Author: Jennifer Brazer

Tax season may not be your favorite part of the year, but it could be more rewarding if you know the right strategies. You may be losing money without realizing it in deductions and unclaimed tax credits. Consider the following questions to potentially lower your bill with Uncle Sam or even to receive a refund.

Did you pay for a caregiver?

Whether it is for a babysitter for your newborn or for care in the home for another family member, if you paid for the care of your dependent child under the age of 13 or another qualifying person, you could claim a tax credit from the child.

The tax credit can be up to 35% for as much as $3,000 for a child or dependent or $6,000 for two or more. Depending on how much you paid for qualifying expenses while working or looking for a job, as well as the amount of your adjusted gross income, you could receive a tax credit of $1,050 for one dependent or $2,100 for two or more.

You may be able to claim the dependent care credit even if you contribute dollars before taxes to a flexible dependent care account (DCFSA) provided by the employer. However, keep in mind that you may not get full dependent care credit if you contribute to a DCFSA.

Did you sell stocks or mutual funds of shares?

If you sold stocks or mutual funds, Note footnote 1 of a taxable account. Do not forget to include the number of reinvested dividends used to acquire shares; otherwise, it may pay more erroneously for capital gains taxes on shares bought with reinvested dividends. The best way to make sure you are correctly calculating your capital gains tax is to keep all your investment statements, which show how many stocks you bought with reinvested dividends throughout the life of your account.

Did anyone in your family attend college or graduate school?

If you, your spouse, or your dependent child were in college for at least half of the year, you could get the American Opportunity Tax Credit for up to $2,500 per student. The credit is for tuition and certain related expenses in educational institutions that qualify and can be claimed annually for each student’s first four years of study. You can get the full credit if your modified adjusted gross income is $80,000 or less ($160,000 for married couples who file a joint return). The credit is eliminated for modified adjusted gross income above $90,000 ($180,000 for married couples filing a joint return).

Instead, you can claim perpetual life-long learning credit of up to $2,000 per tax return for college or graduate enrollment and certain related expenses, subject to certain income limitations. You cannot claim both credits for the same student’s expenses on a tax return. Document your expenses and keep tuition bills and receipts for school-related books and materials in a safe place, as they may be necessary at the time of taxes. For more information on these and other tax benefits related to education, see the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) general description on the compensation of education costs.

Did you make donations to a charity?

Did you give money or donate goods to organizations or causes that are important to you on Giving Tuesday or any other day of the year? If so, you can obtain tax benefits from your donation. Keep all those receipts and check your checkbook and credit card bills to refresh your memory about the donations you have made. You can get more information about the rules for charitable contributions on the IRS website.

Are you a member of the National Guard or military reservist who traveled for work reasons?

The federal tax code allows deductions for some travel expenses related to military service, including mileage, hotel, parking, tolls, and some food costs. If you are an Armed Forces Reservist and travel overnight more than 100 miles from your home for your service, you may qualify to deduct unreimbursed travel expenses. You do not need to itemize deductions, and these deductions are not subject to the adjusted gross income limits. The IRS has more information about this and other tax benefits available to reservists.

Did you make your home more energy-efficient, or did you buy an electric vehicle?

With respect to the environment: you may be able to claim a tax credit of up to 30% of the cost and installation of certain renewable energy systems. This credit is available for qualified properties, including certain solar properties, put into service before the end of 2021.

If you purchased a qualifying electric vehicle before 2018, you could claim a tax credit of $2,500 to $7,500.

Did you make mortgage interest payments or points?

You may deduct the interest you pay on your original or refinanced mortgage for your primary home and other property that is considered a qualifying residence, up to certain limits. If you paid mortgage points (prepaid interests that help you get a lower rate) on your mortgage, you could also deduct them. Visit the IRS website for a list of the criteria you must meet to deduct mortgage points.

Did you contribute to a retirement account on a tight budget?

Saving for retirement when you do not earn much can also save you money at the time of taxes. If your adjusted gross income is less than $31,500 ($63,000 for married couples filing jointly), you may qualify for the retirement savings contribution credit, also known as the saver’s credit. Qualifying individuals can get a tax credit of up to 50% of their retirement plan contributions of up to $2,000 ($4,000 for married couples who file a joint return, depending on their adjusted gross income). The IRS offers more details about eligible people and retirement plans that qualify for the credit.

