Bates Blog

About 71 million American households (47 percent) will owe no federal income tax for 2009 thanks, in part, to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), according to estimates by the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center. The other 53 percent of us will have to pay.

If you will owe federal taxes for 2009, you may still qualify for other tax breaks. Several ARRA provisions, like the Making Work Pay and First-time Homebuyers Credits, have received a lot of press, but taxpayers don't necessarily realize how much more is included in the stimulus package. Even if you don't normally file a return, there are refundable credits, like the earned income and additional child tax credits, which could make filing worthwhile this year.

"The 2009 tax law changes cover a wide range of topics and life events. However, several credits and deductions, especially those in the economic stimulus package, require action well before April 2010. As a general rule of thumb, it's a good idea to do a little tax research before making decisions related to homes, college, retirement and cars. Doing so could save hundreds, even thousands, on your 2009 tax return," explains Jessi Dolmage, spokeswoman for 2nd Story Software, the makers of TaxACT.

In order to capitalize on ARRA provisions, Dolmage recommends:

1. Collect all 2009 tax documents, and organizing them by topics such as:

• Child and dependent care
• Education expenses
• Medical expenses
• Vehicle taxes paid
• Real estate taxes
• Mortgage interest paid
• Charitable contributions
• Business or employee expenses
• Investment transactions
• Retirement contributions
• Energy efficiency property expenses
• Household employee expenses
• Alimony expenses and/or income

Be sure to create a section for official tax documents such as Form W-2s, Form 1099's, Schedule K-1, etc.

You should also include a copy of your 2008 tax return for reference and for your Adjusted Gross Income or Self-select Personal Identification Number if you want to e-file your 2009 return. (E-filing with direct deposit is considered the fastest and most accurate way to file and get your refund.) Being organized will bring peace of mind and expedite tax preparation time.

2. Learn about the ARRA and other 2009 tax law changes at www.IRS.gov. In addition, all wage earners and those receiving retirement income should review their federal withholding per the Making Work Pay Credit. If you have more than one job, you and your spouse both work, or you can be claimed as a dependent, you are even more likely to be withholding too little income tax, possibly causing you to owe taxes.

An overview of the ARRA and a Making Work Pay Calculator are also available at www.TaxACT.com/recovery-act.

3. Start your federal return early using a free do-it-yourself tax preparation solution. (Skipping the second tip makes this one even more important.) After entering some basic information, see how 2009 tax law changes will affect your bottom line. Doing so may introduce you to credits and deductions you may otherwise miss, save time when you're ready to file and reduce errors (because you won't be rushing).

All taxpayers - regardless of income or how complex their returns are - can prepare, print and e-file their IRS returns for free with TaxACT Online Free Federal Edition. You can choose between a question and answer interview format and a quick entry method, both of which can be done at your own pace.

The ARRA has made taxes more of a year-round topic and proves that early tax preparation can be a very simple and smart way to save a lot of money.

An emerging health trend where a relatively simple illness leads to a number of physical and lifestyle changes is impacting seniors around the country, say immune system researchers from Embria Health Sciences, co-founders of the Nourish America Senior Health Project.

They've dubbed this trend the Senior Sickness Snowball Effect, which impacts the overall quality of a person's daily life and follows this recurring cycle:

• Loss of appetite
• Inadequate nutrition
• Decreased energy
• Reduction in social activities
• Decreased independence
• Limited social interaction
• Increased potential for depression, stress
• Weakened immune system
• Continued illness
• Loss of appetite

"Today's older Americans are active and often have major responsibilities that require them to be in good health," explains Stuart Reeves, Ph.D., director of research and development for Embria Health Sciences. "Unfortunately, as a person ages, their immune system becomes weaker and there is greater need for support, not just during cold weather seasons, but also throughout the year."

