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  • 7 Tips to Successfully Work Remotely

    7 Tips to Successfully Work Remotely

    Due to Covid-19, millions of Americans are or will be working from home starting this week.  Follow these Lucky 7 tips in order to have a successful work from the home transition:

    1. Bring the office home: Make sure you have specific office supplies on stock at home in addition to more food.
    2. Designate a desk: A fixed workstation is an essential part of any good remote workplace.
    3. Consider setting up 2 screens: Studies show working with two screens increases productivity by 42%.
    4. Comfortable office chair: Consider an ergonomic office chair to help you focus on work.
    5. Office room location: If you are new to a home office, consider a room far from the kitchen and household foot traffic.
    6. Noise-canceling headset: Noise-canceling headsets help one focus by blocking outside distractions.
    7. Set up home mailing process: Consider setting up a Fed-ex and/or UPS account or get more stamps as you will use the U.S. mail more often when working remotely from home

  • 7 Coronavirus Myths debunked

    The Coronavirus is here in the USA and has already proven deadly in Washington state!  Do you think you know all about it?  Read these 7 debunked myths and find out for yourself.

    1. Surgical masks will protect me from the virus: Surgical face masks are not designed to block out virus particles nor do they lay flat on the face.  They can prevent or decrease the chances of spreading the virus if you already have it because Corona spreads from “respiratory droplets”. It happened to a cabbie in Thailand who contracted it from a passengers’ sneeze on his face and neck.
    2. Coronavirus is less likely to get than The Flu: Not necessarily.  To see how much a disease will spread scientists use a formula called Ro (R-naught).  The Ro for the flu is 1.3 meaning the average person will infect 1.3 people and the Ro for the Coronavirus is 2.2 plus there’s no vaccine yet. 
    3. Getting the CoronaVirus aka Covid-19 is a death sentence: Not true, as 81% of reported cases are mild, 13.8% report severe cases, 4.7% are critical (meaning multi-organ failure) and thus far about 2.3% have resulted in death.
    4. Pets can spread this new virus: Not necessarily as scientists reported one dog in Hong Kong tested “weak positive”, meaning it could have either contracted the disease or picked it up from a contaminated surface with its face or nose.  Thus far there are no known animal cases (cats or dogs) to date although it’s possible that bats were first infected then passed it to humans like SARS-CoV-2.
    5. If I have the CV I will know it: No, you won’t!  CoVid-19 has a variety of symptoms like a fever, cough and runny nose that can feel just like a cold.  Early on, infected people may show no symptoms at all. 
    6. It’s unsafe to receive a package from China: It’s safe to receive letters or packages from China.  For the virus to survive there needs to be a combination of certain conditions like temperature, lack of UV exposure and humidity.  According to the CDC “there’s likely a low risk of spread from products or packaging that are shipped for a period of days or weeks at ambient temperatures”.  A past study said it could survive on surfaces like metal, plastic or glass for 9 days but the surfaces on the packaging are not ideal for the virus to survive.  (Source is the Feb. 6th Journal of Hospital infection report).
    7. The vaccine is coming soon in 2020:  Not in this country folks.  If the vaccine were ready today, we would be lucky if it came out this year.   There are numerous regulations, testing and hoops to go through before a new vaccine could be approved nationwide by the FDA.
  • 8 Reasons to Visit Australia

    8 Reasons to Visit Australia

    Australia is a gorgeous place and it’s about 75% of the size of the United States with only 10% of our population situated mostly along the coast.  I hope you enjoy these reasons to visit half as much as we enjoyed this beautiful continent!

    1. The Great Barrier Reef: The largest reef system in the world dates back 500 million years and there are 3000 reefs covering 2000 islands over 1250 miles long.  Swimming with sharks and fish rank in my top 3 trips all-time (African Safari & Angkor Wat)!
    2. Blue Mountains National Park: Called the “Grand Canyon of Australia” the mountains get their name from the release of oil from the eucalyptus trees which causes a blue haze.  Amazing rock formations, hiking and visit “Scenic World” to ride the world’s steepest railway down to the rainforest boardwalk!
    3. The Animals: See some of the most exotic animals in the world ranging from Kangaroo’s to Koala bears to Penguins at Phillip Island and the Melbourne Sea Life aquarium.  About 1 million animals have died in the fires, they’ll be very happy and appreciative to see you!
    4. The Beaches: Australia is blessed with the most miles of coastline in the world and there are great beach options like Bondi beach that are close to the cities and easy to reach.  Watersports are available for families and extreme sports folks alike!
    5. The People: You won’t find friendlier and happier people anywhere around the globe.  Fun with a great sense of humor the people are a treasure and will appreciate your visit!  Melbourne has been voted the world’s most livable city several times.
    6. The Architecture: Sydney possesses a great diversity of architectural styles from Modern Expressionism like the Sydney Opera House to Colonial Georgian structures to elaborate Victorian buildings like Sydney town hall.
    7. Yarra Valley Wineries: This beautiful valley is home to some of Australia’s best cool-climate wineries.  They’re known for sparkling wines, Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs.
    8. Reasonably priced:  With the proper research, coach flights are available for under $1000 and hotels are reasonably priced outside of Sydney.  We recommend Parramatta, a Sydney suburb and easy 25 minute Ferry Ride from center city Sydney, enjoy!
  • 6 Tips to get your 2020 financial house in order

    6 Tips to get your 2020 financial house in order

    Now that we are in the first quarter of 2020 it’s easy to get off track from our goals.  Follow these 6 tips and with a little time and effort your 2020 finances will be more organized and less stressful.

    1. Organize your paperwork: It’s hard to feel in control when you can’t find anything.  Gather all papers, shred duplicates/old statements and put them all in a box or accordion file.
    2. Go Paperless:  I know habits are hard to break.  Wherever possible create electronic files.  See if you can receive e-bills instead of paper.  Use a flash or thumb drive as a back-up and keep it off-premises.
    3. Protect against identity theft: You can request a free copy of your credit report once per year from all 3 credit bureaus.  Go to www.AnnualCreditReport.com
    4. Put your finances on autopilot: Use EFT direct deposit for all checks, pension and social security received.  Set up automatic payments for recurring bills.  It’s easy and will save time going forward.
    5. Create your 2020 tax file: Most people have to scramble to pull together all tax forms etc.  Start now by setting up a 2020 file and stashing forms/receipts etc as needed.
    6. Review your insurance coverage:  Protect your nest egg and your family by regularly reviewing your life, health disability, and long term care insurance.  If this is confusing to you contact us for a 2nd opinion.

    Your financial house needs regular upkeep.  Putting in a little time and organization will decrease clutter and help you focus on your goals and objectives.

  • 6 Tips to get your 2020 financial house in order

    6 Tips to get your 2020 financial house in order

    Now that we are in the first quarter of 2020 it’s easy to get off track from our goals.  Follow these 6 tips and with a little time and effort your 2020 finances will be more organized and less stressful.

    1. Organize your paperwork: It’s hard to feel in control when you can’t find anything.  Gather all papers, shred duplicates/old statements and put them all in a box or accordion file.
    2. Go Paperless:  I know habits are hard to break.  Wherever possible create electronic files.  See if you can receive e-bills instead of paper.  Use a flash or thumb drive as a back-up and keep it off-premises.
    3. Protect against identity theft: You can request a free copy of your credit report once per year from all 3 credit bureaus.  Go to www.AnnualCreditReport.com
    4. Put your finances on autopilot: Use EFT direct deposit for all checks, pension and social security received.  Set up automatic payments for recurring bills.  It’s easy and will save time going forward.
    5. Create your 2020 tax file: Most people have to scramble to pull together all tax forms etc.  Start now by setting up a 2020 file and stashing forms/receipts etc as needed.
    6. Review your insurance coverage:  Protect your nest egg and your family by regularly reviewing your life, health disability and long term care insurance.  If this is confusing to you contact us for a 2nd opinion.

    Your financial house needs regular upkeep.  Putting in a little time and organization will decrease clutter and help you focus on your goals and objectives.

  • 6 Tips for your Financial New Year’s Resolution

    6 Tips for your Financial New Year’s Resolution

    Six out of ten American’s will make some type of financial-based new year’s resolution for 2020.  Usually, there’s a triggering event like receiving your December 2020 credit card bill or spousal pressure to name two.  Follow these tips;

    1. Consolidate Financial accounts: Close 1 or 2 existing financial accounts that you are not tracking or have insignificant monies in.  This will save brain space, reduce statement clutter and avoid paying unnecessary fees.
    2. Increase your 401k/employer retirement contributions: Raise your contributions at least another 1% per year minimum.  You won’t feel the difference however over time it can make a major impact when entering retirement.
    3. Develop a budget and/or expense statement: Review credit card, bank, and checkbook statements to get a handle on inflow and outflow of money.  Start using a program like quick books or if old school draft a budget by hand and hang it up where you can see it.  This can cause heavy emotional denial however better now than later.
    4. Set up a system to save systematic money:  Either something informal like putting the $20 you are saving in gas on fill-ups in a jar.  Formal ideas like buying a cash value life insurance policy or setting up an EFT through your bank account.
    5. Protecting your health saves your wealth: We all know about the escalating cost of health insurance and health care in general.  Renew that gym membership, yoga studio or dust off that treadmill in the garage. 
    6. Bring balance to your life: Take that vacation you have been putting off.  The rest and rejuvenation will impact your health.  Statistics show that one who works 46 weeks/year will out produce a 52 week/year worker.

    It will give you something to look forward to and forces one to be very productive before leaving and when returning home.  Use frequent flyer miles if need be.

    You will be amazed by how much better you will feel by following these 6 easy steps!

  • The 4 Hottest Tech Gifts of 2019

    The holidays are here, which means the shopping season is in full swing. Some of this year’s most popular wish list items are digital devices that entertain and make life easier.  Check out the highest-rated Family gifts and gadgets

    1. iPhone 11: Apple’s newest series of iPhones, the iPhone 11, 11Pro and !!Pro Max was released two months ago and reviews remain the same – the device is the best value for your money. If you’re looking to upgrade from a previous model, the iPhone 11 is the best deal available on the market with its latest processor, OLED.   The 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max come with three camera lenses: wide, ultra-wide and telephoto.
    2. Amazon Fire TV Stick: With the rise of streaming services, Amazon’s Fire TV Stick provides an array of video applications, from YouTube to Netflix. Watch your favorite viral videos, listen to a podcast or binge that show you’ve been meaning to watch. At just $39.99, it is one of the least-expensive streamers you can buy. The device also comes with voice commands, allowing Amazon Echo/Echo Dot owners to control it with Alexa.
    3. The Kindle Paperwhite: The release of the latest Kindle model unveiled some exciting upgrades to the highly acclaimed device. The newest change is water resistance, which allows the device to spend up to one hour in up to six feet of water. Other useful features include adjustable light for clear reading indoors and outdoors, additional storage space (8 or 32GB) and new Blue tooth listening. Even with all the upgrades, the price barely rose, making the Paperwhite a good value purchase.
    4. Tile Essentials: Do you or someone you know have a problem with losing things all the time? The 2020 Tile has some new options to make it easier to keep track of your belongings. The Essentials pack includes the Slim, Mate and two Stickers, a variety that’s a perfect fit for any family. If you haven’t heard of Tile, the devices are registered to you through an app so you can easily locate your Tile. If it’s nearby, the Tile will sound an alarm for you to find. You can find the nee 2020 Tile Essentials on Amazon.
  • 6 Tips to save $$$ on Holiday Shopping

