Are your tax returns out of shape? Don't fret. In a three-part series focusing on how to survive the 2009 tax season, we've assembled a few tips to battle that post-recession bulge. No weights or cardio work necessary.
Time for part three, so whip out that No. 2 pencil one more time.
Question: What can I do to avoid mistakes and problems on this year's tax return?
Double check your numbers!
Most importantly, make sure you got your Social Security numbers correct. Let's say you wrote down the wrong social security number for one of your children. The IRS will disallow the dependent, and send you a brand new tax bill. Do a thorough double check when you finish filling out info. it's worth the extra time.
Round up your charitable contributions
You can't deduct your charitable contributions if you forget to document them. Deductions are allowed for political groups, foreign organizations, social clubs, donations to individuals, and for a mile driven in service for a charitable cause. So don't forget to document.
File your taxes electronically Want to avoid the paperwork? File your taxes on the computer this year. Filing through online services like TurboTax will speed up your return, and save you from many errors that might not have been caught on paper. The IRS will give you a chance to go back and fix any mistakes before your return is accepted and processed.
Click here for part one and here for part two of the three-part series.
Also, Consumer United has teamed up with TurboTax to make times a little easier. File your simple return for FREE with TurboTax Federal Free Edition. Click here to start saving.
Season's twitterings? For this gift-buying time of the year, let social network sites help you save on your holiday shopping.
Social media sites like MySpace, Facebook, and now Twitter, help the masses maintain connections with friends and family. Why not let social media help you save big on your holiday shopping?
This year, almost 50 percent of big retail chains are using sites like Twitter to reach out to consumers, building customer loyalty with each holiday discount they post.
Rachel Holland, a mother of three, a deal seeker and a Twitter fanatic reports in an ABC News report, "I got all of my kids Christmas presents at 75 percent off and I knew exactly when the sale started because of Twitter." She continues, "I feel great about the savings this Christmas, the holidays aren't a burden on it, and it's been wonderful."
Toys "R" Us Facebook followers learned of Black Friday deals before anyone else. Barbie Dolls that were half off, $4 DVDs and 80 percent off select children's toys. Facebook followers of Staples were offered $40 off Bluetooth headsets on Black Friday, and $130 off select GPS units.
So, when your anti-social media friends ask you why you enjoy Facebook and Twitter, be sure to alert them of the holiday-saving benefits.
In the United States, 45 percent of internet users will use social networks to compare products, research items and search for offers according to an ABC news article. If you don't have Facebook or Twitter but are ready to get started, simply go to each Web site and sign up for a free account. Once you are a member, type in your favorite stores in the search tabs of both Facebook and Twitter, and friend them. Voila! The stores will begin to send you tweets or notices about holiday discounts and secret sales.
Consumer savings sites are here to help all over the internet. Loren Bendele, CEO of Savings.com, an up-and-coming site states, "It's a community of people, it's a social network coming together to help each other save money, building that social network around deals, discounts, coupons and promotions, seeing people take off and leveraging all the new media like Twitter, we believed it would happen, but we didn't know it would happen this quickly."
Peter Richardson is our newest Consumer United advocate, helping the average person save money. Richardson enjoys his job because of the people and the general office environment. "It's fun because it's a young office with a lot of positive energy," he says.
How does Richardson save money? "I save money by taking a portion of my paycheck and investing it on a monthly basis into a mutual fund," he adds. Richardson believes in investing early, in order to be financially independent when it's time to retire.
When not at Consumer United, Richardson likes to relax and play video games. He is an avid sports fan and is a member of a few fantasy sports leagues. Before Consumer United, Richardson worked in the trades received room at Brown Brothers, and was a Financial Service Specialist at ICM AIG Financial Advisors.
After working remotely with the content and marketing arm of Consumer United, Bridget O'Sullivan is excited to be back at our Boston-based headquarters on South Street.
Graduating from Johns Hopkins University in Maryland last December, the former intern is back in action... employed full time at Consumer United. "It's amazing to see how much the company has grown in less than two years. The office is full of great energy and talent ... and it's a lot of fun to be here again."
A few of O'Sullivan's responsibilities include collecting and analyzing information on basic-service providers so Consumer United can continue to roll out money-saving deals for its members.
Advice from O'Sullivan? "My favorite personal finance advice is to put all of the money you come across into the bank. You'll be more likely to save it because you have to make that extra effort to take it out again."
Consumer United advocate Adam Dvorzak enjoys helping members by providing them with accurate information and money-saving tips on basic services.
Dvorzak believes in Consumer United's vision to help members save on basic services and likes working in an innovative, gung-ho environment. Being a part of Consumer United in its infancy was a thrilling experience for him because in only a short amount of time, he's seen a tremendous amount of growth.
What's Dvorzak's favorite way to save? "Brewing my own coffee each morning and making breakfast at home and not owning a vehicle and using the MBTA," he says.
He brings his lunch to work daily and lives as green as possible because this enables one to save money and the environment at the same time.
When Dvorzak isn't working hard at Consumer United, he's exploring the city, trying new restaurants or hitting the dance floor on the weekends.
"I'm a music junkie!" he emotes. "I enjoy listening to and producing music (favorites include electro, house, hip-hop). I'm also a big hockey and football fan."
Before Consumer United, Dvorzak worked at a history museum and developed an educational program which essentially provided a "Museum in a Box" series of traveling exhibits to students in low-income neighborhoods.
We've experienced enormous growth in the past few months and, as of Sept. 1, 2008, Consumer United will start charging a $15 annual membership fee for those who sign up after Aug. 31, 2008.
However, members who join before Sept. 1, 2008 will NOT be charged the annual membership fee.
So, join our group here and your no-fee membership will be good as long as you remain within our viral-savings group.
So you're thinking of buying a new car. Is now the time?
* Gas Mileage
What is the gas mileage of y our car? With gas prices rising you may want to take this operating expense into heavy consideration.
* When the Bank Owns Your Car
Who owns the car? Do you own your car or does your bank? If you are done making payments on your car, do you really want to start now? What is the actual value of the car? If you sell the car, will you make any money towards a new one?
*Cost to Insure
If you're thinking about buying a brand new hybrid or compact, you may want to think again. It will save you money in gas expenses however if it is a brand new car it will cost much more to insure.
*What to Buy
When it is time to buy, we recommend you buy a slightly used car that has been well maintained and is in good condition. This way you can forget about the depreciation that comes with buying a new car.
Are your tax returns out of shape? Don't fret. In a three-part series focusing on how to survive the 2009 tax season, we've assembled a few tips to battle that post-recession bulge. No weights or cardio work necessary.
