Oct 24, 2010
Talking about:
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how to
May 1, 2009
Filing for Social Security can seem like a nightmare and it is true that alot of people get denied on the first time around. To file for Social Security you need to be mentally or physically impaired by a dusease or injury enough to make work an impossibility for at least a year. Keep all doctors notes and keep up with doctor appointments. Doctors and Social Security want to see you well enough to work however they are there if you need it and have earned enough credits. To file go to www.social Security.gov and click on apply for disability benefits. if you dont qualify for social security disability there are other programs available. Take advantage of it of you are in need, if not dont abuse the system.
Jan 15, 2009
The best thing you can do is make your home as energy efficient as possible. You lose alot of energy when your home isn't insulated properly, the window needs caulking, or your thermostat is set too high.
Set your thermostat at a comfortable low setting. Remember that sweaters can take off a chill and won't cost you extra. Invest in a programmable thermostat that will allow your settings to be even lower when you are not at home.
There are non-profit organizations that provide weatherization services. Weatherization Assistance Program is a federally funded program which provides free home energy conservation services to low-income homeowners and renters.
Your heating costs can be lowered 20 to 25%
In Michigan you can find a directory of weatherization operators here:
www.michigan.gov/heatingassistance click Weatherization then State Map of Weatherization Operators
More ideas on how to reduce your energy needs by contacting U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at www.eere.energy.gov or call toll free at 1-877-337-3463.
Even after lowering your usage you may have trouble with your utility expenses. Here are some programs that may help:
-Contact your utility company to apply for the Winter Protection Plan. It protects seniors and low-income customers from shut off and high utility payments between Nov. 1 and March 31. The plan allows eligible customers to make monthly payments of at least 7% of their estimated bill in those months then pay the rest in installments with their monthly bill.
-Medical Emergency Shut Off Protection postpones a shut off up to 21 days because of a medical emergency. There may also be additional extensions available. Contact your utility company for more information.
-Military Shut Off Protection is offered to those on active duty for the military and their spouses. It protects them from shut-off for up to 90 days and the provider may extend it beyond that. Unless waived by the provider, the past due amounts will have to be paid. Contact the utility company for details.
More help can be found through programs offered by Michigan or Federal Veterans Assistance programs and the National Guard.
-The Home Heating Credit can help too. In Michigan you need to file a form called a MI-1040-7. Check with your state treasury department to see if there is a form for your state. You do not have to file an income tax to qualify for the credit.
-Contact you local Department of Human Services and ask if there is a State Emergancy Relief Program. In MI you can call 1-800-292-5650.
-Another MI help line is THAW or The Heat And Warmth Fund 1-800-866-8429
-The Salvation Army and your local Community Action Agency may be able to provide emergency assistance and referral as well as help with caulking and insulation if you meet low income guidelines.
Locate a local Community Action Agency in your phone book or www.mcaaa.org/directory.directory.htm or www.mcaaa.org then click Member Agencies.
-The Michigan Public Service Commission can provide information on your legal rights and resource information regarding your utilities. Their toll free number is 1-800-292-9555
Jan 5, 2009
I'm trying to raise money online for my UK oriented website project.
No donation is too small and all donations are gratefully accepted.
http://www.wall-and-floor-tiler.co.uk
Working in the home improvement industry I know just how hard it is getting to find work. I also know 90% of tilers like myself and kitchen / bathroom fitters don't have any kind of web presence.
The solution is pretty simple! Create a paid entry directory with search by postcode capabilites which also offers members webspace to upload a gallery of previous work. By pooling the subscription fees to buy advertising for the site in UK national papers It will have a lot of reach for members to help them find work.
As a form of advertising the subscription fee would also be tax deductable, costing members nothing in the long run. It's basically a simple idea but it will cost £10,000 to get it up and running. All is explained on my website:
Find bathroom / kitchen fitters & tilers
It already has search engine ranking. Just google 'floor tiler'- My site's already page 1.
Main sub pages:
New bathroom design & installation
New kitchen design & installation
Tiling tools, tile cutters, supplies
Jokers fun casinos fun UK party entertainment
Uk web hosting & website design
Thanks for your time,
David Elton,
Reading, UK.
Dec 30, 2008
I'm new here and looking to read up on possiably getting a grant oe loan for a small business or research. I have been reading much since I have been here and hope to read more of the members posts.
Dec 9, 2008
While I am researching starting a Charity, here's is some of the info, incase someone else wants to start a charity.
FROM EHOW.COM
How to Start a Charity
By eHow Culture & Society Editor
Rate: (13 Ratings)
To establish a successful charity, you must start with a good
foundation. You can take a small step towards starting a
charity by learning about the basics of non-profit foundation
and management.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderate
Things You’ll Need:
* Legal documents
* Funding
* Volunteers
Change the World With Your Charity
Step1
Determine what the needs are in your community. Before you
start a charity, it is essential that you map out who you will
be helping and how you will accomplish this. These ideas will
form the basis of any grant proposals you may wish to draw up
in your fund raising efforts and may be best expressed in the
form of a mission statement.
Step2
Pick the organizational structure for your charity. You might
start by soliciting the support of like-minded friends or
related organizations. Most non-profit charities possess some
kind of executive structure based on the legal aspects of
incorporation including an president, vice president and
secretary as well as other positions.
Step3
Comply with your state's regulations regarding charitable
organizations. This may involved filing paperwork outlining the
purpose of your charity as well as paying an application fee.
