FireLink

Wildfire-Prevention Measure Creates Wildfire

Ruidoso News — Thu, 26 May 2011 08:41:00 -0700

A wood chipping operation, to grind up trees that had been previously cut to mitigate the potential of a wildland fire triggered last Thursday's Rifle Fire east of Fort Stanton.

The wildland fire went on to scorch 600 acres of land.

Some sort of "equipment" had initially been listed as the cause of the Rifle Fire by New Mexico's State Forestry Division.

But spontaneous combustion was determined to have been the cause, said Travis Atwell, the director of Lincoln County's Office of Emergency Services.

"It was a pile of wood chips, shavings. They chipped it all wet," Atwell said. "And when you chip it wet and it sits there and it starts to dry, it will actually start creating its own heat."

The contractor on the thinning project noticed smoke and notified emergency responders.

"We only had a couple of little spots smoldering and then the temperature came up and the whole pile went up," Atwell said.

The shredding was part of a thinning operation of a cost share project between New Mexico's Forestry Division and the county.

The blaze and smoke forced the closure of 18 miles of U.S. Highway 380 between Capitan and Hondo during part of Thursday afternoon. And three miles of State Road 220 (Airport Road) from U.S. Highway 380 to Fort Station were also closed. The fire had jumped Airport Road.

Initially firefighters from a number of Lincoln County volunteer departments were called in, with

other state and federal agencies responding as well. Two single engine air tankers and a heavy air tanker were used to battle the flames that burned in brush, grasses and pinon juniper trees.

The Rifle Fire ran through state and Bureau of Land Management lands. Winds from the west/southwest raced at up to 48 miles per hour at the nearby Sierra Blanca Regional Airport.

Some fire crews were called back to the location early Sunday afternoon when smoke was observed in the previously burned area. A small area had rekindled as breezy conditions returned to the region.

Lincoln County's Office of Emergency Services used a new Polaris Ranger six-by-six all terrain vehicle to get to part of Thursday's Rifle Fire.

"That thing has paid off," Atwell said. "Right off the bat, to get up the side of the ridge where the fire was going, we couldn't get a fire truck up there. But the six-wheeler went right up."

The all terrain vehicle carries 70 gallons of water and five gallons of foam, which when combined have the suppression capability of 200 to 250 gallons of water.

"It took care of about three-quarters of a mile of fire line," Atwell said. "We got in there and went to the arroyo where the trucks couldn't go and took care of it pretty quick."

The vehicle, which went into service in late March, has been used to get close-in on four wildland fires and two house fires.

A service of YellowBrix, Inc.

County Urged to Tighten Fire Rules

Silver City Sun-News — Thu, 26 May 2011 08:35:00 -0700

SILVER CITY, N.M. -- Even as the Miller Fire topped 83,000 scorched acres in the Gila Wilderness, the Grant County Commission received an update Tuesday from the U.S. Forest regarding the situation and was urged to strengthen the current fire ban ordinance.

The Miller Fire, which is burning about 25 miles north of Silver City, is at about 48 percent containment with almost 500 personnel fighting the blaze, including 12 crews, four engines, three water tenders and 10 helicopters.

Clay Templin, the incident commander of the fire, gave a historic overview of the Miller Fire, which broke out April 28. Firefighters are trying to establish and maintain fire lines on the southwest and northeast boundaries of the fire but rugged terrain, windy conditions and high relative humidity continue to hamper efforts, Templin said.

"It's not an exact science, fire suppression," Templin said. "But we do feel like we're in a pretty good position right now."

During the course of the blaze, an evacuation order was imposed on the community Gila Hot Springs but it was eventually lifted. No structures have been lost in the fire but four surplus Forest Service trailers were destroyed.

At Tuesday's regular meeting, county resident Jim Lee told commissioners that the fire ban ordinance should be strengthened to include spark arrestors on any engine-powered equipment, such as chain saws and lawn mowers. This would negate the requirement of getting the use of a chain saw approved through the County Manager's Office, as the current ordinance requires.

"People are using them anyway," said Lee, who lives out in the county between Hanover and the Mimbres.

Gary Benavidez, Grant County Fire Management officer, said Tuesday that the emergency ordinance, which was passed in March, should be updated.

Benavidez said since the Quail Ridge Fire in March public interest has grown as far as what homeowners' associations and neighborhood groups can do to protect themselves from wildfires. He said he welcomes public input and suggestions, such as the one that Lee offered, which Benavidez said was a "great idea."

The string of fires that erupted in Grant County all have been determined to be "human-caused," including the Miller Fire, Benavidez said.

"We've seen fires caused by a catalytic converter, a burn barrel, a bullet, a welder and one that we highly suspect but can't prove was started by fireworks," Benavidez said. "This is fairly indicative of what we're seeing right now. Any flame is going to start a fire."

Benavidez said his main concerns right now are fireworks and dry lightning that occurs as the monsoon season approaches.

"The dry lightning, when it comes, it comes, we just have to deal with that," Benavidez said. "But we can do something about fireworks. People need to really think twice, think about their communities, before they set off fireworks."

The commission has been passing a proclamation on a monthly basis that bans the sale and use of fireworks, such as missile-type rockets, helicopters, aerial spinners, stick-type rockets and ground-audible devices.

"What's really got me worried is if we see multiple fires at the same time, which could happen with fireworks," Benavidez said. "So far, we've seen single-fire events that we could use all our resources to contain and suppress. But if we see multiple fires, our resources will be stretched thin."

A service of YellowBrix, Inc.

Fire Breaks Out After Lightning Strikes House

The Valley Independent — Thu, 26 May 2011 08:35:00 -0700

Residents of duplex on Monongahela's Main Street were driven from their home Monday night after lightning struck the roof and started a fire.

Firefighters responded 11:52 p.m. to 402 E. Main St. after property owner Dina Annesi, 81, reported a corner of the roof was burning.

Annesi, who lives on the bottom floor, made it out safely, fire Chief Frank Hnatik said.

Hnatik said the upstairs residents, an unidentified couple with three children, also escaped unharmed.

"It was ruled an accidental fire due to a thunderstorm that came through the area," the chief said.

"The power had gone out, and it came back on. Witnesses saw lightning strike on the corner where the electric came in. We're thinking it either fouled the electrical lines up or it hit the roof directly. When it struck, it shook the house."

Hnatik said the fire was contained to the back corner of the roof where the lightning struck and part of a walk-in attic.

The chief said the affected corner of the roof is open and there was heavy fire, water and smoke damage there and in that section of the attic.

There is smoke damage throughout the attic and second floor kitchen and water damage down to the basement on the corner of the home where the blaze began, he said.

Firefighter and city Councilman Daryl Miller was hospitalized after complaining of chest pains at the scene of the fire.

Hnatik said he was hospitalized overnight as a precaution and released Tuesday.

Firefighters cleared the scene at 4:45 a.m., Hnatik said.

The American Red Cross has provided temporary shelter for the residents, he said.

Carroll Township firefighters assisted at the scene, and the New Eagle department was on standby.

Tri-County and Mon Valley ambulance services and Monongahela police also responded.

A service of YellowBrix, Inc.

Fire Crew on 9/11 Trip Reaches New York

The News Tribune — Thu, 26 May 2011 08:34:00 -0700

Four Gig Harbor firefighters plan to pick up a piece of steel from the destroyed World Trade Center today in New York, marking the turn-around point of their cross-country excursion.

The crew had to adjust its route because of storms in the Midwest, but other than that, the trip went relatively smoothly, according to updates posted on Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One's Facebook page. They arrived Tuesday night, according to a post on the page.

Along the way, the four men -- Lt. Kent Cooper, Rob McCoy, Josh Bissenas and Ryan Watson -- have met plenty of people who want to hear about their mission and share their stories.

They've been stopped at gas stations and inside restaurants.

"The closer we go, the deeper we get into the gravity of the situation," they wrote this week. "We are driving across the country that was affected by this tragedy, sharing with strangers their emotional tie to 9/11 and to this mission, as if we were bringing it to their home town. And in a way we have."

The fire district recently was awarded a 986-pound, 5-foot-long piece of steel from the World Trade Center. The district plans to incorporate the artifact into a memorial garden honoring those killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The garden will be built at one of the district's facilities.

The four firefighters left Gig Harbor on Sunday. They initially planned to return next Sunday. However, they've been invited to take part in the commissioning of a new, 65-foot New York City fireboat that was built in Bremerton. The event will delay the firefighters' return until Monday afternoon.

The firefighters are working on plans for a celebration when they return.

The firefighters are driving a fire district truck and pulling a trailer adorned with two American flags and the words "911 WTC Never Forget." They're taking personal time and using donations and their own money to pay for the trip.

They are driving around the clock and stopping only for gas, food and to stretch.

"Beginning to realize that this trip is even more than we anticipated, and I know that I have really felt an overwhelming sense of pride and responsibility having been entrusted by you to bring a part of our history to the NW," McCoy wrote on Facebook on Sunday.

The crew made an unscheduled stop just miles into their 6,000-mile journey to tweak the trailer's brakes. They've reported no other equipment issues.

They ran into road closures on early Monday from floods and mud slides.

"Backtracked to Billings and now up to I-94 to North Dakota," they wrote Monday on Facebook. "Not exactly what we planned for."

They had to adjust again later in the day because of tornados. They drove through North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Indiana.

Along for the ride is Mike, the favorite stuffed animal of McCoy's son. The crew has been snapping photos of Mike along the way and created a photo album on Facebook to share his adventure.

A service of YellowBrix, Inc.

Firefighters Battle Numerous Blazes Across Texas

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal — Thu, 26 May 2011 08:33:00 -0700

REESE CENTER -- From Reese Technology Center to Lubbock and Deaf Smith County to Andrews County, firefighters were in constant motion battling various fires Tuesday afternoon.

Massive plumes of smoke could be seen -- in the midst of the blowing dirt -- billowing from the runways of the former Reese Air Force Base between County Road 1100 and County Road 1300 or Research Boulevard.

Flames burned an estimated 1,200 acres and a few boxcars sitting out in the fields east of County Road 1100, said Joe Kozlowski, a Texas Forest Service spokesman.

By about 6 p.m., he said, firefighters had made good progress containing the fire in spite of the powerful winds and were focused on controlling hot spots.

The West Texas Mesonet site reported a peak wind gust of 59 mph at 3:40 p.m. in Reese Center, said Todd Lindley, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Lubbock.

Flames threatened Texas Tech wind structures, Lubbock County sheriff's deputies turned away motorists trying to enter Reese Technology Center and closed a portion of County Road 1300 to traffic near that entrance, north of Fourth Street.

