Resorts 360 is a network marketing company that offers discount travel services through a network of partner resorts and affiliates.

When it comes to selecting the best debt consolidation agencies in your region, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) can be a great ally in reaching your goal. This watchdog organization provides unbiased reports on businesses and approves only those organizations that have proved themselves consistently capable of giving ‘above board’ service. There are 3 major reasons to search out the best consolidation agency possible by browsing through only BBB approved agencies. First, BBB approved organization have earned positive consumer feedback. Second, approved services offer an honest service for an honest wage. Third, BBB approved agencies are motivated to continue their high service standards, ensuring that they will provide you with the compassionate and skilled service you deserve.

Positive Feedback

The Better Business Bureau only approves debt consolidation agencies that have a positive record of accomplishment when it comes to consumer reports. If any given agency has earned negative reports from their previous customers, the BBB will make that information available to you, potentially saving you from a great deal of stress and financial duress. Conversely, if a company has earned positive reviews it will be reflected in the form of a gleaming endorsement from the BBB.

Honest Rates

While many companies offer low fees and interest rates, a different story is sometimes lurking just below the surface. Hidden fees, surcharges and late penalties can turn a sweet deal into a nightmare in very little time. For this reason, you would be wise to reserve your debt relief business for agencies that are approved by the BBB. These agencies will have been thoroughly vetted in order to discover any shady fees, since the BBB only condones organizations that operate with transparency and offer a honest service at an honest price. When it comes to debt consolidation, honesty is key. Utilize the BBB in order to find the very best, honest agency in your locale.

Motivated Service

Once a consolidation service has been approved by the Better Business Bureau, they are likely to want to keep their positive rating. This serves as a terrific motivator in terms of upheld standards of integrity. If you do business with a BBB approved agency, you are likely to find that your customer service team is willing to bend over backwards to make sure that you will never be even slightly tempted to report them in a negative light to the Better Business Bureau. As such, you can expect compassionate and knowledgeable service from these agencies.

What are “Linked Transactions”?

Where two or more transactions are deemed to be “linked” then the consideration on which the tax calculation is based is the aggregate of the considerations pay in each transaction. This will lead to tax being charged at a higher rate where the aggregate consideration is above the threshold of any of the individual considerations.

Two transactions may be considered to be linked if they are either between the same parties or between connected parties and together they form a single arrangement. The term “connected” parties is quite broad and can include relatives, spouses, partners (romantic or business) or even friends. There are two main ways in which a linked transaction can arise.

Linked Transaction Example 1 – Two Parcels of Land are Part of one Property

Lets say Mr and Mrs Smith decide to buy 1 Nowhere Street from Mr Jones but rather than buy it as a whole, Mr Smith buys the house for £120,000 and Mrs Smith buys the garden for £60,000. Individually no duty would be payable for either transaction as they are both below the £125,000 minimum threshold but based on the aggregate consideration of £18,000, £1,800 would be payable (1%).

Mr and Mrs Smith are clearly connected since they are husband and wife and they are both buying from the same seller, Mt Jones. Do the transactions form a single arrangement? Well, it is unlikely that they would want to buy, or that Mr Jones would want to sell, either the garden or the house alone, so the deal in reality is that the Smiths will buy 1 Nowhere Street for £180,000. It makes no difference from a stamp duty point of view that there are two contracts and two transfers.

Linked Transaction Example 2 – Buying a Portfolio of Properties

Another way in which transactions can be classed as linked is if the same or connected parties are involved in a series of dependent transactions. For example, Mr White is a property investor and Mr Black is a is builder. Mr Black builds three properties and markets them for £200,000 each. Mr White makes an offer of £540,000 for all three and Mr Black accepts but on the condition that Mr White does buy all three. He will not sell just one property for £180,000 or just two for £360,000. Mr White agrees to buy the three properties at intervals of two months.

If these transactions were dealt with individually then the total duty would be £5,400, as duty would be charged at 1% of £180,000 on each one. If however the aggregate of the three considerations is taken to be the total consideration for tax purposes (i.e. £540,000) then the duty payable would actually be £21,600 because it would be payable at 4%. It is the higher figure that would be due in this case because, although the three transactions do not happen simultaneously, there is in effect an agreement in place to buy three properties for £540,000. If the price per property was £180,000 whether or not Mr White purchased all three then the transactions may not not be considered to be linked.

What are The Risks of Failing to Declare Linked Transactions?

