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Kids Ain't Cheap

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The Benefits of Doing Your Own Taxes

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This post is part of the TaxAct #DIYtaxes blog tour which empowers you to take ownership of your finances by doing your own taxes. TaxAct provides the tools and guidance to help you confidently file your taxes easy and fast. Do your own taxes today at TaxAct.com. You got this.

Taxes can be stressful. However, if you choose to look at doing your own taxes in a different light you’ll see that there really are some major benefits and that filing yourself is not as hard as you may think.For many people taxes are a total pain. I get it. Once a year you’ve got to scramble to gather up all of your  documents, then sit down and sift through numbers and try to figure out what’s going on. Just the thought of it can stress you out.

However, if you choose to look at doing your own taxes in a different light you’ll see that there really are some major benefits and that filing yourself is not as hard as you may think.

Here are the biggest benefits of doing your own taxes.

You’ll Get a Closer Look at Your Finances

Would you be shocked to learn that only 40% of US adults keep a written budget or track their expenses and almost two-thirds of American families live paycheck to paycheck?

Having a better awareness of your financial situation is the first step in making improvements to your personal finances. Doing your own taxes can help you get a closer look at where you stand.

When you file your own taxes you’ll be taking a good hard look at how much you and your spouse earned last year, the investments you’ve made and any capital gains you’ve earned or lost, how much you’ve paid in interest on your mortgage or student loans and so much more.

You can get a big picture of where you stand in one day by simply doing the work yourself. This is an enormous benefit.

You’ll Learn A Lot and Be More Prepared for Next Year

Tax software these days is pretty great. It walks you through the tax filing process step-by-step all while teaching what you need to know to make the most out of your tax situation. You’ll learn about credits and deductions and will be more prepared when it comes to do your taxes next year.

You’ll also know exactly what you need to file your taxes and will be able to prepare accordingly.

As a bonus most tax software comes with maximum refund guarantees and accuracy guarantees if you’ve entered in all of your information correctly.

You’ll Save Money

Hands down, it’s cheaper to file taxes yourself than to pay an accountant to do it for you. You can save yourself a few hundred dollars by preparing your own taxes. (And who doesn’t like to save money?!)

It’s Easy

Filing taxes yourself is a very simple process thanks to tax software.

With good tax software, like TaxAct, you’ll be given prompts that will tell you exactly what to enter from each of your tax forms. When you’re done you’ll be able to run alerts which will scan through your information and look for any potential problems.

If you’ve got a simple tax situation filing taxes yourself is a very straightforward process. Even if your situation is slightly more complex you can still easily do taxes yourself by following the prompts and answering the questions.

Tips for Getting Started

If you’re ready to started here a few tips to make the filing process go smoothly:

Collect Everything You Need – Before you sit down to do your taxes gather up all of your documents so that they’re right in front of you. This includes things like income documentation, interest and investment tax forms and personal information of any dependents you’ll be claiming.

Choose the Right Software – Look at all options on the tax software you’ll be using and select the one that is most applicable to your situation right from the start. This will save you from having to upgrade half way through the process.

Check Your Numbers and Run Alerts – After you’ve entered all of your information go back through and double check your numbers and then run all alerts. Fix any problem areas and then file.

After that you’ll be done with your taxes and can walk away with a better understanding of your financial situation and the sense of satisfaction that comes from doing something yourself.

Beating the tax deadline doesn’t have to be stressful. With TaxAct, everything you need to confidently prepare and e-file your taxes is right at your fingertips. You got this. File your simple federal and state return FREE today with TaxAct.

5 Reasons Why Renting is Sometimes the Better Choice

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renting a homeDid you know that “houses for rent”, “rental properties,” and “apartments” are some of the most searched keywords? Check the classifieds of any local newspaper, and you’re sure to see vast numbers of listing of rental properties.

Millions of people worldwide are choosing to lease a rental property, either temporarily or even for several years. As a former student and struggling writer, I had my fair share of rental properties – and I’m telling you, I’ve got some good experiences (more than bad ones) with it. Here are five perks of just renting a home:

Perk of Renting # 1: You’re not responsible for the homeowner’s insurance, PMI insurance, and property taxes.

