The end of the year is a natural checkpoint for both individuals and small business owners. It’s when financial records should get reviewed, budgets get tightened, and people start thinking about how to position themselves for the year ahead. Making the right money moves during these final months doesn’t just clean up loose ends—it can also save on taxes, improve cash flow, and build a stronger foundation that can make the future brighter. Here are several smart strategies worth considering before it’s time to post the new calendar on the wall.
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The rising cost of college has become one of the most pressing financial challenges for families. Parents want to give their kids the best opportunities, yet tuition bills can rival a mortgage. Even students who work part-time or earn scholarships often come up short. Covering tuition isn’t about finding one magic solution. It’s about combining several strategies—some well known, others less obvious—that, when pieced together, make the cost of higher education more manageable.
1. Savings Plans With Long-Term Benefits
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A good credit score can open doors to better interest rates, easier loan approvals, and even lower insurance premiums. On the flip side, a weak score can hold people back financially, making everyday decisions like buying a car or refinancing a home more difficult. Many clients know they should aim higher, but the question is how. Improving your credit score isn’t about overnight tricks—it’s about consistent, strategic steps that add up over time.
Understanding Credit Scores
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Starting a new business can feel like trying to learn a new language while juggling. It’s exciting—but also full of legal, financial, and regulatory steps that most first-time entrepreneurs don't expect. Whether you’re opening a solo consultancy or launching a small retail store, the early decisions you make will shape how smooth or difficult things become down the road.
Getting set up properly isn’t just about staying compliant—it’s also about building a stable foundation that supports growth, reduces risk, and makes tax season far less stressful.
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Sudden financial windfalls don’t just change your bank balance—they can shift your entire outlook. Whether the money comes from an inheritance, a legal settlement, the sale of an asset, or a lucky day at the lottery office, the excitement can quickly be accompanied by uncertainty. What should you do first? Who do you call? And how do you make sure it doesn’t disappear as fast as it arrived?
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Managing money well isn’t just about what you do right—it’s also about avoiding the wrong moves. Whether you're running a business or trying to get a better handle on your personal finances, it’s surprisingly easy to fall into habits that quietly chip away at your financial health. Some missteps are obvious, but others fly under the radar until they’ve caused real damage.
Here are seven common money mistakes that individuals and small business owners make—and what to do instead.
1. Ignoring Cash Flow Warning Signs
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Writing a business plan is more than checking a box before meeting with a lender—it’s your chance to prove you understand your business from every angle. Lenders don’t simply want to hear your enthusiasm. They want to see how that enthusiasm translates into a workable, financially sound plan that can withstand challenges and deliver steady returns.
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Reaching your fifties with little or no retirement savings can feel unsettling, especially when the retirement finish line seems to be approaching at full speed. You may find yourself wondering whether you’ll be able to step back from work at all. The good news? You still have time—and options. What matters most now is having a strategy that’s tailored to your reality and goals.
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A financial catastrophe doesn’t always come with a warning. A job loss, medical crisis, divorce, lawsuit, or business failure can unravel years of progress in a matter of months. Whatever the cause, the impact is rarely just about the money—it’s the disruption to plans, routines, and in some cases, the ability to meet basic obligations.
But recovery is possible. And in many cases, the bounce back is less about a massive windfall and more about practical, steady changes that rebuild stability over time.
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Financial advice is everywhere—apps, podcasts, social media, even coworkers offering “what worked for them.” But when it comes to navigating taxes, long-term planning, and business decisions, the real advantage comes from a long-term relationship with a professional who knows your full financial picture.
That’s where working with one CPA over the long haul makes a big difference.
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Every household has bills to pay, but not every household has a budget that works. For many families, it’s not that they haven’t tried—it’s that the system they’re using doesn’t stick. Too complex, too time-consuming, or just not practical for their everyday lives.
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These days, people worry about locking their front doors, but they often forget to secure something even more valuable—their personal data. From credit cards to Social Security numbers, a growing amount of information lives online. And while you might feel secure with a strong password or a trusted bank, cybercriminals are finding more ways than ever to get past those walls. Identity theft protection is no longer just a nice-to-have—it’s becoming a smart consideration for anyone with a digital footprint.
What Is Identity Theft?
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Summer and saving don’t usually go hand in hand. Most people are thinking about vacations, barbecues, and long weekends—not budgets or the winter months ahead. But the truth is, summer is actually a great time to take a few financial steps that could make life easier later. With fewer year-end obligations and more time to review your habits, you can set yourself up for a stronger finish to the year.
Small moves now can turn into peace of mind when expenses start to stack up around the holidays. Here’s how to use this season to your advantage.
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When the economy starts showing signs of strain—whether it’s inflation, layoffs, or a volatile stock market—it’s natural to feel anxious about your financial future. Fear-based decisions rarely lead to long-term stability, but there are smart, practical steps you can take now to help shield yourself from potential disruptions. Below are several money moves to consider if you’re feeling uneasy about what lies ahead. Each of them is grounded in long-term financial health—not reactionary cuts or panic pivots.
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Cryptocurrency has shifted from fringe curiosity to a mainstream investment class. From Bitcoin to Ethereum—and now thousands of altcoins—digital assets continue to attract attention from seasoned investors and curious first-timers alike. But alongside the headlines of overnight gains and decentralized dreams is a murkier, more complicated reality.
