Lookin to get your small business on the ‘social’ scene? Now you can courtesy of American Express. Small businesses now have a brand new resource available to help them grow and succeed through social media; “Social Media Show + Tell.” Part of American Express’ newly created Business Knowledge Share enhanced LinkedIn user group, the “show and tell” videos are available to members. It includes representatives from digital and social platforms – starting with Facebook – explaining how their tools can have a formidable impact on small businesses and empower business owners to maximize the potential of the growing digital landscape. The “Social Media Show + Tell” videos aim to demystify social platforms for small businesses, offering easy to understand commentary and advice from experts on the platforms. Start mixing and mingling your business now!
Verdict: The Platinum credit cards offered by MSUFCU have a few big advantages for cardholders. The credit limit is very generous and may be as high as $50,000 for those who qualify. There are also no hidden fees and a range of shopping and travel benefits. Still, these credit cards fall short with relatively high interest rates up to 17.9%. There is also a penalty APR that may be applied indefinitely and the rewards version of the card only earns 0.5% cash back on purchases, which is very easy to beat. Overall, this credit card is only recommended to members who do not carry a balance at all, always make on-time payments and don’t expect to earn rewards for purchases but simply want a free to carry card for large purchases.
Overview: Michigan State University Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU) offers two Platinum Visa cards to members. B
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With every new year comes new goals and resolve. One of your new year’s goals must be to save money on your taxes. Here are some things you can do that can either cut your tax bill or help you save more money this year.
1. Set out your tax calendar for the year
The IRS has Publication 509 Tax Calendars that you can use (available at the IRS website www.irs.gov) to remind yourself of tax deadlines throughout the year. But the print version of the calendar is sold out and will not be reprinted for the rest of the year. However, you can also download a desktop version and integrate the calendar with other personal applications. The last thing you need is to be penalized for late payment because you missed an important tax deadline.
2. U
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The Western Union Company global payments research now indicates consumers in the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates and South Africa disclosed overspending as the No. 1 worry. For example, in the U.S., 38 percent worry about overspending, and then eating too much , finding the perfect gift , seeing family , and work commitments are also high on the list. In response, Western Union is launched its “$50 for $5″ promotion, allowing consumers to send up to $50 from participating Agent locations to loved ones in the U.S. for five dollars or send a Western Union gift card, with a personalized greeting card and voice message.
As you may have heard, American Airlines has filed for bankruptcy. This has caused a lot of uncertainty and anger among AAdvantage cardholders, many of whom have earned tens of thousands of miles only to find out these miles may become worthless. Although there is still much uncertainty, all hope is not yet lost.
American Airlines’ Side of the Story
According to Forbes, American Airlines sent an email to it’s frequent flyer program members that their miles are safe. They are promising business as usual, so your miles should work normally if you go by what they say.
Of course, corporations tend to paint a rosy picture of their situation, so you should keep that in mind. Imagine if they came out and said that the sky is falling. Not only would their frequent flyers become jittery, but so would their stockholders. You can see where this is going.
This is not to say that American Airlines will not honor frequent flyer miles as usual. How
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Since the federal government does not recognize same sex marriages, gays and lesbians are not allowed certain rights when it comes to taxes that straight couples are. For example, gays and lesbians cannot file joint income tax returns. But along with disadvantages should come advantages also. For instance, lesbians who adopt a child wishing to claim the adoption credit should technically be allowed to do so whereas straight couples cannot because the law states that you cannot claim tax credits when you adopt your spouse’s child. Since lesbians are not considered married, then the adoption tax credit is allowable to a lesbian who adopts her partner’s child.
The adoption credit directly offsets the taxes you are liable to and is a refundable credit, meaning if the credit is more than your tax liability, you get to claim the difference as a refund. For
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