Tax Planning: Deducting a Bad Debt

When a debt — whether business or personal — becomes uncollectible, it can be claimed as a deduction on your tax return. You do not have to wait until a debt is due to determine that it is worthless. A debt becomes worthless when there is no longer any chance the amount owed will be paid. To deduct a bad debt, you must show that you have taken reasonable steps to collect the debt. This includes sending...

Yahoo! Has Done the Right Thing

Good news: Yahoo! has taken the Clever Homemaker's list down. Applause to Yahoo! for demonstrating respect for intellectual property rights. I hope the list owner has learned a lesson. I am grateful to Charlene Davis for bringing this to my attention and being responsive to Yahoo!'s requests for additional information. I also appreciate the support of the American Society of Journalists & Authors (ASJA),...

Update on the Yahoo! Copyright Infringement Situation

Yesterday I sent an e-mail to Yahoo!’s copyright/IP agent, identifying myself as one of the authors whose work was being used on the CleverHomemaker’s list without proper attribution or permission.   The e-mail I received in response to my initial complaint told me I had to provide my full name, signature, address, phone number, and e-mail address – yet that e-mail came from a generic address and was not...

Kids are Never Too Young to Learn About Money and Financial Management

A while back, I reviewed a CD for kids — Mission 1: Celebrate Saving! (click to read the review), a music CD by Sammy, a cartoon rabbit that serves as the spokesperson for The "It's A Habit!" Company, Inc. After I posted the review, I passed the complimentary review copy of CD along to my grandson. He's now six and Mission 1: Celebrate Saving! is one of his favorite CDs. His...

Money-Saving Tips for Your Business

Even though there are hints of a recovery on the horizon, that's no reason to waste money. Check out the article I have just posted, Buying and Spending Smart: Ways to Save Money in Your Small Business, for some money-saving ideas that might work for you in your operation. Jacquelyn...