For a few years we have tithe 10% to church from our regular income. But we also hold back 10% of any extra income (bonuses, tax returns, misc) and put that money into a "Benevolence" account. Then, when we see a need arise, such as a friend going on a mission trip, a disaster in Haiti or even someone who is been hit hard financially and needs help, we can give from our fund. This way we have flexibility to give to those in need without touching our giving that goes to furthering God's kingdom. We will probably end of giving more this year than we ever have before.
We all give, one way or another... Some of us give time to others by sharing our pressence and our acts... Some give advice... Some go and buy something for someone... Some give money to certain organizatios and/or people... Some just donate stuff they already have... I think the issue is do you give to people who are in real need, or just give no matter what, or, do you give what is actually needed?
I give mostly thru my local church, which is a Methodist church. Besides financial support, I volunteer as a referee in Upward basketball and with a program called Interfaith Hospitality Network. This is a local network of 14 churches who open up their churches during the week to host a group of families who are trying to get back on their feet. They stay at the church using the facilities and the thru the program they get assistance to put their lives back in order.
Money has been tight since we retired. Until we moved to the boonies we gave by volunteering time to civic organizations. Now I use points accumulated on My Points to give to Haiti Relief, Red Cross, USO, etc.
Last year was more survivial mode for me. Since I have stemmed the tide of rising bills, this year, I have committed to not only giving my budgeted amount for the year, but making up the shortfall that I had in 2009. I started off catching up by donating to the people in Haiti
It's very good. I got lot of information from this site. You are doing great work..The topic which you have discussed is very informative. I have very much enjoyed reading these entries!
Acne in many term blackheads and whiteheads, pimples, and even deeper lumps. Which occur on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and even the upper arms. Acne affects everyone mostly teenagers. However, this disease is not restricted to any age group; adults in their 20s - even into their 40s - can get acne. While not a deadly disease, acne can be upsetting and disfiguring. When severe, acne can lead to serious and permanent scarring.
So, proper choosing of acne cream/cleansing can suit the type of skin that leads to a very nice good looking outcome.
If anyone i was listening to introduced themselves as Andi Dickson, I would assume them to be be the famous english cricket groundsman Andy Dixon and they probably would get mobbed by fans! OK until we ask them how to make a wicket a spinner!!
as part of their Agricultural Extension Services actually have kitchens with the equipment for canning (both glass jars and real tin cans) in them that are available to the local residents to use...usually in very rural areas.
You have to bring your own jars (or cans) of course as well as whatever it is you are going to can and they often charge a small fee to cover the electricy or gas used by the lights/stoves/hot water heaters.
They aren't open all the time just in the seasons when crops are harvested and when they are there is someone from the Extension Service who overseas what is being done.
So any questions can be answered and people can be shown the proper way to can.
I once saw one here in Florida in a charming old fieldstone building. Unfortunately it wasn't open but through the window I could see several large stoves, a number of large stainless steel sinks, and a couple of rows of stainless steel prep tables along with several very large pressure canners...ones that will do a LOT at one go but tend to be very expensive if you want to buy one...at least several hundred dollars.
The idea is to help those who are too poor (or have nowhere to put it) to have access to canning equipment and to be able to SAFELY put up what they have grown in their gardens and provide good food for their families during the winter or when work and money are really tight.
For those in a more Urban setting check with your states Agricultural Department and your local Community Colleges as they will sometimes offer classes in how to can.
I'm doing biweekly transfers from my checking account to SmartyPig, and at the end of the year I'll have a decent amount to donate to one charity. This year I'm trying to avoid all of the smaller, one-off donations, and really try to focus my charity dollars on one organization that I believe in.
I prefer my giving to be personal so I will be doing care packages for a neighbor I know who is struggling this year. It's hard with all the need you see to pick out who gets the limited resources available. I figure though that I start with those I know to help make a difference.
Lets say that a home has an assessed value of 45,000, but an appraised value of 17,000. Will the property taxes for the new purchaser be lowered due to the appraised value of the home, or will the property taxes remain the same, even though the appraiser states the home is only worth 17,000?
