You often hear how you should sign up for a 401k through your employer, or start college funding for your kids by putting money into a 529 plan. You may be dabbling in the stock market, but aren't sure how any gains or losses you realize may have an impact on your tax situation. What role do these [...]
I've been involved in several direct sales organizations while in college, attempting to make some extra money on the side with companies like Avon and JuicePlus. Being a math nerd, I took meticulous records and every spreadsheet I made showed either a loss or barely breaking even. I eventually quit working on those businesses because of [...]
The first tax season as an entrepreneur can be confusing. On one hand, you are excited about your brand new venture and all the possibilities that come with being your own boss. However, you heard some random information floating around about the IRS and how now you can write off your lunches or that movie you went to see with your husband because “we talked about our business in the car on the way so really it was a business meeting”. You’re not sure what to believe, what receipts to keep, and how to manage all the details. Totally understandable. So let’s clear this up with a question a taxpayer recently asked me about business meals and mileage record-keeping: “How do you simplify your tax records for filing? For example, your mileage or meals if you take someone to lunch for your business or if you and your husband are discussing your business. Can you claim your meal?” […]
2015 has been an interesting year. Some great things have happened…and some not-so-great things. Life is unpredictable, but life as an entrepreneur seems doubly unpredictable. It’s not for the faint of heart or the easily discouraged. […]
So Little Sis, Baby Sis, and Baby Brother have started college this fall. With that comes all the usual nervousness, excitement, and worry that comes with embarking upon a new life chapter. While some freshmen are going in excited about breaking away from their parents’ all-seeing eyes and partying, for the most part, these kids are worrying about making straight A’s and whether or not they can manage their other obligations with school. Thank God for that! Being a life-long productivity student has allowed me to come across and recommend a few tools that have worked great for me. The tools can help college students of any age, and are really easy to use and implement. They assist the college student with being productive by helping them focus and never miss an assignment. […]
