It seems everyone has a tale of a bad rental experience. If you rent anything – a home, a piece of equipment, or a car – here are some hints that can make it a positive experience. Read all agreements. Read the lease agreement thoroughly prior to signing. Ask for clarification of anything you do […]
When facing life’s inevitable bumps in the road, an emergency fund is essential to maintaining financial security. Planning for emergencies is like buying insurance: you pay into an account and hope you’ll never have to use it. But life happens. Cars break down. Roofs leak. Kids get injured. Having money in the bank to cover […]
The statistics are staggering. The majority of Americans do not save for retirement or have not saved enough for retirement. Make sure you’re taking these three steps to be financially prepared for your retirement. Nearly half (45 percent) of working-age households don’t have any retirement assets, according to the National Institute on Retirement Security. Of […]
“Dad, I need some extra money to go to the movies with my friends.” If you are a parent, you’ve probably heard countless requests like this. At some point your kids will discover they can no longer rely on you for all their financial needs. Because recent studies have found that teaching financial literacy is […]
You may receive correspondence from the IRS that contains an error. What should you do? Here are some quotes from actual IRS correspondence received by clients: “Our records show we received a 1040X…for the tax year listed above. We’re sorry but we cannot find it.” “Our records show you owe a balance due of $0.00. […]
If so, the recent changes WILL AFFECT YOU! WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: These changes are retroactive and apply starting January 1, 2017. Business and rental income (Sole Proprietors, S Corporation and Partnership owners) which was previously exempt from Kansas tax is once again taxable. Increase in tax rates for 2017. The highest rate will […]
You’re probably familiar with 529 college savings plans. Named for Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code, they’re also known as qualified tuition programs, and they offer tax benefits when you save for college expenses. But are you aware of a lesser-known cousin, established under Section 530 of the code? It’s called a Coverdell Education […]
Turnover is an often overlooked cost of doing business. Sometimes it can run as high as 25% of salary and benefits. One way to reduce this cost is to hire wisely. It’s an oft-quoted cliché that employees are a company’s most valuable assets. Try generating revenue with unmotivated or unskilled employees, and you’ll soon discover […]
Whether your firm has been operating for years, or you decided over last night’s coffee to start a new venture, you’re sure to face the need for business credit. Entrepreneurs often ask friends and family to invest in their start-up businesses, and many draw on personal funds to launch new firms. But to address ongoing […]
If you want to improve your home’s market value, curb appeal matters. The condition of your front yard, entry area, driveway, and sidewalks will color the impression of everything else a potential buyer sees during a visit. Homes with great curb appeal usually command higher prices and spend less time on the market. Luckily there […]