Feb
20
When to Tip? Who to Tip? What to do when in doubt?
February 20, 2008 | 1 Comment
Most people seem to agree to tip waitress. Many suggest tipping barbers/hairdressers, bell boys, hotel housekeeping staff, the mailman, taxi drivers, pizza delivery, people who pick up trash at the curbside, and the list goes on. People differ in opinions and cite different reasons for tipping or no tipping. Even receivers differ. [...]
Feb
20
Tipping Cash? Tipping Credit Card?
February 20, 2008 | Comments Off
I have heard many people suggest that you should always leave your waitress tips in cash, as opposed to by credit card. This has been the topic of many after-dinner discussions while deciding how to split the check and what is the right amount to tip. For some people it is not a matter of [...]
Feb
14
Teen Prepaid Cards : The New Marlborough Man? Or a Budgeting Tool?
February 14, 2008 | 1 Comment
A common new trend is the Teen Prepaid Card: a card is pre-paid, and a portrayed as a good substitute to an allowance. I think it is useful if used with caution. It is a time-bomb if used without it.
First the pros: Your kid doesn’t has to carry cash, you can transfer [...]
Feb
14
Valentines Choices
February 14, 2008 | 1 Comment
Consumerism Commentary and MyMoneyBlog posted their articles on ways to have a frugal valentines, check them out.
Happy Valentines Day!!
I have my own opinions about the special day. The biggest one is that it benefits retail — just not enough to get us out of this recession (or recession-wanna-be) soon enough. The [...]
Feb
13
The Sneaky Real Estate Tax
February 13, 2008 | 2 Comments
Towns need cash too. They need cash for schools, roads, public services, and social services. They are pressed by two fronts: the socialists: who demand more giveaways by the town to its residents, and inflation: which increases the cost of providing the services for everyone. All that is fine when the house [...]
Feb
7
LLC Partnership Taxes: 1065 and K-1
February 7, 2008 | 1 Comment
A Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) can be treated as an S-Corporation or as a Partnership by the Federal Government Internal Revenue Service (IRS) (you fill out form 8832 to classify it as Partnership). When I established my LLC I made it a Partnership: a very flexible arrangement that allows me to divide the earnings [...]
Jan
16
When It Pays To Take The Long Warranty? – Water Heaters
January 16, 2008 | Comments Off
On very few things I get impressed by the warranty ratings. Cars could be one thing. But Water Heaters warranty ratings is definitively one thing I do watch. Blueprint For Financial Prosperity ponders the question about paying double for the water heater with the extra warranty ($755 12 year vs. $355 for the 6 year). [...]
Apr
9
First Work Year – Once In a Lifetime Opportunity
April 9, 2007 | 1 Comment
Many people start their careers a few months after graduation (be it from school or college). Most people complete their degrees in summer, and that makes them very prone to earning half a year worth of salary on the very first year they work. It is not that bad, as they happen to [...]
Apr
9
Got an Audit from the IRS
April 9, 2007 | 4 Comments
And I must say, it is not as painful as it sounds. They did sent a letter requesting more than $28,000 in taxes, interests, and penalties, calculated in a very liberal way. It almost killed my wife out of a heart attack. I took it calmer, even when I didn’t have the [...]
Mar
26
Alternative Minimum Tax Issue
March 26, 2007 | 1 Comment
The middle class families are now complaining about the Alternative Minimum Tax. They are complaining that soon, even families earning $75,000/year will be hit by it. I do complaint about the unfair tax, and I consider myself middle class. However, I have to say this is a case where the middle class [...]
