It’s that time of year again. Tax planning- which really should occur all year long, but so many of you love to wait until now. Which could be a little late, but let’s hope not too late.
Continue reading 2013 Tax Changes?
I recently wrote (So you want to be a real estate mogul) about the “right way” to get involved in real estate investment. You’ll remember that I suggested that you set up a corporation to hold all these properties; the business of the corporation would be real estate management.
Continue reading Real Estate Mogul Wannabe- Part 2
About 30 years ago, we were expanding our transportation company (which was related to our health care business) in California. And, given our philosophy of looking for folks who needed a helping hand, we hired two folks whom we trained to become truck drivers for our firm. They both worked 20 hours a week to start. Once they acquired enough hours to take the tractor-trailer license test (and passed), we began using them for 35 to 42 hours a week. When, all of a sudden, one of the drivers announced he was quitting.
Continue reading The Law of Unintended Circumstances
OK. I admit it. I don’t have a magic wand. Oh, I’ve wanted one- since I was much younger. To try to have the policies of this great nation of ours be similar to my choices. But, that never happened.
Continue reading Fiscal Cliff? Or Opportunity?
I know. If I mention engineering, science, or economics, then your eyes glaze over. But, these things are important- it’s how we make things, how we solve problems, and how we run our companies and our country. (OK, the politicians are making those last two things a little problematic.)
Continue reading Wait- this really is cool!
It’s that time of year. The time when you are finally recognizing that your financial picture may not be in order. The time when you wonder what you can do to save on taxes. The time when you want to plan your activities for next year.
Continue reading First Meetings
If you are considering the purchase of a property for investment, one you plan to rent to others, we need to talk. Too many folks buy these properties and then find that, unlike conventional businesses, rental property management has its own set of regulations- and tax considerations. (Part of the reason is that real estate businesses, while cash flow positive, often create negative income considerations for taxes, since depreciation can be a substantial factor. And, as opposed to other businesses that don’t show a profit for 3 of 5 years, these are allowed to continue and are not considered “hobbies”.)
Continue reading So you want to be a real estate mogul?
Many of you know that I reside in the Commonwealth of Virginia. (An addition this morning: Congratulations to Tim Kaine, who ran a stellar race and will be a stellar Senator. And, kudos to President Obama and his myriad volunteers and staffers who worked the highways and byways of Virginia for their solid win yesterday.) My relocation to this state occurred just as “Massive Resistance” was coming to a close. Massive Resistance, under the tutelage of Senator Harry Byrd of Virginia, was the program by which (bigoted) residents avoided integrating their children in public schools (as a result of the Brown v. The Board of Education Supreme Court decision of 1954), allowing the closing of public schools, rather than allow integration.
Continue reading Home-School Loophole
Without changing America- dramatically- we have to recognize that the three pillars of our society are going to have to be modified. We are not going to replace one of those pillars in this generation. (I would hope we do so within 30 years, however.). What are those three pillars? Housing, Manufacturing, and Healthcare. Given these facts, it’s not surprising that our economy is limping along- despite our stated efforts.
Continue reading Three Pillars
So, my friend, Julia Neiman, nominated me for the Liebster award. I am not quite sure why it’s called that, since it related to business, but—I didn’t develop the award. I’m honored by the nomination and will observe it’s requirements now… (By the way, 
answering these questions will make this a fairly long blog. Now that I have finished editing, I know the number of words are 984 ) First, 11 facts about myself, in random order… Continue reading Liebster Award