TurboTax Software Inside Edition

TurboTax vice president, Bob Meighan, gave me a few minutes of his time recently to talk about the Turbo Tax product and what goes on behind the scenes to make the tax preparation software as smart as it is.

Bob’s the vice president of consumer advocacy for TurboTax and has worked at Intuit since 1991 so there have been many tax returns prepared and filed by the software during his long tenure there.

I’m afraid I chatted his ear off about the tax software so I’m not going to publish all the questions and answers at once. I’ll roll them out over a few days to keep the topics short and digestable. My first set of questions for Bob had to do with his role in the product and how it impacts people that buy and use Turbo Tax. I’ll be be paraphrasing his answers rather than quoting him verbatim since I was scribbling notes as he answered my questions and didn’t capture it word for word.

1) What does the Vice President for Consumer Advocacy do at TurboTax?

Bob’s major role is keeping in touch with what the customer needs and what questions they have about TurboTax. He spends a lot of his time involved with customer service and handling any customer issues that come up.

Once Bob investigates customer questions or concerns he works with the TurboTax development team to pass along the details of the issue so it can be addressed. As a result of this process Intuit is consistently updating the product throughout tax season based on tax laws and customer feedback.

Bob also helps handle media relations for TurboTax since he has such an extensive knowledge of the product and also has a background as a CPA. It seems Bob is a good fit for this role, he knew the answer to every TurboTax question I asked him, right off the top of his head.

2) What tax questions are TurboTax users struggling with this year?

Bob gets a lot of feedback from the TurboTax Live Community, an online resource center where customers can ask questions, answer other’s questions, and offer product feedback. He really thinks Live Community adds a lot to the value of the software since it lets him and his team capture customer questions and then track additional feedback and the resolution of the inquiries.

One of the most common questions that comes up every year has to do with the ability to claim someone as a dependent. This year the New Homebuyer’s tax credit has been creating a lot of questions and confusion and to some extent the Energy tax credits as well.

Obviously, the benefit to end users is that once the development team updates Turbo Tax to address the questions from Live Community, the rest of the customer base benefits as well. Users like you and I don’t have to understand all the intricacies of the tax credits, the software gathers the information it needs during the interview process and determines the tax credit eligibility for you.

3) Can customers interact with TurboTax using Twitter?

Although Bob just created a Twitter account at the end of last year Ashley Kirkendall and Chelsea Marti have been active on the site, representing TurboTax, for a while.

Bob’s seen Twitter be a good early indicator of problems and questions from customers. It also gives people a chance to talk with someone if they feel like they want more personal attention with a question.

After talking with Bob I made a list of the various people from Intuit that work on the TurboTax product:

• Lucy Beard
• David Kanter
• Julie Miller
• Colleen Gatlin
• Christine Morrison
• Scott Gulbransen

For the next segment of the interview I’ll cover some more of the things we talked about, such as:

• Benefits of tax prep software over manually preparing your taxes
• People’s first experience using TurboTax
• How people like to get their tax refunds
• When other people get around to filing their taxes

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Tax Return Deadlines

Tax return deadlines aren’t flexible so here’s a list of dates to keep in mind as you gather receipts and determine deductions for 2009 and 2010.

December 31, 2009

This is the deadline for making expenditures which can be deducted from your 2009 tax return, payments such as mortgage interest and charitable donations.

January 2010

Businesses are preparing tax documents to be sent to their employees. Banks, churches, and other organizations are also preparing tax-related documents to be mailed.

1/15/2010 – is the first day the Internal Revenue Service begins accepting tax returns that are filed electronically. This is also the deadline for fourth quarter estimated tax payments. If you pay your tax return in full by February 1, 2010 you can avoid this last payment without risk of penalty fees.

February 2010

2/01/2010 – Last day for 1098, 1099, and W-2 tax forms to be provided and mailed out. (Normally, 1/31 but this falls on a Sunday in 2010.)

2/16/2010 – Last day for filing W-4 forms for those who were exempt from income tax withholding in 2009, and wish to continue this exemption status. (Normally, 2/15 but this falls on President’s Day in 2010.)

March 2010

3/01/2010 – Last day for Fishermen and Farmers to file and pay in full their tax returns if they skipped paying their fourth quarter estimated tax payment, in order to avoid any late payment penalties.