Thank you very much, Kara
@Jason - Thanks for your input. If your reference to CFPs and freelance writers is a dig at me, then I'd also like to let you know that I was an insurance expert as well as a CFP, with more qualifications than I care to mention.
And as you deftly point out, there are a couple of relatively narrow exceptions to the tax-deductibility of life insurance premiums in the United States.
According to the IRS, the following life insurance premiums are deductible:
"Life insurance covering your officers and employees if you are not directly or indirectly a beneficiary under the contract."
Matters get a little cloudy here, later in the same document:
"If, as a partner in a partnership, you take out an insurance policy on your own life and name your partners as beneficiaries to induce them to retain their investments in the partnership, you are considered a beneficiary. You cannot deduct the insurance premiums."
The question is whether they are referring to the partnership as a business structure, or if the term partnership also extends to shareholders. In Canada and other countries, there is a distinction between a Partnership-structure (with partners) and Corporate-structure (with shareholders).
Jason, it would be great if you weighed in on this, since you seem to know about the tax deductibility of life insurance premiums. Please share! What are the exceptions to deductibility of life insurance premiums you refer to?
My family gives financially a tithe/offering to our church. We also like to pitch in and help those around us when we can. This seems to be a very hard season right now....and we aren't able to do much to help anyone (ourselves included).
The cost of living has skyrocketed and having 3 teenagers will set you back.
@Andy - Great tip about having backups in place. And you'll still score high with a mortgage; just make sure you adhere to the guidelines/questions! ;-)
@BasicMoneyTips - Thank you! These Financial IQ tests are certainly based on reader honesty - it's obvious what the "right" answers are. And if it isn't initially obvious, hopefully some readers can learn from it too.
Great note about the balance transfers to 0% credit cards. It's a slippery slope to a bad credit rating if you're not careful and don't stay on top of it.
Can anyone tell me the code for Sony RDR-VX515. This is a DVD/Video Cassette Recorder. I Checked the list and they indicated they didn't have the code for this model.
Thank you
My husband was laid off in Dec.he was already working 2 jobs and the full time job had a huge lay off, so the part time job gave him alot more hours, he never filed for his unemployment because he was getting alot of hours at the part time job, 4 weeks later the full time job called him back to work wanted him to start the next day and he told them he couldnt becasue of the other job but he could go back in a week and finish out his schedule at other job and tell them to put him back part time, well they said no, he had to start back right away well 2 weeks later on he went and filed for unemployment got a check and now the full time place is appealing this because they called him back and he refused? can he be denied for this he really didnt turn it down and what else was he supposed to do you can crap on the part time job that help you out any advice????
Thanks
There are a few charities I support each year. In the past, my support was always monetary, but as my finances have gotten tighter I now am volunteering more of my time to supplement the monetary support.
Although I don't have large sums of money to give, I do give whenever I can throughout the year.
A few times a year I donate cash to childhood cancer. I'm blessed with a healthy child.
I often get free items at the supermarket using coupons. These get delivered to a local food pantry. Thankfully, I am well fed.
During the holiday season, our group at work collectively give to something. Last year was a local foster home, this year we chipped in and one woman made blankets for our soldiers. Thankfully, we are warm and have beds.
I also adopted a rescued kitten this year. For him I am thankful, but honestly this one was purely selfish. I love him to pieces!
My husband and I really wanted to make giving a part of our holiday season, but like many people, we're working hard just to pay the necessities. No matter our struggles, we know there are people in worse situations and we still wanted to find a way to help. As we were thinking about how we could come up with the money, we realized we probably had friends in similar situations. We often use the "coin jar" method to save up loose change, so we thought we would take this idea one step further. We hosted a holiday party where instead of gifts, everyone brings whatever change they can spare. Even if it's only a quarter stuck between the couch cushions, everybody's quarters can add up to make a great impact.
