Tax Deductible Donations - 2 Year "Contract" - Charitable Institutions
Make sure what you sign up for...
We like to help with donations to charitable institutions - donating towards a good cause, where we can afford it.
In 2016 a marketing person came to us and signed us up for a two-year period for a worthwhile cause. This person explained that our donations at $25.00 per month would have to go over a period of two years only. Then stop, as we thought. Now, in 2019, these donations were still running, without the charitable institute asking for our authority or without just notifying us that the donations would be ongoing.
The same thing happened to us with another two-year scheme, for another charitable organisation. Starting beginning 2017 and still carrying on this year, six months over and above the two-year period!
We now have stopped both.
The point I wish to make?
When someone knocks on your door or stops you at a supermarket asking you to sign up for "two years only" (usually $0.50 or $1.00 a day...your choice how much you want to donate) - then TAKE CARE what you sign up for. Some charitable institutions seem to operate on what could be called the "Readers Digest" system: "If you don't say anything, we will continue your subscription". The difference here being that Readers Digest is up front with their system.
So - it's not about dobbing in some charitable institutions. You will have noted that I don't name them, since they are organisations that provide exemplary and sorely needed community services. I probably would not have minded with continued donations, but as a pensioner I now have to watch my budget.
Just make sure what you sign up for - and get a copy of the contract or agreement - and diarise the end date well in advance.
Cheers,
Michael
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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85.5% Yes
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13.4% No
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1.1% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
For Sale 4-bed ; 4-bath home in Rangitoto College Zone
This fabulous Freehold family home of approximately 340sqm on 635sqm of land is situated in a cul-de-sac in a well-established family-friendly neighbourhood.
Step inside this exceptional home to an abundance of space and comfort. Everything you could possibly need from multiple bedrooms, bathrooms and living areas, to a designer kitchen, dining and family room with sea view, flowing seamlessly to the private fully fenced outdoor entertaining area which comes with a pizza oven. Perfect for relaxing, hosting family and friends and making memorable moments to cherish.
Four generous double bedrooms including two master bedrooms, two walk-in wardrobes, four bathrooms including two ensuites, a family bathroom/semi ensuite and a superbly located guest toilet.
Downstairs offers space and flexibility of use, ideal for extended family or guests and has its own entrance. Comprising a rumpus, used as a home office/playroom, a kitchen, dining, living area connecting seamlessly to private landscaped outdoor living adjacent to bush/reserve filled with bird song. The fourth bathroom is on this level as is a large separate laundry.
Seven heat pumps throughout this meticulously maintained family home ensure comfort. There is a central vac system and lots of storage space.
Plenty of parking available: a Double internal-access garage plus off-street parking for up to 5 cars - including a boat or campervan - also parking bays in the cul de sac.
A choice of excellent schools: Rangitoto College; Long Bay College; Northcross Intermediate, Sherwood Primary and Pinehill Primary Schools.
www.barfoot.co.nz......
Gabrielle Elborough
Real Estate Agent
021 257 5018
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