The heavy smoke also led to evacuations of 30 to 50 residences along County Road 1300 and Reese Center industrial park, Kozlowski said, but there was no imminent threat.

Shallowater, West Carlisle, Wolfforth, Smyer and Lubbock fire departments responded along with help from forest service resources and city maintainers.

Early preparations by fire departments, speedy efforts of firefighters and the access to extra resources helped keep the fire from spreading to homes and Reese Center structures.

The fire started after 3 p.m. in a field near County Road 1100, but a cause had not been determined.

In Lubbock, local fire crews quickly quenched backyard fence fires Tuesday afternoon in the 1600 block of 29th Street and the 2300 block of 57th Street.

"We got to (the fires) quick enough," said Kelly Morman, a Lubbock fire battalion chief. "We were able to save the houses."

Lubbock Fire Marshal's Office investigators believed the strong winds moving power lines generated sparks that caused the fires.

An early morning fire at a vacant duplex in the 1200 block of 37th St., however, is under investigation as arson because it was intentionally set, said Robert Loveless, a deputy fire marshal.

The blaze severely damaged one side of the structure.

In the region

Forest service bulldozers and engines assisted in extinguishing the 300-acre Middleton Fire that threatened two homes and two structures about 9.5 miles northeast of Post.

At about 5:15 p.m., the forest service responded to the Lem Operating Fire at the Scurry-Mitchell county line. It burned about 100 acres but did not threaten any structures.

The Gaines County Sheriff's Office reported a large wildfire broke out Tuesday afternoon about three miles east of Seminole on Texas 214. Three New Mexico fire departments assisted.

Fire weather conditions remain critical today, although not to the same extent as Tuesday's weather. The high temperature is expected to reach about 86 degrees with northwest breezes between 15 and 20 mph, according to the weather service.

A service of YellowBrix, Inc.

Man Detained After Stolen Plane Crashes by Runway

The AP via YellowBrix — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 06:46:00 -0800

FREDERICK, Md. - Frederick city police say a plane stolen from a hangar at Frederick Airport crashed into grass by a runway when the pilot lost control.

Officers called to the airport around 2:15 a.m. Monday were told that after the plane crashed, a man who was operating the Piper Super Cub airplane ran from the area.

A man who matched the description of the pilot was found in the woods nearby and police detained him for questioning.

Police say the plane was taken from a nearby hangar without the owner's authorization.

Police say the investigation is being coordinated with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Federal Aviation Administration and Frederick City Airport Management.

Other Top News:

The ABCs of Managing Money

Geezeo.com — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 09:57:00 -0700

Budgeting isn't always easy - but it doesn't have to be impossible. And it's worth it. You'll live with less worry now, and endure less headache later on.

Luckily, the Geezeo blog has come up with some basic money management strategies that are as simple as ABC.

Follow their guidelines to squash your debt, start saving, and stop wasting money.

A is for ...

Originally published on Geezeo, a free web-based personal finance application that makes it easy to track your finances, set financial goals, and learn from others. Popular content includes Money 101 and Money Confessions.

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Always Keep Track

You should always keep track of all of your accounts, and running balances of those accounts - specifically, the ones that you use on a daily basis. This will help prevent late payments or being overdrawn on your checking accounts, or going over your limit on your credit accounts.

B is for ...

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Build Credit Carefully

You don’t want to run out and snatch up every credit card offer you receive. Be selective, and don’t go crazy. You want as many as you can handle, and that you can keep in good standing (preferably paid off), but not so many that you lose track or risk running up the bills.

C is for ...

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Cut Down on Non-Essentials

If you are trying to pay off debt, then you should reduce or even eliminate non-essential items. The money you save could could give you extra money to put towards your other debts.

D is for ...

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Destroy Possible Ways to Fall into Debt Again

If you find it hard to resist the urge to max out your credit card again, then you may want to consider cutting them up. If you want to have them “in case of emergency”, be sure to leave them at home (unless you're about to be somewhere you couldn’t easily get to them - like going on a road trip).

E is for ...

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Execute a Plan of Action

A goal, without a plan, is just a dream. You should always map out how you plan to budget better, or how you plan to track your spending, or how you want to pay off your debt. If you don’t, you could get lost quite easily.

F is for ...

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Figure Out All of Your Debt

If you are wanting to budget in order to get control of your debt and pay it off, you need to know how much you owe and to whom you owe it.

G is for ...

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Grow Up!

It’s time to take responsibility for yourself and your actions. If you are old enough to obtain debt, then you are old enough to pay it off. You can’t rely on anyone but yourself.

H is for ...

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Have Back-Up Plans (Emergency Funds)

It’s important to save up enough money to have a cushion. You should determine what your goal is. For some it’s 3-6 months. For others, it's at least a year's worth. You need enough to take care of you in an emergency, as well as if you lost your job. If you do lose your job and don't find one right away, you want to have enough money saved up to pay your bills at least for a time.

I is for ...

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Include Every Debt

Don’t ignore a debt because you don’t think it’s important. When paying off your debts, you should include all of them so you have have a full financial picture of where you are.

J is for ...

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Just Do It!

Sometimes you just have to suck it up and take care of your debt. There are times when you may lack the motivation. However, if that is the case with you, just start doing it, no excuses, and after a while, as the debt starts to decrease, you'll feel great and want to continue.

K is for ...

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Keep Yourself in Check!

When it comes to paying off debt, the initial payments can be exciting! For once you are seeing that balance go down. However, “things come up” (which is why we encourage an emergency fund!). So this could affect what you could pay towards your debt. Don’t let it continue once the “emergency” is over. Keep a check on where your money is going (always tracking your accounts) so that you can spot any mishaps in your plans. Don’t get in the habit of making up your own “emergencies” as well. Just because your friends suddenly decide to go out tonight, and you want to go, don’t sacrifice your goals for one night of fun. That’s not to say you can’t go -- just try to find a way to cut costs.

L is for ...

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Live Life for Your Future

Many people will tell you that you should live for today, because you just don’t know what will happen tomorrow. While that may be partially true, you can say the same about tomorrow. You don’t know if you'll lose your job, or if your child will get sick. So the best thing you could do is “set yourself up for success” so that when these things come up, you are prepared. And keep in mind, there are still plenty of things you can do to enjoy today! You just have to be willing to think outside the box at times.

M is for ...

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Make It Possible

Whatever your goals are, you have the power to make them reality. Take a proactive role in your finances, and you will find ways to make this possible. Don’t earn enough to put towards your debts? Find ways to create more income. Take up a second/part-time job, start a home-based business, or try moving up in your current job. If you simply don’t know what you owe, create a list of the things you do know about. Think there's more? Check your credit report (which can also help you spot possible mistakes in your records).

N is for ...

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Never Go to the Grocery Store Hungry

Here’s a tip that pertains to saving money doing an easy task that everyone has to do at some point: If you are going grocery shopping, try to eat at least a snack before you go. This will help curb the tendency to put whatever looks good in the moment into your cart. When you are hungry, and you are looking at an aisle of food, everything may look good and you won’t be saving money! (Remember to take your list with you to the store as well!)

O is for ...

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Offer to Take on Extra Shifts

We talked earlier about creating more income with work. An easier way to do this would be to simply take on extra shifts at work, if you can. This will allow you to not have to add a new job, but will still create more income for you to put towards your debts. All you have to do is calculate how much extra you would have from the extra shift(s), and then apply that to a debt.

P is for ...

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Pursue New Careers

Whether you dislike your current career, or if you see no room for growth, it may be time to look at a new one. Start talking to others who are in your field of choice.

Q is for ...

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Quit Negative Thinking

Automatic negative thoughts (or ANTs) can be damaging to your success. You should try to keep yourself from automatically assuming that you aren’t going to be able to accomplish something, or that you would, no matter how hard you tried, fail. You have to kill those ANTs as soon as they begin to come in. At first this may not be easy, but if you are keeping an eye out for them, and instantly turning around to think something positive, then you will be able keep those negative thoughts at bay until they are no more.

R is for ...

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Reduce Costs of Essentials

If you are not able to take on extra shifts or take on a second job, then maybe it’s time to consider if you really NEED to have DVR or if you can downgrade on your internet. If you have a cell phone, do you really need to have a home phone too? There are many areas you can consider when it comes to cutting costs. Many families have chosen to eat at home more. This also contributes to more quality family time as well.

S is for ...

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Stay Focused on Long-Term Goals

While short term goals are good - it’s good to think about your long term goals. You will want the short term to add up to the long term. If your end goal is to own your own home, then you will want to get rid of credit card debt and the like, as well as start saving for your down payment. These short term goals are going to allow you to attain your long term goal of finally owning your own place.

T is for ...

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Trouble Won't Find You, You Find Trouble

Many people blame credit card companies for the problems they have with their debt. However, you are the one who chose to open the card. No one forced you to do it. No one forced you to use the card either. So it is no one else's fault. Which is why you need to take control. You need to take responsibility. Once you do those things, you will be on the path of financial independence. Stay away from it if you think you may have a problem later.

U is for ...

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Understand Your Biggest Weaknesses

If you know that you are going to have a hard time resisting the urge to buy that new pair of pumps, then maybe it is best to avoid that store altogether. If you are trying to decide on a big purchase, for instance, a car, and you know you can’t afford to drive anything over $20,000, don’t tempt yourself by test driving something above that price range. When it comes to purchases, big or small, do not test your emotions, because more than likely, you will begin to rationalize while this is better than that, or why you should get something now verses saving up for it later.

V is for ...

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Variety Is the Spice of Life

When grocery shopping, you may have made your list, and you may have been sticking to it very well. But let’s say that you were going to get roma tomatoes, but the vine tomatoes are on sale. Or how about lettuce for salads but the pre-mixed salad bags are on sale (you could save money AND time on this one). You won’t know if you like something unless you try it, so be open to new experiences. You never know, a recipe might be better with the replacement.

W is for ...

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Wait Out Your Purchases

If you want something, and it is a big purchase, you may want to wait out the purchase to see if you still want it in 2-3 months. Even 2-3 weeks could allow you enough time to determine if it’s really necessary. If it’s a smaller purchase, you may still want to wait it out as it could go on sale or get even drop in price.

X is for ...

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X-amine Your Goals

Sometimes you will need to revisit your goals, and adjust them according to your current circumstances. If you realize that a current goal is not attainable with your immediate circumstances, put it on the back burner, and work on the next one. Then revisit it in the future to see if you can do it. As you complete goals, create new ones. Always keep an eye on where things are heading, and you will be able to better stay on track. Also having your goals in a place that is readily seen on a daily basis will help keep your goals fresh in your mind, and hopefully deter you from anything that may get you off track.

