Why You Should Not Save Money
Why (Not) Save? By Lyndsay King I don’t know about you, but I love it when cars have special licenses plates. It adds character and personality to a vehicle and can tell you a lot about the person driving. Just recently an interesting license plate caught my eye, and not for the good. The car was high-end, the driver was in a smart looking business suit and seemed to look polished and professional. As I stopped at a stoplight, I nearly hit his car when I saw the plate that said “whysave.” Why save? Why save? Would you like the reasons in ...
Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University to Stop Shipping FPU Kits to Canada on February 29th, 2012
Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University to Stop Shipping FPU Kits to Canada on February 29th, 2012 by Ryan Loos I have some very personal knowledge of everything that is going on. A little over a year ago I was contacted by the Canadian Government to remove the word "university" from my website (I had reference to Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University in Canada) as I was not a registered university in Canada. After many conversations with the Canadian (Ontario) government and with Lampo (Dave Ramsey's company), it was decided that as long as we put some black tape over the word "university" ...
2012 IRS E-file Direct Deposit Dates for Individuals
Need to know when you will be getting your refund in 2012? Take a look below, this is the master list from the IRS for direct deposit dates for individuals filing thier 1040's for 2011 tax returns. Always feel free to give us a call at 877-587-3223 or email us info@rklfinancial.com if you have any tax questions or if you would like to schedule an appointment to get you tax return prepared. If you think that you have the knowledge and skills to prepare your tax return on your own here is the software that we recommend that you use to file your ...
Feb 12
20
Why You Should Not Save Money
Why (Not) Save?
By Lyndsay King
I don’t know about you, but I love it when cars have special licenses plates. It adds character and personality to a vehicle and can tell you a lot about the person driving. Just recently an interesting license plate caught my eye, and not for the good. The car was high-end, the driver was in a smart looking business suit and seemed to look polished and professional. As I stopped at a stoplight, I nearly hit his car when I saw the plate that said “whysave.” Why save? Why save? Would you like the reasons in order of importance or alphabetically?! I really wanted to drive up beside him and ask if his car was leased, if he had an emergency fund and then give him my business card so we could chat.
Now don’t get me wrong, I want you to get a nice car. I want you to get toys and have fun. The difference is, I want your licenses plate to read “PAIDCASH!”
Why Save? Here are some reasons why you should save:
-God says it’s a Valuable Practice
‘There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man swallows it up.” Proverbs 21:20
-Emergencies Happen
If you have a pulse, you will have an emergency. What happens when you loose your job for 8 months? Someone in your family gets sick and can’t work? A family emergency happens and you have to travel to go help? You need to save for when life happens.
-Setting Examples
You will be setting an example for your children, family and friends that will be worth more than any purchase. It will show that you have control over purchases, that nothing is free and that hard work will give you the opportunity to purchase things.
-Freedom
What can you do with no payments…anything you want! You will not be a slave to anyone and will be able to enjoy your purchase instead of working for your purchase.
Next time you want to dip into that emergency or savings fund for that oh-so-not-emergency, ask, “what would my license plate say?!”I don’t know about you, but I love it when car’s have special licenses plates. It adds character and personality to a vehicle and can tell you a lot about the person driving.
Posted in fcg-slides Ways to Save Wise UP with Ryan Loos by .
Feb 12
4
Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University to Stop Shipping FPU Kits to Canada on February 29th, 2012
Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University to Stop Shipping FPU Kits to Canada on February 29th, 2012
by Ryan Loos
If your church still wants to run/offer a Financial Peace Class, there are other options. My Dave Ramsey Certified Financial Counselors and I can teach our version of Financial Peace and not use any of the banned product. Our seminars are 6-8 weeks longs (Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey is 13 weeks long program) and we also have a "kit" (which includes a Total Money Makeover Book, a Financial Peace Revisited Book, a Cash Envelope system, Workbook, and a CD-Rom with our budgeting forms) that we give to each family unit that attends our seminars. If you are interested in running a Financial Peace Seminar give us a call at 877-587-3223 or email us at info@RKLFinancial.com. We are available to teach our Financial Peace Seminars any weekday or Sunday Evening and Saturday afternoons. We teach all over the Niagara Region and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Also, our seminars are Canadian specific, we take out all of the American info that is currently in the Financial Peace University DVD's.
For your reference here is the email that received from Lampo (Dave Ramsey's Company) on Friday Feb 3rd, 2012
From An Email titled "An Urgent Message Regarding Financial Peace In Canada"
"Thanks for your interest and support of Financial Peace! In 2011, more Canadian families attended Financial Peace classes than in any year in the history of our ministry. And for that, we thank you.
