Here’s wishing that everyone has had a wonderful Holiday! I’m believing that 2012 must be a better year than 2011. In so many ways, it’s a year I wish I could forget, but it has taught me some valuable lessons. I was going to say I don’t see how 2012 could be any worse than 2011,–but, I don’t want to tempt the hand of fate. After all, the Mayan calendar ends around this time next year…. For those of you who don’t know me very well, my sense of humor is very sardonic.
Some people say that knowledge is power and some say that money is power. They’re both probably right. As I have none of the latter, I’ll endeavor to help with the former! Because, dear readers, unless the people of America as a whole, start reclaiming the power that Big Brother has taken and is taking away, we’re going to get worse, not better. Worse in every which way. The biggest threat that faces America today, is between our ears. Yes, that’s right, it’s called our brains, (use them!) and state of mind. Not only are we in the worst economic times since the Great Depression, (personally, I think it is worse,–it’s just that most people haven’t seen past the small bubble of credit that still exists, giving us a few last gasps of oxygen), but psychologically Americans are not doing very well.
Personally, this year has been the hardest I have ever known. My daughter has had several unexpected medical expenses, and we’re not “out of the woods” yet. As we waited to see the Dr. last week, the TV in the waiting room was set to the news. Although I couldn’t see the screen, I thought I heard that 1 out of every 49 children in the United States is now homeless. I was shocked. 1 out of 49 children?? I don’t watch much TV, so figured I was “behind the times.” After a short search on the Internet, I quickly realized that “1 out of 49” was the number of homeless children back in 2008/2009! Although I did not continue searching to discover what the current statistics are, I would imagine I’m fairly accurate in stating that the percentage of homeless children, (not to mention homelessness in general), is higher today. Many links that I had saved relating to the state of our economy, were from 2009: scenes from the recession, (btw, this link does work, just hit your refresh key a couple of times if it doesn’t load or you get a blank page the first time), “Hooverville”, and “Invisible People” to name a few. We have entered, as this article illustrates, a “new face of homelessness.”
With the New Year right around the corner, I’m going to focus on things you can still do this year to keep more of your hard-earned money. Yes, I realize that “tax-time” seems a long ways away, but to make that day a little easier, and your bottom line a little better, there are things that must be done before the end of the year. My first suggestion is what I like to think of as a “win-win” situation – it’s called donation. If you have nice/decent things you cannot wear, donate them to a local charity in your area. If you have nice things that you don’t want and don’t use, donate them. Using this FREE link, you’ll be surprised at how quickly the value of your items add up. You win by saving money on your taxes, and everyone wins when your unwanted items help someone who needs what you don’t. Just make sure you’re giving wisely and don’t forget to get a receipt from the organization.
A couple more informative links: “12 Smart Year-End Tax Moves“, and “Last Minute Tax Breaks for the Self-Employed and Moonlighters” to round things out.
Wow. This was a fairly “long-winded” post. That’s going to wrap things up for this post, folks. In the meantime, if you feel you’ve benefited from any info I’ve shared, head over to my website and sign up for a subscription. I can promise, you won’t be disappointed. Although I offer on-line business management and other virtual, personal assistant services, my true love and passion lies in helping people to help themselves by empowering them with information and knowledge they weren’t aware of to solve their own unique set of problems. “Not On Your Plate” truly is the “go to” information boutique.
Okay, one last tip,–for the next 30 days, you can purchase gift subscriptions on eBay that come with FREE phone support. Check out my profile: “A Nifty Boutique“. I’m transitioning from being a “nifty” boutique to the “information” boutique!
Stay tuned,–now that I’m on my soap-box, ya never know what I’ll post next. I can tell you I’m a big fan of FREE, survivalism, and watching out for the elderly, children and animals.
Until next time……..stock up on ammo,–oops I mean, try not to eat too many leftovers…..