2011 Tax Planning for Businesses

Submitted by Marietta Z. Courtney, CPA, MST

Q.  What is Tax Planning?

A.  An analysis with the goal of helping you keep more of your hard earned money.  It’s a tool to be used to help you make sound business decisions and minimize your taxes.

Q.  Is it something only big companies do?

A.  No. Everyone can benefit. You work hard for your money: going to trade shows, networking events, increasing your visibility, blogging, etc.  You need this information to help you decide on your action steps.  If you do nothing with it, its what the federal and state governments will tax you on and then there  will be less money available for the business.

Q.  Is it expensive?

A.  It does not have to be.  It can be as basic or detailed as you need. You can start by doing the analysis yourself. Then talk to your CPA about your results so you can decide on appropriate action steps together.

Q.  Do I wait until the end of the year?

A.  If you wait, it may be too late. The goal is to determine what you can do in 2011.

Example for a cash basis business:  For Discussion Purposes Only

1. Determine your Net Income (Profit) or Net Loss - The total income for the year of your business (example- cash received) LESS total expenses (example- cash paid out and you may also have some non- cash expenses such as depreciation). 

2 A. Are you left with a Profit ?– are there any items you’ve been meaning to buy for your business, any expenses coming due soon that you can pay before the end of the year, any groups your business was looking to join, did you want to sign up for training or conferences. Talk to your CPA to find out what additional deductions would be allowable.

2B. Are you showing a Loss? Have you had Losses in previous years and could your business be in danger of being treated as a hobby by the IRS? Talk to your CPA to find out if this is a concern for your business, what it would mean and if there is any additional income you can recognize this year.

REQUIRED DISCLOSURES: To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the IRS, I inform you that any tax advice contained in this communication (including attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code.

Marietta Z. Courtney, CPA, MST

Serving Business and Individual Clients for Over 18 Years
(617) 416-2096

www.courtneycpa.com

Time on Your Side

Submitted by Tamara Myles 

    One great way to increase productivity is to better manage your time. To begin, get an accurate gauge of the real time it takes to accomplish a variety of routine responsibilities.
    Use a kitchen timer to measure time spent on your work activities. You'll likely discover that most unpleasant tasks don't take as long as you think they will. And most pleasant things tend to drag out a bit longer than you'd expect. Then, use this information to help schedule future tasks. If checking and returning phone messages takes an hour each day (who knew?), then block off that amount of time for phone calls. Clearing off your desk by filing papers may seem like an unending job, but in reality, it may take only ten minutes. Now it seems more manageable!

     Then, become more productive by avoiding interruptions. Did you know that the average office worker is interrupted 73 times every day? Be prepared for these obstacles by setting aside time each day for "open office hours," and let your  colleagues know they can drop by during this time for  assistance.
     Use your lower-energy hours as your open office hours so you don't waste peak productivity periods. That way, you can devote time when your energy is highest to plow through your absolutely-must-do tasks.
    Close your door or consider putting up a "do not disturb" sign outside your doorway to let office mates know when you need privacy. Of course, emergencies will pop up occasionally, but by following these guidelines, your productivity will soar.

Tamara Myles

Tamara Myles Consulting

www.tmylesconsulting.com

508-837-4112

Note, The Women's Business Network of Southeastern Ma would like to congratulate Tamara on passing the exam to become a Certified Professional Organizer (CPO®). This certification is a voluntary, industry-led effort that benefits the members of the organizing profession, as well as the public. It recognizes those professionals who have met specific minimum standards, and prove through examination and client interaction that they possess the body of knowledge and experience required for certification. This program recognizes and raises industry standards, practices, and ethics. Certification of professional organizers maximizes the value received from the products and services provided by a CPO®.

Redecorating Dining Room - Inspiration (1)

 Submitted by Dotty Wyman - Dotty Wyman Designs


I am going to give my dining room a little bit of a face lift and wanted to give you some insight about the process from beginning to end. The plan is to give the dining space a bold new look without replacing everything in the room. The big ticket items such as the dining room set and oriental are staying put. I will work with these pieces, because I like them and they have classic designs. I will accomplish this new look by changing the walls, the fabrics, drapery hardware and a few different accessories.

