The economy is in the gutter.  Gas prices are at all time highs.  The kids are whining that there is nothing to do this summer.  Don’t spend thousands of dollars on an expensive family vacation.  This is the year that frugral families are staying home and taking a staycation.  Give it a try.
Read the rest of this entry »

Are you worried about the economy and how your finances will be affected? Will your business still thrive? Only YOU can answer these questions. A positive attitude is what will keep you and your finances in control.

Someone near and dear to me was laid off last week. He did not panic, cringe or scream. He has an emergency cushion to help his family survive temporarily and his family has a POSITIVE plan in place.
Read the rest of this entry »

Luke 10:38-42
“Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’* feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” And Jesus* answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” NKJV

Read the rest of this entry »

Do you have a vacation coming up that you have been looking forward to? As it gets closer, are you starting to feel a little stressed? Are you thinking of all the planning, packing and travel and feel overwhelmed? Do you think to yourself, “Why is this called a vacation again?”

There are some steps that you can take to help you get the most fun out of your family vacation, while also minimizing the stress. After all, we take vacations for enjoyment and relaxation, right?
Read the rest of this entry »

Your child is special. There is no one just like him or like her in the whole world. Did you know that?

I hear that everyone has a twin somewhere. There may be someone who looks a lot like us, but we each have our own DNA and personality. It’s just a little bit of difference that makes us unique. I’m still amazed that of all the people in the world that have come and gone that are and will come, no one is just like my daughter and no one matches my son completely. And it’s their uniqueness that makes them so special.

We all ooh and ah over our newborns and look upon them as pretty special. But it’s when they grow older, and caring for them has taken a toll on us that we are tempted to put them aside a little bit. On days when a strong willed three year old enforces his ‘no’ by throwing your vase at the wall, or a five year old begs you to read ‘The Cat in The Hat’ for the umpteenth time, you may begin to take their specialness for granted.

But this is exactly when they need your unwavering love and affirmation. Good thing God loves us in our trying moments. He lets us know He loves us and He builds us up with His Word: He affirms us.

Read the rest of this entry »

Managing your money is an important life skill. If you handle your personal finances wisely, you will enjoy peace of mind, financial security, buying power and freedom.

Money management does not need to be complicated and should be a routine exercise.

There are three secrets to money that I share with elementary children when we are doing money workshops.
Read the rest of this entry »

IRS has increased the standard mileage rates due to the rising gas prices. The rate for business miles driven from July 1- December 31, 2008 has increased to $0.585 a mile. The new rate for computing deductible medical or moving expenses has increased to $0.27 cents a mile. The rate for providing services for charitable organizations is set by statute, not the IRS and remains at $0.14 cents a mile.

You will need to separate your mileage for January-June 30, 2008 and July 1 - December 31, 2008 at tax time so that the correct rates are applied on your return.

We have a mileage log form available on our website at www.JFSMONEY.com. Please feel free to print off copies and keep in your vehicles so that you may log your mileage, as well as, the purspose and the dates. Please feel free to contact me or your tax professional for any questions. I can be reached at johnsonfinancialsvc@hotmail.com or 816-289-0476.

Lesley Johnson, EA

Whenever we discuss health and fitness, the subject of weight loss or achieving our ideal weight is always going to be a part of the conversation.

Weight loss is a very big issue (no pun intended) and a growing portion of the population are desperate to attain a thin physique in any way they can. This paves the way for all types of pills, powders and potions to be marketed in a billion dollar weight loss industry; preying on peoples desire to lose weight whether it is in a healthy way or not.
Read the rest of this entry »

In spite of the promise of the “paperless office,” studies predict there will be 50% more paper in offices by the end of 2005 than there was in 1995. Only 10% of the people in a recent survey by University of Washington School of Information were happy with the way they handled electronic information. Research shows the average worker spends 150 hours per year looking for misplaced information, but 80% of what we keep we never use.

If you’ve tried to organize your desk in the past, but it didn’t last, consider these tips from Elizabeth Hagen, CPO® to eliminate clutter, reduce stress, and increase results: Read the rest of this entry »

Studies have shown that every one minute you spend planning saves you 10 minutes of execution.

Do you look at your office or home and feel totally overwhelmed by the clutter, piles, and stuff? Do you wonder where to start? Do you want to run out in terror?!

I know what it’s like to feel like your home or office is totally out of control instead of you being in control. I know that this feeling causes stress and anxiety. And, can make you a not very nice person to live or work with!

There’s hope. I work with overwhelmed people every day and help them get focused, organized, and productive in their home and office. But, you need a plan.
Read the rest of this entry »