3/16/2010:

– Corporations must file Forms 1120 or 1120-A for a 2009 calendar-year income tax return. If an extension is requested, the corporation will be required to make the fourth quarter estimated tax payment. Use a 7004 form to file for a six-month extension.

– S Corporations must file a Form 1120S for their 2009 calendar-year tax returns and make any due tax payments. A copy of Schedule K-1 or a substitute Schedule K-1 must be sent out to each shareholder. S Corporations must also use a Form 7004 to file for an extension, but must pay due taxes.

April 15^th 2010

– Tax returns are due to be filed and paid unless an extension has been applied for and granted.

– Use a Form 4868 to apply for a six-month extension, but be sure to pay any due taxes by April 15, 2010. The extension gives you until October 15th to file.

– This is the deadline to make contributions to IRA’s or Roth IRA’s for the 2009 tax year.

– The first-quarter estimated tax payment for the 2010 tax year are due.

– For most states, 2009 State Tax returns are due on April 15 also. If you’ve filed for a Federal extension, you may have automatically been granted a state extension but be sure to check on both the file due date and extensions.

– Household employers must file a Schedule H (1040) Form if they’ve paid $1,700 or more of wages in cash to household employees, along with their regular tax returns, reporting any employment taxes for 2009 as well.

June 15, 2010

Filing deadline – if you’re a U.S. citizen, a U.S. Military member, or a residential alien who is working or living outside the U.S. or Puerto Rico, then file Form 1040, also paying any due interest, penalties, and taxes. An extension until 10/15/10 can be filed.

Second-quarter estimated tax payment for 2010 are due; use Form 1040-ES.

September 15, 2010

Third-quarter estimated tax payment for 2010 are due.

October 15, 2010

If you filed for a six-month extension using a 4868 form, your 2009 tax returns are now due.

December 31, 2010

Keogh plan – Deadline to open a Keogh plan in order to deduct any plan contributions on your 2010 tax return.

If you happen to miss a payment deadline still go ahead and make your payment as soon as possible because interest can accrue on unpaid balances.  If you miss a tax deadline such as contributing to an IRA before April 15, there’s not much you can do.  The tax documents you recieve won’t reflect the late contribution until your 2010 taxes.  Hopefully this list of tax return deadlines will help you get all your tax matters complete on time! For a complete list of all tax deadlines your can visit the IRS website.

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2009 Federal Tax Brackets

The 2009 federal tax brackets were released last April but here’s a reminder of where you stand when filing your federal income tax return. The tax bracket you end up in depends on the amount of your total taxable income; including pension plans or additional sources of income.

For example, if you are married filing jointly and your income is $70,500 then you will be classified in the 25% tax wages bracket. Below are the tax brackets, brief descriptions of the categories of filing status and some changes for the 2009 tax laws which may impact you.

Tax Bracket	Single	Married Filing Jointly/Qualifying Widower
10%	$0-$8,350	$0-$16,700
15%	$8,350-$33,950	$16,700-$67,900
25%	$33,950-$82,250	$67,900-$137,050
28%	$82,250-$171,550	$137,050-$208,850
33%	$171,850-$372,950	$209,250-$373,650
35%	$372,950+	$372,950+

Don’t try to determine your tax bracket by looking at the Withholding Rate on your paycheck stub because it may be at a rate of 20% which is in between Federal Tax Brackets. An easy way to estimate your taxable income is to check last year’s tax return and look for what’s labeled “taxable income”. This will make doing your 2009 tax returns easier because you now only need to determine if there are any new sources of taxable income to add.

Tax Bracket	Married Filing Separately	Head of Household
10%	$0-$8,350	$0-$11,950
15%	$8,350-$33,950	$11,950-$45,500
25%	$33,950-$68,525	$45,500-$117,450
28%	$68,525-$104,425	$117,450-$190,200
33%	$104,425-$186,475	$190,200-$372,950
35%	$372,950+	$372,950+

Tax Status Descriptions
Single – This status is for an unmarried individual filing alone.

Married/Filing Jointly – This status is for married couples who choose to file their tax return as one together.

Married/Filing Separately – Some married couples choose, for personal or financial reasons, to continue filing separately, though not as a Single status.

If you are married but filing separately, keep in mind with children that dependent exemptions can only be claimed by one of you, not both.

Head of Household – This status does not claim marital status. You don’t have to claim a dependent to qualify as Head of Household.

