Blog

This week you will probably start receiving your 2022 tax forms as January 31st is the filing deadline for w-2’s and 1099’s, so keep an eye out and start collecting those forms in a file and get ready to scan them into one pdf file for safekeeping and submission to your tax professional.  This time of year it is most important to me to keep to my routine of getting…  Read more

You know it’s a good sign when your childrens’ best friends come to visit even when your kids are grown and living in other states.  I was so happy to be able to spend time with my “Brooklyn Daughter” Michelle and she humored me by getting up early Monday morning for a cold windy walk on the beach at sunrise… Me -n- Mish I am so glad sunrise is still…  Read more

Why not “Lucky Friday the 13th?” I googled and found the association with the belief that there were 13 guests at the last supper.  I also found a reference to the Thirteen Club a supper club which was founded by William Fowler who had many successes and positive associations with the number 13. One of the favorite sayings in our office is “any day I learn something new is a good day” and…  Read more

“WELCOME TO 2023” and yet another opportunity to start fresh with a New Year’s resolution, or not. I was curious, and googled “what is the average time a new year’s resolution lasts”, no fear, all will be revealed.  I didn’t really want to make a resolution even though I have been thinking about this and planning my reveal for weeks. Nothing easy like exercise at least 5-6 times a week or so…  Read more

I hope everyone enjoyed the Hanukkah and Christmas holidays, some of us had some cold stormy weather and others had a white Christmas.  I asked for photos and am happy to share them here.  FYI they come from as far as California and Texas as far south as Georgia and north as Michigan. Hanukkah in NYC Christmas in New Jersey White Christmas in Michigan Christmas in Georgia Christmas in Texas…  Read more

It’s December 23rd and very stormy here in the NY metropolitan area, so no “white Christmas” for us but we are happily celebrating Hanukkah and looking forward to Christmas this weekend, no matter what the weather.  Of course it is all about family and friends and food.  Just this week we had an in-person training as we prepare for tax season 2023, and what better way than to start than with delicious…  Read more

It’s so great to receive those holiday photo cards as we watch the kids get bigger and go from cute to beautiful or handsome, while we still look so great too.  We also know we are doing something right when our clients show us extra appreciation with thoughtful and yummy gifts/gift baskets.  Thanks for thinking of us. Notice the new photo size; after a few quires to my website people…  Read more

It’s December 9th, not a scary date to most of us, nor does it sound like time is running out, but it is.  There is still time for tax planning, and please don’t groan but this excites me. Yes I’m a bit nerdy, but I do love this time of year. This is a great time for our year-end client meetings which may culminate with a plan enabling our client…  Read more

How fortunate I feel to have been able to spend an extended Thanksgiving holiday with my family and friends.  It was great to get away and clear my head.  The morning sunrises over Gourdneck Lake, MI were spectacular Sunrise on the lake As great as our vacation was, I celebrated when our plane flew over Rockaway beach, “there’s no place like home” View from our widow seat as we approached…  Read more

Thanksgiving, a time of reflection, we/I have so much to be thankful for, not just at this time of year, but throughout the year.  I wonder why we focus on our disappointments. Two weeks ago the Powerball was 1.6 billion dollars, our office bought tickets as a group in all our locations: Florida, Georgia, New York, New Jersey.  We didn’t win, but it was fine as we played for fun,…  Read more

I am thrilled to say that this week’s post is short and sweet as I am still on site at what I consider the most important conference I attend annually for the last 15+ years.  We are live at the Crest Hollow Country Club for the first time since November 2019 and it’s been too long.  It’s great to be back in person, I could feel the energy in every…  Read more

Sending best wishes and our thanks to our veterans and their families this Veteran’s day 2022.  We salute you and appreciate your courage and service to our country. Just this morning I received several “Remember Our Veterans” emails, I am borrowing this one from my California realtor Jackie Kurth who included this quote from  Elmer Davis an American news reporter, author and the Director of the US Office of War Information…  Read more

Halloween in NYC this year was overcast and a bit rainy so we only had a few “trick or treaters”; a wonderful treat for me was hearing a lovely childhood memory from my husband (see this week’s Take Away).  I am hoping you had many cute visitors, wore your own creative costume, or accompanied your own “trick or treaters”  through the neighborhood, maybe you still have some candy to share.…  Read more

I have been hearing “10 year Hurricane Sandy Survivor Stories” on the radio these last few days.  As one myself I have many memories of the how hard  it was to literally dig out from the sand deposited by the ocean while emptying  rooms of furniture, clothing, sheetrock, etc., destroyed by salt water. I know people love hearing the stories of how communities came together to work with neighbors, friends,…  Read more

Tax season is finally over and I love having more free time again.   I am back to taking walks on the beach where the sunrise is great, even on a foggy day, but nothing beats the amazing colors of fall foliage… Thank you Jeff and Emily for sharing this amazing shot from Telluride, Colorado, safe travels home. Thank you Ilene for sending me some great photo’s from your walk on…  Read more

The sukkot dinner Sunday evening was really lovely, with special red wine from the Ukraine for toasting and blessings I have also joined in for the  daily ritual of shaking the lulav and etrog.  The first 2 and last 2 days are the most strict, so I waited until Wednesday for photos. It was really nice to understand the meaning behind the traditions. Even as I am getting tired of picking, photographing, and…  Read more

All this rain brought me another 100+ fig week and I am so glad that I can trade my figs for my friend’s heirloom tomatoes… We are doing some work on my house (yes finally finishing our kitchen); the other day one of the carpenters explained that my figs and fig tree saved his hand:  he relayed that he was out in our backyard, smashed his finger with a tool,…  Read more

My fingers are crossed as I watch the weather and Hurricane Ian’s path.  Myriam is up in NY; she is safe and visiting with me, but her family lives in Orlando and we wish them along with others in Hurricane Ian’s path safety and good luck.  The IRS has a bit of a heart too as tax deadlines have been extended for residents and businesses in locations hit by the…  Read more

It’s been the week of 100+ figs, some days I pick 5 or 6 and others 20 to 30, then a friend will stop by and find yet another ripe one and pop it in their mouth.  My favorite way to eat them is split in quarters, sprinkled with feta cheese and then grilled; very easy, very delicious, very healthy, they can pass for dessert.  It’s also been a week…  Read more

My daughter Jessie and her dog Sampson have been the perfect house guests but they head back to Atlanta tomorrow night. It was great that Jessie could vacation here and then work remotely. Sampson has been spending time in the office with Raquel and me as we worked towards our September 15th deadline.  So this morning I know he will be happy to resume our daily beach walks, I think…  Read more