Emergency at Peaceful Prairie

Michael Prejean, friend of Peaceful Prairie, has apprised me of a dire need for funds for the animals at the sanctuary. The amount needed is $4,000. Michael generously offered to match $500, and I have donated the first $500, so that covers the match.

That’s $1,000. Only $3,000 to go! I will match the next $500. Maybe someone out there can "pay it forward" (and by the way, I can’t stand that saying, and I like the movie even less).

If $500 is a little steep, and rightfully so, please send whatever you can. There is a donation button on the site that takes you to PayPal. Please know that PPS is charged for donations made by credit card. If you can write a check and mail it immediately, go for it (the good thing about PayPal is it’s easy and accessible and you don’t even need a stamp). $5, $10, $15. Every amount helps.

The first time I did this, for Professor Gary Francione’s birthday, $4,000 was raised in about 48 hours. It went to the printing of the spectacular brochures and also to the animals. Thanks to you all!

As you may know, I’ve ghostwritten or edited a handful of books on financial planning (some were even New York Times bestsellers!). When it comes to basic personal finance, the first thing you do to solve financial problems is go through your monthly expenses and see where your money goes. Starbucks, magazines, car washes (which by the way are infinitely more environmentally responsible than washing your car in your driveway with a hose–surprise!), pedicures, eating out, trips to the mall, movies, are all expenses that can be altered. All of your variable monthly expenses paid with disposable income can be decreased to make room for a more important expense, such as a $50 check to PPS each month. I’ve never met a monthly expense chart that I couldn’t get at least $100 from, without making the person feel deprived.

Go through your monthly expenses (and if you don’t have them written down, start now. Write down every penny and every use of the cash card. Most people are amazed by where their money goes.). Rent movies rather than going to the theater. Or go to matinees. Or get films from the library! Make a fun meal at home with a fun dessert rather than going out to eat. Don’t wash your car for a while. Do your own nails. Ditch subscriptions to magazines and newspapers, and get what you can online (less paper!). Drink alcohol at home rather than at a bar or restaurant (less opportunity for DUI!). Make a bag lunch (I do that everyday for my husband) rather than ordering out.

And for heaven’s sake–stop paying enormous amounts of money for coffee and stop buying bottled water!

Send your now-surplus dollars to the place every abolitionist supports on their blog:

Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary
81503 E. County Road 22,
Deer Trail, CO 80105

Please make a commitment to a monthly amount or send what you can as a one-time donation, today.

Thank you.

PS-For the 3rd time in less than 2 years, the Hallmark channel recently ran a segment on Peaceful Prairie. Check it out! (Click on "Video" in Sacred in the Ordinary.)