Maybe filing your tax return is the last thing you want to do in your free time, but it can pay off. Consider deductions and credits that are usually overlooked to minimize your tax bill and save more cash in your pocket.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

We agreed that business and their promotion approaches had experienced a massive changeover in the last few years. Progressively and slowly, the ritual technique of business promotion and brand awareness vanishes away due to the advent of modern technical development and revolution.

In today’s world, some of the promotional techniques that are going to grab the client’s or customer’s attention are search engine optimization, social media marketing, content marketing, affiliate marketing, online advertising, and many more. It seems that these aspects, commonly identified as digital marketing methods, have become so obligatory for any business. Be it medium scale, small scale, or large scale.

Any digital marketing agency must provide milage to the startup business idea to new business or enterprises. Such digital marketing strategies serve startup businesses and companies in developing and growing their digital marketing footprints in this technological generation of digitalization.

Many small businesses and startups result in limited results by implementing digital promotional methods and strategies. The digital marketing method supports startup business concepts online and helps startup businesses to sell their product or services and increase their targets. Here we are sharing some impacts of online promotion on startups.

Conversion of Potential Customers

Digital marketing methods like remarketing, website optimization, search engine optimization, social advertising, and pay per click help the customers to inspire as well as convert audience to using their brand instead of their competitors by targeting audience behavior, better interaction with the audience, build trust and building innovative strategies which would push the audience to indulge with the company to get attract furthermore.  

Social Media Promotion/ Marketing impacts

It is most difficult to convince customers or clients why they should avail of our services, why we are different or unique from others, what services and benefits we are providing, and how your business can help your clients. Social media marketing (SMM) is a key that could help you to provide sales or leads and increase your brand awareness. But any company account is irrelevant without having a social media strategy. you can target your audience by using this strategy, which has a direct impact on your business.

Target audience through Email Marketing

For startup and mall businesses, email marketing is a must-having strategy to scale their business rapidly as it helps the organization develop its list of interested and loyal users. Word of mouth marketing is more worth able technically, but both of them are equally exclusive. Sending different sorts of discounted offers and coupon codes by using email marketing is the best promotion method. As the coupon code possibly develops your email within no time and increases the number of customers.

Rank in search engine

Search engine optimization is one of the most significant things for every small business or startup to get success is to discover their target audience online, and the better option for that is through the search engine. But search engines display only the name of the brand you look for, and no one will know about your business as a startup. Here comes the significance of SEO, which has to be applied along the lines of growing your startup business to attain better results as it will help you have the traffic of valuable clients for your business.

Target the audience through Content Marketing

For a startup business, content marketing is mandatory now. Whether you are working in B2C or B2B domain. When you plan for your startup content strategy method to follow your customer’s journey’s various stages, you build creative thought for useful content that your target audience will love to read and solve their issues. This finally creates trust as well as increases conversion rates.

Lead Generation

The digital marketing campaigns for small and startup business ideas help produce new leads for the customers to analyze and track the number of visitors on their main website. Also, try to build content and design according to a specific promotion campaign.

Bottom Line

Different marketing methods are highly effective for all startup businesses to promote and reach a large audience. As it becomes more important to connect to your audience through online platforms and conduct digital promotion of your business, these marketing strategies proved highly beneficial for a business’s success.

 

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

There are many tools used to promote a business and highlight marketing efforts done by the business. These tools can include a social media presence, print campaigns, and purchasing ads to be run on various media sources.

However, it is also critical that a business has a showcase website. A website showcasing your products and services will let your customers know what you have to offer and lend credibility to your business. In recent research polls, many customers stated that if a business does not have a website, they will generally search for an alternative because there is some distrust.

Therefore, you should put some effort into building a showcase website or hire a professional web designer to create one for you. Here are six steps to creating an effective showcase website.

Define Your Target Audience

The first step in launching a showcase website is to think about its goals, target, and content. Who do you want to reach with your showcase website? What content does this target interest? What information do you want to place in your business? The creation of a website, whatever it is, requires a minimum of reflection. Once you know who your showcase website is for and what it should contain, you will be able to create a clear shopfront website where information is easy to find and properly prioritized.

Website Maintenance

Having a showcase website is a good thing, but it is still necessary that its design, its visual, be convincing. Certainly, if your profession has nothing to do with the internet or IT, you do not necessarily expect that you master creating a website at your fingertips. Nevertheless, if your website does not look professional, your prospects will likely disregard the products or services you have to offer.

