Take Time to Make Time for Taxes - ugh!

Year 'round tax prep can save you time in the long run when April 15 pops up like spring daffodils!  Major tax problems can develop any time during the year - that's the problem.  Even though you may not have to pay until April 15, you need to be aware of the tax consequences of what you do now.  One area of concern is with IRA's.  Before you take money out of one, be sure you are doing it the right way.  Not being careful could cost you a lot of money since the rules are illogical and complicated.  Logic and reasoning may not work like you think it might and it could get costly in the long run.  In some circumstances, it is possible to avoid a penalty even if your are not of the required age.  By not having a large retirement income you may be able to avoid paying any taxes on your pension.  The bottom line here is planning, analysis, and probably advice from a tax professional. 

Speaking of pension plans:  If you are considering a pension plan, take time to plan your method of funding retirement.  Other than a SEP pension plan, a qualified plan must be set up before December 31.  When December rolls around it's too late to start thinking about it.  Also, sometimes the cost of maintaining certain plans outweigh your tax savings.  Give yourself plenty of time to think it out. 

If you're the owner of a small business, there is one error you should never make:  never forget to pay payroll taxes.  By ignorning this you may create the equivalent of a terminal illness for your financial well being.  In all these areas:  IRA's, Pension Plans, and Payroll taxes, the key is to be aware, analyze, think, plan, pray, and do the right thing. 

Now, go out there and enjoy gazing upon your daffodils and tulips popping up out of the ground again!  

To-Do or Not-To-Do???

Some women have said to me, "I don't need to write things down because I can remember everything."  There may be a rare few in the world that can do this, but the everyday average person cannot. 

There are still other skeptics who say making lists is a neurotic thing to do and that people who do this get so involved in making a list and crossing things off that they forget to stop and smell the roses.  I suppose anything can be carried to an extreme, but use your common sense in this just like you do in other areas of your life. 

What if your child comes to you and says, "Mom, it's a warm and sunny day.  Let's go to the park and have a picnic lunch!"  Do you look at your list and say, "Sorry, but I have this list of things to do, so we can't do a picnic today."  Unexpected priorities can occur and when they do, if at all possible, forget the list for that day!

When my children were small, I used to ask myself these questions to keep things in perspective:  Will anyone know a year from now if I mopped the floor today?  Will anyone remember a year from now the picnic we went on? 

You will have situations like this happen and it's okay to chuck the list.  Just get back to the list the next day.  You will find in the long run that making a To-Do list is not going to make you rigid and neurotic.  Instead, you'll find you have more flexibility because you'll get things done at a steady pace.

Take time right  now to write a list of ten things you need and want to accomplish tomorrow.  Oh, but if it's a warm and sunny day ... I'll see you at the park!

Don't Stop Now!

It’s never too late to set new goals.  As you think about lifetime goals, you may say, “Hey, I’m too old to start anything new.  My mind has turned to mush and there’s no way I can make a contribution to this world.  I’ve done all I can do.”

I shudder when I hear people say something like that because I know they’ve given up on life.  When you stop setting goals, when you stop reaching out and touching, your total body system shuts down.  Life become boring, frustrating, and not worth living. 

As long as you can reach out and touch in the smallest way, you have a contribution to make.  You have goals to set and talents and skills to utilize.  Even if you make one person on this earth feel better than they felt before they encountered you, you’re blessed to be a blessing.  Don’t ever stop setting goals!

Colonel Sanders was 70 years old before he sold his first franchise.  Cynthia Freeman was 55 before she wrote her first novel.  Grandma Moses was 76 when she started painting.  Erma Bombeck was 40 when she started writing her syndicated column.  You have time.  Make it count.

What do you want to accomplish in your lifetime?  I can’t tell you.  Your husband and children can’t tell you.  Your friends and family can’t tell you.  You are the only one to decide what to do with your life.  Don’t stop now!

SATISFACTION IN BEING VS. STRIVING

Too many people in our fast paced society pursue relaxation with the same intensity that they use in their everyday life for time, productivity, and activity.  They just don’t seem to know when to slow down and “just be”.  As a friend once pointed out, we were created to be human “beings” not human “doings”.

