Monday, December 19, 2011

End Year Tax Tips

1.Go green: This is the last month homeowners can qualify for a 10% credit on their 2011 tax return for making energy efficient improvements.
2.Prepay Spring tuition: A taxpayer can receive up to $2,500 on college tuition and books for each qualifying student through the American Opportunity Credit.
3.Make any big purchases by 12/31 if you live in a state with income tax: The deduction for state sales tax is set to expire this year unless Congress votes to extend it.
4.Use up your Flexible Spending Account (FSA): If you still have money left in your FSA, don't let it go to waste.
Make charitable contributions: Donating clothing & household goods by Dec. 31 for a deduction on your 2011 return.
5.Accelerate payments that can provide tax deductions: You can claim the interest or real estate tax deduction in 2011 if you prepay your January 2012 mortgage or property tax bill by Dec. 31, 2011.
6.Pay deductible expenses by credit card: If you charge expenses by Dec. 31, you can deduct them on your 2011 taxes even if you don't pay the credit card bill until January.
7.Offset capital gains: If you have any investments that have generated deductible losses, you can use the losses of those you sell through the end of the year to offset any gains.
8. Start your home based business before the end of the year. Read my blog at http://www.empowernetwork.com/stacyflores/blog/discover-how-to-get-prospects-without-breaking-the-bank/
to learn more about running a home based business.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Discover 8 Tips on How To Age Gracefully

How To Age Gracefully

Tip 1--Learning How To Age Gracefully Starts With Positive Thinking

Many people believe they the lack the strength and power to achieve their goals. This negative belief system holds them down. You can gain motivation and live healthier by simply telling yourself “I can do it.” Anything you put your mind to, you can do it if you want to. Positive thinking plays a key role in aging gracefully. Having a positive attitude will give you a jumpstart to a healthier life. Keep on pushing. Do not stop once you get started, but keep pushing until you reach your goal. When times get hard and you don’t think you can go on just remember "I can do it." Focus on what you have the power to change. Instead, trust that no matter what your current situation is, everything is perfect and just as it’s supposed to be, right here, right now.


Tip 2--If you want to learn how to age gracefully, you must exercise daily

Exercise has been proven to keep a body fit. Exercise helps people to live a long productive life. As we grow older, our bodily functions decline. If a person fails to stay active in their lifetime, the aging process speeds up full force ahead. Exercise should include cardiovascular workouts. Aerobics is a great workout that helps you to work the heart. The workout will increase your heart rate as well as pump your blood so that it flows smoothly to the heart. You will also need to build strength to prevent injured joints. You may enjoy weightlifting to achieve a resistance workout. Find an interesting and engaging physical activity that you can do several times a week and stick to it.

Tip 3--A Proper Diet is Essential in aging gracefully

When the process of aging begins, we start to lose fibers, vitamins, and other nutrients. In addition, the dying cells increase while the living cells decrease. For these reasons you need to add supplements or vitamins to your daily diet. A person should incorporate at least 30 grams of healthy fibers in their diet daily. Fiber will help reduce health risks, such as heart disease and cancer.

Changing your diet now can help you stay on schedule as you age. Some people find it difficult to change their diet, since they are accustomed to fast foods, or unstable meal plans. It is important to eat at least 3 well balanced meals daily and if you are forced to eat fast foods, try to select healthier choices from the fast food menus.

Tip 4--Avoid Caffeine and Nicotine

It is important to get the proper amount of rest. Avoiding caffeine and nicotine are important steps in making sure our bodies are able to rest properly. If you are not able to completely stop using nicotine and caffeine, make sure to not use them after 8pm.

Tip 5--Reduce the stress in your life

Stop worrying about everyone else and take time out for you. Stress is bad for your heart, which affects your blood pressure, nervous system, and is hard in general on your body. Stress can cause many things, even causing a person to become obese. If you are not happy try to find out why and turn it around so you will be. Being happy helps keep the stress away. Don’t let yourself get depressed and down. Aging gracefully is difficult to accomplish if your life is filled with stress.

Tip 6--Learn to laugh more

Laughter aids circulation, increases respiration, lowers blood pressure, stimulates digestion and takes away stress and negativity.

Tip 7--Exercise Your Brain

Take 10 minutes each day to do brain exercises like a crossword puzzle or a memorization game. This will help your mind stay young.

Tip 8--Drink More Water

We hear this all the time, but it really is true. Drinking water makes the skin look more refreshed, youthful and hydrated. Drinking water is a crucial part of learning how to age gracefully and must be practiced daily.