We ended up raising $149.47- not a lot, but so much more than we could have come up with ourselves. And a whole lot more than nothing! (We then donated it to our favorite charity on behalf of everyone)
(I wrote about it in 2 posts: http://sideofsneakers.com/2009/11/30/fill-the-cup-campaign/ and http://sideofsneakers.com/2009/12/06/christmas-charity-success/)
We have a monthly budget for giving, and participate in monthly donation programs for various groups we believe in. I think monthly donations help an organization be more efficient in their fundraising and planning, which in the end adds up to our donation going further. Our budget is a little more than our monthly donation totals, so every now and then after some funds have built up, we talk about a good recipient organization.
i give in several ways. first, while i can't always give of my money i *can* always give of my time. my employer also donates money to non profits when i volunteer a certain amount of time per year. i volunteer at various places, a local radio station, a large teen convention, etc. i do also donate to world vision monthly.
I use www.justgive.org to make anonymous donations. They take 3% off the top for administrative costs (a lot less than my employer does for a similar program), but then the organizations do not waste a lot of money and resources begging you for more.
I donate 10% to fight poverty, abuse, and the destruction of the environment. It is not easy to choose good charities. I started by trying to think of the worst problems that could actually be aided. Then I tried to find organizations that could succeed efficiently. I'm still not overly confident in my choices.
I also donate 1% to causes that have affected me (such as public TV and the local wildflower center).
I don't make time to contribute my time to any organizations other than the ones that help me (such as work organizations and the local ballroom dance club). But I used to teach first aid and CPR and be an assistant scout leader, and I plan to do some tutoring when I find more time. I don't think these are the most important issues, but they are what my skills best match.
I have for over 9 months paid a pre-trial modification which started June 2009 and on Janurary 15, 2010 I was told I am denied of the program due to I do not live in my home. I have sent much proof this is not true but Bank of America still refused to correct this error.
So, what I am doing is going to the US Treasury and all I can because this is not help at all.
For a few years we have tithe 10% to church from our regular income. But we also hold back 10% of any extra income (bonuses, tax returns, misc) and put that money into a "Benevolence" account. Then, when we see a need arise, such as a friend going on a mission trip, a disaster in Haiti or even someone who is been hit hard financially and needs help, we can give from our fund. This way we have flexibility to give to those in need without touching our giving that goes to furthering God's kingdom. We will probably end of giving more this year than we ever have before.
We all give, one way or another... Some of us give time to others by sharing our pressence and our acts... Some give advice... Some go and buy something for someone... Some give money to certain organizatios and/or people... Some just donate stuff they already have... I think the issue is do you give to people who are in real need, or just give no matter what, or, do you give what is actually needed?
I give mostly thru my local church, which is a Methodist church. Besides financial support, I volunteer as a referee in Upward basketball and with a program called Interfaith Hospitality Network. This is a local network of 14 churches who open up their churches during the week to host a group of families who are trying to get back on their feet. They stay at the church using the facilities and the thru the program they get assistance to put their lives back in order.
Money has been tight since we retired. Until we moved to the boonies we gave by volunteering time to civic organizations. Now I use points accumulated on My Points to give to Haiti Relief, Red Cross, USO, etc.
Last year was more survivial mode for me. Since I have stemmed the tide of rising bills, this year, I have committed to not only giving my budgeted amount for the year, but making up the shortfall that I had in 2009. I started off catching up by donating to the people in Haiti
It's very good. I got lot of information from this site. You are doing great work..The topic which you have discussed is very informative. I have very much enjoyed reading these entries!
Acne in many term blackheads and whiteheads, pimples, and even deeper lumps. Which occur on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and even the upper arms. Acne affects everyone mostly teenagers. However, this disease is not restricted to any age group; adults in their 20s - even into their 40s - can get acne. While not a deadly disease, acne can be upsetting and disfiguring. When severe, acne can lead to serious and permanent scarring.
So, proper choosing of acne cream/cleansing can suit the type of skin that leads to a very nice good looking outcome.