Embria Health Sciences established this Senior Health Project, alongside non-profit organizations Nourish America and the National Foundation of Women Legislators, to address the increased need for senior health support. This series of free community education events provides seniors with the knowledge and tools they need to maintain and manage their own health through a combination of non-profit health organization outreach activities and no-cost distribution of EpiCor, an all-natural immune health supplement, clinically shown to reduce cold and flu symptom incidence and duration.

In addition to his participation in the Nourish America Senior Health Project, Dr. Reeves offers these easy lifestyle tips that will keep seniors' immune systems going strong:

Get your grain: According to a 2008 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is estimated that a mere 18 percent of Americans 60 and older meet the dietary recommendations for daily grain intake. "Well-nourished people have fewer illnesses," says Dr. Reeves. Seniors can easily add more whole grains into their diets through a wide variety of easy-to-prepare everyday foods, including brown rice, oatmeal and popcorn.

Adopt a pet: "Seniors living alone sometimes experience a sense of isolation, which is one of the main components of the Senior Sickness Snowball Effect," explains Dr. Reeves. Studies show that when seniors establish an owner-pet relationship, their feelings of loneliness dissolve and the pet-related activities such as walking, feeding, grooming and playing improve their overall well-being.

Fill in the gaps: "Since seniors are at a higher risk of falling ill, getting the right amount of daily vitamins and nutrients is essential to their well-being, which is why taking a multi-vitamin supplement is often recommended," Dr. Reeves explains. "Some seniors would also benefit from taking a supplement specifically designed for their immune system." Dr. Reeves points out that, "EpiCor, an all-natural immune health ingredient found in a wide variety of dietary supplement products, works year-round to balance the body's immune system for optimal health." Visit www.EpicorImmune.com for more information.

Hit the mall: The mall is great place to kill three birds with one stone. You can run a shopping errand, participate in social dialogue, and get some exercise by walking a couple of laps around the perimeter. "Staying active, both physically and socially, is a key element to a healthy lifestyle," says Dr. Reeves.

"By maintaining good immune health now, seniors may avoid experiencing the Senior Sickness Snowball Effect firsthand," says Dr. Reeves. "The immune system is an important part of the body's immune defense against germs and pathogens - keep it in check and the rest will follow."

To learn more about immune health, visit www.BalancedImmuneHealth.com.

Greeat Way for RVers to Save Money

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The idea that you have to buy large quantities is one of the misperceptions about buying bulk. Ellen Bouchard, bulk manager at Frontier Natural Products Co-op, describes and dispels the following common bulk-food myths and provides shopping tips for consumers.

Myth No. 1: You must buy in large quantities to buy bulk.
False. In fact, bulk offers an easy and economical way to expand your food horizons by letting you try small amounts of unfamiliar products. You can buy just a pinch of the exotic spice or grain called for in that magazine recipe, or experiment with small quantities of new spices and seasonings, like garam masala. If you think you might like to try something new, buy a small quantity without worrying about wasting money.

Myth No. 2: It's wasteful to buy in bulk.
Quite the opposite. As mentioned above, you can buy just the amount you need. Keep in mind that prices for bulk products are considerably lower than the packaged versions, and the full amount of your purchase goes toward the product, not packaging or advertising. In addition, manufacturing that package wastes energy and resources. So when you buy in bulk and reuse storage containers, it's a positive contribution to the planet's health.

Myth No. 3: It's hard to know what's in those bins, and if it's fresh.
Again, not true -- bulk foods are often of higher quality, fresher, more natural and are more likely to be locally produced. Good labeling practices by retailers will indicate the manufacturer or producer of that bulk item and if it's organic and/or Fair Trade Certified. For example, the bulk products from Frontier, available in most natural food stores and health-food departments of grocery stores, are natural, sustainably grown and many are certified organic. (Frontier also sells its bulk products online in 1 pound quantities at www.frontiercoop.com.)