You need a high-quality showcase website design that can convince your prospects and customers that they want to do business with your company.

Focus on Content

On the internet, the content is king! Texts, videos, photos, maps, etc. More your website will offer useful content, and more it will be interesting for your target. Moreover, the content is what will allow the referencing of a showcase website on search engines. The important thing is to focus on the content that directly interests your target and your prospects.

Do not forget, of course, the most basic information, starting with your opening hours, contact information, services, products, etc. But do not hesitate to go further. Clearly explain your work methods, your know-how. Know how to propose convincing and reassuring texts for your target. The idea is, of course, to convince them to contact you or visit your store. Sometimes, creating a business blog on your showcase website is ideal for convincing a prospect or customer while promoting SEO.

Finally, think about prioritizing your content correctly. A user must understand from your home page where he must click to discover such and such information.

Refresh Your Website

Many showcase websites are suffering from the “outdated” syndrome. In many cases, website creators launch their site and then leave it behind. Of course, the goal is not to update a showcase website every day but to show Internet users that you are always active and dynamic in your industry.

If it is important that the information on your website (addresses, contact details, prices, etc.) is up to date, it is also important for the user to see that you are still active. A “News” section could, for example, allow you to regularly give some news about your company (event, new product, participation in a show, etc.). It’s a good way to make a website welcoming and alive.

Answer Customer’s Questions

We talked about the importance of content on a website, but it’s just as important to offer the content that customers are looking for directly. If you regularly receive the same questions from your customers and prospects, or if your industry needs to answer certain questions or erase fears, you may need to write an FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions).

A FAQ section on a showcase website is a good way to bring quality content and interest to users. Answer the most basic questions about yourself or your business. Never forget that in addition to providing information, the FAQ can also be a promotional tool. By answering the questions, you are free to highlight the quality of your services or your know-how.

Have Contact Information

Finally, note that it is important to indicate your means of contact and location on your website. Indeed, a showcase website is not a means of communication apart, which is content to talk about your company. On the contrary, it must lead the customer directly to you, or even push him to ask you questions or, of course, to frequent your store.

For this, you must naturally have a clear and easy-to-find contact page, which contains all your contact details (postal address, e-mail address, telephone number). Encourage the user to contact you by showing that you are available and open to any exchange. Indeed, the key to a website showcase is to push the user to action. If a user can browse your website without going further, they will quickly forget you or move onto another business with a better and more accessible website.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Many people dream of owning their own business, but not all entrepreneurs have sound knowledge of accounting and finance. Still, they work tirelessly to make their business succeed financially.

We know that it can appear overwhelming that you need to focus on your expense structure, the great administration of your accounting, expanding capital, discovering what you can deduct from assessments, etc.

Bookkeeping and accounting can be irritating and overwhelming to an entrepreneur. The business’ finances are one more undertaking that should be set apart on a business owner’s must-do agenda. The truth is that to maintain a fruitful and productive business, an entrepreneur should have comprehensive knowledge of accounting and finance.

Prepare knowledge of accounting

Regardless, you can pick up the information yourself. There are some extraordinary eBooks and courses accessible on these issues. Bookkeeping is a significant aspect of achieving a progressively proficient comprehension of records.

You can likewise work with an accountant or bookkeeper. Somebody who can enable you to cruise through all duty leads and sort out your undertakings mindfully. All business people achieve a moment that they comprehend the fund isn’t just about covering government obligations and announcing results once every year.

Analyze the benefits of accounting and finance

Accounting has various significant features which can make the future of your business on a safe toll. According to Forbes, accounting can make prior predictions and can help in measuring and reassessing progress.

While you are dreaming about new businesses and independent ventures and hoping to have incredible results, be that as it may, dreams need a strong, like-minded base to abandon pie in the sky, thinking to face reality.

That is the reason any business person needs to stick to three essential projections: “Future incomes, future working expenses, and resources expected to benefit future interest. ” Accounting and back advance in, as they offer the explanatory devices for interfacing desires with what’s conceivable in reality.

Bookkeeping enables business visionaries to be increasingly dependable regarding time, vitality, and cash being contributed. It encourages them to be progressively productive in pulling in clients and in moving their merchandise or administrations. All business visionaries make responsibilities after some time. Cost bookkeeping, which estimates costs and relates them to exercises, is basic. This makes it clearer for a business how benefits and income are affected by operational and money-related choices.