HMRC have said that they will examine a percentage (they have not said how many) of transactions to check for irregularities and if they have any grounds for suspicion they may make a full investigation. It is likely they will concentrate on transactions which are just below a stamp duty threshold. Anyone found to have falsified a stamp duty land tax return in order to avoid duty will be at risk of criminal prosecution for tax evasion. If you are in any doubt then consult your conveyancer or HMRC.

Nearly all businesses receive complaints from their customers. For some, complaints are bad sign for a business because they are equivalent to inadequacy and weakness. However, it is important to bear in mind that in whatever you do, you cannot guarantee a 100 percent customer satisfaction. Just like the saying ‘no one is perfect,’ a perfect business operation is something really unrealistic. No matter how close your business to perfection, problems would inevitably arise due to changing wants and needs of customers, differing market regulation, and varying standards. That is why instead of keeping away from complaints, which you truly cannot avoid, take it as an opportunity to learn and to improve your business.

In a cleaning business, it is inevitable to get customer complaints like inadequate dusting and vacuuming. However, you cannot avoid having complaints but you can lessen them. Here are some tips on how you can keep your customers happy by taking their complaints seriously but not personally.

Recognize all the complainants as loyal customers. Studies shows that 96 percent of customers do not complain when they encounter a problem with the service they had but they would likely switch to other service providers. Thus, only 4 percent of customers complain and tell the service providers their dissatisfaction. But be reminded that even a large percentage of customers no complaining does not mean that there is nothing wrong with your business. Therefore, it is very important to acknowledge those small percentage of customers who complain because they take time to tell you what went wrong with your service and what areas of your business needs more improvement and attention.

Once your customer complains and informs you your business’ weakness, regard him or her as your loyal customer because he or she takes time to contact you and to let you know what is wrong with your business operation, and gives you a chance to resolve it. Remember that if a customer is complaining, he or she is not dissatisfied to you personally, but he or she is just informing you that there is something wrong with your approach. Make sure that every word that your customers tell you are heard. Thank them for informing you of your business’ faults and guarantee them that your staff will re-clean the problem areas, or you would just give them discount to compensate the inconveniences.

Record all the complaints. Of course, it is not enough to know and fix the current problem. You also need to prevent future similar problems to occur. One way to effectively do this is through recording all the complaints that you will receive from your customers. Track all the problems in your business to see if there is an emerging pattern. By this way, you can avert any future problems that had already happened in the past. If you handle all the complaints well, it could be an opportunity for you impress your clients since it only shows that you take responsibility in your business. Remember, if you don’t handle customers effectively, it would greatly smash up your business’s name and money.

“I had too much debt, too little savings, and no sense of control over my life.” -Dave Ramsey

And then he put into practice the principles taught within The Total Money Makeover. Fact is, Dave has a lot of credibility because he’s been there! I would venture to say that all of us (at one point or another in our lives) have made a similar statement. So feel comfortable about reading this one; you’ll be able to relate.

Myth: I don’t have time to work on a budget, retirement plan, or estate plan.

Truth: You don’t have time not to.

Dave’s book is replete with these small myth-busters that outline the content of his pages. Just like anything else in life, there is fact and fiction in finances. Many of us are raised on certain financial fictions that cause bad habits in adulthood to steal away our freedom to choose and live. Dave looks to stomp out the myths ans show the pathway to financial safety.

Covered within The Total Money Makeover is budgeting, retirement planning, frugal-living, insurance help, saving advice, car buying help, and a number of financial topics that work to educate and change the way we live.

Coming from an a christian man with real christian morals, I find safety in what he teaches. We can’t trust our loan officer when they “approve” us for more than we can afford; nor can we trust our car salesman, claiming that a good lease on a car is going to be the “best thing” for us. But after having read Dave’s practical financial advice, our family has changed our financial behavior. And subsequently, we’ve changed our lives.

Myth: What your parents taught you about finance is all you need.

Truth: The principles in Dave Ramsey’s The Total Money Makeover will change your life and give you what you need to know to survive financially.

Biblically based financial planning is the perfect way for you to keep control of your budget and finances, while keeping in line with God’s perfect plan for your life. By planning your financial future according to God’s wishes for you, you can live a much more stress free life. Biblically based financial planning can help you master the skills needed to plan your finances appropriately. They will show you the proper way to plan and use your money to better yourself instead of bringing you into financial ruins. The more you know, the better off you’ll be. The Bible is very clear on how we should manage our finances, we simply need to apply the set rules.

