Why do you give?
@GardenGerty (169406)
United States
December 29, 2017 8:45am CST
With the new tax laws there is a big fear that charitable giving will decrease. The theory is that with the higher new standard deductible fewer will need to itemize and so will not be doing last minute donations to charity.
So, why do you give? What is the motivation for your donations? Is it because you want that tax break? Is the cause dear to your heart? Do you give because it is just the right thing to do? Do you donate to those charities that send you address labels, or inexpensive necklaces and key chains?
It does not help us to itemize. I give because I want to. I do not give to those who send me "stuff" as it is unsolicited. I feel like the charity is trying to guilt me into sending them money to pay for the items and a little more.
So why do you donate to charities.
10 people like this
10 responses
@FourWalls (86575)
• United States
29 Dec 17
I don't give a rat's tuchus about the deductions. I actually look forward to no longer itemizing, when the "standard deduction" is more than my itemization. (I'll still have to itemize my state refund, though...darn it all. 
)
)3 people like this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
31 Dec 17
See, that is me. Actually I looked at the taxes last year and realized hubby did not need to itemize any longer. I still give.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
29 Dec 17
I can't imagine that the average person donates for the deduction, we give from the goodness of our heart. Now corporations, they may not donate without an advantage. I
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
31 Dec 17
I believe you are right in this. The way the news commentators are talking, though, the end of the year donations by the little guy will go down. I do not believe it for a minute.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
31 Dec 17
@GardenGerty I know it makes no difference to me one way or another. If I had the money though, I would prepay my property taxes lol
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
31 Dec 17
I donate items to clear out space in my house.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
29 Dec 17
Giving hopefully is not because of a tax break, but I am sure there are many that do it for that reason.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
31 Dec 17
I do not know many people who donate enough to get the tax break.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
31 Dec 17
I think when we give we are blessed as much as the people who receive our gifts. It is good to be able to do as we want.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
31 Dec 17
@just4him It is more blessed to give than to receive.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
31 Dec 17
@GardenGerty I love the blessings giving gives me.
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
29 Dec 17
St.Judes. Can I say more? Poor little babies suffering with cancer.
I do itemize because I have to, I run a business, but I give because I want to give not because I will get a break. Plus I am not sure if what little I give can be written off.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
31 Dec 17
I think it hurts my brain to deal with the deductions. I give because I want to.
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
31 Dec 17
I agree on this. I donate "stuff" all the time, and put money in the red buckets, and some other places as well. I contribute at times to "go fund me" accounts, too.
1 person likes this
@Ithink (10106)
• United States
2 Jan 18
@GardenGerty I have never donated thru to find me, but other ways I have.
@much2say (57760)
• Los Angeles, California
29 Dec 17
We donate to good causes . . . we care that people are getting the help they need! Oh gosh, I don't even think about deductions - we end up forgetting what all and how much we donated throughout the year anyway. I don't like the guilt trip donation asking either . . . I wish they took the money used for printing and getting the items to put towards their own charity!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
31 Dec 17
Yes, that is how I feel. I do not want to be a bean counter and figure what all everything is worth and I hate the requests that come with a gift and sometimes postage attached and nickels, etc. It is hard to believe this generates enough donation to compensate for the expense.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
31 Dec 17
The address labels are just about useless anymore, mostly people communicate and even pay bills online.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381810)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Jan 18
@GardenGerty I used them on the backs of my Christmas cards but that's about all they get used for.
@peachpurple (13961)
• Malaysia
29 Dec 17
I donate for my guilt of not attending church after I married a Buddhist hubby, what can I do ?
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
31 Dec 17
Attending church, like donations, should not be for guilt. You can worship as you choose in your own heart. Pray for your Buddhist hubby and show love and grace in your marriage. Give out of joy and abundance and you will be blessed. It is difficult to be in a marriage with someone who does not believe as we do.
1 person likes this
@peachpurple (13961)
• Malaysia
1 Jan 18
@GardenGerty yeah, he hates Christian because when he was young, a Christian kindygarten teacher mistreated him so he had hatred for this religion