Assessment of progress of your business

If you are an entrepreneur and want to expedite benefits associated with your business, keep a check on your accounts. Accounting can help you verify benefits, review your progression, make reports, and deal with your business as it is required with time.

You can monitor your progress by assessing advantages and expenses to see whether you’ve turned out productive and advantageous and highlight issues in your domain. Through cash-related examination, you end up being continuously clear and careful in keeping up your business.

Looking at your finance or hiring a bookkeeping expert can help you generate an extraordinary business profit. For a business visionary, in all aspects, accounting and finance are just implementations to achieve three key errands:

1. To state or predict the future of finances.
2. Enabling you to be responsible and help manage time and finances and increasingly effective scaling of cash to pull in clients and convey products and ventures to a bigger extent.
3. To quantify and reassess your advancement, so you can support productive practices, report advancement to outsiders, and change requirements when needed.

Hopeful business people must figure out how to handle bookkeeping and record devices instead of only building up the capacity to spew equations and recreate budget summaries in cautiously controlled conditions, to meet these three targets.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

A franchise can be a great way to start your own business from a well-established brand. This type of business is generally profitable immediately since the overall company is known to customers worldwide. Running a franchise can be a challenge despite the business having an established company reputation behind it.

However, if you have the money to invest in a franchise and desire to own a business, becoming a franchisee is the best path to take. Here are four steps to starting a business as a franchisee.

Establish a personal balance sheet

Starting as a franchisee is not a decision to take lightly, so it’s better to think about it beforehand. For this, the personal assessment is an excellent tool.

But what is the question under this rather strict term?

See this as a phase of introspection, after which you will be more able to make your decision knowingly.

Concretely, you will have to focus your thinking around two axes:

The Human Side

The enthusiasm of starting a business can make you grow wings and put you in a situation of “tunnel vision”: you think of nothing else than that, which can mislead you. Ask yourself several questions about your motivations and your skills. Here are some examples to help you get started more easily:

“Why becomes a franchisee?”

“Am I ready to change my habits?”

“Can I invest alone in this adventure, or should I call someone else?”

Do I have the will to create from scratch? On the contrary, do I favor entrepreneurship within an existing framework?

“Am I able to challenge myself easily?”

“Is becoming a creative and business owner currently compatible with my personal life?

“What are my needs in terms of salary? Where do I see myself in five years? Ten years?”

Once you have thrown enough questions on the table and found an answer to each of them, do the same for the second part.

The Business Side

Again, take the time to ask the right questions and find the answers in yourself. Once is not customary, here are some tracks:

Do I have expertise in a field of activity?

Do I have a particular appetite for certain areas of activity?

What are my strengths from a professional point of view?

“What skills do I lack?”

“How can I get help on the points listed in the question above?”

“Am I able to run a business alone?”

“Do I want to become a franchisee in a field of activity I already know? Start from nothing?”

“Recruiting and managing employees, does it seem possible for me?”

From the moment you have answered all your questions, and none of the answers is crippling in the context of your project, it is because you are ready for the second point.

To know that if you have difficulties completing this first step, it is possible to get help from various organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. These organizations can help you in this process.

Determine the business sector

Become a franchisee, yes but in which sector? If a priori is a natural point at first glance, it still deserves to be deepened to avoid unpleasant surprises. Since you are in a professional approach, you must focus on your career in the world of work.

To be clear about its financing capacity

If creating a franchise can provide several benefits, it does not mean that the creation process is free. Franchising already requires paying entrance fees to the network of franchises that you join: between $5,000 and $100,000. These expenses are mainly used to compensate the franchisor, which must, particularly, amortize the costs it will have to generate to help you start your business. Apart from the most expensive franchises, it is rare for the price to exceed $100,000.

However, other elements can drive up the addition: the stock needed to start the activity is an excellent example that should not be underestimated. Do you think you do not have enough personal funds to get started?

So do not hesitate to make an appointment with your banker to tell them about your project, present your business plan and possibly apply for a professional loan that will get you started. The latter will probably ask you for a personal contribution that can be significant. You can also ask for help from family and friends if you are unable to raise this amount.

Find the right franchiser

If the previous points are settled, you must look for the franchisor most relevant to your project. Limit yourself to the actors in the field of activity you have chosen: this will save you from having an endless list to deal with.

Then comes the contact with the various franchisers interesting you.

One element you need to recover from all your interlocutors is the DIP (Precontractual Information Document). Inside this document, you will find a lot of beneficial information for your reflection, such as financial elements, network, or the extent of its market.