Most people believe that they do not need to properly budget or plan the use of their money. This is sadly the cause to many related issues surrounding debt. Biblically based financial planning will help you and explain the process in which you plan the use of your money. Along with training, Christian financial planning staff will also be there for support, and help whenever you need it.

Planning your finances doesn’t mean that you can’t go on vacation or to the movies. It simply means that you budget your funds. You figure out how much you have and when you will have it. After that you use the figures you have planned for to simply assign your money where it is needed the most. This may result in so less recreational types of activities, but your bills will be paid and investments made, saving you from debt.

Biblically based financial planning not only prevents debt, but it will teach you skills that will help you save money. During this process you will be able to save up money for the things you need the most. Trying to scramble to come up with money to fix a broken down dryer can become a hassle especially if you don’t plan your finances correctly. When you plan the use of your hard earned money, you will be able to fix the dryer without the headache of actually locating the extra cash. When you have to borrow money you often times end up with more stress simply because its another added bill.

Some people feel that they have their finances planned perfectly because their credit score is often times good. This may be true but not in all cases. Individuals who have great credit will often times rely on the bank in their time of need. Sure its great to have a fall back but its also an extra bill and finance charge. Proper planning and budgeting can eliminate the need for that extra bill and finance charge.

Christian financial planning is much like other organizations that will help teach you the proper steps to planning your finances. However some organizations will tell you to take out a loan to solve your problems. That is not the case with Biblically based financial planning services, they explain how just that one extra interest charge can change your financial status in time. God desires true abundance for you in every area of your life. The riches of the world can be yours if only you follow God’s perfect plan.

It may seem a bit far fetched, but some investors have butterflies in the stomach when they hear about financial planning. There is no doubt that planning one’s finances is a very necessary and beneficial practice, but what does the plan really entail? I feel strongly that a good answer can help to calm the fears of investors.

Financial planning basically involves making decisions in five main areas: budgeting, liquidity management, management of large purchases, long-term investment and insurance.

In budgeting, the investor is supposed to decide how much of his income will be saved and how much will be spent. When income exceeds expenditure, there is saving, and hence an increase in assets. When the reverse occurs, there is negative saving, or a rise in liabilities. The excess of assets over liabilities represents the net worth of the investor.

Saving broadly relates to three different time horizons. Short-term saving such as saving for day to day expenses has a connection with liquidity management which will be soon discussed. Medium-term management deals with saving for items such as a car, or deposit towards buying a house, and borders on financing large purchases. Long-term saving is needed to achieve long-term investment.

Liquidity stands for cash that can be readily spent. Generally speaking, the more liquid a financial instrument is, the lower the returns it provides. Examples of very liquid instruments are bank notes, and chequeable accounts. These instruments pay little or no interest. Bank and building society deposits are slightly less liquid instruments that pay some interest but with some amount of limitation in accessibility. Stock market securities such as shares and bonds provide much higher returns but are equally much less liquid. It is necessary for an investor to decide how much of his saving should be in very liquid form and otherwise, in order to maximise returns.

Some form of money management is needed. For example, the high dealing cost involved in the purchase and sales of shares will make it unreasonable to embark on a share investment, when one is saving towards a holiday. A deposit or chequeable account will be more suitable. Liquidity can also be maintained via the use of credit cards, except that this form of credit attracts high interest. One must decide as to how much of liquidity will be provided by credit cards, through credit management.

When considering large purchases such as buying a car or house, one can use his own savings, borrow or combine both savings and borrowing. It pays to bear the interest as well as duration of repayment in mind when borrowing. Allowance should be made for possible hikes in interest, and a resultant rise in the size of the loan, and regular payments.

Returns increase more than proportionately with time, and risk increases less than proportionately with time when considering investment in shares. In other words, shares are more suitable for long-term investment than many other securities. There is time diversification which means that losses are evened out by gains with the passage of time. Another benefit of employing shares in long-term investments is their ability to nullify the negative effects of inflation. Shares have been proven to provide returns that are proportionately higher than inflation in the long-term.

Insurance is also considered in financial planning and essentially means paying money to an insurer for financial protection. Life insurance protects the beneficiaries in the event of the death of the policyholder. In fact insurance can be taken out to cover various assets such as car, property, and so on. It can provide protection against eventualities such as critical illness, sickness, income continuity during death and so on. Certain insurance policies such as endowment and whole-of-life combine both features of savings and life insurance in one package. It is wise to decide during planning whether it is better to keep savings and life insurance apart.

