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Put your tax refund to work for you

April 15, 2021

Spend it? Save it? Invest it? Share it? Here are a few ideas for putting your tax refund to work for you:

Accounting terms: A glossary for the rest of us

April 1, 2021

Most professions have their own lingo, and accounting is no different. What is different is that you have a vested interest in understanding what your accountant tells you about your financial situation. So, here’s a quick primer on common accounting terms—some business-related, some general—to keep you in the know:

Plan now for your spring garden

March 15, 2021

There has rarely been a winter when we so badly needed to see (and feel) spring. Depending on where you live, this could mean bluer skies, warmer temperatures, time outside and…gardening! For those who live in a climate where spring doesn’t always mean it’s warm enough to garden outdoors, consider creating an indoor planting box for flowers, veggies, herbs or all of the above.

How to tune up a home office when you don’t have one

March 1, 2021

While “under a blanket on a cold winter day” isn’t the worst place to work, it’s a good idea to regularly assess your remote working environment—especially if you don’t have a full home office setup—to decide if anything needs an adjustment or upgrade. Here are four important points to consider:

6 tips to fight the mid-winter blues

February 15, 2021

Blah. It’s February. The depths of winter. Gloomy days relieved only by the darkness of night. A month made for curling up under the blankets and staying in bed. Sound familiar?

Put LinkedIn to work for your business

February 1, 2021

If you think of LinkedIn as just a job-search site, you’re not alone. After all, it was the job listing component of the platform that turned into a highly lucrative source of revenue for the social media giant. However, it’s so much more than that.

4 habits to keep your brain healthy

January 15, 2021

You exercise your body to stay healthy, but how often do you exercise your brain? Research has shown that keeping your brain cells strong and sharp can help lower your risk of developing dementia. Here are four ways to make sure your body’s busiest organ keeps running smoothly.

Tools to make remote work less remote

January 4, 2021

Now that you’ve been working remotely for several months, how are you feeling about your shared office apps? If you’re still scrambling to put together a set of tools that meet your virtual needs, here are some applications that will go a long way toward making everyone feel like they’re working together as a team…even when you’re not in the same office.

3 tips to lower your tax stress in 2021

December 15, 2020

It’s probably fair to say that most of us can’t wait to see 2020 out the door. But there’s one more task to carry out before you can wave goodbye to The Year We’d Rather Forget: Be ready to file your taxes.

Resolution 2021: Look outward

December 1, 2020

Congratulations, we’ve made it through 2020! We’ve proven to ourselves that we’re disciplined and strong! And we appreciate even more what our family and friends mean to us! Does that mean we don’t need to make resolutions this year? Maybe. But it’s always good to have a goal. So, if there’s nothing to resolve for yourself, why not direct your resolutions outward for 2021?

The case for content

November 16, 2020

If your business has a website, you’ve heard about the importance of content. Lots of content— educational, timely, entertaining and frequently updated information that helps boost your search rankings and engage visitors.

Retrain your brain for a more thankful Thanksgiving

November 2, 2020

This Thanksgiving, what are you grateful for?

How to get the most out of a virtual conference

October 15, 2020

If you plan to attend a conference soon, it will likely be a virtual event. While some may dismiss virtual conferences as just sitting in front of a computer, the fact is they can be more comfortable (sweatpants, anyone?), more rewarding and every bit as enjoyable as an in-person event. If you’re a virtual conference newbie, here are some tips to get the most from your experience:

10 fun activities for a socially distanced fall season

October 1, 2020

Even with summer in the rearview mirror, there are lots of opportunities to get out of the house and enjoy activities with family and friends (or others in your “bubble”). Here are 10 suggestions for fall fun that everyone in your crew—regardless of age—can enjoy.

Online reviews: What you need to know

September 15, 2020

Do online reviews help or hurt a business? Depending on the type of review, of course, it could go either way.

7 tips for surviving ‘back to school’ this year

September 1, 2020

It's hard not to be apprehensive about fall this year with many schools reverting to online learning at home for students. But if it helps, you're not alone. Recent statistics show that 51 percent of working parents said they'll be distracted to a "moderate" or "great" degree on days when their kids learn from home, and 42 percent are worried to the same extent about their job security due to the situation.

