When generous Aunt Betty slips you a $5,000 check on your birthday, do you have to pay taxes on her cash gift? And when you send an annual donation to your favorite charity or alma mater, does anybody pay taxes on that gift? The answer in both cases … [Read more...]
About Amber Gilstrap
Amber is a twenty-something CPA from Kansas City, Missouri who loves writing, working out, and---of course---finding fresh ideas for saving money. Follow her on twitter @ambergilstrap.
Your Tax Document Checklist: The No-Stress Guide To Filing Your Taxes, Part 1
February 12, 2013 by
This Website is all about taking confusing, boring topics and presenting them as clearly as possible. And few topics are more confusing and boring than taxes. So whether taxes simply fail to excite you or flat out freak you out, we're going to try … [Read more...]
What The Fiscal Cliff Deal Means For Your Taxes
February 12, 2013 by
A month ago, all everyone was hearing about was this darn fiscal cliff. Are we gonna go off the cliff? Are taxes going up? Going down? What exactly is Congress doing up there on that hill? Is the world going to end as we know it?! Phew, it was … [Read more...]
13 Inexpensive and Unique Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas
February 5, 2013 by
It’s that time again. St. Valentine is going to be spreading his love to everyone in just a few short days. Valentine’s Day, February 14, is right around the corner! Commercial holiday or not – are you ready to give an awesome gift to your … [Read more...]
DIY or Buy? When It’s Cheaper to Make It Yourself or Buy Off The Shelf
December 6, 2012 by
Last year, the Better Business Bureau received 5,558 complaints regarding general contractors, placing the group in the top 30 out of all industries tracked, according to Money Talks News. No wonder home improvement stores are packed to the gills … [Read more...]
How to Budget for Holiday Shopping if you Haven’t Saved for Gifts
November 27, 2012 by
The holidays are quickly approaching. Do you know how many presents you still need to buy? More importantly – do you know how much those gifts are going to cost? Last year, the Business Insider found that holiday shoppers spent nearly $400 on … [Read more...]
Taxes and Unemployment; How to Avoid Surprises and Owe Less Tax
November 5, 2012 by
There aren’t many – if any – perks of being unemployed. We all know that. But if you do lose your job, it may be possible to lean on the government for awhile and survive on unemployment compensation. These government-funded unemployment … [Read more...]
How to Shrink Your Supersize Smartphone Bill
October 23, 2012 by
These days, it seems almost everyone has some kind of fancy phone glued to their palm 24 hours a day. We just can’t live without our status updates and tweeting and texting and e-mailing. We're using our phones to cook dinner, pay bills, make … [Read more...]
‘I Don’t…Want to Pay for That!’: Tips for Managing Finances With a Significant Other Before Marriage
October 5, 2012 by
Ah, the thrills of dating and new relationships. Movie nights, ice cream dates, walks on the beach, a romantic candlelit dinner on Saturday night followed by… …a $150 bill! If you’ve dated -- even for a short time -- you know that dating … [Read more...]