We are excited for what the future holds for Financial Peace in Canada. Unfortunately, after February 29, 2012, we cannot sell the current Financial Peace Memberships in Canada due to government regulations. We're working diligently to create a Canada-specific product, however the process of providing the best and most current Canadian content is taking longer than expected. In the meantime, please order what you need for the classes you've started now, as well as memberships for the classes you're planning to host before February 29!
As a way of apologizing for this inconvenience, we'd like to extend a special offer now through February 29, 2012 on Financial Peace Memberships. This is a limited time offer for Canadian classes only. Call your advisor at 877.378.2667 for information on the discount and for any questions you may have.
Thanks again for your support of Financial Peace!"
Posted in Dave Ramsey fcg-slides Financial Peace Class Wise UP with Ryan Loos by .
Jan 12
26
Acting On The Future Today
Acting on the Future Today
By Lyndsay King
It is now 2012, what are your plans for the year? Vacations, purchasing a car, watching your child get involved in sports? There are so many things a year can hold, so why not start planning on how you are going to pay for them before they start! One of the biggest problems that I come across when I coach is that people don’t plan ahead, they just spend ahead. Often people don’t look at the big picture when they are working on their budget. I want you to save, pay off debt and live with in your mean, but I also want you to budget in money for life.
So how do you incorporate life into your budget you may ask? Well one suggestion I often make to people is to create a list of events, activities or holidays that will be coming up in 3, 6, 9 and 12 months away. If you know that you are going to be doing an activities later on in the year, start saving for them months in advance so you can pay cash, instead of scrambling to pay for them on your credit card.
Here are some examples:
In three months it will be March:
~Start saving for March break activities for the kids.
~Start saving for the weekend away to go skiing.
In six months it will be June:
~Start saving up for the two weddings gift you will need to purchase.
~Start saving up to pay off your kids camp fees.
~Start saving up for gas money for when you go to the cottage.
In nine months it will be September:
~Start saving up for back to school supplies.
~Start to save up for winter sports.
In twelve month it will be December:
~Start to save for Christmas (It’s the 25th EVERY year!)
~Start to save for your annual New Years Eve party.
Once you have a list of everything you know will be happening, first figure out how much you think it will cost (you may have to do some research and put some thought into it.) Then start to map out when you will need to start saving for that event and how much you will need to put away each month. Who says you can’t start saving for Christmas next year already? (I have!) Why not se aside $20 per month starting in February for school supplies, that way you don’t feel the crunch come September. Summer will be here before you know it, so start saving up money for kids camp now. Thay way the only bite that you’ll feel is from a black fly not from your budget. If people make fun of you for saving for things months in advance, it’s because they are jealous that you have a plan and they don’t. (They are the one that run up their credit card bill and cry in Janurary for what they bought in December.) Start planning head! Make planning for the future a reality and not a thing of the past!
Posted in Budgeting Debt Family Personal Coaching Wise UP with Ryan Loos by .
Need to know when you will be getting your refund in 2012? Take a look below, this is the master list from the IRS for direct deposit dates for individuals filing thier 1040's for 2011 tax returns. Always feel free to give us a call at 877-587-3223 or email us info@rklfinancial.com if you have any tax questions or if you would like to schedule an appointment to get you tax return prepared.
If you think that you have the knowledge and skills to prepare your tax return on your own here is the software that we recommend that you use to file your 2011 tax returns:
Posted in fcg-slides Tax by .
Review for TurboTax Standard TY11 (2011) for Canadians by Intuit
By Ryan Loos
Over all the TurboTax Standard TY11 (2011) for Canadians by Intuit does everything it says it can do. Ideal for Canadian couples and families looking to claim RRSPs, donations, medical expenses and more. Improved step by step guidance helps you get your maximum refund–guaranteed. Find deductions with EasyStep Interview and manage the effect of life changes like getting married or a new baby on your return.
We don't need to tell you that more deductions mean a bigger tax return. But maybe we do need to tell you about some of the deductions/credits you're entitled to… after all, you may qualify for any of 400 available to Canadians.
That's exactly what the TurboTax Deduction Toolbox does. With tools like the A-Z Deduction list, it does the hard work for you–and ensures that you don't overlook any items to claim, from medical expenses to tuition to charitable donations.
TurboTax Also Helps Optimize Your RRSP Contributions.
