Do you want to know a simple way to help others while saving up to 50% of your adjusted gross income this tax season?

Give

It’s that simple. Giving your resources can do more than just help out those in need in the Bakersfield area and beyond. Tax-deductible donations can save you bundles this tax season.

Step inside your garage or storage area. How much stuff do you have in there that hasn’t been touched for months, if not years? Look around your apartment home. Tax-deductible items are everywhere. Time for a new sofa, end table, or dining chairs? Take a peek inside your closet. Could you use a new winter jacket or suit? If you’re like most people, your apartment is full of stuff that is in great condition but you just don’t A) use it any more or B) like the style.

Well, don’t hang on to it…give it away!

Photo By: Mr Kris

Give to Who?

There are 5 types of organizations you can make tax-deductible donations to:

1) Any non-profit organization that operates in one or more of the following areas:

• Religious: ex. churches, temples, synagogues, mosques
• Charitable: ex. Red Cross, United Way, the Salvation Army, Kiva
• Educational: ex. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, colleges, museums
• Scientific: ex. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, NCSR
• Literary: ex. Rock for Reading
• The prevention of cruelty to children or animals: ex. PETA, CASI

2) War Vet Organizations: ex. Veterans of America
3) Nonprofit cemetery companies
4) Fraternities ex. Freemasons, Phi Alpha Gamma
5) The Federal or State government- ex. gifts to local firefighters or police

Photo By: iChris

Give What?

Tax-Deductible Donations generally fall under 2 categories: Cash and Non-Cash. Cash donations are fairly self-explanatory. If, for instance, you give $100 to the Bakersfield Boys and Girls Club, you can deduct the full amount given. Non-cash donations can be almost anything that has consumer value. Your car, television and fancy slippers are all potential non-cash donations. As long as the items that you plan to donate are in good condition you can deduct their fair market value when you itemize your taxes.

What Denotes ‘Good’ Condition?

An item is in good condition if it:

• looks new or has only slight wear
• is a mid-level to high-level brand
• would be used by the typical consumer

An item is NOT in good condition if it:

• shows obvious signs of wear (even if it’s still functional)
• is a low-level or generic brand
• would not be used by the typical consumers

What’s Fair Market Value?

According to the IRS, the fair market value is the price that a consumer would expect to pay for an item if bought on the streets. This is not necessarily the price you paid for it. Depending on what you’re donating, this will be more or less than the purchase price. A ’68 Les Paul guitar would be worth far more now than it did when you bough it in 1968. A 2001 Dell computer would probably not. One easy way to find an item’s fair market price is to see how much it’s selling for on sites like eBay or Craigslist.

Photo By: Slimmer jimmer

One Last Thing…

After you have scoured your Bakersfield apartment for items that people might want and are in good condition, donate them to a non-profit organization. Many non-profits in the Bakersfield area will even come pick up your items for free. If your donation is worth more than $250, make sure to get a receipt. It serves as proof of your tax-deductible donation and will help you when it comes time to itemize your taxes.

Donating your resources is not only good for those who are in need; it’s good for your tax refund too.

Who knew taxes could be this fun?

Here are a few people you may want to remember during this holiday season, and a few ideas of unique gifts to have around, just in case you forget.

Sometimes we get so caught up in the gifts we have to buy, and forget the gifts that we can choose to buy and give special people in our lives. Family should be on your list, and maybe you draw names to make it easier. Let’s first remember people around your Bakersfield apartment:

• neighbors
• mailman
• newspaper deliverer
• pet sitter
• landlord
• cleaning person

Next, if you have children, what about remembering:

• teachers
• babysitter
• coaches
• close friends

Finally, people who are very personable to you, such as:

• hairdresser
• manicurist
• a nurse or doctor if you have seen them a lot this year
• your boss and coworkers
• maybe even that waitress who always remembers what you want

These are not people that you need to buy extravagant gifts for, these are people who may make your life easier and always lift up your spirit when you are down.

Here is a holiday gift guide to help you get started with your Christmas gift list, but remember the most meaningful gift may be a Christmas card with a handwritten note inside telling this person how much you appreciate them. It is the thought that counts.

Food Gifts

Homemade baked goods, candies and other food gifts are great to have on hand for the last minute gift you may have forgotten.

• Canned goods – If this is not something you have done or want to try, check out the local farmers market for homemade jams and jellies.
• Holiday baked goods – It is really hard to go wrong with banana bread or chocolate chip cookies. A lot of people do not have the time to bake and really appreciate something homemade.
• Coffee and tea – If you know they enjoy coffee or tea, buy a festive or personalized mug with some gourmet tea or coffee.
• Holiday Jar Mixes – check out Recipe Link for some great ideas.