As the franchisor provides this information, do not hesitate to compare it and cross-check it with other sources to ensure the transparency of your potential partner. 

You can buy balance sheets from other franchisees in the network to get an idea of ​​the opportunities and risks to become a franchisee for this business. Tip: The list of all franchisees is included in the DIP. Attention: a franchisor urges you to sign a contract quickly, or you dazzle benefits that seem disproportionate?

Stay on your guard and pay close attention to his DIP. Do not hesitate to leave searching for returns from other franchisees, allowing them to have objective opinions. It is not uncommon for franchisors in financial difficulty to try to rally the most business creators to their network to keep their business afloat. In this case, run away.

Conclusion

As you may have noticed, becoming a franchisee requires a certain amount of rigor and following the key steps. But luckily, you will be accompanied by the franchisor to start your journey. Then, it’s up to you to build the right strategy to achieve success.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

When it comes to improving the financial management of any company, two elements must be combined. First, you must have a full understanding of the business and its operations. Second, you must be forward-thinking and always looking to add value through technology and innovation.

For this reason, the proposed guidelines take both of these elements into account. Not surprisingly, we must remember that there are specific circumstances, such as the business’s nature, age, and ownership. Here are six ways to improve the financial management of your company.

Be clear about the company’s cost structure

One of the recurring problems is liquidity due to not knowing the real costs of the company’s activity. If this aspect is considered, you can save yourself from late fees. On the other hand, this information will be valuable to have a remnant adapted to the moment’s circumstances.

It is important to remember this so that there are no problems in the medium term. Not knowing the cost structure is a complicated situation because the primary reference is lacking.

Follow the Business Plan and update it according to the situation

Company 3.0 follows a methodology for success. Financial management can be improved if the guidelines of the business plan are followed and updated when there are favorable circumstances. In this way, the rational management of each dollar will be achieved.

Many cases of faulty management are motivated by a lack of method in handling money. Changes have to be motivated and always directed within a margin. The time of great intuitions or hunches is coming to an end.

Improve the cash cycle

The improvement in the cash cycle is critical to become competitive and improve finances. Elements such as the time it takes to pay suppliers, the time it takes to collect, or the stock transformation for sale are of great importance. Anything that is aimed at improving the cash cycle for cash is acceptable.

Simplify operations with financial institutions

We are aware that simplifying work with financial entities is sometimes tricky. In any case, it is good to reduce the number of accounts with which to operate to avoid duplicating management or maintenance expenses.

Besides, no one is aware that this technique can allow negotiating better conditions with the client. On the other hand, it is even better if you can make regular use of electronic banking.

Improve the management of unpaid debts

One of the critical points in the financial management of a company is that of defaults. It is often preferable to negotiate a partial or fractional charge to give up all the money. One way to do this is to commission a worker from the company or outsource the work to a specialized company. For this reason, dedicating time to this aspect is essential to improve the company’s results.

Use management software

Management software can be a useful tool when it comes to the financial management of your company. You can do your research as to which management software will work best for your company. You can also have a professional in financial management help you choose the right software for your company according to your needs and the company’s size.

Conclusion

The use of the software can help and much to improve your efficiency. However, something important to remember is that there will always be a point where your knowledge will make a difference. Consequently, everything related to improving the financial management of your company has to do with both aspects, technology and human capital.

Knowing how to choose an accounting program will help you carry out more actions in less time if it guarantees you the possibility of contacting the tax agency to carry out the procedures quickly, all the better. If you can improve the financial management of your company, you can unleash the potential to grow and sustain your business in the long term and survive difficult times like a pandemic.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Consumers, finance experts, companies, and banks have begun to wonder when the expansionary monetary policy of the European Central Bank (ECB) will end. The forecast of interest rates in the next year points to a rise that would end the measures to increase the currency in the eurozone.

The Governing Council of the ECB, the body that defines European monetary policies, announced after its June 2018 meeting that interest rates or money prices would remain at their current levels until at least the summer of 2019.

The interest rate with which the ECB lends money to banks is 0% since March 2016, the record low to date. This measure was promoted after the economic crisis to promote the eurozone’s growth and increase the money in circulation.

Long haul loan costs allude to extended estimations of government bonds developing in ten years. It is estimated as a rate. Estimate information is determined by making a general evaluation of the monetary atmosphere in only nations and the world economy, all in all, utilizing a mix of model-based investigations and measurable pointer models.