Financial planning should be demystified. It is like any other plan, except that it relates to finances. As long as one stays focused and methodical, and touches on the aforementioned decision zones there shouldn’t be any anxieties. The plan is for a particular individual to use and it is crucial that decisions are made to suit the unique financial situation and circumstances of the person under consideration.

There are two kinds of People, first are those who do not know where their next pay check is coming from and the second are those who know where their next pay check is coming from.

Planning Financially is must for everyone from the lower right up to the Upper Class.

It has has been taught to every child, even you! Remember your Mom telling you don’t buy this don’t buy that it’s not good for you and stuff?? Yes! That was one of your important lessons.. But we as children ignored the important lesson and ran out and bought sugary candy which just made us Nuts and eventually drove our Parents Nuts (If you are laughing now don’t forget you will have kids of your own)

The Ideal expense to pay check ratio would be 1 : 2 or even better 1 : 3 and so on.

Every Company aims for it and so should you!

But unfortunately not many get it that way.

But roughly even if you are saving 1/3 of your pay check you are doing well enough.

People are spending a lot on Consultation, getting people to help balance their lives. Don’t forget you got to pay people for Financial help!

So instead of paying someone for a solution here are some rules, to keep your self balanced and live a Happy Life.

MUST-DO List for a happier life

Financial Planning rule no. 1

STOP using Credit Cards:

As convenient as it is, it’s an added expense and a very good reason to spend money. Only use Credit Cards where necessary. Consider this step as a bad habit and drop it where Financial Planning is concerned.

Financial Planning rule no. 2

Get rid of your Loans:

This is must you have no idea, how light you will feel.

Speak to your Bank and pay more to get rid of them faster.

Rule no. 3

Buy in Bulk:

When you buy grocery in bulk not only you get them cheaper you can use them for longer. For e.g. you use 3 soap bars in a week instead of getting just 3 next week, get a pack of 10 you will get it cheaper plus you will save time and money to go back to the Store the following week. Use this Financial Planning rule where ever possible.

Financial Planning rule no. 4

Cut down on luxuries:

You don’t need to eat out everyday, Cook at home sometimes, its healthy (that’s if you know how to cook) and cheaper, Apply this Financial Planning rule where ever possible.

Financial Planning rule no. 5

Get to the 1 : 2 Ratio:

Try as hard as you can to reach to this ratio, earning at least twice as much as your Expenses. This step is a very important step in Financial Planning!

Financial Planning rule no. 6

Save money on Gas.

Reviewing is like a medical health screening, personal financial statements need to be examined to diagnose the state of financial health.

Similar to analyzing a company, the personal financial statements to review are the balance sheet, income/cash flow statement and budget allocation.

Balance Sheet

It lists the assets and liabilities at a specific point in time.

The types of assets are:
1. Liquid (Cash, fixed deposits, money market, short term investments)
2. Investments (Shares, unit trusts, bonds)
3. Personal (Property, car)

Some assets may fall into more than 1 category, it depends on your intention of the item. For example, shares can also be liquid or a second property could be for investment.

Liabilities are mainly categorized as short term or long term.

Net Worth will be determined by Assets minus Liabilities.

Income/Cash Flow Statement

It illustrates the income versus expenses over a period of time, typically a year.

List all sources of income, like employment salary, rental, dividends, interest, CPF contributions, royalties, etc.

List all sources of expenditure, like taxes, mortgage, loans, insurance, living expenses, entertainment, purchases, etc.

Income minus expenses will arrive at a surplus or a deficit.

Budget Allocation

If there is a deficit on the income statement, budgeting is a key solution. Even for surpluses, having a proper budget prevents living too miserly.

Divide expenses into 3 categories:
1. Committed: Mortgage, loans and insurance premiums.
2. Essentials: Living expenses like food, clothing, transport, utilities.
3. Luxuries: Holidays, branded goods, latest gadgets.

Review the list and look into excessive spending areas and aim to reduce any debt if there is. There might be sacrifices to be made, but a balance needs to be strike to achieve the financial goals.

Subsequently, the spending patterns need to be monitored to ensure the budget is adhered to.

Financial Ratios

A quick way to look at the results of the financial statements generated above is to calculate the financial ratios.

1. Liquidity ratio, number of months of emergency funds available: Liquid assets / Monthly expenses. (Should be between 3 – 6 months)
2. Debt to asset ratio, the amount of assets financed by debt: Liabilities / Assets. (Should be less than 50%)
3. Debt service ratio, the amount of take home pay used to pay off loans: Annual loan payments / Annual income. (Should be less than 35%)
4. Savings ratio, amount of savings: Savings / Income. (Should be more than 10%)

The recommended level is only a guide and it varies depending on personal circumstances.

