Money Matters

Women need to be savvy with money matters. Our Money Matters section provides women with an opportunity to learn more about budgeting money, investing money, planning for the future, money tips, debt, and more Money Matters...

Note: Money Matters is updated monthly.

Money Matters

Investor's Corner:

10 Best Investment Tips for 2007
By: Jimmy Wilson

Investments in 2007 will be your opportunity to make significant gains in your financial portfolio. Taking control early in your investment planning will maximize your returns and you'll create groundwork that will allow you to establish investing guidelines for all future investing as well.

Investing is all about placing your best researched intuitions where you feel comfortable about what will take place regardless of the expectations of others or the status of the nation's economy. Money is made daily and if you place your investments wisely, determines if you are in fact, master of your investments.

There are some misconceptions of what type of investments are the best to follow. If you do not have any real insights on the stock market, don't jump in with a large percentage of your investing capital. The keys to success are about learning as much as anything and never replaying a bad strategy.

History, self made history, is or should be your best friend for all your future investments. It's not a perfect world and neither are you, so put aside any thoughts that you can maximize every trade or other investment, make your moves slowly and consistent.

Let's say you are new to investing, you can take advantage of several courses or mini-trade routes, outlined by someone who's found consistent patterns that produce successful trades. Investing can be in a totally unexpected direction, such as applying yourself in online sales from an affiliate program. This is a very popular investment since it takes very little money to get started and you have a ready-made product already established. The commission split to you is very appealing. There are a number of programs that pay as much as 75% to you.

Investment Planning is really as simple as, where you think you can actively participate with your money and or time, that will yield you a positive return on your participation.

To finish reading this informative investment article, click here.

Money Matters Featured Article:

2006 Tax Credits and Deductions You Should Know About
By: Richard Chapo

As April 15th draws every closer, it is time to start thinking about how you are going to reduce your tax bill. Here are a couple of ways most people miss out.

Every year, the IRS tries to alert people to new deductions and credits available to taxpayers. Some might argue the IRS doesnt make much of an effort, but that is beside the point. In truth, it sends out news releases and so on. Here are some of the areas where you can save on your 2006 taxes that you might not know about.

Telephone Excise Tax Refund For the last 108 years, the IRS has collected a long distance tax. Dont remember paying it? Well, this is because your phone service was doing it as part of your bill. Much to the embarrassment of the IRS, the tax has been ruled illegal over and over by courts. The IRS has finally given in. Does this mean you get a refund for the last 108 years? No. Instead, you can claim a $30 or $60 refund on your 1040. The box is line 71 on the 1040 form and line 42 on the 1040A and 1040EZ forms. Alternatively, you can go rifle through your phone bills and file form 8913.

State and Local Sales Tax Deduction Mention of this deduction may bring on a sense of deja vu. It has been around since 2004, but was set at the end of 2005. Fortunately, it has been renewed. If you itemize deductions, you can choose to deduct the total state and local sales tax instead of the state income tax. This is a windfall for people that made big purchases such as luxury cars or live in a state where income tax is not collected such as Florida.

Home Improvement Tax Credits If you installed energy efficient products on your home in 2006, you can claim a nice tax credit. The products, such as windows, doors and appliances, have to be approved for the tax credit. The exact amount of the credit depends on the product, but can be as high as $500. While this may not sound like a lot, keep in mind tax credits are applied directly to the amount you owe the government one you figure out your taxes. This dollar for dollar reduction makes them much more valuable than a mere tax deduction.

As we head full steam into the tax season, most people start to worry about filing their taxes. If you keep the above credits and deductions in mind, it should prove to be less painful.

About the Author: Richard A. Chapo is with BusinessTaxRecovery.com - providing information on tax credits.

Source: ezinearticles.com

Money Matters