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 […]
Spring is right around the corner, and that means warmer weather and longer days. Unfortunately, it also means tax season is upon us. The sweet, siren song of Spring can make it easy to put things off. So can the fear that stems from navigating the web of tax laws. No matter what’s holding you […]
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 […]
The new year brings resolutions, but it also brings taxes. So, if you’ve resolved to keep more of the money you made last year, take a look at this list of often-overlooked tax deductions. State sales tax Louisiana has its fair share of state taxes. But you can turn these in your favor by claiming […]
Building credit takes time. So, once you have earned a good score, it’s important to hang onto it. Part of knowing how to keep a good credit rating is understanding how you are graded. The other part is creating a plan based on that knowledge. The good news is you only need to know five […]
You’ll often read about personal finance based on long-term commitments like budgeting. And it is true. Gaining control of personal finances requires forming good long-term habits. But those habits have to start somewhere, and sometimes they can take root with simple money hacks. One of the most effective areas to try a money hack is […]