I just gave some money to a fund set up for a sick friend. And I wondered if such a gift is tax deductible.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’d help someone I care about whether I get a tax break or not. But I’m trying to be more organized this year and if it were deductible, I’d want to put it in my 2008 taxes folder.

So I went over to IRS.gov and checked out its Charitable Contributions Publication 526. They have publications galore for your reading and searching pleasure there.And I found a handy list of donations that aren’t tax deductible:

• Money or property given to civic leagues, social and sports clubs, labor unions and chambers of commerce
• Most foreign organizations (except certain Canadian, Israeli and Mexican charities–hey I don’t make this stuff up)
• Groups that are run for personal property (you’d think that’s obvious, but we know someone out there’s gaming the system)
• Groups whose purpose is to lobby for law changes (I’d love clarification on what charity the IRS thinks doesn’t do this these days)
• Homeowners’ associations
• Individuals (like my friend)
• Political groups or candidates
• Cost of raffle, bingo, lotto tickets
• Country club dues, fees to lodges or fraternal orders or other orgs of that nature
• Tuition
• Value of your time or service
• Value of blood given to the blood bank (how much is blood even worth)

Whew!

Last year, we only donated a pathetic 1.5 percent of our income to charity. Part of the issue is without a giving plan in place, the giving was pushed towards the end of the year. Then I wanted to research new organizations and ran out of time. On the day after Christmas, I spent a hurried half an hour writing out checks and filling out online donation forms. This year, I hope to be more proactive.

How much do you give to charity?

I’ve been a devotee of credit card rewards programs since I started using plastic. My very first card was a WorldPerks miles card, which my Dad signed me up for when

As promised in my column, here is Kevin McKinley’s complete list of ways to save money without living in a refrigerator box or shunning cable. He has a version at www.onyourmoney.com with additional explanation of his ways, but you need to register.

The list is constantly morphing and the one here is slightly different from his presentation I attended at a local college.

He tweaked that list for the younger audience, including tips like ask for a “good student” discount from your auto insurance.
Just this week, he sent me two additional tips he plans to add to future lists: drink water out of the tap, not a bottle and change your oil less.

Here’s the basic list.

1. Change your furnace filter.
2. Install a programmable thermostat.
3. Turn it down one degree.
4. Buy electric blankets/mattress pads.
5. Insulate your water heater.
6. Buy “low-flow” faucets and shower heads.
7. Cancel your gym membership.
8. Shop around for medicine.
9. Open a flexible spending account.
10. Transfer your credit card balances to a home equity loan.
11. Consolidate your credit cards.
12. Consolidate your IRAs.
13. Move savings into a Roth IRA.
14. Raise your at-work retirement plan contribution.
15. Cancel “permanent” life insurance.
16. Say “no” to life insurance on your children.
17. Raise the deductible on your home owner’s insurance.
18. Raise the deductible on your auto insurance.
19. Cancel Collision and comprehensive.
20. Ask for an “empty nest” reduction for car insurance.
21. Consolidate your insurance policies.
22. “Bunch” your tax deductions in one year.
23. Cancel private mortgage insurance.
24. Boost your interest rates.
25. Don’t buy Girl Scout cookies. Find out how much profit they keep and give that amount of cash instead.
26. Use It’s Deductible to value your charitable goods donations.
27. Put a lid on your kids’ spending (just say no).
28. Ditch your old camera for digital.
29. Rechargeable batteries.
30. Lease your car.
31. Check a car’s “cost to own” to understand depreciation.
32. Buy in bulk on eBay.
33. Ask for a cash discount at stores.
34. Talk to your neighbors for discount on services and home improvements.
35. Keep your soda in your car; don’t buy it at the gas station.
36. Split your fast-food orders.
37. The “un-happy” meal (keep toys in your car and split larger food orders).
38. No car rentals near airports.
39. No car rental insurance.
40. Get an air popcorn popper instead of microwave corn.
41. Buy un-sliced meat and cheese.
42. Make “pizza night” early in the week, when deals are better than weekends.
43. Recreate restaurant favorites at home or buy discounted restaurant gift certificates.
44. Buy a portable DVD player for use at home too (or just use your laptop).
45. Consolidate your phone and cable services.
46. Premium movie channels plus DVR instead of buying DVDs.
47. Buy your cable modem.
48. Use VOIP (Internet phone service) for long distance.
49. Cancel unused magazine subscriptions.
50. Listen to On Your Money. Ok…let’s broaden that one out Kevin! How about, learn as much as you can about money matters?

I wish I had such deep pockets.

Sometimes it pays to wait.