In a quickly developing economy, salaries go up rapidly, and an ever-increasing number of individuals have the cash to purchase the current pack of products. As increasingly more cash pursues the current arrangement of merchandise, the costs of such products rise.

Growth spikes. To contain growth, a nation’s national bank regularly pokes up the financing costs in the economy. Like this, it boosts individuals to spend less and spare more since sparing turns out to be more gainful as loan fees go up. As an ever-increasing number of individuals decide to spare, cash is drained out of the market, and the expansion rate moderates.

The ECB president has left the door open to a possible extension of cheap money to ensure its main objective: maintaining price stability in the eurozone with inflation below 2% in the medium term. However, his term ended in October 2019, and the decision will remain in the new president’s hands.

On the other hand, the ECB has repeatedly assured that the rates would remain stable until the end of the billionaire asset purchase program that started in March 2015. This extraordinary measure of money injection into banks, which will reach 2 55 billion euros, ends at the end of 2018.

After these not too factual statements, the different theories that set a possible date for the expected rise in rates begin. For example, it could occur at the end of 2019, in the hands of Draghi’s successor, according to a recent Bloomberg survey of 45 economists.

The credit rating agency Fitch also thinks about it and estimates that the ECB will undertake its first-rate hikes in 2019, up to 0.5%, due to the good progress of the European economy.

Apart from the different forecasts that do not clear up the unknown interest rate rise in the next year, the ECB keeps forecasts of GDP growth and inflation for the next two years in the eurozone. In 2019, it estimated a GDP increase of 1.9% and inflation of 1.7%. The next year, it calculates an economic growth of 1.7% and inflation of 1.7%.

How does the next year’s interest rate forecast affect me?

An interest rate forecast in the next year that points to a rise will immediately affect banking products. For example, the interest they pay for paid deposits and payroll accounts or the cost of variable-rate mortgages is what most worries the consumer.

The cost of variable-rate mortgages, the most widespread in Spain, depends on the 12-month Euribor price. The Euribor is the interest rate applied to transactions between European banks: what one bank pays to another in exchange for a loan. As soon as the ECB raises rates, the Euribor will also rise, making mortgages more expensive.

An interest rate forecast in the next year that implies a rise will also increase the credit to families. With zero rates, banks can ask the ECB for money without taking risks. When this situation changes, the cost of private credit will increase so that banks can maintain the profitability of their operations.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Are you thinking about buying a new car but do not know how to finance it? Most people finance their vehicles. These are the six most common ways to do it. Which one is best for you?

Obtain a personal loan from a financial institution

It is the most common form of financing and is usually offered by banks, savings banks, and other credit institutions. To access these loans, you will have to show that you have good credit and that you will be able to return the money within the agreed period.

The interests and the total costs can vary a lot between the different loan providers, making the purchase of the vehicle much more expensive. Keep in mind that the provider will pretend to secure the loan with one of your assets. By doing this, you may put your possessions at risk.

Pros: you can process it quickly and dispose of the funds almost immediately.

Cons: the risk and the interest rate can be high.

Obtain a loan from a friend or relative

Another option is to get a loan from a friend, relative, or acquaintance instead of from a credit institution. In this case, it is important to discuss the loan in detail and leave everything in writing to avoid future problems.

Pros: it is unnecessary to perform any solvency analysis, and you will have more flexibility in terms. Depending on your relationship with the person who lends you the money, the interest rate may be lower or even non-existent.

Cons: You can put at risk a friendship or a family relationship.

Purchase in installments

This method of financing is based on purchasing by installments. It consists of signing a contract with the seller (local or international) by which you agree to buy a vehicle in a certain period. You can use the vehicle while paying fixed monthly fees until paying the full price. You will be the registered driver and responsible for insurance and vehicle maintenance, but the seller will be the legal owner until the last payment is effective. Afterward, the car will be completely owned by you.

Pros: sellers offer this alternative directly, and it is quite simple and quick to process. Payments are flexible, and the deposit is generally small.

Cons: You may end up paying more in the long term because the interest rate will generally be higher, which is also a drawback. Unlike flexible financing, you usually cannot change the car for another model once it is your property.

Flexible financing

The largest car brands offer the possibility of a flexible payment plan. It is an option similar to the purchase in installments with some differences. Unlike the previous method, when you complete all the payments, you can decide to keep the car or return it without any commitment or exchange it for another model of the same brand and pay the difference.

