Finances
The Home Gain Exclusion: Make Sure You Qualify!
The home gain exclusion is one of the most generous tax breaks available to taxpayers, providing the ability to exclude up to $250,000 ($500,000 married) in capital gains on the sale of your personal residence. Here is what you need to know. Background As long as you own and live in your home…
Read MoreEveryone Wants a Piece of Your Income
There is an old wisdom: Put a live frog in hot water and he’ll jump out. Put a live frog in cold water, turn the burner on and you’ll have frog legs for dinner. This wisdom is not lost on some businesses as they know it’s easier to sell you a service once and then…
Read MoreCreating Financial Goals as a Couple
Financial goals make it possible for you and your partner to achieve the things you dream about. Here are several action items you can do to create – and achieve – financial goals as a couple: Start talking sooner rather than later. Finances can be hard to talk about. People sometimes feel guilty about debt or…
Read MoreKeys to Keeping Great Business Records
Your bookkeeping system is the financial heart and lifeblood of your business. When set up and operating properly, your books help you make smart decisions and seamlessly turn your financial data into useful information. Here are four key characteristics to building and maintaining a healthy bookkeeping system: Select the proper accounting method. There are two different…
Read MoreTips to Get Your Finances in Tip-Top Shape
Here are some tips to get your finances in tip-top shape for 2023. Know your net worth. The first step to improving your finances in 2023 is to create a snapshot of your current financial situation. So note all your assets, then subtract all your liabilities (what you owe others) to calculate your net worth.…
Read More6 Ways to Cut Your Everyday Expenses
Many people dream of making more money, but cutting expenses can have the same effect. Identify unnecessary expenses with these six money-saving ideas and help free up some cash: Eliminate late fees. Most late fees are the result of being too busy, traveling or simply forgetting. Fortunately, late fees are almost entirely avoidable if you have…
Read MoreCustomer Retention Metrics You Need to Know
Your business’s ability to retain customers is one of the most important components to sustained growth and profitability. Here are the three retention metrics useful for every business owner. Retention rate. Most customer retention is measured over a set period of time, typically one year. To determine your rate, take a look at the number…
Read MorePlanning for Future Care: A Financial Dilemma
Long-term care costs that drain your nest egg is a financial pothole that is hard to avoid. Here are some ideas to help manage this hazard. How much is needed Here’s how much money you’ll need for three different types of senior living arrangements according to Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey: In-home care…
Read MoreMake Your Cash Worth More!
Banking tips to help you cash in Your cash is parked in a bank account. Do you know if it’s making or losing you money? Here are some ideas to help you make the most of your banked cash: Understand your bank accounts. Not all bank accounts are created equal. Interest rates, monthly fees, minimum balances,…
Read MoreUnderstanding Tax Credits Versus Deductions
Tax credits are some of the most valuable tools around to help cut your tax bill. But figuring out how to use these credits on your tax return can get complicated very quickly. Here’s what you need to know. Understanding the difference To help illustrate the difference between a credit and a deduction, here is…
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