Dana McGuffin CPA Blog

Leasing vs. Buying a Car

By Dana McGuffin | June 27, 2019 | Comments Off on Leasing vs. Buying a Car

There are many reasons for you to lease a car versus buy a car, but too often it is the auto dealer’s profit motive that determines which method you use rather than what’s best for your budget and lifestyle. To help you make an informed decision, here are some things to consider: When to lease…

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4 Key Metrics to Fortify Your Business

By Dana McGuffin | June 20, 2019 | Comments Off on 4 Key Metrics to Fortify Your Business

Even the best, well-prepared business plans can unravel quickly without a process in place to evaluate performance. Creating a scorecard with quality metrics can give you the daily insight you need to successfully run a business without drowning in the details. Create a scorecard that works An effective scorecard gives you a holistic view of the…

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7 Secrets to Amazon Success

By Dana McGuffin | June 13, 2019 | Comments Off on 7 Secrets to Amazon Success

With 6 million buyers visiting Amazon every day, it is tempting for a small business to explore listing their products to take advantage of this sales channel. However, it is not for the faint of heart. Here are seven secrets to a great selling experience: Select the right products. Try to find a product in…

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How to Raise a Financially Savvy Child

By Dana McGuffin | June 6, 2019 | Comments Off on 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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Hints to Eliminate Monthly Bill Creep

By Dana McGuffin | May 30, 2019 | Comments Off on Hints to Eliminate Monthly Bill Creep

Paying bills is inevitable, but paying too much is not. Are you aware of all the services you are paying for every month? Here are some tips to help you get a handle on your recurring monthly expenses: Investigate your recurring services. Start by taking stock of every service you are currently using. Review your…

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

By Dana McGuffin | May 23, 2019 | Comments Off on 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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2019 State Business Tax Climate Rankings

By Dana McGuffin | May 16, 2019 | Comments Off on 2019 State Business Tax Climate Rankings

The tax climate for businesses varies dramatically depending on where your business is located. State business environments are constantly shifting; some states readily enact changes made at the federal level, while others do not. Each year the non-profit Tax Foundation organization announces a ranking of tax burdens for businesses. The results of its 2019 ranking…

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Major Life Changes Ahead? Read This!

By Dana McGuffin | May 9, 2019 | Comments Off on Major Life Changes Ahead? Read This!

Too often major life decisions have tax implications attached to them. For the unwary, this can create a fairly large and unexpected tax bill. Here are four examples of major life changes that can have complicated tax implications: Changing jobs. Whether it’s a new, exciting opportunity or a result of being laid off, a job…

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5 Things Every High School Senior Should Know

By Dana McGuffin | May 2, 2019 | Comments Off on 5 Things Every High School Senior Should Know

As the school year rolls into February, suddenly the realization sets in that high school seniors only have a few months left before graduation. Here are five things each graduate should understand before their big graduation day: Debt needs to be managed carefully. It is way too easy to burden oneself under a pile of…

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7 Tax-Free Ideas to Bolster Your Business Benefits Package

By Dana McGuffin | April 25, 2019 | Comments Off on 7 Tax-Free Ideas to Bolster Your Business Benefits Package

The benefits package offered by your business is extremely important to your employees. How important? A survey performed by the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) found that benefits are directly tied to overall job satisfaction for 92 percent of employees. Even more importantly, 29 percent of employees cited the overall benefits package at their…

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