New Year 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Readers,

 
In preparation for 2014, I am suggesting that we really become more connected with people that we like.   In the new year, my goal will be to sit down with at least four people that I have met on social media or just in passing.  You know the people who always make you smile when you see them but you do not know them well.  There are just some people who just make you want to give them a great big hug.

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Keeping Track of Business Miles

 

By A.J. Gross, C.P.A., E.A.

 
I run across a lot of clients that do not keep track of their business miles.  It can be a pain to record your business miles.  However, not having sufficient records for your business miles will cause more headaches down the road if you are audited by the IRS.  Use one of the following methods to satisfy the IRS record keeping requirements for business miles.

 

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Latino Commission Honors Diversity Leaders

                                                                                        Mexico Consul Solana, Left, cuts the cake with Matt Wesaw, Director of Michigan Department of Civil Rights.

 

Photo courtesy of Rene Rodriguez of Studio One Creative

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Movie Review: “Out of the Furnace”

  Studio:     Relativity Media  (1 hr. 46 min)

Plot:    When Rodney Baze mysteriously disappears and law enforcement fails to follow through, his older brother, Russell, takes matters into his own hands to find justice.
Cast:   Christian Bale, Casey Affleck, Woody Harrelson, Forest Whitaker, Zoë Saldana

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Giving Wisely This Holiday Season

 

By Rick Garcia
 
This time of year, mailboxes and inboxes are filled with requests for charitable donations with the same message – financial support is needed now more than ever. But in these tough economic times, how can families ensure that their dollars will do the most good?
 

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Your Other 8 Hours: 3 steps to prepare for the next disaster

 

By Robert Pagliarini, 
Tribune Media Services
 
As a “sudden wealth” financial planner, I take great pride in helping others determine where they are going and how to get there. I consider myself an eternal optimist. In my mind, the glass is not half empty or half full — it is well on its way to becoming full. People are generally good and do what is right. On the other hand, I’m also a realist, looking not only at the destination but rather at all of the things that can go wrong along the way.

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The Kid’s Doctor: Get smart about antibiotics this cold and flu season

  By Sue Hubbard, M.D.

www.kidsdr.com
 
 No matter what you do, it takes 7-10 days to beat a cold, and a toddler will get 5-7 colds, coughs and upper respiratory infections during the winter months.

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Retire Smart: Mailbag: Inheritance, long-term care and tapping retirement savings

 

By Jill Schlesinger
Tribune Media Services
 
 
  Every few months, I like to use this space to empty out the inbox and answer some reader questions. And just a reminder: If you have a financial question or a comment about a recent column, send it to askjill@jillonmoney.com. And if you would like to be a guest on my syndicated radio show, call 1-855-411-JILL.

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Interpersonal Edge: Helping employee understand the meaning of ‘no’

 

By Dr. Daneen Skube
Tribune Media Services
 
 Q. I have an employee that treats “no” as little more than a speed bump. He just goes faster and pretends I didn’t say anything. Also, if I give him an inch on any policy, he figures the policy doesn’t even apply. I have had repeated conversations where I point out the rules; he smiles and then does what he damn pleases. How do I get him to toe the line?

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