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Three Ways to Help Women Succeed in Business

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Women-owned businesses are increasing in numbers in Arizona and across the nation. According to a 2018 report by SCORE, women-owned businesses make up 39% of small businesses across the nation and employ nearly nine million people. It’s vital to support small businesses that create revenue within the local economy and provide opportunities for women to succeed in business.

Here are three easy ways to do that in your community:

Invest in businesses that are owned by female entrepreneurs

Simply put, if you want to help women succeed in business, give them your money. Whether you are shopping at a local store, contracting work, building business relationships or investing in a startup, emphasize those owned and run by women. Female business owners strive to support other women, close the gender wage gap and provide solutions to needs that male-dominated businesses may not cover. Your money will help these businesses succeed, from a simple $10 purchase to a multi-year business partnership.

 

Leverage social media to share businesses broadly

When you find a great local business that’s run by women, shout it out on social media! Share the business and their stories with your network and watch their business grow with good old-fashioned word-of-mouth marketing.

 

Mentor other women in business

One of the best ways to support women in business is to provide mentorship and guidance. From finding investors for a fledgling business to marketing products or services down the line, advice from an experienced business owner is invaluable to those who are just starting out. Provide expertise in whatever area you excel at, and you’ll build business relationships that will be mutually beneficial in the long run. QCBN

By Paula Gilbert

Paula Gilbert is the branch manager of OneAZ Credit Union’s Beaver Street branch. OneAZ employs over 450 Arizonans, with nearly 70% of its workforce made up of women. With 21 branches across the state and a full suite of financial solutions for business or personal needs, OneAZ is proud to support local business and improve Arizona’s economy.

Kicking off the New Year with Whiskey Row Boot Drop

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A six-foot illuminated Cowboy Boot will be dropped from The Palace Building’s Flagpole in downtown Prescott, Arizona.

On New Year’s Eve, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2019, from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., the Historic Whiskey Row in downtown Prescott will be the site for the 9th Annual Whiskey Row Boot Drop, presented by Findlay Auto Group Prescott. The event is free to the public, with no admission tickets or passes required for entry. The six-foot illuminated cowboy boot will be slowly lowered down from a 40-foot flagpole from the old historic Palace Building. This year, the boot has been updated with new lights for our crowd’s enjoyment. The last nine years have drawn thousands of people of all ages. Much like the tradition in New York’s Times Square, where a large ball has dropped annually since 1907, the Whiskey Row Boot Drop event has become a Prescott tradition.

There will be a DJ from Magic 99.1 FM spinning tunes, local food vendors, fire dancers, promotional giveaways and more throughout the night. “With the great success of the last eight years, we’re excited to continue this great tradition for folks in the Prescott area and visitors alike. We will continue to have two drops: one at 10 p.m., and the second at midnight. Both drops include fireworks that will ignite off the top of the parking garage behind Whiskey Row. The early drop will coincide with the traditional ‘Ball Drop’ back east as well as letting the folks who turn in early celebrate the New Year,” said Event Organizer Matt Brassard, owner of M & M Entertainment.

“The event was conceptualized in 2009 to encourage travel and tourism to help increase Prescott’s bed tax dollars during the slower season. I’m thrilled to have been a part of bringing the holiday tradition to Prescott, Arizona,” stated Donna Werking, co-founder and owner of Northern AZ Social, LLC, “We are especially thrilled to be working with Findlay Auto Group of Prescott. Their community support has been tremendous in keeping this event alive for now its 9th year!”

The Boot was created five years ago by Stephan Markov of Morgan Signs and is truly a one-of-a-kind piece of art. It is entirely decorated with LED lights that come into play as the clock counts down. This year, the boot has been updated with new lights to keep the event’s signature showpiece exciting for the Boot Drop attendees.

A thank you to all sponsors: M&M Entertainment, Northern AZ Social, LLC., West USA, At Home Store, Rox Media Group; Prescott Living Magazine & Prescott NOW!, NAZ Suns, C4th Home Improvement, Matt’s Saloon, Sparklight, Yavapai Regional Medical Center, The Bird Cage Saloon, Hair  Station 105, The Palace Restaurant & Saloon, The City of Prescott, The Prescott Brewing Company, SpringHill Suites, Magic 99.1 , KAFF 92.9, The Eagle 97.9 and The Mountain 93.9, Helken & Horn Advertising Agency, Hotel St Michael, The Daily Courier, Jersey Lilly Saloon, EMI Print Works, Barrett Propane, Prescottenews.com, Costco, APS, Nackard-Pepsi, Murphy’s Restaurant, Prescott Office of Tourism, Gurley St Grill, The Office Cantina, Northern Arizona Pain Institutes, Center for Physical Excellence, Motion Candy Productions, Signals AZ, El Gato Azul, The Plumbing Store, FooteWork, Affinity RV, Prescott Woman Magazine, Blind Brothers Arizona, Sir Speedy and the Prescott Trading Company. Visit the website, BootDrop.com, to see more sponsors, event details, promotions and activities. For further information, contact event organizer Matt Brassard at 928-848-4182. QCBN

