Simpler Living Weekly Nudge
Posted on: December 22, 2018
Remembering the Holy Innocents
12/22/18
In This Issue:
45th Anniversary: Non-Sentimental Journey // Consumer Christmas Counter-Offensive: “WHOSE Birthday?” Podcast, parts 1-4 // Will the New Tax Laws Affect Our Charitable Giving? // Much More!
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45th Anniversary: Non-Sentimental Journey
2018 was the 45th year of Alternatives’ service. We celebrated in modest ways, such as the 100th episode of Simple Living Works! Podcast. Of special interest is episode #3, The Saga of Simply Enough. For more about the 45th, read the annual report.
In the process of getting copies of our resources to the ELCA Archives for safekeeping, we found some historic photos, which I uploaded to the SLW! site in our Short History. Of special curiosity might be A/V stories done by others about Alternatives, the hymn written upon my retirement, and moving the Earth Dome (called 2003: A Dome Odyssey – don’t miss the closing credits).
For a brief summary of how Alternatives closed in 2011, before being revived as Simple Living Works!, read “What’s Happened to Simple Living” or listen to SLW! Podcast episode #1.
You don’t need to to send cards or money, though we’re glad to hear from you!
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Check out these thought-provoking, timely resources.
A Poem for Holy Innocents Day, Dec. 28
Remembering the Holy Innocents
The Holy Family escaped the slaughter by their Flight into Egypt, a good time for us to think and talk about immigrants and welcoming the stranger.
Legacy Blog: Having an Epiphany for New Years
Consumer Christmas Counter-Offensive
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- WHOSE Birthday? part 1 — How-to
- WHOSE Birthday? part 2 — Inspiring Reflections
- WHOSE Birthday? part 3 — Fun Activities
- WHOSE Birthday? part 4 — More Reflections and Activities
- Recent Podcast Episode–Fair Trade in Schools and Congregations
- Good-bye, Santa! Hello, Saint Nick! — St. Nicholas Day, Dec. 6
- New American Dream: Simplify the Holidays
- Advent Conspiracy was founded on the radical idea that we can celebrate Christmas humbly, beautifully, and generously. Advent is the story of a wondrous moment when God entered our world to make things right. It is the greatest story ever told and it changes everything—including the way we celebrate Christmas–Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More, Love All
- 10 Tips for a Simpler, More Meaningful Christmas
- Our Daily Simpler Living Nudge —Month 12: Responsible Celebrating (Advent) Week 1: Ten Tips for a Simpler, More Meaningful Christmas, #1-6 || Week 2: 10 Tips, #7-8 || Week 3: 10 Tips, #9-10+ || Week 4: Christmas, Kwanzaa, Holy Innocents
- SLW! Blog Index | SLW! Podcast Index
- SUBSCRIBE to SLW! Podcast for free through iTunes, Stitcher.com or your favorite podcast service. Subscribe to SLW! Blog. Click “+Follow” at lower right of blog post, enter a name and email address. Welcome!
- Non-Conform-Freely Celebrations: Months 9-12
- Check out a few of SLW! thought-provoking, timely resources that might meet your personal, family or congregational/group needs. They’re all FREE. Visit Seasonal/Thematic Resource Index
What Others Are Doing – So Much Help! – Latest Posts
I gladly pass along links from simple living bloggers, podcasters, coaches and others. Some faith-based, some not. You needn’t read them all. Choose just FIVE links to investigate. COMPLETE LIST (Monthly Digest). For links to earlier entries, check the previous SLW! Weekly Digests or Monthly Digests.
What’s Happened
Will the New Tax Laws Affect Our Charitable Giving?
On the recent annual #GivingTuesday (11/27/18) we were urged to support non-profit organizations. It’s a real relief from the hyper-consumerism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Now some of us are planning our year-end giving. How much can we afford to give away while we look Christmas in the face?
I normally give away as much as possible AND itemize deductions on my Income Tax returns, not only to be helpful but also to get above the standard deduction. This way I can keep my share of taxes from supporting the war machine and force-feeding the military.
The Republican Tax Scam of 2018 has thrown ordinary citizens a bone by doubling the standard deduction (in contrast to the monumental tax deductions for the wealthy and corporations!). This ploy could have a serious negative effect on charitable organizations—now we can get the deduction without giving the money away. (Yes, the deduction also includes property taxes, state income taxes and medical expenses.)
My plan is to double my giving one year and reduce it the next. That way I get the benefit of the higher standard deduction in “lean “ years and go above it in “fat” years. Likewise, we’ll give to progressive political causes and candidates (which are not tax deductible) in even-numbered/election years (2018, 2020), to help balance the doubling of charitable donations in odd-numbered years (2019).
This plan is called “bunching.” It won’t work for everybody. I am not giving tax advice. I urge you to talk to a tax professional. In the meanwhile, here’s an article that may help: “Bunching Charitable Donations Could Help You Save onTaxes This Year—https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/04/bunching-charitable-donations-could-help-you-save-on-taxes-this-year.html
We can live our consciences and still keep the system from negating our generosity.
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- Another Worthwhile Resource The Overpopulation Podcast from:
World Population Balance – sustainable world and US population http://www.worldpopulationbalance.org/
- Climate Crisis Drivers: Overpopulation and Overconsumption + Jerry’s new YouTube video (see Resources)
- Why We Podcast–We truly believe in the missions of SLW! and Jubilee OneEarth Economics! The mainstream corporate media — left, right or center — exist to sell us more stuff. Though we are only the tiniest whisper, we cannot stop offering an honest alternative to that MultiEarth message. There is no Planet B. Here’s a list of worthwhile media. And even more.
- Our Daily Simpler Living Nudge — What It Is / How It Works / How to GET It – Subscribe by sending NUDGE to SimpleLivingWorks@yahoo.com. / How to SHARE It
- Healthy Political Practices & Spiritual Disciplines // Banishing Fake NewsREAD MORE // Simple Living SANITY // READ MORE
- Previews of Simple Living Blogs, Podcasts and Sites // Collaborators & Champions
- Recent Responses to SLW! media
- Simpler Formats for 2019–The complete SLW! Monthly Digest on the SLW! site features the latest posts from colleague organizations and is updated weekly. Simpler Living Weekly Nudge will feature offerings from SLW! It comes as your free subscription to SLW! Blog. The Daily Nudge comes by email (send NUDGE to SimpleLivingworks@yahoo.com) or by Twitter @GeraldIversen. Choose the options that work for you.
- Subscribers to SLW! Podcast and The Common Good Podcast (TCGP) will receive one episode of Simpler Living OneEarth Podcast each month. This makes good sense since the missions of both SLW! and Jubilee OneEarth Economics are so complementary and the two work together closely. Your comments on these changes are welcome.
Podcast Reminder
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Peace, Gerald “Jerry” Iversen, Chief SLW! Activist
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