Myth No. 4: The bulk selection is limited.
Another misconception. You'll find a wide selection of items in bulk - everything from herbs, spices, gourmet nuts and granola, whole-leaf teas and even body-care items. You'll be pleasantly surprised to find just what you need in the bulk aisle, from organic smoked black peppercorns to organic fiesta black bean seasoning mix for quesadillas.

Myth No. 5: Bulk products are low-quality.
Absolutely false. Bulk products are most often of equal or higher quality than their packaged counterparts. Many exotic and gourmet items are only available in bulk, as are some Fair Trade Certified and certified organic products. For example, do you know how many types of cinnamon exist? In some bulk spice aisles, you can find multiple varieties of cinnamon, ranging from traditional Korintje (3 percent oil) to premium Vietnamese (5 percent oil) to Ceylon from Sri Lanka.

Tips for buying in bulk

• Before you go shopping, look in your cupboards to see which items you usually purchase in packages or cans that you can now purchase your desired quantity in the bulk aisle. Glass is safer than plastics for food storage, so you might want to buy some airtight glass jars in various sizes.
• Explore the store's bulk section a bit, trying one or two new items each visit. Some products you'll likely find in the bulk aisle: beans, flours, grains, herbs and spices, pastas, teas and coffees, and household and toiletry items such as laundry detergent and soaps.
• When filling your containers, use the scoops or the dispensers provided. Take your time and be neat, but if you spill something, there's no need to panic. Just ask a staff person for help in cleaning it up.

Here's a fun recipe from Frontier's test kitchen that lets you try out the "buy a pinch" concept:

Cajun cornbread

1/2 cup honey
2 cups buttermilk
2 eggs
8 tablespoons melted butter
2 cups whole wheat flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon Frontier Cajun seasoning

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix liquid ingredients in one bowl (honey, buttermilk, eggs, butter) and dry ingredients in another (flour, baking powder, baking soda, Cajun seasoning). Add dry ingredients to liquid ingredients and mix well. Pour into a buttered 9 x 12-inch pan. Bake 20 minutes or until bread tests dry.

(ARA) - There are many new and exciting advances in the world of consumer electronics, and when it comes to purchasing your newest gadget, wading through endless options can be daunting. Ask anyone who has gone on vacation with a sub-par camera or sat through a grainy or fuzzy movie or sporting event on their TV - there is nothing more frustrating that dealing with outdated or confusing technology.

With so much confusion around electronics and what to look for when buying, it leaves many people wishing they had a personal shopper to help them determine what's best for them, with a minimum amount of hassle. The best idea is to turn to a trusted source that can help you make a well-informed decision.

The same attention that we pay to making sure our clothes have the right style for us should also be given to making sure electronics are the best fit for our lifestyles. While we don't all have personal shoppers, there are great online resources and tips from electronics experts that can make your search and shopping process easier and more fun.

Know the ABCs of cameras and TVs
The many acronyms that get tacked onto cameras and TVs to describe their characteristics and capabilities can make your head spin. However, it really is important that you understand what you are buying, so you can make sure to get exactly what you need. When it comes to TVs, simply finding out what kind of screen you need is confusing. Do you opt for an LCD (liquid crystal display), plasma or LED (light-emitting diode)? Is one better than the other for video games or watching Blu-ray discs?

Searching for a new camera can be just as confusing. There are so many camera terms to understand, megapixels, RAW, SD cards . . . you'd need to be a pro to explain the laundry list of functions and settings on some of the more advanced models. Before making a final purchase, you should definitely conduct some research and create a list of questions you need answered. Find a few models that are of interest to you and do some comparison shopping.

Harness the power of the Web
One of the best resources for consumer electronics information is the Internet. It's most people's go-to research tool these days, and there are some great sites devoted to specific brands and models of TVs and cameras, along with consumer reviews to give you more piece-of-mind.

However if you really don't have time to do research about every last detail, new tools like TVMatchMaker.com and CameraMatchmaker.com from Sears are ideal resources. You simply answer a few quick questions about where and how you'll use a new camera or TV and it does the matchmaking for you, providing the three top choices for your exact needs.

