What is deductible? Your out-of-pocket expenses related to volunteering are. To qualify they must be not otherwise reimbursed expenses, directly related to the services you are helping with and not personal or family expenses.

A definite expense that is deductible is transportation. That includes gas and car maintenance, airlines, train, bus and parking fees and tolls, says the article. The cost of lodging and meals an also be included. Just be careful if you also add in some personal fun time. You can’t deduct those.

Since you are doing this to help others, make sure you don’t go overboard and stay at the most expensive hotel or eat at only five-star restaurants. Just consider how others would view your expenses, suggests Wallet Pop.

Consider even just volunteering locally if you can’t hop on a plane and travel somewhere else. You can still take a deduction for out-of-pocket expenses. And don’t forget you can still make a monetary donation to an organization and that’s also tax deductible.

Help Others While on Vacation and Get Tax Write-Off is a post from: Out of Debt - Christian Finances and Debt Help

Organizations Helping Wildlife:

National Wildlife Federation Gulf Oil Spill Restoration Fund

Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research

Audubon Nature Institute

Environmental Defense Fund

Friends of the Earth

EarthShare

Organizations Helping Surrounding Communities and People Affected by the Oil Spill:

Greater New Orleans Foundation

Oxfam America

Catholic Charities

Seedco Financial

If you’d like to keep track of how the clean-up efforts are going, you can check out the Gulf Coast Oil Spill Volunteers Facebook page. The Better Business Bureau suggests you do some homework before donating lots of money to an organization. Be careful of those that are inexperienced and brand new and know exactly where your money is going.

How We Can Financially Help With the BP Oil Spill is a post from: Out of Debt - Christian Finances and Debt Help

Performers include McGraw, Hill, Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Martina McBride, LeAnn Rimes, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Lynyrd Skynrd, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith and ZZ Top. Perfomer Julie Roberts is one of the flood’s victims, too. “We went upstairs to the second floor and had to wait to be rescued for about 5 1/2, 6 hours. We lost our home that day. We lost all of our belongings, all of our cars, but we were rescued and my four dogs were rescued,” she told Yahoo!. In addition to losing her home she broke her ankle. “It can heal. I’m alive and my mom’s alive and my sister’s alive, and I’m here to talk about it, and I’m here to sing tonight. So I feel very blessed.”

Ellen Lehman, president of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, says Nashville’s flood victims are starting to feel a major financial pinch. “Since the flood, (families) are not only required to pay their mortgage and the rest of their bills, but they’re also needing to pay rent,” she told Yahoo! News. “Going forward…they’re going to have to find the money to rebuild. That is a huge unexpected burden, and there will be people who can’t financially put together a package that will allow them to do that, and they’re going to have to walk away from their homes.” More than 37,000 people have filed claims with FEMA. Concert organizers hope to raise $2 million to help.

Musicians Gather to Raise Money for Flood Victims is a post from: Out of Debt - Christian Finances and Debt Help

Surf Then Shop

Any couponer knows that planning is a big part of saving money. Before you hit a store to buy a gift, do an online search for printable coupons. Chances are you’ll find valuable ones that will either help you buy a better gift, or save money on the one you were already planning to purchase. Popular stores like Kohl’s and Bed Bath and Beyond often have printable coupons.

Buy Online

Shipping gifts can be expensive. Try buying your gift online at a retailer that offers free shipping. And before you order, go to shopping portal Ebates.com. You can get cash back at stores like Target, Nordstrom and Home Depot which are all popular for gift registries.

Go Practical

Instead of ordering off of a registry, go practical. This is an especially great option if you’re looking for a baby gift. Use your coupons to get cheap diapers, wipes and baby supplies. You’ll pay a fraction of the price and help get the new parents stocked up.

Assemble Gift Baskets

Grocery stores may not seem like the best place to get gifts. But think about assembling a themed gift basket. Put together an Italian or Mexican-themed gift basket full of ingredients you purchased with coupons. Your recipient will have no idea you used your couponing skills to create such a great gift.

How Couponing Can Cut Your Gift Giving Budget is a post from: Out of Debt - Christian Finances and Debt Help

Restaurant.com: Just in time for taking dad out to dinner on Father’s Day, there’s a deal at Restaurant.com. Use coupon code “FATHER” at checkout to get a $25 gift certificate for only $3. Plus you’ll get a free $10 gift from Lobster Gram with every order.

The Counter: Participating locations of The Counter are giving dad a free burger on Father’s Day with another order. Just make sure to mention the Father’s Day deal to take advantage of this tasty freebie.

