Tax Tips: This information was obtained from IRS.gov website
Haiti Relief ---- 2009 or 2010 Tax Deduction
WASHINGTON --- People who give to charities providing earthquake relief in Haiti can claim these donations on the tax return they are completing this season, according to the Internal Revenue Service.
Taxpayers who itemize deductions on their 2009 return qualify for this special tax relief provision, enacted Jan. 22. Only cash contributions made to these charities after Jan. 11, 2010, and before March 1, 2010, are eligible. This includes contributions made by text message, check, credit card or debit card.
"Americans have opened their hearts to help those affected by the Haiti earthquake," said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman." This new law provides an immediate tax benefit for the many taxpayers who have made generous donations."
Tax Credit on purchasing a home:
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=217784,00.html
Reduce Clutter
Stop Junk Mail and Prescreened Credit Offers:
Contact the National Opt-Out Center (888-567-8688) or log on to the Direct Marketing Association's website (www.dmachoice.org) to have your name removed from marketing lists. Bonus: You can get off telephone and e-mail lists.
Eliminate Unwanted Catalogs: www.catalogchoice.org
Stop Telemarketers:
Contact the National Do Not Call Registry (www.donotcall.gov) or call 888-382-1222 to register your home number and cell number.
Recycle old cell phones
There are numerous advantages to recycling old cell phones. Help a charity such as Cell phones for Soldiers. They will give your cell phone to a soldier with a 60 minute pre paid calling card http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com. Help domestic violence victims. Mary Kay will take your old phones and ink cartridges visit www.mkacf.org. Athens domestic violence non-profit organization (Project Safe) will accept your old phone at their thrift shop located at 595 Hawthorne Ave. call 706-543-3331 for hours. Best Buy will take your cell phones and other electronics (up to 2 per household per day). Visit their website for specifics http://www.bestbuy.com/site/null/Recycling-Electronics/pcmcat149900050025.c?id=pcmcat149900050025.
Another great cell phone recycling place is www.Recellular.com they recycle responsibly. When phones are too old to be reused they recycle the scrap metal -- helping our environment. Don't wait recycle your old cell phone(s) this month. Schedule it in your calendar.
Photography Tips
As the holidays approach family photos are sure to be a priority during all the festivities that ensue. Here are some tips for getting the best shots and some ideas for what to do with the works of art so they can be enjoyed instead of just occupying disc space.
- Don't always center your subject. For a more exciting and visually pleasing composition follow the rule of thirds. If you pretend there are two evenly spaced vertical and horizontal lines on your picture as you frame the shot in the camera, move so your subject is centered where those lines would intersect. This is particularly important with portraits so your subjects' head is 1/3 from the top instead of floating in the center.
- Move around. Great shots are usually not made just from eye level. When taking photos of kids get down on the floor so you can capture their world. Or look for an unusual angle and shoot them looking straight up at you. For adults, almost everyone is flattered by shooting the photos from slightly above your subjects eye level so chins are lifted and everything is slenderized.
- Embrace candid moments. Usually the most treasured family photos are those that capture a real moment in time. So what if everyone doesn't have that perfect smile... you'll be seeing true personalities and recording treasured memories.
- Use natural light. You just can't beat the sun as a light source. Whenever possible use natural light, ideally from a window or in bright shade. The shadows are softer and there is more depth to the photos than is possible with an on camera consumer flash. Try some shots w/ your flash turned off even inside. Just remember to hold still as you'll be more likely to see blur if you or the subject move around (but that can be a great effect too!)
So now that you have award-winning, beautiful, family photos here are some options for getting those images into your world and enjoying them.
- Make prints. Thanks to digital many peoples photos never make it past the computer. While it's a great resource for archiving, don't limit yourself to thumbnail views of your memories. Whether you pick your favorite shot and enlarge to an 11x14 and frame or just make a stack of 4x6s for a photo album, there is nothing like enjoying your pictures in a tangible way off your computer or camera. Other non-traditional options include canvas photo prints (great because they doesn't need glass or framing and can be hung right on the wall for a very artistic look), or display photo boxes (which feature one framed image on the front but store a whole collection of images inside.)
