Budget Busters Top 10 Redux
Ok, so you’ve been trying to save money. You’ve changed your spending habits, and you’re really not a really big spender. So, where is all that money going?
I had a bad case of bloggers block this week, so I decided to do some (financial) housekeeping. Here’s what I found in my stack of weekly receipts :
Cigarettes: Average $4.54 per pack, one pack a day, 7 days a week, costs $1650 per year not to mention major health costs and implications.
Bottled Water: Average $1.00 per bottle (non major brand*). Purchased at the local convenience store, one bottle per day costs $365 per year. *major brands can cost upwards of $3 per bottle
Soft Drinks: Average $1.50 per bottle. One bottle per day will seperate you from $548 per year.
Manicures: Average $21.00,* * add in a pedicure everyother week at $20 Keeping fingers and toes in tip top shape can set you back $806 per year.
Lunch Out: Average $10.00 buy lunch out 5 days a week rather than brown bagging and you’ll spend a mindblowing $2600 per year.
Coffee and a Newspaper: Average $1.50 per cup and $.50 per paper. (Don’t even think about going to the local Java shop) Catching up on the world and getting an extra caffine kick during the work week will cost you a whopping $520 per year.
Car Wash: Average $15 for basic car wash, twice a month, you’ll shell out $195 annually. Opt for a full detail and you’ll spend upwards of $400.
Drinks After Work: Of course drink prices vary by location and bar, but order just two bottled beers, inc luding tip for your bartender and you’ll part with $4000 or so a year. Add in the occasional munchie tray and you’re spending over $5000. This ain’t your mama’s pretzles and beer here.
Pizza: Order a large pizza with the works delivered to your house once a week, including tip and you’ll spend $468 per year. Get the Door…. !!
And Last, but not least:
Credit Card Interest Charges: Making the minimum payment on about $6000 worth of Credit Card debt at an average interest rate of 13% will not only take you the next 21 years to pay off, but will cost you almost $4,800 over the life of the debt.
So Lets do the math here. Eliminating these 10 little budget busters completely will save you a whopping $11,152 plus or so per year! Not too shabby!
Now about that $700 Billion Dollar bail out…
Cover Your Own Bare One
If you’re a small business owner, like me. Chances are, you deal with contract issues on a daily basis. In one form or another, contracts bombard us. Most of them are easy enough to understand, basic quid pro quo. But what you need to know about contracts and what legal remedies each party might have for each one entered into, might just be more than you have the time and the inclination to deal with.
Don’t enter into a legally binding contract of any type without knowing exactly what you’re getting into and exactly what your duties and rights are. I’m going to say it, cringe. Get a lawyer.
A contract can be defined as a promise or set of promises for which the law gives a remedy, or the performance of which the law, in some way, recognizes as a duty. Therefore, by establishing a mutual agreement, the parties to a contract create enforceable duties or obligations that are legally binding. Obviously, in most instances, it is preferable to establish written contractual relationships. However, written contractual instruments that are ambiguous or poorly drafted, can create more problems than they solve. Written contracts should always be drafted in a clear, concise and understandable fashion.
Notice the words clear and concise. I haven’t seen one of those recently. How about you? Obviouly there are lots of law firms, many of them don’t even touch contract law. So, do your due diligence and find one that does. These guys are like pediatricians, they specialize. The key, for me anyway, is finding a firm that excels in dealing in not only contract law, but mergers and acquisitions and living trusts as well. And one, who has license to practice (is admitted to the bar or has reciprocity) in Mississippi.
E-File For The Fastest Return
February 20, 2008 by Deb
Filed under Deals, Frugal Living, Money
It’s that time of year again. Tax Time. If you hate doing the math on your Income taxes, and you hate waiting for your refund even worse, I have compiled a comprehensive list to help you find an e-file provider. Rates vary as do services.
Bear in mind if your adjusted gross income was $54,000 or less in 2007, you can use Free File to prepare and e-file your taxes online. (That’s the official IRS site)
TAX$IMPLE - Prepare Federal and State tax returns on the Internet for free. If you print and/or e-file your Federal tax return, pay $9.95. If you print and/or e-file your State tax return, pay $7.95.
OnLine Taxes - Simple! Fast! Accurate! Very comprehensive, Schs C/D/E/F & more. All States and State-only. Free customer service. $7.95 Federal & $7.95 State 1-888-OLT-4-TAX since 1999. E-file today!
RepublicTax - $7.77 — Form1040. Let RepublicTax make e-filing less taxing. State returns only $9.99. Use our ERD option if you don’t have, or don’t want to use, a credit card. Direct deposit makes filing a snap!
TaxBrain.com - A full-service online tax center. File 1040EZ, 1040A, 1040, Schedules A, B, C, D, F, EIC and over 30 other forms. Every state supported. No upfront fees. Free, live assistance.
Express1040.com - $8.95 for Federal and State tax preparation, printing and e-filing. Use our easy interview process and try it for free! You don’t pay until you decide to print or file your return.
average1040.com - $6.99 to e-file your Federal and State returns together (at the same time) - or - $6.99 to e-file your Federal return by itself - or - $6.99 to e-file your State return by itself.
eFile Express - This is the one! Prepare, verify and print your return for free. Just $7/return to e-file. Extremely easy to use. Enter your tax data off line, then securely e-file your return via the Internet.
MonsterTax.com - Free Federal tax preparation, free printing, guaranteed tax calculations. Easy, safe & secure. English version & version en Español.
eSmartTax.com - eSmartTax from Liberty Tax Service offers a range of Federal and State e-filing options, as well as tax assistance from our network of 2,900 offices throughout North America.
800-TAX REFUND, Inc. - Is online filing right for you? Read our valuable advice. In addition to our online filing (from $9.95), we also offer professional tax services. Free State is included with all Federal prep/e-file.
Taxsoftware.com - Offers an online 1040, 1041, 1065, 1120/S, and 1099 tax preparation software. Special price for taxpayers ranges from $1 - $75 per return, and includes printing, e-filing, States, and online customer support.
H&R Block - H&R Block makes e-file easy with online, software or at any office. Visit hrblock.com to start your 2007 tax return or call 1-800-HRBLOCK to find a tax professional near you.
1040Return.com - The complete package: $9.95 - 1040EZ, $14.95 - 1040/1040A, $4.95 for all State returns, free e-file Federal and State. Secure, easy, and reliable.
Taxhead.com - E-file made easy. Prepare your 1040A/EZ taxes in minutes with our free tax software. E-file and get a refund in days. Success guaranteed. Discount for first-time filers, low-income & EIC people.
TAX$IMPLE - Prepare Federal and State tax returns on the Internet for free. If you print and/or e-file your Federal tax return, pay $9.95. If you print and/or e-file your State tax return, pay $7.95.
eFile Express - This is the one! Prepare, verify and print your return for free. Just $7/return to e-file. Extremely easy to use. Enter your tax data off line, then securely e-file your return via the Internet.
OnLine Taxes - Simple! Fast! Accurate! Very comprehensive, Schs C/D/E/F & more. All States and State-only. Free customer service. $7.95 Federal & $7.95 State 1-888-OLT-4-TAX since 1999. E-file today!
TaxACT - Your fast, easy and secure tax software solution. Free to start your return, free e-file included. Under $10 for your Federal return and $16.95 for both Fed & State. Free technical support!
eSmartTax.com - eSmartTax from Liberty Tax Service offers a range of Federal and State e-filing options, as well as tax assistance from our network of 2,900 offices throughout North America.