Take some time to optimize your Google My Business profile

August 17, 2020

As summer comes to an end, many people go into business-clean-up mode—gearing up for year end. One item to add to your list is enhancing your Google My Business profile. The internet is where most consumers find a business, so make sure your information is engaging, accurate and current to elevate your visibility online.

Back-to-school budget-friendly tips…

August 3, 2020

It’s back-to-school season, and that typically means buying a lot of stuff to prepare kids for the start of a new academic year. While 2020 may look a bit differently (some schools may enact online learning and/or hybrid models), kids will still need a few essentials—from backpacks to electronics. Here are a few tips to keep your back-to-school shopping within your budget.

Upping data security for virtual workspaces…

July 15, 2020

For many businesses, COVID-19 forced them into a remote office model. Months into the pandemic and having had a successful experience, a lot of business owners have decided to maintain virtual workspaces. For those adopting this new normal, upping security must be a priority to keep data safe.

The extended individual tax deadline is approaching fast…

July 1, 2020

It’s hard to believe that we are already into July. Even with the deadline for filing your return and making a payment (if you owe) being extended to July 15, 2020, it still seemed like it came upon us fast. With only a few weeks left, be sure to get any final documents to us and answer any outstanding communications immediately.

Get your indoor herb gardening on!

June 15, 2020

New gardeners have come out of the woodwork this year, looking to create a sustainable food supply in their own backyards. Of course, not everyone has the space or the time to create a full-on outdoor garden. So, why not start small…and indoors?

5 tactics to spending less this year

June 1, 2020

It’s safe to say that most people are laser focused on money right now—specifically on how to make it last longer. To help you do just that, we compiled the following list of tips for spending less in 2020:

5 tips to getting your healthy on this summer!

May 15, 2020

With more of us likely staying close to home this summer, why not plan to either start a healthy and regular workout schedule or enhance your current routine? It’s never too late in the year to get your healthy on, so we’ve compiled a short list of tips to get you moving.

Is this the year for a staycation? How to kick back, relax and vacation at home

May 1, 2020

Summer is typically the time people start planning vacations—Disney World…cruises…the beach. This year, however, travel may not be in the cards. But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice down time and fun with the family. Make this the year you plan a fantastic staycation! Here are some tips to make sure you can kick back, relax and have a memorable time with a vacation at home.

Work-from-home best practices

April 15, 2020

The fact is that many of us are now working from home…and we’re not sure just how long this will be a necessity. With this in mind, we compiled a list of best practices to support a successful and secure work-from-home operation.

How to minimize distractions while working from home

April 1, 2020

Working from home has increased in popularity over the past several years. But today, amidst the COVID-19 crisis, it’s not only popular, but required for many. Moving from a hustle-and-bustle professional workspace to a home office can be a major transition for many. To help you make the move successfully, here are a few tips to reduce distractions while working from home:

Why file your tax return early? Lots of good reasons...

March 16, 2020

If April 15 always seems to sneak up on you, get out in front of this year’s tax deadline and file early. Here are a few top reasons why you should…

What you need to know about changes to retirement and 529 plans

February 24, 2020

The new budget bill passed by Congress on December 20, 2019 impacted both retirement and college savings plans. While many are still waiting for further guidance from the IRS on several details of the bill, we compiled a short list of the major changes that may affect you.

Smart tax tips for 2020

February 17, 2020

It’s that time of year when everyone can agree on one thing: Paying taxes is a drag. As we progress into a new tax season, follow these tips to help avoid a heavy tax burden this year:

5 tips for hosting magical meetings

February 3, 2020

Okay, so maybe not magical…but there are things you can do to rev up engagement in your meetings. After all, it’s likely that you spend at least 25 percent of your professional time in meetings, so why not put a little work into making them more appealing for all those involved. To get you started, give the following five tips a try:

Set your career goals for 2020

January 15, 2020

There’s no better time to talk about goals than the start of a new year. And what better topic than your career? The following are a few tips to help you set reasonable and achievable goals this year:

Financial resolutions for 2020…Get on a healthy track as the New Year kicks off

January 2, 2020

The New Year is the best time to take stock of your finances. So, as you begin the season of self-reflection and goal-making, take the time to review your spending and start making plans for a financially healthy 2020! Here are a few tips to get you started:

A healthy twist on holiday dessert favorites

December 16, 2019

The holidays are all about spreading cheer…not calories and cavities. So, why not try a few dessert recipes that put a healthier spin on some holiday treat favorites. We offer a few tested (and delicious) recipe ideas for you here:

Hosting an employee holiday party that is festive, frugal and free of stress

December 2, 2019

Hosting a holiday party for your staff is one of the best ways to show them you care—while also creating some meaningful, team-driven memories. Follow our tips below for hosting a memorable soiree that doesn’t push your stress or your budget past your limit.

Thinking about retiring? Here’s an easy 5-step calculation to see where you stand.

November 15, 2019

If you have retirement on your mind, the big question is this: Are you in a financial position to do so? While nothing replaces the advice of a seasoned advisor, you can take your first step to answering this question by applying a simple 5-step calculation.

Enjoy the deals without the Black Friday rush this year

November 8, 2019

If you’re not a fan of Black Friday chaos—you know…the crowds, the rush, the relentless search for a parking space—then ditch the onsite shopping this year while still enjoying the sweet deals.

What you need to know about the new overtime rule

November 1, 2019

The Department of Labor (DOL) announced a final rule that allows a much larger pool of employees to earn overtime if they work more than 40 hours per week. Specifically, the DOL raised the salary level for employees who are counted as “exempt” (or unable to earn overtime pay).

Launching another business? Be sure to cover a few business basics…

October 15, 2019

If you’re starting a second business, then you know everything that’s involved with a business launch. However, there are a few business basics that every entrepreneur should revisit before diving into another enterprise. Consider these business basics and then put them into a well-thought-out business plan:

3 cybersecurity tips to protect your small business

October 1, 2019

The 2019 small and midsized business (SMB) Cyberthreat Study from Keeper Security reported that nearly two out of three SMB owners do not feel threatened by or are not concerned about cyber attacks. Yet, in the previous year’s study, two out of three business owners reported falling victim to some level of data breach.

De-stress your workday!

September 16, 2019

We can all get caught up in the day…meetings, calls, texts, emails and the myriad of other workday demands that pile up quickly and can create unwanted stress.

About to get grillin' for Labor Day? Mind a few of our safety tips first.

August 29, 2019

Labor Day is upon us—a popular holiday that is dedicated to the millions of women and men who keep this country going strong. For many, it also means that it’s time to break out the grill for that big end-of-summer celebration. And because most of us aren’t Grill Masters, this is a good time for a refresh on some basic grilling safety tips to keep everyone safe and the party going.

Back to school on a budget: 4 solid tips to save you money

August 19, 2019

Let’s face it. Kids aren’t cheap, so you have to save money where you can. Back-to-school shopping is a good place to start because costs can add up quickly—especially if you have more than one child. Consider these tips for sending your kids back to school without breaking the bank.

$700 million is what Equifax will pay out as a result of its data breach. Make sure you get your share.

August 6, 2019

According to the commission's online claims process, those whose personal information was exposed can opt for 10 years of free credit monitoring, which breaks down as follows: Four years via the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) and six years specifically through Equifax.

Deducting kid’s summer camp and daycare costs under the Child and Dependent Care Credit

August 1, 2019

With all the tax law changes this year, be sure that you are getting your just deductions in the coming tax season. That is, qualifying deductions that fall under the Child and Dependent Care Credit. According to tax giant and trusted resource Intuit, here’s the skinny…

Traveling safe: Tips to keep you secure while on the road

July 15, 2019

These days, we seem to have endless articles on IT security while traveling, but far fewer on physical safety. Because summer can be big travel months for many businesses, we put together the following list of tips to help keep you safe while away from home.

Our New Website!

May 17, 2018

Valentine & Associates, CPAs, PLLC is excited to announce the recent launch of our firm’s new website. We’ve been working very hard to enhance our website and give our firm a fresh look. We’ve also continued to research and identify the latest and greatest technologies to improve the services we provide and ensure we continue to meet your needs.

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