By Donna Werking

Donna Werking is the owner of Northern AZ Social, a Prescott digital marketing agency. Contact her: 928-710-7910 or NorthernAZsocial@gmail.com.

 

Ransomware is Risky Business

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Businesses large and small are under threat from increasingly aggressive and brutal ransomware attacks. Loss of access to critical files, followed by a demand for payment, can cause massive disruption to an organization’s productivity.

Hacking is becoming easier while attackers are becoming more sophisticated in their approach. Exploit kits can be purchased for only a couple of hundred dollars on the internet. These kits make it simple for less tech-savvy criminals to initiate, complete and benefit from a ransomware attack.

There are multiple ways that a ransomware attack starts. Common techniques include:

 

Malicious Emails Today’s criminals are crafting emails that are indistinguishable from genuine ones. They are grammatically correct, with no spelling mistakes and often written in a way that is relevant to you and your business.

Poisoned Websites Another common way to get infected is by visiting a legitimate website that has been infected with an exploit kit. Even popular websites can be temporarily compromised. You browse to the hacked website and click on an innocent-looking link, hover over an ad or in many cases, just look at the page. That’s enough to download the ransomware file onto your computer and run it, often with no visible sign until after the damage is done.

 

Staying secure against ransomware isn’t just about having the latest security solutions. Good IT security practices, including regular training for employees, are essential components of every single security setup. Make sure you’re following these 10 best practices:

 

  1. Patch Early, Patch Often Malware that doesn’t come in via a document often relies on security bugs in popular applications, including Microsoft Office, your browser, Flash and more.
  2. Backup Regularly, Keep a Recent Backup Copy Off-Line and Off-Site There are dozens of ways other than ransomware that files can suddenly vanish, such as fire, flood, theft, a dropped laptop or even an accidental delete. Encrypt your backup and you won’t have to worry about the backup device falling into the wrong hands. Furthermore, a disaster recovery plan can cover the restoration of data and whole systems.
  3. Enable File Extensions The default Windows setting is to have file extensions disabled, meaning you have to rely on the file thumbnail to identify it. Enabling extensions makes it much easier to spot file types that wouldn’t commonly be sent to you and your users, such as JavaScript.
  4. Open JavaScript (.JS) Files in Notepad This is advanced but an extremely effective solution. Opening a JavaScript file in Notepad blocks it from running any malicious scripts and allows you to examine the file contents.
  5. Don’t Enable Macros in Document Attachments Received Via Email Microsoft deliberately turned off auto-execution of macros by default many years ago as a security measure. A lot of infections rely on persuading you to turn macros back on, so don’t do it!
  6. Be Cautious about Unsolicited Attachments The crooks are relying on the dilemma you face knowing that you shouldn’t open a document until you are sure it’s one you want, but you can’t tell if it’s one you want until you open it. If in doubt, leave it out.
  7. Monitor Administrator Rights Constantly review administrator rights. Know who has them and remove those who do not need them.
  8. Stay Up-to-Date with New Security Features in Your Business Applications Other than new features with newer versions of software, they also come designed with security features such as blocking macros in Office applications.
  9. Regulate External Network Access Don’t leave ports exposed to the world. Lock down your organization’s remote access and other management protocols. Furthermore, use two-factor authentication whenever it is offered.
  10. Use Strong Passwords It sounds trivial, but it really isn’t. A weak and predictable password can give hackers access to your entire network in a matter of seconds. We recommend making them impersonal, at least 12 characters long, using a mix of upper and lower case and adding a sprinkle of random punctuation Ju5t.LiKETh1s!

 

To stop ransomware, you need to have effective and advanced protection in place at every stage of an attack: Firewalls with built-in active security, AntiVirus Software, a patching method for your computer(s), regular training of employees and, finally, a safe and secure backup solution to get your data back in the event of an attack. QCBN

By Theo Soumilas

Theo Soumilas is the owner of Northern Arizona IT servicing the Quad Cities and Northern Arizona.

