EBBE-Expand Business Beyond Expectations

Certain Tax Strategies in Uncertain Times

crtebbe — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:39:23 +0000

Here are two ways to maximize your investments for you and your family…

Children under 18 years of age may earn up to $950 of investment income per year with no federal tax and no federal reporting requirements. This includes dividends, interest, and gains on sales of investments. One investment idea is US Savings Bonds which allow you the option to elect to report the interest every year instead of at redemption. Children may also earn an additional $950 in investment income and pay a lower child’s federal tax rate.

Qualified Section 1202 Small Business Stock is a wonderful opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a promising new business. Qualified small business stock shares held for at least five years before they are sold are exempt from federal tax upon sale!

The best strategy in uncertain economic times is to take a deep breath! Remember what’s important, such as peace of mind, integrity, and family. Best wishes for the new year, Christine Thibodeau, CPA

Meeting Highlights November 17, 2011

marealestateattorney — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 12:50:12 +0000

The group discussed mobile sites, benefits and upgrades for the current web site.

The speaker for the day was Christine Thibodeau, certified public accountant regarding tax rate uncertainty for 2013 and beyond… She described the upcoming uncertainty and provided traditionally wise tax strategies.

Responsible Sports Program

johnlroberts — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 20:33:01 +0000

Bill Wells has written a great article on the Reponsible Sports program offered by Liberty Mutual, and explained by Aaron Tillberry during our September EBBE meeting. Thanks to Dick Forrest for making the article possible! It is posted at:

http://www.masslive.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/09/liberty_mutual_offers_responsi.html

Powerful Listening

johnlroberts — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 16:14:16 +0000

I recently took a professional development class called Powerful Listening to improve my listening skills, and I have been practicing listening skills during our EBBE business meetings.

If the goal of human communication is to understand, listening is one of the best ways to reach that goal. We have to understand our clients and customers to do our work properly. Understanding a client requires that I carefully listen to what the client is really saying, and what is important to them.

So, during the EBBE meetings, I’ve been listening, to learn what makes each member of the group tick. It works!

I learned that Dave enjoys starting new business ventures, and he loves to get the word out using all types of media: post cards, television advertising, radio not so much, and printed newspapers. Dave’s Gold Trader business even fielded a marching unit in the East Longmeadow Fourth of July parade this year, with a fund raising tie in to the East Longmeadow High School Band!

Larry enjoys the outdoors and camping, and he just returned from a week in the Adirondacks. What a great way to take a break from repairing, servicing and selling computers, networks and electronics.

Richard is another computer guy who has a company that designs websites, is a hiker. He was climbing the Adirondack high peaks and coincidentally met up with Larry last week in Lake Placid when their paths crossed on vacation. What a small world!

Sydney enjoys leading the class in her field of residential real estate sales.

Our newest member, Aaron, enjoys coaching his sons in youth sports, and home safety public information projects that go with his work in insurance.

Listening, and getting to know members of the group, helps me know what they do best, so I can refer the people who need their services. That’s one reason I always look forward to Thursday mornings, and EBBE!

Profitability and Marketing: The MUSH Factor – EBBE Presentation June 23, 2011

crtebbe — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 13:38:42 +0000

An EBBE member asked how she can look at her Income Statement to determine when is a good time to pump up the marketing expenditures and when to dial back. If she wishes to grow her revenues, then increased marketing efforts are in order, regardless of current income levels. Many marketing and branding efforts can be achieved with little or no cost, such as targeted e mail campaigns, attending networking and professional events, and calling on clients and prospects. Very large corporations tend to spend approximately 1-2% of their gross revenue on advertising; small businesses, however, should consider spending more in order to grow and solidify the brand. The MUSH factor is the sad but true fact that if you carry out a multi-pronged marketing effort (as we all should), then it will be close to impossible to determine which single marketing effort drove a particular sale to your door; it is often the marketing mix that hits our target audience, and it can be tricky to determine where to cut the fat. Ask colleagues, ask your clients, and then use your best judgment. And try to keep those low-cost efforts going!