I have not done anything to the dining room in over ten years and it is due for a change. The draperies have faded, the curtain rods are dated and so are the fabrics. The positives about the room are the hardwood floors, the detailed crown moulding and the 8' ceiling height. The space is good size for a dining room 13.5' x 14.5', so there is plenty of room for the large scale furniture.

My first step is to find an inspiration for the room. This could be anything from a piece of artwork you want to build the room around or a room you saw and want to recreate it in your home. I was inspired by the lobby of the Winn Hotel in Las Vegas for my dining room. The lobby has a sophisticated harlequin theme with dark walls, luxurious fabrics and playful colorful accents sprinkled around. I want to incorporate some of the same rich fabrics, dark walls and colorful accents they used, but tailor it for my home. Included are a few pictures of the Wynn Hotel lobby.

Now that I have my inspiration I can pull together a plan for the redesign of my dining room. I will go over planning in my next blog.

Dotty Wyman
Dotty Wyman Designs
 508.219.4739
http://www.dottywymandesigns.com/

A Blogger’s Best Friend

Post submitted by Jen Vondenbrink - Life Simplified

Your alarm clock goes off.  You sit up, rub your eyes and stumble to the kitchen for your morning coffee.  You pour a cup and read up on the headlines of the day.

There's nothing unusual about this routine.  Did you ever stop to think how those articles magically appeared?

Time To Get Organized
Long before your coffee was brewed, editors gathered and mapped out content (online, offline, and even the morning news).  It's been going on for centuries. 
Today, however, you as the author of a blog, online articles, etc. need to learn what keeps these editors organized.
Newspapers, radio, television, magazines use an editorial calendar.  It helps them focus their content, make it relevant to their audience and meet their deadlines.
If you are publishing your own content, an editorial calendar is key to your success.

What Does An Editorial Calendar Do For You?
Basically...it saves you time.  We all can use that right?

When you have a central place to put your ideas, track your progress and know what needs to get done in a day, you know where to start.  If you don't, you can waste hours procrastinating or even worse, writing content no one reads.

Think about the last couple blogs or articles you wrote. 
How long did it take you from start to finish to come up with the idea and write the article? How much time did you spend between steps (or staring at a blank screen)?  How consistently do you publish your articles?  Do you know what your next article is about?
If you're not happy with your answers to the questions above, an editorial calendar will help.

Keep It Simple

The best way for an editorial calendar to save you time is to keep it simple.  The simplest editorial calendar can have your ideas and publication dates.

Some additions to the calendar could be:

• Working titles
• Notes or bullet points to cover in the article
• Draft due date
• Publication location (blog, newsletter, online e-zine)
• Author (if several are contributing to a blog or if your having guest bloggers)

I've even adding some tracking to my editorial calendar.  I note the dates I publish the article to different sites and track responses.  This feedback has helped me refine my content and distribution strategies.

 

Resources I've Found Helpful

Here are some resources and articles I've found helpful as I put my calendar together

• Editorial Calendar - plug-in for Wordpress blogs (I use this)  
• Video on Benefits of Blog Post
• Great Blog Post on How To Create An Editorial Calendar (has good resources and templates)

That's A Lot Of Work

Initially it may seem a lot of work to set up your calendar.  That's why I advocate starting simple and adding features as you grow.

 

Anything that's worth it takes some work.  That coffee you've been sipping while reading this article...can take weeks to months to process, not to mention the 5 years it takes a coffee bush to mature before it can be harvested.

 

See, nothing comes without a little sweat equity.

 

If you're using an editorial calendar, I would love to hear about what has worked for you and what hasn't. 

 

 Feel free to comment below or share on Facebook.

_________________________________________________

Whatcha doing this summer?  Does Social Media Summer Camp sound interesting?  (Notice I didn't say school because we'll be having much more fun).  Email me if you want to hear more.

 

 

Jen

Jen Vondenbrink

Life Simplified

http://www.yourlifesimplified.com/

Life Enrichment and Leadership Training

781-864-1782

 

Connect with us on Facebook and LinkedIn

How Can Being Organized Help Seniors ( and the rest of us) ?

