So, you’re back from the honeymoon and setting up a life together as a married couple. Congrats! You have so many great times ahead of you. Of course, great times happen more frequently when newlyweds are on the same financial page. And that means setting up a budget. But don’t worry, budgeting isn’t a chore. It’s […]
It’s that time of year. The beach and the mountains are calling. You might be getting invitations to weddings in far-flung locales. And in the middle of the year, most of us are itching for a break from the daily routine. So, our internet browser entries are full of vacation searches that our bank account […]
Admittedly, many articles on this blog regarding taxes are cautionary. However, that’s prudent since the goal is to help you navigate events like audits and avoid pitfalls like liens against your personal property. But it’s not all doom and gloom with the IRS. A tax refund can be a bright spot in your year and […]
The Federal Reserve made its biggest interest rate hike in 22 years, and more are on the horizon. In an environment like this, where inflation is outpacing personal income and the investment outlook is murky, it can be easy to get lost in confusion. International strains like the war in Ukraine and ongoing pandemic restrictions […]
The buzzword on everyone’s lips these days is inflation. It’s in the news and in everyday conversations with friends and family. But, of course, inflation, in and of itself, isn’t a bad thing. The Federal Reserve tries to ensure a modest rate of inflation, about 2% every year. Doing so gives them wiggle room to […]
News flash. Building strong, trusting business relationships is essential for long-term success. Okay, maybe that’s pretty obvious, but it is certainly easier said than done. At least in the U.S., business systems are built around a sense of competition. And that competitive fire can lead to dog-eat-dog environments where ethics and relationships are jettisoned in […]
Accounting is one of those subjects business owners tend to ignore. Because, let’s face it, there’s a lot to do as an entrepreneur, and digging into finances can be confusing and scary. But the words of Marcus Lemonis always ring true; if you don’t know your numbers, you don’t know your business. Of course, […]
It can be easy to take things for granted in today’s booming job market. And while it seems like jobs are available for the taking today, that situation can change at any time. That’s why it’s essential to be ready for a rainy day by creating an emergency fund. Most experts recommend having three to […]
One of the greatest dangers a business can face is a run-in with the IRS over payroll taxes. IRS auditors won’t hesitate to swoop in and take care of the problem whenever they suspect payroll taxes aren’t paid. The reason is simple. The IRS considers it their money, and they would rather shutter the doors […]
Chances are you’ve heard nightmare stories about a friend-of-a-friend who had to go through an IRS audit. Unfortunately, these scary scenarios almost always end in financial calamity. The first thing to remember is the IRS conducts individual tax audits on less than 1% of all filers in an average year. So your chances of going […]