 

For additional information or to schedule an  appointment for a free assessment, call 928-719-7724 or visit northernazit.com.

 

Knowing What to Expect from a Car Dealership

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As I wrote in my last article, most people go online for much of their research when car shopping. You can search for new/used cars and trucks, and learn about new models. Most people use companies that car dealers pay to advertise. Some of these are Car Guru, Cars.com, Edmonds, True Car and many others. These companies direct leads or customers to the retailer’s website. Once you find a car or truck at the dealer, you should then check the reputation of that dealer.

Customers, whether happy or unhappy, will go to web reviews like Google, Yelp, Dealer Rater, Edmonds and Facebook. They will voice their opinion of that dealer in those posts. Smart dealerships will pay attention to the ratings and keep them as high as possible. Let face it, who would go to a business with a bad reputation?

Of course, not everyone is going to be happy, although I do try to keep everyone happy and give them a “Wow!” experience. Sometimes customers’ expectations are not met for whatever reason. There are many different personalities out there. You can expect to see a few bad reviews. When there are more bad reviews than good reviews, buyer beware.

Now that you have done your research and found a reputable dealer, you call the dealer and make sure the car is still in stock. Some dealers will tell you it is there when it was sold already. They want the chance to sell you another car or truck. Now it is time to make a decision. Do I stay and see what they have to offer or do I cut my loss and go back to the drawing board? This is where the reputation reports come in. It very well could have sold in the time it took for you to get there. With a good reputation, you might see what they have to offer. With a dealer that sells many vehicles, there may be some that have just come in and have not showed up on the website yet. Remember, it may very well be that the car you look at today and go home to think about could be the one that someone else looked at yesterday and is buying today. I know that sounds like a line, but that is just the way it is.

Let’s say you have found the car or truck you wanted. Some people think they have to make a ridiculous offer to make sure they are not getting taken advantage of. If you are unsure about the dealer and whether or not you are being treated fairly, ask for the Carfax. Most dealers subscribe to this or you can go online and get it yourself. Carfax will tell you all the repairs and if it has been in an accident or not. Carfax will also tell you what the car is worth with the options and mileage the car or truck has. Once you feel good about your decision, it’s time to do the paperwork.

The business office that does the paperwork is the next step. The best thing that I can let you know is it takes time. Just because you have taken hours to make a decision doesn’t mean that the paperwork should be ready in a few minutes. Allow enough time to buy a car or reschedule. In this highly regulated market, business managers are required to present all the products to you. With that being said, it is up to you whether you want them or not. No one can make you take something you don’t want. No law says you must buy what someone is selling you.

There are some dealers who bully and misrepresent products, but that doesn’t mean they all do. Again, this is where the research on reputation comes in. If you feel forced to buy something while doing the paperwork, simply walk out and regroup, or talk to the manager you dealt with. I can’t stress this enough. You don’t have to buy any product you don’t want and no one can make you.

One thing I hear quite often is that you have three days to back out of a contract that you signed at a car dealership. That is not true, so know what you are signing before you sign.

I hope this information helps with your next interaction with a car dealer. And, if I can be of any assistance, whether you are buying from our dealership or another, I would rather help you and answer your questions than have you make a mistake then come to me to get you out of trouble. QCBN

By Dave “Mac” Macfarlane

Dave “Mac” Macfarlane is the general manager of Findlay Subaru Prescott. Contact him at Dmacfarlane@findlayauto.com or 928-771-6900.

Caring, Giving, Sharing is Everyday Life for Family Caregivers

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For most people, the holidays are the season for extra giving, caring and sharing with others. But for those who are family caregivers, this is a description of everyday life.

Whether someone became a caregiver suddenly (grandma had a stroke) or gradually (aging parents), caregiving can be one of the most important – and challenging – aspects of a person’s life.or most people, the holidays are the season for extra giving, caring and sharing with others. But for those who are family caregivers, this is a description of everyday life.

In the United States, 78 percent of adults living in communities and in need of long-term care depend on family and friends as their only source of help. This amounts to about 65 million family caregivers, totaling nearly one-third of the U.S. adult population, or four out of every 10 adults. Of these caregivers, most provide an average of 20 hours of care a week, although some provide care around the clock.

One of the most common problems family caregivers face is trying to juggle career responsibilities with their caregiving responsibilities. In fact, 60 percent of family caregivers are employed – and about two-thirds have had to make some adjustments in their work lives because of their caregiving role. Add this to the fact that many caregivers also have their own families and children to care for, and it can become quite a stressful situation.

