How to Pay It Forward

Last Updated: April 15, 2021 References

The world can sometimes seem like an unfriendly, threatening place. But by recognizing acts of kindness and doing something kind for someone else, you can kick-start a chain reaction of generosity and thoughtful behavior, brightening the mood of friends, neighbors, and strangers alike. Paying it forward in this way will feel good and make someone else feel good, too.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Starting a Chain Reaction

1
Use pay it forward cards to tell people what you’re doing. A pay it forward card is a small card that explains the idea behind paying it forward and encourages recipients to continue the process. Download pay it forward cards from the web and print them out. When paying it forward, leave a pay it forward card behind to ensure that the person who benefits from your kindness understands your motivation and pays it forward in their own way.^{[1]
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2
Pay for the person behind you in a drive-through lane. When you arrive at the drive-through window to pay for your order, tell the cashier that you’d like to pay for the order behind yours as well. You can use this trick at fast food restaurants, coffee shops, and any other franchise that offers a drive-through option.^{[2]
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- You can also do this when driving through a toll booth if the toll rate is the same for all automobiles.
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3
Leave quarters at the laundromat. Choose an unused washer or dryer at the laundromat and place 2 or 3 low stacks of coins on it, totaling about $3 USD (the average price of using the washer or dryer). This generous act is easiest if you do your laundry at the laundromat, since you can just leave the coins there next time you do the wash. But even if you don’t do your laundry at the laundromat, you could stop by just to leave the quarters for some lucky person.^{[3]
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4
Give someone a dollar by pretending they dropped it. Choose one random person from a crowd and approach them from behind. Tap them on the shoulder and when they turn around, give them a dollar. Say, “Here, I think you dropped this.” If they protest, insist that you saw it fall from their pocket.
5
Top up expired parking meters. Walk down the street and look for expired parking meters. Drop a few coins in the meter to help out a random person who has accidentally overstayed their allotted time.^{[4]
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6
Wash your neighbor’s car if you’re out washing your own. Since you’re going to the trouble of gathering a pail of water, soap, and sponges or rags anyhow, it’s easy to go a step further and help your neighbor out at the same time. Be sure to ask them before you get started, though－some people are particular about who touches or washes their automobile.^{[5]
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- Similarly, if you’re out raking your yard or mowing the grass, do the same for your neighbor. Again, be sure to ask before getting started.
7
Clean up your neighborhood. Walk around your block and pick up any cans or trash that might be littering your streets. This will beautify the neighborhood not only for you, but for your whole community. If you want some help or companionship while you clean up, invite your neighbors and friends to join you.^{[6]
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8
Listen to someone’s story or problem. Lots of people feel isolated and alone. If you know that someone－a student, an elderly neighbor, or a friend going through a divorce－needs someone to lean on and talk to, be that person. Often, these situations arise on their own, but you could be proactive and let the person you’re concerned for know that you’re always there if they want to talk.^{[7]
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- Many hospices and nursing homes have programs that match volunteers to people who have few or no visitors. Contact nursing homes and hospices in your area and ask if they offer such a program.
9
Compliment someone sincerely when they deserve praise. For instance, if you see someone who has a really unique or sophisticated style, say “Wow, you’re really well-dressed. I wish I was so stylish!” Or, if you see a parent with a young child who waits patiently with them in line, compliment the parent on their superior child-rearing skills. Say, for instance, “Your child is so well-behaved. You must be an excellent parent!”^{[8]
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- There are countless ways to compliment others. Keep an eye out for opportunities to do so throughout the day.
10
Publish positive reviews about businesses you like online. Lots of people only bother to review businesses online when they have negative experiences. Pay it forward and help restore balance to the world of online reviews by writing a glowing review for your favorite comic book store, restaurant, carpentry shop, or auto repair center.^{[9]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Doing Larger Deeds