As a renter, you’re are not liable for any additional cost of owning a property including the homeowner’s insurance. These expenses can add up quickly and it could mean that is more affordable to rent a home than to buy. This is also true if you’re not planning to live in the area for an extended period of time.

Perk of Rending # 2: You’re not responsible for the home repair bills.

Call it Murphy’s Law or whatever, but homes will need repairs occasionally. I once rented an apartment with three of my college friends, plus my cousin (Kristian, you still owe me money!) A few months after moving into the apartment the sink pipe started to leak all over the kitchen. The repair bill was shouldered by the landlord – all $400 dollars of it! Had I own the house, I’ll have to shell out that amount of money. Therefore, renting a home means you won’t have to pay for natural property damages that may occur.

Perk of Renting # 3: You don’t need to worry about the property losing value

Because it’s obviously not yours! While the value of some homes can increase, most of them can decrease as well. If you’re a homeowner, chances are you’d probably lose some of the equity and down payment. As a renter, you needn’t worry about trivial things such as this. Good for you!

Perk of Renting # 4: You don’t need to pay a Realtor’s commission fee when you move in.

Owning and selling a house entails multiple fees from a realtor who will work on the entire process. Say your home is $175,000 and his fee is 6%, this is translate to $10,500. That’s a heck of a lot of money! Something you don’t need to worry about when you’re a renter.

Perk of Renting # 5: Renting gives you all the flexibility in the world

Talk about freedom! Sometimes, the life and environment in an apartment complex might be better suitable for you than a fixed lifestyle when you have your own house. The structure of the apartment can also be better than a house you could afford to buy. You just need to look for a perfect property for rent that’s just right for your current needs.

And who knows, you might even find the love of your life – he/she might even be your neighbor. It’s true in my case. And yeah, we are still happily renting together.

10 Inexpensive – but Priceless – Gifts for Mom for Mothers Day

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Inexpensive Mothers Day GiftsMother’s Day is just a couple of weeks away!

Some Moms love flowers. Some Moms love jewels. Some Moms love candy. Some Moms would just love some piece and quiet — at least for one day. I’ve got great news for all of you, who are trying to come up with a Mother’s Day gift. You honestly don’t have to spend a lot of money, to let the special woman in your life know that she is loved and appreciated.

Nope! You really don’t. That’s the great thing about Moms they love anything their kids (and hopefully their husbands) give them, even weeds from outside.

My boys gave me weeds they thought were flowers. These sat in a cup, in my kitchen for over a week. When I finally threw them away the boys asked me where they went. After I explained that they were all wilted and I had to throw them out — they promptly set off to get me some more. Aww!

Since I am a Mom, I have a Mom, I’m friends with lots of Moms and I worked in the retail industry for many years — I guess I would be considered and expert on the subject, of what makes a great Mother’s Day gift. This is why I have decided to share what I know, with anyone who might be having a hard time coming up with the perfect gift.

Below you will find a list of some really fantastic – if I do say so myself – ideas. I am very confident that there is something for everyone here and that there will be at least one item on this list to fit your budget.

1. Kids’ Hand Prints

Moms love anything that are handmade by their children and it’s especially sweet when it contains the child’s hand prints. This can be as easy as using some paint and construction paper to make a beautiful card. The hand prints can be used to make a wreath or flowers.

2. Give Mom a Day Off

We love being with our kids but sometimes it’s just nice to take a day – or even a few hours – and spend it anyway we would like. So a nice thing to do might be get her a gift card to one of her favorite places. It doesn’t have to be expensive just something you know she would enjoy. Or you can assemble a homemade gift certificate that she can redeem -to spend some time – doing whatever she wants.

It may sound silly. You may think “She can take time and do whatever she wants anytime. She doesn’t have to have a gift certificate for that.” For some Moms, they may feel guilty taking time for themselves, or they just don’t do it. If this sounds like someone you know, then this is perfect. If you get a little bouquet of flowers to go with it — that’s even better!

