How to really make, and not just take, a vacation

 

In today's economic times, people find it hard to justify taking a vacation. There is nothing better than finding a way to create a vacation that makes memories for a lifetime. After many hours of research, I found a way to take a vacation that is not only justified, but necessary. Maybe you have heard of them, called "Humanitarian Vacations".
 
Yes, I did just use the "H" word. But don't let it scare you away! There are more personal rewards and tax breaks for this kind of pleasure than you can imagine.

• What does taking a "Humanitarian Vacation" mean? Plan your vacation in an area that you would like to spend time in. Make sure to book your vacation in advance in order to assure that there is room for you at that location. People who get involved in these vacations have a variety of assignments ranging from: Working with abused women and children, provide help at orphanages for children, assisting in building homes for those in financial binds, bring relief efforts (food, blankets, etc) to the needy, share professional or career building skills, helping with environmental causes, etc.
   
• Why should you consider taking a "Humanitarian vacation"? The answers are simple. See a need, fill a need. If you can take a vacation, see any part of the world that you want, even if it is close to home, isn't it wonderful to add that extra element of helping others into the equation? A life lesson for our children and our families is to learn to work together as a community. It's a wonderful concept to show our children how to be a part of a better society by showing them how they can get directly hands on. Depending on how much time you have for your vacation, you can spend a week or two providing service and still have plenty of time for sightseeing. Keep in mind, it gives you tax breaks!
   

• How can I use my vacation to get a tax deduction? Simple- take a "Humanitarian Vacation". To qualify for a tax deduction, you'll first need to sign up with an organization that has 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. The second element is a bit fuzzier. The IRS insists that the volunteer work must have no significant element of personal pleasure or recreation. For trips to a distant location, this means you'll need to volunteer about eight hours a day, five days a week to qualify to deduct the airfare or other expenses incurred getting to and from your destination. Make sure to consult with your tax accountant to maximize your deductions for your trip.

A real life experience. Mimi O'Hagan, 78, loves traveling and working with her hands. In 2006, she traveled to Ethiopia and worked with American and Ethiopian volunteers to build a house. "This was a life-changing experience," she says. After talking with her accountant, O'Hagan discovered that her experience was valuable in more ways than one: She had also earned a tax deduction on the program fee, meals and other volunteer-related expenses. O'Hagan deducted $2,500 in expenses, saving about $900 on her taxes.
 
If your looking for a way to expand the horizon for your family, if you are newly married, or you are just looking for a unique and incredible way to make your vacation justifiable, a "Humanitarian Vacation" can you think of a better way to bond your family than by feeding the hungry, bringing relief to the needy, or furthering an environmental cause?

For more info: Web sites like those sponsored by VolunTourism (www.voluntourism.org) and Transitions Abroad (www.transitionsabroad.com) provide connections to several organizations that sponsor short-term humanitarian excursions

You can hook up with a tourism company that arranges its own volunteer projects, such as GlobeAware (www.globeaware.org), which sponsors trips to fourteen different countries around the world, including Mexico, Costa Rica, China, Brazil, and Nepal – and you can even take on a project in Transylvania, Romania!

Global Volunteers (www.globalvolunteers.org) sponsors well-regarded service programs to twenty-one countries, and Cross-Cultural Solutions (www.crossculturalsolutions.org) offers volunteer opportunities at twenty sites in twelve countries. 

If you’d rather stay closer to home, New Orleans is still in need of relief workers, so check out the possibilities on the Friends of New Orleans Web site (www.friendsofneworleans.org) or at Hands On New Orleans (www.handsonneworleans.com) 

Where ever you go, I wish you happy, safe and affordable travels. 

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