Best charity to donate your car to
Do you have an old clunker that’s just about had it? Most major charities accept car donations. Donating your car is one of those things which helps others, and helps you too.
Most charities will accept cars in almost any condition, in if your car is in undriveable condition, most charities will even arrange for someone to come tow it away for you.
Charities generally do one of several things with the car: fix up the car and re-sell it; use the parts to fix other cars; give it or sell it at a discount to those in need; or use it themselves for their own charitable work.
You may have heard that you can get a substantial tax deduction for the car. It used to be that you could claim a deduction up to the fair market value of the car. Unfortunately in 2005, the government changed the rules, and of course made them more complicated, as our government likes to do.
Today, the rules are based on how much your car sells for. If the charity decides to sells your car and does so for more than $500, your tax deduction is limited to the actual selling price (all assuming you itemize your donations, of course). The charity must provide documentation of the sale within 30 days of your donation. It’s a situation where at the time of donation you have no idea of how much your deduction will be. But if the car sells for $500 or less, you can still deduct the fair market value of your car.
Clear as mud?
It’s gotten to the point where it’s really not worth it to donate directly to charities any more. In a lot of cases, you’re better off selling the car on eBay Auto or something and donating the cash directly to the charity.
The one charity that appears to not be affected from these new rules is Charity Cars (http://www.800charitycars.org/), which is itself a non-profit organization. Because your car donation is used for the specific purpose of furthering their mission (of providing cars to lower income individuals), the car you donate can still be deducted for its full fair market value.
(Remember, that fair market value is NOT the same as sticker price–it’s the figure you get from a site like Kelley’s Blue Book or Edmunds).
So to sum up, here’s an example: Let’s say you have a car whose fair market value is $2000. Let’s say you want to donate it to a charity (who can sell it for $600). You could sell for $1,000 on your own. You’re in a 33% tax bracket:
- You can sell it on eBay for $1,000, donate the $1,000 to charity, itemize the $1,000 cash donation and earn $333 in tax savings.
- You can donate it to the charity who will sell it for $600. You can itemize up to the selling price of $600 and earn $200 in tax savings, provided the charity gives you the sale price in writing within 30 days.
- You can donate it to a charity whose primary mission is directly supported by car donations like Charity Cars. You can itemize up to the fair market value of $2,000 and earn $667 in tax savings.
I should give you the standard disclaimer that I’m NOT a tax professional and that none of this is intended to be tax advice. See your tax professional and read up on the IRS documentation on the subject before you take any steps. But if you’re looking to donate an old car, here’s how you can help someone in need while still getting the maximum tax benefit for yourself. Until your Congress decides to change its mind again, of course 
Week 3: Active Life Extreme Challenge
This week, in the Active Life Extreme Challenge, my family played the Namco game for only half the week, as we were on vacation the rest of the week. It was the perfect activity for the beginning of this week though, because the weather outside was incredibly hot and humid so the kids didn’t really play outside. With Active Life Extreme Challenge, they had the opportunity to get their energy out indoors.
My daughter, the incredibly ungracious winner, continued doing her celebration dance every time our team won, which wasn’t as often, since my husband no longer threw the competitions. However, every time she went head to head with my son, she won. It’s never a fair fight though, because my son is so much smaller than her.
This week, we played double-dutch, BASE jumping, and speed skating – the three games that both kids like playing and are actually good at. My daughter is best at double-dutch, while my son is surprisingly good at speed skating. Next week, I hope we’ll move up another level!
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Week 3: Active Life Extreme Challenge
Review of The Whiteface Lodge in Lake Placid, NY – A Kid-Friendly Family Resort in the Adirondacks
We had actually planned on going home from The Whiteface Lodge in Lake Placid, NY today, so I thought it was a perfect time to schedule the review. But, guess what? We haven’t left yet. My kids were heartbroken when we’d told them that yesterday was our last full day, and quite honestly, we were too. Thankfully the hotel had availability and kindly agreed to extend our media rate, so here I am, still here.
In total, we will have spend 5 days/4 nights here. I came with my husband, my almost 5 year old daughter and my 3 year old son. As someone who does not take the term “kid-friendly family resort” lightly, I came with a critical eye to see if a luxury hotel could indeed be considered “family-friendly”. The quick answer? Yes, yes, it can!
Before reading this review, which is most definitely going to be long and verbose, I’d recommend that you check out my photo essay on Whrrl to see pictures of the Whiteface Lodge.
