Refunds & UN-Automating Your Life

Success is not measured by what you accomplish but by the opposition you have encountered, and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds. – Orison Swett Marden Last week, I posted my Note about automating your investment savings. After posting it, I did some more thinking about the whole notion of automating our lives, and … Read More

Refunds & UN-Automating Your Life

Kindergartners With A Credit Card?

"Good, better, best. Never rest until good be better and better best." – Mother Goose Google tells me that Mother Goose didn’t *actually* exist — but she sure was smart, eh? We’re heading into spring … and just a couple weeks remain here in "tax season" (what we tax professionals call it). I do hope that, by now, you’ve taken … Read More

Kindergartners With A Credit Card?

Posting This Again

“I’d rather regret the things I’ve done than regret the things I haven’t done.” – Lucille Ball Well, last week I departed from my normal area of expertise, and wrote a real-world guide on preparing your family and home for a true disaster. Got lots of feedback — thank you! But, I thought I should re-enter the fray of my … Read More

Posting This Again

The Japan Disaster And You

He who loses wealth loses much; he who loses a friend loses more; but he that loses his courage loses all. – Miguel De Cervantes It’s deja vu all over again, with another massive earthquake coming during tax time this year. Last year, it was Haiti … this year, of course, it’s Japan. The fallout (if you’ll forgive that term, … Read More

The Japan Disaster And You

Are You Working Without A Net?

"Then give to the world the best you have, and the best will come back to you." – Madeline Bridges Before I get to what I wrote this week, I wanted you to know that there are a few important "announcements", following my Note, which affect your tax situation for 2010 (i.e. the taxes we’re helping you prepare NOW), or … Read More

Are You Working Without A Net?

A Friendly Tip (Not About Taxes)

“It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked.” – Kahlil Gibran Last Monday, there was a certain holiday to attend to, and it’s pretty easy to let things sort of slide on by after that point. But here’s my advice for you: Don’t stop there. Yes, yes — the old canard: EVERY day is … Read More

A Friendly Tip (Not About Taxes)

Now what?

“It’s income tax time again, Americans: time to gather up those receipts, get out those tax forms, sharpen up that pencil, and stab yourself in the aorta.” – Dave Barry Every year, around this time, I find myself blogging about “procrastination” and its dangers, as well as observations from tax season thus far. But this year is different. I’m writing … Read More

Now what?

Just making sure…

“Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.” – Michael Jordan Well, we’re nearing the home stretch in tax season. Since the deadline for individuals (April 15th) is just under a month out, we’ve been “packing them … Read More

Just making sure…

Audit-proof your life

“The past does not define you, the present does.” – Jillian Michaels I hope your weekend went well–our family has been enjoying the Olympics, and, in particular, many of the stories which go with it. If you’ve paid any attention, you probably heard about American, Lindsey Vonn. She’s known as perhaps the world’s top female skier having dominated the World … Read More

Audit-proof your life

Valentine’s Day follow-up

“Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus when the limo breaks down.” – Oprah Winfrey So, this is the big question of the week: how did Valentine’s go? Some say it’s a “Hallmark Holiday”, but well–some spouses think otherwise, right? Well, if you blew it, … Read More

Valentine’s Day follow-up