Five Tips For Protecting Your Business From Fraud

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In today’s world, technology has made it easy to conduct business around the world. However, it has also made it much easier for criminals to commit fraud against businesses. With small businesses losing $150,000 annually due to fraud, the problem is getting bigger each year.

As a result, more businesses are turning their attention to finding ways to prevent fraud. Whether it’s credit card fraud by a customer or theft by an employee, there are many ways businesses can reduce or eliminate fraud being committed against them. Continue reading →

Five Tips For Safely Spending In Retirement

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Just about everyone from financial gurus to employers to the government will encourage workers to sock away a portion of their hard-earned cash each pay period for retirement.

While there are some studies that indicate quite clearly that many have either been unwilling or unable to do so, there are other Americans who have been able to save a nice nest egg for their golden years. Recommendations on how to spend down this stash of cash are a bit less common. Here are some tips that can help you ensure that you do not run out of cash in retirement. Continue reading →

The Beginner’s Guide To The Stock Market

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You may have heard of the Dow or even know what a stock is. However, do you know what it means to invest in the stock market?

While this may surprise you, you may already be invested in the market if you have a 401k or have company stock options or some other ownership stake. What should you know about the market before you start investing to help you make better decisions? Continue reading →

Hit “Reply to All,” Lose Your Job, Risk Your Life

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By MJ Plaster

Have you made an email blooper or blunder that caused you to “die a thousand deaths”? Congrats! You have a pulse. Unfortunately, one email mistake could end your career or destroy your life. Think back to the first rule you learned when you went online: The Internet is forever—if you don’t want it broadcast on the 6 o’clock news, don’t put it out there.

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Five Options For Financing Your Startup

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Starting a new business is both exciting and challenging, and It can also be overwhelming trying to come up with financing to get the venture off the ground.

Where should you turn for the help that you need to get going?

Business Loan

Taking out a loan from a bank or a credit union is the most traditional route for obtaining funding. While banks are sometimes the source of Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, the conventional loans that banks handle may be a better option in some cases.

For starters, SBA loans are backed by the government, which means there are often stringent terms attached to the loan. Without government involvement approval time is usually faster. Continue reading →

Jonathan Levy: A Lesson in Humility That Launched a Successful Career

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By MJ Plaster

One of the hardest decisions a college student can make is selecting a major because it should, in theory, lead to a career choice. The problem is that few young adults, when they enter college, have a solid grasp on what they want to do “when they grow up.” Jonathan Levy, also known as the Zero Waste Guy, was one such college student.

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When Is It Time To Hire A Tax Professional?

Here is my second stock photo attempt, just in time for tax season. This one didn't require any expensive props either but I did have to use my son's glue stick to hold the sheets together. Feel free to use this image, just link to www.SeniorLiving.Org Here is my second stock photo attempt, just in time for tax season. This one didn’t require any expensive props either but I did have to use my son’s glue stick to hold the sheets together. Feel free to use this image, just link to www.SeniorLiving.Org

Filing taxes can strike fear into the heart of even the bravest people. After all, no one wants to come under the scrutiny of the Internal Revenue Service or be flagged for an audit.

When income is low and taxes are simple, preparing your own return with the help of tax preparation software is relatively straightforward and the risks of being chosen for audit is usually very minimal. However, there are many cases, even when your annual income is low, that hiring a tax professional to prepare your tax returns is a much smarter and safer option. Continue reading →