Category Archives: Main

You can minimize your tax burden as a self-employed person by saving your receipts and tracking your expenses for business expenses. You should also categorize your expenses carefully every day in a spreadsheet or expense tracking software. Here are some expenses to watch out for.

Travel

For many small businesses, travel expenses and mileage are one of their most significant expenses. You can get https://www.quonassociates.com/ to help you with the various ways of tracking this expense category. For privately-owned vehicles, it’s usually easiest to just have your employees keep track of business mileage and reimburse them on a per-mile basis. The IRS has guidelines and standard reimbursement rates for this. For company-owned vehicles, keep track of actual expenses. Be sure to allot the interest portion of any loan payments to interest expense.

Meals and Entertainment

Meals and Entertainment are some of the more complex expenses to keep up with, because the rates the IRS allows vary and are not 100 percent in most situations. Ask your accountant for guidance here.

Office Equipment and Supplies

Those runs to the office supply store add up, and these receipts are often lost in the shuffle. It’s important that you keep up with them and enter them in your system. It’s best to use a company debit or credit card and keep all expenses completely separate from your personal funds. This makes it much easier to defend these expenses in the event of an audit.

Things like snacks for the office are also deductible, as long as they’re purchased with company funds and made available to employees.

Cell Phones

If cell phones are used primarily for company business, this is also a deductible expense. Just make sure you can establish the business purpose for the phones.

By keeping organized throughout the year, you can save your accountant a great deal of work come tax season. This benefits you by ensuring you get the maximum deductions allowable.

Moving heavy loads around the workspace manually is a not uncommon task, so it pays to familiarize yourself with the equipment you’ll need to purchase. For most purposes, the working components are the same: namely, casters that are mounted onto carts, trucks or specific equipment. Many people overlook these devices and don’t really think of them as assemblies in themselves. However, as with anything else, a basic understanding helps you make an informed decision on what to purchase and use, whether new or as replacements.

What is a Caster?

A caster is a wheeled device that is mounted to the underside of a larger object to enable easy rolling movement of a load too cumbersome to carry manually. They’re ubiquitous among equipment in many work environments and applications, from automotive factories and heavy industry to office furniture and hospital beds. Many refer to casters as simply “wheels”, but the wheel is only one element of the whole. The bracket that makes up the rest consists of:

• an outer frame, also called a “yoke” or “fork”, that holds the wheel and its axle in place;
• a spring mechanism for shock absorption, which can be a coiled steel spring or a hydraulic or elastomeric spring;
• a mounting mechanism at the top, either a plate bolted to the underside of the equipment or a stem that is screwed or otherwise fastened into place;
• optionally, a swivel head for 360° movement in “swivel” casters—those lacking this are instead “rigid” or “fixed” casters.

Considering Caster Designs

All casters have the same basic functionality, but many aspects of the design vary based on the intended application. This includes the cart or equipment the casters will be mounted on, the expected weight and dimensions of the load being supported, the type of floor the casters are rolling on and the environmental conditions the casters will be exposed to. For instance, in a machine shop or assembly line, high load tolerance is often vital, as is chemical resistance; a hard rubber wheel featuring stainless steel roller bearings is hardy enough for the job. If you’re replacing casters for a hospital bed, ease of movement, shock absorption and minimal noise are important for patient comfort. A low profile and higher swivel resistance allow better handling, especially across multiple floor types. These are just a few examples, but they highlight how the design of a caster is dependent on how and where it’s going to be used.

Luis Goyzueta is the founder, CEO and director of Stellar Mining Peru Ltd., a private equity backed mining company pursuing mid-size mining acquisitions in Peru. As the leader of one of Peru’s most ambitious mining ventures, Luis Goyzueta focuses not only on the growth of the minerals business in low-risk regions in Peru, but also on the continual implementation of sustainable practices.

Through Stellar Mining, Goyzueta strives to boost the economic potential of the region, while at the same time creating safe workplace conditions, giving back to the local community, and incorporating eco-friendly practices in the mining industry.

