“Simplicity is making the journey of this life with just baggage enough.” -Charles Dudley Warner There was a recent “Freakonomics” podcast about the folly of prediction. Fascinating stuff — and (predictably) one of the most valuable conclusions? The experts are usually wrong. When you study how experts make opinions and, more importantly, the characteristics of those who make GOOD predictions, … Read More
Deadlines and Mistakes
“The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear.” -Socrates I’m continuing my (well-received — thank you!) series on hidden financial mistakes this week. But first a few reminders for you: 1) “Extension friends” (that means the ones who filed for one in April, or earlier): we’re coming down to the wire … Read More
“A Tax Hike For You?” Northridge Accountant Advises
"Fresh activity is the only means of overcoming adversity." – Goethe Monday morning, we all woke up to a new deficit-reduction plan from the White House: raise taxes. (Story here: http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-obama-deficit-20110918,0,2819262.story ) I’m not here to beat anyone’s political head on the wall, so I’ll restrict my comments to a few key points — for YOU: 1) It’s not a … Read More
A Story You Should Read
Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does. – William James This might offend you, though I’m not trying to ruffle feathers — however, I will be a bit bold here: Could you be focusing too much attention on your family? Now, far be it from me to suggest that your family isn’t the BEST possible investment … Read More
It’s About Halftime
"Time is free, but it’s priceless. You can’t own it, but you can use it. You can’t keep it, but you can spend it. Once you’ve lost it you can never get it back." – Harvey Mackay I have an action item for you in a moment, but before I get there, allow me to explain… You see, one of … Read More
Northridge Tax Professional Answers, “How Warren Buffett Did It”
“Fortune favors the bold.” – Virgil Ah, sweet May. I love it. The birds are chirping and the flowers are blooming. Once the weather begins to get warmer, you see people start thinking about summer and, of course, they want to lose weight to look good in their bathing suits. Why do so many wait until it gets warmer until … Read More
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
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
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
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