The good news is that we know that when family caregivers reach out for assistance, they are better able to balance personal and work obligations. Some ways to do this include:

Support groups. Caregiver support groups allow those who are in the same situation to share experiences and advice. There are also condition-specific support groups that focus on a particular topic or disease (such as stroke or brain injury) and often can provide the most up-do-date information available. In addition, there may also be online forums available to provide support.

Organization of medical information. Keeping a loved one’s information organized and together in a file (whether electronic or paper) allows a caregiver to easily update and share information when needed. Items that could be included in this type of file are medical history, medications, insurance information and legal documents.

Ensuring a good healthcare visit. Being prepared for a physician or other healthcare visit (like therapy), is beneficial to the caregiver, the loved one and the healthcare provider. Some ways to prepare include writing down any questions the caregiver or loved one may have, keeping a list of current symptoms or difficulties the loved one may be experiencing, and updating medication lists. During the visit, share the information and write down any answers, physician instructions or therapist recommendations. Having open, effective lines of communication with physicians and other healthcare professionals can be invaluable.

Letting other people help. Caregivers should keep a list of specific things that others can help with, and ask for help whenever it is needed.

Exercising and eating right. If caregivers are vigilant about their own health, then they will be better able to physically and emotionally care for their loved ones.

Taking a break! Really, it’s not only allowed – it’s necessary. Caregivers need to take respites to recharge emotionally, intellectually and physically. Other family members, friends or professionals can take over the caregiving role while this much-needed break is sought.

 

Caring for a loved one can be a fulfilling but daunting task. However, with planning, organization and information, both the caregiver and the loved one can receive the care and support they need. QCBN

By Daryl Williams

Daryl Williams is director of marketing and business development at Mountain Valley Regional Rehabilitation Hospital.

 

Mountain Valley Regional Rehabilitation Hospital is a 44-bed, free-standing rehabilitation hospital that provides intensive physical rehabilitation services to patients recovering from strokes, brain, spinal cord, and orthopedic injuries, and other impairments as a result of injury or illness. For more information, visit MVRRH.ernesthealth.com. 3700 N. Windsong • Prescott Valley, AZ 86314 • (P) 928-759-8800• (F) 928-775-7781 • MVRRH.ernesthealth.com

Looking Ahead to the New Year in Quad Cities Aviation

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As we reach the end of 2019, it is amazing how quickly this year has gone by and the many positive changes we have at the airport to be very thankful for. For those of us who love aviation, there have been numerous areas of growth and more than a few challenges that have come from that growth.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University brought in the largest class of aviation students ever at the university. ERAU also has new aircraft to help train all these additional students. The jet service at Prescott continues to fly with high load factors and has been embraced by the community. Construction has also started on the new terminal to help modernize Prescott’s aviation doorstep. For the flight schools, I must believe that everyone has seen increased operations. Leighnor Aircraft, in addition to having a record-setting year, has expanded its air fleet in the past two months from two aircraft to six, with possibly one more aircraft on the way before year’s end. These new aircraft allow us to offer additional types of flight instruction and rent aircraft to people looking to use the aircraft to travel. In addition, Eviation has moved in with its impressive electrical airplane prototype.

In 2020, there will be challenges, not the least of which is the upcoming elections. The results of these elections will undoubtably affect aviation and general aviation for years to come. But that’s a discussion for another article! In the short term, 2020 will see a continuation of what we’re seeing right now in 2019, and the airport and flight training operations will continue to be very busy.

With the increase in flight operations and the continual building of new homes in and around the airport traffic patterns, there will unfortunately be friction with homeowners not realizing that “close to an airport” meant an airport with as many flight operations as Oakland International or Portland International airports. Prescott airport is deceptive, in that we’re a small town with only limited jet service, so how busy can it be? The answer, with all the flight training going on, is “quite busy.”

Likewise, there will be opportunities in 2020 as well. Its quite possible our jet service will continue to improve and expand next year. Flight training operations will continue to run at a very high level with the number of flight students in town. Operators, such as Leighnor Aircraft, will be looking at how to manage growth without being overly risky. There are also a lot of construction projects being done around the airport, so all of us who use the airport will have to work around those projects.

Leighnor Aircraft does have a Christmas present to announce for the extreme aviation lover. One of our flight instructors has bought a Super Decathlon, which is a high-wing tail wheel aerobatic aircraft. By the time you’re reading this article, we will be offering spin training, tail wheel endorsements, upset training as well as basic aerobatic training. Details about the new aircraft and service will be on our website and social media very soon.

