Disaster Assistance Through the IRS
Every year millions of people have property damage from unexpected events. There seems to be a rise in natural disasters occurring all around us, from the western earthquakes to the southern hurricanes. Although we rarely think of the IRS and our taxes when disasters happen, it can actually be a ... more...

How to Attain Your Dreams on a Single Income
If you recently became a single parent and see your dreams being washed away because you feel all alone, you arent alone. There are single parents that face future endeavors alone like dating again, living on one income, and buying the home theyve always imagined. It is possible to do things on ... more...

To Buy or Not to Buy
Purchasing a home is a major emotional and financial decision. Often times, people want to buy a home; however, emotionally cannot afford to commit to the home-buying process. They are, in fact, afraid. My payment will be too high or What if I lose my job, are some of the excuses which I often ... more...

Searching The Internet Without Search Engines
The World Wide Web contains more than ten million websites with thousands more being added daily from all over the world, and search engines are tasked with presenting the most relevant pages based on the search criteria entered. Finding a large and popular site like www.irs.gov is easy because it ... more...

How Long Do I Need to Keep This? - A Guide to Receipts, Statements and Financial Clutter at Home
In most homes, paper causes clutter. And it seems to mysteriously multiply by itself. But just how long do you need to keep all those receipts, bank and credit card statements and other financial papers? Below is a handy reference that you can use for dealing with your home paper trail.Toss ... more...

Structured Settlements 101: How Structured Settlements Work
You have probably heard the term Structured Settlement on a television or print ad and wondered what it meant. After all, the term is not a part of our everyday lexicon.A structured settlement is a contract under which an insurance company undertakes to make periodic payments to an injured party as ... more...

Mail Order Bookkeeping Basics
INTRODUCTION This information is provided for individuals who are starting a mail order business and require a basic bookkeeping system. It has been written for someone who has little or no bookkeeping background. No income tax or professional advice is rendered. Such advice should be ... more...

A Fathers Dilemma: Can We Help Our Children, Without Crippling Them?
Breakdown in the Becky Lane!I'd just sat down at my office away from home, the local Panera, when another regular customer, Harold, sidled up to my table. We'd chatted a number of times before, and he was intrigued by my title of Financial Sanity Coach and knew I had been working on my book, "Good ... more...

Tax & Financial Impacts of Divorce: 10 Mistakes to Avoid
Divorce is something no one hopes will happen to them when they get married. Unfortunately, almost half of all marriages end in divorce. Since few people have pre-nuptial agreements, most divorces involve often bitter tangles over children, money, and assets. When it comes to the tax and ... more...

Taxing Your eBay Profits
As a small business person-slash-advice columnist I dread the first quarter of the new year. Not because in my mind my own business fortunes start at zero again every January or because I have already dismissed every New Years resolution I made when the clock rang out the New Year.No, the reason ... more...

Business Loans - 7 Reasons Not to Use a Bank
So you're a small business owner and you need a business loan to further the objectives of your company. Where do you turn?When it comes to a business loan or commercial real estate loan, there are many good reasons NOT to turn to a traditional bank. Here are some of the most important. Many small ... more...

Tax Records - What You Should Keep And For How Long
Many taxpayers are confused about how long they should keep tax records. The term "tax records" refers to your tax returns and the documents that support the information in the returns. These documents can include receipts, bank statements, 1099s, etc. If you are one of the unlucky few to be ... more...

Debt Consolidation: Do It Yourself
Debt consolidation is a big business, especially on the internet. Companies advertise offering to lower your payments by 50% and claim to be nonprofits, giving consumers the idea that it will be cheaper through them. Its not. Many firms offer a debt settlement program in case you are unable to make ... more...

Tax Reform, My Way
We need real tax reform and we need it now. Previous attempts have been made at tax reform, but they have only provided band-aid solutions that have still left us with too many quirks, complication, and read tape. There are several things Congress could do to simply the tax system and benefit the ... more...

How to Maximize Your Home Business Tax Deductions for 2005
Someone once said, the best way to calculate your taxes isHonestly. For 2005, add Smartly to that and youll get to keep more than you make. This April 15th is going to be the day of reckoning for every taxpayer. If you are smart enough with your accounting and keep your eyes and ears open, this ... more...