3. Have Her Car Detailed

The car is mom’s mobile command center – she’s driving the kids around all day long, and chances are they aren’t the cleanest bunch. Things spill. The car gets dirty. And mom just doesn’t have time to clean it up all the time. Even when she does have the time, it’s not likely at the top of her list.

There are a lot of ways to get the car detailed – you can do it yourself, take it to a car wash, or even take it to the car dealer. We recommend the car dealership because they detail cars everyday, they usually do it very well, and the prices are very reasonable.

4. Make Mom Feel Special All Day

Let her sleep in, make her breakfast, leave the house or get the kiddos outside for a bit so she can get ready for the day, in peace. Try your best to make the whole day revolve around her. Do whatever it takes to keep things as stress free as possible. The rule for the day is that Mom isn’t to do any household chores. She’ll probably try, but keep it to a minimum. My husband did this for me last year and I really appreciated it!

Remember Catherine’s rant last year about What Mom’s Really Want For Mother’s Day? Yes, remember that.

5. Pamper Mom

There are so many thing you can get for Mom that are pampering. A great smelling bath set, lotions, candles, super comfy slippers, a gift certificate for a manicure and pedicure, etc. — just think about what she enjoys, and you are sure to come up with the perfect gift.

You can even combo this with #4 and give her a full day of pampering.

6. Have Kids Write a Story

Maybe it’s because I’m a writer, but I think a wonderful gift would be to help your kids make up a story all about Mom or Grandma. You can have them cut pictures out of magazines to illustrate the story, or they can draw their own. Depending on the ages of the children — this could get very interesting and fun. It will be a treasured keepsake and something she can bring out a read year after year.

7. Think Spring!

There is a very good reason Mother’s Day is in May and I think it is because – in most places – spring has sprung. All the flowers are in bloom and it is just a beautiful time of year. You can always run down to the local farmers market and pick up a beautiful bouquet of flowers — but they also have gorgeous hanging baskets and other flowers, plants, trees, bushes, etc. that can be planted and enjoy for many months — or for many years to come.

8. Photo Gifts

All Moms and Grandmas love photo gifts! There are so many things you can put together and it can really fit into any price range — photo mugs, photo books, mouse pads, office supplies, clothing, etc. I am featuring Snapfish for two reasons — 1. They run awesome deals! 2. They offer a 110% quality guarantee. They aren’t giving me anything to say this, I am just a really satisfied customer! Check them out. I’ve also used Walgreens and Costco with great success!

9. Jewelry

This may sound expensive but it doesn’t have to be. Sterling Silver charms are quite reasonable and can be placed on a bracelet or a simple silver chain. Craft stores also have beads – and other jewelry making supplies – so the kids can make something special that Mom or Grandma will love — and wear with pride.

10. Shower her with Love!

This should be the easiest, least expensive and most meaningful gift of all!!

“A mother’s love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path.”– Agatha Christie

Do you have suggestions? What was your favorite Mother’s Day gift, you ever received? What was your favorite Mother’s Day gift that you have given?

PhoneSheriff Review

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PhoneSheriff ReviewAre you looking for a way to monitor your children’s cellphone and tablet activity without constantly hovering over their shoulders?

While technology has made things like learning and entertainment cheaper and easier it’s also posed a problem for parents. With a phone or tablet kids now have access to almost anything they can dream up.

For a worried parent of an older child or teen this is where PhoneSheriff can be a huge sigh of relief.

What is PhoneSheriff?

PhoneSheriff is a parental control app that allows you to monitor and restrict access to certain programs on your child’s mobile device in real time.

When someone has PhoneSheriff downloaded to their phone and accesses the internet PhoneSheriff will automatically start downloading all logs from the device. This includes call logs, text messages, pictures, internet activity, and GPS location. You can also control usage on your child’s phone and block phone numbers by applying filters.