1
Give an umbrella to someone who doesn’t have one when it’s raining. If it starts raining and you see someone stuck beneath the eaves of a shop because they were not expecting the storm, duck inside a convenience store and purchase an umbrella for them, if possible (and one for you, if necessary). Give them the umbrella so they can go on their way.^{[10]
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2
Ask for donations instead of gifts on birthdays and holidays. When your birthday or holidays draw near, your friends and family might start asking you what you want. Ask them to make a charitable contribution to an organization of their choice (or of your choice) instead of getting you a gift.^{[11]
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3
Become a mentor to a child. There are many ways to become a mentor. For instance, if you’re a strong reader and writer, you could help out a young person who you know needs help writing an essay for school. If you know a teen neighbor needs help finding a job but their parents are too busy, you could teach them how to browse classifieds, develop a resume, and dress properly for an interview.^{[12]
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4
Offer your professional services for free. If you have a valuable skill set, you could put your abilities to work as a volunteer with an organization. For instance, if you’re a lawyer, you might offer to help out at a nonprofit that needs help with a legal matter. If you’re an electrician, you might be able to help fix electrical problems at your local homeless shelter or soup kitchen.^{[13]
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5
Drive a stranger home. If you see someone waiting at the bus stop or trying in vain to hail a taxi, pull over and offer them a ride to their destination. The stranger is even more likely to appreciate and accept your offer if the weather is poor.
6
Host a music festival and donate the proceeds to charity. Contact local music venues and ask if they would be willing to host an event for a charity. Once you’ve secured a venue, contact some local musicians and ask if they would be interested in performing in a charity concert. Once you have three or four bands or musicians available, advertise the event on social media and in local papers. Donate the ticket sales to a worthy charity.
- Encourage musicians and music venues to participate in your event by reminding them that while they won’t make money directly from ticket sales of the event, they will get positive exposure.
- Music venues, additionally, will earn money from the sale of food and drinks during the concert, while musicians can sell their records and other merchandise.
7
Make a charitable donation. Identify charities that match your interests, then research each to ensure they are legitimate. Check each organization’s website for a clear mission statement and lists of its programs, board of directors, and accomplishments. Find out how you can make a donation by checking the organization’s website.^{[14]
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- The easiest way will probably be to use a credit card, PayPal, or another digital payment service.
- Many charities also accept checks or money orders.
- If you can’t find information online about how to make a donation, call the charity’s offices directly and inquire about how to do so.
- Use a third-party site like CharityWatch or GuideStar to identify charities and nonprofits that are legitimate.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Making Generosity a Habit

1
Increase the number of compliments you give each day. Count how many compliments you receive on a given day and try to double that amount the following day.^{[15]
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2
Reward generosity in others. Suppose you see someone do something nice for someone else. Reward that person’s generosity and kindness by doing something thoughtful for them.
- For instance, suppose you’re working at a restaurant and a customer spills a glass of water. If another customer helps the first one clean up the mess, you could reward their generosity by discounting their bill. Check with a manager or supervisor before doing this.
- You could also reward someone’s kindness by helping them out. For instance, you could offer to carry a heavy burden for them or even just hold the door open for them.
3
Volunteer with local community organizations. Volunteers are the lifeblood of any charity or nonprofit organization. Designate at least one day each month (for instance, the first day of the month) to volunteer with a local soup kitchen, homeless shelter, or other community organization in your area.
4
Give away your old clothes or goods. If you have clothing that you don’t wear, old books you don’t read, or other goods that are still serviceable but are only collecting dust at home, find a way to donate them to a loving home. You could take them to your nearest thrift store, for instance, or post them for free on a digital marketplace like Craigslist. Take advantage of donation bins for books, clothes, or shoes if you live near one.^{[16]
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- Old towels or blankets are often welcome at animal shelters.
- Books are also always welcome at your local library.
5
Ask elderly neighbors if they require help with anything. Older folks often have trouble moving furniture around or cleaning out high, hard-to-reach shelves. Let your elderly neighbors know that if they need help with anything, you’re available to lend a hand.^{[17]
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