I also want to take a moment here and thank all the readers of my column. Several of you have reached out to me in the past year and I’ve appreciated the interactions. This column will continue through 2020, and it’s my goal to continue to provide relevant aviation information to the Quad Cities communities.

As this is a December article, I want to wish all our readers a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! QCBN

By Lance Leighnor

Lance Leighnor has four decades of experience in general aviation aircraft, and active management of rental aircraft since 2011. Lance is the managing member of Leighnor Aircraft. He can be reached by phone at 928-499-3080, by email at lance@LeighnorAircraft.com or via the Leighnor Aircraft website at
LeighnorAircraft.com.

Rethinking the Laundry Room

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Welcome to “At Home with Tom and Sandy.”  Sit back, relax and enjoy.  Here we are, readers, continuing to move at warp speed – whooshing, zooming and rocketing, as I like to say – with the New Year just a blink away.

Sandy: Well, another month has passed, it is definitely colder and our holiday season is full steam ahead.

So, this time I am going to pick a room in the home, any room, and you can lay your expertise out for all to see and read! You up for the challenge?

Tom: You bet I am! You know I love talking about the home.

Sandy: Okay then, my choice is the laundry room! Bet you weren’t ready for that!  So let’s love our laundry room!

Tom: Well, that is a surprise. We don’t talk about this space very much and we really should spend some time chatting about it.

Sandy: Well, it isn’t the first room people talk about when designing a new home, I bet, but do people remodel laundry rooms with any frequency?

Tom: Good observation and yes, people do remodel the laundry room. Usually, it is part of a larger project such as the kitchen or garage conversion, but the laundry room does get remodeled often.

Sandy: So, I imagine many of us have laundry rooms that need some love. The laundry room is a pretty important room in the home and needs to be laid out well, be functional and probably should be a space that we enjoy.

We know the clothes washer and a dryer are pretty standard fare and I am sure there are other uses. Tom, what is your experience? What do you see in laundry rooms to conquer clutter and make laundry feel like less of a chore and more exciting?

Tom: With the remodeling we have been doing, the washer and dryer are making their way into being featured more prominently in laundry rooms. Laundry rooms are no longer dark rooms in the corner of a home. Some homeowners are devoting a large portion of the laundry room to show off the washer and dryer.

Sandy: I bet the color of the laundry room has changed – no longer cloud white. My laundry is a beautiful sunshine yellow.

Tom: Yes Sandy, we are painting laundry rooms light bright colors with even exciting flooring that does not match anything else in the home. At Renovations, we have the philosophy that laundry rooms can help you think, plan, dream and relax.

Sandy: Tom, are you saying laundry rooms have become Zen?

Tom: Today’s modern laundry room can certainly be more calm and serene than a yoga studio.

In reality, next to the kitchen, the laundry room might be the most used room in the home and the least celebrated. I have found the room’s location in the home dictates what the other uses are.

Sandy: That makes sense. In some homes, such as mine, the laundry room is my entry point from the garage and then into the kitchen.

Tom: You are right, Sandy, and where it exits into the house even further dictates how the space is utilized. By way of example, if the pass-through leads to a hall by the bedrooms, then it would most likely serve as storage space for household items not used everyday such as a vacuum or broom.

Another favorite location for the laundry room is adjacent to the kitchen. This makes it handy.

Sandy: Tom, you are so right. Being the multitasker I am, I’m cooking and washing clothes at the same time, just a short step away and the fluff cycle is on.

Tom: I get it. And also, if space allows, it becomes a place for food storage, such as a pantry or a larger freezer or wine storage.

Sandy: Now, that would be even better.              Tom: LOL. The wine cellar will be another topic for another room. It certainly surprises me with all that this room can do. I guess we never really think about this space.

Sandy: As you mentioned earlier, Tom, some laundry rooms have pantries. My laundry room has my large pantry, which is cool. Bring the food items into the home and into the pantry they go without having to walk through the kitchen. I can even see a laundry room being the “mud” room as well. Boots, shoes, jackets and hats all at the ready on wall hooks or hanging up.

Tom: We see that a lot. If space allows, there is usually a cabinet above the washer and dryer and an adjacent counter that acts as a folding counter and a catch all for Items as we pass through the space.

Sandy: I would love, love, love a folding counter in my laundry room; however, my catch-all is the top of the washer and dryer that acts as my folding table.

Tom: Many folks use the laundry room as a junk drawer of sorts and I have seen the laundry room acting as a holding place for lots of things. “Just put it in the laundry room for now,” is a phrase I have heard and used many times.