2009 Federal Income Tax Return Changes & Increases

• Personal and dependency exemptions have increased $150 for most tax payers.
• New standard deductions have increased $500 for married couples filing jointly, $250 for singles and married couples filing separately, $350 for heads of household.
• Earned income tax credit for moderate and low income workers and working families with two or more children is up $204. It’s up $1,769 for families, filing jointly, with two or more children.
• Gift Exclusion is increased by $1,000.
• Social Security Contribution and Wage Benefit Base is increased $4,800.
• Roth and Traditional IRA Contribution limits had no changes made.

Hopefully these numbers will help as you prepare your tax returns this year. If you need more detailed information or have specific questions regarding your federal income tax return you can contact your local Internal Revenue Service office or visit the IRS website.

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Capital Gains Tax Q&A

What is the Capital Gains Tax & What Financial Events Trigger the Tax?

A capital gains tax is a tax that is charged to both individuals and corporations on the profits of the sale of investments and assets. In the United States capital gains tax is calculated on the net profits of the sales.

This means that a person may have fifty thousand dollars profit from the sale of a particular stock, but also has a loss of twenty thousand dollars from the sale of a different stock; this individual would have to pay capital gains tax on only on the difference, in this case thirty thousand dollars.

It is also important to note that capital gains are only due on the profits from the “sale”. This means that just because a particular stock that you may hold tripled in value over the course of the year, you do not have to pay taxes on the increase in value unless you sell your shares, cash in and “realize” a profit. The most common financial transactions that cause you to have to pay capital gains tax are the sale of stocks, bonds, properties.

Short Term Capital gains vs. Long Term Capital Gains

Short term gains and long term gains refer to the length of time that the assets were owned before they were sold. This is important because the tax rates are different depending on this length of time.

The tax rate in the United States on long term gains (any asset that has been owned for longer than one years time before being sold) is around fifteen to twenty percent. The tax rate for short term gains on the other hand is higher, and is set at the ordinary income tax rate. Please keep in mind that these tax rates can vary greatly, depending on an individuals tax bracket.

How to Reduce Capital Gains Tax?

How can you reduce capital gains tax, in some instances this is the million dollar question. There are various ways you can can legally reduce or defer capital gains tax, here are just a few examples with brief descriptions:

• Tax Loss Harvesting: Using the losses in taxable accounts to reduce taxes due.
• Charitable Trust: Donating to charitable organizations in order to offset ones taxes due.
• Installment or Structured Sale: Taking payments for a sale over a number years spreads the capital gains across the years that payments are received.
• 1031 Exchange: For real estate only, when you sell and make a profit then subsequently by another similar property.

What Software Can Calculate Capital Gains Tax?

Software programs that can simplify and automate the process of calculating capital gains can help reduce errors and make the process simpler. Below is a list of some popular software applications that will assist you in this process.

This list is made up of applications that can link up with the major brokerage firms and download the required data, report the data onto the required IRS form Schedule-D, and export the data to your accountant or tax preparation software such as TurboTax and TaxCut.

• TradeLog
• GainsKeeper
• MyGains
• Track Your Trades
• TradeAccountantPro

You will be hard pressed to find someone that wants to pay more taxes than are due. Your capital gains are yours; you have earned them. Unfortunately you’ll have to pay taxes on them; hopefully these questions and answers will help a little as you calculate your capital gains tax.

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Federal Tax Forms Overview

January is the time of year when you begin receiving vital federal tax forms in the mail. You’re probably familiar with the tax forms you receive documenting your income; the forms vary depending on if you are self-employed, employed as a private contractor or sub-contractor, or if you work directly with one specific employer. Today we’ll take a look at these and some of the other common tax forms that will show up in your mailbox soon.

Tax Form Overview

This month is when you need to start gathering tax forms from your bank, employer, mortgage lender, and any charitable or retirement funds you contributed to in the previous year. Many educational and financial institutes now provide tax forms online in a downloadable format. Whether you file online, use an accounting tax professional, or do them on your own with tax software, there are some basic tax forms you’ll need to know the difference between to properly prepare your tax return. A majority of these tax forms are to be mailed out to you by January 31st.

W-2 Form – This is the most widely used tax form, sent out by employers. The w-2 form contains necessary tax documentation such as your wages for the previous year, commissions, contributions to retirement and Roth accounts, plus other vital tax information.

1099-R Form – This form is used for profit-sharing plans, IRAs, annuities, pensions, and retirement plans. The organization for these accounts will be sending out these forms which report distributions and contributions made within the previous year. It may be required that a copy of this form be attached to your regular tax return.

