Lifestyle
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Life Planning: Saving for Retirement
Planning for Retirement I’ve said before that I am not a financial advisor. But I have learned a few things along my path. It is very important to save something for retirement. I am a firm believer that we are the makers of our own destiny and as such we are responsible for the planning that takes us to that destiny. That said, I have always been a bit skeptical about the reliability of Social Security benefits by the time I reach that golden age. So I have taken some steps to make sure there is something in the coffers when I need it. Tip #1:…
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Money: Saving For College
If you have at least one child I’m sure you have at least thought about what to do about saving for their education. Choosing the right option can be a daunting task. There are many factors to consider. This post is not designed to help you choose what option is best for you, but to give you a bit of information on what the options are. I want to focus on three options. The Pre-Paid Tuition Plan – This type of plan allows you to pay for tomorrow’s college costs at today’s price. Sounds great, right? Well there are some things you should know. First, your child must…
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Gifts That Makes Cents For Kids
The newest toy fad will keep the kids occupied for a few months until a newer one comes out, or they just grow tired of it. Teenagers like gift cards so they can choose their own presents. But recent studies revealed that billions of dollars in gift cards go unredeemed each year, and that the full value of the cards are never realized due to the fees charged by the issuer. Holidays may be over, but gifts are given year round and here are a few ideas that will not only instill financial responsibility, but give kids an early lesson on investing and savings. Gold There are few investments…
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Tory Johnson’s Spark & Hustle 15-City Tour
Last year I attended the Tory Johnson’s Spark & Hustle business seminar in Los Angeles, California. Erin Condren had told me about the event about two months prior during our phone interview. She told me she had seen great success with her product sales after being featured on Good Morning America Tory Johnson’s program that features entrepreneurial moms and their products. She said Tory invited her to be one of the featured speakers and recommended that I attend the Los Angeles event. I don’t normally attend these type of events, but after doing some research about Tory Johnson and the Spark & Hustle seminars she created – I figured this just might be the push…
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Basic Bookkeeping Systems For Your Home-Based Business
Business Bookkeeping for Your Home-Based Business (Part 2) As we work our way through the holidays, it’s a good idea to set up your bookkeeping for the coming year. This way, when you start your business activity for the new year you will be all set to keep track of everything. A basic bookkeeping system for a home based business can be as simple as a notebook or as complex as accounting software. It’s best to keep it simple, at least at first. Get a notebook. You can get a spiral bound book so that you don’t lose pages. I would recommend a book with two sections…
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Money Matters: Business or Hobby?
Is My Hobby Really A Business? “Generally, an activity qualifies as a business if it is carried on with the reasonable expectation of earning a profit.” (IRS Pub FS-2007-18, April 2007) You have been crocheting blankets for years. It is a relaxing activity that you really enjoy. People have offered to pay you to make one for them. You think, “Why not?” Do you intend to start making blankets (or other items) for a profit? Or, do you just want to have your friends reimburse you for the cost of the materials? If you don’t intend to make a profit from your sales then you are engaging in…
