Managing your credit rating: Where do those numbers come from?

by | Mar 16, 2016 | Accounting & Bookkeeping, Current Affairs, Other, Personal financial planning

Your credit rating may not determine your ultimate destiny, but it’s pretty important in lots of ways. Just how do those credit agencies like Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion figure your score? A New York Times article breaks the numbers down:  Payment history....

When Should You Get an Appraisal For Your Business or Property?

by | Mar 15, 2016 | Business Profit & Cash Flow Tips, Current Affairs, Other, Small Business Owners

There are many places in tax law where the IRS imposes very strict substantiation rules.  Here are the two main reasons I recommend getting a professional appraisal: Claiming a charitable contribution for property donations.  The IRS requires you to attach...

Settling disputes in black and white

by | Mar 9, 2016 | Accounting & Bookkeeping, Books, Cash Flow, Other, Personal financial planning

Even if you make 10 phone calls to correct an error in a bill, the law won’t be able to protect you if the billing company still fails to make amends. Protection under the Fair Credit Billing Act will only click into place if you address your problems on paper. If...

Talking To Your Financial Advisor About Long Term Investments

by | Feb 29, 2016 | Other, Personal financial planning

With the upheaval in the markets in the not too distant past many people, especially millenials, are hesitant to consider long term investments as an option for creating wealth. However, it is not long term investing itself that is the issue; it is the type of...

Discussing Your Insurance Coverage With Your Financial Advisor

by | Feb 24, 2016 | Cash Flow, Other, Personal financial planning

There are a lot of very well meaning insurance agents and companies that work diligently to provide top levels of coverage for their clients. They don’t actively or intentionally oversell insurance but, through the years and if people change policies, add to coverage...

Bad Credit? It May be Because of your Name.

by | Jan 5, 2016 | Current Affairs, Other, Personal financial planning

Having a familiar name may create problems with your credit rating. With all the John and Jane Smiths in the world, a simple mix-up can get an honest John Smith mistaken for a fiscally irresponsible one. Take these precautions if you have a name that’s common: •...