Step4
File the appropriate forms to receive an employer
identification number for your charity. This will be necessary
for filing taxes and is required if you plan on hiring
additional staff to support your endeavor.
Step5
Request recognition from the Internal Revenue Service as a
non-profit charitable organization. Read all the information
regarding the requirements of the IRS when you start a charity
in the United States to confirm that your charity will comply
with their regulations (see Resources below).
Step6
Get active in your community. Once you have completed the
necessary paperwork and set in place a board of officers to
oversee your charity, put your mission statement into action by
organizing charitable events. The needs you choose to address
in your community will guide you in your actions.
Tips & Warnings
* Enlist the support of other successful charities in your
area. Remember you are all working towards a common goal of
making your community a better place. Most organizations will
happily offer advice and instruction along the road to forming
a charity.
* Properly maintained records are at the core of a
successful charity. In order to comply with state and federal
regulations, enlist the support of an accountant who
specializes in accounts for charities and non-profits.
Who Can Help:
Resources
www.charity.com
Info from the IRS:{Long Read from Charity.com}
IRS Information: Exemption Requirements
To be tax-exempt as an organization described in § 501(c)(3) of the Code,an organization must be organized and operated exclusively for one or more of the purposes set forth in § 501(c)(3) and none of the earnings of the organization may inure to any private shareholder or individual.In addition, it may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities and it may not participate at all in campaign activity for or against political candidates.
The organizations described in § 501(c)(3) are commonly referred to underthe general heading of "charitable organizations." Organizations described in § 501(c)(3), other than testing for public safety organizations,are eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions in accordance with § 170.
The exempt purposes set forth in § 501(c)(3) are charitable, religious,educational, scientific, literary, testing for public safety, fostering national or international amateur sports competition, and the prevention of cruelty to children or animals. The term charitable is used in its generally accepted legal sense and includes relief of the poor, the distressed, orthe underprivileged; advancement of religion; advancement of education or science; erection or maintenance of public buildings, monuments, or works; lessening the burdens of government; lessening of neighborhood tensions; elimination of prejudice and discrimination; defense of human and civil rights secured by law; and combating community deterioration and juvenile delinquency.
To be organized exclusively for a charitable purpose, the organization must be a corporation, community chest, fund, or foundation.** A charitable trust is a fund or foundation and will qualify.****** However, an individual or a partnership will not qualify. The articles of organization must limit the organization's purposes to one or more of the exempt purposes set forth in § 501(c)(3) and must not expressly empower it to engage, other than as an insubstantial part of its activities, in activities that are not in furtherance of one or more of those purposes. This requirement may be met if the purposes stated in the articles of organization are limited in some way by referenceto § 501(c)(3). In addition, assets of an organization must be permanently dedicated to an exempt purpose. This means that should an organization dissolve, its assets must be distributed for an exempt purpose described in this chapter, or to the federal government or to a state or local government for a public purpose. To establish that an organization's assets will bepermanently dedicated to an exempt purpose, the articles of organizationshould contain a provision insuring their distribution for an exempt purposein the event of dissolution. Although reliance may be placed upon state law to establish permanent dedication of assets for exempt purposes, an organization's application can be processed by the IRS more rapidly ifits articles of organization include a provision insuring permanent dedication of assets for exempt purposes. For examples of provisions that meet these requirements, download Publication 557, Tax-Exempt Status for Your Organization.
An organization will be regarded as "operated exclusively" for one or more exempt purposes only if it engages primarily in activities which accomplish one or more of the exempt purposes specified in § 501(c)(3). An organization will not be so regarded if more than an insubstantial part of its activities is not in furtherance of an exempt purpose. For more information concerning types of charitable organizations and their activities, download Publication 557.
The organization must not be organized or operated for the benefit of private interests, such as the creator or the creator's family, shareholders of the organization, other designated individuals, or persons controlled directly or indirectly by such private interests. No part of the net earnings of a § 501(c)(3) organization may inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual. A private shareholder or individualis a person having a personal and private interest in the activities of the organization. If the organization engages in an excess benefit transaction with a person having substantial influence over the organization, an excise tax may be imposed on the person and any managers agreeing to the transaction.
A §501(c)(3) organization may not engage in carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting, to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities. Whether an organization has attempted to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities is determined based upon all relevant facts and circumstances. However, most§ 501(c)(3) organizations may use Form 5768, Election/Revocation of Election by an Eligible Section 501(c)(3) Organization to Make Expenditures to Influence Legislation, to make an election under § 501(h) to be subject to an objectively measured expenditure test with respect to lobbying activities rather than the less precise "substantial activity" test. Electing organizations are subject to tax on lobbying activities that exceed a specified percentage of their exempt function expenditures. For further information regarding lobbying activities by charities, download Lobbying Issues.
For purposes of §501(c)(3), legislative activities and political activities are two different things, and are subject to two different sets of rules. The latter is an absolute bar. A § 501(c)(3) organization may not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition
to) any candidate for public office. Whether an organization is engaging in prohibited political campaign activity depends upon all the facts and circumstances in each case. For example, organizations may sponsor debates or forums to educate voters. But if the forum or debate shows a preference for or against a certain candidate, it becomes a prohibited activity. The motivation of an organization is not relevant in determining whether the political campaign prohibition has been violated. Activities that encourage people to vote for or against a particular candidate, even on the basis of non-partisan criteria, violate the political campaign prohibition of §501(c)(3). See the FY-2002 CPE topic entitled Election Year Issues for further information regarding political activities of charities.
