It's been tough finding the right one for us - a small business that does QucikBooks bookkeeping, asks a lot of questions and isn't bamboozled/intimidated easily.
The first CPA lasted one year and was replaced for aggressive over-billing and communication so poor it bordered on lying. Second one, again mumbo jumbo talk to hide the fact they were refusing to work with us at our level.
So we abandoned CPA's completely and stepped down to a fairly credentialed (we checked) and recommended tax accountant who turned out to be insanely in over his head. Broken deadlines and outright failure to solve problems created by previous accountants despite being prepaid got him not only fired but extremely poor reviews in our professional network and on all the relevant consumer sites (we got a refund on his fee but we are having to redo his tax returns - ugh).
Now we're using an "enrolled agent" and not only is the price less than half what we previously paid but the peace of mind has doubled for how all the ego crapola is gone, the communication clear and we've already had a few problems created by previous accountants solved. I only wish it hadn't taken three disasters to find them as this has been both painful and costly.
The only thing I might add to the advice offered here is to consider others besides a CPA.
Not that I make much from it, hahaha, but I have an etsy where I offer prints of my drawings. I've only made two sales so far, but that's $20 I didn't have! I also pick up all money I see on the ground-- even pennies. One day I found almost a buck just in coins. Hardly makes a difference but feels pretty cool.
My family had a dairy farm for years. The best dog toys we have found are used rubber teat cup liners from the milking machines. The dogs love them and they last for a LONG time!
I'm always honest at work. It's something that I pride myself on. When I get asked a question and I don't know the answer, I don't give a round-about answer. I tell my co-worker or the client that I don't know, but I'll find out and get back to them. It's much easier doing this than saying something that you aren't sure is true then having to explain yourself to the client.
I have read Free Money Finance's post on "Combining Multiple Savings Offers to Maximize Savings" and I was really amazed how he was able to save as much as 25% on his shopping stuff.
Great list of suggested readings. I will be checking each of them today. Thanks for sharing!
We earn extra income by having yard sales & selling some items on Craigslist. I used to earn extra income by grooming dogs at home. Some other ideas include providing pet sitting services for neighbors going out of town or babysitting.
I made an extra $10,000 this year by renting out my apartment on AirBnB. I stayed with friends or family or was out of town on vacation while my apartment was occupied. My apartment goes for about $150-$175 a night in my expensive west coast city, but I've heard of people doing this all over the world. It's the easiest money I've ever made, and it's paid for several vacations and luxuries I wouldn't be able to afford otherwise.
I have been researching bike trailers to carry my 2 kids for years and have come up empty handed. We have been using a standard bike trailer but at 4 and 5 my kids have pretty much outgrown it. I wish they would make a larger model instead of having to jump to a $1,000 bike. I can't bring myself to spend the money. I live in Louisville, KY and surprisingly this is a fairly bike friendly area, at least in my neighborhood. I'll take a look at the links on this page and see if I get anywhere. Great article.
Agreed. There is nothing like hanging out with a local family and seeing how they get things done. Our best experiences have been either at a local's home or traveling through the public transit system. Not always a fun trip but definitley memorable and usually you remember the good parts of the trip later on and forget most of the bad parts while on that bus,boda,horse,etc... :)
To earn a little extra cash every month, I sell belongings I no longer use on eBay. It can be as small as a skirt I no longer wear or as large as an iPad I rarely turn on. After sellers fees, I earn an extra $50-$200 a month. Selling on eBay also allows me to reduce clutter in my home and the item gets used by someone who will benefit from it.
I have a "To Sell" box in the spare bedroom and I put items in it as I decide to sell them. Every Sunday I take photos of the item and then list it on eBay. I keep starting bids low but reasonable and so far everything has sold.
An extra $50 a month is small, but last month it covered my family's electric bill.
While yes, I totally see all of this happening in my life due to being raised by frugal parents, I see this more often: those raised by frugal parents rebelling, throughout life, and going to the extreme. I'm a bit moderate in this; I'm frugal about certain things, but like to purchase for quality (my mother is straight-up frugal but doesn't always buy for quality).
