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Nearly every man who develops an idea works it up to the point where it looks impossible, and then he gets discouraged. That's not the place to become discouraged.
Thomas Edison Categories
Monthly Archives: January 2010
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Images used under Creative Commons licenses 3.0 & 2.5 (Dylan Horrocks, Greg Williams, and Nina Paley) Read More
Tax credits for college grow, cover more students
College students or their parents have a new opportunity to get a tax credit for college expenses.
Barbara Weltman, author of two J.K. Lasser tax guides, calls the American opportunity tax credit a “new and improved” version of the Hope credit.
The maximum annual credit — $2,500 — is bigger than what was available under the Hope credit and the income eligibility has been eased somewhat. Also, it’s available to students for the first four years of post-secondary education; the Hope credit could be used only for the first two years. Students also must be enrolled at least half-time.
On top of that, 40 percent of the credit is refundable . . . read more Read More
Tips for managing 401k in 2010
Thinking about your 401(k) this year may mean preparing for a market downturn, perhaps inflation. The best strategy is to have the appropriate mix of stocks, bonds and cash and to periodically rebalance your investments. You might also want to consider the advice of these experts who say adding commodities or real estate can help diversify and hedge against inflation . . . read more Read More
Start thinking now about 2010 taxes
It’s not too early to start thinking about your 2010 taxes — even though the deadline for filing 2009 returns is still months away.
Some of the credits and deductions put in place last year will continue. Others will disappear. And there are some new things to consider.
“That’s why very, very few people do their own tax returns and why those who do end up using a computer program,” said Jeff Schnepper, MSN Money tax expert. “Our laws change about every year.” . . . read more Read More
Retirees split advice on lifestyle, savings goals
Only half the affluent retirees Bank of America Merrill Lynch surveyed in December would save more, given the chance to prepare all over again, according to results released Thursday.
Just 49 percent of 1,000 people surveyed with $250,000 or more in investable assets would have given up more luxuries to boost their retirement savings, according to Merrill’s Affluent Insights quarterly survey.
The rest said the opposite, that they would have focused less on how much they were saving and more on how their lifestyle goals and what it would cost to reach them . . . read more Read More
Rethinking: The Credit Card Act
Last year, President Obama signed into law the Credit Card Accountability and Disclosure Act of 2009, which includes many provisions that go into effect Feb. 22. The intent of the Card Act was to establish fair and transparent practices pertaining to credits cards. At Zions Bank we have always believed in treating our clients fairly and we welcome this type of legislation.
While the Card Act has resulted in significant changes for many card issuers, the impact to Zions Bank has been minimal since we have never engaged in the “unfair and deceptive” practices addressed in this new law. Let me share with you a few examples of how we’ve approached some of the issues addressed in the Card Act over the years . . . read more Read More
Growth stocks regain favor after value’s long run
Growth is in, value is out. And it’s likely to stay that way this year.
Investors who loaded their portfolios with growth stocks were rewarded in 2009. Those stocks gained an average 37 percent, nearly twice as much as value stocks.
Growth’s notable performance was largely fueled by technology stocks, the biggest part of the growth category. Experts say those companies will continue to prosper as customers ramp up tech spending coming out of the recession. But experts caution a tech rally as big as last year’s is unlikely . . . read more Read More
Possible dream? Starting a company in a recession
While much of the business world struggled with cutbacks and layoffs during 2009, many people saw opportunity. Undaunted by the recession, they started their own companies.
Entrepreneurs are by and large an optimistic lot, with faith in their ideas and their ability to execute them. So it’s understandable that they would find reasons why it made sense to start a business in a sickly economy. Among them: It’s easier to rent commercial space at a discount when landlords are hungry for tenants.
Still, many had some scary moments as customers stayed away or money ran low. A look at how four new business owners fared last year . . . read more Read More
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Images used under Creative Commons licenses 3.0 & 2.5 (Dylan Horrocks, Greg Williams, and Nina Paley) Read More
Your Career: New Year know-how
At the start of a new year, many people hope to see some positive changes in their jobs. Given the struggles at many companies, workers may need to make those changes happen themselves.
Fortunately, basics like keeping a good attitude and maintaining a healthy work/life balance can go a long way toward improving a worker’s sense of well-being. That might not get you a raise or immediate promotion, but you might feel a lot better when you walk through the office door each day.
Here are five ways to make your job better in the new year . . . read more Read More
IRS: Online tax filers can get refunds in 10 days
Want a quick tax refund? File your federal return online and have the refund deposited directly into your bank account.
The Internal Revenue Service launched its online filing system Friday with a promise that people who do their taxes electronically will get refunds in as few as 10 days.
For those who file paper returns, refunds are expected to take four weeks to six weeks, said David R. Williams, the agency’s director of electronic tax administration . . . read more Read More
Consumers are squeezed as inflation outpaces wages
The notion that consumers will help lead the economic rebound received a stark rebuttal Friday: American families are being squeezed.
Workers saw their inflation-adjusted weekly wages fall 1.6 percent last year — the sharpest drop since 1990 — even as consumer prices rose only modestly.
Families’ spending power sank as a result. Slack pay and scarce job growth are slowing consumer spending, along with tight credit and a rising savings rate. That’s hindering the economy’s ability to mount a strong recovery . . . read more Read More