Sandy: That gives me an idea – what about laundry room basket storage? Shelving would be critical. Easy storage and easy accessibility.

What else goes on in this room that we haven’t talked about yet? A soaking sink or a fold-down ironing board would be fantastic in a laundry room.

Tom: Sinks are becoming the “in” thing in a laundry room and I would like to say to anyone remodeling, “Do not limit yourself with a small sink.” A farmhouse style sink can be used for countless purposes, a drop spot for wet towels, rain gear, snow gear and the occasional dog wash for a small doggie, of course. In larger remodels, we have relocated the laundry room adjacent to the kitchen. This makes it handy, where previously the laundry rooms have been in hallways adjacent to baths.

Sandy: Tom, you guys have your “man caves,” I think we need to change the name from laundry room to “she cave,” no longer just a laundry room, but a room for maybe some quiet time, where the sun comes in through windows, maybe adding a desk to create a retreat where she can get crafty, look through cookbooks, arrange flowers and work at her computer.

Tom: As a reminder, laundry room size doesn’t matter. A good design can make the very best use of a microscopic space. So remember, regardless of how much or how little space you have, there are always innovative ways to use the laundry room space to its utmost.

Sandy: Laundry room design can run from eclectic to avant-garde or to modern or simple and streamlined. If you have an entire room or just a corner to devote to laundry, there are a multitude of ideas and ways to make that happen. You can turn that utilitarian laundry space into something cool!

Thanks, readers, for stopping in and reading “At Home with Tom and Sandy.” You’re in good company and we love sharing educational, fun and important information with you. QCBN

 

Tom Reilly, Architect, Contractor, Renovations 928-445-8506 renovationsaz.com

 

Sandy Griffis, Executive Director, Yavapai County Contractors Association.  928-778-0040.

Re-Balancing Portfolio Allocations 

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In today’s uncertain financial landscape and based on the market run up we have seen in 2017, we believe it is more important than ever to establish a well-maintained portfolio that can help you reach your financial goals. Your portfolio needs to not only meet your need for capital, but also provide you with financial peace of mind.

While there’s no simple formula to help you figure out how your portfolio should be constructed, determining the right asset allocation should be the first step in the process. In order to properly ascertain your financial situation, there are a few important things to consider: age, time horizon, amount of capital to invest and future capital needs.

Another important thing to be aware of is your risk tolerance. Would you be willing to risk funds for the possibility of greater gains? While everyone wants to reap the rewards of high returns, not everyone can handle the high stress levels they can cause.

On the other side, avoiding investment risk isn’t always a wise decision. It is possible for portfolios to be too conservatively constructed, which makes them unable to provide the necessary long-term growth that is needed to outpace inflation and build wealth. Many investors seek absolute safety and keep their money in bank accounts, Certificates of Deposit (CDs) and other financial products without realizing that these “safe” choices may incur their own set of risks.

These risks include investment opportunity loss and the destruction of purchasing power resulting from inflation. When investors fail to take advantage of returns that a portfolio of growth investments can produce over time, this is called investment opportunity loss. Inflation can also hurt your investments as it is often regarded as the silent destroyer of low-risk portfolios as purchasing power declines over time.

You need to find the right balance for you – one that satisfies your risk tolerance while also achieving an appropriate amount of growth and income.

At American Financial Investments LLC, we can help you create a financial strategy that fits your individualized investment objectives and goals. Allow our team to utilize our knowledge and experience to help manage your portfolio during various economic conditions and investment market cycles. Allow us to help you determine your risk tolerance using proprietary surveys, analyzing your finances and discussing your retirement and financial goals in depth.

We believe that your best bet for steady, long-term growth of your investments is having a well-diversified portfolio. This can help protect your assets from the risks of large drops and structural changes in the economy over time. When you work with the right financial professional, they can help you diversify, make adjustments when necessary and help increase your odds for long-term financial success.  QCBN

 

By Ronald Stevenson and Barbara Clark Stevenson

About the Authors: Ronald F. Stevenson, Investment Advisor Representative & Barbara Clark Stevenson own American Financial Investments, LLC and American Financial Security, LLC.  They specialize in Wealth Management, Retirement Income Planning, Social Security Maximization, Tax Free Income Design, Personal & Corporate Tax Preparation and Planning.  For more information, call 928-771-8368 or visit AmericanFinancialSecurity.net, 3112 Clearwater Dr., Suite B, Prescott, AZ 86305

 

Advisory services offered through American Financial Investments, LLC. Insurance services and tax preparation and planning are offered through American Financial Security, LLC. The aforementioned are affiliated entities.

