Probably one of the worst things to do, besides seeing a dentist, is filing your yearly income tax return for the IRS.  Everybody experiences this and believe me this is no fun project.  Every year we have to go through the hassle of trying to figure out the IRS forms and wondering if we owe money or if the government owes us money.

I can speak wisely of this yearly drama because I have years of experience.  When I was about eight years old, I remember my dad sitting at the kitchen table with copies of the tax forms and books explaining how to file your tax return.  With a spiral note book and about three sharpened pencils, there were no calculators or computers to do the work, he would spread out all the files and work on filing our taxes.  I knew then it would be sandwiches for dinner that night.  But I was a precocious eight year old and believed that I was a math genius and cheerfully asked to help.  My dad would just smile at me and say, “We’ll see.” 

He told me that filing taxes was much harder than just adding up numbers.  You have to make sure to get the right numbers in the right boxes and then make sure to add and subtract them correctly.  Piece of cake I thought.  I could do that.  So I offered to help add and subtract the numbers for him.  All he said was, “We’ll see.”

About four hours later I could hear my dad mumbling, “Damn taxes!  Every time I add this up I get different numbers.  Either we owe more taxes or the government owes us.  Damn taxes!”  That’s when I knew my assistance would be needed.  I told him that I would add and subtract the numbers on the sheet to make sure which answer was correct.  He gave me a blank stare and said, “Okay you do it.”  After about 2 hours I too was mumbling, “Damn taxes!  Can’t get these numbers right.”  That night as we munched on our sandwiches we both agreed that tomorrow would be a better day to file our income tax return.

Today we have sophisticated tools to help us file our income tax return.  From software either in a box or on line such as H&R Block or Turbo Tax to experts in filing income tax returns.  Either method you use, I still hate filing my income tax return.  We have tried just about every method.  For a couple of years we went to our “tax person” and let her file our taxes.  She was very good because we would bring her all of our information and by the time we left we knew if we owed or if we got a refund.  We tried H&R Block online one year and that turned out to be a terrifying experience.  I just didn’t feel comfortable with the results.  So we went to an H&R Block office.  We brought all of our information and sat there watching her put the information into a computer.  Now I pride myself as being computer literate, so watching her input information into a software program which I believe I can do and then charging us $125, well it just didn’t sit well with me. 

We will be using Turbo Tax for the second time this year to file our income tax return.  Last year wasn’t such a traumatic event for me so I thought I would give it one more chance.  Either way, I still remember my dad saying that you need to get the right numbers into the right boxes otherwise your income tax return is all wrong.  Still gives me chills thinking about it.

Why can’t the government just charge all of us a flat tax rate and not require us to file income tax at the end of the year?  Let me know your thoughts on that.

Until later,

Linda

Now you are probably saying to yourself, I’m a romantic type of guy or gal and don’t need to have a step by step process in romance.  But in this fast pace day and age sometimes you need to slow down and get into the mood.

The Internet has thousands of pages dedicated to ideas of a romantic Valetine’s Day.  Some experts even say start your Valentine’s day weeks before the big day.  Gosh, I would be pooped out before the big day, wouldn’t you?

Other experts offer a time management plan.  Do you believe that?  They suggest to check each other’s schedules to make sure you both are available for that day.  ‘Hello, John, I’m planning a romantic Valentine’s Day for you, are you available around 6:00ish on that day?  Yes, please check your schedule and write me in.”  Do you call that romance?

The one that I find most interesting is to find out what your partner’s interest are.  Does your partner like flowers, dancing all night or just stay at home?  If this is your first Valentine’s Day with your partner then I would agree with that.  But if you have known this person for some time, gosh I would think you would know all of that by now.

So here is my expert advice on how to be romantic for Valentine’s Day.  Dedicate time to the person you love.  Even if it is for just a couple of hours because of your busy schedule.  Your partner will know that you are thinking of them and that is what makes you romantic.

If you have more time to spend with your partner, then make sure that Valentine’s Day is a special day for him or her.  Give them a mushy Valentine’s Day card.  Flowers are good but chocolates are better!  Set up a nice dinner whether in a restaurant or even a home cooked meal.  I prefer a home cooked meal with candlelight and soft music.  Turn off the T.V. and just talk.  In between give some hugs and kisses and then…. 

Well you can take it from there, I’m sure. 

Bottom line, think of what makes your partner happy and plan a romantic Valentine’s Day. 

Because love given is more fulfilling than love received. 

Until later,
Linda
 

Every New Year most of us dream of owning a small business.  I’m sure you’ve dreamed those dreams.  Setting your own hours, no boss hounding you, no long commute just a small business where you are the boss and call the shots.

Have you ever thought of starting your own bed and breakfast inn? 

As a pragmatist I wanted to learn what it takes to own a bed and breakfast inn.  So I researched and talked with several owners of a bed and breakfast and then I wrote an eBook about owning a bed and breakfast inn.

First of all owning a bed and breakfast inn is more of a lifestyle choice than a business decision.  This may sound shocking but it’s true.  You need to have a passion for entertaining guests and opening up your home to complete strangers.  But the rewards you receive far outweigh any type of inconvenience to you.  You will meet new people; make a good living and most of all you are your own boss.

If this is what you have been dreaming about then I highly recommend that you read my eBook

HOME AWAY FROM HOME OPERATING A BED AND BREAKFAST http://www.startingabusiness.yourinformationcenter.com/.  This all inclusive and affordable eBook gives you a good look at starting a B&B business with the basics you need to know.  I’ve included interviews and advice from actual B&B owners.  I also give you ideas on going rates, how to handle reservations and cancellations, how to market your bed and breakfast inn and so much more.

So if your resolution is to start your own small business then you need to read my eBook before you buy or build a bed and breakfast inn.

Until later,

Linda

It’s that time of year when everyone starts making up New Year’s resolutions.  But do you know where this tradition came from?  It started about 4,000 years ago during the Babylonian time.  Back then their most popular resolution was to return borrowed farm equipment. 

Now that’s what I call a good resolution to make.  I will return all of the borrowed farm equipment that I have borrowed from people.  Check that one off right away for me.  So now I’m good for the rest of the year.  But if you don’t have borrowed farm equipment to return, I guess you will have to think of another resolution. 

Did you know that there is a right way and a wrong way to make a New Year’s resolution?  Today they have experts that actually give you guidelines on making a resolution and being successful at keeping them.  For example, you need to create a plan and set your goals. . When you make a good plan you need to set the plan based on what to do next and what all of the steps are required to complete the goal.  But you must create your plan right away otherwise you will loose your motivation.  Then of course you need to write your plan down similar to a checklist so when you complete the plan you can check it off and feel as though you have accomplished a lot.  Finally, the experts tell us that you must remain flexible with your plan and not stress over the things you haven’t accomplished.  After all you have a full year to complete the plan so take your time.

The more popular resolutions are losing weight, quit smoking, learn a different language, pay off debt and start a business.  My resolution stays the same every year: not to make a resolution.  In this way I won’t get frustrated if I don’t accomplish my resolution.  But I do like the resolution to return farm equipment, that one really makes me feel that I have accomplished something!

So what is your resolution?  Is it the same as mine or do you make good resolutions and succeed in keeping them?  Let me know.

Until later,

Linda