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charitable donations

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

September 22, 2021 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: How to bounce back from a credit card mistake. Also in the news: Why you should pack a travel guidebook even in 2021, 4 traits that helped small businesses survive the pandemic, and how charitable donations can earn you an added tax deduction this year.

How to Bounce Back From a Credit Card Mistake
Errors happen to even the most seasoned credit card users. They can be costly, but they’re not irreversible.

Why You Should Pack a Travel Guidebook, Even in 2021
The pages of an actual guidebook often offer a level of quality and convenience that the internet can’t.

4 Traits That Have Helped Small Businesses Survive the Pandemic
Expanded delivery and online services, among other features, have been attractive to consumers during the pandemic.

How Charitable Donations Can Earn You an Added Tax Deduction This Year
Hold on to those donation receipts.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: charitable donations, credit card mistakes, pandemic, small businesses, travel guidebooks

Friday’s need-to-know money news

December 4, 2020 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: Want a raise in 2021? You may not even need to ask for it. Also in the news: How to be effective with your generosity in 2020, how to prepare for student loan payments to restart in 2021, and what to do if you’re behind on your rent or mortgage.

Want a Raise in 2021? You May Not Even Need to Ask for It
If you got a big tax refund last year, changing your W-4 form at work could put more money in your pocket now.

How to Be Effective With Your Generosity in 2020
Where your money can do the most good.

How to Prepare for Student Loan Payments to Restart in 2021
Time’s almost up.

Behind on your rent or mortgage? Here’s what to do
Important steps to follow.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: charitable donations, donating, mortgage, pay raise, rent, student loan repayments

Monday’s need-to-know money news

June 8, 2020 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: Scaling back spending yields unexpected benefits. Also in the news: A new episode of the SmartMoney podcast on charitable donations and new baby expenses, a travel expert shares his tips for traveling during a pandemic, and who needs to request a Coronavirus relief payment before October 15th.

Scaling Back Spending Yields Unexpected Benefits
Look for the silver lining.

SmartMoney Podcast: Make Your Donations Go Further; Plan for New Baby Expenses
Giving strategically.

Ask a Points Nerd: How Can I Travel This Summer?
An expert shares his tips after traveling up the West Coast.

Here’s Who Needs to Request a Coronavirus Relief Payment Before October 15
See if you’re on the list.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: charitable donations, coronavirus relief payments, new baby expenses, saving money, travel tips

Q&A: Planning philanthropy

January 13, 2020 By Liz Weston

Dear Liz: You recently explained to a reader why it was better to make one donation of $1,000 rather than 10 donations of $100. I understand why you gave the response you did and you made some good points, especially about the importance of researching charities before you give. You also mentioned the costs each organization would incur in processing the smaller donations. As a longtime nonprofit executive, I think the social capital enjoyed by those organizations outweighs the costs. It often is helpful to the organization to be able to count that donor among their ranks to demonstrate that they have widespread support, for example, or to include that donor in future efforts to serve the community. My experience is that it’s not always just about the dollars and cents.

Answer: Thanks for adding your perspective. It’s understandable that a charity would prefer a small donation to no donation. The charity still gets some money, even after processing fees, and the opportunity to add another donor to their mailing lists.

Savvy givers, however, want as much of their money to benefit their favorite causes as possible. Giving larger donations to fewer charities is a good way to do that, since that approach minimizes processing costs as well as the volume of appeals for more donations. Also, adequately researching and monitoring 10 different charities is a tall order for most busy people. Winnowing the choices can help ensure we’re rewarding the best-run charities, rather than those that spend the bulk of their donations on fundraising and overhead.

Filed Under: Estate planning, Q&A Tagged With: charitable donations, Q&A: estate planning

Monday’s need-to-know money news

December 16, 2013 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: Changes are coming to the 2014 mortgage market. Also in the news: The privacy of your credit score, financial predictions for 2014, and how to avoid charitable giving tax mishaps. credit

What You Need to Know About the 2014 Mortgage Market
Seven possible changes to next year’s mortgage market.

How Private Is Your Credit Score?
The amount of people who know your credit score might surprise you.

10 Personal Finance Predictions for 2014
NerdWallet reads the financial tea leaves.

Giving to Charity? Watch Out for These Tax Traps
Your generosity could come with a hefty price tag.

Will Banks Ever Pay Savers More?
Why banks hate people who save their money.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: charitable donations, Credit Scores, mortgage, mortgages, predictions, savers, saving, tax deductions

Monday’s need-to-know money news

December 9, 2013 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: Hidden taxes that can bust your budget. Also in the news: how to job hunt during the holidays, the fastest growing jobs in America, and how to make the most out of your year end charitable giving.

Hidden Taxes That Can Bust Your Budget
How to avoid being caught by surprise.

3 Holiday Job Hunting Tips
Turn a holiday party into a networking event.

7 fastest-growing jobs in America
Find out which jobs are in demand.

Make the most of charitable giving and tax breaks
Do your homework before donating.

6 ways to avoid a holiday spending hangover
3 key components: a plan, a budget, and some discipline.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: charitable donations, holiday shopping, job searching, tax breaks, Taxes

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