Tax Resources

As January draws to a close, many of us have taxes on our minds. They say nothing is certain in life except death and taxes and April will be here before you know it!  Here are some helpful resources and tips for navigating tax season!

Call 211 for assistance. 211 is the United Way’s hotline and they have connections to many different tax help options. Simply dial the number, tell them what you need and where you are and they can set you in the right direction.

For Pennsylvania residents, www.picpa.org can be a great resource. The Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accounts offers information on tax preparation, deadlines and extensions as well as contact for local accounts.

The IRS website is also a wonderful resource: www.irs.gov offers free tax help and well as all documents you could possibly need to complete your taxes.

Turbo Tax and Quicken offer self-directed tax preparation software as well as answers to any questions.

What are some resources you use to get your taxes done?

WIBO Graduation!

This past Saturday, Family Services of Western PA held our second WIBO graduation. For those of you who are unfamiliar with WIBO (Workshop in Business Opportunities), it is a program out of New York that provides an intensive sixteen week course for budding or current entrepreneurs. Through these classes men and women learn how to successfully build, market and manage their business. 

We have had two graduating classes of WIBO so far and could not be more excited for the participants. I myself am involved with WIBO as a guest speaker. Using my knowledge, I go over personal budgeting and lead a very lively discussion. I am one among many as there are other guest speakers, each a professional of their field and discuss topics such as human resources or marketing. 

Upon graduating, participants have a support group of new friends and can grow or start their business with a comprehensive business plan! 

If this sounds like something you would like to be a part of, registration is now open for Spring WIBO classes. Classes and contact are below! 

Starting February 19^th, Tuesdays from 6-9PM – located at Family Services of Western Pennsylvania’s East Liberty office in the Trader Joe’s plaza. (This class only has a couple of spots left, so sign up today!)

Starting February 21^st, Thursdays from 6-9PM – located at Family Services of Western Pennsylvania’s New Kensington office in Central City Plaza. 

Contact Brittany Linville at linvilleb@fswp.org for more information or to register.

Try Repairing Something Before You Buy New!

Today's Author is Levi Tonet. 

In today’s “throwaway” society it’s easy to forget things are actually repairable.  It’s not like we’ve all been covering our eyes and looking away from the subject.  Advertisers constantly push us to buy the latest and greatest products everywhere we look.  Sure, it could be fixed, but why repair when you can get rid of that old thing and buy something better?  Is that blender of yours getting old?  Better throw it away and get the new deluxe model.  Questioning whether you can afford it?  Don’t worry, we’ve got special financing just for you.  Everywhere you look and listen, someone is telling you to buy something new.  So, I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t realize your product could actually be repaired.  We aren’t supposed to think that way.  Advertisers would rather us think about throwing away and replacing.

Last week in the middle of doing laundry, my dryer decided it was ready to retire.  It wouldn’t spin its drum or even heat itself up.  It was dead as dead could be.  My dryer is so old it could likely buy alcohol legally, so I had been expecting this day to come since I first inherited the thing.  My initial thoughts were, “Noooooooooooooooo,” followed by, “I really don’t want to buy a new $500 dryer right now.”  But then I thought, “I wonder if I can figure out how to fix it?”  Even if I couldn’t fix the thing I was willing to try in an effort to save money.  Worst case scenario, I’d learn how to take apart a dryer and see how dryers work from the inside.  I pulled out my tools and went to work.

One hour later I had the dryer dis-assembled in front of me.  Sure, an expert would have had that thing taken apart in 15 minutes, but an expert would also charge $60 an hour, if not more.  At one point I thought a cat had crawled up into my dryer and died, but it turns out I was mistaking a giant pile of lint for a cat.  We’re talking a gallon-size bag of lint in one area alone.  It quickly became apparent the dryer had probably never been taken apart and cleaned out during its entire life.  I suspect the lint prevented the dryer from venting properly and led the thing to overheat.  With those thoughts in mind, I turned to the internet.

The internet is a great place to find help for whatever situation you’re in.  If you’re willing to take the risk of fixing things yourself, the internet is waiting to be your user manual, parts store, and friendly local expert.  When you’ve got something that isn’t working and will potentially have to buy a new one, why not take the risk of trying to fix it?  Worst case scenario, it’s still broken.  At the very least, look into what would be required to fix whatever it is you have that’s broken.  If you can fix it, you’ll learn valuable life skills and save money all at the same time.

