Find My Goodwill

Career and Financial Advice for December 2015

Two men seated outdoors in conversation; one wears a blue dress shirt and striped tie, the other a gray t-shirt.

Here are some career and financial advice articles published this month—read each piece, share your thoughts, and join GoodProspects to take advantage of everything at Goodwill’s online career navigation portal!

May the Force Awaken in Congress

Desert scene with a mud-brick hut, arched doorway, and a weathered metal device beside rolling sand dunes.

Last week, as Hollywood celebrated the much-anticipated film Star Wars: The Force Awakens, people in Washington, DC (or as I like to call it, “Hollywood for Geeks”), celebrated the end of the year’s Congressional session with the passage of a $1.1 trillion spending bill along with a tax extenders bill. Having just purchased my tickets for The Force Awakens, the DC geek in me can’t help but feel as though the credits are rolling on the second part of a three-part Congressional trilogy.

Bright New Beginnings for 2016

Colorful party poppers with confetti on a bright yellow background.

As the end of 2015 approaches, it’s natural to begin contemplating changes and improvements for the new year ahead. The ringing in of 2016 isn’t just about throwing a great party – although, let’s be honest, going the extra mile to find fun dress and décor is a wonderful way to start on a positive […]

Taxpayers Receive a Special Gift Just in Time for the Holidays

A brown paper-wrapped gift tied with a red and white gingham ribbon on a white wooden surface.

Tis’ the season of giving, and it appears that Congress has delivered a gift to individual taxpayers and the charitable sector this week. While negotiating a budget deal to keep the government open, lawmakers were also negotiating the extension of a number of tax provisions (52 to be exact), which were set to expire at the end of the year. The tax agreement passed the House on Thursday. The Senate is likely to pass the bill on Friday. Some of the provisions in the agreement were made permanent while others would be reinstated through 2019, reinstated through 2016, or phased out over time.

Take a Goodwill Challenge

Assorted holiday felt decorations on a wooden table, including a reindeer, stitched trees, and snowflake ornaments

It isn’t often that I get sucked into YouTube, watching one video after another, but I have to admit that I get hopelessly lost whenever I start watching $5 Goodwill Challenge videos. Tonight was especially bad because two of my loves were combined: Goodwill and Christmas. But how could I help myself? It turns out that there are some truly posh holiday displays shared online designed around Goodwill finds. Here are a few.

Tick Tock, Tick Tock

Round analog clock with red hands on a light wooden surface

Oh no, here we go again…maybe. Congress has once again brought our government to the verge of shutdown, not because there are wide differences over the spending levels, but rather over a host of unrelated policy issues best handled as stand-alone legislation than attached to annual spending bills.

My Story: Lee Ann Hannaford

Smiling woman with short dark hair and glasses sits indoors, with a lit cross in the background.

Lee Ann Hannaford is the winner of Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut’s (Bridgeport) 2015 Spirit of Inspiration Award, She discusses how she has recently been able to overcome living with a debilitating brain injury and hopes for the future.

Your Quest for the Perfect Gift Begins at Goodwill

Brown kraft-wrapped gifts tied with red-and-white twine, beside pine branches and a pine cone on a wooden surface.

How’s your holiday shopping coming? I’ve tracked down a few of my most important gifts, but there is still much to be done on my end before Christmas arrives. In an effort to save money and give thoughtful, handmade gifts, I’ve turned to Goodwill. If you’re in the same boat as me, I thought I’d share a few of my plans for this holiday season in hopes of inspiring yours.

Confessions of a Holiday “Stuff Gatekeeper”

Mother and child with a Goodwill donation box among donated toys and blankets in a living room.

On Cyber Monday, I purchased items from Goodwill’s online retail partners. Upon delivery, I’ll remove my new items, and fill the shipping boxes with my Black Friday donations. Next, I’ll print a pre-paid shipping label at givebackbox.com . Finally, I can send the box of donations to my local Goodwill, and it will sell my donations to generate revenues which support employment, job training and other services that create strong families in my community.

A Christmas Kickoff

Advent wreath with lit red candles, evergreen greens, berries, and a red ribbon on a festive table.

Thanksgiving is over, so it’s now officially okay to start celebrating Christmas (if that’s your thing, anyway). It’s always been an important holiday in my family so I’m excited to throw myself into decorating, party planning, and gift buying with all the vigor of a well-rested reindeer on Christmas Eve morning. Join me, will you?

After Thanksgiving, Celebrate Your Community by Taking Part in #GivingTuesday

Smiling family around a sunlit kitchen table, with a woman in an apron standing and serving.

The holidays spotlight the distinct contrasts within our communities. On one hand, there’s a great deal of consumerism and overindulgence that goes along with the activities and traditions, helping to distract us during an otherwise cold and dark season. The season starts with a day to feast and give thanks and two days to find bargains. On the other hand, there are many among us experiencing poverty. Unlike any other time of the year, the stark contrast motivates many to give back.

Career and Financial Advice for November 2015

Man wearing glasses in a blue shirt discussing data with a colleague beside a computer monitor.

The Goodwill blog’s career and financial advice posts have all moved to GoodProspects, but you can still get great advice on your job search, learn about career fields and connect with virtual career mentors. Here are some recent articles published this month—read each piece, share your thoughts, and join GoodProspects to take advantage of everything at Goodwill’s online career navigation portal!