Y is for ...

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You Should Always Have Faith in Yourself

You can do anything as long as you put your mind to it. You should always remember that if you make a decision, work hard at achieving it, you will attain it (even if only eventually). You have to have faith in yourself, and keep telling yourself positive things (avoiding those ANTs).

Z is for ...

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Zip Up Your Wallet

Don’t spend it just because it’s there - Finally, when it comes to your spending, you should keep track of where you money has gone, and where it needs to go. Just because there is money in your bank account today does not mean you should buy something. You may have upcoming bills you need to pay for first. Or you may even have bills that have not cleared your bank yet. This is why keeping a budget, and keeping track of your accounts is vital. Even better is to keep a check register so that you know what bills you have paid even if they have not cleared your bank.

10 Reasons Why It's Better To Be a Man

FireLink — Mon, 11 May 2009 12:01:00 -0700

1. Men are bigger and stronger

I know, because I’ve lost arm-wrestling matches to even the puniest ones. The reason for the variance in size? Natural selection. You see, men had to compete with one another for female mates, which weeded out the weaker ones. The result? A man will rarely have to struggle with opening a jar, lifting furniture or lugging a heavy suitcase. Not only are they born stronger, but it's easier for them to get stronger, since testosterone boosts muscle growth. But hey, stronger doesn't mean tougher, judging by how they react to even the slightest hint of a cold symptom.

Number 2: Happier>>

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2. They're happier

Women are three times more likely to suffer from stress and depression. Blame it on our naturally lower levels of mood-enhancing chemical serotonin, our constant hormone fluctuations, and - my favorite excuse - the fact that we have to live with men.

Number 3: Less Pain, More Gain>>

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3. Men experience less pain, less often

For some reason, women experience more physical pain than men. I’m sure we can all think of a few obvious, extreme scenarios (um…childbirth), but those aside, women are prone to more daily aches and pains. Scientists say differences between the sexes in the central nervous system make women more susceptible to certain pain-inducing conditions (like migraines and arthritis).

And to add insult to injury, over the counter painkillers like Tylenol don’t work as well on us. No wonder we’re depressed.

Number 4: Higher Pay>>

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4.
They get paid more

Decades after women’s liberation, and men are still raking in more dough. Women earn 78 cents per every dollar earned by a man, performing basically the same work.

Then again, women are less likely to base their self-worth on a salary or job title - which is especially handy at a time when people are losing both, at record speeds.

Number 5: Always Right>>

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5.
Men are always right

Always. No matter how much evidence there is to the contrary. Even once they’ve been proven wrong. Still right.

Number 6: Warmth>>

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6.
They stay warmer

Men have a higher average body temperature. Which would explain why I’m wearing a winter coat in the office. Meanwhile, my male counterpart sports a lightweight, long sleeved shirt. He looks perfectly comfortable, and I’m still cold.

Number 7: Easy Peesy>>

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7.
When nature calls, they answer

It’s almost as though the world was designed to make it easier for men to pee. First, there’s the obvious physiological advantage – one that allows them to go anytime, anywhere (unfortunately for any unsuspecting passerby). Then, there’s the less obvious physiological advantage. Men have longer urethras, so they don’t feel the urge as quickly – or as often - as women do. Not fair, given the relative ease with which they can take care of business.

Meanwhile, we women suffer the excruciating wait outside the ladies’ room – then again, sometimes the long line makes for some good banter (just don’t laugh too hard).

Number 8: Bros first>>

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8.
"Bros before hos" rings true for them

Never mind the derogatory nature of the expression – the notion of loyalty still resonates. And the fact that there is really no equivalent for women is telling. In my experience, men are kinder to one another than we are. How often do you hear a girl trash talk another girl - even her own best friend? All the time. Now, how often do you hear a man doing the same? Almost never.

Someone once said a misogynist is a “man who hates women as much as women hate one another.” I hope to God I never meet such a man.

Number 9: Brains>>

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9. Men are smarter

Sort of. Recent IQ test studies show that men, on average, score 5 points higher than women. But these findings are not exactly without flaw. The correlation seems not to be gender-specific but rather size-specific. Larger people have larger brains, which means more neurons, and thus, higher intelligence. Of course this is not always the case (Albert Einstein didn’t have a particularly large brain), but it does appear to be the general trend.

Another consideration is the subjective nature of IQ tests – for example, men perform better in tests of spatial intelligence, while women excel in linguistic intelligence. Who’s to say which types of intelligence are more valuable? Nowadays, more women are graduating from college than men – I like to think that’s a more significant coup than five measly – and questionable – IQ points.

Number 10: It's their world>>

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10.
It really is a man's world

High school me refused to buy into it. College me was skeptical too. Heck, even grad school me held onto a glimmer of hope that the conventional wisdom was flawed (and that my mother was – as usual – wrong). But all grown up, working, professional me knows better. Men earn more for the same jobs. Most of my bosses have been men. Men don’t have a biological clock. On a man, wrinkles add character. And on and on and on.

But being a woman isn't all bad: Check out the 10 Reasons Why It's Better to Be a Woman

10 Reasons Why It's Better To Be a Woman

Zac Frank — Mon, 11 May 2009 11:57:00 -0700

1. In this recession, you are more likely to keep your job.

A lot of people are losing their jobs right now, but it is disproportionately affecting us men. In February 2008 the unemployment rate for men and women who had gone to college but did not graduate was the same: 4.1 percent. Today it's 8.9 percent for men but only 6.3 percent for women. That might be because for a long time discrimination kept women out of blue-collar jobs, the hardest hit by the current downturn. Women, it seems, are better prepared for the jobs of the new economy. Are we men now paying our karmic tab for keeping you out of these jobs in the past?

Number 2: Driving>>

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2. You're a better driver.

A common (and unfair) stereotype abounds that men are better drivers than women. While you may think that it's a subjective question, data point to an answer. Men are more than twice as likely to be killed in a car accident than women. In 2007, the most recent year for which data are available, nearly 62,000 men died in a car accident compared to only 31,000 women. When men are in the driver's seat, a car is even more dangerous. 75% of drivers killed behind the wheel were men.

Number 3: Firsts>>

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3. We are the same height, but you're smarter than me.

While studies show that, on average, men are smarter than women by about 3 to 5 IQ points, the difference only seems to be because we are, on average, taller. Larger bodies make for larger organs, including the brain. When you eliminate that discrepancy, though, women prevail. According to new research published in the American Journal of Psychology, once you "control for height, women are slightly but significantly more intelligent than men."

Number 4: The Money Pit>>

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4. You make more strategic purchases for the long-term and don't waste money on impulse buys.

According to Joeseph Carrabis of iMedia, men are more likely to look only at a products mechanical functionality when considering a purchase. Women, on the other hand, want to know if it also meets their specific needs. A guy I know recently dropped $300 on the Kindle 2. Cool technology, quick and easy access to books, thin as a feather. It will even read most books to you! After a week of being awe inspired by the device, he remembered that he didn't read books. Now, it has a place of honor in his gadget graveyard, something that almost every man has. Women will end up making purchases that are smarter and won't let money slip down a black hole…a valuable habit in the current economy.

Number 5: Fashion>>

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5. You have more fashion choices.

Men's fashion range is much more limited than women. In Sex and Suits: The Evolution of Modern Dress Anne Hollander turns her critical eye on style's gender divide. Women's wear, she argues, still has an element of the costume, allowing many more sartorial selections. Women can add decorative flare like earrings and necklaces. The buttons on their jackets can be huge or tiny. Dresses and skirts (and even women's pants) have a million different iterations of length and flare. A woman can wear a blouse with a bright floral print and no one will flinch. What's more, they can do all of this and still look professional. Men's attire is the opposite and quintessentially modern with form closely following function. Sure, a man's suit can have two buttons or three, a shirt can be striped or solid, and shoes brown or black. But if a man walked into a meeting wearing a suit made from chiffon with ruffles, his professionalism might come into question.

Number 6: Workplace Deaths>>

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6. You are less likely to die on the job.

The risk to both men and women of being killed on the job is low, but it's dramatically higher for men. Of the nearly 5,500 workplace fatalities in 2007, 92% of those killed were men. The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that construction and transportation/warehousing are the two sectors with the highest number of fatalities, but agriculture and mining have the highest rate of worker deaths. Some industries, like commercial fishing, are surprisingly dangerous. The Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch chronicles the travails of an Alaskan crab fishing crew. In the first season alone, five fisherman were killed when their boat capsized. Maybe losing our jobs in higher numbers is a good thing for men…

Number 7: DRINK$>>

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7. Your budget for booze is less than mine.

I mentioned the effect of body size earlier, but it carries a benefit for women on a budget. After a hard days work, many people have a drink to relax. For a woman, a single glass of wine can do the job. A man needs a martini (or two) and a glass of wine. With smaller body size comes less body water. Additionally, the alcohol metabolizing enzyme in the stomach, ADH, has lower activity in women than men meaning it enters the bloodstream more easily. This "plus", though, comes with an added minus. It means women are more susceptible than men to alcoholic liver disease and heart and brain damage.

Number 8: Erectile Dysfunction>>

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8. You never have to worry about erectile dysfunction.

Men are often maligned for thinking too much about sex. If that stereotype is true, we end up paying a price for it later in life. While a Viagra commercial can induce a chuckle, erectile dysfunction (ED) is no laughing matter. According to the Massachusetts male aging study, 40% of 40-year old men experience ED. At 70 years, the chance increases to 70%. Previously believed to be psychologically caused, most experts now believe it is physiological and something men have little power to avoid.

Number 9: Firsts>>

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9. You can still be the first.

While women have had legal equality for some time, they have been shut out of many estimable positions. In the 2008 Democratic primary, Hillary Clinton, regardless of your politics, was notable for being the first viable female candidate for President in the nation's history. I like winning, but unless I birth a child I probably won't be the first man to do anything. Everyone remembers Sally Ride, but can you name any of the male astronauts that went with her into space? With glass ceilings disintegrating across the board, women are on a path to be leaders in every field and industry. The auto industry could use some fresh talent. Maybe you'll be the first woman to lead GM.

Number 10: I'm Fat>>

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10. You can figure out how to lose weight.

Men are fat. The number of overweight men is 7% higher than overweight women. So what is a man to do? I searched Amazon for diet books for men and kept seeing how-to guides for six-pack abs. When all most men have going for them is a large, droopy one-pack, getting that six-pack would be like going from a salary of $60,000 to $360,000. It can be done, but he's going to need more years than he's got left in his life! Women have more (and more fun) diets to choose from. There are almost three times as many diet book titles for women and they include things like The French Diet: Why French Women Don't Get Fat and My Diva Diet. If only someone would tell men how to lose weight while eating croissants, smoking cigarettes, and belting out a ballad, maybe most of us wouldn't be so heavy.

