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During Tax Season, Where Should You Go For Help?

Rashmi Rangan, Executive Director, DCRAC  

Break the habit of over spending on weight loss gimmicks and fancy overpriced gym memberships. Take advantage of FREE available resources such as:

Exercising at home: Isometric exercises such as squats, push ups, and lunges will keep both you and your wallet in good shape. Jumping Rope is a great cardiovascular exercise that you can do at home, too. Jump ropes are  inexpensive and usually cost between $2 and $5.

Make your own meals: Not only is cooking your own meals at home cheaper, it is also much healthier because you know exactly what is going into your food.

Drink water! Water has no calories and there are tremendous health benefits to drinking it. If you aren't one to drink straight from the tap, think about investing in a Britta Filter- it's cheaper than buying bottled water and eliminates the need to carry heavy water bottle packages home.

Use the internet for fitness and weight loss tips and resources: www.caloriecount.about.com is a great free resource that logs your intake and outtake of calories and helps keep you on track.

Looking to put gym equipment in your home? Shop used on craigslist, EBay or second-hand stores.

Quit smoking! A pack of cigarettes costs around $5.00 on average.  Think about the money you could save each month by kicking this unhealthy habit!

Cut down alcohol: Minimize your consumption of alcoholic beverages, as they are high in calories as well as carbohydrates, and can be quite expensive!

Be disciplined: Take control of your finances and your fitness. Educate yourself, set goals and stick to them!

Remember: Positive long term effects of taking care of your health will impact your wealth!

From Nancy Stark of CCCS of MD and DE 

HOW TO SELECT A TAX PREPARER

 If you have taxable investment income or other complicated issues that affect your 2010 taxes, you may need professional assistance.  On average, you are likely to pay $100-$150 to have your refund prepared.  Local nonprofit CCCS of MD & DE offers these suggestions for choosing a reputable, affordable tax preparer:

Do choose a preparer who has a permanent office and who will be around after the return has been filed in case there is a problem with your tax return.

Do ask your friends and neighbors who they use and their experience with a tax preparer.

Do ask about the fees up front, before the tax return is prepared. Ask if there are any costs for additional schedules (like Schedule EIC) or forms. Ask about fees for different refund options. Avoid preparers who base their fee on the amount of your refund.

Don't sign up for "Fast Cash Refunds" or "Instant Refunds." Most of these quick refunds are actually refund anticipation loans (RALs). When you get a RAL, you're borrowing against your refund, not getting your refund earlier. These loans are expensive and can cost up to $100, or even more, on top of what you pay for tax preparation. If you need your refund fast, ask about other options like direct deposit.

Don't work with anyone who suggests you lie or fudge numbers. You will be responsible for errors.

Don't sign a tax return that is blank or completed in pencil. Sign the return or authorize e-filing only after you have reviewed it with your preparer. Ask questions about anything

you don't understand.

Do make sure the preparer signs your completed return and includes their address and Employer Identification Number (EIN), Preparer Identification Number (PTIN), or Social Security Number. This is required by law.

Do make copies of all the documents you give the preparer. Be sure to get a copy of your completed return and keep it on file for at least 3 years.

Need Medicare Part B? If you're eligible, now is the time to sign up. The general enrollment period for Medicare Part B runs from January 1 through March 31. Before you make a decision about general enrollment, let us fill you in on some general information.

Medicare is a medical insurance program for retired and disabled people. Some people are covered only by one type of Medicare; others opt to pay extra for more coverage. Understanding Medicare can save you money; here are the facts.

There are four parts to Medicare: Parts A, B, C and D. Part A helps pay for inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing care, hospice care, and other services. Part B helps pay for doctors' fees, outpatient hospital visits, and other medical services and supplies not covered by Part A. Part C allows you to choose to receive all of your health care services through a provider organization. These plans, known as Medicare Advantage Plans, may help lower your costs of receiving medical services, or you may get extra benefits for an additional monthly fee. You must have both Parts A and B to enroll in Part C. And Part

                                                                 D is the Medicare Prescription Drug Program.

Most people first become eligible for Medicare at age 65, and there is a monthly premium for Medicare Part B.  In 2011, the standard premium is $115.40. Some high-income individuals pay more than the standard premium. Your Part B premium also can be higher if you do not enroll during your initial enrollment period, or when you first become eligible.

There are exceptions to this rule. For example, you can delay your Medicare Part B enrollment without having to pay higher premiums if you are covered under a group health plan based on your own current employment or the current employment of any family member. If this situation applies to you, you can sign up for Medicare Part B without paying higher premiums:

·Any month you are under a group health plan based on your own current employment or the current employment of any family member; or

·Within eight months after your employment or group health plan coverage ends, whichever comes first.

If you are disabled and working (or you have coverage from a working family member), the same rules apply.

Remember: Most people are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part B when they become eligible. If you don't enroll in Medicare Part B when you first become eligible to apply and you don't fit into one of the above categories, you'll have to wait until the general enrollment period, which is January 1 through March 31 of each year. At that time, you may have to pay a higher Medicare Part B premium.

For more information about Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D, visit the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website at www.medicare.gov.  

Or read our publication on Medicare at

www.socialsecurity.gov 

Snack for a $teal

Chili Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Ingredients

* 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped      * 1/8 teaspoon ground pure chili powder, such as ancho

* 3 tablespoons heavy cream                          * 10 large strawberries with long stems

* 1 tablespoon butter

                                            Directions

In a heat-proof mixing bowl, add the chocolate, cream, and butter. Place over a smaller pot of simmering water. Be sure the water does not touch the bottom of the bowl. Stir until chocolate is melted. Stir in the chili powder and mix until fully incorporated.

Hold each strawberry by the long stem and dip into the chocolate allowing the excess to drizzle back into the pan. Place chocolate covered strawberries on a parchment or waxed paper lined sheet tray. Once chocolate is cool, chill until fully set, about 30 minutes.

EARN PURSES HOURS: Email Tami (tami@dfli.org) with your recipes (and costs) that are easy on you wallet and taste buds, too! (Earn 1 hour per recipe)