Money in Pockets!

In the movie, "The Firm" they talk about finding money they forgot about in pockets. That's what it feels like when we get an unexpected check or small income that we didn't expect. It can really add up!  It's not deductible at the same rate as business mileage, but every little bit helps.   It's perfectly legal, and if you're wondering if it's ethical, I think the Scripture is "give to Caesar what is Caesar's" - I'll add, "but not a penny more!"  This mileage applies to doctors visits, so if you get allergy shots (like me), that can add up & be easy to figure.  If you're giving the info to an accountant, give it to them in miles, not dollars - I learned this the hard way . . .  Also, mileage can be claimed even if you are doing more than one thing there.  My dad claims that he can't get much charity mileage for service work he does hours from here, since they have a cabin there.  Not true!  It's like if you're at work & do something on your lunch break near the office . . . . those miles are still work miles.  Same concept for charity and medical.  I plan my errands around where I have to be, and therefore, can claim more miles than I would have expected!!

As you're planning upcoming gift-giving, like Father's Day - think about the resources you have to do it without stretching your budget too much:

• If you have airline miles and need a gift for someone who likes magazines, there are services that will covert your airline miles into magazine subscriptions
• If you have a gift card you don't want that doesn't fit the gift you need (like, say a Victoria's Secret gift card, but you really need a Father's Day gift), check out sites like Plastic Jungle (which was recommended to me, but I haven't used) to sell your gift cards & turn them into cash or trade them toward other gift cards.  I used this one for a gift card I won and couldn't use - turned it into amazon.com credits & got over 80% of the value back.
• If you have SwagBucks, MyCokeRewards points, Disney Movie Rewards points, etc. shop for gifts among the prizes they have there.  Even if you find only part of the gift, you're stretching your budget by make a non-cash transaction.
• Does your employer belong to MERSC?  They offer savings on many things, so that might be an option.
• As the fundraisers come around, like PGA golf cards that my nephews are selling, consider buying them as a gift for someone and support a good cause & the people doing the fundraising without buying something that doesn't get used.
• Use your hobbies!  My sister-in-law did some fabulous alphabet photo books, scrapbook style, for my parents a while back & they loved them.  I make greeting cards & use a pack of them as a gift.  Some other things I do for gifts & activities are quilting stockings & hot pads, cross-stitching Christmas ornaments, canning applesauce, apple butter, red sauce & various jams, and getting craft packs for my daughter that she can use as gifts, too - magnets, decorated pencils, frames, etc.  That way, you're combining an entertainment & gift expenditure, like a BOGO.
• make wish lists!  OK, this is the other end of the gift thing, but it's still helpful.  Our families ask for ideas.  Amazon offers free wish lists online, and you can list things you'll eventually end up buying if noone gives it to you.  You can even rate the priority of the desired item.  Our daughter now asks us to put things on the wish list, rather than asking us to buy her something (most of the time).  This makes shopping less stressful on people using the wish lists, limits the possibility of unwanted/unused clutter & wasted money, and stretches your budget when you get things you need anyway.  My husband puts clothing he needs on his list.  A sister-in-law and my father-in-law and I all have handed around catalogs we like with our wanted items/sizes/colors circled & the family goes in together to get us things from there - it's so much fun!!  It also helps me restrain myself from buying things - I circle the things I want & whatever I get, I get excited about, and then I haven't bought all of those things.

Considering tracking your medical and/or charitable mileage and put them away for tax deductions.

Use this link to find out if you have any money owed you.  Pam found some money in her husband's name that they had no idea was there - they were able to claim it.  Maybe there some for you there, too!
http://www.missingmoney.com/Main/Index.cfm

Do you have Medica Health Insurance?  If so, check out this link: https://medicahealthmanager.securematria.com/content/security.aspx?domain=medicahealthmanager.securematria.com&ReturnUrl=https%3a%2f%2fmedicahealthmanager.securematria.com%2fcontent%2fhome.aspx
There are health information resources there, which can make you healthier & save on healthcare, not to mention improving your quality of life.  For participating, you can earn up to $125 in gift cards through the program, too.  There are many options, but we use Target - we get our groceries, prescripts, household stuff, and more there . . . Target gift cards make a bigger impact on our bottom line for necessities.  You could also choose gift cards for gifts.  There are many ways to use this resource.