The Tax Goddess Blog

What about marketing to professionals?

I am currently sitting on a conference call that is talking about how to market to professionals.  I like the speaker, Dr. Pauline Wallin, she is going thru both online and offline marketing techniques.  Getting down and dirty and figuring out what your real target market is!

I just wanted to post quickly, to remind people - don't forget, everyone loves to get a copy of an article that they were in mailed to them!

If you want to start marketing to your niche market, don't forget the simple phone call or handle written note!

Handling stress in these times,...

Good Morning all!

Oh, you don't think it's a good morning?  Are you stressed out today? 

A few things that may help you get a great outlook on your day:

1) Eat a healthy breakfast, and for that matter, eat more healthy all around (This can be a deduction if your Doctor tells you to do it!)
2) Listen to your favorite happy song in the morning.  (Don't forget to deduct your XM radio if you are a salesman traveling all over the place!)
3) Think good thoughts (Gosh darn I look beautiful this morning! :) (Beauty can be a deduction if you are in the right industry!)
4) Organize your day when you get to work.  That way more stress won't creep in!  If you can get your top 3 things to accomplish done that day, you should be good to go! (This is just good for everyone, but if you need help, a professional organizer would be a deduction as well!)

Just a few pointers that I personally do when I wake up in a grumpy mood!  I hope they help!

Shauna, your Tax Goddess!
I can make getting in a better mood a deduction!  I love my work!  :)

Budgeting Tips for a downtrodden economy!

Sometimes people in a booming economy are used to spending money that they don't have.  Living on credit cards, racking up debt.  Sometimes, once the economy turns down, it is hard to get back on track and start living within your means.

Here are some of the common things that I see, as a CPA, in people's expenses that are easy ways to turn down your expenses:

1) Check your insurances.  Their may be the same coverage, with an equally good company, for cheaper.

2) Install the energy efficient light bulbs in your home.  A bit of cost up front, but TONS of savings on your electric bill.

3) Change your "standard" temperature in your home (up or down a few degrees can make a ton of difference)

4) Look at your spending habits.  For 2 weeks, write down EVERYTHING that you spent money on (kind of like being on a diet for your wallet!).  How many times di you REALLY go to Starbucks?  Could a coffee from home save you some $?

5) Write out a list of the following 3 items:  Mandatory expenses (mortgage, Groceries, savings); Flexible Spending (Cable); "Fun" Spending (Dining Out, Massages).  Categorize all of the items that you spend into one of those three categories.  What can you cut?  What is Mandatory?  Does your monthly take home cover at LEAST the mandatory?  If not, where can you cut?  If so, go down the list from Mandatory to Fun and pick which ones you want to keep!

If you need any help creating a budget for yourself, or some additional tips, please don't hesitate to email me!  I would be happy to help!