Luis Goyzueta has over 20 years of experience in the field of mining. Over the years, he has founded and served as an executive in three Peruvian mining companies and built the largest Biodiesel and Petroleum storage terminal in Peru. As CEO of Stellar Mining, Luis Goyzueta supported the company through the acquisition and consolidation of the Toropunto mining district, one of the largest in Peru, and he also helped develop the Piedra Iman and Santa Rosa mines.

Luis Goyzueta’s venture into the mining industry started in 1997, when he took over Compañia Minera Moria SAC & Demeter Mineria SAC. As General Manager, he succeeded to bring the Salvacion and La Virreyna mines out of bankruptcy, despite the low metal prices.

In 2006, Goyzueta founded Pure Biofuels Corp., where he led the team of engineers who built the largest bio-diesel refinery in West Latin America.

At present, Luis Goyzueta continues to drive innovation in the Peruvian mining field and strengthen the company’s presence and capabilities.

He has a Bsc in Economics and Finance from Bentley University and frequently appears as a panelist at industry conferences to talk about the importance of biofuels, green technologies, and the current state of the Latin-American marketplace.

In additional to being one of the notable figures in the Peruvian mining industry, Luis Goyzueta is also interested in technology and believes in the potential of business who use the latest tech innovations. This is why he is also an investor in many up-and-coming startups, such as Unify Technologies, a digital engineering company, and Mesa, a restaurant tech company. On his blog, Luis Goyzueta regularly talks about the latest news on the Latin-American startup market and mentions the most ambitious ventures in its growing marketplace.

In this personal life, Luis Goyzueta stands by the same ethical values that he applies in business. A devoted vegan, yoga practitioner and eco-minded individual, he believes in the power of the personal example when it comes to protecting the environment and making responsible choices. He is a firm believer in the benefits of meditation and mindfulness and says that they helped him be a better father and CEO.

Apart from his investments and business ventures, Luis Goyzueta also has a personal project he is passionate about: a book where he plans to share the things he has learned so far about life and business.

You can find Luis Goyzueta on Twitter, LinkedIn, and you can learn more about Stellar Mining on the company’s profile.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Questions to Ask a Pallet Rack Manufacturer

Have the pallet racks that you are currently using in your warehouse starting to fall apart? If this is the case, you need to seriously think about replacing them as soon as possible. It is important that you understand that not all of the pallet racks that are available are made with the same quality. Therefore, you need to put some effort into your search for this item. You should never buy pallet racks from the first company that you come across. That could turn out to be a big mistake that you end up regretting later. Here are a few of the most crucial questions that you need to pose to a company that makes pallet racks.

1. How long have you been making pallet racks?

You will need to get an idea of the level of experience that each company has when it comes to making pallet racks. This is why it is so important for you to find out how long they have been in this business. Ideally, you should avoid buying a pallet rack from a company that just got started producing pallet rack systems. You should only do business with a company that has a minimum of three years experience. This will give you the peace of mind that you are getting a very high quality product for the money you are spending.

2. What type of reviews have you received from consumers?

There are a vast amount of websites you can go to in order to find out which pallet rack systems are the best. You should have no problem at all finding reviews of pallet rack systems that were written by consumers just like you. Take everything that these reviews say into consideration. Simply Rack is an example of a company that always gets outstanding reviews for the pallet racks that they make.

3. How much do your various pallet racks cost?

Comparing prices will be a very important part of the selection process. This will allow you to find out what you will be getting for your financial investment. Not all of the companies that produce pallet racks will charge the same for their merchandise. In fact, you will find that there is a huge disparity in their pricing. This is why you need to take the time to call multiple companies and find out what they are charging for their pallet racks.

4. Will you assemble the pallet racks for me?

You might not want to be bothered with the job of putting the pallet racks together. You will then need to find a company that will put the racks together for you. You will most likely need to pay an additional fee for this service.

