"The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t said." – Peter F. Drucker As I wrote a couple weeks ago, the start of the year is pretty important, in my opinion. And the LAST thing you need is to be stressed over finances. Yet that’s, unfortunately, how many families start their year, this year. So, is there anything … Read More
Northridge Tax Professional’s: “Back-of-the-Napkin Financial Principles Even *I* Use”
"The game of life is not so much in holding a good hand as playing a poor hand well." – H. T. Leslie Meeting with clients this past week (and the week before) has been a blast. No — really! And yes, I know, I should get out more. The reason we enjoy doing this (especially this time of year), … Read More
Guarding Against Your Own Private Downgrade
“All mankind is divided into three classes: those that are immovable, those that are movable, and those that move.” -Benjamin Franklin What a messy weekend. Heartbreaking news from Afghanistan, the S&P downgrade — and now all of the resultant (and gruesomely predictable) political posturing. Oh, and as I write this, it’s no surprise that the stock market is “reacting” a … Read More
Putting Your Money Where Your Heart Is
"Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." – Luke 12:34 I’m in a bit of a contemplative mood as I write, this morning. After a restful weekend with friends and family … being out and about, listening to the radio and watching some TV, I’m struck by this question — why is it that so many people … 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
Could There Be a Mistake? We Can Fix It.
"If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one." – Dolly Parton As I write this on Monday morning, we’re all pretty distracted by the news of the capture and death of Osama bin Laden. It’s a bipartisan moment of gratification — even if it does mean celebrating the death of another human being. In this case, … 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
Thoughts During Our Final Week
The ability to concentrate and to use your time well is everything if you want to succeed in business–or almost anywhere else for that matter. – Lee Iacocca I’m writing this on Monday morning, the 11th, and our offices are buzzing! Next Monday will be no different — it’s the federal deadline, after all, and we always get panicked phone … 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