It’s the holiday season—a time to relax, connect with friends and hopefully find ways to avoid excess stress. But financial decisions and year-end deadlines are often forgotten when holiday obligations get in the way. Here are a few resources and volunteer opportunities to help make this a happier holiday season for your family, as well as your neighbors and friends.
Learn how to be an AARP Tax-Aide
If you’re fluent in finance or have a knack for tech, you’re the perfect volunteer candidate for AARP Tax-Aide. There’s a role for just about anyone interested, and if you speak a second language, you’re in even greater demand.
Help a friend make a budget in minutes
A household budget makes financial decision making easier and can also help keep costs under control. Purposeful Finance offers a free tool you can use to help anyone create a budget in 15 minutes, so they can spend more time focusing on their long-term goals.
Be a tax mentor
Holiday season is also tax planning season, but your community doesn’t have to go it alone. Join the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) initiative and learn to provide free tax help to neighbors in need.
Help keep data under wraps
Presents left on a car seat may be attractive to thieves, but it’s data and identity theft that really dampen holiday spirits. These pro tax tips can help you learn to protect your data, and help your family and friends feel more secure.
Give the gift of a paycheck checkup
Withholding too much income gives the government a free loan, but too-little withholding means a big April 15th bill. Have a friend or neighbor who just landed a new job? Help them avoid a tax-day surprise by helping them get their paycheck set up just right.
Give the gift that gives back
Last-minute donations to local charities can go a long way toward reducing someone’s tax bill. Help declutter a neighbor’s attic or basement and deliver unwanted items to a local second-hand store. Learn which organizations qualify and which items are deductible, here.
