Easier Tax Return Tips For Seniors

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‘Nothing is certain but death and taxes’, according to Benjamin Franklin, but in saying that he was perhaps too pessimistic, particularly for seniors.  Although taxes can be a major burden for the young, seniors often benefit from the breaks that society wants to give them.  However to so benefit it is important to complete a tax return. Even for that, help is often available to elders.
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Seniors For Charity – Givers Or Receivers

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When it comes to charity for seniors, both giving and receiving can create benefits.  As declared at a recent Rome conference, Charity is necessary for happiness.

Even at a time of global financial crisis, human beings need to give charity in order to be happy.  ..  Expecting a government to provide all social services and assistance robs those who are economically stable of the opportunity to help others and risks being inefficient, cold and even immoral.

The speakers were attending the Dec. 3 Rome conference on philanthropy and human rights sponsored by the Michigan-based Acton Institute and the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See.

Dreams for Seniors Charity

Dreams for Seniors Charity

It is not difficult to see how those on the receiving end can be happy through charity.  As an example, just look at the Dreams for Seniors Charity.  Dreams for Seniors focuses on celebrating seniors, granting their wishes and making dreams come true.

Perhaps your elderly neighbor wants to reconnect with a friend she hasn’t spoken to in years. Or your grandmother would like a computer so that she can stay in touch via email with family and friends. Or a nursing home resident you visit would like to go to a Cubs game at Wrigley Field.

18 Dreams Delivered…and still counting!

Those who get involved in charity work can also find it provides an inspirational career change even for a top professional.

Senior charity jobs represent a great opportunity to experienced business people and successful managers, usually from their mid-forties onwards, who become disillusioned with business and corporate work where the aim is the continual pursuit of profit beyond all else. In some organizations they find themselves lacking further drive, realizing that their talents are largely profiting the few top executives, owners, and shareholders of their companies.

That is not to say that there will not be challenges.  Perhaps the highest profile example is now evident in Washington.  As the confirmation process for Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State proceeds, she may be Trapped by Bill’s Big Web of Donors.

It’s her husband who’s the problem. Has there ever been a bigger spousal conflict of interest than former President Bill Clinton collecting large sums from donors foreign and domestic, many of whom have a stake in cozying up to a global duopoly? Who knew two for the price of one could turn out to be quite so pertinent?

While Clinton has agreed not to take any more money from regimes that have a stake in his wife’s policies, he still can accept money from foreign business executives as long as he names them annually. That ensures, Clinton said, there won’t be “even the appearance of a conflict of interest.”

Nevertheless giving or receiving charity is clearly positive and this apparent exception only serves to prove the rule.

Footnote: If you are interested in books on Charity, then why not visit the Charity section of the Money Bookstore.

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Give Back By Volunteering

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Seniors often have a good deal of sense and experience and sometimes spare time.  They may well respond in large numbers to Colin Powell’s encouragement to be a volunteer.

The former Secretary of State and Joint Chiefs chairman urged Americans on Friday to help out their country by volunteering, and pointed to a Web site set up by Barack Obama’s inaugural committee where they can find opportunities in their communities.

Powell said ordinary Americans could help Obama dig the country out of its economic rut by helping out in nearby schools or nursing homes.

“I think there’s a fervor for the new administration coming in, and I think the new president can tap into this fervor through this program,” Powell said at a news conference.

If you live in Canada and are keen on volunteering then there is a volunteer site with a good deal of useful information.  For the over fifties, there is a Volunteering & Healthy Aging website.

This on-line resource targets the Baby Boomer cohort with a goal of encouraging them to continue volunteering or to become a volunteer by offering their vast array of skills, experience and passion to a cause.  Volunteering can promote healthy lives and vibrant communities.

There are now 11 million baby boomers in Canada, who may be thinking about retirement, or are already retired.  They are often looking for new experiences and personal challenges and how to make a difference.  That’s where volunteering fits in.

There are many other resources and websites in North America that can suggest ideas.  For example the Give Back with Impact website covering North Dakota and western Minnesota suggests some first steps in contributing your Time, Talent and Treasure to others.

It is not just the seniors either.  The PBS Kids website,  It’s My Life, includes a good number of Topics on Volunteering.  As they say, you can Give and Get Back!

What we have is a new (Teen) Culture of Volunteerism

While some of today’s youth may be self absorbed and callous, there’s a big pocket of young Americans who are giving back – and giving back big.

Thanks to the Internet, wonderful teachers, and thoughtful parents the interest and participation in public service and volunteerism among teenagers has risen dramatically over the last decade. In fact, today’s teens are far more likely than their predecessors to find ways to give back and to shape the world they will inherit.

With the teens pitching in, the seniors can hardly sit back and not get involved.  Volunteers away!

Footnote:  If you are interested in books on Volunteering, then why not visit the Volunteering section of the Money Bookstore.

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