1099-S Form – This form is for those working as sub-contractors or independent contractors, coming from those who paid your salary or wages. Because you are considered self-employed, rather than employed by one specific employer, you are responsible for taxes that were not automatically withheld.

1099-INT & 1099-DIV Forms – These forms come from financial institutions where you have an account which pays taxable capital gains, losses, or dividends.

1099-SSA Form – If you were a recipient of social security income in the previous year, you will receive this form from the Federal Government.

1098-T Form – This form is for married couples where either spouse took accredited college or continuing education courses from a university or community college. This document reports the amount of tuition paid.

1098-E Form – If you are itemizing deductions and paid any student loans in the previous year, that educational institute will mail this form to you.

1098 Form – This form is for home owners and your mortgage lender will mail this to you, reporting any mortgage interest you paid the year prior. If you are not itemizing deductions, you will not need this form.

1048-S Form – If you were a scholarship or grant recipient, you will be receiving this tax form from that former educational institute.

Be aware of the important fact that a number of these federal tax return forms are only to be used by those who are reporting itemized deductions for the previous year. If you have not received all your necessary tax documents by the middle of February, you may need to contact those particular establishments. They may be unaware that your information was either not sent or not received. Also note that not all Federal Tax Return forms are mentioned in this article, so be sure to contact your local Internal Revenue Service office or visit their website – IRS.gov – with any relevant tax return questions.

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Man vs Debt – Who Will Win?

Man vs Debt is a site that I enjoy, partly because the author, Adam Baker, is doing something that I was too scared to do. I’ll explain. After graduating from college, my wife and I discussed moving to Australia for a year or two for one last “adventure” before settling into our jobs. The plan was we’d work during the weeks, as a computer programmer and a teacher our job skills were pretty universal, and see the country on the weekends.

I can’t remember our reasons for deciding against travelling to Australia but instead of adventuring we started our careers here in the U.S. I do remember that there were hurdles and unknowns and although it was an exciting idea, it was also kind of scary. Whenever you’re thinking of trying something new in life, you can always find a “good reason” not to do it. It may be perfectly legitimate reason but often times is also an excuse you can use to talk your way out of an uncomfortable situation. So what does this have to do with Adam and Man vs Debt?

The Man vs Debt Saga

Adam and his wife were in a bit of a hole financially, over $80,000 in consumer debt, when they decided to sell most of their posessions and move to Australia. You can read more about how they’ve embraced frugality to pay off their debt and decided to chase their travel dreams on the Man vs Debt about page.

I admire Baker and his family for looking past all the reasons not to pack up and move their life around the world. They even have a little kid, and as a parent of two I know how challenging it can be to raise a kid in a U.S. suburb, left alone in a foreign country with no friends or family close by. Hats off to the Baker family!

You can check out some recent pictures and videos from their adventures here. To keep up with their mission to beat debt and follow their travel journeys you can subscribe to their posts and track them on Twitter.

Man vs Debt Recent Articles

• Family Travel Packing
• Excess is a Liability
• Baker Family Message
• Is Travel Worth It?

Here are som other posts from personal finance bloggers – most are all about new year’s resolutions and how to improve your finances for 2010.

NEW YEAR

• 3 Things That Will Improve Your Finances in 2010 @ Generation X Finance
• Good Riddance to Unwanted Gifts @ Lazy Man & Money
• Resolving to Save Money @ Suns Financial Diary
• 5 Financial Milestones to Aim for By Age 30 @ The Digerati Life
• Financial Goals for 2010 @ Five Cent Nickel
• Your Take: Your New Year’s Resolution? @ Bargaineering
• 10 Steps to Financial Success in 2010 @ Get Rich Slowly
• New Year’s Financial Resolutions: Baby Steps @ My Dollar Plan
• Four Lifestyle Tweaks For The New Year @ Frugal Dad
• How the Average American Family Spends Their Income @ The Simple Dollar
• Add an “S” to SMART Goals This Year @ Money Ning
• Get a year-end bonus? Do something responsible with it @ Mighty Bargain Hunter
• 15-Minute Resolution #1: Save More For Retirement @ My Money Blog
• Getting Ready For 2010 @ No Credit Needed
• The Most Important Financial Goals for 2010 @ Cash Money Life
• Top 10 Financial Blogs To Follow In 2010 By Category @ Moolanomy
• Start the New Year Off Right @ My Two Dollars
• 2010: A Look Ahead @ Being Frugal
• It’s a New Year to Pimp Your Finances! @ Budgets Are Sexy
• New Year’s Resolutions Suck @ Fiscal Geek
• Our 2010 Financial Goals @ No Debt Plan