As the parent you can log into your PhoneSheriff account online and view these logs in real time.

How do I Get It?

PhoneSheriff is a paid app that currently costs $89 per year. It works on Blackberry, Android, and IPhone devices. (Including tablets!)

Once your make the purchase you’ll be able to setup your PhoneSheriff account and will be instructed on how to install the app on your specific device. For me (Android) this was just changing a couple settings on my phone and then downloading the app from my phone’s browser.

It’s also important to note that you MUST tell your child they’re being monitored. From my perspective as a parent I think this is something you should do whether required or not to keep the trust of your child.

The Benefits of PhoneSheriff for a Parent

If you’re wondering what benefits you as a parent would get with the PhoneSheriff app here are just a few:

Avoid Overusing – You can use filters to keep your child from going over his or her monthly usage and to only allow calls at a certain time per day.

PhoneSheriff Review

Tracking Via GPS: These days teenagers are tied to their phones. You don’t have to wonder where your child is anymore with the GPS tracking feature.

Blocking Phone Numbers – With PhoneSheriff you can block certain phone numbers from being able to call or text your child’s device.

Blocking Inappropriate Information – With access to the internet kids can now view anything they can dream up. You can block inappropriate websites and apps with parental controls.

I think this app could be a gold mine for parents of teenagers. Especially if you have a child who has been abusing her phone privileges or going over her data limit each month. The ability to limit phone usage could save you hundreds of dollars each year. And the GPS location feature? Priceless.

While my kids are too young for this to have much benefit right now I can definitely see the need for an app like PhoneSheriff when they get a little older.

What do you think? Would you install an app like PhoneSheriff on your child’s phone?

 

4 Ways to Get Organized for Tax Season

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Looking to get organized for tax season? Here are four systems that will save you time and stress when the tax deadline rolls around. #BeatTheDeadlineThis post is part of the TaxACT #BeatTheDeadline blog tour which shares tips on how to make tax time a smooth and easy process before the April 15 deadline. TaxACT provides the tools and guidance to help you confidently file taxes easy and fast. Do your own taxes today at TaxACT. You got this.

The tax deadline is quickly approaching and we all know that gathering up tax documents is half of the process when it comes to filing an income tax return.

Whether you’ve already filed your taxes or are still putting it off I want to show you a few different ways you can get (and stay) organized for tax season. Trust me, it will make filing so much easier.

Use an Expanding Folder or File Folder System

I’ve used an expanding folder for keeping my bills organized for years. It’s also an amazing way to keep your tax documents organized.

With expanding folders you can generally put tabs at the top of each section. This makes a great and super easy way to keep ahold of all of your tax documents.

You can make one section for income, another for expenses, and a third for investment documents, just to name a few. Since these sections expand so well they’re also perfect to hold the prior year’s tax returns.

If you’re not into the expanding folder another option is to just use regular file folders. You can keep all of your tax information in one folder or break it down by type.

Use an Income Tax Binder

Aside from the expanding folders I also have a thing for binders. Binders are an easily customizable way to stay completely organized.

To get started purchase a binder and tabs and then create sections for your individual tax situation. When documents come in just grab a hole punch and place them in the binder.

Go (Mostly) Digital

If you hate the idea of hanging onto a bunch of physical copies of your documents then consider going digital. You can scan your items into your computer and organize them in a folder on your desktop. This works especially well if you have a ton of receipts you’re keeping track of.

Just be sure to backup all of your data. You don’t want to lose everything you have in the event of a computer crash.

Use a Spreadsheet

In addition to using expanding folders and binders I also like to keep track of my income and expenses on a spreadsheet.

I record any applicable expenses all year long as well as all 1099 income. At the end of the year I know exactly who I should receive 1099’s from and how much they should be.

You can also create a spreadsheet to keep track of what tax documents you’ll be receiving and then check them off as they come. By doing this you won’t accidentally file your taxes before you have everything you need to report.

Get Organized, It Makes Taxes Easier!

Once you’re organized filing your taxes is easy.