       Home Instead Senior Care provides a cable show for viewers in the area that are in the need of or soon to be in need of home services or other ‘care’ services that may be of help to either themselves or their aging parents. 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO

  
    A recent show featured Janine Cavanaugh, Professional Organizer (helpfulorganizer.com ).  Janine shared her ‘how to’ knowledge and expertise on organizing for those wishing to improve their quality of life by eliminating the stress and frustration caused by clutter and disorganization.  Janine works one-on-one with her clients as your ‘personal assistant’ for the duration of the project.  Her clients remain in charge…while she motivates, encourages, guides and educates to create a custom tailored organization system that fits her clients’ needs and lifestyle.

     It is the goal of Home Instead Senior Care through this show to identify companies and people that offer services that can and do make living easier for those persons that have noticed a decline in their level of skill in day to day activities or just want help making sense out of their ‘living conditions’ or help supporting some new plans for future needs in their life…i.e., insurance, investments, moving, downsizing, socializing, better health, exercise and eating tips etc.  We may also from time to time have guests that demonstrate activities and/or crafts that just may surprise both you and your loved ones!

  View Janine’s cable presentation with Home Instead Senior Care to learn more…contact Sara-Lynn if you feel your service or business would be helpful to seniors in the greater Attleboro area.

 

helpfulorganizer.com

508-699-6652

To receive Janine's quarterly newlsetter:  Click Here

 
Sara-Lynn Reynolds-Community and Education Liaison
Home Instead Senior Care
508-222-0800
BLOG:  http://www.homeinstead590.wordpress.com/
WEBSITE:  www.homeinstead.com/590

California Closets - My Experience

 Submitted by Dotty Wyman - Dotty Wyman Designs
 
Recently, I attended a charity auction and bid on (and won) a $500 gift certificate for California Closets.  I wanted to learn more about their closet systems and the company.  The closets always look so organized and perfect in the brochures, but I wanted to know if it was really worth it. 

Below are a couple of pictures of what the closet looks like now.  The wire rack system works and makes pretty good use of the closet space compared to a single wood pole.  I don't like the wire shelves.  Items don't seem to sit well on them, especially shoes.  Clothing is hung up in 12" section, so you can't slide you clothes to see what you want to pull out.  Many items need to be stacked on top of each other which makes it difficult to get at them.

A week after the auction I called the California Closets sales person about my closet project.  I explained, the need to redo my daughter's closet to accommodate her hanging clothing, shoes, her fathers off season shirts and piles of stuff on the closet floor.  I met with Nancy a few days later to discuss my options.   She put together a computer drawing for me to see during our meeting.  She easily made adjustments to shelf  heights and widths.  When she left I had the closet layout and the price.

Once I confirmed the closet layout I scheduled an installation a week later.  Prior to the installer arriving I had to empty the closet and take down the wire rack system.  Removing the racks and screws from the wall only took me about 1 hour.  I have yet to Spackle the holes left, so I still have to do a little more work.  They would have done it for me for an additional cost.  California Closets called to confirm the appointment the previous day.  The installer arrived on time and completed installing the closet system in a little more than an hour (I thought it was very quick).  The closet system seems very sturdy, strong and used every inch of space.

My overall assessment of Tori's new closet is positive.  I really like the solid lament shelves.  It allows more items to be up off the floor and at eye level.  Most of the hanging clothing is easily accessible on aluminum poles.  The upper right bar for clothing is a challenge to reach, but this area is great for items you don't need to get to everyday.  The new closet system does not allow us to put more stuff in the closet (same amount went back in), but the items there are more organized and can be accessed more easily.  This is a pricey investment.  It cost $1,030 to do the entire closet, including installation.  After saying that, I received excellent customer service and the closet is guaranteed for life.  They made it so easy from my initial call until installation.  If you want that extra attention, convenience and quality then this could be a good option for you.

 Closet is filled and every shelf is used

  Not as perfect as the brochure, but everything fits and I can close the doors

Dotty
 Dotty Wyman Designs
 508.219.4739
 http://www.dottywymandesigns.com/



Systems and Routines

      School vacation week is almost over, and if you are anything like me, you are anxious to get back into your routine.
      Don't get me wrong. There is nothing more important and enjoyable to me than having the kids around and slowing down to spend more time with them. We had lots of fun activities planned for this week and also a lot of down time to relax and unwind.

