The sooner the better: it's a saying that applies to many facets of life, including educating children about money. By introducing sound financial habits early on, you'll give your child a head start on the path to becoming an informed investor. Here are some creative ideas, as well as book and website suggestions, for raising a financially saavy kid.
The economy used to be a simpler place—either you owned a business, or you worked for someone else. In today's 'Sharing Economy', where VRBO, HomeAway, and Airbnb are common ways for the average person to make some extra cash, it's a bit more complex.
You may not think of yourself as a landlord, but if you offer your home or other property as a vacation or short-term rental, you are. And if the additional income isn't enough of a benefit, short-term rentals may also help you minimize your tax liability.
One of the questions that we get most often from our clients is, "What documents do I need to keep in regards to my taxes, and for how long?"
Of course, every situation is different, and your CPA can help you determine what you should keep based on your specific needs. However, there are a few general guidelines you can follow:
Given today's economy, it's fair to say that we are all more concerned about our financial situation than we have been in the past. Our awareness of the need to save and plan ahead has been heightened, and everyone, it seems, is looking for ways to economize.
As someone who works in the financial services realm, few things could give me more pleasure than this collective impulse toward saving, investing, and planning for the future. The focus on protecting your assets ties in nicely with the idea of protecting your income. You may have considered what would happen if you were downsized, but perhaps you've neglected to plan for what could happen if you became disabled. Understandably, this is not a popular subject, but it is one we must all consider.
Trusts are a great way to put conditions on how, when, and to whom your assets will be distributed after you pass away. However, there are several options and specific terms to know when it comes to setting up a trust, and many people aren't sure of the best path forward.
To help explain, I've put together some frequently asked questions and answers on the subject.
Due diligence is a vital step in the process of acquiring a business. As a buyer, you’ll want to ensure that you know exactly what you’re purchasing prior to agreeing to the transaction—this not only includes assets and future sales forecasts, but also liabilities, contracts, employee agreements, litigation risks, intellectual property, and much more.
By doing your homework in advance, you’ll not only be prepared to deal with any potential issues, you will also have a better sense of the value of the company you’re hoping to purchase. Your due diligence will vary depending on the type of company you’re purchasing, and the type of industry you’re in, but in general, here are some of the key areas you’ll want to investigate:
With every news story about the latest Powerball jackpot, it's only natural to wonder, "What would I do if I won the lottery?" Although your chances of hitting the jackpot may be slim, a financial windfall could come to you through more ordinary means, such as the settlement of a lawsuit, a severance package, a family inheritance, or simply a larger-than-expected tax refund. Unfortunately, along with the obvious rewards, a windfall can be accompanied by plenty of potential problems.
You may have heard that lawmakers recently voted to push forward a proposed "Millionaire's Tax" in the state of Massachusetts. Wondering what this means, and when it could possibly impact Massachusetts residents?
To shed some light on the topic, I've put together a list of frequently asked questions and answers:
Employee benefit plans have their own set of complex laws and regulations. But did you know that even small plans can be subject to audits?
Generally, if you have 100 eligible participants in your plan at the start of the year, your plan will require an audit. Note that this number includes all participants who are eligible—not just those who are enrolled.
You've probably heard how important it is to establish and maintain an emergency fund. Unfortunately, most people don't fully realize this until a money emergency is upon them. Are you financially prepared for a leaky roof? How about a broken-down car? If you lost your job, how long would you be able to support yourself and your family until you got a new one?
An emergency fund is money that you've set aside to be used in these critical situations, be it to handle a minor home repair or to pay for something more serious, like medical bills. Despite the clear importance of having an emergency fund, however, more than three in five Americans have accumulated no savings for unforeseen expenses, according to a recent Bankrate report.
If you are one of the 60% who don't have an emergency fund, I've outined 4 easy ways that you can prepare for the unexpected:
