36. Gather These Documents for Your Tax Prep

Welcome to the Balanced FI Podcast, episode 42 - How to Make the 52 Week Savings Challenge Work for YouThe 52 Week Savings Challenge is a simple method for saving a large amount. Making smaller deposits each week will help you reach your savings goal amount by the end of the year-long challenge period.Print out one of the trackers included in this article for monitoring your savings progress.   You don’t have to start your challenge at the beginning of the year, but the $1000 and $5000 Savings trackers are set up to accumulate those amounts before Christmas. FIND US:Balancedfi.com -- Podcast -- Facebook -- Instagram -- Pinterest -- [email protected] RESOURCES:Read: How to Make the 52 Week Savings Challenge Work for You + Free 52 Week Savings Challenge Tracker DownloadsRead: The Financial Security Steps: Welcome!Read: Financial Security Step 2a: Save a Mini Emergency FundRead: Financial Security Step 2b: Begin Saving for RetirementRead: Financial Security Step 6: Create a BudgetRead: Financial Security Step 3: Save for Recurring ExpensesRead: Financial Security Step 7: Pay off DebtRead: Financial Security Step 8: Save an Emergency FundRead: Financial Security Step 9: Increase Retirement ContributionsRead: Financial Security Step 10: Choose Your Next Financial GoalRead: 30 Day Challenge + Free 30 Day TrackerSign up: Balanced Family Financial Fix waitlist

Welcome to the Balanced FI Podcast, episode 41 - The Best Mother's Day Gift Ideas for Moms of Young KidsThese Mother’s Day gift ideas for moms with young kids are guaranteed to score the dads out there some major brownie points. We all know it’s Dad’s job to buy Mother’s Day gifts when their children are young. That also means there’s more pressure to buy a great gift.  Mom is going to appreciate anything directly from the kids. It’s on Dad to buy something that shows his appreciation for all she does. FIND US:Balancedfi.com -- Podcast -- Facebook -- Instagram -- Pinterest -- [email protected] RESOURCES:Read: The Best Mother’s Day Gift Ideas, for Moms of Young KidsRead: 5 Tips for a Frugal ChristmasRead: 6 Ways to Have a Frugal Valentine’s Day

Welcome to the Balanced FI Podcast, episode 40 - How to Start a Virtual Bookkeeping Business, based on my own experience in starting one. I’ll walk you through the major decisions you need to make, step by step, to get this side hustle off the ground. The most important reminder is to not fake your qualifications; don’t pass yourself off as a bookkeeper with no knowledge or experience.We’ll cover the basic steps, likeDecide on a business name & business typeRegister with your state & the IRSOpen a business bank accountGet liability insuranceTrain on bookkeeping practices & softwareDecide what services to offerSet up your tech FIND US:Balancedfi.com -- Podcast -- Facebook -- Instagram -- Pinterest -- [email protected] RESOURCES:Read- How to start a virtual bookkeeping businessRead- It’s Not Easy Parenting a Child with DisabilitiesRead more- Debt Payoff JourneyRead more- Financial Security StepsResource- Choose a business structureResource- About Form W-9, Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and CertificationResource- Register your businessResource- Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) OnlineResource- Intro to Accounting Training CourseResource- QuickbooksResource- National Association of Certified Public BookkeepersResource- Google DriveResource- DropboxResource- TrelloResource- AsanaResource- MondayResource- Adobe AcrobatResource- SquarespaceResource- Wordpress SOURCES:Buy- HP LED monitorBuy- Wireless keyboard & mouse comboBuy- Dell Inspiron laptopBuy- Lexmark color laser multifunction printerBuy- Logitech Pro webcamSubscribe- Quickbooks OnlineBuy- Microsoft DynamicsSubscribe- XeroSubscribe- FreshBooks

Welcome to the Balanced FI Podcast, episode 39 - Investing Terms 101: Basic Investment Terms You Need to KnowUnderstanding a few basic investment terms is a step forward on your journey toward financial security. Investing can be as complex or as simple as you want it to be. Thousands of people actually invest others’ money as a job…. but it’s also something literally anyone with money can participate in. FIND US:Balancedfi.com -- Podcast -- Facebook -- Instagram -- Pinterest -- [email protected] RESOURCES:Read- Investing Terms 101: Basic Investment Terms You Need to KnowFREE download- Investing Terms 101 Fact SheetRead- Smart Ways to Use Your Stimulus MoneyRead- Financial Security Step 9: Increase Retirement ContributionsRead- Financial Security Step 2b: Begin Saving for Retirement SOURCES:Source- The S&P 500 and How It WorksSource- J.P. Morgan Glossary of Investment TermsSource- Investment Terms Everyone Should KnowSource- Basic Investing Terms You Should Know

