September 29th, 2011
The Nice Guy’s Guide to Haggling
Haggle is such an ugly word. It dates back to the 1570s, when the word meant “to cut unevenly.” When we hack away at prices there’s something decidedly unpleasant about the process.
No one likes looking cheap or greedy. On the other hand, people don’t want to get taken advantage of either. Haggling has the potential to bring out the worst in us: bombastic shouting, insulting someone’s work, and lying about what we’re willing to spend.
I don’t know if there’s a good way to haggle, but here are my best tips on how to negotiate prices and still feel good about yourself.
February 23rd, 2009
Its Tax Time!!
April 15th is fast approaching and there is a lot of information out there. Don’t procrastinate! In order to get everyone into the tax spirit, I wanted to share a few of my favorite sites for helpful tax tips.
One of the best places to start is Bankrate’s Tax Guide. Bankrate offers a wealth of tax related information on subjects ranging from capital gains, work benefits, retirement and real estate. Additionally, there are tax calendars, calculators and other tools to help you complete your tax return.
Another good site is SmartMoney’s tax section. SmartMoney concentrates on tax tips and has a variety of articles arranged by tax related topics. It’s a bit harder to find information, and is not as comprehensive as Bankrate, but still has a good amount of helpful articles.
Lastly, MarketWatch has several informational articles discussing how to pick a tax-prep website, early-bird tax guides, and real estate issues.
If you decide to do your taxes online, I recommend using TurboTax. I’ve used it the past few years and they do a good job making the process as streamlined as possible. Prices start at $29.95 for a standard federal tax return, and if you are doing a 1040EZ return, its free!
As always, consult with a tax professional as every financial situation is unique and tax rules are complex and constantly changing. How you file your taxes have significant ramifications on your refund amount and your tax liability moving forward.
Good Luck!
