E-CPA – August 2008

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
1. Warhaftig & Associates, CPA Update
2. Important Dates – Mark Your Calendar
3. Drowning at the Gas Pump?
4. How to Protect Your Financial Privacy
5. When Should You Begin Taking Social Security Payments?
6. Understanding Mutual Fund Fees
7. How Long Should You Retain Financial Records?
8. Additional Headlines

1. WARHAFTIG & ASSOCIATES, CPA UPDATE
Appointments are now being taken for tax planning (get a jump
on next year and don’t be surprised), financial planning (investing, retirement, debt and credit card assistance) or anything else that we can be of assistance.
Please do not hesitate to call or e-mail us.

2. IMPORTANT DATES – MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Estimated Taxes: 3rd quarter estimated payments are due on September 15, 2008. If you would like to learn more about making estimated payments, please give us a call.

New Jersey Homestead Rebates have started to go out to seniors and disabled Taxpayers based on applications received. All others that qualify should get them later in the fall.

3. DROWNING AT THE GAS PUMP?
Now that the average cost of a gallon of gas is hovering around $4, are you thinking about buying a more fuel-efficient vehicle? What about slowing down on the road to conserve fuel? Will a gas card with rewards ease your pain at the pump? Listen to this month’s podcast for answers to these and other questions.
http://www.moneymattersnj.com/story.cfm?sid=13360

4. HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FINANCIAL PRIVACY
With Internet use now an integral part of our lives, it’s become commonplace to provide confidential information such as bank account and credit card numbers, and even your Social Security number. Protecting your personal information today is more difficult – but it’s still critically important.
http://www.moneymattersnj.com/story.cfm?sid=13374

5. WHEN SHOULD YOU BEGIN TAKING SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS?
Choosing when to retire and start drawing Social Security benefits is an important decision – one that is unique to each individual. Based on Social Security regulations, you can begin taking payments as early as age 62, but the age at which you retire will have an effect on the amount of your payment.
http://www.moneymattersnj.com/story.cfm?sid=13375

6. UNDERSTANDING MUTUAL FUND FEES
Mutual funds let you buy into a diverse pool of investments, including short-term securities, stocks and long-term bonds, among others. However, there are typically charges associated with mutual funds, and you should understand those fees and how they will affect your investment.
http://www.moneymattersnj.com/story.cfm?sid=13376

7. HOW LONG SHOULD YOU RETAIN FINANCIAL RECORDS?
Every year, taxpayers wade through piles of financial documents to find the information they need to file their taxes. But what happens to all that paperwork once you’ve mailed your return? How long do you have to keep your records in case of a tax audit?
http://www.moneymattersnj.com/story.cfm?sid=13380

8. ADDITIONAL HEADLINES

How Relationship Break-Ups Impact Home Insurance
http://www.insure.com/articles/homeinsurance/significant-other.html

Four Reasons to Forgo Credit Monitoring Services
http://www.smartmoney.com/deal-of-the-day/index.cfm?story=20080714-credit-monitoring-services

E-CPA is a monthly email publication provided by
Warhaftig & Associates, CPA
64 Hickory Court
Jamesburg, NJ 08831
(732) 521-3694
www.WarhaftigAssociates.com

E-CPA – July 2008

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
1. Warhaftig & Associates, CPA Update
2. Important Dates – Mark Your Calendar
3. What You Need to Know About Your Spouse’s Finances
4. This Month’s Podcast: Shopping for a Mortgage
5. Tips for Getting a Raise
6. Is Your Credit Score Costing You Money?
7. Ways to Repair Your Credit Score
8. Retiring Early
9. Additional Headlines

1. WARHAFTIG & ASSOCIATES, CPA UPDATE
Beginning this month, you will receive the E-CPA newsletter from us, which gives you some additional information in the world of taxes, finances and the economy. We hope that you enjoy it and find it useful in your everyday activities.

Also, if you would like to schedule an appointment for tax planning (get a jump on next year and don’t be surprised), financial planning (investing, retirement, debt and credit card assistance) or anything else that we can be of assistance,
please do not hesitate to call or e-mail us.

2. IMPORTANT DATES – MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Estimated Taxes: 3rd quarter estimated payments are due on September 15, 2008. If you would like to learn more about making estimated payments, please give us a call.

3. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR SPOUSE’S FINANCES
Are you and your spouse knowledgeable about each other’s
financial situation? Are critical documents up to date? Are
you prepared if a spouse is incapacitated or dies? In case
of an unexpected emergency, it’s prudent to know the details
and location of each other’s financial records and documents.
http://www.moneymattersnj.com/story.cfm?sid=13322

4. THIS MONTH’S PODCAST: SHOPPING FOR A MORTGAGE
The home buying process can seem complicated, but if you take
things step-by-step, you will soon be holding the keys to
your own home. Hear from a CPA about how doing your homework and shopping around can help you negotiate a better deal.
http://www.moneymattersnj.com/story.cfm?sid=13333

5. TIPS FOR GETTING A RAISE
Are you earning the salary you deserve? In a tight economy,
many people are finding that they aren’t receiving
impressive increases when evaluation time rolls around.
Don’t despair. There are some steps you can take to maximize
your chances for a larger paycheck.
http://www.moneymattersnj.com/story.cfm?sid=13323

6. IS YOUR CREDIT SCORE COSTING YOU MONEY?
In these uncertain financial times, even those with excellent credit histories may have trouble getting a mortgage or other type of loan. That’s why it’s important to know your credit score and the effect it can have on your checkbook.
http://www.moneymattersnj.com/story.cfm?sid=13324

7. WAYS TO REPAIR YOUR CREDIT SCORE
Do you know your credit score? People with poor scores usually pay higher interest rates, which translate into larger monthly payments for a mortgage or an auto or student loan. Poor scores can also cost you when renting an apartment, applying for a cell phone plan or even getting the job you want. Luckily, there are steps you can take to improve your score.
http://www.moneymattersnj.com/story.cfm?sid=13325

8. RETIRING EARLY
Most of us dream about retiring early. For a number of
Americans, it is not just a fantasy, but a reality. A few
even accomplish it by their 30s. There are different ways to
approach an early retirement strategy, but one aspect is
certain – it requires careful planning.
http://www.moneymattersnj.com/story.cfm?sid=13303

9. ADDITIONAL HEADLINES

As Gas Prices Soar, CPAs Offer Advice –
http://www.moneymattersnj.com/story.cfm?sid=13291

Beyond Boomers: Financial Conversations With Generation X –
http://www.moneymattersnj.com/story.cfm?sid=13305

Same-Gender Couples Can Benefit from Professional Wisdom –
http://www.moneymattersnj.com/story.cfm?sid=13304

E-CPA is a monthly email publication provided by:
Warhaftig & Associates, CPA
64 Hickory Court
Jamesburg, NJ 08831
(732) 521-3694
www.WarhaftigAssociates.com