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With the holidays in full swing and the end of the year just around the corner, the joy of giving is stronger than ever. Our friends at FS Financial Strategies share why making a holiday gift is more than just a selfless gesture. It’s also in your best interest.

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“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
– Winston Churchill

It may be the most wonderful time of the year, but ’tis more than just the season to be jolly! We all want to make a difference and express gratitude to the charitable cause closest to our hearts. Even the smallest investments today, can make the most life-changing improvements that will influence generations to come. By giving in a positive, engaging and impactful way, you too can experience the benefits of the gift that keeps on giving.
Just to give you a glimpse of how giving opens the way for receiving:

It Can Lead to an Increase in Your Health

A study conducted by Ashley Whillans UBC PhD graduate found that the more people spent on others, the more their blood pressure decreased over the next two years. The research also found significant health differences between two trial study groups of candidates who spent money on others versus themselves. When measured for three consecutive weeks, the group who spent on others ultimately had lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure when compared to the group who spent money on themselves.

It Can Increase Your Level of Happiness and Fulfillment

A similar project published in the journal of Current Directions in Psychological Science compared those who spent money on themselves versus others, and drew the conclusion that those who spent money on others were significantly happier than those who spent money on themselves. Individuals for the two research groups were given random monetary amounts to spend with instructions on whom to spend it on. The participants were then surveyed, and their post money spending experiences and feelings recorded. As the act of giving provides an opportunity for people to connect to one another, it allows for the fundamental human need of connectivity to be met. Scientific findings also found that when people give in a prosocial way, their reward centers become stimulated and activated leading to higher levels of overall satisfaction.

It Becomes a Useful Year-End Tax Credit for You

As a taxpayer you are eligible to claim donations up to 75% of your net income for the year and for those in the year of death, up to 100%. This means, for any gifts you donate to a qualified organization and cause, you will receive a tax credit which can be deducted from the total amount of taxes you owe at the end of the year. This opportunity cuts off yearly on December 31st so make sure you get your donations in this year before December 31st to qualify!

With nearly 24 million people in Canada making a financial donation to a charitable or non-profit organization, we ask you, what’s the charity closest to your heart, and how can you enrich the lives of others, make a difference, and leave your mark in 2015?

Visit the FS Financial Strategies to learn about ways to give (and save), including the Mission of Care Program and Leaving a Legacy. Plus, discover a variety of ways to give directly to Spinal Cord Injury BC. 

Donate to SCI BC today!
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  • Robyn

    I live in the U SA SC I have a spinal cord injury no answers, help, hope. Can’t get medical help, social work, medical equipment, specialized care. Don’t know where to turn!,If I could get to the uk with a small room would never leave! My dream to live and be able to travel, around!,,,

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