The trade war between China and the United States has continued for longer than one year, and there appears to be no end in sight. Earlier last week, President Trump and President Xi Jinping had talks collapse while a potential deal was on the table. President Xi Jinping is not looking to resume talks with the United States until this nation apologizes for past actions. With President Trump at the helm, this scenario does not appear likely at this point. However, while these countries continue to dispute tariffs and other trade agreements, consumers continue to suffer. Financial professionals, such as Don Gayhardt have been watching talks between these two nations closer. President Trump has remained stern with his approach and dealings with China. However, his intention to harm China appears to be damaging the American consumer the most. As the middle of the year approaches, business analysts are beginning to provide purchasing guidance for consumers moving forward due to tariff increases.

Rising Household Costs

With President Trump imposing an additional 25% tariff on $200 billion of Chinese imports, the American household is projected to lose hundreds of dollars over this next year. Rising household costs should come as no surprise, seeing as how many goods enjoyed in the United States are manufactured in China and imported back to the United States. Since the United States has outsourced so many positions to this nation, there is no way for the American consumer to escape this impact. There is also the possibility of China retaliating and imposing more tariffs on United States goods. This scenario could prove to be even more costly for Americans as this trade war continues to heat up.

Almost half of the American households are unequipped to handle an unexpected expense of $400. As the majority of this nation does not pay close attention to markets daily, the impact will be felt gradually throughout the year. The cost of living continues to increase around the world, and this does not seem to be slowing down. Citizens around the world are experiencing an exciting point in history and will be remembered long after President Trump’s tenure. Analysts have pinpointed essential items that should be purchased relatively soon before increasing tariffs impact them.

Purchasing Big Ticket Items Now

The cost of food has continued to rise aside from tariff increases and will only continue to do so as a result. Outside of canned goods and processed food, consumers will have to keep purchasing these items as needed. However, big-ticket items such as smartphones and televisions should be purchased relatively soon before price increases take effect. The technology sector is currently driving the most significant movement for the stock market, and trade disputes will affect these items the most. If you are in the market for one of these items, waiting until Black Friday to make a purchase could be the wrong decision this year due to tariffs. Of course, purchasing items needed around the household usually takes precedence over luxury goods.

Whether you’re currently struggling to keep your business going or not, it never hurts to indulge in a spot of money saving. If nothing else, by managing to cut back on your expenses, you will build for yourself a nice little emergency fund… a fund that, as the name suggests, could then be tapped into when your business is most in need of it.

Money saving in business is about doing more than cutting back on your own personal Starbucks addiction. It’s about embracing the two techniques listed below and adopting them into your business’s daily routine across the board.

Don’t be afraid to outsource

As a business owner, it can be difficult to hand over the reins of a particular project to a third-party entity. Will they produce work that is of the quality that you desire? Will they meet the deadline imposed on them to do so? As scary as it may seem, however, the act of outsourcing need not be such a frightening thought. If you are willing to conduct some serious research into the matter, you will no doubt be able to unearth expert third-party workers who will treat your projects as if they are their own.

If done correctly, outsourcing can be incredibly cost-effective, which is why you should seriously consider embracing it if you’re serious about saving some money. The main financial benefit you will stand to reap from taking this action is the fact that you won’t have to shell out as much on employee costs — outsourcing tasks to expert workers will always prove less expensive than tasking your employees with jobs they aren’t trained for, as less time and resources will be wasted. By outsourcing, you won’t have to pay your staff members as high of a wage as they won’t be doing as much work for you, you won’t have to invest in as big a workspace as they will have no need for it, and you won’t have to take out particular workplace insurances.

Review all of your expenses… even the little ones

You should review all of your expenditure to ensure that you are not paying more than you need to. Remember, even the smallest of your expenses make a big difference, so it’s important that you do not overlook anything in this instance.

