Charitable giving could be the last thing on your mind if you’re in debt management. However, a switch in thinking and money management could yield some surprising results for you and your finances. Here are a few of the benefits of charitable giving.
ACCC says ’tis the season for charitable giving.
3 Reasons to Donate This Holiday Season
According to the National Philanthropic Trust, 88% of households give to charity. As the year comes to a close, many organizations will make one last effort to get your donation. Non-profits need the support from fundraising to continue their operations.
Since they receive tax benefits from the government, the giver does as well. Consumer debt may hold you back from donating this year, but you may want to donate when you are more stable on your financial feet.
Tax Benefits of Charitable Giving
When someone donates to an eligible charity, the donation is considered tax deductible. So if you give money or other in-kind goods over the course of the year to charitable enterprises, it could help you during tax season.
You need to itemize the deductions and verify that the IRS will accept the donation as such. You also want to get receipts for your donations. Just keep good records, and you may reap tax benefits from being generous!
Emotional Perks of Giving
Tax deductions are great, but there are other benefits to charitable giving, like the emotional part. It feels good to give, doesn’t it? There are plenty of studies out there that will tell you about it. I’m sure you experienced the feeling of giving already, like giving gifts on Christmas to friends and family. Keep that loving feeling going and donate to your favorite cause. Remember to stay within your budget limits to avoid more consumer debt.
Staying Organized
The excellent feeling you get from being charitable can reinforce the importance of good financial habits. Without creating and sticking to a budget, you won’t be able to give to charity. Even if you are carrying some consumer debt, you may be able to scale back giving proportionally to support both or stop from a time. If the giving relates to tithing or something that you cannot easily adjust, having good financial records will make shifting your budget around easier.
To stay on track with paying off debt, giving to charity might be just the motivation you need!
If you’re struggling to pay off debt, ACCC can help. Schedule a free credit counseling session with us today.