Welcome to the Balanced FI Podcast, episode 38 - The 20 Best Money-Saving Life HacksPlanning for your money, conserving, meal planning, and more… little changes can lead to big improvements in your finances.  FIND US:Balancedfi.com -- Podcast -- Facebook -- Instagram -- Pinterest -- [email protected] RESOURCES:Read- The 20 Best Money-Saving Life Hacks: Ways to Save Money in Everyday LifeRead- 4 Ways to Be Intentional With Your MoneyRead- 7 Steps to Find Your Motivation For Debt PayoffRead- 10 Ways to Make Saving Money FunBuy- Meal Planner Printable BundleRead- I Can’t Afford Mental Health Care: How to Find Good Care That Fits in Your BudgetSign up- Intentionally Debt FreeRead- Financial Security Step 1: Track Your ExpensesRead- Financial Security Step 7: Pay off DebtFREE Sign up- Debt Payoff PlannerRead- Financial Security Step 2b: Begin Saving for RetirementRead- Financial Security Step 8: Save an Emergency FundRead- Financial Security Step 10: Choose Your Next Financial GoalRead- 3 Ways to Use Meal Planning to Save MoneyRead- Top Tips for Frugal ActivitiesRead- 5 Quick Questions to Ask Yourself Before PurchasingFREE Sign up- Money Makeover Challenge SOURCES:Source- Want to control your spending? Try the 30-Day RuleSource- Save Money Easily with the $5 Savings ChallengeBuy- CyperPower Energy-Saving Surge Protector Power StripBuy- Krups Coffee GrinderBuy- Steam Espresso Machine with Milk Frother

Welcome to the Balanced FI Podcast, episode 37 - Quick Tips for a Frugal WeddingThe average cost of a wedding in the US is around $30,000. That’s an awful lot of money to spend on one day. If you’re looking for more affordable alternatives, there are many ways to plan and host a frugal wedding without going into debt. These ideas will allow you to do something meaningful with your partner and celebrate your love in a way that doesn’t break the bank. FIND US:Balancedfi.com -- Podcast -- Facebook -- Instagram -- Pinterest -- [email protected] RESOURCES:Read- Frugal Wedding: Celebrating Your Love Without Going Into DebtRead- I Can’t Afford Mental Health Care: How to Find Good Care That Fits in Your BudgetResource - Trello SOURCES:Source- Average Wedding Bill Hits $30,000Source- This Gorgeous DIY Costco Wedding Cake Only Cost $50 to Create

Welcome to the Balanced FI Podcast, episode 36 - Gather These Documents for Your Tax PrepHopefully, you’re planning ahead to make sure your taxes will be filed in a timely manner. Whether you’re preparing your own return or paying a professional, some documents are needed for taxes, and you need to make sure you have all of them gathered up. FIND US:Balancedfi.com -- Podcast -- Facebook -- Instagram -- Pinterest -- [email protected] RESOURCES:Read- The Most Important Documents Needed for TaxesResource- IRS Standard Mileage RatesRead- Financial Security Step 4: Calculate your Net Worth SOURCES:Source- Rules for Claiming a Dependent on Your Tax ReturnSource- How Do I Choose the Right Tax Filing Status?Source- Tax forms you may receiveSource- Changes to charitable giving rules for 2020

Welcome to the Balanced FI Podcast, episode 35 - Struggling to Talk to Your Spouse About Money: 3 Simple Steps to HelpMoney is a big part of marriage, whether you want to acknowledge it or not. The 3 steps to discussing your money with your spouse are:Talk about your current money situationTalk about your current money feelingsTalk about how to change your moneyTips for making these things happen included! FIND US:Balancedfi.com -- Podcast -- Facebook -- Instagram -- Pinterest -- [email protected] RESOURCES:Read: Struggling to Talk to Your Spouse About Money: 3 Simple Steps to HelpRead: Financial Security Step 6: Create a BudgetRead: Financial Security Step 4: Calculate your Net WorthDownload: Debt Payoff PlannerSign Up: Frugal Year ChallengeRead: How to Set Financial Goals for 2021Read: Financial Security Step 8: Save an Emergency FundRead: Financial Security Step 9: Increase Retirement ContributionsResource: Keep These 5 Resources on Financial Abuse BookmarkedJoin the Waitlist: INTENTIONALLY DEBT FREE! SOURCES:Source: This common behavior is the No. 1 predictor of whether you’ll get divorced

Welcome to the Balanced FI Podcast, episode 34 - Amazon Hacks for Making the Most of Your Account - even if you’re not a Prime member. Amazon has taken over so many areas of life, but some of those features are super helpful. Although some of the things we discuss require a Prime membership, some are still available to non-members. Taking advantage of all the features of your Amazon account just makes good sense.  FIND US:Balancedfi.com -- Podcast -- Facebook -- Instagram -- Pinterest -- [email protected] RESOURCES:Read: Amazon Hacks for Making the Most of Your AccountResource: CamelCamelCamelRead: 5 Tips for a Frugal ChristmasRead: 4 Unexpected Ways to Save Money SOURCES:Source: AmazonSource: ‘I'm not a robot’: Amazon workers condemn unsafe, grueling conditions at warehouse

Welcome to the Balanced FI Podcast, episode 33 - The 4 Cs of Credit: What You Need to KnowAlthough you probably haven’t heard of them, the 4 Cs of credit are:Capacity to pay the loan backCapitalCollateralCredit scoreImproving one or all of these areas can greatly improve your odds of being approved for a mortgage or getting a better interest rate. FIND US:Balancedfi.com -- Podcast -- Facebook -- Instagram -- Pinterest -- [email protected] RESOURCES:Read: The 4 Cs of Credit: What You Need to KnowRead: Do You Need a Credit Score While Debt-Free?Resource: ExperianResource: EquifaxResource: TransUnionResource: Loan Savings CalculatorResource: National Foundation for Credit Counseling SOURCES:Source: What’s in my FICO Scores?Source: What Is a Credit Score, and What Are the Credit Score Ranges?Source: How Credit Score Affects Your Mortgage Rate