The Holidays are upon us. Here's how to stay well organized, so you can enjoy them the most.
1. Do your online shopping first. Order gifts on the internet now, to allow time for shipping, returns and getting them wrapped.
2. Wrap after purchase. This keeps little ones from seeing what Santa has--and saves you that last minute pile-up of unwrapped gifts.
3. How are you fixed for glasses? The holidays often feature bigger entertaining. Make sure you have enough glassware and dishes for parties and meals.
4. Put the tree up and decorate. Getting it done by the coming weekend leaves your free to focus on your other holiday tasks.
5. Do your holiday meal menus. Decide what you'll be cooking and what others will bring, make up a master grocery list and order the turkey, ham or other centerpiece dish.
6. Do your nonperishable shopping. Get in all canned goods, pantry staples and bottled beverages.
7. Clean the house. Keeping the house neat makes decorations stand out. And clean out the refrigerator to make room for those bigger big holiday dishes.
8. Got kids? Get batteries! Make sure you have them on hand in all the right sizes.
9. Shop for your fresh foods. Get these ingredients two or three days before you'll need them.
10. Set the table ahead of time. That way you can concentrate on the food prep the day of the feast.
11. Don't forget fresh flowers. Get them two days before to give blooms time to open up.
12. Charge camera and video batteries. Charge spare batteries too, if you have them.
Now you're ready to relax and enjoy family and friends!
YOUR END-OF-THE-YEAR FINANCIAL CHECK-UPS
Now is the right time to take a look at a few financial matters:
1. Review health and dental care choices. Many employers allow you to make changes to your benefit plans now. Check with doctors and dentists to make sure they're still in your plan's preferred provider network and that your family has adequate coverage.
2. Review use-or-lose accounts. Pretax Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) are set up this way. Review your plan to see if you have some spending to do, or if your employer offers a grace period. Even then, make sure 2011 expenses are still allowed in 2012.
3. Review your withholding. Check the withholding calculator at the IRS website. If you haven't been withholding enough to cover your taxes, you might want to increase the amount on this year's remaining paychecks. Under-withholding can result in penalties.
4. Get ready for 2011 taxes. Check last year's returns to see who needs to send you what tax documents, and by when. Make a list and follow up if anyone holds you up at the beginning of the year. Also, check last year's return for itemized deductions. See if you should make deductible purchases now or wait until 2012.
Note: Be sure to consult with a tax professional before making any decisions related to your tax situation.
5. Set your 2012 financial goals. Now is the time to write down what you'd like to achieve financially next year. Save money for a down payment on a new house? Start a college fund for your kids? Put more into your retirement fund?
Remember, we're always here to answer any questions.... Have a great day!
PS With today's extremely low mortgage rates and home prices more affordable than ever, many people are upsizing, downsizing or refinancing. Please call or email us now to discuss your situation.
| This was sent to you because of your relationship with Dan Davidson. The material provided is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment and/or mortgage advice or a commitment to lend. Although the material is deemed to be accurate and reliable, there is no guarantee of its accuracy. The material contained in the newsletter is the property of PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company and cannot be reproduced for any use without prior written consent. PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company is an Equal Housing Lender. © 2011 PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company. Trade/service marks are the property of PlainsCapital Corporation, PlainsCapital Bank, or their respective affiliates and/or subsidiaries. Some products may not be available in all states. This is not a commitment to lend. Restrictions apply. All rights reserved. PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company (NMLS no: 13649) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of a state-chartered bank and is an exempt lender in the following states: AK, AR, CO, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IA, KS, KY, LA, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WV, WI, WY. Licensed by: AL State Banking Dept.- consumer credit lic no. MC21004; AZ Dept. of Financial Institutions- mortgage banker lic no. BK 0907334; Licensed by the Department of Corporations under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act- lender lic no. 4130996; CT Dept. of Banking- lender lic no. ML-13649; D.C. Dept. of Insurance, Securities and Banking- dual authority lic no. MLO13649; Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee, IL Dept of Financial and Professional Regulation, - lender lic no. MB.6760635; IN Dept. of Financial Institutions- sub lien lender lic no. 11169; ME Dept. of Professional & Financial Regulation- supervised lender lic no. SLM8285; MD Dept. of Labor, Licensing & Regulation- lender lic no. 11058; Massachusetts Division of Banking– lender & broker license nos. MC5404, MC5406, MC5414, MC5450, MC5405; MI Dept. of Labor & Economic Growth- broker/lender lic nos. FR 0010163 and SR 0012527; Licensed by the New Hampshire Banking Department- lender lic no. 14553-MB; NJ Dept. of Banking and Insurance-lender lic no. 0803658; NM Regulation and Licensing Dept. Financial Institutions Division- lender license no. 01890; ND Dept. of Financial Institutions- money broker lic no. MB101786; RI Division of Banking- lender lic no. 20102678LL and broker lic no. 20102677LB; TX OCCC Reg. Loan License- lic no. 7293; VT Dept. of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration- lender lic no. 6127 and broker lic no. 0964MB; WA Dept. of Financial Institutions-consumer lender lic no. 520-CL-49075. PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company is an Equal Housing Opportunity Lender. NMLS# 10331 |
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