The Politician’s Handbook of Dirty, Underhanded Tricks and Deceptions
If you are running for office, don’t worry. If there are things in your past or present that you do not want do discuss (and aren’t there always!), you can avoid them by using a few tricks of the trade. And, in the worst circumstances, you can just lie. Today, it is easier than ever to rewrite your history and influence people.
In politics, people choose their candidates and demonstrate loyalty beyond reason. They ignore truth in favor of made up truths, are willing to accept political maneuvering over requiring proper responses to questions asked, and believe what they want to believe.
Many of the tactics politicians use to dodge and deceive the public are easy to spot if you look for them. Here are a few of the most commonly used ploys. A politician’s handbook, if you will. (more…)
How to Manage an Income Tax Refund
When we look at the spending habits of Americans, do we really think that there is no correlation between the rise of used car sales and the mailing of Income Tax Refunds in the month of February? Certainly not!
When the federal and state income tax refunds are mailed out each year, beginning in February, the national economy gets a little help. Why? Because we rush right out to spend our refunds. But how should we really be handling this extra bit of income?
In reality, income tax refunds are NOT extra income. You have already earned that money, sent it to the federal and/or state government in the form of tax payments, and income tax refunds are simply the government giving you back money if you paid too much. It’s almost as if you loaned the government that extra money, and now you are getting it back.
Income tax is removed from your paycheck based on what the government estimates you will owe at the end of the year. This estimate is based on what your income will be, minus any deductions that you might have. You fill out paperwork at the beginning of any job, and part of that paperwork helps your employer know what to withhold for taxes and send to the appropriate place. Deductions are for items like head of household, dependents, and a few other qualifying things. The more deductions you have, the less tax is withheld from your check.
The paperwork is designed to be as accurate as possible, so always be sure to fill it out completely and correctly. If you put down too many deductions, you will then owe income tax at the end of the year. On the other side, if you put down too few deductions, you will end up with a larger refund at the end of the year. Some people intentionally put down too few deductions, using their refund as a sort of savings account – they then plan for large expenditures when they get in their tax refunds.
The realistic approach is to treat a tax refund just like any other income you receive during the year. Set aside your normal amounts for savings, spending, retirement, etc. You earned this income months before, so be sure to treat it like income, and not just a bonus check that you can run out and blow.
The temptation to run out and spend our income tax return is natural. We all like to get a little extra money, and then do something a little extra special with that money. Other people are tempted to do the exact opposite, and to save every extra cent they can. A balanced way to approach dealing with tax refunds is to play a little psychological trick on yourself – plan to spend half, and to save the other half. This helps us not go overboard in either direction, but also satisfies the impulses we have to do both. Even though we know we are tricking ourselves a bit, it still seems to work every time.
Whatever approach you take to tax withholding and year-end tax refunds, do it intentionally. Plan how you would like to handle the “tax/refund issue,” and then follow through with your plan. This really is the way to take control of your money, and not get caught in the grip of an unhealthy tax refund mania.
Author Matthew Jackson is a member of thinkWRITE Guild and a contributing writer to Crockett Rockett. This article was published in Crockett Rocket issue XLIV of vol IV.
Mississippi Marketing Agency “Think Webstore” Officially Becomes a One Million Dollar Company
Think Webstore has experienced consecutive annual growth every year since its founding in 2008. After nearly five years in business, Think Webstore is officially a one million dollar business. And, they have become successful in a challenging economy by helping other rising companies do the same using creative, yet practical methods to spur client growth. (more…)
Remote Deposit: Unveiling the Secret
Remote Deposit: Unveiling the Secret
With the blossoming of so much new technology in our daily lives, it is often easy for us to forget that technology also impacts the world of business. There are many new, often unused, services that banks are offering to their business customers. One service in particular can make banking dramatically easier for often time-strapped businesses. (more…)
New Expectations for Banking in Mississippi
Technology offers unprecedented convenience of banking accessibility. But, don’t forget the basics.
Sometimes technology can overtake us before we have even had an opportunity to predict its possibilities. When a technology is adopted as mainstream, spin-off changes can occur in just about any kind of environment — from social to business to education to entertainment. And, one technologic advancement can set up and accelerate the next. (more…)
The Primary Care Physician in Jackson MS
While it used to be a mainstream practice, the importance of a primary care physician is too often overlooked.
Do you ever wish you had a “go to” doctor? Well, it wasn’t long ago when many people did have a go to doctor, and they still exist today. The role of that doctor is “Primary Care Physician” and that person can be your single most important point of contact for your life-long health care. (more…)
Meet Chief Houston
Chief Houston: When it comes to electing a Sheriff, there are key factors to consider – Experience, Qualifications and above all, Leadership.
Madison County Sheriff Toby Trowbridge is stepping down this term and is leaving some big shoes to fill. He has been a celebrated leader, has grown a department and has operated a ten million dollar ($10,000,000) budget. When asked what skills the next Sheriff should possess, Sheriff Trowbridge said simply, “management and experience.”
The race has attracted some fine candidates. However, on these issues, one candidate rises above the rest based on his reputation, his experience and especially his track record for successfully running two police departments with multimillion dollar budgets.
Mississippi born and raised, Jimmy Houston is definitely local. He married his high school sweet heart and has been blessed with three children and six grandchildren, two of which attend Madison schools. (more…)
The Twitter about Facebook
Social Media meets Mainstream and Businesses go to Market
You heard about it from your kids months ago. Then you heard it mentioned in the news in passing. Suddenly, within a matter of weeks, Facebook and Twitter icons began popping up on everything from Fox, CNN, and major networks to mainstream publications and restaurants.
Social Media Marketing has hit mainstream. And, while MySpace has been thrown under the bus, Facebook and Twitter are thriving. How well? Well rumors of Google’s interest in Twitter are all the rage and if Google’s track record of picking winning online strategies is any indication then don’t expect this wave to end anytime soon. (more…)
What is this thing called SEO and do I need it?
What is this thing called SEO (we’ll tell you)? Is it the next big thing in web (yes)? Do we as web site owners need it (usually)? What exactly does it do (we’ll tell you that too)?
If you find yourself asking these questions then you may not be surprised to find yourself in good company. That is because even those who are implementing SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, for their sites may not have a real understanding of what is being done and how it is helping them or if it is helping them. The other real truth is that if you have a business website then you probably do need SEO. SEO is becoming a standard requirement for anyone needing to be found on the web. And, these days, as web searches continue to replace the Yellow Pages, that is nearly everyone. (more…)