 

Keeping Winter Skin Healthy with Massage, Facials

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With the harsh winter winds, intense UV rays and lack of humidity in the air (even with the recent snow and rain), our skin can take a beating during the winter. Summer tans and glowing skin can begin to fade into a dull, dry complexion. And the difference between neglected and cared-for skin can make a difference between health and illness. The early warning signs of many illnesses often show up on the skin first.

A skincare routine that cleanses, moisturizes and protects your skin, especially those areas that are constantly exposed to the sun and weather, is extremely important, regardless of age and the season.

Both regular massage and facials are important tools in skin health, even in the winter, as they help the body rid itself of toxins, stimulate cell growth and promote general overall health.

Maintaining that glowing skin in the cooler season is possible with these four steps:

 Hydrate Hydration is key when it comes to glowing skin. Julius Few, clinical professor of plastic surgery at the University of Chicago, explains that when the skin is kept hydrated, it’s less likely to crack and let in external elements that cause blemishes. Also, the more water you drink, the more blood flow goes to your skin, producing cell turnover, which produces radiant skin. Water has all-around fantastic benefits, and skin looking healthy is one huge benefit.

Sunscreen Yes, sunscreen is even important when it’s dark and snowy outside, especially if you are heading to the slopes. Snow and ice reflect UV rays. The ozone is also thinner in the winter, which means there is less ozone in the atmosphere to absorb the sun’s UV rays. So, while sunscreen may seem unnecessary during the winter, the sun’s rays are more harmful in the winter than in the summer.

Humidify Using a humidifier at night is one of the best things you can do for your skin while you sleep. While the cold air dehydrates skin, humidifiers pump moisture back into the air and back into your skin. It will also help your moisturizer penetrate deeper into your skin, allowing for more supple skin when you wake up.

Facials While we should be cleaning our skin every morning and night, getting a monthly facial can allow for a deeper clean that we could not obtain on our own. Facials also improve circulation, which stimulates our skin’s renewal, keeping our skin looking younger and feeling smoother.

 

Massage Envy now offers custom facials for improving the health and appearance of your skin with a personalized treatment to leave you rejuvenated and protected. Both 60- and 90-minute custom facials are available, as well as 60-minute custom back facials.

Enhancing the Benefits of Massage

Massage Envy clients now have the choice in selecting a serum suited to their individual needs and desires. The carefully and proven serums provide a new level of skincare and massage benefits, for a total-body experience.

CyMe Boost serums bring massage and skincare together in a powerful way. Infused with highly concentrated antioxidant ingredients, each unique serum provides added benefits to the skin during a massage session by targeting the specific needs of each person. The combination of enhanced lotions and serums work together to offer a personalized experience that expands and improves the therapeutic massage session.

The serums are odorless and are added to the client’s individual massage lotion bottle. Two serums can be added and can be mixed with aromatherapy oils; however, adding more than two unique ingredients can dilute the serums and decrease the effects of the serums and oils.

Massage Envy’s CyMe Boost collection of skin serums include:

Energizing: Stimulates the skin for a more radiant and youthful look; contains guarana seed extract, horse chestnut extract and caffeine.

Clarifying: Helps clarify and balance the skin by removing impurities from the skin’s surface; contains aloe vera, willow bark, rose hips and cucumber, chamomile, papaya and marigold flower extracts.

Renewing: Creates a more resilient, brighter, youthful look by supporting suppleness and firmness; contains chamomile, algae (seaweed) and grape seed extracts.

Purifying: Works to purify the skin for a brighter and healthy-looking appearance; contains aloe juice, goji fruit extract, magnesium, zinc, white and green tea leaf extracts and copper.

Firming: Moisturizes to instantly minimize the appearance of fine lines and leaves skin soft and smooth; contains aloe juice, Echinacea, plant cellulose and gotu kola extract.

Hydrating: Intensely hydrates and penetrates to the lower layers of the skin to provide lasting moisture and increase the skin’s luminance; contains sunflower, sesame, olive and grapeseed oils, and Vitamin E.

 

Need a Boost? Add a new CyMe Boost to your therapeutic massage session for only $10 per boost. Combine with other enhancements for nearly unlimited choices to improve your health and your massage experience. Gift Cards are available for holiday gifts. QCBN

By Mark Love

For more information about Massage Envy’s customized facials, the benefits of massage and to schedule an appointment with a massage therapist, visit MassageEnvy.com, call 928-778-ENVY (3689) and follow on Facebook at Facebook.com/MassageEnvyPrescott. Schedule an appointment online – your time,
your convenience, your massage. Mark Love is the Franchisee of Massage Envy Spa – Prescott, located at 120 E. Sheldon St., by the Sprouts grocery store.

