I joined SD in February. Since then I have been able to take advantage of a number of deals. What you may not know is where most of these goodies go -


$80 worth of stuffed animals - to a Buddy Bear program where cops hand out bears to children caught up in grownup messes.
Several phone cards - to my clients at a homless shelter. One woman talked to her kids across the country for the first time in several years.
Magazines - Oh Yeah! LOTS of free magazines - these go to the shelter to bring something normal into the lives of 90 men. The dang things disappear as fast as I set them out. <sigh> I am looking at ways to make them accessable but not have them wander off.
Box of candy, other sample sized items - prizes for clients who do well in one of the classes I teach.
Shampoo, makeup, deoderant, etc - goes to the residents.
Coffee, coffee pot, USB drives, other cool grownup toys- monthly prizes - where residents earn a ticket for doing something "above & beyond" expectations.

Anyway - I just thought I would share with you the Mods (and the whole "family" here) the thanks that I have gotten from the residents. They have no idea where I am getting these things, but they love it. Every day I have several folks asking me if anything came in the mail today. The woman who talked to her kids - she cried she was so thankful.

Don't get me wrong, I am getting some for my own use as well - but most of what I get on here goes to someone who appreciates it more than I would.

Thank you on thier behalf - and keep bringing on the FREEBIES!

that's AWESOME! thank you and perhaps your post and good deed will inspire others to give selflessly. Thank you for your kindness.

that's AWESOME! thank you and perhaps your post and good deed will inspire others to give selflessly. Thank you for your kindness.
:iagree:

Thanks for sharing with the fam :gossip:

excellent!!! ((((JMM)))))

I am touched JMM...Thank You for being there for others when they need it the most...You are a blessing to them....The world needs more people like you. :hug:

WTG...:clap:
better than me lurking in lounge and podium everyday :rolleyes:

JMM, you, and hopefully many others, bring peace to this world.

JMM, PM me an address and I'll ship all of the free magazines I have here to someone who would appreciate them more than I would.

good lord! I'm touched! great!

Very cool JMM!!!

JMM, PM me an address and I'll ship all of the free magazines I have here to someone who would appreciate them more than I would.
Thanks - you have a PM

That's amazing JMM! :clap:

:woot: :woot:

Keep up the good work. I think this will serve as an inspiration to many who post on this site.

I've never thought of that, OP. I might just start doing this now.

Amazing!!! That's really super nice of you!!!

that's very cool.

I am touched JMM...Thank You for being there for others when they need it the most...You are a blessing to them....The world needs more people like you. :hug:
:iagree: Couldn't agree more. You are very cool :worship: :woot:

You are a very sweet and caring person, JMM! The world needs more folks like you! :hug:

I want to thank all of you for the warm response :hug:

If anyone wants to figure out how to donate items in your local community, PM me and I will be happy to help walk you through what to ask, where to ask, etc.

If anyone wants to donate to where I work, PM me and I can get you all the information.

FYI -
Freebies - not tax deductable :shake:
Slick Deals - ARE tax deductable, but only for what you paid :( not MSRP - unless you have stored them for awhile (6mo? 1 yr? I forget)

I'm glad to hear some selflessness .Maybe we can start a "pay it forward" attitude through slickdeals( who'd of thought) i for one make a point of giving as much as possible to others good job JMM

on a site that's sometimes seems just full of selfish, me-first, materialistic people, that's really awesome.

at least SD actually let you post something GOOD that you did; not like me, where they deleted my post about a really awesome charity that i found, and still havent given me a reason why.

...FYI -
Freebies - not tax deductable :shake:
Slick Deals - ARE tax deductable, but only for what you paid :( not MSRP - unless you have stored them for awhile (6mo? 1 yr? I forget)One might want to consult his tax advisor on this.

Suppose you find
a $100 bill on the sidewalk,
or a gold nugget weighing an ounce, in a stream,
or you buy an original Van Gogh painting for $10 at a garage sale,
or you buy a $25 gift certificate at a reduced rate,
or you trade some old baseball cards for a new 50" TV....and then donate it to a charity.

I sure as heck wouldn't want to value these at their original cost to me...