If anyone i was listening to introduced themselves as Andi Dickson, I would assume them to be be the famous english cricket groundsman Andy Dixon and they probably would get mobbed by fans! OK until we ask them how to make a wicket a spinner!!
as part of their Agricultural Extension Services actually have kitchens with the equipment for canning (both glass jars and real tin cans) in them that are available to the local residents to use...usually in very rural areas.
You have to bring your own jars (or cans) of course as well as whatever it is you are going to can and they often charge a small fee to cover the electricy or gas used by the lights/stoves/hot water heaters.
They aren't open all the time just in the seasons when crops are harvested and when they are there is someone from the Extension Service who overseas what is being done.
So any questions can be answered and people can be shown the proper way to can.
I once saw one here in Florida in a charming old fieldstone building. Unfortunately it wasn't open but through the window I could see several large stoves, a number of large stainless steel sinks, and a couple of rows of stainless steel prep tables along with several very large pressure canners...ones that will do a LOT at one go but tend to be very expensive if you want to buy one...at least several hundred dollars.
The idea is to help those who are too poor (or have nowhere to put it) to have access to canning equipment and to be able to SAFELY put up what they have grown in their gardens and provide good food for their families during the winter or when work and money are really tight.
For those in a more Urban setting check with your states Agricultural Department and your local Community Colleges as they will sometimes offer classes in how to can.
I'm doing biweekly transfers from my checking account to SmartyPig, and at the end of the year I'll have a decent amount to donate to one charity. This year I'm trying to avoid all of the smaller, one-off donations, and really try to focus my charity dollars on one organization that I believe in.
i give money to my church, alma maters, friend's fundraisers (like team in training), and areas that have been affected by disasters like haiti
My husband is intrigued by canning. Myself? I'm afraid I'd end up giving somebody botulism. I do admire those that can can.
I prefer my giving to be personal so I will be doing care packages for a neighbor I know who is struggling this year. It's hard with all the need you see to pick out who gets the limited resources available. I figure though that I start with those I know to help make a difference.
Christine
dazed1821@AOL.COM
Lets say that a home has an assessed value of 45,000, but an appraised value of 17,000. Will the property taxes for the new purchaser be lowered due to the appraised value of the home, or will the property taxes remain the same, even though the appraiser states the home is only worth 17,000?
Thank you very much, Kara
@Jason - Thanks for your input. If your reference to CFPs and freelance writers is a dig at me, then I'd also like to let you know that I was an insurance expert as well as a CFP, with more qualifications than I care to mention.
And as you deftly point out, there are a couple of relatively narrow exceptions to the tax-deductibility of life insurance premiums in the United States.
According to the IRS, the following life insurance premiums are deductible:
"Life insurance covering your officers and employees if you are not directly or indirectly a beneficiary under the contract."
Matters get a little cloudy here, later in the same document:
"If, as a partner in a partnership, you take out an insurance policy on your own life and name your partners as beneficiaries to induce them to retain their investments in the partnership, you are considered a beneficiary. You cannot deduct the insurance premiums."
The question is whether they are referring to the partnership as a business structure, or if the term partnership also extends to shareholders. In Canada and other countries, there is a distinction between a Partnership-structure (with partners) and Corporate-structure (with shareholders).
Jason, it would be great if you weighed in on this, since you seem to know about the tax deductibility of life insurance premiums. Please share! What are the exceptions to deductibility of life insurance premiums you refer to?
My family gives financially a tithe/offering to our church. We also like to pitch in and help those around us when we can. This seems to be a very hard season right now....and we aren't able to do much to help anyone (ourselves included).
The cost of living has skyrocketed and having 3 teenagers will set you back.
@Andy - Great tip about having backups in place. And you'll still score high with a mortgage; just make sure you adhere to the guidelines/questions! ;-)
@BasicMoneyTips - Thank you! These Financial IQ tests are certainly based on reader honesty - it's obvious what the "right" answers are. And if it isn't initially obvious, hopefully some readers can learn from it too.
Great note about the balance transfers to 0% credit cards. It's a slippery slope to a bad credit rating if you're not careful and don't stay on top of it.