Personal Finance

• Alternatives to High-Yield Savings Accounts @ Consumerism Commentary
• Roth IRA Rules For Minors. Your Kids Guide to Tax Free Money @ Good Financial Cents
• 8 questions to ask before buying “stuff” @ Brip Blap
• Tuition, Education, Textbook and Student Loan Tax Credit @ Million Dollar Journey
• Revisiting the Value of a College Degree @ Free Money Finance

Thanks to Own the Dollar for including our post in the Money Hacks carnival.

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Best Tax Software for 2009 Returns

The best tax software is a debate that happens each year as millions of people prepare their income tax return.  If you’ve been messing with paper tax forms and manually filing your taxes you’ve probably wondered at least once, whether tax preparation software might make your job easier.  Here’s a look at some of the best tax software for your 2009 taxes.

Turbo Tax Software

Turbo Tax claims it’s the number one personal tax software available and many of it’s customers agree. Its money back guarantee does makes it attractive to people looking to file their taxes with tax prep software for the first time. If Turbo tax users find a larger refund using some other tax preparation method, Turbo tax will give you your money back.

There are several different versions of TurboTax and you don’t have to visit a store to purchase the tax prep software. On Turbo tax’s website you can download one of four versions, depending on what suits your needs. All versions come with free federal e-filing once your return is complete.

Turbo tax’s free Edition is available and recommended for those individuals who will be filing a simple return with no itemized deductions. Payable versions include the Deluxe version which is recommended if you own a home have made donations or have medical expenses to write off. The Premier addition is recommended for those who also have stocks, bonds and mutual funds and for those who have investment or rental property. The deluxe edition is recommended for sole proprietors, consultants, contractors or single owner LLC.

All versions are user friendly, especially for beginners. They each walk you through an easy step by step process to fill out the forms and file your return. All guarantee to be accurate, check for errors and offer free audit support if you are audited. Free product support is also available through a FAQ section and an on-line chat community of tax experts.

For the Deluxe, Premiere and Home and Business versions the software helps users determine if they are eligible for 350 different deductions, offers calculations for full value charitable donations, asks questions about changes in your life that could affect your tax return and keeps you updated as you go on what your refund total will be. These versions also look for deductions you may have missed as you proceed through the software. Each specialty addition also provides guidance to the specific areas the product is advertised for.

To learn more about TurboTax software Click Here.

TaxACT Software

TaxACT software is guaranteed to be accurate and is 100% made and supported in the United States. It claims to be user friendly and is supported by professional accountants and CPA’s. The three versions are the Free Version, The Deluxe and the Ultimate Bundle.

The free version offers more than its competitor’s free products allowing users to file a 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ tax return using the software. The program assists users in determining their maximum deductions and credits. There is also a help center for users who have questions and free audit support is provided. The software package includes free federal E-filing.

The Deluxe version offers all that is in the free software package. Additionally this version assists you in calculating values of charitable donations and helps you determine what deductions you are entitled to due to life changes. You will also have free guidance via email or phone from a tax specialist, if needed. The software also has information for you on complex tax laws and tips and strategies to get your maximum allowable refund.

The Ultimate Bundle includes all the benefits of the first two with the added bonus of Sate forms and Sate Filing. Other extra benefits include expert advice on every deduction and special alerts will appear if the software thinks you have misses a deduction. Support with this software is offered through email, phone or live on the web. Free federal and state e-filing is also included.

To learn more about TaxACT software Click Here.

H & R Block Software

H&R Block offers three different software programs for tax payers to choose from depending on their needs. All three programs guarantee accurate calculations and each offer a 100% satisfaction money back guarantee.

The Basic Version is the cheapest and is best for those filing simple tax returns. It is easy for beginners to use and offers step by step guidance in a question and answer form. The software double checks for errors. It also comes with free federal e-filing, but state e-filing charges are not included.

The Deluxe version is a step up from the basic and is best for home-owners. It offers all of the features that you find in the basic program and more. Its step by step guidance is personalized. It also helps users with tax guidance on stocks, bonds and mutual funds. The software also works with the user to maximize mortgage interest and charitable donation deductions. It comes with free audit support from an H&R Block tax professional and your federal and state e-file fees are included.

