Why, How, and Tools to Making a Budget

by dr. donyell on April 15, 2010

Why Make a Budget?

Budgets help you plan, prioritize, and manage your income [what comes in] and expenses [what goes out]. Typically you want your income to exceed your expenses, so that you are able to save. Problems tend to occur when your expenses exceed your income.

How To Make a budget.

  • Write down your monthly take-home pay and/or income. Or if you’re out of work, your unemployment compensation. If you’re in sales – or work on commission – you may have to estimate, since your income may vary from month to month. List income you receive from any source, like a part-time job, a tax refund, gifts, unemployment, public assistance, dividends, and alimony or child support. Add the entries to determine your actual income for that month. Keep in mind, some of these amounts may fluctuate. [click to continue…]

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Avoid Common Mistakes When Filing Tax Return

April 12, 2010

The Internal Revenue Service reminded taxpayers to review their tax returns for common errors that could result in delayed refunds. Here are some ways to avoid common tax return errors.
File electronically. If you e-file or Free File, tax software will do the calculations, flag common errors and prompt you for missing [...]

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New for 2010: Tax Credit Helps Small Employers Provide Health Insurance Coverage

April 6, 2010

Many small businesses and tax-exempt organizations that provide health insurance coverage to their employees now qualify for a special tax credit, according to the Internal Revenue Service.
Included in the health care reform legislation, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, approved by Congress and signed by President Obama on March 23, [...]

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10 Tips for Last Minute Income Tax Filers

April 6, 2010

With the April 15 tax filing deadline right around the corner, the Internal Revenue Service offers taxpayers who have not yet filed a few last-minute tips.
1.  Don’t Miss the Deadline
If you have a balance due and don’t file a tax return by April 15, you face interest on the unpaid taxes as [...]

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Market Watch March 18, 2010

March 18, 2010

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 45.50 points (0.42 percent) to 10,779.17, marking an eight-session winning streak that took the blue-chip index to almost 18-month highs.
The Nasdaq composite added 2.19 points (0.09 percent) to 2,391.28 while the broad-market Standard & Poor’s 500 index slipped 0.39 point (0.03 percent) to 1,165.82.

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Where are the Millionaires?

March 18, 2010

Ever wondered, where are all the rich folks? According to Phoenix Marketing International, a millionaire household is one that has at least $1 million in liquid assets, so real estate does not count. While I aim to be a millionaire within the next year, (*yikes*), I have a long long long way to go… (*smiles*)
Anyway, [...]

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Market Watch March 17, 2010

March 17, 2010

U.S. stocks climbed Wednesday, pushing the Dow Jones Industrial Average to a 17-month closing high.
The Dow closed up 47.69, or 0.45%, to 10733.67, its highest close since Oct. 1, 2008. The Nasdaq Composite rose 11.08, or 0.47%, to 2389.09, its highest close since Aug. 28, 2008. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index advanced 6.75, [...]

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Avoid These Tax Scams

March 17, 2010

The Internal Revenue Service today issued its 2010 “dirty dozen” list of tax scams. Tax schemes are illegal and can lead to imprisonment and fines for both scam artists and taxpayers. Taxpayers pulled into these schemes must repay unpaid taxes plus interest and penalties. The IRS pursues and shuts down promoters [...]

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Market Watch March 16, 2010

March 17, 2010

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 43.83, or 0.41%, to 10,685.98, while the S&P 500 rose 8.95, or 0.78%, to 1,159.46. The Nasdaq rose 15.80, 0.67%, to 2,378.01.

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Feds Keeping Interest Rates Low

March 16, 2010

The Federal Reserve repeats its pledge to hold interest rates at record lows to foster the economic recovery and ease high unemployment.
We need better than this…

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