Looking for a Holiday Gift?

Don't waste your money on lame gift certificates this year.

Check out my friend's nonprofit organization, Kiva, and give something a little more special.

You go to the site, find an entrepreneur in the developing world that needs a loan, and give them some cash (in increments of $25). If their business is successful, you'll get your money repaid in about a year. There's a 99.9% repayment rate. That's better than the Grameen Bank (whose founder just won a Nobel Peace Prize).

It's Microfinance 2.0!

I am just going to give Kiva gift certificates this holiday season. And for friends' birthdays in the future. And weddings. And everything else.

It's essentially a delayed gift certificate (the recipient will eventually be able to cash out and spend the money however he or she wishes), but it also includes a pretty special experience and the chance to help make the world a better place. How cool is that?

Check out my own lender profile page if you're interested.