One might want to consult his tax advisor on this.

Suppose you find
a $100 bill on the sidewalk,
or a gold nugget weighing an ounce, in a stream,
or you buy an original Van Gogh painting for $10 at a garage sale,
or you buy a $25 gift certificate at a reduced rate,
or you trade some old baseball cards for a new 50" TV....and then donate it to a charity.

I sure as heck wouldn't want to value these at their original cost to me...
I tried this last year - I found $30 day planners for $1 and bought a bunch for work. (Sorry was before I knew about SD) I wanted to deduct the $30/ea but couldn't. I was told it was because the items were freshly bought and the price I paid was considered "fair market value" - If it had been something much more significant like the VanGogh, it would have been worth the time to argue with the IRS.

I assume those folks who already have a tax advisor will run everything by them - it was the rest of us that I was trying to caution. Definately need to RFM on this one!

One might want to consult his tax advisor on this.

Suppose you find
a $100 bill on the sidewalk,
or a gold nugget weighing an ounce, in a stream,
or you buy an original Van Gogh painting for $10 at a garage sale,
or you buy a $25 gift certificate at a reduced rate,
or you trade some old baseball cards for a new 50" TV....and then donate it to a charity.

I sure as heck wouldn't want to value these at their original cost to me...

I meant to say, you don't have to worry about the "gift tax". Gifts to an individual (friend, etc) are taxed when they are over a certain monterary value. Gifts to charity do not have to worry about the "gift tax" Apologize if that was unclear.

Here's a link to the IRS tax code regarding gift taxes:

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=107815,00.html

"Gift Taxes

IRS Tax Tip 2006-14

If you gave any one person gifts in 2005 that valued at more than $11,000, you must report the total gifts to the Internal Revenue Service and may have to pay tax on the gifts.

The person who receives your gift does not have to report the gift to the IRS or pay gift or income tax on its value.

Gifts include money and property, including the use of property without expecting to receive something of equal value in return. If you sell something at less than its value or make an interest-free or reduced-interest loan, you may be making a gift.

There are some exceptions to the tax rules on gifts. The following gifts do not count against the annual limit:
• Tuition or Medical Expenses that you pay directly to an educational or medical institution for someone's benefit
• Gifts to your Spouse
• Gifts to a Political Organization for its use
• Gifts to Charities


I think you're in the clear, but if you have any concerns you can check with an accountant. Using your gift of finding a great bargain to make the world a better place, now that's a slick deal!

You probably only get to deduct what you paid for the item. Too bad, you would have a great deduction if you could take the "retail" value instead.

Here's a link to the IRS tax code regarding gift taxes:

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=107815,00.html

"Gift Taxes

IRS Tax Tip 2006-14

If you gave any one person gifts in 2005 that valued at more than $11,000, you must report the total gifts to the Internal Revenue Service and may have to pay tax on the gifts.

The person who receives your gift does not have to report the gift to the IRS or pay gift or income tax on its value.

Gifts include money and property, including the use of property without expecting to receive something of equal value in return. If you sell something at less than its value or make an interest-free or reduced-interest loan, you may be making a gift.

There are some exceptions to the tax rules on gifts. The following gifts do not count against the annual limit:
• Tuition or Medical Expenses that you pay directly to an educational or medical institution for someone's benefit
• Gifts to your Spouse
• Gifts to a Political Organization for its use
• Gifts to Charities

If you are married, both you and your spouse can give separate gifts of up to the annual limit to the same person without making a taxable gift.

For more information, get the IRS Publication 950, Introduction to Estate and Gift Taxes, IRS Form 709 or 709-A, United States Gift Tax Return, and Instructions for Form 709. They are available at the IRS Web site at IRS.gov in the Forms and Publications section or by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676).

Links:

*
Publication 950, Introduction to Estate and Gift Taxes (PDF 44K)
*
Form 709, United States Gift (And Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax Return (PDF 300K)
*
Form 709, Instructions (PDF 79K)"

I think you're in the clear, but if you have any concerns you can check with an accountant. Using your gift of finding a great bargain to make the world a better place, now that's a slick deal!