Start off in your office space. Take an inventory of all the tools and equipment stored within it, right down to the very last pencil, in order to unearth what exact areas are in need of investment. Once you discover what your workspace is desperately in need of, be sure to compare the market before making any final purchasing decisions. If you’re in need of printer ink cartridges, for instance, make sure to check out a marketplace dedicated solely to printer goods, such as Cartridge Shop. There, you will be able to compare a wide range of products and prices, meaning you will better your chances of avoiding the plight that is paying over the odds.

In order to hang onto that profit you worked so hard to turn over, you have to save money whenever it is possible to do so.

Business owners, property developers and corporations invest millions of dollars each year in the construction of office buildings and complexes, hospitals, hotels and resorts, libraries and a myriad of other professional buildings. Brick, marble, granite, concrete, steel, wood and glass along with composite materials don’t come cheap and can make or break the look of a building. It becomes very important to protect that investment with proper care and maintenance inside and out.

Surface Value

The surfaces in your commercial buildings are the first impression a customer or guest sees when they enter. Dull floors with dusty corners or grimy windows are not going to convey the message that this building is well cared for, and can age and cause damage to your building. Hiring good janitorial and maintenance crews is essential to the integrity of your building, whether that comes from within or from hiring professionals like GDI to do the job.

Inner Workings

Beauty may be skin deep, but the guts of the building need regular attention. Areas such as laboratories, industrial areas, manufacturing plants all need to be kept clean and in good working order. In the case of food or medical facilities, cleaning needs to go a step further and requires that sanitizing and sterilization processes take place on a regular basis. These services may need to be hired out to professionals.

Curb Appeal

A well-groomed lawn and grounds are important to the first impression your customers or guests have of your business. The grounds should also be kept free of trash and debris. Sparkling windows and door glass is much more inviting. The exterior ought to be power washed regularly to prevent the buildup of dirt and grime, bird droppings or other animal or pest messes, and environmental pollutants.

You put a lot of thought into the planning of your commercial property; from zoning to design to construction and it is the lifeblood of your business. Cleaning and maintaining it from the outer façade to the inner workings can protect and enhance your investment.

Automobile recycling is a huge industry accounting for over 12 million recycled vehicles, 25 million tons of reconstituted scrap metal, a savings of 85 million barrels of crude oil, and $25 billion added into the U.S. economy annually. A lot of that money comes from items that can be recycled or reused by the owner of a vehicle before they dispose of their clunkers or sell their junk cars for cash. Knowing that information can help you stretch the value of your vehicle. But what are the most popular items that can be recycled on a junk car?

Batteries

A used battery may only be worth $10-$20 if it’s sold to a scrap yard or private buyer. But recycling your car’s battery keeps harmful chemicals out of the environment. A used battery can also often be reconstituted with a combination of Epson salt and distilled water, extending the life up to five years.

Catalytic Converters

If your junk car is old enough to contain a catalytic converter, you could be in luck. Well-maintained catalytic converters are the most valuable scrap items in a vehicle due to the metals in the honeycomb: palladium and platinum. A single catalytic converter can potentially be worth between $5 and $200 to the right buyer.

GPS System

If you’re like most people and use your smartphone or portable system for GPS needs, you might overlook removing a built-in GPS system. But that can be an expensive mistake. GPS systems are coveted by many used part buyers and the right system can make you a couple hundred bucks richer.

Hubcaps

Hubcaps can provide the finishing touches to auto buffs, similar to commodities like designer sneakers or collector’s items. Hubcaps aren’t going to increase the value of your junk car scrap, but they may be valuable to the right buyer–especially if they match or just look cool. So reclaim or resell and pad your wallet.

Oil and Filters

Scrap dealers and junkyards don’t reuse oil and gas. They drain it and dispose of it before crushing the vehicle. But that can lead to a waste of precious fuel. Oil gets dirty, but it doesn’t wear out. Draining it and bringing it to an authorized garage or recycling station can ensure it continues being used. Filters can also be washed, recycled, and reused.

