10/5/12

Donating an old car to charity seems like a good idea: It gives you a tax deduction, helps a worthwhile case and your car can be "recycled" for a good cause. But if you ever see a nonprofit with billboard, TV or newspaper ads that make it easy for them to pick up your car and do it for you, be sure to avoid them. Those agencies are actually for-profit intermediaries that take a huge chunk of the proceeds -- up to 90 percent -- and donate the rest to the actual charity. If you want to really, truly help a nonprofit, donate directly. Or better yet, sell the car yourself and write a check to the charity of your choice.

10/4/12

With so many environmental, conservation and scientific nonprofit organizations out there, it can be overwhelming to choose which one to donate money to. The best advice is to not be afraid to ask questions: Where is your money going, how much will be spent for overhead and can you earmark it toward a specific project? You can also search on the website GuideStar (guidestar.org), which has a database of more than a million nonprofit organizations that you can search to learn more about.

10/3/12

Many of us have the ubiquitous packets of ketchup in our office or home junk drawer. If the ketchup is past its prime to use on french fries, turn it into metal polish instead. Squeeze the packets open on tarnished copper and brass cookware, rub with a cloth and the brilliant metals should shine through in a few minutes. Just rinse and buff to finish.