- Create a family wall. Now that you have prints, a great way to enjoy them all the time is to create a family wall that can be added to over the years. To unify all your images consider printing in Black & White or framing all in similar frames (a quick fix is to buy an assortment of discount frames in interesting shapes/ sizes and then spray paint them all black or white for a unifying look)
- Display in a digital frame. For the techies a digital frame gives the homey feel of a framed photo with the versatility to update and enjoy a large quantity of images. But don't lessen the experience by loading everything into your frame. A little time spent editing out the bad shots will make the viewing a lot more enjoyable.
- Make photo gift items. Today there are numerous sources for making photo gifts. It gets your best images into your everyday life, whether on a coffee mug, calendar or a quilt- the sky's the limit of where you can put a photo.
- Create a year-in-review photo book. Many of the same sources for photo gifts also have options for consumer photo books. These are great for those who love the idea of an album but aren't into the idea of scrapbooking or assembly. You can have your selected photos printed right onto the page with captions, date etc. Many are very easy to use, but a degree of computer savvy is helpful.
Happy photographing!
-Shannah Cahoe Montgomery
ZoomWorks Photography Co-Founder
http://www.zoom-works.com/
706.227.3777
Photography Online
A hectic time of year, but also a season to spend with family and friends. This means more and more photo opportunities, and more and more photos to store. I store all my photos online at Shutterfly.com. It is a very organized, safe, free, and reliable way to store photos. First you create a photo website, then you upload photos to your site, organize the photos into albums and folders, and finally invite friends and family to view them. Your family or friends can order prints of any photo they like. They can also order products with photos on them like a coffee cup, calendar or small photo book. No purchase is required. I am a happy customer. There are lots of other companies that offer similar services: Snapfish, Flickr, Picasa.google.com and many more.
Happy photo organizing.
Gift Wrap Oranizing
Organize your gift wrap station. Do you have a gift wrap station? There are some great products available for storing gift wrap, gift bags, bows and ribbon. I like the over-the-door purse rack to hold gift bags. It is available at bed bath and beyond. An empty dresser makes a great gift wrap station. A one-piece garden bucket caddy can also be used as a gift wrap station (as seen in Better Homes and Gardens 11/06 edition). Most importantly, keep all your supplies together with tape, scissors, colorful pens, and anything else you like to use.
Back to School
Are you ready for the back to school race? Start the school year off right. I challenge you to go through your childrens' old school papers and purge. I challenge you to go through your file cabinet(s) and purge. Now, consider areas to improve upon. Here are a few examples:
Linen Closets
Linen Closets can become a "collect all," don't let this happen to yours!
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How many towels do you really need?
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How many sheet sets do you really need?
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How should I store sheets so I can locate them quickly?
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Little round hanging labels (like the kind used for keys) work well on wire racks.
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Store the sheets in one of the pillow-cases
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Wrap ribbon or rope around each set
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Store in collapsable cloth cubes
Downsizing
Are you a senior who is planning to downsize or a family member helping a senior downsize? Give At Your Service a call. We work with seniors and families of seniors planning to downsize. Downsizing can be an overwhelming process. Let us help you through this challenging experience by planning out the details of your move --- what to keep, what to give away, what will fit --- in your new home. We help you plan, prepare, move, and set up your new home. Start your new life with a well-organized home.
This article was in the Miami Herald on April 18, 2009.
Tips and resources to help make sorting easier
by Vickie Dellaquila, a Professional Organizer and Senior Move Manager who lives in Pittsburgh, PA
Here are ways to make sorting through your parents' stuff easier, if not more pleasurable:
- Before moving, get your parents thinking about the items they can keep and those they must part with.
- Take measurements of the furniture and make a floor plan of the new home to show what fits -- and what doesn't.
- Hire a personal property appraiser to give you an idea of what items are worth. This will help you in the sorting and dividing among siblings.
- If your parent is alive, ask her to make a list of the items she wants to give to children, grandchildren, friends and relatives.
- If your parent has died or cannot complete a list, come up with a mutually acceptable plan with siblings to divvy up the stuff. Experts say only children -- not their spouses -- should be involved.
- Be patient and attentive as your parent tries to sort through what she wants to keep, donate or throw away. Remember these are mementos of a lifetime.
