10 mins read

Avoid the April 15th Mad Dash With This Tax Prep Schedule

In eight short weeks, whether you like it or not, your tax return is due. Dont let it sneak up on you. Theres no reason tax time has to be a stressful flurry of last-minute preparations capped off with a sprint to the post office (or accountant). If you take a few little steps each week, youll be pleasantly surprised at how much easier it all comes together on April 15th. But, unless youre a financial-type, you may not be sure how to break down such a daunting task. That is why weve put together this tax prep schedule. Although it may seem like a lot of steps, the average appointment on the following list should take you no more than sixty minutes to complete and many may take less than five. Stick to this schedule and youll be more likely to make it through this tax season gauntlet mistake-free and with sanity in tact.

3 mins read

How to Build an Eco-Friendly Home

There are many practical reasons for going green. Not only can you help to protect the Earth’s environment, but you can also do your part to conserve energy. Going green is also a sensible economic move. By building an eco-friendly home, you can improve the quality of the indoor air you breathe, as well as save energy dollars on the green investments that you make. In addition, there are tax credits available to help defray the costs of going green.

4 mins read

How to Teach Kids About Checking Accounts

Money education is an important and sometimes overlooked lesson that parents forget to share with their kids. It is important for kids to learn how to budget the money they have available to them and how to balance a checkbook. When kids see mom and dad pull out credit or debit cards, they may not realize that there is more to managing money and a checking account than just swiping a card. Any money management lesson also gives you a chance to spend time with your kids, and to gauge their basic math skills.

3 mins read

Going Green With Renewable Energy

Renewable energy is sustainable. Unlike fossil fuels–which are dwindling resources that can’t be replaced–renewable energy comes from such infinite sources as the sun, earth and wind. Renewable energy is free from many of the negative environmental impacts caused by fossil fuels—namely, global warming and water pollution. Plus, renewable energy is the wave of the future. According to the US Department of Energy, the world’s available fossil fuels will be consumed in 104 years if there isn’t a global switch to renewable energy. This is a switch the world has to make. Many people are already going green with renewable energy in their homes and their lifestyles.