Rising business receivables can be a sign of a growing, prosperous company – or of troubles ahead. How can you know if your receivables are right-sized for your business? Start by breaking down the numbers. A report of your receivables listed by age will give you the information you need. Track the percentage of invoices [...]
As the end of another year approaches, you're looking for ways to reduce your tax bill. You have a handful of stocks in loss positions. You like the stocks and expect the prices to rebound. Should you sell now at a loss to offset other capital gains, then buy the shares right back again? Not [...]
Though you may have thought bank safe deposit boxes no longer existed, these secure containers are still around, and can be useful for storing difficult to replace items, such as deeds, contracts, and your home inventory. Should you have one? Here's what to consider. Peace of mind. Knowing that key original documents are in a [...]
The rent or buy question is a common dilemma, whether you're asking as a homeowner, or for your business. For perspective, think of the big picture. In either case, you're paying for the exclusive use of an item over a set period of time. With that as a point of reference, the difference boils down to two [...]
Getting divorced? Amid all the upheaval, taxes are not likely to be foremost on your mind. Yet overlooking the tax consequences can be costly. Here are some of the basics. Your filing status will change. No matter if you get your final divorce decree or separate maintenance on January 1, December 31, or any date [...]
No doubt you have shared the adage "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is" with your children. That caution is wise, especially when teaching your kids how to use credit cards responsibly, because misuse of credit can have a long-term impact on financial health. The main lesson you want to impart: [...]
Are you ready to begin a job search or launch a career transition? Here are suggestions to manage your finances wisely before making the change to new employment. Plan your income stream. Check for a gap in pay dates and make plans to have enough savings set aside to tide you over. Include increased commuting [...]
As an employee, you may not have thought much about the procedures behind the issuance of your paycheck. But as a new business owner, you'll need to understand how federal employment taxes work because you'll have to withhold these payroll taxes from your employees' paychecks. Here's an overview of four types of payroll tax. Social [...]
Worried about the next financial crisis? Reacquaint yourself with two important allies: the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). The FDIC. The FDIC is an independent agency of the U.S. government and provides up to $250,000 in protection for qualified bank accounts in case of a bank failure. The [...]
Raising funds in small amounts from a large pool of people, also known as crowdfunding, has become a popular way for budding entrepreneurs to drum up the working capital for pet projects. It seems like everyone from twenty-somethings to stay-at-home parents to retirees are getting in on the act. Here's how the process works. Let's [...]