      But I am ready to get back to normal life with our routines and systems that allow my family to function. Did you know that most disorganization stems from transitions and broken routines? Think about a time when you felt organized and in control. Most likely, you had set routines and systems that allowed you to complete daily tasks (like processing mail, cooking and doing laundry) while adjusting to the unpredictable (like sick kids and unexpected visitors).
       Now think about a time when your life was in transition. Have you ever moved? Started a new job? Gotten married? These are all times when our systems change and we need to create new ones or adapt our existing systems to accommodate our new needs.
       In order to feel organized and in control, we need to create systems and routines that allow us to function seamlessly. In her book, Organizing from the Inside Out, Julie Morgenstern offers the following definition of being organized:

• "Organizing is the process by which we create environments that enable us to live, work and relax exactly as we want to. When we are organized, our homes, offices and schedules reflect and encourage who we are, what we want, and where we are going."

     I love this definition because it reiterates that organizing has a lot less to do with how a space looks than how it functions. What are some systems that are working for you now and which ones might need a little tweaking? I would love to hear your feedback!

Sincerely,
Tamara

Tamara Myles Consulting
ph: 508-837-4112
http://www.tmylesconsulting.com/

Author:
The Hierarchy of Personal Productivity™ (HoPP™) System

Singin' the Email Blues

Submitted by Frances Fahey of Fran's Fine Editing.

       Please allow me a few moments to rant about proper email usage. I have written in the past about it, but apparently nobody read my emails.
       I have burrowed into my (admittedly disorganized, non-foldered) email list in the past to try to find a particular one, only to see that it didn't have a subject line, which is why I couldn't find it, or it doesn't have the person's current phone number on it, so I have to go elsewhere to find him, and then I find that another email didn't answer all of my questions, so I have to email her again.
         Not that I haven't been guilty of hitting the "send" button too soon, before double-checking that the attachment was there. At least it doesn't happen as often now as it did when I first started sending them as attachments 25 years ago (oops, did I just tell you my age? Please disregard).
       Val Nelson is a good writer, a good coach, and a good mentor from one of my women's groups.  Take her "E-tiquette Quiz" on email usage and tell me how you do. While you are there, read some of her other helpful tips on blogging and email marketing, too.



Frances Fahey

Fran's Fine Editing

http://www.fransfineediting.com/

 (413) 529-1189    

"I'll keep you composed"

Do you own your website? (Part 2 - pick and purchase a domain name)

This is part 2 of the series "Do you own your website?"  
submitted by Robin Clapp - Web Design by Robin

Today you will learn how to pick the right domain name for your website and a few tips to follow when you purchase it.

Picking a domain nameTake some time to pick the perfect domain name for your business website.  A good domain name should be relatively short, easy to say and easy to type.  The rules of the past are changing - today you need something remembered rather than something that meets google's standards.  In other words - brand yourself and focus your search engine optimization efforts elsewhere.

Back in 2005 when I purchased my domain name, www.web-design-by-robin.com, we were told google couldn't read words without the hyphens.  Six years later you can imagine my frustration relaying it over and over to people in conversation with all those hyphens.   And trying to type it into your smart phone - forget about it!

Since then I have purchased www.websitesbyrobin.com and permanently pointed it to my original domain name using a 301 redirect.  This will be my mobile domain name and the one I give out over the phone making my life and those interested in viewing my website so much easier.

So where should you start? 
Think of the words and phrases used in your industry and try to work them into your domain name.  As you can see I used web design in my first and websites in my second leaving no doubt as to what I do.  Then add a bit of personality.  Yes, webdesign.com would seem like a great domain name but its too vague to be remembered.

Checking domain name availabilityAs you are going through the exercise of thinking of a domain name for your business website you should probably know how to check if your choices are available for purchase. 
Here is a tool Godaddy provides to check domain name availability. www.godaddy.com/domains

Before we get too far along let me make a suggestion about extensions.  If the domain name is for your business use .com.  This goes back to easily remembered.  Everyone assumes .com therefore use it.

Purchasing a domain name
There are two important factors to keep in mind when purchasing a domain name.
The first is make sure it is registered in your name and this information is public.  When the option comes up to make your ownership private choose NO.  In my blog article titled "Do you own your website? (Part 1 - domain name ownership)" I show you how to check domain name ownership using the whois database lookup.  This process is commonly used to check a business' credibility.  Making your ownership private makes it look like you have something to hide.