This has absolutely nothing to do with how much you can deduct for donating to charity. This has to with how much value worth of gifts that you can give to someone. Just to clarify.

JMM,

If anyone wants to figure out how to donate items in your local community, PM me and I will be happy to help walk you through what to ask, where to ask, etc.


I was going to PM you, but thought that it would be better if you shared this information for all to see.

Can you give some pointers how to donate items in each of our local communities? What to ask? What to get through SD? You've given somegreat pointers with the mags, healthcare products, toys, etc.

I am a Pay it Forward kind of person also (except I don't ask for anyone to return the kindess).

Thank you for your post.

This has absolutely nothing to do with how much you can deduct for donating to charity. This has to with how much value worth of gifts that you can give to someone. Just to clarify.

Exactly, Xnarg says "I sure as heck wouldn't want to value these at their original cost to me..."

The IRS link deals with what you get charged by the IRS if you give things (or money) away. Because there is a wonderful thing called a "gift tax". JMM is donating items, eventually that value will add up. But donations to charity don't qualify for the gift tax. She's in the clear. If you gave these items to a friend, she might have to pay taxes on them (over a certain value).

JMM,
I was going to PM you, but thought that it would be better if you shared this information for all to see.

Can you give some pointers how to donate items in each of our local communities? What to ask? What to get through SD? You've given somegreat pointers with the mags, healthcare products, toys, etc.

I am a Pay it Forward kind of person also (except I don't ask for anyone to return the kindess).

Thank you for your post.
Ok - since you asked :)

As for where to ask - most of us in the US can try 2-1-1 it is a new information & referral line for social services. It is going to be nationwide but currently covers about 75% of the US population.

Every place has different needs. I would contact a few of your local places and talk to their "Resource" or "Development" or "Volunteer" cordinator - these are the people who know what is needed by that agency. They will have a standard list of things they need, but also ask about the things that don't make the list. I try to look for the things that will make everyday life a little more "normal".

Here is what I know is welcome with my specific clients (YMMV)
Guys -

coffee - preferable instant w/caffeine
sweets non-perishable - diabetic sweets TOO!
wallets
earplugs (industrial safety kind)
nose strips for snoring Breath-right?

Gals -

makeup
hair styling products
gender specific hygeine
facial masks
teas
jewelry
hair thingys

Both -

sample size hygeine products
phone cards
postage stamps
local bus tickets (major metro area)
magazines - even a lot of the trade pubs!
books
food products
towels - especially the "backpacking" kind
day planners/pocket calendars
nice padfolios to use for job search
movie tickets
laundry supplies
watches
small office supplies: pens, whiteout, pens, etc
address book
sunglasses

Not a good idea -

medicines of any kind
anything with poppyseeds
anything with alcohol
religous items
political items
rated "R" items - like Stuff, Maxim, or movies


Don't forget the multilingual/multicultural items too - depending on your local area

All I can say is :worship:. What a wonderful post, makes you rethink all the material "values" and do something good. Thank you, JMM!

Though I only obtain freebies where I truly have an interest, JMM is performing a wonderful action and I encourage others to do the same with their unused, uneeded or exhausted freebies (as other SD'rs have done as well) .

However, when it comes to tax issues, definitely consult your advisor! But regardless of their advice, I would say that using such freebies for a possible financial gain may 'spirtually' taint your contributory experience. As quoted by Albert Einstein, "The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving."

Obtaining the freebie out of good intention and passing it along to others less fortunate will only improve the health of your soul. :)

All I can say is :worship:. What a wonderful post, makes you rethink all the material "values" and do something good. Thank you, JMM!
I could not do it without you & the rest of the mods - and of course the SD family. I am really grateful to have found SD. As a moderator myself, I *do* understand the hard work that y'all put in that no one ever sees..:rtfm:..just had to say that at least once today! I am *so* lucky they don't that smilie where I mod - hehehe

Also - if you look at my signature - you will see that I am also benefiting from SD Those earrings are MINE!!

JMM, I'm pretty new here and was just feeling a little bummed because of some Dell codes I shared that I think were sold, rather than used. Your post renewed my faith :)

JMM, you are awesome....