But being a man isn't all bad: Check out the 10 Reasons Why It's Better to Be a Man

Faceoff: Which Sex Has It Better?

Tania Khadder and Zac Frank — Fri, 08 May 2009 12:24:00 -0700

Gender stereotypes abound. But there’s no doubt about it – men and women are different. And we’ve all wondered, at one point or another, what life was like for the opposite sex.

With so much misunderstanding between the sexes, we set out to dispel the myths and separate fact from fiction. Except, we’re shaking things up a little. Instead of the fourth grade approach ("Girls rule! Boys Drool!" "Girls have cooties!") that somehow persists into adulthood, our writers will explore the advantages of the opposite sex.

Zac Frank found ten benefits to being a woman and Tania Khadder dissected ten ways it's better to be a man. Along the way, they discovered some real differences that might surprise you.

10 Reasons Why It's Better to Be a Woman 10 Reasons Why It's Better to Be a Man

5 Ways to Vet Your Next Employer

Tania Khadder — Wed, 06 May 2009 14:33:00 -0700

We all know that before bringing you on board, a potential employer will do some vetting.

They'll scour the internet searching for digital dirt, or any discrepancies from your resume. They'll try to get a glimpse into your personality. They want to know as much as they can about you. After all, they’re about to let you – an unknown quantity – into their family.

Fair enough. You should do the same.

Now more than ever, it’s important to know what you’re getting yourself into. This is especially true if you’re leaving one job for another. You don’t want to leave a stable (albeit boring) work environment, only to be laid off by your new employer three months later. Besides, job hunting is a two way street – both parties should feel comfortable and confident in the potential union.

Before you sign that offer letter, make sure to do your due diligence.

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Research their financial health

This will be easier if you’re dealing with a publicly traded company – they have to report their financials to the Securities and Exchange Commission, and all of that information is accessible to you online here.

And whether or not your potential employer is public, you can get insight into their financial health by reviewing their profile on sites like Yahoo! Finance or Hoovers.

Finally, a simple Google search can yield valuable financial information in the form of news reports, feature articles, interviews, and more.

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Understand the company's past, present and future

Revenue is not the only indicator of a company’s health. By learning more about their history, you'll have a better grasp on current performance, and where it's likely to go from here.

Do some detective work: How long has this company been around? How much have they grown since then? How do they compare to their competitors? What's the mission?

Again, you can get this information from Yahoo! Finance or Hoovers.

You can also learn a lot from your company’s own website – particularly in the About Us section. That is, if they have a company website. If they don’t, run.

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Get to know the top-level executives

Just as your employer will want to understand your professional background, you should understand theirs (or rather, the professional backgrounds of the key players).

Find out who their C-level executives and decision makers are. Learn what you can from LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. Google them to see what, if any, articles have been written about them.

If you find that the company is led by executives who have been single handedly responsible for the demise of countless other companies, you may want to steer clear. On the other hand, if they've been nothing but a star, you'll know your in good hands.

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Get employer “references”

As you inch closer to that offer letter, you’ll likely be asked to submit a few references – people who can vouch for your character, your professionalism, and your integrity. Why not ask the same of your employer?

Try and speak to a few of the people who work there – particularly the ones who will be your peers – to help you get a taste for what the work environment is like.

Ask them what they like about the job, what they don’t like, how long they’ve been working there and what they feel the potential for growth is. If you can, find out what the turnover is like.

Of course, they may not be completely honest with you. And even if they are, some people are just negative Nancies – so you don’t want to take everything they say to heart. But talking to a few people can give you a better idea of what you're signing up for.

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Look around you

When you go in for the interview, make sure to get a good look at your surroundings.

Are they still using clunky PCs from the 90s? Is the IT guy’s office also the “kitchen”? Are people sweating because it’s 90 degrees outside and the air conditioner is broken (and has been for months)?

These are not minute details – you’re going to spending the majority of your day here. You’ll want to be comfortable. And antiquated computer systems will surely slow you down.

If this company isn’t investing in its staff’s comfort, or giving them the tools necessary to succeed, it’s for one of two reasons: they can’t afford to or they’re choosing not to. Either way, this probably isn’t somewhere you want to work.

How Would You Spend a Raise or Bonus?

By Kim Lankford, Monster Contributing Writer — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 15:36:00 -0700

When we asked Monster readers what they’d be most likely to splurge on if they got a big salary bump -- a new car, wardrobe or home entertainment technology -- the car topped the list with 51 percent of the votes, followed by the wardrobe with 30 percent and the home entertainment center at 18 percent. But quite a few readers told us none of those choices were good options.

“How about putting the money into a retirement account, 401k or other investment?” asked one reader. “With the answers to that survey, it’s no wonder people are in debt with seemingly no way out.”

She’s right: Several key moves can make a huge difference in your financial situation -- and stretch a few hundred dollars into thousands by saving you money in interest, growing tax-free, earning you free cash from your employer or protecting your savings. You don’t have to be serious with all the money, but everyone can learn from these seven steps recommended by real readers. They’re listed in the order of priority, starting with what would have the biggest impact on your finances.

1. “If I got a huge surge in salary, I would purchase health insurance for me and my husband.”

Without health insurance, big medical bills could quickly eat up your savings and jeopardize the rest of your financial plans. In fact, one of the most common causes of bankruptcy is medical expenses.

One good way to keep health insurance costs down, especially if your employer doesn’t provide coverage, is to buy a high-deductible health insurance policy. Raising the deductible will cut your premiums and enable you to open a health savings account (HSA), which can give you triple tax benefits and allows you to roll over the money year to year.

To be HSA-eligible, your health insurance policy’s deductible must be at least $1,150 for individual coverage or $2,300 for families in 2009. You can then contribute up to $3,000 for individual coverage or $5,950 for families in 2009. Those 55 and older can contribute an extra $1,000. Your contributions are tax-deductible and grow tax-deferred and then can be used tax-free for medical expenses in any year. If you still have cash in the account at age 65, you can use it for anything without penalty.

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2. “I wouldn’t do any of the listed choices. I would continue to pay bills off as much as possible. I’m very much in debt and am anxious to get out of this financial pitfall.”

With high interest rates and a big balance, it’s easy to pay thousands of dollars in credit-card interest that gets you nothing in return. If you have $4,000 in credit-card debt with an 18 percent interest rate, you can save more than $5,600 by paying the full balance now rather than continuing to pay the minimum.

3. “I would bank the difference into my retirement savings and continue to live on my earnings prior to the surge in my salary.”

With a raise or bonus, you’re not used to having the extra money, so you can put it to good use before you even realize it’s there. First, invest at least enough in your 401k to get your full employer match, which is free money. It’s tough to beat a 100 percent return. Since 401k contributions are deducted from your income before taxes, your contributions don’t lower your paycheck nearly as much as you’d expect. If you’re in the 25 percent tax bracket and contribute $500 to your 401k every month, for example, your paycheck will only shrink by $375. Most people can contribute up to $16,500 to a 401k in 2009 or $22,000 if 50 or older. The money grows tax-deferred until you withdraw it in retirement (you’ll pay a penalty for withdrawals before age 59 ½).

Or invest the money in a Roth IRA, which doesn’t lower your tax bill now but provides tax-free money in retirement. For 2008 returns, the maximum Roth IRA contribution is $5,000 (or up to $6,000 if 50 or older). Contributing $416.66 per month adds up to the $5,000 maximum by the end of the year. You have until April 15, 2009, to make your 2008 contribution to a Roth IRA.

4. “After a four-month unemployed stint, replenishment of spent monies is the first thing on my mind. I might spend a small amount on a wardrobe or improvements, but all in all, it’s ending up in my savings.”

It’s a good idea to keep enough money to cover three to six months of living expenses in a fairly liquid, high interest-bearing account -- like an online savings account or money-market account -- so it can earn some interest and be withdrawn without penalty but isn’t too easy to access.

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5. “I would put it towards my daughter’s education.”

A raise or bonus can provide extra cash to put toward college savings without having to cut back on your own retirement fund. The easiest way to save for college is by opening a 529 plan, which provides tax-free money for college. You can use the money for any US college, no matter which state’s plan you use, and can deduct your contributions from state income taxes in about half the states. For information about all the plans, see Savingforcollege.com.

6. “I would spend the money on a down payment on a new home.”

Making a 20 percent down payment when you buy a house can help you avoid private mortgage insurance, which can cost 0.5 percent to 1 percent of the loan value every year, meaning up to $3,000 per year on a $300,000 loan. The bigger down payment also helps lower your monthly payments, giving you more flexibility if you end up losing your job or want to cut back on your work hours. And you’ll be less likely to have to cough up extra money if you sell in a down market.

Several readers also recommended using the extra money for home improvements, which can be a good way to add value to your home without taking on extra debt.

7. “I would spend the money on vacation!”

Of course, you can have some fun with the money too. But making some smart moves first can free up more cash for everything else -- and give you even more money for a splurge.

Rising Food Costs in a Recession

K McCaskey — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:00:00 -0700

Everything from the price of gasoline to the midwestern floods will affect your grocery bill in coming months.

The cost of celery is up 106%. Not surprisingly: the cost of meat is kept artificially low thanks to massive lobbyist subsidies. Lesson: eat fewer lentils and more tangerines.

Do you need solutions to food cost increases?

Get a grip on your budget. Know how much you can spend so you do not endanger your ability to pay for other necessities like housing. A good budget will stretch and maximize your available dollars. At www.geezeo.com you can set up personalized spending targets.

Buy in bulk/buy items with less packaging. Bulk purchases are consistently cheaper. So are purchases of items with less packaging.

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Buy seasonal items and freeze or can them for later. Summer is a great time to load up on fresh fruits and veggies. Freeze them for use later on when seasonal changes force prices up further. If you know how to can veggies you’re ahead of the game (teach me!).

Consider planting a WWII-style “Victory Garden”. Whether you live in urban or rural environments a few food-bearing, or herb-bearing plants are possible. It’s not too late for items like lettuce you can grow in a sunny window.

Bailout Bill Extends Tax Breaks for Individuals

Military.com | Kyle Stone — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 18:06:00 -0700

In 2008, legislation was passed to help rescue US markets and the economy. But did you know that these bailout bills also included a bundle of income tax breaks?

The biggest ones are known as "extenders" - popular tax breaks that might seem permanent to most taxpayers, but actually must be renewed every year or two.