 

Gathering Items for Preparing Your Tax Return 

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It’s the end of the year and a good time to pull together the information you need for your tax return. Here’s a list to help you get organized:

A Social Security or tax ID number for everyone included on your tax return. You need your own number, but don’t forget your spouse and dependents’ (where applicable) as well. If someone doesn’t have a Social Security number, you’ll need their TIN instead.

Date of birth for everyone on your return.

Form W-2 Wage and Tax Statement. Your W-2 shows how much you earned and how much was withheld for taxes. Your employer has until February to send you your form. If you haven’t received yours, go ahead and request it.

Bank or financial institution statements. Did you make contributions to an IRA? You’ll need a Form 5498. Are you paying down student loan debt? Be sure to grab your Form 1098-E. Did you take out a home mortgage? Be sure to have your Form 1098 Mortgage Interest Statement.

Last year’s state refund amount. If you itemize your deductions, then your state refund is considered income for tax purposes.

Other miscellaneous income records. This could include award money, gambling winnings, lottery pay-outs, etc.

Any (and all) Form 1099s. There are several different types of 1099 forms. Some of the common ones include:

1099-MISC if you are self-employed and received $600+ from a client.

1099-DIV if you received dividends.

1099-G if you received money or benefits from the government.

1099-K if you made third-party transactions (through PayPal or Venmo, for example).

1099-R for distributions from a retirement plan, IRA, pension, annuity.

Business expense records. These could be receipts, credit card statements, records of checks you’ve written, etc. If you have a corporation, a Quickbooks file is very helpful to produce your business tax returns.

Quarterly estimated tax payment receipts. If you make installments to your tax bill during the year, the IRS (and your state) should send you a record of what you paid – similar to a receipt.

Mileage record. In order to get a deduction for your travel, you’ll need to know how many miles you drove for work purposes.

Home office expenses. Taking the home office deduction? You’ll need to know how big your space is in square feet. If you decide to use the actual expense method, you’ll also need a record of your home-related expenses, like utilities and mortgage (or rent).

Receipts for unreimbursed medical expenses. These could include exams, surgeries and preventative care. It could also be braces, glasses, hearing aids, prescriptions – even transportation to and from treatment.

Form 1095: Health insurance coverage forms. If you are enrolled through the Marketplace, you’ll receive Form 1095-A. Insurance providers will send a 1095-B for individuals they cover. If your employer offers coverage, they should send you a 1095-C.

Social Security benefits. If you receive Social Security, you’ll receive an SSA-1099 in January showing the total amount of benefits you received for the year.

Tax return preparation fees. The question I most often get is about fees. As CPAs we must determine fair fees for our services and cannot have contingency fees for a current tax return. The fee must also be fair to the tax preparer, the old adage you get what you pay for is very true here. I have had to amend many tax returns for people who were just looking at fees and not whether the tax return is correct or not, so make sure you have a qualified tax preparer who can get the tax return done accurately and the best way for the clients situation.

Charitable donation receipts. If you are planning to take a tax deduction for the donations you made to charity, you’ll need to be able to back them up with receipts showing the date, value and charitable organization. Be sure to take advantage of Arizona tax credits:

Charitable Organization tax credit like the Prescott Sunrise Lions (800 MFJ, $400 other statuses)

Foster Care Tax Credit (ex. Casa for Kids Foundation, $1,000 MFJ, $400 other statuses)

Public and Charter School Tax Credit (ex. Tri City, $400 MFJ, $200 other statuses)

School Tuition Tax Credit (Private Schools like Sacred Heart and Primavera, $2,324 MFJ, 1,162 other statuses)

AZ Military Family Relief Fund ($400 MFJ, $200 other statuses) Probably need to consider this in 2020, they only have $1 million cap and have probably net this for 2019. QCBN

By David A. Snyder, CPA, MBA, EA

David has been in the accounting and tax business for over 19 years. His company, David A. Snyder CPA, PLLC, conveniently located in downtown Prescott, is an affiliate of E.R. Taxes, LC. He specializes in creating business plans, asset protection and tax preparation for individuals as well as corporations. To reach David call 928.445-0104 Ext.9 or email:  dsnyder141414@gmail.com