After some Google searching I found RepairClinic.com.  Immediately, I was drawn to the Help is Here... section.  I put in my dryer’s model number and quickly found the parts I thought I needed to get my dryer up and running again.  Even if I ended up being wrong on the diagnosis, the site’s return policy allowed me to return any parts up to 365 days after purchase.  I saw no risk in that.  I crossed my fingers, placed my order, and waited.

Two days later the parts arrived and I ran downstairs like a kid at Christmas.  I already had the dryer taken apart, so it took all of five minutes to put the new parts in and test them out.  I plugged the dryer back in, pushed the button, and...nothing.  The dryer was still dead.  I stomped back upstairs and moped around like a kid at Christmas who hadn’t gotten that Red Ryder BB Gun he wanted.  At this point, I was ready to give up and buy a new dryer.  But, rest assured, this story has a happy ending.

Later that evening I went to my parents’ house to visit them and their horse (a.k.a. their rescued racing greyhound, Annie).  I jokingly tried to convince them they needed a new dryer so I could inherit their old one.  I guess I wasn’t as good as the advertisers on TV because they weren’t biting.  My dad did, however, tell me about a local appliance seller and repairman in East Vandergrift.  His intention was more about getting me a good deal on a new dryer, but this recommendation ended up being a godsend.  I’m all about supporting local businesses, so I thought I’d give the guy a shot.

I pulled up to the place with a little bit of skepticism, but that was quickly erased.  The owner, Henry, had the unfortunate honor of knowing my father well.  They had been train buddies earlier in life and now Henry was my dad’s main go-to guy for all of his appliance needs.  In truth, Henry actually liked my dad, but he sure liked to complain about the excessive number of flights of stairs in my parents’ house.  Is four flights of stairs excessive?  I guess I got used to it after growing up there and living there more than twenty years.  I told Henry my predicament and braced myself for price quotes on new dryers.  Instead, Henry immediately asked if I had replaced an obscure, out-of-reach sensor in the back of my dryer.  I wasn’t sure, so Henry grabbed the same repair kit I had bought from RepairClinic.com, showed me the sensor, and explained how to replace it.  I had the same sensor in my kit but had assumed the entire time that it was an extra piece intended for the gas version of my dryer.  Henry didn’t make a sale that day, but I don’t think he cared.  I think Henry is one of those people who frowns upon consumer waste and was happier about being able to get my dryer running again than making a sale.

I delayed my plans for the rest of the day and immediately went home to look for this one sensor I didn’t know existed.  Sure enough, there it was under the heating element all along.  I replaced it with the new one that had come in my kit, plugged the dryer back in, closed my eyes, and....nothing.  Ugh.  And then I realized I had forgotten to shut the dryer door.  Whoops.  I closed the dryer door and the dryer spun to life, filling the basement with a gentle hum.  My Red Ryder BB Gun had arrived, except I didn’t have to suffer through obnoxious bunny suit pajamas to get it.

I feel bad having pulled my dryer out of retirement, but at least now I can properly put aside a little bit of money each month in anticipation of having to completely replace the dryer someday.  All-in-all, the parts cost me around $30 after shipping.  I’ll take a $30 fix over a new $500 dryer any day.

The do-it-yourself attitude doesn’t have to be limited to just big appliances like dryers.  You can fix a variety of things yourself, big, small, expensive, or inexpensive.  With a little bit of searching online you can find replacement parts, manuals, and tons of help from experts and people just like you.  If you get stuck, don’t be afraid to go visit a local business like Henry’s TV and Appliance in East Vandergrift.  There are people out there who still believe in the magic of fixing things yourself rather than buying a replacement.  You’d be amazed at what all you can fix yourself if you’re willing to use a little elbow grease, take a little risk, and do a little research.

A Groupon update!

Today's author: Lindsey

A while ago I wrote a blog about using sites like Groupon or Living Social when you go out to eat or want to do any activities. Even in the short time between then and now, these sites have grown in leaps and bounds and now offer even more things – warranting a well deserved update!

Here are 4 awesome ways you can use these sites every day:

Breakfast, lunch or dinner: Before it used to be that you had to wait almost 24hrs before your deal was ready to use. Now, however, you can use a Groupon or Living Social deal almost instantly after purchase which allows you to be more spontaneous with where and when you want to go. Late Saturday morning and feel like brunch? Get on the sites and see what sort of local restaurant has brunch deals, purchase, then jump and your car and go!

Goods: These sites are now offering new and improved ‘good’ deals. This is where you can purchase a name brand item for sometimes 75% what it should cost. Here a few real examples on the sites as of today: 35 K-Cup package for $25 (originally $45), Guess by Marciano Woman’s fragrance for $19 (originally $65) or a custom 25 page Snapfish photo book for $10 (originally $25).