Stuffed inside the *Emergency Economic Stabilization Act* are more than 100 tax provisions worth $150 billion in tax benefits. They include:

• Another “patch” to protect middle-class taxpayers from having to pay $61.8 billion in alternative minimum taxes, or AMT, a tax intended for the wealthy.

• Extensions of some popular tax breaks for 2009 and beyond that were scheduled to expire this year, including deductions for classroom teachers and for higher-education tuition.

• Major tax breaks for victims of the 2008 Midwestern storms, floods and tornadoes.

AMT Patch Completed in Time for 2009 Filing Season

Once again Congress has applied a one-year patch on the AMT. That means that millions of middle-class taxpayers will be spared from paying higher tax bills.

The AMT was conceived in 1969 as an alternative tax to ensure that the wealthiest taxpayers, even with their big deductions and loopholes, didn’t avoid paying income taxes. But because the tax was not adjusted for inflation, it has increasingly reached down into the middle class.

Recently Congress has passed a series of one-year fixes, rather than overhaul the AMT itself. Last year, the long delay in passing the patch required the IRS to briefly postpone accepting some 2007 tax returns.

With the AMT patch and other tax changes included in the bailout bill, taxpayers should be able to file as usual starting January 2009.

Popular Tax Breaks Extended For 2009 Tax Returns

• The $250 deduction for teachers who buy out-of-pocket classroom supplies. This deduction is "above-the-line," meaning that teachers and educators can qualify for it even if they don't itemize their deductions. Allowable expenses include classroom supplies, books and software.

• A deduction of $2,000 to $4,000 for eligible taxpayers with higher-education tuition and related fees. This above-the-line deduction allows married couples with incomes of $130,000 or less ($65,000 for individuals) to deduct up to $4,000 in higher education expenses and those couples earning $130,000 to $160,000 ($65,000 to $80,000 for individuals) to deduct up to $2,000.

• The option to deduct state and local sales taxes from federal taxes, instead of state income tax. This can mean big savings for taxpayers who itemize and live in states with no state income taxes: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming.

• Tax-free distributions to charities. IRA owners who have reached age 70½ — and who must therefore begin to withdraw money from their retirement accounts — can contribute up to $100,000 of otherwise taxable payouts directly to charity.

Bill Includes Disaster Relief for 2008 Midwest Storm Victims

The new law provides major tax breaks for victims of the tornadoes, storms and flooding that hit the Midwest this year between May and August, similar to those given to Hurricane Katrina victims. These include tax benefits for demolition and clean up, as well as education and housing.

The bill also offers more limited tax assistance to victims of Hurricane Ike.

Check Back With TurboTax

The new law contains many changes to taxes for individuals and businesses. More details will be added at TurboTax.com as they become available.

_Updated for tax year 2009. Content provided by Kiplinger, courtesy of TurboTax, a registered trademark of Intuit Inc._

Your Job Search Expenses May Be Tax-Deductible

John Rossheim | Monster Senior Contributing Writer — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:56:00 -0700

Did you spend substantial amounts of money looking for a new position last year? You may be able to succeed where Nelson Rockefeller failed and take a tax deduction for many of your job search-related costs.

When New York Governor Rockefeller was appointed vice president in the '70s, he deducted expenses incurred in connection with his congressional confirmation hearings. Years later, the courts upheld the IRS's denial of the write-off, saying it violated a key rule on job search deductions: You must be looking for a job in the same trade or business as your previous position.

But fear not: The legitimacy of these deductions rarely gets decided in court. Armed with a bit of knowledge and some individualized professional tax advice, you may be able to reap savings by writing off a variety of job search costs.

Three Major Deduction Categories

Deductible job search expenses generally fall into three categories, according to IRS Publication 529:

* Outplacement and Employee Agency Fees: If you pay for job counseling or to have an agency match you with an employment opportunity, this expense is generally deductible. Of course, if you are reimbursed by an employer or anyone else, you cannot deduct these fees.
* Resume Preparation, Mailing and Related Expenses: Paper, envelopes, portfolios, postage, phone calls and the like add up. To deduct them properly, you'll need to keep meticulous records, including receipts and notes on the purpose of purchases.
* Travel and Transportation Expenses: Whether you take the bus to an interview or fly across the country to pound the pavement, your job search-related travel and transportation expenses may be deductible. But remember: The amount of time you spend searching for a job versus engaging in personal activities during your journeys can be a factor. In other words, a three-week trip in February with one face-to-face informational interview thrown in isn't going to cut it. These deduction rules are complex; get professional advice.

Before You Take That Deduction, Consider These 4 Factors

Even though you now have an idea of what to deduct, you still need to jump through some hoops -- four, actually - before plugging in those deductions:

* You Must Be Looking for a Job in the Same Occupation: Career changers don't get a break from the IRS. "If a general manager of a food market goes out and looks for a job as a VP of an Internet company, that's not going to fly," says Bradford Hall, managing director of Hall & Co. CPAs.

Distinctions between career fields can be arguable, so it pays to get professional advice. "I would go ahead and take the deduction if, say, you switch from journalism to marketing, because it's all communications," says Jim Dowling, senior tax manager for Weaver and Tidwell LLP.

* You Can't Take a ‘Substantial Break' Between Your Previous Job and Your Search: "There's no specific time frame provided by the IRS," Hall says. "But if a teacher becomes a stay-at-home mom, then years later decides she wants to go back, that's too long" to qualify for job search deductions. "The IRS wants to encourage people to get back on the horse and get back in the labor force."
* You Can't Be Looking for Your First Job: High school and college students seeking their first real-world job cannot deduct search expenses - you must be transitioning between career positions.
* Job Search and Other Miscellaneous Deductions Must Exceed 2 Percent of Adjusted Gross Income: Major caveat: You can only deduct job search costs to the extent that they - lumped together with all other miscellaneous deductions (such as unreimbursed employee expenses) - exceed 2 percent of your adjusted gross income.

What if December 31 rolls around and you're still looking? Relax - you can write off well-documented job search expenses for the year just ended, even if they haven't yet paid off with a new job.

Make Your Taxes Less Taxing: Tips and Tricks

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:52:00 -0700

Taxes are overwhelming and complicated. There is form after form and it gets tough to keep them all straight. The most painful part, however, is seeing the toll it takes on you wallet. TurboTax, Military.com and FireLink have brought you expert financial advice to make your taxes as painless as possible and hopefully save a lot of money in the process.

Page 2: Tax Preparation Checklist

Page 3: 5 Ways to Make Your Taxes Less Taxing

Page 4: The 11 Most Overlooked Tax Deductions

Page 5: Top Ten Odd Ball Tax Deductions

Get all the tips and tricks....

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Page 1: Table of Contents

Page 2: Tax Preparation Checklist

Page 3: 5 Ways to Make Your Taxes Less Taxing

Page 4: The 11 Most Overlooked Tax Deductions

Page 5: Top Ten Odd Ball Tax Deductions

Tax Preparation Checklist

Go through the following checklist before you prepare your income tax return. Not every category will apply to you, so just pick those that do, and make sure you have that information available. When you're ready to prepare your income tax return using TurboTax software, you'll be surprised at how much time you'll save by organizing your information beforehand.

Before you start tax preparation

Print this checklist out. Check things off as you collect them, and enter information such as Social Security numbers and cash amounts.

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If you maintain your financial data in a personal finance software program such as Quicken®, print a report of your financial transactions for 2008. This is an invaluable tax preparation resource as you prepare your income tax return, and helps you clearly see where your money goes each year. Having this information in a report is much easier than going through your checks for the entire year.

As you review the report, highlight information you will need for your tax return or make notes to remind yourself of something later. If you need more information on a certain item, the report makes it easier to find the item on the computer when you need the detail. For example, if you know you paid check number 1077 to the IRS but don't know if it was for last year's balance due, an estimated payment for this year, or an extension payment, you can do a search for check number 1077 and get more detail.
Now you're ready to start gathering information. This income tax preparation checklist is divided into relevant categories to help you organize your tax information. As you receive or locate an item, check it off of the list.

Tax Preparation Checklist.doc

Updated for tax year 2008. Content provided by Kiplinger, courtesy of TurboTax, a registered trademark of Intuit Inc.

Next Page: 5 Ways to Make Your Taxes Less Taxing

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Page 1: Table of Contents

Page 2: Tax Preparation Checklist

Page 3: 5 Ways to Make Your Taxes Less Taxing

Page 4: The 11 Most Overlooked Tax Deductions

Page 5: Top Ten Odd Ball Tax Deductions

5 Ways to Make Your Taxes Less Taxing

Let’s face it: Doing your taxes is about as exciting as mowing your lawn. But, we all have to do it. And Uncle Sam doesn’t make it easy. The U.S. tax code literally fills thousands of pages. Thankfully, you don’t need to read them all to stay on top of your taxes. Here are five things that can make doing your taxes “less taxing” as Tax Day – April 15 – approaches.

1) First, understand what kind of “Taxes” you’re paying to begin with.
Most people think about taxes as one big jug of “uggh.” But there are several different types of taxes that we each pay: Federal, State and Local income taxes, Social Security taxes (6.2 percent of your income up to $97,500), and Medicare taxes (1.45 percent of your income with no cap). If you’re self-employed you have to pay twice as much in Social Security and Medicare — as you pay both employer and employee bits.

2) Now let’s talk about what you can do to reduce those taxes.
The first way is through tax deductions. The most common ones are your property tax, charitable contributions, mortgage interest, student loan interest, as well as medical and non-reimbursed job-related expenses that exceed a certain portion of your income. Three absolutely critical things to know about deductions:
• They’re not automatic. You have a choice between a “standard deduction” and taking an “itemized deduction.” For instance, to get your mortgage interest deduction or a write-off for a non-reimbursed, work-related expense you have to list out your deductions on your tax return. Believe it or not, more than two-thirds of people don’t do this — they just take the standard deduction.
• Deductions do not reduce your tax bill dollar by dollar. They reduce it by your marginal tax rate. So if you’re in the 25 percent tax bracket and you “deduct” or “write-off” something worth $1,000 you save $250 not the $1,000.

3) An even better way to cut back on your tax bill is through tax credits.
These do represent a dollar-for-dollar reduction of your tax bill. The most common tax credits are child or dependent care tax credits, education tax credits, energy tax credits, and earned income tax credits.

4) You don’t need to go it alone.
Visit www.aicpa.org to find a local accountant or to big chains like H&R Block or Jackson Hewitt. One of the first questions you should ask your tax preparer is if you qualify for any tax credits and if you can itemize your deductions.