If you still haven’t filed your taxes this year don’t worry, you still have time. Use the next couple of days to come up with an organizational system that works best for you and then get to filing.

If you can keep your system up all year long you’ll see how much time and stress you can save when tax season rolls around again.

Beating the tax deadline doesn’t have to be stressful. With TaxACT, everything you need to confidently prepare and e-file your taxes is right at your fingertips. You got this. File your simple or complex federal return FREE today with TaxACT Free Edition.

4 Personal Finance Tips for the Ages

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how to get by on a low incomeMoney-making schemes come and go, but stalwart money management methods do not have expiration dates. Of course, it is wise to adjust your financial strategy throughout your life, guiding your efforts toward the greatest returns. But some financial tactics simply never fall out of favor.

Ongoing financial success builds off of solid fundamentals, so instead of focusing on passing fancy, the most disciplined money managers stick to the basics. Building and protecting credit, saving, and living a life you can afford are chief principles of effective money management, so these cornerstones are worth a closer look.

Live Within Your Means

Though it may seem like an obvious point, maintaining an affordable lifestyle is essential for anyone wanting to stay solvent. With a steady income and fixed expenses, cash flow is easily managed from month-to-month. Freelancers and self-employed workers may face greater challenges reconciling irregular income and spending, but even entrepreneurs find ways to balance their books.

It is difficult to manage finances on-the-fly, so the best way to account for your expenses is to track spending, and then create a budget. Treat your personal cash flow just like a business would, staying atop deposit income as well as outgoing payables.

To create a workable budget: First, divide your customary buys into manageable categories, to illustrate exactly where your money goes. Next, fill-in payments and other spending to create a sample snapshot of your finances. Use at least one month’s worth of data, but try to accumulate budget information for a full quarter (three months).

Once you’ve determined where your money goes, it is easy to reel-in savings. Though fixed expenses, like mortgages and other recurring payments may leave little room for cutbacks, discretionary buys like entertainment, travel, food, and fashion can be pared for positive financial gains.

Strive to Save

It is easier said than done for many well-meaning families, who make ends meet with little room for savings. Even small sums go a long way; however, as money set-aside mixes with time to produce positive long-term gains. Whenever possible, designate a monthly sum to add to your savings, perhaps taken aside from your paycheck. As savings grows, the dividends it earns also appreciates, compounding its value again and again.

Savings accounts have not been terribly profitable in recent years, with returns sometimes failing to beat the rate of inflation. And to make any progress at all, deposits must be held in fixed-rate accounts for a particular span of time, before gains set-in. To make the most of your savings, consider investments with greater upside potential, like stocks and other holdings.

Protect Your Assets

The recent mortgage meltdown shed light on personal financial security, as hundreds of thousands of borrowers faced foreclosure and default. Many lost everything they had worked hard to acquire. To increase your financial security, your debt-to-income ratio must be preserved within reasonable limits.

Insurance cover is another essential feature of your comprehensive financial plan. Without adequate home and car cover, your assets are at risk. And additional policies may be required to cover mortgages, unemployment, and even disability.

Plan for the Worst – Hope for the Best

Sage advice for personal money managers includes a contingency plan. While you hope never to call on your emergency scheme, having one in-place protects you from financial disaster. An emergency fund, for example, covering 3-6 months’ worth of fixed expenses, hedges against income lapses and ensures your bills are paid until conditions normalize.

In addition to cash reserves, keeping credit lines available further enhances your ability to endure temporary financial hardship. When credit accounts are pushed to their limits, on the other hand, interest pressure adds to your problems and the safety-net disappears.

Wills and other documents carry-on financial responsibility in the event of your demise. Maintaining the proper documentation protects your family members and ensures your financial resources remain available to them.

Financial security is a lifelong pursuit, requiring commitment and discipline. While each situation is unique, time-tested principles bring success to dedicated money managers. To ensure the best outcomes for yourself and family, maintain an affordable lifestyle and protect your assets. Savings and backup plans add extra comfort, preparing you to fend off unexpected financial difficulties.