Written by Christine Thibodeau, CPA, who can be reached at christinecpaspringfield@gmail.com

EBBE member Linda Cross, a coach with “Take Shape for Life,” gave a presentation to EBBE on June 16, 2011

Richard Forrest — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 15:01:08 +0000

Linda Cross, a coach with “Take Shape for Life,” gave a presentation to the members of the EBBE Networking Group at the Allen and Cooley Friendly’s in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Her topic was: The National Weight Loss Control Registry and it’s Relevance to Take Shape For Life

The National Weight Control Registry (NWCR), established in 1994 by Rena Wing, Ph.D. from Brown Medical School, and James O. Hill, Ph.D. from the University of Colorado, is the largest prospective investigation of long-term successful weight loss maintenance. Given the prevailing belief that few individuals succeed at long-term weight loss, the NWCR was developed to identify and investigate the characteristics of individuals who have succeeded at long-term weight loss.

The NWCR is tracking over 5,000 individuals who have lost significant amounts of weight and kept it off for long periods of time. Detailed questionnaires and annual follow-up surveys are used to examine the behavioral and psychological characteristics of weight maintainers, as well as the strategies they use to maintaining their weight losses.

Recruitment for the Registry is ongoing. If you are at least 18 years of age and have maintained at least a 30 pound weight loss for one year or longer you may be eligible to join our research study. The NWCR has published articles describing the eating and exercise habits of successful weight losers, the behavioral strategies they use to maintain their weight, and the effect of successful weight loss maintenance on other areas of their lives. Linda passed around photographs of successful members.

Linda went on to discuss how Take Shape For Life’s (TSFL) co-founder Dr. Wayne Andersen utilized the NWCR findings on maintenance of weight loss to help Take Shape For Life clients maintain their weight loss. TSFL coaches use the Beslim approach to helping their clients lead a healthy lifestyle after getting down to a healthy weight. Beslim is an acronym for:

Breakfast-the most important and often most overlooked meal of the day

Exercise-important in overall general health for maintaining muscle mass and strength

Support-of friends, family, and professionals aiding you in reaching your goals

Low fat meals-clients are encouraged to eat 5-6 small, low fat meals a day

Individual Plan-in order to lose weight and maintain that loss clients need to have a program that fits their health and lifestyle

Monitor-Weekly weigh ins are essential to keeping the weight off for life

These are tools the successful members of the NWCR and TSFL both use to maintain their weight loss.

After the presentation, Linda answered questions from the EBBE members.

Linda Cross has successfully lost 65 pounds in just 5 months and has kept if off for over 3 years now. She is passionate and knowledgeable about the Take Shape for Life (TSFL) program. If you know of anyone that could benefit from weight loss, please contact Linda at (518) 275-9990.

Elder Law Attorney John L. Roberts gives presentation at EBBE

Richard Forrest — Thu, 26 May 2011 16:22:13 +0000

Elder Law Attorney John L. Roberts gave a presentation to members of EBBE this morning on Thursday, May 26, 2011, at the Allen and Cooley Friendly’s in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Attorney Roberts spoke about the people he serves:

Elders and disabled people who live in the Springfield, MA, Hampden County area.
Elders who live here, and have adult children who live in other parts of MA, or in other states.
People who need probate of an estate in Massachusetts or Connecticut

Attorney Roberts gave some examples of “How Planning Helps People”:

1) People who need crisis planning – (Some options: Spend down or assets for spouse? Spend down or Pooled Trust?)

2) Person who wants long-term care planning – (Some options: Transfer home to Trust? Made provisions for interim care if needed.)

