SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT A 2006 TAX REFUND
The Telephone Excise Tax Refund (TETR) is a payment available only on your 2006 federal income tax return. It is a refund of previously collected long distance telephone taxes. Individuals, businesses and tax-exempt organizations are eligible for the refund. .Read for yourself at www.irs.gov about the 2006 tax credit available to taxpayers who are eligible for the Telephone Excise Tax Refund. Below is the link for the IRS’ article on the subject.http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=164032,00.html
Taxpayers have a choice between a standard refund amount or locating applicable phone bills to calculate the actual amount. The standard refund is between $30-$60, depending upon the total number of exemptions claimed on the tax return. Help spread the news to everyone you know about this refund! Let me challenge you to take this extra money and give part of it to the Lord’s work (your church offering or give it to an organization like Focus on the Family or Campus Crusade for Christ or World Vision). If you’re really up for making a difference, give the entire refund back to the Lord! And if you choose not to give the entire amount, consider saving the balance of the refund to help you towards one of your 2007 goals!RECOMMENDED READING
Over the Christmas holidays, I read an excellent book entitled Taking Care of the Me in Mommy by Lisa Whelchel. Check out her website at www.lisawhelchel.com. If you are a mother or if you know someone who is, I give this book a solid “A” rating. The book motivated me plus it gave me many fresh ideas for 2007.
I also read in 2006 another fabulous book by Robin Chaddock entitled Mom Overboard. This book inspired me as a mom and gave me many practical ideas about time and home management. Robin’s site is www.wisdomtreeresources.comOne goal I pursued in 2006 was to read more about how to better steward my time, in particular to my calling as a mom. As a mom working outside the home, there never seem to be enough hours in the day to “do it all!” Thus, I’m interested in reading about how other women balance work and life. Both of the above referenced books are outstanding on these topics! GOALS FOR 2007
A new year means new goals for myself, and hopefully, new goals for you! Absolutely, I’m continuing my pursuit of improved financial stewardship. In my life, there is always room for improvement when it comes to savings and finding “deals.” However, this year, I’m also searching for ways to improve the stewardship of my time.
Most of my readers are busy with caring for children, building careers, caring for elderly family members, saving for retirement, pouring themselves into ministries, or a combination of these areas of life. With this in mind, I must share that sometimes it is better to pay a bit more for convenience and save time, than to pay less and spend a fortune in time.One of my first career lessons in public accounting was “Time is money!” I still hold to this belief and consider my time extremely valuable. Weekend time sometimes eludes me or maybe it’s a case of my “to do” list exceeding available time. Nonetheless, you probably relate to my point in some manner — time is valuable.
With this in mind, the first 2007 change I’m making to SONshine Savings is write about time saving ideas in addition to writing about financial matters. As you glean ideas in your readings or life experiences, please feel free to email and share your thoughts with me so I can share with other readers. Together, we can be better stewards of all the Lord has entrusted us! “The tragedy of life doesn’t lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goals to reach.” Benjamin Mays
NEWSLETTER CHANGE
The second 2007 change I’m making to SONshine Savings is publishing only during the odd-numbered months. Mark your calendar for the next edition appearing in March. Having only six editions this coming year will help me devote more time to speaking engagements and other writing endeavors. I am praying the Lord will open doors for me to share my faith in several new venues in the coming year. Thus, I want to steward the time I have to pursue this goal. Lastly, by focusing on six editions, I think this will enable me to have more to say when I do write. VALENTINE GIFT IDEAS
Here are 5 plus ideas that might help you with this year’s gifts or perhaps 2007 gifts (maybe even spark an idea for Valentine’s or Father’s Day):
1-If you dine out and/or purchase flowers for Valentine’s Day, I recommend you select a date to celebrate that is at least one week prior or after February 14. Of course, gain the agreement of your loved one prior to making this decision! Flower prices are often increased starting early February. Therefore, if you celebrate your love for someone with a floral gift, consider giving the flowers in late January or late February. (Personally, my husband brings me flowers often throughout the year. When it comes to February, I request him to not purchase flowers because prices are inflated.)On a dining note, some restaurants offer Valentine’s specials. If you can secure reservations and take advantage of such deals, fantastic! Otherwise, my experience has been most restaurants are jam packed February 10-18.
2-Consider one of the two books I recommend earlier in this newsletter. Request your public library to procure either or both for the benefit of many women in your community. Or you can find these books through www.christianbooks.com.
3-See my comments in “January Shopping” below about Victoria Secret’s bath gels and lotions. You can get a year’s supply of wonderful fragrances for less than $40 including tax.