There’s really no secret in how to get relaxation – it’s quite simple!  Figure out what activities give you the most pleasure and when you become involved in them keep your mental and physical well-being in mind.

So, go ahead and pursue art, music, education, physical fitness….whatever!  Keep in mind that the goal is relaxation, not achievement. 

There are two important rules of thumb when choosing relaxation activity:  Select activities you truly enjoy; not what you think others think you should do.  And, don’t be afraid to try something very different than “the usual”. 

To spark your thought process consider these options: 

• Call your local recreation department, adult education program, volunteer services or colleges for their course selections. 
• Try out a new personal exercise program such as walking around your neighborhood or a nearby woods.
• What about bicycling, dancing, golf, swimming, gardening, or bowling?
• If you’re already in shape (always best to check with your doctor), try jogging, tennis, basketball, racquet ball, pickle ball or squash.
• If you have artistic talent try painting, pottery, carpentry, knitting, or cooking.
• If none-of-the-above fit you – relax in a warm bathtub!  (While soaking read a book, listen to music, or just pop bubbles!)

Once you’ve discovered your form of retreat, plan to devote at least one-half hour per day or, at least, per week to pursuing it.  Most of us accept the responsibility to meet demands and deadlines, yet we fail to meet requirements for relaxation which is equally important for our minds and bodies.  Whether one works at or away from home, we must give ourselves opportunities to relax to maintain mental balance through stressful events and hectic schedules.

Finally, enter into this retreat time with enthusiasm and personal commitment.  Allow yourself to become absorbed in the relaxation activity chosen; don’t hold back physically or mentally.  Remember, this is not just for the “idle rich”, it’s essential for everyone’s well-being.  Don’t forget, God rested on the seventh day after six days of extraordinarily intense work and ... told us to do the same!

5 Essentials Of Good Hall Closet Organization

Do you have a hall closet that is an avalanche waiting to happen? Whether you use your closet for coats, linens or children’s toys and games, you can take charge of your items and beat clutter once and for all. Check out these organizing tips from our friends at Smart Spaces Michigan, on making the most of your hall closet’s space.

Bins and Boxes

If you have shelves in your hall closet, you know how quickly they can become overrun with clutter. Rather than let small items tip over and look messy, invest in some attractive bins, boxes or baskets to corral your belongings. There are many types available, so choose what appeals to you. Keep in mind that if you’re storing things like toiletries, which might tip over or leak, you might want to choose easy-to-clean material, such as plastic. Otherwise, the sky's the limit; try cardboard hat boxes, cute wicker baskets, painted metal buckets, or anything you want.

Hooks and Hangers

Are you organizing a coat closet? While most of your items will be hung from a clothing rack, you can hang purses, umbrellas and similar items from hooks placed on the inner walls of the closet. Either install pretty hooks, or use pegboard to open up the option of reconfiguring the hooks at a moment’s notice. If you are making over a strictly utilitarian closet (like a broom closet) and you have a tight budget or prefer a warehouse look, just pound in some nails to act as hooks.

Shelf Separators

Towels, sheets and washcloths can all topple over when stacked. Eliminate this possibility by using shelf dividers to keep your stacks standing up straight and tall. These are also good for separating towels that are for actual use from those that are for decoration only, which is helpful if you have children who might not remember the difference.

Pull-Out Shelves

A hall closet can benefit from pull-out shelves, which allow you to easily reach anything you’re storing toward the back of the shelf. This is a good way to prevent items from falling or being forgotten about. You can even steal another idea from your pantry and install a lazy Susan in your linen closet. It will be a breeze to find the toiletries you need with just a simple spin.

Good Lighting

While this is not unique to hall closets, having excellent lighting will make it easier to keep your space less cluttered. When you can actually see what you have, it’s not a matter of trying to feel for what you need. Start by cleaning out your light fixture; sometimes dust gets into the cover and can make the light shine more dimly. If that doesn’t help, upgrade to a better light or install some canister lights.

If you need help making the best use of your hall closet, a custom closet company can create a design that will work for you. If you're in the Highland Michigan and surrounding areas, click this link to set up a consultation with our friends at Smart Spaces.  A closet organizer professional will ask you how you would like to use the space and will be able to suggest solutions that you might not have thought of. Rely on the professionals if you need help getting your clutter monster under control!