5) What papers do you need to save?
Save all supporting materials that you use to create your tax returns for at least six years. You don’t have to, but I suggest saving copies of your final tax returns forever. They can come in handy down the road if you take a break from the work place to raise children and then you want to take out a loan to start a business and you want to show your previous earning power.

Next Page: The 11 Most Overlooked Tax Deductions

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Page 1: Table of Contents

Page 2: Tax Preparation Checklist

Page 3: 5 Ways to Make Your Taxes Less Taxing

Page 4: The 11 Most Overlooked Tax Deductions

Page 5: Top Ten Odd Ball Tax Deductions

The 11 Most Overlooked Tax Deductions

TurboTax helps you find tax deductions you may have overlooked. Don’t overpay taxes by overlooking tax deductions. See the most common errors taxpayers make on their tax returns. …it’s all too easy to miss a trick and pay too much…

Every year, the IRS dutifully reports the most common blunders taxpayers make on their returns. And every year, at or near the top of the list, is forgetting to enter a Social Security number or making a mistake when entering the nine digits that identify us to IRS computers.

Before you bemoan such stupidity, ask yourself a simple question: Is that the most common error? Or just the most easily noticed goof?

Who knows how many people forgot—or never knew about—a deduction that could save them money? That’s not the kind of thing over which government bean counters lose a lot of sleep.

No doubt about it: The opportunity for mistakes is almost unlimited. The most recent numbers show that about 46 million of us itemized deductions on our 1040s—claiming nearly 1 trillion dollars’ worth of deductions. That’s right: $1,000,000,000,000! Another 85 million taxpayers claimed more than half a trillion dollars’ worth of standard deductions. Some of those who took the easy way out probably shortchanged themselves. (If you turned 65 in 2007, remember that you deserve a bigger standard deduction than younger folks.)

Yes, friends, tax time is a dangerous time. It’s all too easy to miss a trick and pay too much. Years ago, the head of the IRS told Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine that he figured millions of taxpayers overpaid their taxes every year by overlooking just one of the money-savers listed below. Without further ado, here are our 11 most overlooked tax deductions. Claim them if you deserve them, and cut your tax bill to the bone.

1. State sales taxes.

This write-off makes sense primarily for those who live in states that do not impose an income tax. You must choose between deducting state income taxes or state sales taxes and, for most citizens of income-tax states, the income tax deduction usually is a better deal. IRS has tables for residents of states with sales taxes showing how much they can deduct. But the tables aren’t the last word. If you purchased a vehicle, boat or airplane, you get to add the state sales tax you paid to the amount shown in IRS tables for your state, to the extent the sales tax rate you paid doesn’t exceed the state’s general sales tax rate. The same goes for home building materials you purchased. These items are easy to overlook. The IRS even has a calculator on its Web site to help you figure out the deduction, which varies by your state and income level.

2. Reinvested dividends.

This isn’t really a deduction, but it is a subtraction that can save you money; this is the break former IRS Commissioner Fred Goldberg told Kiplinger’s that lots of taxpayers miss. If, like most investors, you have mutual fund dividends automatically invested in extra shares, remember that each reinvestment increases your “tax basis” in the fund. That, in turn, reduces the taxable capital gain (or increases the tax-saving loss) when you redeem shares. Forgetting to include the reinvested dividends in your basis—which you subtract from the proceeds of sale to pinpoint your gain—means overpaying your tax. TurboTax Premier and Home & Business tax preparation solutions include a very cool tool—Cost Basis Lookup—that will figure your basis for you and make sure you get credit for every dime of reinvested dividends.

3. Out-of-pocket charitable contributions.

It’s hard to overlook the big charitable gifts you made during the year, by check or payroll deduction. But the little things add up, too, and you can write off out-of-pocket costs you incur while doing good works. Ingredients for casseroles you regularly prepare for a nonprofit organization’s soup kitchen, for example, or the cost of stamps you buy for your school’s fundraiser count as a charitable contribution. If you drove your car for charity in 2007, remember to deduct 14 cents per mile.

4. Student loan interest paid by Mom and Dad.

Until recently, if parents paid back a student loan incurred by their children, no one got a tax break. To get a deduction, the law held that you had to be both liable for the debt and actually pay it yourself. But now there’s an exception. If Mom and Dad pay back the loan, the IRS treats it as though they gave the money to their child, who then paid the debt. So, a child who’s not claimed as a dependent can qualify to deduct up to $2,500 of student loan interest paid by Mom and Dad.

5. Moving expense to take first job.

Here’s an interesting dichotomy: Job-hunting expenses incurred while looking for your first job are not deductible, but moving expenses to get to that first job are. And you get this write-off even if you don’t itemize. If you moved more than 50 miles, you can deduct the cost of getting yourself and your household goods to the new area, including 20 cents per mile (plus parking fees and tolls) for driving your own car.

6. Military reservists’ travel expenses.

If you are a member of the National Guard or military reserve, you may deserve a deduction for travel expenses to drills or meetings. To qualify, you must travel more than 100 miles and be away from home overnight. If you qualify, you can deduct the cost of lodging and half the cost of your meals, plus 48.5 cents per mile (and any parking or toll fees) for driving your own car. You get this deduction whether or not you itemize.

7. Child care credit.

A credit is so much better than a deduction—it reduces your tax bill dollar for dollar. So missing one is even more painful than missing a deduction that simply reduces the amount of income that’s subject to tax. But it’s easy to overlook the child care credit if you pay your child care bills thorough a reimbursement account at work. Until a few years ago, the child care credit applied to no more than $4,800 of qualifying expenses. The law allows you to run up to $5,000 of such expenses through a tax-favored reimbursement account at work. Now, however, up to $6,000 can qualify for the credit, but the old $5,000 limit still applies to reimbursement accounts. So, if you run the maximum $5,000 through a plan at work but spend more for work-related child care, you can claim the credit on up to an extra $1,000. That would cut your tax bill by at least $200.

8. Estate tax on income in respect of a decedent.

This sounds complicated, but it can save you a lot of money if you inherited an IRA from someone whose estate was big enough to be subject to the federal estate tax. Basically, you get an income tax deduction for the amount of estate tax paid on the IRA balance. Let’s say you inherited a $100,000 IRA and the fact that the $100,000 was included in your benefactor’s estate added $45,000 to the estate tax bill. As you withdraw the money from the IRA and pay tax on it, you also get to deduct a proportional amount of the estate tax paid. If you withdraw $50,000 in one year, for example, you get to claim a $22,500 itemized deduction on Schedule A.

9. State tax you paid last spring.

Did you owe tax when you filed your 2006 state tax return in the spring of 2007? Then remember to include that amount with your state tax deduction on your 2007 return, along with state income taxes withheld from your paychecks or paid via quarterly estimated payments.

10. Refinancing points.

When you buy a house, you get to deduct points paid to obtain your mortgage in one fell swoop. When you refinance a mortgage, though, you have to deduct the points over the life of the loan. That means 1/30th a year if it’s a 30-year mortgage—that’s $33 a year for each $1,000 of points you paid. Not much, maybe, but don’t throw it away. And, in the year you pay off the loan—because you sell the house or refinance again—you may get to deduct all the as-yet-undeducted points. You do unless you refinance with the same lender. In that case, you add points on the latest deal to the leftovers from the previous refinancing and deduct the expense ratably over the life of the new loan.

11. Jury pay paid to employer.

Some employers continue to pay employees’ full salary while they are doing their civic duty, but ask that they turn over their jury fees to the corporate treasury. The only problem is that the IRS demands that you report those fees as taxable income. You’ve always had a right to deduct the amount, so you weren’t taxed on money that simply passed through your hands.

Next Page: Top Ten Odd Ball Tax Deductions

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Page 1: Table of Contents

Page 2: Tax Preparation Checklist

Page 3: 5 Ways to Make Your Taxes Less Taxing

Page 4: The 11 Most Overlooked Tax Deductions

Page 5: Top Ten Odd Ball Tax Deductions

Top Ten Odd Ball Tax Deductions

Admit it. As you've worked on your return, trying to come up with extra deductions to pump up your refund, you've taken a few flights of fancy. "Can I claim a deduction for all those blood donations at the Red Cross?" Nope.

"How about a charitable contribution for all the time I donate to the church?" Nope, again. "The wedding gift for the boss's daughter as an employee business expense?" Come on! On the other hand, over the years your fellow taxpayers have beaten the IRS in court on payments for many crazy things that most of us wouldn't even dream of claiming.

We've uncovered what we think are the weirdest deductions allowed, ranging from pet food to free beer.

1. Pet food

A couple who owned a junkyard was allowed to write off the cost of cat food they set out to attract wild cats. The feral felines did more than just eat; they also took care of snakes and rats on the property, making the place safer for customers. When the case reached the Tax Court, IRS lawyers conceded that the cost was deductible.

2. Moving the family pet

If you are changing jobs and meet a couple of tests, you can deduct your moving expenses — including the cost of moving your dog, cat or other pet from your old residence to your new home. Your pet — be it a Pekingese or a python — is treated the same as your other personal effects.

[photo:411470]

3. A trip to Bermuda

This island is more than just a scenic place to visit: It's a great place to schedule a tax write-off. Business conventions held in Bermuda are deductible without having to show that there was a special reason for the meeting to be held there. That's a sweet perk.

Other countries in the Caribbean region qualify, too, including Barbados, Costa Rica, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago. Meetings held in Canada, Mexico and all U.S. possessions also receive this favorable tax treatment. Attend a convention in Paris, Rome or Beijing, though, and there's no deduction unless you can show it made as much sense to travel abroad as to head to Pittsburgh.

4. Body oil

A pro bodybuilder used body oil to make his muscles glisten in the lights during his competitions. The Tax Court ruled that he could deduct the cost of the oil as a business expense. Lest it be seen as a softie, though, the Court nixed deductions for buffalo meat and special vitamin supplements to enhance strength and muscle development.

5. A private airplane

Rather than drive five to seven hours to check on their rental condo or be tied to the only daily commercial flight available, a couple bought their own plane. The Tax Court allowed them to deduct their condo-related trips on the aircraft, including the cost of fuel and depreciation for the portion of time used for business-related purposes, even though these costs increased their overall rental loss.

6. Babysitting fees

Fees paid to a sitter to enable a mother to get out of the house and do volunteer work for a charity are deductible as charitable contributions, even though the money didn't go directly to the charity, according to the Tax Court. The Court expressly rejected a contrary IRS revenue ruling.

7. Breast augmentation

In an effort to get more tips, a stripper with the stage name "Chesty Love" decided to get breast implants to make her a size 56FF. A female Tax Court judge allowed Chesty to write off the cost of her operation, equating her new assets to a stage prop. Alas, the operation proved to be a problem for Chesty. She later tripped and ruptured one of her implants.

