Showing posts with label Money Talk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Money Talk. Show all posts

Friday, November 18, 2011

Family Dollar Coupon: $5.00 off $25!


Are you heading to Family Dollar?? Take along this new Family Dollar Coupon for $5.00 off your $25 purchase! {valid 11/20 – 11/22}
Then…

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Build Your Savings - Tax Credits

On February 17, 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was signed into law. The act includes payroll tax cuts, the First Time Homebuyer credit, provisions for state rebate programs for the purchase of energy-efficient appliances and tax credits for energy-efficient improvements to existing homes. The information provided herein is provided for reference purposes only and should not be interpreted or relied upon as tax advice. Consult with a qualified tax advisor to discuss your ability to claim and qualify for benefits under the programs.

What Is the Energy-Efficient Tax Credit for Existing Homes?

Beginning January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2010, when you purchase qualifying energy-efficient items from categories such as doors, windows, skylights and insulation, you may be eligible to claim a tax credit of up to 30% off the purchase price on your 2009 or 2010 tax return (up to $1,500). A qualified tax advisor should be consulted to determine eligibility.

What Items Qualify?

Products from among the following categories may qualify* :

  • Exterior windows and skylights
  • Storm windows
  • Exterior doors
  • Storm doors
  • Metal roofs
  • Asphalt roofs
  • Insulation
  • Natural gas, oil, and propane water heaters
  • Pellet stoves

View All Eligible Products

*See www.energystar.gov for more information about qualified products. Not all ENERGY STAR® products qualify for a tax credit. Qualifying products may cost much more than standard products.

State-Specific Appliance Rebates

Check with your local utility company or click to visit the ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder website to find out if you qualify for a rebate on your ENERGY STAR appliances.

For more information on any of the topics above, consult with a qualified tax advisor. He or she can help you determine your eligibility for any of the credits or rebates, as well as how much you may receive. You may also visit the ENERGY STAR website for more information.http://www.energystar.gov

**Receive a year-end summary of items purchased on your Lowe's Consumer Credit Card that Lowe's identifies as "Tax Credit Eligible." The year-end summary is not intended as tax advice. The year-end summary may not include eligible Special Order purchases. You should retain and review all of your receipts. Visit Lowes.com/BuildYourSavings for a list of eligible products and additional Energy Tax Credit Program information. GE Money Bank and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting or legal advice to third parties. Accordingly, any discussion of U.S. tax matters contained herein is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding U.S. tax-related penalties. Accordingly, parties should seek advice based on their own particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor.

Notes:

  • Keep your receipts and other documentation to provide to your tax advisor. Be sure to consult with a qualified tax advisor to discuss your ability to claim and qualify for benefits under the programs.
  • You may need to provide a Manufacturer’s Certification and/or product labels containing U-factor/Solar Heat Gain Coefficient if applicable.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

My Fiscal Rant - originally posted on my Myspace page :)

Okay, so lets say you drive to work and make...oh lets make you well off...$20 an hour. You work 8 hours.

That's $160 for the day.

Take out taxes = $30

Take out health insurance (required in Mass now) = $10

Take out other federal fees (SS) = $5

BUT it took you a gallon of gas to get to work = 2 gallons for the day = $8.

And you must eat, so...$10

SO now we have in our pocket at the end of the day = $97.

Sounds like a lot right?

But you gotta live, so shelter...food...and water.

Shelter = modest apartment will be $700 a month. that's $22.50 a day. Plus you have to have electric (part of the water in most cases) so let's say that's a modest $2 a day.

Uh oh, now we only have $72.50 from our pay.

OH boy ...how about heat? Let's budget out $3000 a year for heat (I know I know..but that's the truth of this coming year). You work about 260 days a year, so you pay about $11.5 a day for heat.

Hmmm, now we've got $61 from our pay.

Not too bad for a monk. You didn't want to go out anyway. But you'll need a phone right? That'll be $2...

Dangit. Down to $59 from that friggin lousy paycheck.

Fine fine. I just won't get sick. BAM - you got the flu. Of course there are other medical expenses throughout the year...dental cleanings (if you're lucky that's it)...copays...prescriptions...let's say its a good year at $1 a day.

$58 from the pay check.

Whoa whoa whoa - I am not just driving back and forth to work...SCREW that. Lets just say I average another two gallons each day. Cmon, you know how far the beach is from here...SO - $50 left????

OH SHIT. I forgot to pay my car payment. Crap crap crap. Alright...I financed ...10,950 for that piece of shit. So my payments per month are...$230???? DANG. That's $7.50 a day!

Fine. So I've got $42.50 left from that measley paycheck.

I think that paycheck needs a boost. Perhaps you try to find another job. Better get the internet to look...

BAM $1 a day for internet and buy a computer at $900 (remember we only work 260 days a year) so $3.5 a day.

WTF! I've only got $38 left!!!

And I still don't have cable. Well, I might as well get it considering I can't afford to go out = $1 a day, so now it's $37 from workin so hard.

Got Depression? You sit on your couch - oh wait, you don't get furniture - and realize there is nothing on TV. You jump up and say screw this I'm goin out.

Entertainment fee per month is around $200 (cmon, have you guys been to the movies lately?) so deduct $6.5 from your daily pay.

$30.5 dollars left for the day.Whew. I can live on that...



BUT - xmas gifts ($260 you cheap bastard) = $1 a day

Want a cell phone? $1 a day if you're lucky.

Need toiletries? $1 a day.

Furniture, printer, personal care (haircuts, etc) lets round to a modest $5 a day.

Clothes? You're hittin the salvation army at $1 a day.

Birthdays, gifts and those friggin school fund raisers people bring to work for their kids...$2 a day.

Miscellaneous emergeny expenses such as your car breaking down ($2000), ER visits ($500), or no coffee in the house so you buy some Starbucks...$11.5 a day.

Yup you guessed it.



A WHOPPING $8 a day for you're enjoyment.



NOW, did ya go to college? Okay, lets say a community college...$2.50a day for your loans.

BAM $5.50 a day.



Now tell me parents of my generation...do you still wonder why a vast majority of people still live with their parents?

Can't even buy a pack of cigarettes for that price.