The Whiteface Lodge is a 94-suite resort located in Lake Placid, NY, about 5 1/2 hours from Boston and 5 hours from NYC. The resort is designed in Adirondack-style, and not a single detail deviates from this theme, from the ice holders in the rooms to the high-chairs in the restaurant. The entire hotel is spotless, and while I know provisions and clean laundry are delivered to the resort, those basic functions are hidden from even the most observant guest.
The Accommodations at the Whiteface Lodge
The Whiteface Lodge is an all-suite hotel, from junior suites (containing a pull-out bed, a regular bed, a kitchen, and a bathroom) to the Presidential Suite. All of the suites include a full kitchen with dishwasher, range, oven, and refrigerator/freezer, a patio or balcony, and most have some form of washer/dryer (ours had a single washer/dryer unit – something I’d never seen before). There’s one full bathroom for each bedroom (as in, a 3 bedroom has 3 bathrooms). Each living room has a gas fireplace, as do the master bedrooms. The bedrooms each have a TV with a build-in DVD player, and while the living room doesn’t, one can be brought in free of charge. Toiletries (this is important to me!) are from L’Occitane – my favorite!
We have an amazingly spacious three bedroom suite, which is on two levels and offers more than enough room for a family of four. The beds are super-comfortable (another important thing to me) and the showers have just the right water pressure. The master bathroom has two sinks and loads of space for the assortment of cosmetics and beauty products I tote with me on vacation. There’s no WiFi available (although it does appear that some local networks are available) but Ethernet connections are available near the main phone in the living room and the connection is free.
Cleaning service seems to start early – our rooms were always cleaned early in the day. It’s always a pet-peeve of mine when rooms are cleaned just when the kids are ready to take their naps, so this was perfect. Turn-down service is also available and comes with complimentary cookies and water.
The Activities & Amenities at the Whiteface Lodge
There’s a huge assortment of activities and amenities available, and most is free with your room stay! There’s an indoor/outdoor pool that’s well-heated, as well as two outdoor jacuzzis and an indoor jacuzzi. They are located adjacent to the clubhouse, which is a quick walk from the main building (and there’s an underground tunnel for colder weather). Towels and a few life vests are also available.
On-site at the resort is a game room (stocked with games from the good ole days of Adirondack lodges – you won’t find video games here), two bowling lanes, a fitness room, a movie theater with free popcorn (showing 3 movies per day – a G rated movie at 3:30pm, a PG movie at 6:30, and a PG-13 movie at 9pm), tennis, platform tennis, basketball, catch and release fishing, and more. All of this is free and included with your stay.
Off-site, but a short (free) shuttle ride away is the private beach on the shores of Lake Placid called the Canoe Club. The Canoe Club offers kayaking, canoeing, croquet, badminton, volleyball, and ping pong, as well as swimming. While you can’t drive to the Canoe Club (there’s no parking), the shuttle is available on demand and the whole ride is less than a mile. My daughter and husband went kayaking twice, while my son played on the beach with the sand toys. The water was a little too cold for us!
If you are interested in hitting the shops and restaurants in Lake Placid Village, the shuttle can also drop you off there, free of charge.
Kid-Friendly Aspects of the Whiteface Lodge
As I mentioned before, I don’t take the term “family-friendly” lightly. But, I do truly believe the Whiteface Lodge is absolutely kid-friendly. Why?
- The free Kamp Kanu, a 2-hour free camp for kids 3-6, and 7-10. My kids went to Kamp Kanu three times (and contemplating a fourth time, depending on when we leave tomorrow) and loved it. Honestly, I was surprised the first time, because I didn’t think they’d want to go with strangers. However, the nature hikes (they fed the fish in the pond and looked for frogs), craft projects, and games made them keep wanting to go back. The staff is fabulous also (more on that in the staff section).
- The restaurant has high-chairs, booster seats, and a great kids menu, including these fruit skewers with homemade yogurt that my kids LOVED!
- The suites are perfect for a family, and pack and plays and high-chairs can be brought in on request (free, of course)
- Most of the activities appeal to kids – especially the movies and the beach!
- S’more making at the outdoor campfire from 7-9pm (also free) is a huge-hit with the kids! The campfire is held on a covered terrace in the rain.
- And, the ultimate test (not that we did this on purpose)? My daughter spilled an entire cup of milk in the gift shop, and the staff member working there was super-friendly about it and insisted upon cleaning it up herself while I stood completely mortified.
