Now that the holidays are over, it’s time to discuss taxes. That, and losing weight. I’m not sure which is worse, dealing with tax returns or dropping those 10 extra pounds of eggnog and glazed ham. Neither are fun. But, preparing for April 15th doesn’t have to be bad. In fact, it can be good if we get creative in reducing our tax liability. Think boats.

Life at the lake means one thing: lots of them. Do you have one you’d like to unload? Are you in the market for a new one and don’t want to deal with the hassle of selling? Is your company relocating you to a different part of the country and you can’t (or don’t want to) take it with you? I have personal experience with this one. Or do you just want to help out a local nonprofit out of the goodness of your heart to improve quality of life in your community? Regardless of the reason, The North Carolina Community Sailing & Rowing Center can help. Located in Cornelius, they will gladly take that boat off your hands with a team of dedicated professionals ready to personalize a mutually beneficial plan for everyone involved.

While it may be too late to affect your 2012 return (and it may not be – ask a professional), there’s plenty of time to think about benefiting yourself and NCCSR next year. One visit to the docks of local marinas around here tells me plenty of you out there should consider taking advantage of this before your abandoned property becomes less recognizable as a floating vessel and more like something out of a horror movie. I’ve never understood folks who leave their boats unattended, year after year, tattered, worn … who keeps paying the slip lease?

For details on the North Carolina Community Sailing & Rowing Center’s Donate Your Boat program, visit their website at http://www.nccsailrowing.org/wp/how-to-help/donate-your-boat/ or call 704-947-7245.

I’ll be contacting them, that’s for sure. Not because I have a boat to donate, or because I need to reduce my tax burden. I just want to shrink my waist and adult rowing classes start soon. Scott, one of the instructors there, assures me it’s the perfect total body workout and more fun than going to the gym.

Last, but not least, parents of interested youth ages 12-18, you have one weekend left to sign your kids up for the 2013 Winter Training Session. Registration for Sessions I & II closes this coming Monday, Jan. 14. Don’t miss out. You can thank me later.

Robin Gibson is a writer living in Cornelius. You can find her blog at http://www.robingibsonart.com/blog.html.