, but I'd have to be really sure of the mechanic...

As for the can't do that at Target, I'd go see the manager, the cashier simply did not know how.....

I loved that movie. Sad though. I love the pay it forward attitude. I try for the random act of kindness. The other day a homeless man was begging for money outside of dunken donuts. Everyone was shying away from him. When I got out of the car he asked me as well. I do not give I never do but I asked him would you like a donut. He said yes. I asked him what kind he liked mentioned a few I knew to be in the store. So I bought him two donuts he took it and walked away. A little later I was driving down the street and I noticed him walking down the street smiling away munching on the donuts I gave him. That made me feel good.

I love to " pay it forward" every opportunity I get! A local student designed coats that turn into sleeping bags ( heated) and our local news channel highlighted them last month when we had frigid temperatures. Many of tge homeless shelters will go out and look for homeless, but sometimes they refuse to go to warming shelters-so they can give them these coats. Don't quote me-but I think the cost was around $50.
Here's a link to the student being interviewed http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=pecbOVcYOnA&desktop_ur...

My mom will literally knock people over to get to pay for a military, police, fire, etc person's meal. I've seen her do it - and everyone always forgives her when they see what she is doing. She ALWAYS does it.

I went through Chick-Fil-A not too long ago and only got a large unsweet tea. The lady in front of me paid the $1.80. I asked to pay for the family behind me, but they had a $40 bill. I didn't have that much on me so I handed over my $1.80 I had already and just asked them to put it towards their meal. Sometimes we can't help, but it's always nice to do it.

You'll know when the time is right. There are times when I've helped others at the grocery store or gas station. You'll just know. Good on you!

That has happened to me a few times ordering coffee through a drive thru. I paid it forward one of the times and the other times nobody was behind me. Thinking back I should have tipped the cashier that amount. I did pay it forward though another time through a drive thru. I am going to keep my eye open for the right situations. I'd love to help someone struggling pay for their groceries. Good post!!

Have a takeout meal sent to someone you know could use a "break" tonight!

Leave a bouquet of flowers on someone's desk at work with a "thank you for all you do" note and don't sign it.

When we were packing to move across the country, one of my neighbors knew we were up early in the morning packing before work and up late packing. She knocked on the door one morning VERY early with coffee and donuts and and offer to take the kids for a few hours. I CANNOT tell you how wonderful that was... it was unexpected and much appreciated. Is there someone you know who couldn't afford a sitter, but would love some time to themselves- give them an afternoon to themselves!

YAY! I think you already did pay it forward by helping the boys. Keep it up. Great ideas here. I have a friend who is doing a good deed a day for Lent. Maybe it was her ;-)