The Premium H&R Block tax filing software is recommended for those who are self-employed and for those who own rental property. It offers all the same features the deluxe version offers. Additionally, this version offers a one time live tax advice session, information on tax laws and planning resources and advanced tax calculations. It also has schedule-C guidance so that if you are self-employed you can find your maximum tax deduction. Rental income assistance is also included. As in the other versions, fees for federal e-filing are included as well as state filing.

To learn more about H&R Block at Home software Click Here.

I hope this review of some of the best tax software on the market helps make your income tax return go a little more smoothly this year!

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Lost Credit Card Q&A

I lost my credit card a week ago and have been waiting to report a lost card in the hopes that it would turn up. I’ve been logging on every day to check for purchases on my lost card, our American Express Blue Cash, and hadn’t seen any activity since the day it went missing.

Luckily, today I found the lost card “hiding” on the floor of our garage, where I must have dropped it when I climbed out of the car.  I started wondering what would have happened if someone had stolen my credit card and I hadn’t reported it to American Express right away.

Credit Card Fraud Alert

I called them up and quizzed an operator on the proper procedure for a lost credit card.  They assured me that I would never be responsible for fraudulent charges on an AmEx card but said in the future I should call right away if I’ve misplaced my card.

Apparently American Express can put a 24 hour hold on your credit card where no one can use it for that time period. If you find your lost card and call back within 24 hours then they lift the hold and you’re back to charging as normal. If 24 hours passes without them hearing from you, then they invalidate your card and it can’t be used again.

Lost Card Liability

Obviously AmEx takes fraud or identity theft very seriously, I imagine they lose a lot of money from it each year. The rep told me to notify them as soon as possible if your card is missing, that they’re open 24 hours a day so you can call anytime.  (On a side note, I can confirm they’re at least open until 2 AM, which is when I called them up to research this post.  Not only that, the lady was surprisingly cheerful for a middle of the night call.)

Of course my reason for waiting was that I didn’t want to report the credit card lost or stolen then turn around and find it two days later & be without a card.  I figured it was somewhere in the house but in the back of my mind I was worried someone out there might have it.  What I really wanted to know was whether I’d be held liable for any purchases on the credit card if it was missing and I didn’t report it.  The lady said no, that if the charges were fraudulent, I wouldn’t have to pay them but I should report a missing card as soon as possible.

Credit Card Monitoring

My next question was, what if you lose your card and don’t realize it? She assured me that American Express has an account security team that does daily monitoring of transactions and if they detect suspicious or irregular activity they’ll alert you by phone and by email.  Which, as she explains it, is why they asked for my cell phone and email address when I called in tonight.

If any suspicious charges do show up on your card, she said to call up immediately and that they would cancel your card right away.  Then they send the charges over to their fraud group for an investigation into the purchases.

New Credit Cards

If you cancel your card because you lose it or due to someone else using it , American Express will put a new one in the mail and you should have it within 7 business days.  Of course this is kind of a pain, which is why it’s nice to have a backup card.

I also asked about accounts with two cards.   For example, my wife and I use the AmEx Blue Cash but we each have our own card and they each have their own number.  If they were to cancel my card and send off a new one, hers would still work even though it was under the same household.  I’m not sure how this whole process works for Visa cards and Mastercard, I’ll have to call up the customer service rep at Chase and see what their policies are. 

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Crawling Towards Success Baby!

You have to crawl before you can walk!  How many times have you heard that phrase when learning something new?

The problem is that many times we’re too impatient to spend the time crawling in order to walk.  We tend to overcomplicate things by focusing on how much we want what we’re trying to crawl towards and on what short cuts can be found to get there.

If we could put the same effort into crawling, we’d get where we’re headed faster and with less frustration. 

Crawling Backwards

Take for example, our little girl.  She’s been working on crawling for a while and finally figured it out. Now we’re in trouble!

She’d see something she wanted, put her head down, and start crawling.  The only problem was that she couldn’t coordinate her arms and legs so she’d end up pushing herself backwards!  Sound familiar? You’re trying as hard as you can but feel like you’re moving away from what you want, instead of towards it.

I know she would get frustrated, especially when she ended literally up backing herself into a corner, scooting backwards until she was wedged under a chair or in a corner.  But Mother Nature prevailed, our little girl kept at it until she finally figured it out.

