Donate by Cell-Phone

There's a new way to donate this season: Zap a text message on your cell phone. Many charities, including the American Red Cross and CARE, are soliciting and accepting donations this way. Key in what you want to give, hit "send," and the amount shows up on your next phone bill. The service has appeal for consumers who don't want to load up their credit cards or who don't want to load up their credit cards or who don't want to use them online.

Requests for donations are usually sent only to people who have signed up for text-message updates. Cingular Wireless, however, has solicited donations from its customers. To keep your mobile clean, enter your number into the National Do Not Call Registery (www.donotcall.gov as we explained in our recent posting).

If you do decide to give, you may be charged for the messages on top of whatever you donate--though at 5 to 10 cents per text message, it's cheaper than mailing a check.