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by on April 26, 2018 Leave a Comment

Who Needs an EIN? Does Everybody?

Employer Identification Number or EIN is typically used for people who are starting a business and have plans to file taxes on that business. While that is the most prominent reason, it is not the only. Some people choose to use their EIN number in different ways, but anybody can apply for EIN.

tax

Not a Business?

Not every person who has a tax-ID number has a business or has plans to start one. Some people choose to use an EIN number in lieu of their social security number. There are commercials everywhere about the “dark web” and the wrong people getting their hands on your social security number. This has led people to get tax-ID’s and use those on job applications, government applications, and other random places that may require a social security number.

You do not have to have an EIN number, but if you want one you can certainly get one.

North Carolina

Although the EIN numbers do come from the federal government, there are some state governments that require you to use a certain process or go through the state process to receive your ID number. The state of North Carolina is one of those states. Filing through the North Carolina government websites can be a bit of a headache. An EIN number NC may not be the easiest process, but it can be done.

Many times it helps to seek a website who can simplify the IRS-EIN-Tax-ID process. There is no longer a reason to spend hours attempting to understand the jargon and often times confusing language. Speaking with and allowing an agency who understands North Carolina EIN regulations and procedures to help you through this process will save you a lot of time and will ensure that you have completed the process correctly.

Image courtesy of Pixabay

Filed Under: business, finance Tagged With: , ,
by on April 21, 2018 Leave a Comment

Homeownership and Condo Sale Tips that You Might Have Missed

Homeownership is a typical goal that most people would like to achieve early in their careers. Aside from addressing one of man’s basic needs, homeownership is also considered as a status symbol. Those who are just starting out often buy small apartments while financially successful individuals often go for luxurious houses and condominium units. But nowadays condominium units offer a good option for first time homeowners regardless of their financial status. You can find affordable rates and premier condo listings at condo sale Los Angeles. But before you buy, here are some things that you may also want to consider.

condo sale

Location Factor

Condominium units located in downtown or beach front areas tend to be more expensive than others. But they are worth considering if the location offers conveniences like faster and shorter commute to work and basic services. To put it simply, prime locations cost more. You just have to factor in the benefits of the condominium’s location versus the cost in your buying decision. Not to worry though, because there are plenty of affordable condominium units with good location. The listings at condo sales Santa Monica offer a variety of units that you can explore.

Fees and Amenities

One of the advantages of condominium units over single family homes is access to amenities. Most condominium buildings have swimming pools, club house, and outdoor activity areas. Some would even have provisions for 24 hour security, concierge services, etc. However, these perks do not come for free because they are part of the monthly fees that you pay as a condominium owner. You can check these features on the condo sale listing of the property to help you gauge if it’s a good buy or not. However, you may have to ask your agent or broker to clearly explain all the fees involved to avoid any misunderstanding.

condo unit

Community

When people consider buying a house, they usually look for properties in a good neighborhood. The same thing applies when looking for a condominium unit that you would want to call home. One of the flexible attributes of condominiums is that it can be rented out on a long time or short time basis. The best option for potential homeowners who prefer areas with a strong sense of community are condominiums that are mostly owner occupied.

When it comes to homeownership, cost and capacity to pay are the topmost considerations. But they aren’t the only ones that you should consider. Location, fees and amenities, as well as community factors will affect your life long after the sale is closed and the deed is signed.

Image courtesy of Pixabay and Breather @ Unsplash

Filed Under: real estate Tagged With: ,
by on March 13, 2018 Leave a Comment

Enviro Giving – 5 Eco-Friendly Gifts for Friends or Colleagues

eco friendly giftsPhoto by Vítor Santos on Unsplash

Reusable Coffee Cups

For the office worker or avid coffee lover, a reusable coffee cup could be the very gift to put a smile on the recipient’s face. Every day, thousands of workers make their way into cafes, lured by the smell of a rich espresso or creamy chai latte to kick-start their day. However, armed with a throw-away coffee cup, they are contributing to the growing waste problem.

Every year, we are putting millions of throw-away coffee cups into landfill, without them ever having a chance of seeing a recycling plant. In fact, of the 6.3 billion tonnes of plastic waste produced since the 1950s, including those coffee cups, only nine percent has been reused in some way. By gifting your friend a reusable coffee cup, you may just be preventing thousands of additional coffee cups from ending up in tips too.

Vermicompost Bin

It might not be for the squirmish, but a worm farm is the perfect gift for the eco-minded friend with a green thumb. Once established with a colony worms, you can recycle your kitchen scraps and turn them into the most amazing fertilizer for the garden. Microorganisms from those worms even help your plants to become more resistant to pests and disease. Vermicompost bins are available in various sizes and are easy to maintain. Just add your food waste and let the worms do all the hard work. Your friend is sure to appreciate the option to reuse food scraps opposed to throwing them away.

Fabric Shopping Bags

Several governments around the world have taken a stand against single-use lightweight plastic bags. Many countries have chosen to ban them, while others have imposed taxes for their use. You can make a difference by gifting your friends and family with fabric shopping bags. There are so many styles and colors to choose from, and by giving them a reason to stop using plastic bags, they are no longer taking their share of non-renewable resources.

Recycled stationery

For something a bit more tactile that will be useful for home or office, consider a beautiful stationery set made from recycled materials. Often, these sets are specifically designed to be gifted and feature cardboard encompassed pens and recycled paper bound with recycled cardboard covers.

Handmade soap

Body wash gift sets have long been a favorite gift option for your nearest and dearest. However, did you know the products you choose could be harming the environment? While a decision was made to ban microbeads in the United States, there are still many countries that allow these environmentally harmful practices to continue.