- If the items won't fit in the new home, suggest photographing or videotaping certain items so your parent can see them whenever she wants. This works well with collections.
- When cleaning out your parents' home, divide the contents into donations, items of value, items of sentimental value, trash, recyclables and hazardous materials. Each category should be disposed of appropriately.
- Be realistic about how long it will take you to sort through decades' worth of stuff. Some people do the large items in each room first since they take up the most space. Others tackle only one room at a time and don't go on until it's finished.
- Look for hidden money and valuables. Seniors stash money and jewelry in clothing and shoes, drapery hems, canister sets, books, toilet tanks and ice cube trays.
- If you're overwhelmed by the task, hire a professional. Check out local senior move managers at www.nasmm.org.
RESOURCES
Need more help downsizing or sorting through your parents' stuff? Consider these resources:
- 'The Boomer Burden: Dealing with Your Parents' Lifetime Accumulation of Stuff'' by Julie Hall ($14.99, Thomas Nelson)
- ''Don't Toss My Memories in the Trash: A Step-by-Step Guide to Helping Seniors Downsize, Organize, and Move'' by Vickie Dellaquila ($13.99, Mountain Publishing)
- ''The Settlement Game: How to Settle an Estate Peacefully and Fairly'' by Angie Epting Morris ($14.95, Voyages Press)
- ''Sell, Keep, or Toss?: How to Downsize a Home, Settle an Estate, and Appraise Personal Property'' by Harry L. Rinker ($16.95, University Extension Services)
- ''Who Gets Grandma's Yellow Pie Plate?'' by Marlene S. Stum ($12.50, House of Collectibles)
WEBSITES
www.nasmm.org (National Association of Senior Move Managers)
www.appraisers.org (American Society of Appraisers)
www.auctioneers.org (National Association of Auctioneers)
www.napo.net (National Association of Professional Organizers)
www.organizationrules.com (Vickie Dellaquila's website and tips)
SOURCE: Julie Hall, Vickie
Dellaquila, AARP
Closet
Your organizing challenge this month is to purge your closet. Spring is here and its time to shift your wardrobe. Put your winter clothing away but make sure you purge items that you don't use. Bring out your spring attire and purge items you know you won't wear; this includes shoes, purses, scarves and anything else hanging around in your closet.
Don't try to do it all in one day! Break it down into three days. I recommend doing it on a weekend, start Friday night and complete your organizing project on Sunday. If you become overwhelmed just give me a call 706-714-1314. Happy Spring Organizing!!!!!
Cassette tapes and CD's
March Organizing Challenge:
Organize your cassette tapes and CD's. First purge then decide how you want to store them and where. I recommend purchasing CD notebooks or CD boxes and tossing the plastic cases that the CD's came in. I recommend www.caselogic.com for CD and DVD storage products.
Here are a few tips to save money:
- Check out DVD's at your local library
- Turn your thermostat down in the winter to 68 and up to 78 in the summer
- Unplug small appliances when your not using them (they draw energy even when turned off)
- Visit the Botanical Gardens
- Visit a State Park
- Pay your bills on time (avoid late fees)
- Make your lunch instead of eating out (good for the waistline too)
- Get organized (save time, money and reduce stress)
Our health is more important than this awful economy! The economy will improve... eventually. I cannot turn the radio or television on without hearing sad stories about people who have lost their jobs. Many of whom would do anything to have their old paycheck back. What would they do...they would save more money. If you are one of the lucky ones who have not lost your job or received a pay cut - rejoice. My advice is to start saving money, pay off your debts, and you will feel a sense of freedom.
I also recommend taking care of your mind, body and soul. Yoga classes can help relieve stress and will also increase your flexibility. I recommend the Mind Body Institute for beginner and relaxation yoga. The yoga classes are different than any other I have taken. They are two hours long and the main focus is relaxation. The website is www.armc.org/mbi.