    6 Tips to save $$$ on Holiday Shopping

    Last year people spent on average $1,000 per child for the holidays.  Heed these tips to avoid out of control spending:

    1. JoinHoney.com: On your iPad, desktop or laptop click www.JoinHoney.com and add the extension.  This extension (not for phones) automatically searches for the best price and attaches coupons, often cheaper than Amazon when you are checking out!
    2. Make a budget: Budget X dollars per person and keep the list with you while shopping.
    3. Points, Points, Points Credit cards, Verizon, AAR, and many other companies offer points to discount prices.
    4. Buy Toys early others late: Statistics show prices are best on Toys early so buy those first and wait on other goods and services.
    5. Search out Free Shipping: This can add up over multiple purchases.
    6. Secret Santa: For Christmas celebrants consider a “secret Santa” where each person is assigned 1 person to buy for instead of buying for everyone. Set a price max and watch your stress levels go down.  My family adopted this strategy years ago after my Mother calculated she was buying 80% of all family gifts.
  • 5 Last Minute Year-End Tax Tips

    5 Last Minute Year-End Tax Tips

    Whether you are an individual and/or business owner, the following 5 tips can save you money in 2019!

    1. Maximize 401K deductions for 2019: Unlike IRA’s and SEP’s, 401K contributions can only be deducted in the tax year they are deposited.  Taxpayers should check their pay stubs to make sure they are maximizing their 401k limit which is $19,000 for 2019. (higher if they are over age 50).
    2. Prepayment of State Taxes: Individuals can deduct taxes paid to state and local agencies on their Schedule A.  By paying before year-end they can claim the deduction for 2019 instead of waiting for next year.
    3. Donation to Charity: Any donations to charity must be made by December 31st, 2019 to be considered a completed gift for the 2019 tax year.
    4. Deferral of Income until 2020: Individuals can request bonuses be deferred until January.  Cash basis service businesses may consider delaying their November and/or December billings until January to minimize 4th quarter income and defer taxes on that income until 2020.
    5. Prepayment of personal/business expenses: Individuals and business owners may look to prepay expenses for supplies, materials and/or services to accelerate deductions for 2019 instead of 2020.
  • 10 Tips to avoid gaining weight this winter

    10 Tips to avoid gaining weight this winter

    The winter is a time when many folks (especially in cold weather states) hibernate and gain weight.  Diet fads and quick weight loss schemes rarely work.  Changing habits and lifestyle choices are a better way to approach the issue.

    1. Be realistic: Setting unrealistic goals that won’t be achieved is a good way to get depressed and gain weight. Set modest short-term goals to lose weight safely.
    2. Don’t skip meals: Skipping meals will cause your blood sugar to drop, often causing irritability and less efficient burning of calories.
    3. Eat light snacks before going out: Having a small piece of fruit, yogurt, cheese or almond butter on an apple or banana will make you less likely to binge on fatty food late night.
    4. Eat slowly: Chew your food slowly and thoroughly so you can taste and enjoy it. Chewing aids the digestion process.
    5. Be selective: Eat small portions of your favorite foods including protein, high-fiber options and veggies. Try to avoid eating sweets or carbs without proteins.
    6. Take a 5 minute time out mid-meal: Taking a time out starts digestion and can curb your appetite for seconds.
    7. Choose beverages wisely: Try to avoid sugary drinks. Alcohol is also high in calories, about 7 per gram. Liquors, sweet wine and sweet mixed drinks contain between 150-450 calories per glass.
    8. Exercise: Classes and group activities can work and folks can be supportive.  Other options are stationery bikes or just get the dog out for a long walk and/or jog.
    9. Eat omega 3 fats: Fish oil is important year-round for it’s proven ability to reduce heart disease, decrease pain while supporting blood sugar balance.
    10. Celebrate life!: Make a list of everything that makes you happy and try and do one of those things every day.To trim the ‘fat’ from your finances contact the Robert here.