Activities: Want to try a hot yoga class but don’t want to by a package? Or perhaps you love going to the symphony but tickets are so expensive to go all the time. Maybe you love random adventures but are not sure where to find fun and interesting place to go. Living Social and Groupon should be your go to for all of these! You can get great deals from basketball to ballroom dancing, the symphony to kayaking and everything in between. Take a look once and awhile and see what is out there! Right now in Pittsburgh you can get a local university D1 basketball ticket for $6 or a mani/pedi for $17. At those prices, why not both?

Travel and excitement: Want to go somewhere exotic? Why not check out Groupon or Living Socials travel deals! Instead of Lake Erie, go to Jamaica for less than $300 for a three night stay? There are continental and international deals from Tennessee to Dubai. Instead of planning the same old summer vacation, why not use that money on something new (and possibly cheaper!)

By the same token, make sure to check out the local Groupon’s or Living Socials when you are already at your destination. For example, my husband and I took a recent trip to NYC. We looked at the local Groupons and found one for a French restaurant in Times Square for $39. We got two appetizers, two entrees and wine, totaling a bill for almost $150. We however, only paid $39, thanks to Groupon!

Also, expand your horizons by using your local sites to try and experience new things right in your neighborhood. Lebanese restaurant has a deal? Why not go! It may become your new favorite type of food. You’ll never know till you try.

When to purchase a large item

Author: Brittany

My significant other and I own a duplex. Instead of renting out one side, we actually live in the entire duplex. One kitchen has no appliances in it besides a dishwasher. The other has appliances older than myself in it. For quite a long time, my significant other and I have been discussing putting appliances in the kitchen without appliances since that kitchen is on the floor that we spend the majority of our time on. We’ve been checking Sears, Lowe’s, HH Gregg, and various other stores for sales and the like for about 3-5 months at this point.

We discovered last week that the Sears in Monroeville, near the Monroeville Mall, is going out of business. The sales associate stated that the Sears is being replaced by a Walmart and Sears had no intention of leaving, but due to their leaving, everything at that store is 40% or more off the original price. You know what that means! GREAT SALES!

My SO and I went to look at appliances there on Saturday. We found a lovely Frigidaire midline model for $850 (originally $1500) and a great GE gas range for $450 (originally $800). Both are floor models, so the fridge is missing a door shelf (it has the kind that are movable) and the stove needs one knob, which are easily replaceable and cheap to replace. Other than the missing items, both are in fantastic shape. Can’t do much better than that!

In the end, I was able to buy a better quality fridge and range than I had planned due to the great going out of business sale. We also plan to take these appliances with us when we move in the next 3-5 years, so these will last us a long time!

What are some great deals you have gotten in the past?

Finance Blogs that We are Reading

We obviously cannot write everything here at FSWP, so we wanted to share some other finance/personal finance blogs we think are worth a look at:

The Simple Dollar: Trent has some of the best advice I've seen on the web.

Get Rich Slowly: This blog has several guest authors writing on a wide variety of topics. They also made the Top 25 blogs of 2011 according to TIME Magazine.

Man vs. Debt: This blog is written by a fellow Indiana Univ. (Bloomington) alumnus. He and his wife live very frugally AND simply with small children. There's a guest writer, Joan, who is paying down a load of debt. She's got a heck of a story of her struggles and successes paying off her family's debt.

You vs. Debt: A spin off of Man vs. Debt. A class specifically tailored to help pay off your debts.

What other personal finance blogs are you reading??

Saving money on movies.

Everyone loves going to movies but in case you have not noticed, it is starting to get pretty pricey! When tickets now range between $8 and $12 and a large popcorn and drink is $12.99 it can add up pretty quickly. So how can you still save money and enjoy the newest flick? Here are a few particle ways!

Check out daily deal sites like Groupon or LivingSocial! These kinds of places will often have movie theater deals or ticket deals to a specific movie. Worth checking out! Along the same lines, movie theater’s Facebook pages will also offer deals every so often. Look up your local cinema!

Go see a matinee. Matinees are a great way to save a few bucks and go see that movie you have been dying to see. Theaters also will have deal nights, for example, my local theater has free popcorn on Mondays and movie tickets on Tuesdays are $5 all day!

Though they are few and far between, dollar theaters are an amazing thing! Wait until it comes to the local dollar theater and the grab some friends and enjoy your huge savings. By the same token, drive-in theaters are a great way to see two movies, save some money and be outside.