8. Landscaping

Sole proprietors who regularly meet clients in a home office can deduct part of the costs of landscaping the property. The deductible portion is based on the percentage of the home that is used for business, according to the Tax Court. The Court also allowed a deduction for part of the costs of lawn care and driveway repairs.

9. Free beer

In a novel promotion, a gas station owner gave his customers free beer in lieu of trading stamps. Proving that sometimes beer and gasoline do mix, the Tax Court allowed the write-off as a business expense.

10. Swimming pool

A taxpayer with emphysema put in a pool after his doctor told him to develop an exercise regimen. He swam in it twice a day and improved his breathing capacity. Turns out he swam in the pool more than his family did.

The Tax Court allowed him to deduct the cost of the pool (to the extent the cost exceeded its added value to the property) as a medical expense because its primary purpose was for medical care. Also, the cost of heating the pool, pool chemicals and a proportionate part of insuring the pool area were treated as medical expenses.

Bonus Oddball Deduction: Girlfriend.

The owner of several rental properties hired his live-in girlfriend to manage them. Her duties included finding furniture, overseeing repairs and running his home. The Tax Court let him deduct $2,500 of the $9,000 he paid her. The disallowed portion was for nondeductible personal services.

Updated for tax year 2008. Content provided by Kiplinger, courtesy of TurboTax, a registered trademark of Intuit Inc.

Personal Finance: 20 Dos & Don'ts for 2009

Business Week — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:08:00 -0700

During the worst economic crisis in a lifetime, the right financial decisions are crucial.

BusinessWeek asked financial planners for some advice on what to do—or not to do—with your money in the New Year. As we bid farewell to a dreadful 2008, these "resolutions" may help keep your finances on the right track in 2009:

h4. 1. Don't try to predict the future.

"We are currently in the midst of unprecedented and complex challenges," says Femi Shote of Asset Harvest Group in McLean, Va. Anyone who thinks he or she can predict what's going to happen is "delusional," Shote says.

Financial advisers often hear from clients who would like to sell stocks now and then buy again when the market hits bottom. "My response is, 'How do you know when that will be?'" says Trent Porter of Priority Financial Planning in Fort Collins, Colo.

h4. 2. Do keep enough cash available.

Even if you're not worried about losing your job, a rainy-day fund can provide peace of mind.

There are different guidelines for how much cash to keep on hand. Some say $12,000 or more per adult; others say it should be six to nine months of living expenses. With extra cash available, you can avoid selling investments to pay for expenses in an emergency.

h4. 3. Do invest internationally.

Though the financial crisis started in the U.S., the past year has been worse for investments in the rest of the world. The MSCI EAFE, an index of international stocks, is down 43% this year, and stocks in emerging economies fared far worse. American investors who diversified abroad have also been pummeled by the rise in the U.S. dollar.

Even after a year like that, advisers say it's not wise to abandon international investments entirely. For one thing, though some key overseas economies, like China's, have been hit hard lately, their long-term economic fundamentals look better than those of the U.S.

h4. 4. Don't try to pick one winning investment. Diversify.

Putting all your money in one stock is dangerous at a time when a company's bankruptcy can completely wipe out the value of its shares.

Robert Siegmann of Financial Management Group in Cincinnati advises clients to balance their portfolios between fixed income and stocks, with shares in various types of companies — small and large, U.S. and international. "Don't try to pick the winning stock, or the winning idea. Just diversify across all investments and markets," he says.

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h4. 5. Do think about energy efficiency.

Russell Francis of Portland Financial Advisors in Beaverton, Ore., recommends that investors take advantage of a $500 federal residential energy tax credit that was rescinded in 2008 but returns in 2009. The credit can help cover the costs of adding insulation or replacing doors, windows, or furnaces—home repairs that should also save you on heating and cooling costs.

h4. 6. Don't stop contributing to 401(k) and other retirement accounts.

Says Sidney Blum of GreenLight Fee Only Advisors in Evanston, Ill.: "Everyone loves to invest in their 401(k) when the markets are flying high, but they should keep putting money in while the markets are down." He adds: "More money is made at the bottom of a market than at the top."

Even more pessimistic planners say you should be taking advantage of any match your employer offers for retirement fund contributions.

h4. 7. Do live below your means. Save.

Investing for the future is only possible if you have some money left over at the end of each month to sock away. View this BusinessWeek slide show for 25 ways to save more each month.

h4. 8. Don't make sudden moves.

"Refrain from making extreme changes to the portfolio just because the financial markets are volatile," says William Howell, a financial adviser in Noblesville, Ind. "Stick to the overall investment game plan."

In such an extreme environment, investment decisions based on emotion or fear are likely to lose you money. It's probably better to ignore the day-to-day news and follow a long-term investing plan.

h4. 9. Do pay off expensive debts.

Rather than investing your money, you first might consider paying off debts, especially those with high rates or those for which interest is not tax-deductible. The avoidance of interest will likely save you more than your investments would have earned.

Stanley F. Ehrlich, an adviser in Westfield, N.J., notes: "Paying off a car loan with 7% interest provides an immediate 7% return, a return that is not [currently] available through most asset classes." Credit-card debt is so expensive that most planners say it is always the first thing people should pay off.

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h4. 10. Don't give up on stocks.

"Historically some of the best periods for stock market returns have been during dismal economic times," says Paul Winter of Five Seasons Financial Planning in Salt Lake City. Though investors approaching retirement shouldn't risk too much money in volatile equity markets, investors hoping to build a nest egg for the long term have few better options than the stock market.

h4. 11. Do track your spending.

"It's very easy to lose sight of where your funds are spent," says Alexandra Ollinger of Truepoint Capital in Cincinnati.

G.M. Livingston III, a planner in Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., advises clients to buy software like Quicken to track their spending. "It's a universal mistake," Livingston says. "Most people don't know where their money goes."

h4. 12. Don't pay high management fees.

It doesn't only matter how much your investments earn; it is also important how much you get to keep after trading costs and fees paid to financial advisers and fund managers. When market returns are small or nonexistent, even a 1% or 2% management fee can hurt. Decide if it's worth it. Also, check out offerings from traditionally low-cost fund companies like Vanguard, where the average mutual fund expense ratio is 0.2%.

h4. 13. Do review your credit reports.

With the Federal Reserve cutting the federal funds rate close to zero and policymakers eager to revive the housing market, mortgage rates are expected to drop substantially in 2009. That could be a great opportunity to refinance your mortgage, but only if you have a solid credit score. Check your credit report for any errors now, says Scott Beaudin of Pathway Financial Advisors in Burlington, Vt. "Fixing problems takes time and you don't want to be trying to fix your report while in the middle of a mortgage application," he says. The three U.S. consumer reporting agencies set up a Web site, to allow consumers to access a free copy of their credit report each year.

h4. 14. Don't follow the herd.

"Be fearful when others are greedy, and be greedy when others are fearful," says legendary investor Warren Buffett. Warren Ward, an adviser in Columbus, Ind., agrees, advising his clients to ease back into stock or bond markets rather than seeking the safety of cash or Treasuries as many other investors are doing now. "Do your own thinking and don't allow yourself to be panicked into taking an action you'll regret," Ward says.

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h4. 15. Do write down an investing plan and budget, and stick to them.

A budget can help control spending and boost the amount of money you save each month. An investing plan takes the emotion out of your investing decision. "Investing systematically [is] especially [important] during market downturns," Ward says.

h4. 16. Don't forgo necessary insurance.

You can save some money by increasing your car insurance deductible or forgoing life, disability or home insurance, but you could also be left penniless after a serious emergency. Full coverage isn't always necessary, but make sure you're protected in a worst-case scenario.

h4. 17. Do check out your financial adviser.

The arrest of Bernard Madoff, who saw his $50 billion hedge fund collapse in an alleged Ponzi scheme, shows the danger of relying on one person—whether a fund manager or a financial planner and adviser—to handle your nest egg.

Don't just pick a broker or planner out of the yellow pages. "Do your homework," says Eileen Freiburger of ESF Financial Planning Group in Manhattan Beach, Calif. Ask advisers about their qualifications, certifications, and educations, as well as their fees, ethics and disclosure policies. Look them up in online databases that track complaints against planners. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority's BrokerCheck is a good place to start.

h4. 18. Don't invest in anything you don't understand.

This financial crisis has demonstrated the dangers of too much complexity in the investing world. Investors lost big on asset-backed securities and other investments that in many cases they never really understood in the first place. If your adviser or broker can't adequately explain an investment in a few sentences, maybe it's not for you.

h4. 19. Do make sure safe investments are actually safe.

J. Mark Joseph of Sentinel Wealth Management in Reston, Va., sticks with supersafe government debt for his clients' fixed-income investments. "Bonds are for safety, so make sure your bonds are safe," he says. "Just because something is a fixed-income investment does not mean it is safe."

In case your bank or broker fails, make sure your bank accounts are covered by insurance from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and your brokerage accounts by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation or supplemental insurance.

h4. 20. Don't take more risk than you can handle.

Some investors will react to 2008's losses by trying to be more prudent and conservative in the future. Others, however, will try to win back their losses through bold, risky bets on the next big thing.

That's happened in past downturns, says Elaine Scoggins of Merriman Berkman Next in Seattle. After the tech bubble burst, investors flocked to real estate. A classic mistake is "following one investing mistake by an even bigger one."

The past year has given investors an idea of how bad market conditions can get. In the future, investors may want to evaluate how much risk they're really willing to take and how long they're willing to wait to get outsize returns.

Steverman is a reporter for BusinessWeek's Investing channel.

Courtesy of © 2009 YellowBrix, Inc.

7 Ways to Lower Your Utility Bill

Ethan Ewing for Military.com — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:07:00 -0700

The average American home will spend $990 on heating this year, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA). Add that to the rising costs of food, clothing, and travel, and almost every individual and family will feel the pinch.

Fortunately, you can make your utility bills more manageable. Many steps to reducing your bills apply to everyone, even those living in barracks. And even if your utilities are currently paid as part of your rent, pay attention: By 2010, only 10 percent of military personnel will live in government-owned residences, and many private or service-owned residences require residents to pay their own utility bills, reports the EIA.

1) Turn down the heat. Much as we love a cozy home, lowering the thermostat will instantly lower your bill. The EIA says projects that for every degree you lower your heat, you can cut your heating costs by as much as 5 percent. At night, or when you are away, lower the temperature as far as possible while protecting your health and the safety of your pipes. Bundle up with a throw on the sofa, get some warm slippers, and wear a sweater or fleece. If necessary, stay cozy at night with an electric blanket, which uses less energy than heating the entire home or apartment.

