General & Family Business
Showing 1025–1040 of 1042 results
-
Reverse mortgages grow in popularity, availability
April / May 2008
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 623
Abstract: In the past year or so, the word “mortgage” has usually raised negative connotations. Put the word “reverse” in front of it, however, and suddenly you’re referring to one of the more positive personal financing developments in recent memory. This article explores the widening appeal and availability of these personal financing vehicles.
-
Risk management – Buy-sell agreements protect companies from themselves
April / May 2008
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 715
Abstract: When business owners speculate about threats to their companies, they often overlook the human beings sitting next to them in the boardroom. An unanticipated ownership change can cripple a company’s ability to make executive decisions. One wise risk management move is creating and maintaining a buy-sell agreement. This article explains why. (Updated 6/11/12)
-
How do you spell “success”? – 3 hallmarks of a profitable business
April / May 2008
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 987
Abstract: Every business owner wants his or her company to succeed. Whether one leads a startup or a generations-old enterprise, it’s an easy (and obvious) thing to wish for. But what are the hallmarks of a successful company? This article names three: strong revenues, low production costs and minimal operating expenses. (Updated: 2/9/12)
-
Selling a home in today’s market
February / March 2008
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 550
Abstract: Slumping sales in the single-family home real estate market is a reason for concern for anyone needing to sell their home. This article offers some practical advice for getting your home in marketable condition. Plus, it offers options to consider if it doesn’t sell quickly, such as selling to a real estate investor, auctioning it off or leasing it out.
-
Pssst! Have you heard? Word-of-mouth marketing can help you build your business
February / March 2008
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 313
Abstract: This short article discusses why word-of-mouth marketing (a.k.a. referrals) is one of the best, most cost-effective ways to grow your business. Although you may be relying on successful product and service delivery to grow your company, you can maximize these opportunities by developing a program to handle referrals. This article explains how to do it. (Updated 1/4/12)
-
The 4-1-1 on FIN 48 – New accounting rules can be taxing
February / March 2008
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 651
Abstract: Under the new FIN 48 accounting rules, some organizations must disclose uncertain tax positions on their financial statements. If you’re like many business owners, you may be concerned that these new requirements will not only increase your costs and affect your company’s earnings, but also provide the IRS and state taxing authorities with ammunition they can use during an audit. This article delves into the topic and attempts to answer these questions: Do the new rules apply to you? What does FIN 48 require? What about state taxes?
-
Figuring out dependent tax breaks isn’t child’s play
February / March 2008
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 864
Abstract: Caring for children or other dependents may entitle you to a variety of tax breaks. But just because you support another person financially doesn’t mean that you’ll qualify. This article explores the intricacies of the tax code, and attempts to decode the IRS’s definition of “qualifying child.” Unlike previous definitions, which generally required that you provide more than half of a dependent’s support, the new definition relies on residency. This article also outlines four tests that a qualifying child must meet. A helpful sidebar discusses how to determine who’s entitled to tax benefits if more than one person claims a benefit with respect to the same child.
-
Healthy computers = better performance
February / March 2008
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 627
Abstract: If you’re like most people, you know the feeling of your stomach dropping to the floor when a computer malfunctions or crashes. That feeling can turn to sheer panic when the computer malfunction is companywide. This article explains why maintaining your computers is critical to enabling and sustaining your business operations, and it offers practical advice on how to keep your company’s computers humming.
-
Practical Perspectives: Key financial issue for you and your family – Comparing Coverdell ESAS with 529 plans
February / March 2008
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 626
Abstract: In this month’s Practical Perspectives, we meet Floyd, an investment analyst, and Marietta, an educational researcher — a married couple with a five-year-old son and a newborn daughter. Like many parents, they’d heard and read plenty about 529 plans, but they wanted to know whether there were any other college funding alternatives worth considering. They visited their financial advisor, who explained one potential option: the Coverdell Education Savings Account.
-
Moneylines: News Briefs for Businesses and Individuals
February / March 2008
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 439
Abstract: This section offers four news briefs about: 1) A recent survey indicating that many companies are still ill-prepared for a technological disaster, 2) How the IRS has recently adjusted the allowable living expense standards that help determine how much delinquent taxpayers must pay, 3) The results of a recent survey revealing that many workers intend to delay their retirements, and 4) Why the beginning of the year is a great time to contribute to a traditional or Roth IRA.
-
5 easy steps to creating a financial disaster recovery plan
February / March 2008
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 575
Abstract: Whether a massive flood that affects thousands or a sudden illness that affects only one person, should disaster strike, an individual’s financial solvency could very well depend on whether he or she has a clear strategy in place for paying the bills. This article offers five easy steps to creating a financial disaster recovery plan. (Updated: 2/9/12)
-
Qualified plan loans – What you don’t know can hurt you
February / March 2008
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 980
Abstract: Among the risks of offering workers a “qualified” retirement plan (one that follows certain rules to qualify for beneficial tax treatment), such as a 401(k), is that the arrangement may allow participants to take loans from their accounts. Although employees often appreciate this feature, taking out a qualified plan loan can get workers into trouble — and hurt their companies as a whole. This article gives an overview of how qualified plan loans work for employers who may not be fully aware of all the risks involved. (Updated: 8/28/12)
-
Looking for a successor? – For best results, keep an open mind
February / March 2008
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 740
Abstract: For many business owners, among the hardest aspects of retiring (or otherwise moving on) is choosing a successor. Many, if not most, have a few viable candidates to consider — often too few. This article recommends that, when looking for a successor, business owners keep an open mind and take a close look at all options, including family members, nonfamily employees and external candidates. (Updated: 3/20/12)
-
Keeping your charitable contributions in order
Winter 2008
Newsletter: Management & Tax Concepts
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 289
Abstract: Charitable giving allows you to benefit both your favorite charities and yourself — in the form of tax deductions. But to enjoy these deductions, you must follow the substantiation rules. This brief article tells you what you need to know.
-
Do your homework before purchasing long-term care insurance
Winter 2008
Newsletter: Management & Tax Concepts
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 579
Abstract: As the baby boomers age, long-term care insurance has become quite the buzzword. And with good reason: 60% of people over age 65 will need some form of long-term care at some point, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. But long-term care is expensive, and it’s not covered by Medicare or private health insurance. This article goes beyond the hype to help you determine whether long-term care insurance is the right choice for you.
-
Maximize profits: Fire some customers
Winter 2008
Newsletter: Management & Tax Concepts
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 746
Abstract: It may seem counterintuitive for a business to not try to keep every single customer possible. But every customer isn’t worth keeping. This article explains how to determine individual customer profitability so a company can “fire” those that are dragging down operations and the bottom line. (Updated 6/10/12)