Posted by Carolyn Thompson on Jul 23, 2014 in
Job Search,
Thinking Positive 
Even if you were lucky enough to keep your job during the last several unstable years, you may not be happy with your current financial situation. Just like a walk through a dangerous jungle, you are always alert 
and ready to make a jump to new opportunities or run away from predators. And, like many other consumers, you probably have taken serious debts. You might be thinking about finding a new job, but with the state of today’s job market you may not want to risk your current position. There are many online jobs available that can supplement your current salary. Millions of people work at part-time jobs as freelancers and contractors from the comfort of their homes.
With such a large number of job opportunities available in the work-at-home field your personal story will be unique, and the pay may vary. Before you jump into online employment, consider getting familiar with some new technologies and techniques such as HTML and WordPress. Here are some options you may choose for supplemental income:
- If your jungle animal likes to take it slow and steady like the sloth, you might think about becoming a Survey Taker.
If you only have couple of free hours a week to commit to your part-time online job, you could consider a low-maintenance job like survey-taking. The best paying surveys focus on in-depth questions that are targeted at specific groups of people. And even if you don’t qualify for some surveys, as they usually have demographic and educational restrictions, you will surely find some general surveys that will accept your opinion.
- Have some features in common with a tiger? Consider being a Marketing Affiliate.
If you already have a blog or personal website, you can supplement your income by monetizing it and becoming a marketing affiliate. If you are comfortable promoting products and services of other people on your site, you could earn extra cash. Build up your audience by promoting just couple of niche vendors, and if you have enough time, consider creating a separate website for each niche, so that you drive the separate search traffic.
- Or maybe you are as flexible and wise as the boa? Then Freelance Writer is just for you.
There are dozens of specialized websites for talented people who want to earn some cash with the help of their writing talent. If you are able to write a couple of paragraphs a day, you may be able to build a nice portfolio that will help you generate some cash. Remember – the more the boa eats, the bigger it becomes. So always search for new experiences.
This guest post was contributed by Maria who writes for Job Tonic. If you have a great idea for a jungle-themed post, , let us know! Guest writers or requests are always welcome!
Tags: ads, blog, guest, income, supplemental income, survey, writer
Posted by Carolyn Thompson on Apr 13, 2012 in
Lessons Learned
It’s Friday the 13th of April, 2012! Whether you are superstitious or not, this day might be considered lucky or unlucky since it would generally be two days before you were required to file your federal tax return for last year. However, because of a combination of the calendar, a holiday, and tax law, Tax Day 2012 is delayed until Tuesday, April 17, 2012.
Why is this? First, April 15 is a Sunday and all federal offices are traditionally closed on Sundays. This means that taxes can’t be filed on April 15, as regularly scheduled. Rather, the tax due date should roll over to the first available business day — Monday.
However, this year Monday happens to be April 16, Emancipation Day, a holiday local to the District of Columbia that has impact nationwide. Since 2005, Emancipation Day has remembered President Abraham Lincoln’s April 16, 1862, signing of the Compensated Emancipation Act, which freed the city’s 3,128 slaves. In honor of this day, Washington, D.C.’s governmental institutions are closed.
And federal law gives taxpayers the gift of an extra day … Tax Day rolls over to the next business day, Tuesday, April 17. (Please note that you may have tax forms that say they are due April 16. They were printed before the IRS realized the Emancipation Day conflict.)
Despite the 2-day change, as a reminder, the deadline to file a federal tax return with extension has not changed. That filing date remains October 15, 2012.
Remember, state filing deadlines vary by state but most states have chosen to mirror the IRS’ tax deadlines this year even though Emancipation Day is specific to Washington, D.C. Be sure to check with your accountant to confirm your local filing deadlines.
Having said all of that now might be a good time to start thinking about making this whole process a little easier on yourself for next year with some pre-tax planning organization and preparation. For those who have had multiple jobs or less income because of the economy, your tax return could mean a huge difference so being prepared is the best thing you can do.
First, get your yearly information to your accountant as soon as you can in January/February. Many people wait until the last minute before the deadline and then file an extension when, with just a little pre-planning, you can have all your information organized in advance and be nearly done before the New Years Eve ball drops on Times Square. More to celebrate!
Second, don’t just dump your receipts in a box and expect your accountant to figure out what they are all for, particularly if you are a habitual last minute filer. Using one credit card for business expenses is a great way to keep things more organized but you need to take one step further and allocate those costs to supplies, entertainment, office equipment purchases, etc. Doing so each month when you are reviewing your credit card bill can help ensure the chore is not so large when it comes time to file your return.
Thirdly, seek out your accountant’s expertise and ask for tax planning advice. Your accountant is a valuable resource and can assist you throughout the year with ways to maximize deductions on certain items if you consult them in advance.
Remember these tax tips and good luck Jungle Adventurers on Friday the 13th!
Tags: accountant, deadline, emancipation day, expectations, expenses, Friday the 13th, income, IRS, organization, preparation, superstition, tax deadline, tax return, taxes