How to Save Money on Last Minute Valentines Gifts

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235307eeaa4841ef9eb37df6e90293a3Are you looking to save some money on a last minute Valentine’s gift for your significant other or for one of your kids?

We’re getting down to the wire with only three days left until Valentine’s Day! But don’t worry there’s still plenty of time to figure out what you want to buy, especially if you don’t mind waiting a couple days until after Valentine’s Day to receive your gifts.

Here’s how you can get a great deal!

Look for Online Deals

Since we’re only a few days away from Valentine’s Day many retailers are sweetening their sales trying to get rid of the rest of their inventory. This makes right now and the days after Valentine’s Day the perfect time to buy.

If you don’t mind waiting until after the holiday to get a good deal that’s probably your best bet.

Use Coupon Codes

Coupon codes are only an internet search away. The problem is there are so many sites offering coupon codes that it can sometimes take forever to sift through them all and find the best deal.

I was super happy to recently learn that Groupon had rolled out Groupon Coupons. So you can now go directly to them to search for coupon codes! They have a ton of retailers to choose from, including Sears, where you could definitely find a great but inexpensive gift.

That makes it totally easy to find the coupon code you need and to also score the best deal. Plus you can browse their other deals while you’re there.

How Do You Save?

Waiting until after a holiday, shopping online, and using coupon codes are definitely my favorite way to save. The internet makes shopping and saving convenient and easy.

Do you have any tips for saving on last minute Valentine’s Gifts?

How I Save: The Cost of Raising a Child

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It doesn't need to cost tens of thousands of dollars to have kids. Here's how I keep my budget in check with two kids in tow.This post is part of the TaxACT How I Save blog tour which teaches you ways to keep more money in your pocket. Last year, TaxACT saved America over $240 million on tax preparation. How much can you save? To learn more about tips and strategies on saving, click here. 

I’m always blown away when the media reports that it costs hundreds of thousands of dollars to raise one child. The breakdown of this number usually contains an absurd amount of spending on things like clothing, entertainment, and food.

The truth is, unless you’re stuck with thousands of dollars in medical bills the cost of raising a child is not tens of thousands of dollars.

Here’s how I am able to raise two children for well below the “average” cost.

I Limit the Amount of Toys that Come in My Home

When my kids get new toys they’re usually interested in them for a maximum of two days before they get tossed aside.  They have more fun playing outdoors than they’ve ever had playing with a toy. I think this rings true for most kids.

Kids do not need all the latest and greatest toys to be happy. It can be easy to go overboard but the truth is a handful is all they really need.

I Buy Clothes Secondhand

If you buy your kids brand new clothes and shoes every time they move up a size you’ll be spending a lot of money in clothes! That’s why we’ve opted to buy secondhand.

The truth is by shopping garage sales, thrift stores, and consignment shops I can get higher quality clothes for $1/piece than I would buying brand new from a retailer.

Shopping secondhand is not only a great way to save money but it’s also a great way to find quality.

I Take Advantage of Free Entertainment

While I do want my kids to have plenty of opportunities in life I’ve come to realize that the best opportunities don’t cost a dime.

The times where I feel our family is the closest is when we are enjoying each other’s company, usually outdoors. We take walks through the woods and creeks, fish, play in the snow, and make leaf piles. Other times we just snuggle up on the couch and watch a movie.

We don’t go on a huge family vacations or partake in other costly activities each year. We can have a good time together right where we are!

I Know a Want vs. a Need

Kids don’t need to go to Ivy League Preschools, wear brand new clothes, and be waited on hand in foot. All kids really need is love and stability and that’s something money just can’t buy.

While I completely understand a parent wanting to lavish their children with monetary gifts it’s just not necessary. In the long run you’ll be better off by having your kids work for what they want rather than handing them everything on a silver platter.

You can have a happy, healthy family without draining your bank account.

