2013 March

I’m Turning 40 - Now What?

March 7, 2013 by Brian 17 Comments

Is it taboo to discuss your age on your blog? If so, I’m engaging in a major faux pas today as I announce that it’s my birthday and I’m turning 40. Woo-hoo! Let’s here it for all the middle age guys out there!

I’ve always heard life starts going down hill at 40. I’m not sure why people say that. Is it because the average life span in America is 78, so in the mind of most people, your half way home? Is it because people believe the “fun” times of young adulthood - like partying on spring break or at Mardi Gras - are over? Or is it perhaps that your body starts to catch up with you as more aches and pains come each morning as you roll out of bed?

Now that I’m here, I’m feeling like I don’t want to buy into the pessimism of what I’ve heard. In the past year, I’ve done three new and remarkable things:

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Filed Under: Current Events, Inspiration, Spending Tagged With: 40, Advance, Birthday, Choices

How Does a 1040 Work?

March 5, 2013 by Kim 4 Comments

For years when our W-2s came in the mail, I just plunked our numbers into Turbo Tax, and out popped a form. We sent that form in (or just e-filed) and then boom…a refund check showed up shortly thereafter. Cool. But I really didn’t have an understanding at all about how the form flowed…I just answered the questions.

Now that I prepare tax returns for a living, I’ve come to appreciate how important it is that a taxpayer really understands what they are reporting on the form and how it all flows together. So, without further ado – here it is – the Form 1040 broken down into manageable chunks. I’ll try to keep it in plain English as much as possible. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Taxes Tagged With: 1040, Taxes

February Goals Update - Sometimes Life Happens

March 3, 2013 by Brian 2 Comments

As I see it, one of the great things about goals is that they are adjustable. When life comes along and smacks you down a bit, you can just regroup and adjust your plan. As long as you are making consistent progress toward the goal, there is no need to get down on yourself when life circumstances force you to alter your plans a bit. Sometimes life happens - we just have to move forward and stay positive.

That’s a little of what happened to me last month in regards to Goals #2 and #4 as you can read below:

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Filed Under: Goals Tagged With: Goals

Saturday Shoutouts (3/2/13)

March 2, 2013 by Brian 12 Comments

Looks like it’s going to be a cold, rainy Saturday here in the Atlanta area. And of course nothing beats a Saturday morning like sitting on the sidelines in 35 degree whether watching 6-yr. olds kick the soccer ball around. That’s where I’ll be. Better stop by Starbucks on the way for some hot coffee.