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Divorce changes almost every part of life—your routines, your relationships, your finances, and often, your sense of direction. Amid the emotional and logistical toll, it’s easy to overlook how significantly a divorce can also change your tax situation. From filing status to claiming dependents, taxes after divorce come with new rules and frequently, new decisions.
Understanding what to expect ahead of time can help you avoid surprises and start your next chapter with more financial stability and less stress.
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Sudden money can feel like a gift—and, in many ways, it is. Whether the funds arrive through an inheritance, a legal settlement, a business sale, or another unexpected event, the moment can change your life in ways you didn’t plan for. What many people don’t realize right away is that it also comes with a long list of financial questions, decisions, and consequences.
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Losing someone close to you is never easy. The grief comes in waves, often when you least expect it. And just when you're trying to navigate those emotions, you're handed a pile of paperwork and deadlines—many of them involving taxes. Few people are prepared for that moment, yet it’s one most families will eventually face. Knowing what to expect can make this difficult chapter a little less overwhelming.
Who Takes Care of the Tax Matters?
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A new home comes with excitement, hope—and often, a lot of paperwork. While most buyers focus on curb appeal, location, and loan approvals, few think to consult their CPA before signing a contract. That can be a costly mistake. Your CPA doesn’t just file your taxes—they understand how a major purchase like a home can affect your financial picture for years. Before you commit, there are some questions your CPA hopes you’ll ask.
How Will This Home Affect My Tax Situation?
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Summer is usually considered to be a time for fun and relaxation. For those who are lucky enough to get the summer months off, it can also be a time to add to job skills, credentials or even the household coffers. For that, a summer job can’t be beat. Whether it’s a casual part-time job for your child or a foray into a new field where you can test the waters for a possible career change, summer jobs are full of potential
Why Summer Jobs Matter
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Throughout history, there have been times when the economy has gotten so bad that we dipped into a recession. A recession isn’t as bad as a depression. Even younger generations will have heard of The Great Depression, thanks in part to shows like The Waltons, and stories passed down from grandparents. A recession isn’t considered as bad as a depression, but it can be bad enough that people can lose their savings, their homes and even their dignity. History repeats itself and we’re bound to have a recession sooner or later. What can you do to prepare for it?
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People talk about saving money like it’s a piece of cake. And for a lot of people—mainly those with a lot of disposable income—it is easy to stockpile cash. But for the rest of us with very little disposable income, or who struggle more with finances, saving is a challenge. But it does need to be a priority, because life is full of unpredictable situations where savings can be a lifesaver.
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Few things create as much anxiety among taxpayers as the possibility of an IRS audit. However, the reality of audits is often far less alarming than you might assume. While it is important to file accurate returns and follow tax laws, the likelihood of an audit is lower than most people think, and those who take a proactive approach to tax compliance have little to fear.
Understanding how IRS audits work, why they happen, and how to minimize audit risk can provide peace of mind and help taxpayers stay prepared in the rare event that an audit occurs.
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Self-employment offers flexibility, independence and the potential for unlimited earnings, but it also comes with important financial responsibilities—one of the most significant being taxes, as your CPA can attest to. Unlike traditional employees who have taxes withheld from their paychecks, self-employed individuals must handle their own tax obligations, including making estimated tax payments throughout the year. Failing to do so can lead to underpayment penalties, interest charges, and financial stress when tax season arrives.
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Every business owner aims to maximize profits, yet many overlook hidden expenses that quietly drain resources. These costs may seem insignificant, but over time, they add up, reducing profitability and restricting growth. Identifying and eliminating these unnecessary expenditures can improve cash flow and create a more financially stable company. Below are key areas where businesses commonly lose money and practical strategies to cut these hidden expenses today.
1. Unused Subscriptions and Software
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Managing payroll is one of the most important responsibilities for business owners. Ensuring employees are paid correctly and on time is essential not only for maintaining morale and compliance but also for avoiding payroll tax issues that could lead to audits, penalties, or even legal trouble. The IRS and state tax agencies pay close attention to payroll taxes, and mistakes—whether intentional or accidental—can trigger red flags that invite unwanted scrutiny.
The Importance of Payroll Compliance
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With the ways things are going with the economy, more people are looking to be their own boss with an e-commerce business. E-commerce has been around since the internet first became available to the public, which is over 20 years now. If you’re ready to hit the ground running and want to be successful using an e-commerce business model, here are some expert tips to keep in mind.
Keeping Your Website Optimized for Conversions
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Online funding management systems have made it popular and convenient for entrepreneurs to ask for and collect startup funds from family and friends. Hundreds of now successful young businesses got their early boost from benevolent relatives and friends. Whether startups choose to use sites like Kickstarter and GoFundMe, or whether owners approach family and friends in person, it’s become commonplace and even acceptable to solicit friends and families for money to bootstrap a business.
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Paying for college is one of the biggest financial challenges families face. Tuition costs just keep going up, making it increasingly important to plan ahead and explore all the different funding options. Fortunately, there are multiple ways to cover these expenses without putting an overwhelming strain on your finances. By combining different strategies, you can very likely find a manageable way to support your child’s education. Just remember that the earlier you start this preparation, the better—and easier—it will be.
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