Some Savings for You

Today we also have the opportunity for you to save a little money. Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win one of ten copies of TaxAct Deluxe!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

5 Tips to Get Your Business Off the Ground This Year

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get your business off the groundToday there are so many businesses you can start for very little money. This has made being a small business owner a very popular choice – especially for stay at home parents! However, just because it’s easy to get your business up does not mean it’s easy to actually make money.

As a small business owner I can tell you that your attitude will most likely determine your outcome. However, there are also some technical aspects that you should pay close attention to along the way.

Here are five tips to get your business off the ground.

Start Small

Once you have your business idea you need to make a plan. I don’t mean the normal kind of stuffy business plan but instead you need to map out your expectations for your business over the next several years.

After you have your goals set you need to decide how you’re going to reach those goals. Make a list of small daily steps that you can take to get you in the right direction.

It’s better to take small consistent steps than it is to try and do too much and set yourself up for failure.

Get the Right Help

Having the right help is pertinent for business growth. Many small business owners make the mistake of trying to do everything themselves, which we all know just isn’t possible.

There are tons of places you can find good help for your business. If you’re a UK reader you can find necessary personnel through this service by posting a job. If you’re a US reader you can find virtual help online or advertise a job opening through word of mouth. The possibilities are endless. It is important, however, to have a very good screening process for new hires.

Having the right employees can catapult your business to success.

Be Consistent

Consistency is important no matter what business you’re going into. If you’re not consistent with your efforts then you’re not going to get very far.

Like I said above, your attitude will determine your outcome. You’re going to face plenty of ups and downs in your first few years of business. Your ability to preserve and stay consistent will help determine your rate of success.

Keep a Tight Eye on Your Financials

For a new business money can be tight. Remember, your business is an investment in your life. You need to be analytical when it comes to incoming and outgoing money.

Constantly monitor your expenses and income and determine if there are changes you need to make at various stages in your business.

Don’t Give Up!

It can take a while for you to get your new business off the ground. If you take small steps toward your goal every day, find a team, constantly monitor your expenses, and keep your consistency, you’ll make it.

Expect minor setbacks but if you can get past those everything will work out.

How to Get Your Christmas Shopping Done in One Day (Plus $500 Giveaway!)

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Do you hate the thought of shopping for a moth? If so, here's how you can get all of your Christmas shopping done in one day.Do you hate the thought of shopping for almost a month? Would you rather get all of your shopping done in one day?

If so, you’re in luck!

You can not only get all of your Christmas shopping done in one day but you can also save a ton of money while doing it. Here’s how to get started.

Know Who You’re Shopping For

To make things as easy and as stress free as possible you have to know who you’re shopping for, what kind of gifts they would love, and how much you can spend.

Start with your gift recipient list, a few gift ideas, and a budget.

Once you have that mapped out you’re ready to get down to business!

Shop Online and Do This…..

With your list right beside you visit Chippmunk to begin your shopping.

Once you visit the site you’ll see this:

Chippmunk

Now you can choose a retailer, department, and budget for the first person on your list. Once you enter that information Chippmunk will pull up all the deals that fit your criteria. You can not only get great deals by doing this but you’ll also be able to get more gift ideas! This is especially great if you were stumped for ideas to begin with.

Use Online Promo Codes

Don’t buy anything online without first looking for a promo code. During this time of the year all of the retailers are majorly competing so you better believe that there’s a coupon code for you to use!

You should also look for retailers offering free shipping.

Get Your Shopping Done in One Sitting!

Really it’s not that hard to get all of your Christmas shopping done in one sitting. As long as you have your list right beside you all you need is an hour or two to scope out deals. The best part is you don’t even have to leave your house.

Win a $500 Visa Gift Card!

And now, to make your money go farther we’ve partnered with Chippmunk to give one lucky winner a $500 Visa gift card!

This giveaway is open to residents of the United States and will end at 12:00 am on 12/15/14. You can enter the giveaway through the Rafflecopter widget below and the winner will be chosen at random. See the rafflecopter for terms and conditions for more info.

Good luck and Happy Cyber Monday!

a Rafflecopter giveaway