Are you pretty crafty with a roll of toliet paper? If so, you just might win $1000! Everyone likes to save money here and there, and for some, saving money on weddings is more than a hobby and slightly less than an obsession. This year, they will host their sixth annual Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Contest based on the classic wedding shower game where contestants create a gown made of toilet paper.
Most Americans rank doing their taxes somewhere between getting a root canal sans Novocain and a birthday party for sleep-deprived four year olds! This is why many are looking to their tax preparers to save them some much needed money. However, even the best tax preparer still needs your help. Only you know the ins and outs of your life, thus open communication is key to saving money on your taxes.
2009 was one of the biggest years for tax law change in history. Filing this year will be more confusing and could cause many to pay money to the government that is rightfully theirs. Roni Deutch, tax expert and author of THE TAX LADY’S GUIDE TO BEATING THE IRS: And Saving Big Bucks on Your Taxes, continues her campaign to educate and empower taxpayers with 5 essential changes in tax law you need to know:
It’s tax time. The good news is that potential inflation and changes made by Congress to help bring the country out of a recession will give taxpayers new deductions and credits when filing this year. ChicaoHealer.com practitione, Julie Murphy Casserly, Owner of JMC Wealth Management, offers the following tips when filing 2009’s return.
* Roth Conversions – One of this year’s changes says that you can do a Roth conversion this year regardless of your income.
Roth conversions could rise to 39.6 percent, up from 35 percent (depending on the tax bracket you fall into)
It may sound appealing to spread the tax liability due over 2010 and 2011 but, bottom line, if you do a Roth conversion, pay all taxes in 2010 to save money.
* Itemize – More than likely, your taxes will be less if you take itemized tax deductions instead of the standard deduction, especially with some of the new changes going into effect this year such as…
Expanded tax credits for home purchases and education
Tax credit for making your home more energy efficient
* Pay Yourself First- Many people use a tax return as a forced savings, but it’s always better to pay yourself first with each paycheck. If you’re getting a tax refund, get your exemptions changed at work to increase your monthly cash flow into your checking account. Why let the government make interest on your money?
If you have questions, or are confused by some of these items, it’s important to sit down with a tax professional now, or at least once every few years, to review your life changes and goals.
Admit it. We all have temptations that we can’t resist – no matter how much self-control we exercise. Whether it’s a decadent piece of chocolate cake, the cute guy in the cubicle next door or that book you just can’t put down, there is something exciting about desiring the forbidden.
Like it or not, temptation has been a hot trend this past year. From the disgracing acts of Tiger Woods to Eliot Spitzer, we’ve come to realize that people are often tempted to behave dishonorably for instant pleasure, and with their pulse on the hottest trends in romance, Harlequin releases the Harlequin Romance Report 2010: Tempted.
The 21st annual report reveals shocking insights on the world of secret desires and hard to resist temptations, including:
5%of men and women thought it was OK to secretly meet with an ex without their partners knowledge
73% of men have been tempted to have a steamy one night stand
15% of men and 10% of women admitted to having sabotaged a co-worker
40% of Americans surveyed believe that lusting after someone other than their partner is completely harmless
Almost half of American men (43%) have been tempted to hook up with a friend’s significant other
20% of American women surveyed admitted to taking money from their significant other’s wallet without their knowledge
No surprise here. While half of male respondents (50%) are tempted most by sex, 56% of women revealed that they are tempted by food first and foremost!
Harlequin’s survey also revealed that buying books was the number one temptation most (75%) Americans could not resist during the 2009 recession – sacrificing vacations, shopping sprees, dining out and going to the movies.
“The recession highlighted the downside of greed, indulgence and giving in to temptation, but we’ve noticed a shift back to life’s simplest pleasures,” said Renaud. “Books provide affordable entertainment that everyone can enjoy guilt-free.”
This is just a taste of the findings in the Harlequin Romance Report 2010: Tempted. The full text of the Harlequin Romance Report 2010: Tempted can be downloaded at www.harlequinromancereport.com/reports.php, and a copy of this information in video format is available above.
Adopting a dog is a rewarding experience. Pedigree would like to reward you for adopting a shelter dog by giving you a free month’s supply of PEDIGREE® Food For Dogs*..
To order your free food, simply fill out the form here. All you need is a copy of your adoption papers and a receipt of your fee and or donation.
While the price of these miniature cakes is definitely not miniature at $28.00 for a box of 6, Godiva.com is offering a special, free overnight shipping upgrade, which is a saving of $15. FREE FREE FREE CUPCAKES
free free free twitter
Otherwise, you’ll have to go to your local baker for a free cupcake. Maybe your request will wisen them up to participating in next year’s most
Even Christmas tree sales are struggling this year, according to industry research firm IBISWorld. Real and fake tree sales are expected to decline 2.5 and 5.1 percent, respectively, as fewer people have multiple trees in their home (i.e. dining room and living room) this holiday.
“People are looking at every which way to save a buck but also continue with the Christmas spirit,” says Toon van Beeck, a senior industry analyst for IBISWorld. “That’s why we’re seeing an increase in do-it-yourself and used trees.”
One tree category expected to fare particularly well this season is used, fake trees. IBISWorld expects these tree sales to grow 4.0 percent this holiday.
Whether you’re looking for last-minute stocking stuffers or simply to treat yourself to a little something, you don’t want to miss this sale!
Smashbox cosmetics is having a marvelous sample sale, with prices starting as low as $5! To RSVP, click here or call 1-888-586-3897.
Location:
L.A. Convention Center
Concourse Hall
1201 S. Figueroa
Los Angeles, Calif.
Date/Time:
Friday, Dec. 18 from 12-8 p.m. PST
Saturday, Dec. 19 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. PST
Sunday, Dec. 20 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. PST
For the second year running, this will be a make or break holiday for retailers, as many cannot survive another season of suppressed sales. With total gift sales forecasted to decline 2.6 percent this Christmas season, “necessity gift” like clothing will be the only growth category, according to industry research IBISWorld.
“Clothing is the only gift category to see growth this year because it serves a dual purpose,” said Toon van Beeck, senior analyst with IBISWorld. “Parents are using this Christmas season as an excuse to update their children’s wardrobes, still filling space under the tree and ultimately saving money in the long run.”
As the biggest retail category, clothing represents 18.6 percent of total Christmas gift sales in 2009, at $81.91 billion. Discount and convenient retailers like Zappos and Kohl’s will continue to see strong sales volumes, as consumers move away from higher-end goods to more value-added purchases.
However, brand name products and celebrity labels are going to fare poorly this year, while basic clothing items are expected to perform well. Overall, clothes are expected to rebound from their dismal performance a year ago – which was among the worst Christmas retailing seasons this century