I don't have kids, so I'm not sure what I would do. I don't think you did anything wrong; you clued her in to a little piece of the "real world." I can see how you might worry that you're prematurely making her world-weary and jaded, but it's probably better to have someone teach you these things before you learn them the hard way.
Hi! Another hotel chain that is good is Hampton Inn. They have a full course breakfast -suasage , ham, fruits, basically a buffet of anything you cvould want for breadkfast including : tea, coffee, juices, bagels , cream cheese, yogurts, fruits, toast, jams, link suasage , patty sausage , bacon, gobs of food & you can sit there till they take it away , a couple hours or more. They have a swimming pool at most & some even exercise equipment. we paid $75 for 3 adults for 2 queen beds& had a full breakfast included.
Got good advice from my CPA this year:
Filed electronically as in the past BUT in lieu of having my refund check mailed we had it automatically credited to my bank account.
He was right. Received my refund way faster than in years past and confirmed with a couple of friends that were still waiting for their "check in the mail" weeks after I'd received mine.
My husband and I always try to work out our exemptions so that we pretty much "break even" or get a small refund without owing anything. We'd rather have that money throughout the year to use or earn interest on ourselves than have to wait for a larger lump sum while allowing the government to earn interest on it. It usually works except this year we actually got a sizable refund because we bought our first home in 2008.
As a teacher, I am eligible for up to $250 back for school supplies paid out of my own pocket. This helps tremendously. I plan to have less withheld this year and hope it all works out!
I have worked for almost 40 years (started as a 16-yr old). I have learned 2 things:
1. Manage your withholding so that you are +/- approximately zero in taxes owed.
2. I am in that income strata (I don't think you could even call it lower middle class anymore) so that I've always made "too much" money to be eligible for any tax credits but not enough money to invest in any tax shelters. Now that I've been laid off, I'm being penalized for using 401(k) savings to start my own business (which is going very slowly). I know that's the rule for 401(k), but does that seem right?
I get a Federal refund each year since I only claim myself on the tax form that I filed with my employer. The four years that I lived in Illinois, however, I had to pay abou $20 in taxes each year despite having the state income taxes withheld from my paycheck.
I'm an ING Direct user and I love how easy it is to add additional savings accounts. I have several for different purposes (e.g. emergency funds, mortgage payment). With the recent downturn in the economy, my rates have plummeted (though they were exceptional once upon a time). I recently discovered MoneyAisle if you want to find a new, better savings rate.
In my case, ... I will probably not get a refund. Then again, I don't quite earn enough money to have to pay taxes anyway. On years that I DO, I always have at least 10% charitable contributions.
We are trying to calculate our withholding so it will be plus/minus Zero in the end, but we will probably get a small amount back (hopefully).
I agree with Jocelyn . Do your taxes yourself. It's not that complicated and there are a lot of websites (including the one from the IRS) that can help. I also called the IRS a few times with my questions.
I'm quite disillusioned with the content of these posts. I had hoped to find independent research on Horizon when I saw this link. However, what I have found is nothing more than opinion--woefully unresearched, pre-biased thoughts on a commercial enterprise.
Recently I was doing research on Ebola hemorrhagic fever. Apparently Ebola is a Zionist conspiracy against the Aryan Nation. Do you believe this? Of course not. Yet the way those psuedo-scientific papers were written was exactly the way these posts were written. Yes, I am comparing you to neo-nazis. Not because I believe you are evil, but because brainwashing is brainwashing, no matter what the content. And frankly, when you believe something so stridently, yet can't verify those beliefs with any outside party, you are brainwashed.
I'm not saying these things for the shock value. I'm saying it because I too am a teacher and am upset that so many people are running around without thinking. Those of you who believed this post despite the absence of facts...shame on you. Didn't you ever take a research class? Didn't you ever apply critical thinking skills? Do you believe everything you read online? No. The Aryan's aren't believable to you but this tirade is?
Please people, leave the regurgitated drivel to the neo-nazis, and do some thinking of your own for a change.
I have been doing my taxes, and the taxes of my family for years so I have included some of the tips that I use when tax season rolls around.
1.) Do your taxes yourself and save money. The IRS website includes links to approved tax prep sites.
2.) Any health problems? Keep detailed records and receipts of all medical bills (doctor co-pays, eyeglasses, medications,etc.) because you may be eligible for a deduction.
3.) Travel for work, but don't get reimbursed? Travel expenses related to work are eligible for a deduction as well. Keep a detailed record of your car mileage for these trips and you may be pleasantly surprised.
4.) Take advantage of all of the home credits and that are available, especially this year!
There are some many tips, but the best advice I can give is to make sure that you grab a tax instruction. They breakdown the tax laws that apply for the year and list so many benefits that we can take.
You so right Craig. Separating money, tends to cause you to stretch and save quite a nice bit of change. Consistency and self discipline in the avenue of saving and managing can go a long way.
Thanks for the information on VITA. A lot of people don't know about this company. They tend to do a really great job. I appreciate there service every time i approach their establishment yearly.
