This is why it’s essential for sole proprietors and small businesses to conduct a cash flow analysis. This is an examination of when and why you have cash inflows to your business and cash outflows from your business, as well as the amounts involved. The Importance of Cash Flow Analysis A company’s cash flow at any point in time is the difference between its cash available at the beginning of a quarter or a year and at the end of that accounting period....

This isn’t bad news for you: the costs of processing credit card payments and the possibility of credit card chargebacks often make checks a less expensive way to receive payments. But the process of endorsing checks to your company is slightly different than endorsing personal checks. Learn what information you need to include to endorse a check made out to your business. How To Endorse Business Checks To endorse the check, go to the endorsement area on the back of the check....

Measuring Risk Measuring a country’s risk can be a tricky endeavor. From tax laws to political upheaval, investors have to take hundreds, if not thousands, of different factors into consideration. For instance, tangible moves like an interest rate hike can dramatically hurt or help a country’s businesses and the stock market, but even a mere comment from a prominent politician hinting at future plans can have just as large of an impact....

It’s possible to set budget percentages even if you’re not a numbers person. It begins with understanding your income, how much you’re spending each month, and what steps you need to follow to achieve your financial goals. Why Use Budget Percentages? There are some great reasons for focusing on percentages when making your budget, versus simply allocating a set dollar amount to each of your expenses. When you think in terms of budget percentages, you gain a holistic view of how your income is spent each month....

With the updated Form W-4, the IRS replaced many of its complex worksheets with questions. And the answers you provide are intended to guide you to enter the best information for your personal situation. Below, we’ll go over the changes and how to fill out the W-4. What Is the W-4 Form? A W-4 form is provided by the IRS and lets your employer know how much to withhold from your pay each pay period based on withholding tables provided by the IRS....

Job Search Tips for Getting Back Into the Workplace So how can SAHMs show off their talents, get back into a networking groove, and get invited to interviews? Read on for tips to help you get back in the job search game. Review the Basics Has it been a while since you last sent out resumes and cover letters and had a job interview? While you’re likely not an entry-level employee and have gone through the job search process before, it still makes sense to spend time reviewing the job application process....

There are a few ways advisors can be paid, and these are based on their license and practice. Some, called “fee-based,” collect fees and commissions based on the money they handle. Others, called “fee-only,” are not allowed to receive commissions from the selling products and must charge in other ways. Does either payment model truly promise unbiased advice? The answer is no. The truth is, every compensation model in the financial services industry has flaws....

You have three options for fixing the problem. You can take the extra money back, you can bump it over to the following year, or you can transfer the excess to a traditional IRA. Understanding Roth IRAs Unlike traditional IRAs, you can’t claim a tax deduction for contributions you make to a Roth IRA. Contributions are made with after-tax dollars, but you’ll gain some benefit in exchange for this. You can take distributions tax-free in most cases....

The Balance on Your Last Statement Doesn’t Represent What’s Owed Currently The main point of getting a payoff request is to find out how much you are going to pay off, which may make you wonder why you can’t just check your last statement’s balance. The reason is that the balance on your last statement indicates what you owed on the date it was issued, not what you owe at the present moment....

Getting a loan for a classic car can be a bit tricky, but it’s not impossible. You could try your local bank or credit union, the one that you have your home mortgage with, or the lender that has financed all of your regular vehicles. These are always good places to start. But you may find that they’ve never written a loan for the purchase of a classic vehicle and have zero knowledge of the classic and exotic car market....

It’s easy to get an energy efficient mortgage. Borrowers may finance 100% of the improvements. There is no need to qualify separately for additional financing because the energy savings will most likely offset the increased mortgage payments. This means that yes, the lender calculates how much you will save on your utility bills by upgrading and making improvements, and the underwriter will use that dollar amount to reduce your ratios....

Don’t Depend on a Verbal Request If you made your request over the phone, the debt collector isn’t legally required to comply. No matter how many times you’ve told them to stop calling you, the FDPCA requires you to make the cease communication notification in writing. When it comes to debt collection calls at your work place, you don’t have to make the request in writing. If a collector calls you at work, tell them your employer doesn’t allow you to receive these types of calls....

Learn how to invest in your Roth IRA so you can enjoy those tax-free earnings. Open a Roth IRA The process of opening a Roth IRA is similar to opening a bank account, except you have to be eligible to open one. Your income will affect whether or not you qualify for a Roth IRA. In 2022, the total annual contribution limit for all kinds of IRAs, including Roth IRAs, is $6,000 per person ($7,000 if you’re over 50 years of age)....

Despite this tremendous growth, Russia’s economy is primarily commodity-driven and carries several risks for international investors. The lack of predictable tax and business legislation has been a significant barrier to private business and investment. At the same time, the collapse of crude oil and other commodities in 2015 and 2016 put downward pressure on the economy. In this article, we will take a closer look at Russia’s economy, benefits, and risks for investors, and the best ways to invest in the emerging market economy....

Credit union loans often come with low rates and fees, which results in a lower overall cost of borrowing. As an additional benefit, it can be easier to get approval for a loan through a credit union. Consider small credit unions. Those institutions are the most likely to take a personal approach to evaluating your loan rather than taking the same rigid approach with every application. Use our loan calculator to get an idea of what your monthly payments will be like:...

It can help to understand the general rules and fee-setting process. An estate planning attorney is in business to earn a living, and time spent with you takes time away from billable hours that he could be spending on other clients’ matters. That said, this is also his opportunity to “sell” you on retaining his services and to get an idea of what your matter involves. This is when he determines how many hours he and his staff will have to invest into resolving your issue ....

Attending a four-year public college or university can easily exceed $100,000 in tuition and fee charges for out-of-state attendees. The price tag for four-year attendance beginning in the 2021-2022 school year at a private university reached $240,000, and that’s for tuition and fees only, according to U.S. News & World Report. So what’s the average parent to do? You should begin saving for your child’s tuition sooner rather than later, just as you should begin saving for your retirement in your twenties if financing their higher education is one of your goals....

Refinance to a Lower Interest Rate Has your credit score improved since you purchased your car? If it has, refinancing to a lower rate is an effective way to pay off your car loan early. By lowering your interest rate, you’ll reduce the monthly payment—and if you pay more than the monthly payment, you’ll be well on your way to reducing your debt. Before you refinance, you should: Know your interest rateCheck for a lower rate at a credit union, bank, or onlineFinance for a lower rate and shorter term...

Finding High-Yield Savings Accounts The APY, or annual percentage yield, refers to the amount of interest the money in your savings account can earn over a year. High-yield savings accounts earn higher APYs than traditional savings accounts because your money compounds, you earn interest on the money you save and interest on the interest, which helps you reach your savings goals faster. A high-yield savings account is also considered a safe place to store your money because it is a federally insured savings vehicle....

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, more employers are offering flexible schedules and recognizing the benefits of flexible work schedules for both employees and the company. Research shows that flex schedules can improve employee performance and motivation on the job, and may reduce absenteeism, tardiness, and turnover. So how do you make flexible scheduling work for you and your employer? Find out what different flexible schedules look like, whether a flexible schedule might work for you, and how to propose and ensure its success for everyone involved....