Watch Out For These Unexpected Tax Surprises!

No one likes surprises from the IRS, but they do occasionally happen. Here are some examples of tax situations you could find yourself in and what to do about them. Kids getting older tax surprise. Your children are a wonderful tax deduction if they meet certain qualifications. But as they get older, many child-related deductions fall…

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Six Simple Ideas to Help Your Small Business

Here are six ideas to help your business grow and thrive this summer. Understand your cash flow. One of the biggest causes of business failure is lack of understanding cash flow. At the end of the day, you need enough cash to pay your vendors and your employees. If you run a seasonal business you understand…

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Should I Tap into my Retirement Funds?

  Often if you are in dire need for money the most tempting area to look is your IRA, 401(k), and other qualified retirement accounts. These funds, set aside for your retirement, may seem to be the answer to your financial woes. Should I take an early withdrawal? Is it a good idea to tap…

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How to Raise a Financially Savvy Child

If you have children (or grandchildren) you have an opportunity to give them a jump-start on their journey to becoming financially responsible adults. While teaching your child about money and finances is easier when you start early, it’s never too late to impart your wisdom. Here are some age-relevant suggestions to help develop a financially…

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Hey Alexa. Are you Making Me Dumb? 3 Concerns To Consider While Living With A Smart Speaker

Smart speakers like the Amazon Echo and Google Home are popping up everywhere. According to a Nielsen study from last September, nearly one of every four U.S. households has a smart speaker – 40 percent of those homes have more than one. For some, the speaker is an easy way to play music, for others…

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Find Your Sleep Sweet Spot

We’ve all heard it before – sleep is important, and you probably aren’t getting enough of it. But did you know that too much sleep can be just as harmful? The Mayo Clinic recommends the ideal sleep range at 7-9 hours per night for adults. According to the National Sleep Foundation, here are some tips…

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The Eye-Opening Video Games Phenomena

Over the course of the last 20 years, video games have morphed from an entertainment choice to a lifestyle. According to a 2018 Nielsen study, a whopping 66 percent of Americans 13 and older identify themselves as gamers. Here’s what you need to know: Major developments A massive 24/7 online community. Instead of needing friends…

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Student Loan Forgiveness Creates New Tax Trap

There’s a new student loan repayment program that forgives some student loan debt if other payments are made. This new debt forgiveness is creating a tax surprise for the unsuspecting student. Here is what you need to know. The debt forgiveness program dilemma To combat the hardship of high student loan debt, a popular new…

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Useful Online Productivity and Security Tools

Here are several popular free or inexpensive online tools that can help manage and protect your online activities. They range from password management tools to security protection services. Password Managers A decade-old study by Microsoft estimates that the average person memorizes about six passwords and reuses them over and over. Today most people use dozens…

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Elements of a Good Business Partnership

Like a bundle of sticks, good business partners support each other and are less likely to crack under strain together than on their own. In fact, companies with multiple owners have a stronger chance of surviving their first five years than sole proprietorships, according to U.S. Small Business Administration data. Yet sole proprietorships are more…

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