My Crawling Hero

Of course I can’t really attribute this to our daughter’s dogged determination (although as a doting dad I’d like to) that’s just what babies do.  It’s not only tots with steely resolve that figure out crawling; sooner or later most babies learn to crawl and then walk.

But that doesn’t mean that learning to crawl or walk are inconsequential events.  Those babies should be our accomplishment heroes!  They should be the motivation for anyone that wants to accomplish anything.  They don’t know how to crawl, they don’t even know what crawling is, they just go for it.

Don’t Worry, Just Crawl

Little babies don’t overcomplicate crawling, they see something they want on the other side of the room and go after it.  Imagine for a second if a baby endured as much anguish and delay as we do over the things we want in life.  Imagine, if instead of crawling, babies spent their time worrying about questions like these:

• Why should I crawl?
• Is it too soon to crawl?
• How fast should I crawl?
• What style of crawling should I use?
• Do I need a crawling plan?
• Should I hire a crawling coach?
• Do I really have time to crawl?
• What will people think if I crawl?
• Why are they already crawling and I’m not?
• What if it hurts to crawl?
• What if I can’t crawl all the way across the room?
• Is it a waste of time to crawl?
• Can I get someone else to crawl for me?
• Am I really the crawling type?
• What if I don’t like crawling once I start?
• Do I have to crawl every day?
• What if they crawl faster than me?
• I wonder if I’m good enough to crawl?
• Maybe I should watch someone else crawl first..
• What happens if I run into an obstacle while crawling?
• Will my crawling take away from my time doing other stuff?
• Is crawling overrated?
• Will anyone even care if I crawl?
• Who will crawl with me?
• Isn’t there another way than crawling?
• Has anyone ever crawled before?
• What happened to the last person that crawled?
• What’s plan B if crawling doesn’t work out?
• What’s the worst that could happen if I don’t crawl?
• Maybe I should wait until tomorrow to try and crawl…
• Where am I crawling to anyways?
• Crawling sure sounds like a lot of work…
• What are the dangers of crawling?
• How will I know when I’m REALLY crawling?

I could go on all day but you get the picture.  If you’re human, you probably know what I’m talking about.  You can share your “favorite” crawling excuses below in the comments below if you’d like. 

What Will They Think?

I remember one day I came home from work and opened the door to see my wife’s friend’s baby “crawling” in the most unusual way that I’d ever seen.  I can’t really describe it; she was sitting up, using both her heels and the palms of her hands to scoot around.  I felt like I was watching a creature out of Star Wars scamper around our living room. 

I could tell her mom was a little embarrassed by this unique form of crawling. I’ll admit, it was a little strange, but guess what.  The baby didn’t care, she had figured out her own way and was getting exactly where she wanted to go.  Not only that, the little girl could book it too!

So who’s to say how you should crawl?  What crawling excuses are you fretting over?  What if you just started crawling and figured it out along the way? 

Crawl baby crawl!

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Big Giveway, Lots of Prizes at Money Crashers

Every now and then you’ll see a contest with cool prizes announced online but the biggest one I’ve seen so far is in now in progress over at Money Crashers.  Here are some of the things up for grabs in their New Years bash giveaway:

• Cash from a variety of different personal finance sites $25 – $500
• 2 Amazon Kindles
• Several iPods
• Gift cards from:
• Amazon
• Barnes & Noble
• Best Buy
• Wal-Mart
• Visa
• American Express
• Tons of personal finance books
• Magazine Subscriptions
• Free copies of TurboTax & Quicken

I’ve known the team over at Money Crashers for a while now and think it’s great they’re putting together this huge contest.  To help support them I’m sponsoring a prize for the giveaway. I teamed up with Neak Frankle from Wealth Pilgrim and I’m giving away two copies of Neal’s Money School for Couples.

I thought about giving away cash but I really like the concept behind Neal’s course and thought this was a good way to let more people know about it. Money School for Couples is a quick and effective system for couples who are on different wavelengths when it comes to money.  I like the approach because Neal gives couples the tools they need to address not just the financial aspects of managing money together but also the relationship part of the equation.  Anyhow, that’s why I chose to offer Money School for Couples as a prize.

There are many different ways to enter the contest, check out the prizes & rules page for more details.  The giveaway lasts until January 31^st but there are things you can do each day to qualify for a prize so don’t wait until the last minute.

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