The Food at the Whiteface Lodge
My husband, the foodie, loves visiting different restaurants, and I have a hard time even getting him to visit the same place on vacation two years in a row. So, it’s saying a lot to say that we ate food from Kanu (twice in the restaurant and twice as room service) four nights in a row. It was THAT good.
Kanu serves small tapas plates, imaginative and fresh salads, and delicious entrees (most available as small or large plates) with optional wine pairings. All food is also available for room service, with a service fee. For some families, room service is the way to go, because the full kitchen and dining room in the suites make it really easy to eat in the room.
A breakfast buffet is included in some room packages, and includes some hot food, like bacon, eggs, and oatmeal, as well as bagels, yogurt, fruit, and pastries.
There’s also an ice cream parlor in the basement on the main building, that opens at 3pm and offers ice cream, sundaes, root beer floats, and banana splits. Those items are charged to your room, but the popcorn is free. The Canoe Club offers a limited barbecue menu, featuring hot dogs, BBQ chicken, hamburgers, and veggie burgers that can be charged directly to your room.
The Staff at the Whiteface Lodge
I can’t fully express the fabulousness of the Whiteface Lodge without talking about the amazing staff. From the valets to the front desk staff, to the housekeeping employees and the Kamp Kanu staff, these are some of the most friendly people I’ve ever encountered. They are accommodating, helpful, and truly make the vacation experience even better. While I almost feel bad singling out specific people, I absolutely have to mention Anna and Marla, who were so friendly and lovable to my kids, and made a great impression.
So, what’s a review without at least one negative. Honestly? I haven’t got much. The only thing that was slightly annoying is the spotty cellular service – some areas of the resort have it and others don’t. And, I would have liked WiFi. But, really, that is it.
We leave tomorrow, but our memories will last a while. With luck on our side, I hope to be back next year – and so do my kids!
The Whiteface Lodge provided us with a free night stay and three days at a discounted rate. One dinner at Kanu was complimentary.
Post from: Mom’s Favorite Stuff
Review of The Whiteface Lodge in Lake Placid, NY – A Kid-Friendly Family Resort in the Adirondacks
ZOOCCHINI Pets – Animals in a Bucket
One day, I opened a package that I received in the mail, and there, in an cute plastic bucket was a bright red lobster. Lobsters are a big deal here (I live in MA and grew up in RI) and my daughter actually has a little stuffed lobster. So, when my son saw this adorable, huggable lobster, he immediately claimed it for himself. Since I didn’t actually know who had shipped the lobster, I agreed, and for a few weeks, it’s been his #1 stuffed animal. That lobster has to be in his bed every night, and when it isn’t, he cries out “I want my wobster!”.
That cuddly lobster is actually from ZOOCCHINI, a company that offers decorative, dining, and bath products in addition to the stuffed animals. Each stuffed animal is packed in a decorative little “paint” can – that makes it perfect for gift giving and also keeps the animal clean. There’s a pretty big selection of animals, such as Lars the Lion, Elsie the Elephant, Marvin the Monkey, Jilly the Giraffe, Fannie the Flower Fish, Ollie the Octopus, Muffin the Mermaid, Petey the Dog, Doinkie the Piggy, Casey the Cow and Lucy the Lamb.
To learn more, or purchase, visit www.poopsies.com
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ZOOCCHINI Pets – Animals in a Bucket
My Pictures from the Whiteface Lodge in Lake Placid
I’ll be posting a full review this weekend, but for now, check out my story on Whrrl!
Post from: Mom’s Favorite Stuff
My Pictures from the Whiteface Lodge in Lake Placid
Beautiful Glass Tumblers
This set of 6 Darjeeling Recycled Glass Tumblers by Rosanna is a beautiful set of hand-made and hand-decorated glassware made using completely recycled materials. The pieces are mouth-blown by artisans in a small village in Mexico and decorated using old European tradition. This particular tumbler has the beautiful color of aqua gemstones, but you can also find other colors.
A portion of proceeds from the sale of these and other pieces in the Mondo glass collection will be donated to Doctors without Borders. In addition, the age-old trade of glass-blowing and hand decoration helps create jobs for those in developing countries. Finally, because it’s 100% recycled, it helps the planet.
