2020 Changes You Needed to Make Anyway!

It’s July but the big fireworks are a victim of COVID-19. Although true, small local and personal fireworks will likely be everywhere as people adapt. That fireworks habit is ingrained in us so the fun will find a way. Another behavior or habit that’s ingrained into people is spending more time on “staycation” vacation plans than time spent fixing next year’s tax problem when now is the time to take your preventative medicine and avoid the pain!

In being humans, we all form habits. Some are good, most are bad. We try to develop good ones to replace the bad and often we are successful. However, most successes don’t come without a coach, cheerleader, or some kind of support system.

Tax time is usually a time of regret over not being successful at last year’s promise to oneself. “I am not going to pay this much again. I`m going to keep better records, search out a tax planner or some professional, and get smarter about this!” Then summer arrives as the golf clubs, fishing gear, or other hobby peaks up its head and says to you… ”What are you crazy, we are going to spend this beautiful day at a tax office planning next year’s outcome when we could be on the greens?”

Here is what you do in order to have your cake and eat it too!  Watch the weather forecasted for the week on Monday.  Figure out if there is an afternoon after 4 pm that looks like rain. Tell your boss you’re leaving early, or if your retired don’t say yes when asked to that night’s dinner gathering. Instead, call your local tax planning office and get your most recent return and your current financial statements and make an appointment. Most are virtual because of COVID-19, but many will go face to face with masks and social distancing.

With only six months left to change this behavior you should read, self-educate, and take baby steps with your planner. It’s not too late to have real success. Procrastinate and the summer will be gone and your chances of real success will be greatly diminished.