The second is how long to purchase your domain name for.  Domain names are relatively cheap, under $20/year.  If your domain name ownership term is 5 years you will rank higher than someone only setup for a year.  Google likes an established website.  Little things like this make a difference.

So there you have it, a few tips for picking and purchasing a domain name for your business website.  I'd love to hear what you decide on!

Robin Clapp
Web Design by Robin

Staying Organized

Submission by Janine Cavanaugh , Professional Organizer

     As a Professional Organizer I’m often asked by the homeowners I work with, “How can I stay organized?” They explain that they spend time creating order and buying cool organizing products to help them stay organized, but in two months, things look just like they did before. In addition, their cool new organizing products are not helping or worse, they’re not even being used.

     The best way to answer their question is to share this example. Imagine you have magazines all over your house, piles of them here and there, and you have a hard time throwing them out. You decide something needs to be done with them. So, you purchase a few magazine racks to help corral them. Great! Problem solved, right? No! In a few months the magazine racks are overflowing and magazines are finding their way to other parts of your house again. So, what can you do?

     You need to complete the organizing process. I call it the ‘creating guidelines phase’. By purchasing the magazine racks you have created a place for them to be kept, but now you need to create some guidelines for yourself pertaining to those magazines. The guidelines help you decide how long to keep each magazine and when you have enough magazines.

     Guidelines take the form of questions, and I find it helpful to write them down.

     Here are a few examples:

1. How long will you keep a single magazine issue?
2. What are the deciding factors for keeping an issue longer than the given timeframe?
3. What is the maximum number of magazine issues you will keep at one time?
4. As many as will properly fit in the magazine racks?
5. Once that maximum number is reached, will you practice the one in, one out rule?
6. How frequently will you go through the racks to prevent stockpiling?

     Answering these six questions and establishing a system to process your magazines, enables you to keep them organized. By practicing the process and having a little self discipline you should be able to stay organized.

     These guidelines can be modified to fit other items in your space. If you are struggling with the ‘creating guidelines phase’ I recommend using the six sample questions listed above to help you establish organizing systems for the things and paper in your life.

©2010 Janine Cavanaugh, Professional Organizer. All Rights Reserved

For more information or a consultation please contact

Janine Cavanaugh at

janine@helpfulorganizer.com

(508) 699-6652

http://www.helpfulorganizer.com/  

What's In YOUR Closet?

Submitted by Susan Finn - Buttonwood Originals 


Chances are, I have never been in your home.   

But this is what I already know about you ….

Somewhere in your home….in your closet, in the back of your drawers, in your laundry room, in your attic, in your mother’s attic….. you have at least one piece of clothing ( at least one…..most likely more) that you will never…EVER…wear in public again in your entire lifetime! 

 I also know this about you  (sort of creepy...I know)  You absolutely will not, CAN NOT, throw that piece of clothing away...you’re not even able to donate this piece of clothing to a worthy organization.  

    

  These fabrics are holding a deep, meaningful memory for you.  It could be a smell that elicits a memory (I kept my grandfather’s button-down shirt for over 10 years). Perhaps the texture of the piece elicits a memory of comfort and peace.  ( I still miss my baby blanket with its worn polyester quilted center, and especially its satin edging - how many times that blanket soothed me - through my parent’s divorce, through boyfriend break-ups, through numerous hair-too-frizzy-to-go-out nights ) 

      Most commonly, the piece of clothing brings us back to a certain moment in our life we would like to remember -  a great concert, a family reunion, a road race, a sporting event, etc.

Time get them out of the closet and into a life of usefulness, love, cuddles and sharing.     You can wrap yourself in your memories with a quilt made from your own collection of t-shirts. 

  

What kinds of items can be used in a memory quilt?   You can use pretty much any thing in a memory quilt.  We have used hats, karate belts, newborn onesies, hair ribbons, doll clothes, back packs, sheets, scarfs, nightgowns, and more!    The goal is to create an item that holds memories for you.

  

 At Buttonwood Originals, we take time to sit with you to go through your selections of items to discuss  the memories each one holds for you.  We work out the ideal layout, size and backing for your finished product.    It is our mission that we help you to preserve the fabrics of your life.