Hi, my name is Yasmine. I am egyptian. I read your comment that you have been stuck in life for more than 10 yrs and i just felt that this is very similar to what i am feeling. I really thought that I was the only one who can stay for years stuck and bored. I gave up everything in my life for the sake of raising my children the best way i can, but after six years now I have really discovered that my life is sooooooooooo boring ( although i enjoy seeing my kids grow ) and that i am living it just for other people. This made me lose so many nice things in life which i am trying to get at least one of them back.
I am sending to you this because i wanted to ask you is it possible that we can be friends. Maybe having the same circumstances, which are being stuck in life and being mothers can let us find common grounds to a healthy and good friendship.
My goal is to come as close to no refund as possible each year. This has worked out well the past couple of years where we got back less than $300 total from both federal and state in 2008 and paid less than $200 for the 2007 tax year.
I don't want the government to earn interest on MY money if I can do so myself.
Iniated a loan mod request March 2009 with Suntrust. Husband lost job.Have been paying and up to date. Had to resend financial info 3 times because they couldn't find it. Suntrust says our case is being reviewed. Aug 1 I am not paying the payment hoping to get their attention. Owe 200,00 condo valued at 135,000. Will probably have to walk away and ruin our A1 credit. Don't want to drain what savings we have left. Will we still be able to rent an apartment if we go into foreclosure?
Good Luck to everyone!
$16,000 is a lot of debt, granted, it's not all credit card debt, it's still a big balance to carry. If you are the type who needs the gratification to stay motivated, debt settlement might be the right choice for you. It's a tough decision whether to go it alone, or to use a debt settlement program, but if you are really struggling to make minimum payments, or are missing payments, it will help you in the long run.
My husband & I are both self employed, so we pay our taxes when we file. I think if we were taxed again though, I would try to get as much each week vs. getting a big check for taxes. We used to like the big check, but now the money is needed throughout the month instead.
I don't think I will get a refund this year. We will be in a higher tax bracket, and my husband is going back to school, so we will be deferring his student loans, so we cannot deduct as much.
i actually got my money from california this year, which was a serious surprise! i filed right before april 15 and was owed $90, which doesn't sound like a lot, but as a very poor grad student on loans, its huge! a month later i got a real live actual check (well, direct deposit)! i'm glad i filed then and also that i'm done with CA, after having moved last year, b/c i could not deal with whats happening there now.
I don't have kids, so I'm not sure what I would do. I don't think you did anything wrong; you clued her in to a little piece of the "real world." I can see how you might worry that you're prematurely making her world-weary and jaded, but it's probably better to have someone teach you these things before you learn them the hard way.
Hi! Another hotel chain that is good is Hampton Inn. They have a full course breakfast -suasage , ham, fruits, basically a buffet of anything you cvould want for breadkfast including : tea, coffee, juices, bagels , cream cheese, yogurts, fruits, toast, jams, link suasage , patty sausage , bacon, gobs of food & you can sit there till they take it away , a couple hours or more. They have a swimming pool at most & some even exercise equipment. we paid $75 for 3 adults for 2 queen beds& had a full breakfast included.
Got good advice from my CPA this year:
Filed electronically as in the past BUT in lieu of having my refund check mailed we had it automatically credited to my bank account.
He was right. Received my refund way faster than in years past and confirmed with a couple of friends that were still waiting for their "check in the mail" weeks after I'd received mine.
My husband and I always try to work out our exemptions so that we pretty much "break even" or get a small refund without owing anything. We'd rather have that money throughout the year to use or earn interest on ourselves than have to wait for a larger lump sum while allowing the government to earn interest on it. It usually works except this year we actually got a sizable refund because we bought our first home in 2008.
As a teacher, I am eligible for up to $250 back for school supplies paid out of my own pocket. This helps tremendously. I plan to have less withheld this year and hope it all works out!
I have worked for almost 40 years (started as a 16-yr old). I have learned 2 things:
1. Manage your withholding so that you are +/- approximately zero in taxes owed.
2. I am in that income strata (I don't think you could even call it lower middle class anymore) so that I've always made "too much" money to be eligible for any tax credits but not enough money to invest in any tax shelters. Now that I've been laid off, I'm being penalized for using 401(k) savings to start my own business (which is going very slowly). I know that's the rule for 401(k), but does that seem right?
I get a Federal refund each year since I only claim myself on the tax form that I filed with my employer. The four years that I lived in Illinois, however, I had to pay abou $20 in taxes each year despite having the state income taxes withheld from my paycheck.
I'm an ING Direct user and I love how easy it is to add additional savings accounts. I have several for different purposes (e.g. emergency funds, mortgage payment). With the recent downturn in the economy, my rates have plummeted (though they were exceptional once upon a time). I recently discovered MoneyAisle if you want to find a new, better savings rate.
In my case, ... I will probably not get a refund. Then again, I don't quite earn enough money to have to pay taxes anyway. On years that I DO, I always have at least 10% charitable contributions.
We are trying to calculate our withholding so it will be plus/minus Zero in the end, but we will probably get a small amount back (hopefully).
