Blog: Minimizing Financial Clutter
Thanks for Giving
In front of the grocery store, where I picked up some last-minute items for our Thanksgiving meal, I saw the familiar red kettle and heard the familiar bell ringing. I smiled and opened my wallet, searching for a dollar bill to put in the kettle, and remembering my father-in-law, Ellis Trezise, who spoke so highly of the Salvation Army.
Thanksgiving weekend is the perfect time to remember to share our blessings with others in need. It is the beginning of the gift-giving season for most of us. How easy (and how heartwarming) it would be to purchase a couple of gifts for children in your local social services system when you're out buying gifts for your family! This weekend is also the "beginning of the end" of the year. If you plan to contribute money or property to charity before the end of the year, you only have a few weeks in which to do so.
Your Homework for This Week:
· Decide on your budget for charitable donations for of 2009.
· Check your records to see how much you have already donated and to which charities you have donated. Many charities send multiple requests. You may or may not want to contribute more than once. Create a simple spreadsheet containing the date of donation, charity name, and amount of donation.
· Decide how to distribute your remaining budgeted money for 2009 charitable donations.
· Make your donations NOW – before the holiday season gets into full gear!
· Keep good records of your charitable donations. In some cases, the IRS requires you to obtain a receipt from the organization as proof of a contribution. For detailed IRS requirements, go to http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=164997,00.html
posted on: 11/29/2009 11:30:00 AM by Katherine Trezise
category: Finances
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Minimizing Financial Clutter
by Katherine Trezise
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About Katherine:
Katherine Trezise is president of Absolutely Organized, based in Baltimore, MD. She is president-elect of the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization. Katherine holds a masters degree in business administration, is a Certified Professional Organizer® and a Certified Professional Organizer in Chronic Disorganization®. Absolutely Organized specializes in helping people organize their homes, paperwork and financial records to make room in their lives for the things, people and activities that are most important to them.
Katherine's Website:
www.absolutely-organized.com
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