You could also negotiate a discount for the new model. This option is usually offered for specific models of the brand and not for all available cars.

Pros: You can change your mind at the end of the contract about which car you want to have. You have the confidence that offers you a great brand of vehicles recognized in the market.

Cons: Contract terms may be less flexible in negotiating than with an installment purchase.

Financial leasing

If you are considering renting a car through the option of leasing or renting, you will have to make a monthly payment to the leasing entity to use the vehicle. The only requirement is that the mileage cannot exceed a specified limit. At the end of the contract, you will have to return the vehicle to the entity or buy it for its residual value (some dealers do not offer the purchase option).

Pros: you will not have to worry about the depreciation of the vehicle, and you can easily switch to another model.

Cons: the total costs of the operation can be high due to all the included services. A penalty may have to be paid in the case of exceeding the allowed mileage limit.

Save and pay with things you do not use

You do not need to get involved in any financial agreement if you already have some money saved, you have received an inheritance, you own an old car and sell it, or other things that you can get rid of to earn money. There is also an unlikely event that the lottery will touch you. Then, you will have enough money to pay for your new vehicle.

Pros: you will not pay interest or depend on anyone else.

Cons: It may take more time than other alternatives. It requires a greater economic effort, and not everyone can afford this option.

In conclusion, buying a new car does not have to be a problem for you. There is an alternative for every need, lifestyle, or pocket. Then, get rid of your old car now and get a new one! You can start by finding out how much you could get for it.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Currently, the apparel markets far exceed that of electronics and sporting goods in the online world. Since the number of people opting for window shopping is increasing when it comes to getting themselves apparels. According to statistics, the trend for online apparel shopping grew at a CAGR of 24, 15, and 14 between the years 2014 to 2017, in Southern, North-Western, and Central Europe, respectively. In the U.S., online apparel sales increase to 18.5% in just 2018, which covered more than one-third of the total apparel sales in the year. In China, the total online retail spending took a substantial leap with 27% in 2018, with 24% of the sales taking place via the internet.

Nonetheless, companies in every sector, not just apparel, are struggling and striving to meet their customers’ needs. However, adopting a robust supply chain practice is one of the most harrowing experiences a retail industry can face. Moreover, supply chain practices of the previous era do not have the resources and innovation to handle the pace of today’s business world. Not to mention the fierce competition each organization faces considering the retail giants that walk this path as well. If that is not a hurdle itself, some companies redefine their standards regularly, such as Amazon.

Customers always come first

The primary catalyst for excelling in businesses is to understand that the customers will always come first, especially in this era where the demands of the stars are increasing, along with the quality standards. Nonetheless, it also enables business owners to understand which products are in need and slow to move. For instance, a millennial will buy a pair of shoes that were showcased by an Instagram celebrity on the same day. Moreover, with the benefit or remoteness, consumers can acquire their product as they move from one place to another during the day.

However, to understand the psyche of customers, analyzing their data is essential. With the information combined from the consumer surveys that occur, experts can harness the hidden eCommerce potential for better results.

Moreover, it is also important that the business owners understand the prospect and remain flexible in any paradigm shift in the market. Nonetheless, it is all about surviving, given that there is no idea how the market will shape up in the next ten years because of its unpredictable nature.

Fast and collaborative is the way to go

Looking back at the traditional supply chain models, companies often chose a quantitative approach to model their supply chain approach. The approach is generally quite time-consuming, given that it requires an average of 3 months to gather data, six months to plan to model, and three more months to perform decision-making steps. One of the best practices is to develop a future supply chain infrastructure that caters to a shop-based environment. In other words, it will enable business owners to focus individually on each product and customer, along with identifying the product flow and volume constraints. The key is to work extensively until a solution comes forth, and then they can combine it into a robust service network.

Strive for innovative fulfillment options for better results

When the business owners identify existing assets within the company, they should consider adding innovative fulfillment options to the mix. In other words, they need to identify how different customer orders can be fulfilled efficiently. They also need to consider more cost-efficient practices.

Even with such aggressive approaches, the demands of the customers increase daily. This, as a result, has forced businesses to trigger further development of innovative fulfillment options. From dark stores to mini-warehouses, the business owners have a lot to think about if they want their products to ship directly to the consumers without delay.