Since my city (Los Angeles) is not bike safe, I don't have a bakfiet because I wouldn't be able to do things like jump a curb onto the sidewalk to get out of the way of a bad driver. However, even people who don't need the extra hauling space should investigate Dutch-style bikes. They are the pick-up trucks of the bike world, they last a lifetime, and they ride like butter!
I own the classic Azor Workcycle bike that every Dutch grandma rides. It's super girlie and cute. I get compliments on it every day. That said, it can carry 200 pounds of cargo on the front rack alone!
Also, they are super comfortable to ride as you sit upright instead of hunching over the handlebars. Since they were designed to be ridden in street clothes, this is the perfect commuter bike. (I say this and I live in a bike-unfriendly city).
There are only two downsides to Dutch bikes. On top of its already hefty price tag, I paid an additional $400 to have my bike shipped from Portland to Los Angeles. My bike is worth more than my car. That said, this bike really can replace a car for most short journeys and it's a bike that will last me my entire life. I bought my bike 3 years ago and it's paid for itself in gas savings alone. The other downside is that even the smallest framed Dutch bike was designed for Vikings. My bike weighs 60 pounds and is too big to fit on the front bike rack of metro buses. So, if you have weak, noodle-y arms like me, live in a 5th floor walk-up or use the bus for part of your commute, this is an issue.
I do online surveys and occasionally surveys and focus groups in person, recycling aluminum cans, selling old books, mags, CDs, DVDs, etc. to used book stores, and selling old clothing to consignment shops.
Thanks for your comments! I am really curious to see how many people just learn to do without when they aren't in a larger area and how many will head to Walmart come hell or high water when they are in need of something.
This is very sage advice.
It's been tough finding the right one for us - a small business that does QucikBooks bookkeeping, asks a lot of questions and isn't bamboozled/intimidated easily.
The first CPA lasted one year and was replaced for aggressive over-billing and communication so poor it bordered on lying. Second one, again mumbo jumbo talk to hide the fact they were refusing to work with us at our level.
So we abandoned CPA's completely and stepped down to a fairly credentialed (we checked) and recommended tax accountant who turned out to be insanely in over his head. Broken deadlines and outright failure to solve problems created by previous accountants despite being prepaid got him not only fired but extremely poor reviews in our professional network and on all the relevant consumer sites (we got a refund on his fee but we are having to redo his tax returns - ugh).
Now we're using an "enrolled agent" and not only is the price less than half what we previously paid but the peace of mind has doubled for how all the ego crapola is gone, the communication clear and we've already had a few problems created by previous accountants solved. I only wish it hadn't taken three disasters to find them as this has been both painful and costly.
The only thing I might add to the advice offered here is to consider others besides a CPA.
Not that I make much from it, hahaha, but I have an etsy where I offer prints of my drawings. I've only made two sales so far, but that's $20 I didn't have! I also pick up all money I see on the ground-- even pennies. One day I found almost a buck just in coins. Hardly makes a difference but feels pretty cool.
ymtek anthony davis jersey
vssyc jared allen jersey
rznjj donald driver jersey
xgsqf jason taylor jersey
cxmwv benjarvus green-ellis jersey
I haven't found a good way to earn extra income - I'm so tired after my primary job there's no way I could do another.
i once won 1600$ at the carnival one time at one of the games
My family had a dairy farm for years. The best dog toys we have found are used rubber teat cup liners from the milking machines. The dogs love them and they last for a LONG time!
I'm always honest at work. It's something that I pride myself on. When I get asked a question and I don't know the answer, I don't give a round-about answer. I tell my co-worker or the client that I don't know, but I'll find out and get back to them. It's much easier doing this than saying something that you aren't sure is true then having to explain yourself to the client.
eBay
I have read Free Money Finance's post on "Combining Multiple Savings Offers to Maximize Savings" and I was really amazed how he was able to save as much as 25% on his shopping stuff.
Great list of suggested readings. I will be checking each of them today. Thanks for sharing!
We earn extra income by having yard sales & selling some items on Craigslist. I used to earn extra income by grooming dogs at home. Some other ideas include providing pet sitting services for neighbors going out of town or babysitting.