If you want to make a difference and not support those manufacturers who still insist on using plastic, consider handmade soap. You can try your hand at making it yourself or purchase it from an eco-friendly or local supplier. When beautifully gift wrapped, it makes for the perfect gift.

Healing the planet begins with the decisions that we make every day. When you’re looking for eco-friendly gifts for friends or family, know that whatever decision you make, you’re doing your part for the environment. Consider any of these five options for the perfect environmentally friendly gift.

Filed Under: eco-living Tagged With: ,
by on February 13, 2018 Leave a Comment

Tips For Avoiding Unnecessary Risks in your Business

To successfully grow a business, there is a delicate balance that must be found between risk and security. Every business owner will say business risks must be avoided where possible. Nowadays, there are financial risks, physical risks and digital risks. Some do argue that without a little risk a business cannot grow, so of course we have to separate the risks worth taking like Gov Doc filing and those we definitely want to avoid.

risks in your business
Here are a few tips for avoiding unnecessary risks in your business.

Conduct proper Cash-Flow Management

The basic yet mandatory step of proper cash-flow management is crucial for businesses of all sizes. It can be easy to slip up in areas of business that add up to make a great difference between cash flow and business success in the long run. Scott Lovingood, CEO of The Wealth Squad Inc., a small-business consultancy, recommends, “Calculate every month how much money you have on hand and how long it will last if your income dries up. Also evaluate monthly your total accounts payable and the number of days accounts are outstanding because a slowdown in accounts payable will lead to cash-flow crunches.”

Integrate Enterprise Risk Management

Enterprise risk management (ERM) is the process of planning and controlling business activity as a way of reducing risk regarding capital and earnings. Many companies thrive off using this type of AI software, as it can be used to weigh up and avoid potential problems by leveraging data. Holistic risk management supported by ERM is vital for the performance of all financial institutions, for example, because they function by balancing making profits and managing risk. ERM extends beyond accidental losses, to support for operational risks as well. The Risk Management Association defines operational risk as “the risk of loss resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, people, and systems, or from external events.” These risks are addressed within ERM but there is also operational risk management (ORM), a specific subset of ERM. ORM can reduce the likelihood of lost opportunities and surprises and gain the real-time picture of emerging and current risks. ORM and ERM can be used together to delve further into data or separately to target specific risk points, all depending on a company’s needs.

Take Care of your People

Hiring and training new employees is a significant investment. There is a big difference between the resources that go into hiring and training 5 new employees that leave within 2 years and hiring and training 2 employees that become vital members of the company. This may not seem like a typical ‘risk’ often discussed openly, but it significantly affects every business. Lovingood says, “You’ve got to have key-person insurance on anyone who’s mission-critical to your business. If you already have key-person insurance, review your policy quarterly because it may be outdated if your business has grown dramatically.” Staff should receive ongoing training and support to be sure they are being efficient as possible and also happy at your company.

Cyber Risk

The threat from cyber attacks has become a priority for numerous risk managers. In our data-centric world, the threat continues to grow and expand into different forms. A cyber attack could result in significant reputational damage and threat of action from regulators who focus on ensuring all companies are up to date on cyber resiliency. Instead of using Social Security number for business which is too risky, it’s better to apply for EIN number to avoid personal information leak.

Although some risks are worth taking, the skill of a good business owner or manager is using the information they have at their fingertips to be sure they can be confident they are making the best choices to avoid possible problems or losses.

Image courtesy of rawpixel @Unsplash

Filed Under: business Tagged With: , , ,
by on February 7, 2018 Leave a Comment

Movavi Slideshow Maker Review

As you may be aware there are many different ways to compile photos and images into slideshows – but not all of them are equal. In particular the software that you choose to use will determine exactly what types of audiovisual elements you’re able to include in your slideshow.

slideshow maker

When it comes to slideshow software, Movavi Slideshow Maker is very different from what you might expect. Not only are its features extensive, but it has two distinct methods of creating slideshows.

Easy vs. Full-Feature

Immediately after Movavi Slideshow Maker is launched you will be prompted to choose whether to create a slideshow using the ‘Easy mode’ or the ‘Full feature mode’. The difference between the two is that the ‘Easy mode’ is a simple 3-step wizard, whereas the ‘Full feature mode’ uses a timeline-based editor.

The ‘Easy mode’ is more limited in terms of features, but will still let you add photos, music, and animated transitions to create a slideshow. On the other hand the ‘Full feature mode’ of Movavi Slideshow Maker will give you full access to all of its features, and let you customize your slideshow as and how you see fit.

Comprehensive Features

Aside from compiling photos into images, you can add video clips to your slideshows as well in the ‘Full feature mode’. In fact in this mode Movavi Slideshow Maker will let you edit and improve the media that you use in your slideshow, to improve its quality or alter it according to your needs.

Insofar as audiovisual elements are concerned, Movavi Slideshow Maker will let you add audio tracks containing background music or voiceovers, insert animated transitions, include text elements, and apply various filters and effects. Together these elements will help you to make slideshows that look unique and stand out.

There are lots of other small but notable features in Movavi Slideshow Maker as well, such as its ability to match the slide duration to the tempo of your background music, record additional video or audio via a microphone or webcam, and so on. Simply put you’ll find that you can do far more than you’d expect with its features.

At the end of the day if you want a way to quickly and easily create slideshows, Movavi Slideshow Maker with its ‘Easy mode’ should give you everything that you need. On the other hand if you want to be engineer a slideshow that is completely unique and has its own distinct look then the ‘Full feature mode’ will be more your cup of tea. In either case it should be clear that why it is such a unique and specialized slideshow software – one that you stand to benefit from if you opt to try it out.

Filed Under: technology Tagged With: ,
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