In today’s world of technological brilliance, products can also be manufactured at the location of customers, such as via 3D printing techniques. The operations can be performed quicker, but there is a huge gap in efficiency in services.

Resource sharing

Considering how the business operates in the contemporary era, the speed and efficient use of resources are essential. Thus, the retailers must not waste time on building new infrastructure but strengthening their existing one. However, to make the infrastructure more outcome-oriented, they must share resources that also improve their value chain.

Sharing resources bring about synergies, where risks and costs are divided. Moreover, it also opens new opportunities to deliver better and quicker customer service. For instance, connected inventory is a primary example of using partners’ resources. It is more cost-efficient, while it also increases the availability of different products with less than minimal effort.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

To win a workplace lawsuit, a company must invest a great deal of money. Along with the loss of hard-earned money, even the company’s reputation stands at stake when an employee files a lawsuit against them. It seems like a way for an employee to be satisfied, but it is not a smart move.

It is foolish of employees to think that the lawsuit only affects the employer. Filing a lawsuit paves the way for a series of stressful events for the employee and disrupts their financial situation. Sometimes, filing a lawsuit or suing a company is the only option left for the employee to get justice.

The decision to use a company must never be a result of emotions; instead, it should be well thought out. Once an individual gets trapped in it, coming out of it is nearly impossible.

There are numerous setbacks to suing a company or filing a lawsuit against them. Before individuals proceed, they must be aware of what they are getting into and why they need to think twice before using their employer!

Without a Legal Claim, There is no Hope

Employees’ biggest mistake is to sue their employer without thinking the whole process through. Unfortunately, none of the state laws outlines how an employer must treat the employees. The laws do not ask employers to be nice to their employees, treat them as family, or be fair to them. They can treat their employees however they want if they treat each of their employees the same way. Ethics teach people to be nice to each other but not the laws. Therefore, unless there is no legal claim, the decision to sue is the worst decision one can make. It is justified to sue a company if an employer mistreats an employee because of their color, race, religion, or gender or harasses them! Employees should think wisely and avoid making rash decisions.

The Stress and Pain are Never-Ending

Lengthy litigation is something only lawyers like. That is because long litigation means good money for them. A person in the right state of mind does not enjoy long litigation. Suing a company or filing a lawsuit means that an individual is in for a long and incredibly stressful time of their life. Many people do not understand that businesses get sued a lot while using a company, and they know how to deal with it. The case is different for the employees. Employees need to understand that distress will be more significant for them. Moreover, the painful events and stress will become a hurdle for them when they try to perform well in their new job.

Coworkers are not Reliable Supporters or Witnesses

Coworkers usually go through the same challenges and tend to support each other when together. But when the time comes to stand against their bosses, they back off. Employees who think their so-called friends from work will testify against the bosses are mistaken. Employees are afraid of retaliation by the company. Suppose it is harmless gossip, the coworker’s side with the individual suing the company. But when things get real and the employee does sue the company, the coworkers that once sided with them part ways. Normally, people do not want to make the situation difficult for themselves. Individuals who think their coworkers will prove perfect witnesses need to think practically.

A lot of Buried Skeletons are Dogged

When a company tries to pull up its defenses, it will try all it can to save itself from humiliation. Commonly to make the lawsuit stronger, a lawyer adds in the factor of emotional distress in it. The company’s lawyer begins to dig deeper to find out the real cause of distress. It opens some closed doors and digs out some buried skeletons from the individual’s past, resulting in utmost humiliation. Therefore, employees must prepare themselves to get hit with some bitter facts from the past when filing a lawsuit. The company’s lawyer digs into all the employment records, personal relationships, and even criminal records if need be!

Future Job Opportunities Fade Away

By filing a lawsuit against their employer, an individual closes the door to future good job opportunities. None of the companies would want to hire an employee who filed a lawsuit against their previous employer. The stress of lawsuits is high for both entities, and companies try to stay as far away from legal suits as possible. If in an unfortunate situation, an employer blacklists an individual after the lawsuit, they will not be able to work again.

These are why employees must think twice before using their employer. Before one jumps right into it, it is important to consider whether the case is strong enough or whether the damages are significant enough to file a lawsuit. Employees must ask themselves if they are ready to dedicate a considerable time of their lives to a lawsuit, bringing stress and pain their way. If the case is strong and the proofs are sufficient to support the case, an employee must proceed with a lawsuit. They must resign and look for a better job opportunity elsewhere if the case is weak and not adequately backed up by evidence.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.