3) Person who needs disability insurance benefits – (Medicaid laws interact with Social Security Disability)

Attorney Roberts also mentioned the government agencies that he deals with:

PROBATE
ESTATE PLANNING

The planning documents:
ESTATE PLANNING
WILLS
TRUSTS
POWER OF ATTORNEY

The sources of payment:
MEDICAID
MEDICARE
VETERANS BENEFITS

Estate Planning and Elder Law People Attorney Roberts Works With:

Medical
Medical Doctor
Geriatric Care Manager
Home Care Provider
Neuropsychologist
Nursing Home Administrator
Advance Practicing RN
Nursing Home Administrator
Psychiatrist
Support Group Organizer
Senior Center Director

Financial
Accountant
Tax Preparer
Banker
Financial Planner
Insurance Agent

Governmental
Medicaid Eligibility Worker
Medicaid Estate Recovery Worker
Health Insurance Administrator
Social Security Claims Worker
Veterans Benefits Specialist
Medicare Contractor

Other
Probate Registry Clerk
Guardian
Attorney for Other Parties
Guardian ad Litem

If you know someone who is facing uncertainty: Many resources and services are available! Contact Attorney John L. Roberts at (413) 567-5600. He will help you.

A successful food drive for Rachel’s Table! Thanks to the EBBE Networking Group

Richard Forrest — Thu, 19 May 2011 18:40:03 +0000

A thank you letter to the EBBE Networking Group for helping Rachel's Table with a food drive outside of the Allen & Cooley Stop & Shop in East Longmeadow, MA

People We Serve with Elder Law Services

johnlroberts — Wed, 11 May 2011 21:05:53 +0000

Do you know someone in another part of the Massachusetts, Connecticut, or another state, who is in declining health or facing a care crisis? As an elder law attorney here in Hampden County, I understand how important it is to be familiar with all the services and resources that are available to people right here in the cities and towns I serve.
Families I serve include: elders who live in the Springfield, Massachusetts area, who have adult children who live in other parts of Massachusetts, or in another state.

When I get a call from a person who has a loved one in need of care from another part of Massachusetts or Connecticut, I can refer them to the office of an elder law and estate planning attorney who knows the services and resources available to the person in need . . . close to their own home.
When I get a call from a financial planner or other professional who has a client in another part of the state, I can help that professional find the elder law and estate planning attorney located conveniently to the elder who needs the legal help.

If you know a professional who is assisting a client or family from another part of the state, reassure them: there are many resources and services available, close to their home.

Law Office of John L. Roberts. Certified Elder Law Attorney.
Longmeadow – Springfield, Massachusetts
(413) 567-5600

Resources for Elder Care

johnlroberts — Wed, 04 May 2011 20:48:58 +0000

Ever been in an unfamiliar situation, where you didn’t know what was going to happen next??? How did you feel? When a person has declining physical health or. . . when mental competence is declining . . . there are many feelings of uncertainty. The fear of uncertainty can seem overwhelming.
How do we provide care? How much care do we need? How do we pay for the care?

As an elder law attorney in HampdenCounty, I help people who are looking
for answers. There are many resources available right here, that can help calm and care for circumstances that may seem to be overwhelming.

: There are many resources for elders in Hampden County. Many services are free.

Here is a list of the allied professionals that I work with during 2010:

Health Care: Aadvanced Practicing RN, Geriatric Care Manager, Home Care Provider, Medical Doctor, Neuropsychologist, Nursing Home Administrator, Psychiatrist, Senior Center Director, Social Worker, Support Group Organizer. Legal and Financial: Accountant, Banker, Financial Planner, Insurance Agent, Government: Medicaid Eligibility Worker, Probate Registry Clerk, Registry of Deeds Clerk, Social Security Claim Worker, Town Assessor and Collector, Veterans Benefits Specialist.

These service providers are ready to help, if they understand your needs. And, when a person understands the services appropriate for their care, I can explain:

the sources of payment
how resources can be set aside for future care needs
how assets can be saved for other family members.

If you know someone who is facing uncertainty in care planning: Reassure them that there are many resources and services available.

Law Office of John L. Roberts. Certified Elder Law Attorney
Longmeadow, Massachusetts (413) 567-5600