This closes the financial planning cycle loop and should be carried out at least once a year.

The Mississippi State Agency that oversees the collection and reporting of State income taxes deducted from payroll checks is:

State Tax Commission

Income and Franchise Tax Division

P.O. Box 960

Jackson, MS 39205

(601)-923-7083

[http://www.mstc.state.ms.us/taxareas/withhold/main.htm]

Mississippi requires that you use Mississippi form “89-350, Mississippi Employee’s Withholding Exemption Certificate” instead of a Federal W-4 Form for Mississippi State Income Tax Withholding.

Not all states allow salary reductions made under Section 125 cafeteria plans or 401(k) to be treated in the same manner as the IRS code allows. In Mississippi cafeteria plans are not taxable for income tax calculation; not taxable for unemployment insurance purposes. 401(k) plan deferrals are not taxable for income taxes; taxable for unemployment purposes.

In Mississippi supplemental wages are required to be aggregated for the state income tax withholding calculation.

You must file your Mississippi state W-2s by magnetic media if you are have at least 50 employees and are required to file your federal W-2s by magnetic media.

The Mississippi State Unemployment Insurance Agency is:

Employment Security Commission

P.O. Box 1699

Jackson, MS 39215-1699

(601) 961-7755

[http://www.mesc.state.ms.us/tax/index.html]

The State of Mississippi taxable wage base for unemployment purposes is wages up to $7000.00.

Mississippi has optional reporting of quarterly wages on magnetic media.

Unemployment records must be retained in Mississippi for a minimum period of five years. This information generally includes: name; social security number; dates of hire, rehire and termination; wages by period; payroll pay periods and pay dates; date and circumstances of termination.

The Mississippi State Agency charged with enforcing the state wage and hour laws is:

Department of Health

Occupational Safety and Health Branch

2423 North State St.

Jackson, MS 39215

(601) 960-7400

There is no provision for minimum wage in the State of Mississippi.

There is also no general provision in Mississippi State Law covering paying overtime in a non-FLSA covered employer.

Mississippi State new hire reporting requirements are that every employer must report every new hire and rehire. The employer must report the federally required elements of:

Employee’s name Date of hire Employee’s date of birth. Employee’s address Employee’s social security number Employer’s name Employers address Employer’s Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN)

This information must be reported within 15 days of the hiring or rehiring.
The information can be sent as a W4 or equivalent by mail, fax or electronically.
There is a $25.00 penalty for a late report and $500 for conspiracy in Mississippi.

The Mississippi new hire-reporting agency can be reached at 800-241-1330 or on the web at https://newhirereporting.com/ms-newhire/default.asp

Mississippi does allow compulsory direct deposit but the employee’s choice of financial institution must meet federal Regulation E regarding choice of financial institutions.

Mississippi has no State Wage and Hour Law provisions concerning pay stub information.

Mississippi requires that employee be paid no less often than semimonthly, biweekly, or on 2nd and 4th Saturdays of month for manufacturers and public service corporations.

Mississippi requires that the lag time between the end of the pay period and the payment of wages to the employee not exceed ten days after pay period; 15 days for public service corporations.

Mississippi has no general provision on when terminated employees must be paid their final wages.

Deceased employee’s wages must be paid when normally due to the surviving spouse or next of kin.

Escheat laws in Mississippi require that unclaimed wages be paid over to the state after five years.

There is no provision in Mississippi law concerning record retention of abandoned wage records.

There is no provision in Mississippi law concerning tip credits against State minimum wage.

In the Mississippi payroll law there is no provision covering required rest or meal periods.

There is no provision in Mississippi law concerning record retention of wage and hour records therefor it is probably wise to follow FLSA guidelines.

The Mississippi agency charged with enforcing Child Support Orders and laws is:

Division of Child Support Enforcement

Department of Human Services

750 N. State Street

Jackson, MS 39205

(601) 359-4863

(800) 948-4010

http://www.mdhs.state.ms.us/cse.html

Mississippi has the following provisions for child support deductions:

When to start Withholding? First pay period after 14 days from service. When to send Payment? Within 7 days of Payday. When to send Termination Notice? “Promptly” Maximum Administrative Fee? $2 per payment. Withholding Limits? Federal Rules under CCPA.

Please note that this article is not updated for changes that can and will happen from time to time.