Health & Wellbeing: The Retreat Spa in Watkinsville
For several years I have been providing organizing services to The Retreat Spa. Clients come to The Retreat Spa for many types of massages, facials, body treatments, and therapeutic baths. The services are performed by Betty Koenigshof who is one of the most experienced estheticians in the area with extensive training in Europe. You might like to go there for a very unique spa experience. My sister, Suzan, frequently gets massages she always goes to Betty when she visits Athens. Suzan thinks Betty provides the best massages she has ever had and; she has traveled and received massages all over the world. Now that is a testament!
The Retreat Spa recently added a new health and wellness section which features Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. Users of the therapy enter a chamber with slightly pressurized air and breathe pure oxygen through a mask. This treatment saturates the blood plasma, lymphatic, and other body fluids with oxygen in all parts and organs of the body. Oxygen will reach 4 to 7 times normal levels in cells and tissues which have often become starved for oxygen through the process of living such as blood vessels clogged with plaque, lipids, clots, and calcification.
Users have reported many benefits such as improving memory, increased energy, fast healing of burns, cuts, wounds and surgical procedures. Learning disabilities are helped in individuals with ADD, Autism, and Cerebral Palsy. Stroke sufferers have speech and paralysis impairments restored to normal. The treatments slow aging of all body organs such as sagging skin, and they are reported to lengthen life. Athletic performance is also improved as demonstrated by Lance Armstrong (world champion biker), John Smoltz (champion baseball pitcher) and many others. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy has been demonstrated to be beneficial to nearly 200 diverse conditions that are too numerous to describe here.
I suggest you might like to contact Jerry Koenigshof for a free consultation on the Oxygen treatments and find out how and why they work. For your next Spa visit call Betty Koenigshof and for Oxygen treatments call Jerry Koenigshof at 706-769-7797.
Dispose Of Your Old Electronics
earth911.com type the name of your electronic device in the search box next to Start Recycling . Then fill in your zip code and click go. An extensive list of locales that offer recycling services, accept donations, or facilitate reuse.
http://www.mygreenelectronics.com/ helps you track down local reuse/recycling facilities in your area.
eCycling Everywhere: Computers, Peripherals & TVs: Dell (http://www.dell.com/) They will recycle Dell-branded products and recycles your old computer/monitor at no charge if you sign up for the free recycling option when you make a new purchase. Toshiba (http://www.toshiba.com/) They will offer you a credit if you pass on your old working notebook to them. Apple (http://www.apple.com/) Recycle old monitors and PCs when you buy a new Mac. Recycle your old iPod and get 10% off the new one. Gateway (http://www.gateway.com/) Trade-in program, recycles electronics for customers at no charge and offers you cash for preowned tech products. Sony (http://www.sony.com/) Credit for particular qualified VAIO PCs, but if your PC isn't working enough for a trade-in, Sony will help figure out what your trade-in might be worth. Green Glove Delivery Program. Sony will pack up and recycle an old TV if you purchase a BRAVIA LCD TV (32 inches or larger) with home delivery.
Audio, Video & Miscellaneous: Office Depot (http://www.officedepot.com/) The Tech Recycling Service is Office Depot's program to "turn tech trash into useful raw materials." You can acquire a recycling box in one of three sizes: Small $5, Medium $10, and Large for $15. Check the list of Office Depot's acceptable items before you fill your box -- this is wide ranging list including DVD players, MP3 players, and cables, however, you cannot submit items such as cracked monitors, leaking electronics, or potentially radioactive material (of course). Keep in mind that Best Buy and Staples also accept tech trash. Staples charges $10 transport and handling fee for large items.
This information was taken out of Smart Computing magazine February 2009 edition
Junk Drawer
What are your intentions for 2009? I do not like to use the word resolutions because they are generally broken. I will challenge you in 2009 by asking you to purge (weed) areas in your home. January challenge the infamous junk drawer. Go ahead...open it...don't be scared. Take everything out and decide if you still want the item, use the item, and if it should live somewhere else.
Junk drawer organizers can help you keep everything organized in your junk drawer. Make sure to measure the drawer before going out to purchase an organizer. You can also use ice trays, small boxes, and other inexpensive items in order to achieve the same result. Go ahead and schedule the purge day and time in your calendar. No excuses.
Make your 2009 tax file, medical file, and any other annual files that you use. Make or update the files before you need them. Remember, planning ahead is the best thing you can do to get organized.