Can anyone tell me the code for Sony RDR-VX515. This is a DVD/Video Cassette Recorder. I Checked the list and they indicated they didn't have the code for this model.
Thank you
My husband was laid off in Dec.he was already working 2 jobs and the full time job had a huge lay off, so the part time job gave him alot more hours, he never filed for his unemployment because he was getting alot of hours at the part time job, 4 weeks later the full time job called him back to work wanted him to start the next day and he told them he couldnt becasue of the other job but he could go back in a week and finish out his schedule at other job and tell them to put him back part time, well they said no, he had to start back right away well 2 weeks later on he went and filed for unemployment got a check and now the full time place is appealing this because they called him back and he refused? can he be denied for this he really didnt turn it down and what else was he supposed to do you can crap on the part time job that help you out any advice????
Thanks
There are a few charities I support each year. In the past, my support was always monetary, but as my finances have gotten tighter I now am volunteering more of my time to supplement the monetary support.
Although I don't have large sums of money to give, I do give whenever I can throughout the year.
A few times a year I donate cash to childhood cancer. I'm blessed with a healthy child.
I often get free items at the supermarket using coupons. These get delivered to a local food pantry. Thankfully, I am well fed.
During the holiday season, our group at work collectively give to something. Last year was a local foster home, this year we chipped in and one woman made blankets for our soldiers. Thankfully, we are warm and have beds.
I also adopted a rescued kitten this year. For him I am thankful, but honestly this one was purely selfish. I love him to pieces!
Great idea for a contest!
My husband and I really wanted to make giving a part of our holiday season, but like many people, we're working hard just to pay the necessities. No matter our struggles, we know there are people in worse situations and we still wanted to find a way to help. As we were thinking about how we could come up with the money, we realized we probably had friends in similar situations. We often use the "coin jar" method to save up loose change, so we thought we would take this idea one step further. We hosted a holiday party where instead of gifts, everyone brings whatever change they can spare. Even if it's only a quarter stuck between the couch cushions, everybody's quarters can add up to make a great impact.
We ended up raising $149.47- not a lot, but so much more than we could have come up with ourselves. And a whole lot more than nothing! (We then donated it to our favorite charity on behalf of everyone)
(I wrote about it in 2 posts: http://sideofsneakers.com/2009/11/30/fill-the-cup-campaign/ and http://sideofsneakers.com/2009/12/06/christmas-charity-success/)
We have a monthly budget for giving, and participate in monthly donation programs for various groups we believe in. I think monthly donations help an organization be more efficient in their fundraising and planning, which in the end adds up to our donation going further. Our budget is a little more than our monthly donation totals, so every now and then after some funds have built up, we talk about a good recipient organization.
i give in several ways. first, while i can't always give of my money i *can* always give of my time. my employer also donates money to non profits when i volunteer a certain amount of time per year. i volunteer at various places, a local radio station, a large teen convention, etc. i do also donate to world vision monthly.
I use www.justgive.org to make anonymous donations. They take 3% off the top for administrative costs (a lot less than my employer does for a similar program), but then the organizations do not waste a lot of money and resources begging you for more.
I donate 10% to fight poverty, abuse, and the destruction of the environment. It is not easy to choose good charities. I started by trying to think of the worst problems that could actually be aided. Then I tried to find organizations that could succeed efficiently. I'm still not overly confident in my choices.
I also donate 1% to causes that have affected me (such as public TV and the local wildflower center).
I don't make time to contribute my time to any organizations other than the ones that help me (such as work organizations and the local ballroom dance club). But I used to teach first aid and CPR and be an assistant scout leader, and I plan to do some tutoring when I find more time. I don't think these are the most important issues, but they are what my skills best match.
I have for over 9 months paid a pre-trial modification which started June 2009 and on Janurary 15, 2010 I was told I am denied of the program due to I do not live in my home. I have sent much proof this is not true but Bank of America still refused to correct this error.
So, what I am doing is going to the US Treasury and all I can because this is not help at all.