If you're looking for a new television, the TV MatchMaker suggests the best television options for you based on your criteria including:

• the brightness of the room
• where you'll put the TV and
• the other kinds of equipment you'll be connecting to the TV

The Camera MatchMaker takes into account information like:

• the kind of pictures you most often take
• how much control you want to have over the settings
• what type of camera design you prefer
• your brand preference

The only thing better than getting the right product for your needs is getting it for a great price. If you go to the TV and Camera MatchMaker sites and answer the questions to find your best match, you can also enter the MatchMaker Sweepstakes for a chance to win a gift card that may be used toward your home electronics purchase with one quick click. For complete official rules, go to: www.sears.com/tvmatchmakersweeps.

Just as you wouldn't wear a sweater or shoes that don't fit, you shouldn't have electronics that don't meet your needs. For more information about finding the right TV and camera for you, visit TVMatchMaker.com and CameraMatchmaker.com.

(ARA) - Do red roses mean more than you're willing to admit? Does the jewelry you're giving your loved one send the correct message? What is the appropriate gift to show your mother that you love her on Valentine's Day?

As the holiday of love quickly approaches, many of us are trying to find the right gifts for our loved ones. For new couples, maybe a gift of red roses in full bloom, which means "I love you," isn't what the man is ready to give, or the woman is ready to receive. For couples who have been together for a long time, a lasting gift like a living plant might convey your love better than cut flowers, which wilt quickly and then are thrown away.

Here are some tips to determine what gifts might work well for your relationship.

A new relationship

• Spending time together and discovering new talents is what makes a new relationship so exciting. Consider cooking a special meal for the two of you to enjoy together, or make a favorite food item for your sweetheart, like brownies or a cake.
• Flowers work for any relationship. If you aren't ready to go the red roses route, consider an arrangement of her favorite type of flower, or roses in her favorite color. Online flower companies have Valentine's Day specials, and you can find flower coupons for discounts or free delivery at CouponHeaven.com.

Still in the honeymoon stage
After you've known each other for a while, and enjoy spending every waking minute together, you start to pick up on your partner's personal tastes. An extra level of thoughtfulness is conveyed through the giving of a creative and specialized gift.

• Jewelry gifts provide a beautiful way to show how much you care. Diamonds are a traditional favorite for expressing a long-lasting message of love, but other gemstones may be a better fit for the current phase of your relationship. For example, if you want to promote your faithfulness, weaving sapphires into your gift would be a brilliant idea. You can check out what's available in your local stores or better yet, shop online and find discounts with jewelry coupons. Be sure to leave extra time for delivery if you choose a personalized gift.
• Cologne and perfume also make excellent Valentine's Day gifts. You can refresh your loved one's supply easily by shopping online - just make sure to look for coupon codes for free shipping or an extra discount.

Happily ever after

• Valentine's Day is the perfect opportunity for established couples to reconnect, and giving your loved one a gift that inspires a memory from happy times in your relationship works well. For example, consider finding a bottle of the wine or champagne you drank on your first date, or at your wedding.
• Being comfortable with each other is what works for happily-ever-after couples. Consider booking a couple's massage, so you can both enjoy the gift of time spent together in blissful relaxation.

Best friends forever

• Finding a non-romantic gift for your best friend doesn't have to be difficult. Just pay attention to their special interests and cater to them. For example, browse the bookstore for a copy of their favorite book. Or if they're into sporting events, think about getting tickets to an upcoming home game or a jersey shirt as a gift.
• Family members will appreciate gifts that bring back memories of time spent together. If you're creative, a scrapbook of time spent with your mom would make a wonderful gift. Or a digital photo frame preloaded with family photos will put a smile on your dad's face.

Of course, it's easy to show how much you care this Valentine's Day. A simple hug will go a long way.