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  • How to be Your Tax Pro’s Favorite Client this Tax Season

    Posted Date February 1, 2024 Posted Time 12:00 pm Published in

    Why on earth, you may ask yourself, would I care about being a good client to my tax prep professional? I mean, you are a paying client, and aside from treating them with the same decency and respect that you would show any other random person, who cares – right? Wrong! What’s in it for me? Honestly, it’s simply in your own best interest to be a good client. Maintaining a positive relationship with your tax professional can benefit you in numerous ways. Your tax preparer bills you in one of three ways: a flat fee (guaranteed); hourly; or a... View Article

  • Understanding How Variances Vary

    Posted Date February 1, 2024 Posted Time 12:00 pm Published in

    Variance analysis is found by determining the difference between what was budgeted and what actually occurred. Additionally, when variances are added together, we get a better picture of how well a company is measuring its performance against expected metrics. It’s also important to be mindful that each metric is measured to determine what the actual cost is versus the industry’s standard cost. Whether it’s materials, labor, electricity, or another metric, if the actual cost is lower than the standard cost for the same quantity of materials, it would be a favorable price variance. However, if the number of materials was... View Article

  • Municipal Bond Outlook for 2024

    Posted Date February 1, 2024 Posted Time 12:00 pm Published in

    One of the positive aspects of sustained high-interest rates is higher yields on bonds, particularly high-quality municipal bonds. It is possible that 2024 will present a different scenario as the Federal Reserve begins a schedule of monetary easing by reducing interest rates over time. The potential for this strategy, combined with a slowdown in inflation and economic growth – and exacerbated by the potential volatility of a U.S. presidential election – offers a hazy but ultimately positive outlook for municipal bonds. For now, investors with a long-term outlook (up to 10 years) can take advantage of current high-interest rates before... View Article

  • Your February Financial To-Do List

    Posted Date February 1, 2024 Posted Time 12:00 pm Published in

    January has come and gone. You may or may not have stuck to your resolutions, but the good news is that February is here. Now is the perfect time to hunker down and get your monetary ducks in a row. Here are a few things to put on your agenda to get your financial house in order. Pay Off Holiday Debt Yes, it was fun to go shopping for holiday gifts, but those interest rates are high – you’ll want to pay your balances off as quickly as possible. And here’s a tip: you can make more than one payment... View Article

  • New Email Deliverability Rules: Reaching Gmail and Yahoo Subscribers in 2024

    Posted Date February 1, 2024 Posted Time 12:00 pm Published in

    Email marketing remains the most powerful and effective tool, especially for its high ROI, reach, and engagement. It plays a significant role in business growth. However, more stringent measures are necessary due to evolving threats, hence the recent email deliverability requirements. Starting this February, major email providers Gmail and Yahoo are implementing stricter email deliverability rules to combat spam and protect user inboxes. This announcement was made by both Google and Yahoo on Oct. 3, 2023, indicating a united effort to enhance email security. Initially intended for bulk senders (marketers, businesses, and individuals) sending more than 5,000 emails a day,... View Article

  • Averting a Government Shutdown, and Reinforcing Air Travel Infrastructure, Weather Alert Systems and National Defense Initiatives

    Posted Date February 1, 2024 Posted Time 12:00 pm Published in

    Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2024, and for other purposes (HR 2872) – Passed by both branches and signed by the president on Jan. 18, this is the third temporary resolution designed to avert a government shutdown until Congress can agree on appropriations for fiscal year 2024. The bill extends the government funding deadline to March 1 for four appropriations bills and another eight until March 8. Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2023, Part II (HR 6503) – This bipartisan bill was introduced on Nov. 29, 2023, by Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO). It... View Article

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