10 Years of Magic and Wonder with Harry Potter Giveaway
I have been a fan of the Harry Potter books from early on in the series. With each release, I would find every bit of time I could to dedicate to the next installment of Harry’s life. It’s amazing how those books were able to take me away from whatever was happening in my life into the world of Hogwarts. I just can’t believe that it has been ten years since Harry entered my life. In those years, I graduated from college, grad school, married, had two sons and moved more than six times. Soon enough my husband and I will be reading the books to our sons and letting the stories pull them in.
We are so excited to offer our readers an opportunity to introduce their children into the world of Harry Potter with a set of the first three books in the series including Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Please leave a comment below and we’ll enter you into the giveaway. We’ll be selecting five random winners. One entry per person. US Residents only. No PO Boxes please. Contest ends September 14, 2009 at 11:59 ET.
Here’s a bit more about the contest from our partner, Scholastic:
Share the Magic of Reading with Harry Potter! It’s been 10 years since Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone was first published and a whole new generation of children await the magic of Hogwarts, and Quidditch, of Sorting Hats and Spells. Introduce your “back-to-schooler” to the first three books in this remarkable series and get them started on the reading adventure of a lifetime just in time for school!
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10 Years of Magic and Wonder with Harry Potter & Giveaway
New Children’s Menu at P.F. Chang’s
A few years ago, a P.F. Chang’s opened in our local mall, and it’s one of my favorite casual dining destinations. Recently, P.F. Chang’s introduced a brand new children’s menu, and we were lucky to receive a gift card from them so we’d have a chance to try it out.
There were several options for kids, including chicken with dipping sauce, lo-mein, fried rice, and Buddha’s Feast (veggie platter). We chose the chicken for my non-adventurous daughter, and the lo-mein for my son. I was pleased to see how reasonably priced the entrees are – all are less than $5 and include a beverage!
The portion sizes are generous, and we actually brought home some leftovers. The food was great – my daughter ate the chicken (although didn’t touch the dipping sauces), and my son ate the lo-mein (we did have to help him eat it though, it’s a little difficult for a 3 year old to eat on his own).
Do you want to try out P.F. Chang’s new children’s menu for yourself? We have a $100 gift card to giveaway to one lucky winner! To enter, comment with the item you think your kids will like best.
For additional entries, you can subscribe to our RSS feed, and/or tweet the following – Enter to win a $100 gift card to P.F. Chang’s – http://bit.ly/6Mzl3 . Leave us a comment to let us know what you did!
Giveaway ends September 7th at 11:59pm. US Residents only.
Post from: Mom’s Favorite Stuff
New Children’s Menu at P.F. Chang’s
Busy Women Can Follow Their Bliss
For more than a year now, I’ve been doing tons of research in the fields of personal productivity and organization. I love reading how to streamline, how to find flow, and how to get the most out of the time that I have…but I forgot something. What about me? Moms need to work on themselves, too. I think it’s very often the case that we focus so much on what’s happening with our children, our marriage, our home, that we actually forget about ourselves.
The first up for review is Everyday Bliss for Busy Women. This beautifully designed book provides women with some great information on how to find their own bliss. Finding bliss isn’t just about finding peace but also gaining focus and limiting the mental clutter that builds up while you’re too busy to notice. The book includes activities and exercises that can help the busy woman to find herself again, to deal with her past, and to help re-shape her negative thinking.
After a few weeks with Everyday Bliss for Busy Woman, my book is dog-eared, marked up and well read. I love the activities and I also love the thinking that they have inspired. For any busy woman, mother or not, this book would make for a wonderful gift. Pair it with a pretty journal and a sleek pen and you’ll have a very special gift.
Everyday Bliss for Busy Woman is available at Amazon.com
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Busy Women Can Follow Their Bliss
Week 2: Active Life Extreme Challenge
When I last wrote about our experience with Active Life: Extreme Challenge, the new Wii game from Bandai Namco Games, my family had split into two teams – the girl team, with my daughter and me, and the boy team with my son and my husband. The “boy team” was in the lead, but I was confident that we could pull ahead.
Well, this week, we changed things up by doing the Speedskating Challenge also (my specialty – it’s the only one where I’ve consistently won), as well as Double Dutch and Base Jumping. The Speedskating Challenge definitely helped us pull ahead.
But then, my husband and I switched the competition and went head to head with our kids (my daughter versus my husband and me versus my son). The first game, my husband threw the competition and my daughter was SO excited to have won that she screamed, yelled, pounded her first, and jumped around…. it was hilarious!
Next week, we’re planning to add more games to our competition!
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Week 2: Active Life Extreme Challenge