Two of my favorites at this time of year, It’s a Wonderful Life and It Happened on Fifth Avenue, both have money and love messages.  Both of these are black and white films, made in the 40s, with heartwarming messages and  business tips that speak to me today.

 As the last line of It’s a Wonderful Life states, George Bailey, the savings and loan owner, who has no money, but who is rich with friends, is the richest man in town.  When the angel, Clarence, shows him how much of a difference he made in the lives of the people in the town, the difference he made by truly helping people, not just entertaining them, but truly helping them, he realizes how wonderful his life is, and then so do his friends, helping him out of a jam, when he needed it most.   

It Happened on Fifth Avenue juxtaposes the life of a homeless man with extravagant taste and impeccable manners, with that of the wealthy industrialist in whose home he is living.  The generosity of one is compared with the avariciousness of the other, while one is held in esteem for his generous nature and willingness to problem solve and help others the other alienates his family and potential friends.  When the industrialist changes his nature and helps the struggling World War II vets with their business deal, he learns that a man with friends is indeed wealthier than one with all the money in the world. 
Enjoy both of these holiday classics and have a very Happy Holiday Season!

Now is the time of year to consider gifts to non-profit organizations if you want the benefit of the tax deduction for the 2014 tax year.  The last day to give is December 31st.  Consider the local food pantry, homeless shelter, religious institution, animal shelters and others.  If you have a passion and a cause, then you may want to search for the perfect charity for you.  Check out www.charitynavigator.org and www.guidestar.org to get more information about the not-for-profits that might be of interest for you.

Consider if the organization is growing and serving more people, reaching its goals, and making a difference in the community.  When looking at the financial side of things, use the following guidelines to evaluate how the organization is managed:  75% spent on programs or the mission of the organization, 15% on administration and 10% on fundraising.  Groups much outside these guidelines may not be making the best use of your funds, so ask questions, look at their website, or make a site visit to see how they work.  

Beware of responding to a sob story from a telephone solicitor, since you really don't know who they are.  Do not give out your credit card information, address, or any other private information over the phone.  Phishing emails asking for funds are also circulating at this time of year, hoping to pull at your heart strings, so resist the temptation to give your information to a stranger.  

Enjoy the season! Find the charity that interests you and fills your heart with joy! Give to help others and your community. God Bless You All!