I agree with Jocelyn . Do your taxes yourself. It's not that complicated and there are a lot of websites (including the one from the IRS) that can help. I also called the IRS a few times with my questions.
I'm quite disillusioned with the content of these posts. I had hoped to find independent research on Horizon when I saw this link. However, what I have found is nothing more than opinion--woefully unresearched, pre-biased thoughts on a commercial enterprise.
Recently I was doing research on Ebola hemorrhagic fever. Apparently Ebola is a Zionist conspiracy against the Aryan Nation. Do you believe this? Of course not. Yet the way those psuedo-scientific papers were written was exactly the way these posts were written. Yes, I am comparing you to neo-nazis. Not because I believe you are evil, but because brainwashing is brainwashing, no matter what the content. And frankly, when you believe something so stridently, yet can't verify those beliefs with any outside party, you are brainwashed.
I'm not saying these things for the shock value. I'm saying it because I too am a teacher and am upset that so many people are running around without thinking. Those of you who believed this post despite the absence of facts...shame on you. Didn't you ever take a research class? Didn't you ever apply critical thinking skills? Do you believe everything you read online? No. The Aryan's aren't believable to you but this tirade is?
Please people, leave the regurgitated drivel to the neo-nazis, and do some thinking of your own for a change.
I have been doing my taxes, and the taxes of my family for years so I have included some of the tips that I use when tax season rolls around.
1.) Do your taxes yourself and save money. The IRS website includes links to approved tax prep sites.
2.) Any health problems? Keep detailed records and receipts of all medical bills (doctor co-pays, eyeglasses, medications,etc.) because you may be eligible for a deduction.
3.) Travel for work, but don't get reimbursed? Travel expenses related to work are eligible for a deduction as well. Keep a detailed record of your car mileage for these trips and you may be pleasantly surprised.
4.) Take advantage of all of the home credits and that are available, especially this year!
There are some many tips, but the best advice I can give is to make sure that you grab a tax instruction. They breakdown the tax laws that apply for the year and list so many benefits that we can take.
You so right Craig. Separating money, tends to cause you to stretch and save quite a nice bit of change. Consistency and self discipline in the avenue of saving and managing can go a long way.
Don't you agree Craig?
Thanks for the information on VITA. A lot of people don't know about this company. They tend to do a really great job. I appreciate there service every time i approach their establishment yearly.
Hi, my name is Yasmine. I am egyptian. I read your comment that you have been stuck in life for more than 10 yrs and i just felt that this is very similar to what i am feeling. I really thought that I was the only one who can stay for years stuck and bored. I gave up everything in my life for the sake of raising my children the best way i can, but after six years now I have really discovered that my life is sooooooooooo boring ( although i enjoy seeing my kids grow ) and that i am living it just for other people. This made me lose so many nice things in life which i am trying to get at least one of them back.
I am sending to you this because i wanted to ask you is it possible that we can be friends. Maybe having the same circumstances, which are being stuck in life and being mothers can let us find common grounds to a healthy and good friendship.
Thank you for your time.
Got mine months ago! Filed online.
My goal is to come as close to no refund as possible each year. This has worked out well the past couple of years where we got back less than $300 total from both federal and state in 2008 and paid less than $200 for the 2007 tax year.
I don't want the government to earn interest on MY money if I can do so myself.
ummm, yeah. the hairdryer method DID NOT work. i just tried it.
Iniated a loan mod request March 2009 with Suntrust. Husband lost job.Have been paying and up to date. Had to resend financial info 3 times because they couldn't find it. Suntrust says our case is being reviewed. Aug 1 I am not paying the payment hoping to get their attention. Owe 200,00 condo valued at 135,000. Will probably have to walk away and ruin our A1 credit. Don't want to drain what savings we have left. Will we still be able to rent an apartment if we go into foreclosure?
Good Luck to everyone!
$16,000 is a lot of debt, granted, it's not all credit card debt, it's still a big balance to carry. If you are the type who needs the gratification to stay motivated, debt settlement might be the right choice for you. It's a tough decision whether to go it alone, or to use a debt settlement program, but if you are really struggling to make minimum payments, or are missing payments, it will help you in the long run.
My husband & I are both self employed, so we pay our taxes when we file. I think if we were taxed again though, I would try to get as much each week vs. getting a big check for taxes. We used to like the big check, but now the money is needed throughout the month instead.
I don't think I will get a refund this year. We will be in a higher tax bracket, and my husband is going back to school, so we will be deferring his student loans, so we cannot deduct as much.
i actually got my money from california this year, which was a serious surprise! i filed right before april 15 and was owed $90, which doesn't sound like a lot, but as a very poor grad student on loans, its huge! a month later i got a real live actual check (well, direct deposit)! i'm glad i filed then and also that i'm done with CA, after having moved last year, b/c i could not deal with whats happening there now.
or get back around $100. This year, however, I got laid off and started a business, so I'll be handing it all over to my CPA.
I live in California so I'm expecting an IOU from the state, but I still expect a the return from the federal government.