I made an extra $10,000 this year by renting out my apartment on AirBnB. I stayed with friends or family or was out of town on vacation while my apartment was occupied. My apartment goes for about $150-$175 a night in my expensive west coast city, but I've heard of people doing this all over the world. It's the easiest money I've ever made, and it's paid for several vacations and luxuries I wouldn't be able to afford otherwise.
I make extra cash by being a Pampered Chef Consultant, and I'm helping my husband start a photography business!
Make sure you deep fry your butter in hot melted butter and not unsaturated fat/vegetable oil, otherwise you will cause major health problems.
I take surveys online
I have been researching bike trailers to carry my 2 kids for years and have come up empty handed. We have been using a standard bike trailer but at 4 and 5 my kids have pretty much outgrown it. I wish they would make a larger model instead of having to jump to a $1,000 bike. I can't bring myself to spend the money. I live in Louisville, KY and surprisingly this is a fairly bike friendly area, at least in my neighborhood. I'll take a look at the links on this page and see if I get anywhere. Great article.
Agreed. There is nothing like hanging out with a local family and seeing how they get things done. Our best experiences have been either at a local's home or traveling through the public transit system. Not always a fun trip but definitley memorable and usually you remember the good parts of the trip later on and forget most of the bad parts while on that bus,boda,horse,etc... :)
To earn a little extra cash every month, I sell belongings I no longer use on eBay. It can be as small as a skirt I no longer wear or as large as an iPad I rarely turn on. After sellers fees, I earn an extra $50-$200 a month. Selling on eBay also allows me to reduce clutter in my home and the item gets used by someone who will benefit from it.
I have a "To Sell" box in the spare bedroom and I put items in it as I decide to sell them. Every Sunday I take photos of the item and then list it on eBay. I keep starting bids low but reasonable and so far everything has sold.
An extra $50 a month is small, but last month it covered my family's electric bill.
I make beaded jewelry and have teaching beaded jewelry classes. We also sell things on ebay and craigslist.
Surveys, rebates, and cash-back credit cards. I also take on extra small projects related to my work as they become available.
While yes, I totally see all of this happening in my life due to being raised by frugal parents, I see this more often: those raised by frugal parents rebelling, throughout life, and going to the extreme. I'm a bit moderate in this; I'm frugal about certain things, but like to purchase for quality (my mother is straight-up frugal but doesn't always buy for quality).
Since my city (Los Angeles) is not bike safe, I don't have a bakfiet because I wouldn't be able to do things like jump a curb onto the sidewalk to get out of the way of a bad driver. However, even people who don't need the extra hauling space should investigate Dutch-style bikes. They are the pick-up trucks of the bike world, they last a lifetime, and they ride like butter!
I own the classic Azor Workcycle bike that every Dutch grandma rides. It's super girlie and cute. I get compliments on it every day. That said, it can carry 200 pounds of cargo on the front rack alone!
Also, they are super comfortable to ride as you sit upright instead of hunching over the handlebars. Since they were designed to be ridden in street clothes, this is the perfect commuter bike. (I say this and I live in a bike-unfriendly city).
There are only two downsides to Dutch bikes. On top of its already hefty price tag, I paid an additional $400 to have my bike shipped from Portland to Los Angeles. My bike is worth more than my car. That said, this bike really can replace a car for most short journeys and it's a bike that will last me my entire life. I bought my bike 3 years ago and it's paid for itself in gas savings alone. The other downside is that even the smallest framed Dutch bike was designed for Vikings. My bike weighs 60 pounds and is too big to fit on the front bike rack of metro buses. So, if you have weak, noodle-y arms like me, live in a 5th floor walk-up or use the bus for part of your commute, this is an issue.
http://www.workcycles.com/home-products/handmade-city-bicycles/workcycle...
I do online surveys and occasionally surveys and focus groups in person, recycling aluminum cans, selling old books, mags, CDs, DVDs, etc. to used book stores, and selling old clothing to consignment shops.
Thanks for your comments! I am really curious to see how many people just learn to do without when they aren't in a larger area and how many will head to Walmart come hell or high water when they are in need of something.
The "clean plate" club is an eating disorder just waiting to happen. Listen to your body, it will tell you when it's full.
GREAT selection of recipes here!! Thank you so much!