TCBY: For the third Father’s Day in a row, TCBY will be handing out free frozen yogurt to dads across the country. Dads can choose to have their favorite flavor in a small cup or cone.

Denny’s: Head to Facebook and “like” Denny’s. You’ll get a chance to make a free Father’s Day card. Once you do that you’ll get a coupon for a free ice cream float with a purchase. If you’re lucky, maybe your dad will share it with you.

Deals for Dad this Father’s Day is a post from: Out of Debt - Christian Finances and Debt Help

A green-living website Care2 wrote this about the program:

Why shoot an elk or a black bear though, when you could spend the money used for gasoline, bullets, permits, beverages and other hunting gear, on some much more affordable produce from a local market? And avoid killing wild animals. There’s already a massive food production infrastructure available that generates tremendous volumes of affordable food. In others words, it’s much cheaper to support people in need by donating food purchased from a local market.

But supporters argue that hunting and fishing will go on whether this program exists or not. This initiative provides a way for people to donate the wild game as a way to help others. Sportsman Channel started this multi-city tour in January, and will continue visiting one city each month.

Hunters and Fishermen Help Feed Homeless is a post from: Out of Debt - Christian Finances and Debt Help

MyPublisher: Make mom a photo book with MyPublisher by midnight tonight and you’ll get a free one for yourself. Just enter code MOM241 at checkout.

Shutterfly: There are lots of photo gifts to choose from with Shutterfly. And until May 4 you can save 10% on your purchase with promo code TAKE10.

Entertainment Book: For just $15 get mom an Entertainment Book. It’s a gift that will keep on giving her savings for the rest of the year. Go through shopping portal Ebates.com and you’ll get 25% cash back bringing the price down to $11.25. If you’re new to Ebates you’ll earn a $5 signup bonus which brings the price down to $6.25.

Kohl’s: Get free standard shipping at Kohl’s when you spend $75 or more and use coupon code MAYFREE75. You’ll have to place your order today though.

Edible Arrangements: Save $5 on your order from Edible Arrangements when you use code INET0510. This offer expires today.

Philosophy: Thru May 3 get free shipping on orders of $75 or more at Philosophy. Use coupon code amazingmom at checkout and you’ll save $9.95.

Save on Last Minute Gifts for Mom is a post from: Out of Debt - Christian Finances and Debt Help

* In some developing nations, children must walk for miles to school, clean water and to seek medical help.
* Cuts and sores on feet can lead to serious infection.
* Often, children cannot attend school barefoot.
* In Ethiopia, approximately one million people are suffering from Podoconiosis, a debilitating and disfiguring disease caused by walking barefoot in volcanic soil.
* Podoconiosis is 100% preventable with basic foot hygiene and wearing shoes.

You can help by getting involved in local events or buying a pair of TOMS Shoes. For every pair that you buy, another pair is given to a child who needs them.

A Day Without Shoes? is a post from: Out of Debt - Christian Finances and Debt Help

Plan Ahead

I have a birthday book that tracks my family’s important dates. I look ahead in this book every month so I know what gift giving obligations are coming up. That way I can be thinking of the perfect gift idea and searching for the best deals.

Keep Back-Ups

To avoid last minute gift shopping I usually try to keep back up gifts in our home. These are things like candles, spa items or gift cards that will be suitable for a wide variety of people. It reduces the chance that I’ll end up spending more on a gift than I would have wanted to just because I’m in a rush.

Go Practical

Sometimes practical gifts really are the best option. If you have friends who are expecting start looking for good deals on essentials like baby wipes, diapers and other needs. They’ll appreciate the gift and you’ll appreciate the savings.

Say No If Needed

Through church and other associations we get a lot of invitations to showers and parties. Sometimes we just have to say no and we can’t be afraid that someone will be offended. If someone invites you to an event, don’t necessarily feel obligated to attend. It’s better to politely pass than to spend money you don’t have on a gift.

How to Juggle Gift Giving is a post from: Out of Debt - Christian Finances and Debt Help

Erika Says:
January 27th, 2010 at 12:55 am

This is actually the first time I have seen your blog.I would love the woman’s shirt for one of my daughters who is going to be a missionary after she finishes college.

Erika, I know your daughter will love her t-shirt! I’m actually wearing the same one today and I love it! Thanks again to everyone who participated and don’t forget to stop by C28.com and do a little shopping for Valentine’s Day!

Announcing the Winner of the C28.com Christian T-Shirt is a post from: Out of Debt - Christian Finances and Debt Help