Working as a tax preparer I'm surprised by the difference (and often indifference) in giving. Here is some idea of the various levels of giving that I see and some traits that are pretty common within that level of giving. I have a number of clients that earn a middle-income and give $3000 or more each year to charity. From my experience those that give the most generously are active church participants though their donations are not limited to church nor is the majority of the donations to a church. Most of their donations are for a minimum of $100 to each individual charity and often to the same charities each year. The next group of donators is executives earning a higher income. Most often their donations are payroll deductions to United Way and vary from $520 to $1040 per year. As you might guess they work for companies that host United Way employee fundraising meeting. Quite often this is the only donation they make. The next group of donators is your average earner. They often have a weekly payroll deduction ($52-$104/year) to the United Way. Often include church donations of around $500 per year. Notable this group of donators while providing smaller dollar donations of $5-$50 is the biggest supporter of the local police, fire company, kids charities, and veterans charities. They may give to different charities each year. Overall their donations usually fall between $200-$700 per year. But the surprise to me is how many people do not give any charitable donations especially those with higher incomes ($100,000+). I was also surprised by how very few clients made donations in support of Katrina. I've noticed while preparing returns this year the amount of charitable donations was less than last year. The higher cost this past year for gas, increased property taxes, and medical expenses was often mentioned. I expect that next year with the requirement that donations require a receipt (or cancelled check for donations of less than $250) will further decrease the amount of donations that are claimed. On a personal note I will say that this year I too have less charitable deductions on my tax return than in previous years. Some of this is because my income was much lower this year. And some of it is because instead of donating to a charity we chose instead to help some friends and family in need. We gave some money to a friend who's husband was injured and could not work for 3 months. It was not alot of money but very appreciated. And last year a client of mine was very ill and out of work. I sent a note and a check to them as I knew they were facing financial problems with the loss of income and medical expenses. We also have a family member facing a serious medical problem and we helped them out. So our tax-deductible donations have been less but our hearts are in the right place.

I should have also added that Wikipedia is currently without advertisers. Wikipedia needs the help of the people that use the site to remain ad free. In addition, all of you can contribute information to Wiki about any subject. It's a world wide community encyclopedia or as the founder (Jimmy Wales) puts it - "a pool of human knowledge." I have attached a link to the main page of Wikipedia to those that may not be familiar with the site. Jimmy Wales gives a good intro to the concept of the site. I have nothing to gain from this post other than "I can't imagine life without Wikipedia!" Teresa Here is a link that might be useful: Intro to Wikipedia by founder Jimmy Wales

Perhaps you haven't read this frugal but fun-loving financial advisor's contribution (some time ago) over on "Money Saving Tips". How would you like to get a dollar's worth of value ... ... for 50 - 60 cents? If I buy foods in the grocery store to put into the contribution box for the Food Bank in the store, or at one of my churches or, around here, in firehalls, the big boss at the grocer corporate headquarters is happy, for he sold food for $1.00 at retail that he wasn't expecting to sell, otherwise (but it doesn't affect the local manager much, unless he gets a bonus based on volume - and you can bet that he, unlike certain financial managers, won't qualify if he'd just been quilty of almost running the grocery chain into the ground). A couple of times a year some local grocery retailers offer to let folks add an extra charge to their bill to be sent to a local social service agency that helps the poor and homeless: about $2.57 will buy a meal for one of them. That allows the agency to buy the food that they feel that they need the most and to get it at wholesale price - which means that they get the $1.00 retail for about 80 - 90 cents. And the grocery chain gets the receipt for gifting to a charity. If I write a cheque to the Food Bank, they can buy to suit their greatest need, at wholesale cost ... ... and they give me a receipt for a charitable donation, which doesn't make much difference to my financial situation at the time ... ... but it sure helps at income tax preparation time! Meaning that I get $1.00 worth of retail value in terms of food available for the poor - at a net cost to me of about 50 - 60, maybe 70 cents. I've shared produce from my (and the landlord's) garden with his family, my family, some friends, the two churches that I attend (with the recipients exhorted to make an additional contribution to the congregation, one of them considering embarking on building a sanctuary, so it's my contribution project toward the building fund), and about three (so far rhis year) local social service agencies. I've asked a couple of questions about receiving a receipt for a charitable contribution from them, but haven't developed an arrangement as yet - should such turn out to be possible. Good wishes for making your hours of work, and your dollars, produce the most effective result, including for society as a whole. And by that I include the worldwide society: if we think that we can continue to live high on the hog while much of the world is hungry, or homeless, partly due to wars, invasions, some powerful leaders encouraging dissidents to push others out of a land because there's oil there that they want, as the Sudanese are doing ... ... we're dreaming in technicolour! It may take quite a while to get the playing field more level - but it'll surely come to pass. God's in charge, don't forget. Though Paul in the New Testament exhorted an escaped slave to return to his master and behave himself ... slavery's now gone ... well, in some of its aspects, but in others it's still here - but in disrepute. Corporate slavery (whether Bolshevik or of the Western variety) will go, too ... but it'll take a while. So says this convinced democrat ... who says that it should apply not only in the political and social realms ... but the economic one, as well. ole joyful

If you are required to take a Min. Required Distribution from your retirement account(s) at 70 & 1/2, you can instruct some or all of your distribution that year go directly to a IRS approved charity & you dont pay income tax on it. Since we dont itemize, this worked well for us two tax years ago. I just had my IRA Trustee send a check directly to my chosen charity, and the balance to us. Last year, because of The Great Recession, taking a MRD was optional. I doubt that Congress will repeat this option for 2010 though.