With the holiday season and the end of year approaching, you've probably noticed an uptick in requests from charities. It seems like everyone's looking for a donation right now - and it is true that charities rely on donations to do their work. But how do you know if a charity will use your donation responsibly? How do you know if it is a legitimate charity doing the work they claim to do? Simple - you do some research. Where to Research … [Read more...]
Three Smart Year-End Money Moves
Fidelity Investments just sent around their "Three Smart Year-End Money Moves for Women to Get Financially Fit in 2016," but I think these apply to men as well. Let's look at their tips and then I will discuss where I'm at on these tips and what tasks I need to complete. Year-End Money Tips from Fidelity Investments: Just start thinking about it. Understanding how you are saving and spending can be a valuable step to helping put your … [Read more...]
How to Value Your Donations
This summer, one of my big goals is to declutter my house and actually get rid of things. I have had a bin of clothes to donate sitting in my office for I don't know how long, and at this point, it's overflowing. I also know there's a box of donations in the back of the coat closet. That stuff is probably going to have to be washed, because I'm fairly convinced one of the cats has been sleeping in it. I've also got a ton of paperback books … [Read more...]
Watch Out For Charity Scams
Today is Memorial Day, a holiday in the United States for us to remember our fallen solders. Unfortunately, in many ways, the holiday's purpose has been forgotten and people think of it simply as the beginning of the summer. But while you're out today, at a barbecue or a picnic, take a look around and notice the extra American flags flying. Consider flying one outside your house. And while you're out, you may also see signs up for various … [Read more...]
Tis the Season of Giving
The holiday season has arrived and with it comes hundreds of requests for charitable donations. Some of this has to do with the holiday spirit, but some of it has to do with the fact that we're nearing the end of the year, and if you want the added tax deductions for the charitable donations, you need to get those done before the end of the year (or you can just claim them on your 2015 taxes, of course). I don't know about anyone else, … [Read more...]