2) Program the temperature. Make furnace settings automatic by installing a programmable thermostat. These devices cost about $40 and are simple to install.

3) Replace light bulbs. Replace traditional incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) to save about 50 watts per light bulb and make a significant difference on utility bills. They do cost more to purchase, but they pay off over the life of the bulb. If you move frequently, you might want to keep the old bulbs to leave behind in the fixtures while taking your investment in bulbs with you.

4) Cut laundry costs. Wash clothes in cold water -- they will last longer and still get clean while saving energy. Hang clothes to dry, either outside or on a line in a garage, bathroom or spare room. If you do use the clothes dryer, try to use an Energy Star certified model, and be sure to clean the lint filter before every use to maximize air circulation.

5) Insulate. Carefully inspect your home for drafty spots where cold air can enter. The most common culprits are doors and windows. Install weather stripping and door sweeps to block drafts. Add old-fashioned "draft dodgers" for a quick fix at exterior doors. Other common areas for air leaks are locks, outlets, air conditioning units and recessed light fixtures. Cover outside vents, including air conditioning units. If possible, install insulated electrical outlet boxes and light fixtures. The Energy Star program offers a free guide to home insulation at http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=diy.diy_index.

6) Use the sun. The sun is a great source of natural energy. Taking small steps such as opening the drapes to let the sun's warmth in during the day, and closing them - or install insulating drapes - to keep heat in at night will make substantial differences in your heating bill. Leave lights off if sunlight provides enough light by which to read, shower, cook or eat.

7) Choose budget billing. Consider contacting your utility provider to ask about billing a set amount each month. Called "budget billing" by some utilities, the company averages your annual utility bills and bills one-twelfth of the amount each month. Bills usually will be slightly lower in the winter and summer and slightly higher in the spring and fall. Most importantly, the bill will be a predictable amount each month to simplify budget planning. (Those in Service-provided housing might already have this feature on their bill.)

If you find you can’t pay your utility bill, get help. Many states offer programs to help people keep the utilities on when they have trouble paying the bills. Contact your utility company to learn about its plan, and be sure to mention that you are a military family. For instance, Ohio's Patriot Plan is based on a law that states that utilities can’t be disconnected for nonpayment for any military reservist or National Guardsman deployed on active duty. In an emergency, organizations such as the Salvation Army might be able to help.

These actions share one common feature: The No. 1 action you can take to rein in your utility bills is to pay attention to the energy you use, and try to use only what you need. When you use utilities carefully, you'll be able to reduce your bills, while still enjoying the comfort of your home, while you're in the Service and beyond.

5 Insurance Myths Busted

Military.com Finance Center — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:07:00 -0700

Misinformation and myths plague the insurance industry. Many times consumers aren't sure how much insurance to purchase or if they have purchased the right kind to begin with. If you're one of the thousands of Americans that don't understand insurance and what it offers read this list of the top 5 insurance myths and the facts behind them."

h4. 1.) Auto insurance covers personal property left inside your car.

Nope. You’ll need renters insurance to cover the stuff in your car. “Renters insurance will cover any of your items, anywhere in the world,” says Etti Baranoff, associate professor of insurance and finance at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va.

h4. 2.) My landlord’s apartment building insurance covers my belongings.

As a renter, you’re responsible for covering your items; your landlord isn’t. That’s why you need renters insurance. One of the first things to do after you get a policy is to either buy or borrow a digital camera to photograph everything you own. Store the photos on a portable drive that you can keep in a safe place. These photos will make it easier for you to remember what you own and report what you lost. To further help you document your belongings, The USAA Educational Foundation offers an inventory worksheet at www.usaaedfoundation.org/house/home_inventory_worksheet.asp.

h4. 3.) You’re covered by your auto insurance when you rent a car.

You’re probably covered. Most auto insurance policies — and even the credit card you use to pay for the rental — protect against theft and damages to a rental car. But there’s also a loss-of-use fee that usually isn’t covered. “This fee covers lost income to the rental car company when the car is out of service for repairs,” says Carolyn Gorman, a vice president at the Insurance Information Institute. “It can add hundreds of dollars in costs if the damaged car is out of service for a long time.” Be sure to check your coverage with your insurance and credit card companies before you rent.

h4. 4.) You’re young and healthy and have no assets. You don’t need life insurance.

Here are a couple of reasons it’s the right time.

* -Since you’re younger, you may lock in a lower premium rate. As you age, the rates get more expensive.
* -As you get older, there’s a chance you could develop health problems, which will make it hard for you to get life insurance.
* -If you have credit card debt or college loans, the policy can help pay them off if you die unexpectedly.
* -The final expenses, such as a funeral or hospital bills, won’t fall to your parents to pay.

h4. 5.) Red cars are more expensive to insure.

The color doesn’t matter. Things that do affect the price are the cost of the car, your driving record, and where you live.

About USAA
USAA, a diversified financial services company, is the leading provider of competitively priced financial planning, insurance, investments, and banking products to members of the U.S. military and their families. Named by BusinessWeek as 2007’s Customer Service Champion and ranked highest among financial services companies for customer advocacy in a Forrester Research survey, USAA provides convenient and accessible financial products to its more than 6 million members. For more information about USAA, or to learn more about membership, visit usaa.com.

10 Things You Should Know About Credit Cards

Monster.com — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 14:40:00 -0800

h4. 1. Interest Backdating

Most card issuers charge interest from the day a charge is posted to your account if you don't pay in full monthly. But, some charge interest from the date of purchase, days before they have even paid the store on your behalf!

Remedy: Find another card issuer, or always pay your bill in full by the due date.

h4. 2.Two-Cycle Billing

Issuers using this method of calculating interest charge two months’ worth of interest for the first month you failed to pay off your total balance in full. This issue arises only when you switch from paying in full to carrying a balance from month to month.

Remedy: Switch issuers or always pay your balance in full.

h4. 3. The Right to Setoff

If you have money on deposit at a bank and also have your credit card there, you may have signed an agreement when you opened the deposit account that permits the bank to take those funds if you become delinquent on your credit card.

Remedy: Bank at separate institutions, or avoid delinquencies.

h4. 4. Fees Are Negotiable

You may be paying up to $50 a year or more as an annual fee on your credit card. You may also be subject to finance charges of more than 18 percent.

Remedy: If you are a good customer, ask the bank to drop the annual fee and reduce the interest rate. Otherwise, you can switch issuers to a lower-priced card.

h4. 5. Interest Rate Hikes Are Retroactive

If you sign up for a credit card with a low "teaser" rate, such as 7.9 percent, when the low rate period expires, your existing balance will likely be subject to the regular and substantially higher interest rate.

Remedy: Pay in full before the rate increase or close the account.

h4. 6. Shortened Due Dates

Most card issuers offer a 25-day grace period in which to pay for new purchases without incurring finance charges. Some banks have shortened the grace period to 20 days -- but only for customers who pay in full monthly.

Remedy: Ask to go back to 25 days.

h4. 7. Eliminating Grace Periods

That fabulous offer you received in the mail for a gold card with a $10,000 credit limit and lots of features may not be so great. The most common "string" attached is the card has no grace period. You are charged interest on everything from the day you buy it, even if you pay on time.

Remedy: Throw the offer out!

h4. 8. Disappearing Benefits

Many banks entice you to sign up with extra benefits such as lifetime warranty, a 5 percent discount on all travel or protection if an item purchased is lost. Now, some banks have cut back on these extras without the fanfare that launched them.

Remedy: Read annual disclosure of changes, and switch cards if need be.

h4. 9. Double Fees on Cash Advances

Most credit cards impose both finance charges and a transaction fee on cash advances. Interest starts from the day of the advance, and the transaction fee can be up to 2.5 percent of the amount taken. Beware of cards advertising "no finance charges." Transaction fees may still apply.

Remedy: Limit cash advances.

h4. 10. Misleading Monthly Minimums

You may think it is beneficial to have a card where you only need to pay 2 percent to 3 percent of your balance monthly. It is just the opposite. The bank stands to make far more money from finance charges the longer you carry out payments -- and you foot the bill.

Remedy: Pay all you can monthly.

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But being a woman isn't all bad: Check out the 10 Reasons Why It's Better to Be a Woman

10 Reasons Why It's Better To Be a Woman

Number 2: Driving>>

Number 3: Firsts>>

Number 4: The Money Pit>>

Number 5: Fashion>>

Number 6: Workplace Deaths>>

Number 7: DRINK$>>

Number 8: Erectile Dysfunction>>

Number 9: Firsts>>

Number 10: I'm Fat>>

But being a man isn't all bad: Check out the 10 Reasons Why It's Better to Be a Man

Faceoff: Which Sex Has It Better?

5 Ways to Vet Your Next Employer

Research their financial health

Understand the company's past, present and future

Get to know the top-level executives

Get employer “references”

Look around you

How Would You Spend a Raise or Bonus?

Rising Food Costs in a Recession

Bailout Bill Extends Tax Breaks for Individuals

Your Job Search Expenses May Be Tax-Deductible

Three Major Deduction Categories

Before You Take That Deduction, Consider These 4 Factors

Make Your Taxes Less Taxing: Tips and Tricks

Page 2: Tax Preparation Checklist

Page 3: 5 Ways to Make Your Taxes Less Taxing

Page 4: The 11 Most Overlooked Tax Deductions

Page 5: Top Ten Odd Ball Tax Deductions

Tax Preparation Checklist

Before you start tax preparation

Next Page: 5 Ways to Make Your Taxes Less Taxing

5 Ways to Make Your Taxes Less Taxing

1) First, understand what kind of “Taxes” you’re paying to begin with.

2) Now let’s talk about what you can do to reduce those taxes.

3) An even better way to cut back on your tax bill is through tax credits.

4) You don’t need to go it alone.

5) What papers do you need to save?

Next Page: The 11 Most Overlooked Tax Deductions

The 11 Most Overlooked Tax Deductions

1. State sales taxes.

2. Reinvested dividends.

3. Out-of-pocket charitable contributions.

4. Student loan interest paid by Mom and Dad.

5. Moving expense to take first job.

6. Military reservists’ travel expenses.

7. Child care credit.

8. Estate tax on income in respect of a decedent.

9. State tax you paid last spring.

10. Refinancing points.

11. Jury pay paid to employer.

Next Page: Top Ten Odd Ball Tax Deductions

Top Ten Odd Ball Tax Deductions

1. Pet food

2. Moving the family pet

3. A trip to Bermuda

4. Body oil

5. A private airplane

6. Babysitting fees

7. Breast augmentation