Stereo Equipment

Many people pay out the ear to ensure they have a great stereo in their car, only to leave it there once they sell their junk car for cash. Stereo components can usually be easily removed and either replaced in another vehicle or sold for extra income. So why leave it behind?

Tires

Almost 300 million tires are disposed of annually in America, and many of those end up in landfills. Tires never break down completely on their own, so they act as a breeding ground for pests and various diseases. But 80% of tires can be recycled or repurposed. If your tires have decent tread, they can be sold easily to a secondhand buyer and provide some easy pocket change on your end while saving the environment.

Transmission

Check the transmissions before selling your junk cars for cash. A transmission may have enough life in to either be sold to a prospective buyer for a good price or act as a perfect solution for those looking to save a mint while rebuilding their dream car. These items won’t be saved at the scrap yard, so why not remove them and add to the value of your vehicle while getting cash on the spot for your junk car?

 

 

Losing a loved one happens to many of us, but it becomes even more difficult if you lost somebody as the result of wrongful death. It is natural to feel anger after something like this happens, but unfortunately there is nothing you can do to bring your loved one back to life. You just need to learn how to deal with your grief. Here are some tips to make it happen:

1. Don’t isolate yourself after losing somebody important in your life. It might be natural for you to stay in your house and avoid people when you grieve, but in reality you will be so much better off if you spend time among family and friends who can offer you their helpful hand. Don’t be ashamed that you grieve. Grief is a natural things after losing something important and it is a matter of time before you get back to normal again.

2. Contact an attorney who can help you such as a Miami wrongful death lawyer. You can obtain a lot of useful advice from a qualified lawyer who will be able to help you to get proper compensation for your suffering. While his job is to give you advice in some cases lawyers can also turn out to be like your friends, people you can talk to and who can help you to feel better. It definitely makes sense to find a lawyer you can trust and who is friendly enough to calm your anxiety levels you might be experiencing right now.

3. If possible, get some time off from work. Work related stress can only make things worse and can make you feel exhausted even if normally you did not feel that way. Make sure that you make all the necessary arrangements so that you can come back to work when ready.

4. Find something to distract yourself with such as a new hobby. Some people turn to exercise after losing a loved one because it allows them to feel better.

When faced with a changing job market, you may want to take a look at other options for advancing your career. You have always been keen on staying up to date on the latest trends in the job market, and now that you’re faced with making a leap to another field or into entrepreneurship, it’s a good idea to take a closer look at something that has always interested you: association manager. What does a community association manager do, and is it a good career for someone looking to strike out alone? Read these three fast facts about the position to see if it is a contender for your start-up.

1. Versatile Employment Opportunities

One of the coolest things about being a community association manager is your ability to work for many different types of groups. Almost any association that deals with residential management is a potential employer. This includes:

• Condominium associations
• Homeowners associations
• Master planned communities
• Cooperatives

If you have a community association management license, you have quite a few opportunities to find work, including opening your own business that deals exclusively with resident management.

2. Challenging and Rewarding Engagements

Dealing with residents in their communities is a challenging yet rewarding experience. A community association manager serves the residents and acts as a liaison between them and the governing boards (HOA, POA, etc.). This puts a manager in a unique position of maintaining cooperation and peace through some difficult times. Therefore, to be an effective association manager, you have to be able to handle sticky situations.

3. Financial Know-How a Must

At the heart of it, a community association manager has to be able to perform specific tasks that ensure the community is kept up. Some of the most common functions a manager performs include:

• Maintenance of the common areas (parks, ponds, pools, etc.)
• Collection of assessments and dues regularly
• Preparation of financial statements and budgets
• Complaint resolution
• Negotiation of services with vendors, developers, etc.

As a community association manager, you are going to have to be financially savvy, highly organized and able to keep up with multiple projects.

If you are thinking of setting up your own business, a community association manager would be an excellent way to cut ties with your 9:00 to 5:00. Performing these functions inside an office is not necessarily required. What is needed is a driven, organized and diligent individual who can handle finances and work towards resolving conflict and making the lives of residents better within their communities.