4-If you want to express love but spend no money (this is actually a fun idea as long as both parties are in agreement to this objective), here are a few ideas: a) write a love poem or make a list of the reasons you love your special someone; b) sing a love song or play “your song” and enjoy a dance or two; c) cook dinner for your love and enjoy a candlelight dinner (even with children, this can be fun); d) give your spouse a coupon for the “night off” from household/children responsibilities (you take care of homework, baths, etc.); e) give a coupon where you agree to handle a chore or task (ex: taking the car for a tune-up or vacuuming the house); f) if your friend values time together, then plan an evening where the two of you enjoy a quiet evening doing activities the other person enjoys (reading together or playing board games or listening to music or watching a movie).5-If you can afford $50-$70, give the gift of an evening away from home—a mini spiritual / personal retreat. Check out www.priceline.com where you can find a hotel room for $35-$50. It’s like a mini vacation! My husband does this for me a couple of times a year. I use the evenings to read, relax, think (without children calling for me) and catch up on an occasional “to do.”
JANUARY SHOPPING
1-Kohl’s: January is one of the two best months to shop at Kohl’s because they offer deep discounts in January and July. Watch for the 70% off clearance signs with stars on them!2-Victoria Secrets: Twice a year Victoria Secrets has a sale where not only a good portion of their lingerie is sold at discount prices, but their bath gels and lotions are sold at tremendous prices. They offer several discount offers. I recently bought a selection of eight lotions and gels for $35. At an average price just over $4/each, these make great gifts for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, birthdays and teacher appreciation gifts. Great prices for gifts!
3-Numerous retailers offer post-Christmas sales in January. As you shop remember three key points. First, stock up on items you can use year-round for gifts. Second, store these gift items in one central location so you can find the gifts when needed. Third, keep a list so you will know what you bought and for which occasion. This reduces the likelihood you will misplace gifts and/or over-purchase occasions in the future.NOTE: I’m sad to report the Pepperidge Farm Thrift Store in Springfield, VA closed recently (January). If my readers are aware of other food thrift stores in Northern VA, please pass the addresses along to me!
EXCURSIONS
a-During the Winter months in Metro Washington, D.C., this is the perfect time for visiting museums! Museums are warm inside and most are free in Metropolitan DC. Enjoy a free indoor excursion to one of the Smithsonian museums. I recently enjoyed the Smithsonian Art Museum’s portrait exhibit.b-For parents and children under the age of 10, I recommend the Chic-fil-a restaurant with playland on Prince William Parkway. The food is delicious and affordable. Plus you can stay and play for free for hours! I take books and magazines to read while my children play.
TIME SAVING TIPS
1-Create more hours in your day by reducing your television time! Instead, use the time for projects you’ve been intending to do. Every month or two select a project and “just do it” instead of watching shows that do not benefit you in the long haul. You’ll be so glad you did this and you’ll be amazed at all you can accomplish!2-Keep a notebook or PDA with you at all times. Record thoughts, “to do’s,” tasks, etc. as they come to mind. Then, when you plan your day, see if you can cluster a few items (either geographically or by type of task) to facilitate your accomplishing more in less time.
3-Keep a basket at the bottom and/or top of steps to gather items that need to move from floor to floor of your home. Then, when you go upstairs, for example, grab an item or two to carry with you. 4-Keep notecards, stamps, current reading book/magazine, etc. in a folder that you either keep with you or remains in your car. Then, when you find yourself “stuck’ somewhere, you can utilize the time. Blocks of five minutes here and there add up quickly!
5-Check out www.familymanager.com or read one of Kathy Peel’s excellent books. I read one about five years ago and you gain all types of tips and ideas for improving your time management and organization.6-My favorite!!! Use a calendar system. I own what seems to be the world’s largest day planner, but it works wonderfully for me. Find a system, whether PDA or paper, and use it every day. Schedule everything from children’s birthday parties to business meetings to church activities to personal or hobby time. IF you use a system faithfully, you can see how you’re using your time and identify areas to improve. Also, you can ensure you make it where you need to be. (I confess I keep loads of extras in my day planner binder, like stamps, cards, photos, addresses, etc. What I’ve found is that when I need something, I have it!)
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I’m excited about speaking to a MOPS group in March at North Metro Church in Suwanee, GA!If you have a church or civic organization, and you’re looking for a speaker, please keep me in mind. I would love to talk with you about the opportunity. Not only do I speak about financial matters, but I enjoy sharing about spiritual topics
Joy! Michele Buschman“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength” Philippians 4:12-13.