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Charity
Your Two Cents: Is There Room in Your Holiday Budget For Charity?
The holiday season isn't just about gift-giving — even while the budget may be stretched, it's also the time of year to give to charity. It's no secret that things are tight this year. The recession is changing the way we holiday shop, but is it also changing our philanthropic spirit of giving for a good cause?
Reader Tip: Make Your Deductible Donations Before January
Over time we each develop a unique saving style, which is why we started the How Do You Save? group for you to divulge your winning tactics. The group offers a place for you to dole out your advice to other SavvySugar readers trying to save a little moolah and learn from their experiences.
Global Rich Lists Wants You to See How Rich You Really Are
If you've ever wondered how your salary compares to workers around the world, then you may be excited to check out UK website Global Rich List. The site might fulfill some of your curiosity, but that's not really its intention; the website's creators hope that realizing your relative wealth will prompt you to give to charity.
To see where you fall on the global rich list, enter your annual income and click the "Show me the money" button.
If You Had Jolie-Pitt Kind of Cash, Where Would You Donate?
The power couple of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt is way more than a gorgeous, talented duo. They're known to support important causes, both domestically and around the world, often donating large (as in millions) sums of money when it feels right. If you had the kind of cash in the bank that could warrant exceptional monetary gifts to charities, where would you donate?
5 Charities That Support Our Troops
If you'd like to honor the men and women who have served our country or are in the process of doing so, one way of giving back is to donate to a charity that supports our troops. Many military charities exist, but these five have been rated as some of the most efficient organizations. Can't afford to donate?
Have You Made a Donation at the Grocery Store Checkout?
On my recent trip to the grocery store, I swiped my card and the machine asked me if I'd like to make a donation to People With Disabilities. It's a smart way for charities to solicit donations because people are already spending money, and adding an extra $5 to the bill doesn't seem like much when you're already shelling out $100. Have you made a donation while checking out at the grocery store?
Take a Charitable Note From Taylor Swift
Famous or not, most women own at least one dress that hangs uselessly in our closets. Take a note from Taylor Swift and turn the seemingly good-for-nothing dress into a good act; the 19-year old singer donated her long cream and gold Jessica McClintock gown to DonateMyDress.org. I certainly don't have any prom dresses in my possession any longer, but I have a selection of worn-once bridesmaids dresses that could use a better home.
Tax Tip: Take Pictures to Track Your Donations
When I sheepishly told my tax preparer that I'd misplaced my receipts for the donations I made to Goodwill throughout 2008, he gave me a good-willed evil eye and then offered a great piece of advice. He said that while he's claimed thousands and thousands of dollars in donations throughout the years, and never once has anyone come knocking for proof, but that not everyone is left unbothered.
He picked up a smart tactic from his clients, and I'm going to start using it the next time I have a donation bag ready to go: Take pictures of the items you donate and then upload the photos to your computer.
Florida Couple Raffling Miami Condo Mostly For Charity
A Florida couple is being creatively charitable in the raffle to sell their Miami Beach condo. The housing market has prevented Tim Suereth and Diane Thorne from selling their waterfront 850-square-foot condo, equipped with new floors, new cabinets, a pool, and a courtyard. So they came up with a bright idea to pay off their mortgage while raising money for a charity they organized for wounded war veterans.
Your Two Cents: Girl Scout Cookie Pushing at the Office?
It's cookie time! I don't know about you, but I love Girl Scout cookies — despite the expense. I buy my Thin Mints from the adorable troop posted outside of my Safeway (even on the coldest of days!), but many people buy their boxes from co-workers on cookie duty for their kids.
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