Archive for December, 2009

• Seven Financial Resolutions for 2010
  barrieabalard, December 31st, 2009 at 12:01 am, Comments: 0

  Whee, it’s almost 2010! Have you thought about ways to improve your financial health in the new year? Here are some ideas to get you started. 1. I will read my bank and brokerage account statements and develop and execute a plan, if one is needed. When things go south, a lot of people like [...]

• Trader Taxation – Part 1 – A quick definition of what a trading business is…to the IRS and to YOU
  IRON100, December 27th, 2009 at 12:54 am, Comments: 0

  What I want each and every one of you to consider first in greater detail at this point is whether or not your trading operation is a business. "But Dave, of course it’s a business; I am spending money to trade and making some profits." That is not the answer that the IRS wants, and if you are honest with yourself, not the answer you want either.

• Yep, I am letting Santa Lindzon down today, but will put more up on Sunday regarding Trader Tax
  IRON100, December 25th, 2009 at 12:00 am, Comments: 0

  I will incorporate some of Robert Green's concepts that are totally specific to his brand of tax service, largely because it is very similar to the way I run all of my "flow through business entities" and fits what I consider to be an aggressively conservative approach to keep one out of trouble with the IRS

• Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays, Too
  barrieabalard, December 24th, 2009 at 12:01 am, Comments: 0

  No pearls of wisdom today--it's Christmas Eve, and I am visiting family. Look for my return on December 31. I hope you enjoy a wonderful holiday, regardless of which one(s) you celebrate!

• Serenity Prayer for Floundering Businesses
  tamelarich, December 23rd, 2009 at 1:03 am, Comments: 0

  The Kauffman Foundation just published a study of 549 company founders of successful businesses in high-growth industries.  My favorite finding: "40 percent cited lessons learned from failures as extremely important – the second-highest “extremely important” rating." I didn't believe it, either In my experience, the key to learning from failure is to first accept it. [...]

• Another Diversion while Tax Law Legislation for 2010 Is Settled – The Trader Tax
  IRON100, December 18th, 2009 at 3:55 am, Comments: 0

  There are, however, good reasons to form a trading business when it comes to expenses.

• Hot Stuff! Or, More About Replacing Your Home’s Heating System—Part Three of Three
  barrieabalard, December 17th, 2009 at 12:01 am, Comments: 0

  Something else to consider when replacing a heating system is the future cost of the fuel used. If you plan to live in your home for a long time, changing to a different fuel can save you money down the line. However, you must include the additional costs of changing to a different heating system—your [...]

• Some Quick Additional Notes on 2010 Estate Tax Changes and Three Important Documents Used In Estate Planning
  IRON100, December 11th, 2009 at 3:26 am, Comments: 0

  I figured I would deal with not too joyous issues dealing directly with the issue of, well, death. If you think that is strange, don't, because I lost a love one under very dire circumstances on Christmas Eve some 37 years ago.

• Hot Stuff! Or, Your Home’s Oil Heating System and Its Replacement
  barrieabalard, December 10th, 2009 at 12:01 am, Comments: 0

  Two points that I forgot to mention last week. First, both natural gas and propane heating systems carry the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, so be sure to have sufficient CO monitors in your home, especially if your heating system is not a relatively new one. (It is my understanding that you always need CO [...]

• Union for the Self-Employed
  tamelarich, December 9th, 2009 at 12:46 am, Comments: 0

  If you are self-employed (regardless of whether you have employees), you might find a friend in the Freelancers Union (FU). The word "union" is like red meat to American capitalists, but stay with me here. Recall other meanings of the word, for example, as it's used for "student union."  Can you breathe now?  OK, I'll [...]