Any amount is fine Jennie. I've received smaller and larger tips. I appreciate all of them, I'm sure the other guys would agree.

Not to influence you, but just personally, I try to gauge how much time/effort something saved me and what that time would be worth to me, and go from there when considering what to tip.

Any of the guys will appreciate anything you give though, whether it's part of the days coffee or more :).

I agree with Adam's statement.  It really isn't about the amount so much as a way of saying "Thank you for your help".
It's totally up to you and your budget.  
By the way, tip or not,  we all strive to help everyone out where we can.

I was also going to donate when I first joined the site, and I ended up buying some of videos on this site.

Speaking as someone who gets hundreds, if not thousands of emails from people asking for me to help them with issues, I will definitely spend more time answering a question from a customer who I know has spent a lot of money on my lessons than I will helping someone out who hasn't purchased anything or has only bought a couple of beginner lessons. I know it's not fair. I try to do my best to help EVERYONE, but the truth of the world is that there are only so many hours in the day, and I have to prioritize where I feel my time is best spent.

Sure, I will point everyone in the right direction (go watch this video) but if it's a long-time student who has spent a good deal of money on my lessons, I'm more likely to "go the extra mile" helping them out. That's just how it is. I wish I had an unlimited amount of time to help people all day, because I truly enjoy it, but time, as they say, is money.

That being said, I would say that you should tip based on the amount and quality of help you received. If they gave you a quick answer, or pointed you in the right direction, $5 is fine. If they spent a half hour or more going through troubleshooting with you or reading through your VBA code, increase it accordingly. When I started my business back in 1994, I charged $65 / hour for technical support. That's about $120 in today's dollars. So just keep that number in mind when guestimating a tip. If they spent an hour helping you out, tip accordingly.

Yes, they're all volunteers, and yes, like me, they do it mostly for the love of helping people. But it's always nice to have your effort rewarded. And it makes them want to help you again in the future that much more. :)

For the same reason, I always tip my servers and bartenders well because I want them to remember me the next time I come in and give me top-notch service. If it's a crowded bar, especially, I want to make sure I get served as quickly as possible. So I tip well. And it usually works.

I agree with all of you! A friend and colleague once said

"I love what I do... but I don't do it for the emotional experience!" lol

Thank you all!

I will keep tipping in mind.  Time is money.  Better yet resources and knowledge.  For all of you that answered my goofy questions.
I Thank you.  Let see what Santa Claus brings you in December.  Be good little boys and girls.  Santa knows when your naughty and nice.

Santa Claus