See how different RRSP contribution amounts affect your refund or tax owing with TurboTax's RRSP Optimizer tool. It helps you determine the optimum RRSP contribution amount for you and your spouse.
Then, you can contribute to your RRSP accordingly…and make the most out of your money. If you need help with your RRSP, please check out who we recommend by clicking here.
Posted in Tax by .
Review of H & R Block at Home Deluxe + State 2011 (Retail & Download)
Posted in Tax by .
Top 7 Software Programs to Prepare Your 2011 Tax Returns
by Ryan Loos
First, let me give you full disclosure with this. I am a professional paid tax preparer and would always prefer that everyone use a professional tax preparer when they are preparing their tax returns. With that said I know that many of you do not think that my services are needed, especially when there are so many tax software programs out there that are cheaper than my services. Do to this, I want to make sure that you are getting the best advice from a tax professional and not you buddy who has been audited by the IRS. Over the years, before I started purchasing a professional tax software suite, I have used many different types of tax software. I will give you my honest opinions below for each of the tax software to help you make the best decision. Please remember that if you have a question to call someone who can answer it (like the IRS, CPA, Enrolled Agent, or a licensed tax preparer).
1. TurboTax Deluxe Federal + E-File + State 2011 PC Download
This is my top choice, for you do it your selflers out there. Quick and easy, with a system that I have used in that past without any issues. Price it right and you get a ton of good advice. Plus you can download it and starting working on your taxes right away!
2. TurboTax Deluxe Federal + E-File + State 2011 CD-Rom
Number two on my list, only because you have to wait for it to be delivered. All the same great features as my number one choice!
3. TurboTax Premier Federal + E-File + State 2011 CD-Rom
For those of you out there who have a small business or a rental property, this the best choice for you. You have to know what you are doing, if you do not then my number four choice would be best for you. If you have your accounting in order and have some tax experience than you can definitely use this program.
4. TurboTax Home and Business Federal + E-File + State 2011
If you are not experienced with a filing a tax return for your small business or a rental property than this is the software for you. This software will take more time to have you complete your return, but if you need the help than this is the software for you.
5. H & R Block at Home Deluxe Federal + State + E-File 2011
Honestly, I am not a big fan of H & R Block (at least their store front tax preparation stores). The software is a little better, I do not think that it is as good as Turbotax, but for the price and if you have simple return than take a look at this software.
6. TurboTax Deluxe Federal + E-File for those of you who do not need to file a state return, save some money and use this software. Everything is the same as my number one choice, you just not get a state return with this software.
7. TurboTax Deluxe Federal + E-File + State 2011 MAC Download
Onto number seven on my list. The only reason this is rated number seven is because there are less MAC users than PC users, other than that, if you own a Mac this is the software that I would recommend, don't even bother looking at anything else.
Posted in Tax by .
Jan 12
19
New Year$ Change
New Year$ Change
by Lyndsay King
5, 4, 3, 2, 1…Happy New Year! What I love most about the new year is it allows you to start off fresh and get back on track. Most often people start setting goals that include everything from losing weight, to reading more and managing their money better. If you are one of those individuals that is looking to start off the new year right when it comes to your money, you have come to the right place!
If you are just starting off focusing on your personal finances or are fully involved in working the baby steps, I applauded you! I want to encourage you today to remember these steps when working on your budget and living within your means:
1. You can do this, all year long!
Most people start off strong and then start to slow down and stop in March and April. Why not set yourself financial goals (i.e. pay off a debt every two month, have baby step #1 by February) for each month and then have someone keep you accountable so you stay on the right track and keep motivated.
2. Budgets are revisable.
So often I find people make a budget and think that it will be perfect the first time. It will take you at least 90 days to iron out a realistic budget. You will have to add things in, adjust amounts and track out your amounts. Make sure you have monthly or even bi-monthly budget meetings as you start to work things out.
3. Overwhelmed?
Have no clue where to start? First off dedicate all your finances to the Lord. He is ultimately in charge of your money and will help and guide you in the process. Look at the budget forms we have on our website and slowly review them and start putting in your numbers. If you still think you need help, contact us. Our goal is to help you from start to finish creating a plan that will work for you. We are real people who understand what you need and want to teach it to you so you can intern help others.
Why not start off the New Year with a real change. Make 2012 a year that enhances your financial life forever. You have to take the first step which may be overwhelming but I guarantee it will be well worth it in the new. From all of us at RKL Financial, we pray the Lord's blessing on you and your family in 2012!
Posted in Dave Ramsey Debt Family Wise UP with Ryan Loos by .
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