                             

For more samples of our products, 

please visit our online portfolio.  Buttonwood Originals . 

With warm and comforting wishes . . .

Susan Finn       

   Buttonwood Originals  -  For the Fabrics of Your Life 

Consignment Shopping - post by Dotty Wyman Designs

Have you ever considered shopping at a consignments shop for interior design items for your home? 

     

Recently, I went into the Canton consignment shop "Go Simple" and was pleasantly surprised with the selection they had to offer. 
       The owner, Janet Conroy, had many decorative items, as well as, serving pieces for your kitchen or dining room.  You do have to hunt for the right pieces, but the rewards are big and the price tag is small. 
        This is a place where it is easy to take a risk, since items are usually sold at a fraction of their original cost.  She has lamps, clocks, glassware, prints and furniture pieces.  I liked this shop, because it wasn't all furniture or large items.  I was able to purchase a working marble lamp base for $20 that just needed a little cleaning up and a shade.  I think the lamp will work well with the new lamps my client has purchased over the past several months. 
       Another item I saw was a grandmother clock.  This is a beautiful decorative piece that will add tremendous interest to a room.  This is something no one else will have and looks like an heirloom that has been passed down. 

         Consignment shopping can be a great way to find unique items that add character and age to any newly decorated space.

I plan to go to some other consignment shops in Needham and Hanover.  These shops focus more on furniture.  I will let you know if there are any interesting decorative pieces to be found

 Dotty
Dotty Wyman Designs
508.219.4739

http://www.dottywymandesigns.com/
http://dottywymandesigns.blogspot.com/

Interior Designer is also your project manager

Dotty Wyman, Interior Designer is also your project manager

I wanted to provide some specific information about what types of services an interior designer can provide to you.  Most people hire an interior designer with the understanding that the designer is able to design an interior space.  They will select the fabrics, furniture, design the layout, paint colors, etc...  This is all true, but we also offer the important service of project management for creating your new room.  This is an essential part of designing and executing any interior design plan.

The project management aspect of designing a room starts right at the beginning of the project.  The designer has resources available to identify trades people who do excellent work, are reliable and are conscientious.  In many cases the interior designer has worked with them or has a strong recommendation from a colleague.  These resources are extremely valuable to the success of your design project.  Once a project is underway, the designer will coordinate the trades people through each phase of the project.  This includes scheduling, follow up calls and review of the work being done.  These responsibilities are critical to having a successful design.  A client who does not have much time to spend researching trades people will rely heavily on the designer for their their project management skills.

Currently, I am working with a client remodeling her kitchen.  Both she and her husband work and are not able to spend much time getting into all the details of the project.  They are relying on me to coordinate with the granite fabricator, tile showroom and tile installer to get all the work completed in their new kitchen.  This particular client had already lined up the hardwood floor construction, so it is my responsibility to coordinate the tile and granite installation with the floor installation.  The designer can also work with trades people a client may have worked with in the past.

Using a designer does not necessarily increase the cost of creating a custom designed interior space.  A designer's expertise can put our clients in contact with the right trades people, select a design that is functional and well thought out and keep a project on track.  Saving the client from selection mistakes, timing delays and providing product information.  A job well done by a designer includes the desired interior space, which is completed on budget and timely. 

Dotty

Dotty Wyman Designs 
508-219-4739
www.DottyWymanDesigns.com

Autumn Organizing

 
       The leaves and temperatures are falling, and before you know it the gift giving season will be upon us.  Before that happens why not take the opportunity to organize two areas in which autumn is the perfect time to work, your attic and garage.  The temperatures, now, are just right for tackling these two areas, and once you're finished you'll be ready for packages, gift bags, and bows.
       Your attic and garage are the typical storage areas in your home and are usually filled with a variety of items.  Therefore, when it's time to organize them, you are faced with making decisions about items that you don't want, but aren't sure how to get rid of, and on items that you think  you should save, just in case.  I'd like to offer some solutions.  
      First of all, getting rid of items safely can be time consuming and troublesome, but with a bit of effort you can make it happen. 
 Click here for a list of my solutions.


Click Here for more helpful autumn organizing tips.

To contact Janine Cavanaugh, Personal Organizer

(508) 699-6652

www.helpfulorganizer.com