Photo by: jonmcalister

Gift Baskets

Create a basket around a theme and collect items to put in the basket or container. The dollar store is a great place to find inexpensive containers and items to go in them.

• Movie night with microwave popcorn, candy and a DVD or Blockbuster card.
• Spa basket with a book, bubble bath, lotion and a candle.
• Manicure basket with nail polish, remover, cuticle cream, and hand lotion.
• Golf basket with golf tees, golf balls and a golf towel.
• Letter writing basket with note cards, stamps and a nice pen.
• Reading basket with a good book, mug and some tea.
• Ice cream basket with an ice cream scoop, toppings and 2 parfait dishes.
• Pet basket with pet toys and treats.
• More Gift Basket Ideas

Photo by: wader

Christmas Gifts for under $10

• Candles
• Plants
• Stationary
• Books
• Christmas ornaments
• Christmas CD’s
• Picture frames
• Body lotions and bubble baths
• Golf balls
• Candy
• $10 gift card to a coffee shop, book store, fast food, movie, or ice cream shop

Now have some holiday fun in your Bakersfield apartment as you make and assemble some holiday gifts for the special people you want to remember.

Pack these things last and open them first. To make sure this happens, set aside an extra box or two and label it as important. To make sure your must-have items don’t get lost in the shuffle, consider moving them yourself instead of sending them on the truck. Below are 20 items you’ll need right away after moving:

1. Your toothbrush/toothpase – Don’t let this get lost in the rush or you’ll be very sorry when you arrive at your new home.

2. Medications – Any prescriptions you have should always be transported by you. Don’t pack these items where you can’t find them.

3. Shampoo/conditioner – Chances are you’ll want a shower after you start unpacking.

4. Towels and washcloths – Set aside at least one set to help you get over that first shower hump.

5. Pillows – There’s nothing worse than trying to get in a little R and R and discovering the pillows are buried.

6. Other bedding – Get your bed made shortly after you arrive and your Bakersfield apartment will feel more like home right away.

7. Toilet paper – Put at least one roll in your must-have box. You will be glad you did!

8. Hand soap – Consider two new containers – one for the bathroom and one for the kitchen.

9. Paper towels – Having at least one roll in an easy to find location can spare you a bit of a headache.

10. Dish soap – You’ll want this right away as you start unpacking your kitchen.

11. Sponges – Put at least two in your must have box to make certain you can clean up anything that needs it before you unpack.

12. Important papers – Don’t pack away important papers like your insurance policies, social security cards, driver’s licenses and so on. Put these in your must-have box or boxes so you know where they are at all times.

13. Pot – Set aside at least one pot so you can get through a first meal without having to unpack or find a bunch of different boxes.

14. Spoon – A basic cooking spoon will help with that first meal.

15. Paper plates, tableware – Get a new set of paper products to serve up that first meal. You won’t want to do dishes right away!

16. Cans of soup or chili – While you won’t earn a five-star rating for packing these, they can tie you over.

17. Garbage bags –You will need access to trash bags right away as you begin unpacking and arranging.

18. Cash – If soup or chili doesn’t appeal, ordering pizza just might. You’ll need cash to pull this off in your new place.

19. Cell phone – It’s a very good idea to keep your old cell phone on and with you when you move into Bakersfield apartments.

20. Children’s or pet’s items – Be sure to pack any essentials children or pets might need right away. Don’t let the movers take these items!

Moving to a new apartment can be a huge chore. To keep the peace on Day one, be certain to pack the item you need the most last and carry them with you so you can get at them right away.

Even if you don’t know how to cook a turkey, it’s a lot easier than you think. Check out 5 these easy cooking videos to get the ingredients and watch experienced cooks prepare the dishes.

How to Cook a Turkey
How to Make Turkey Stuffing
How to Make Mashed Potatoes
How to Make a Cabernet Cranberry Sauce
How to Make a Pumpkin Pie

Now you can look forward to enjoying your Thanksgiving turkey knowing you’ve got the holiday cooking under control.

Airline tickets are sold based on supply and demand. If the airline thinks there are too many open seats, they lower prices. The best way to tackle the airfare search is on the internet. You can go to as many websites as you desire and watch as prices fluctuate daily, or sometimes hourly. When you find the cheap airline tickets you want, book the flight without delay. The price is likely to change before you come back to it.

Airline Websites

Photo by: britt

Buying directly on an airline’s website is often the best deal because you won’t pay any processing fees. In fact, if you find a good price on a booking engine, you should check the airline’s website before buying. You may save a few dollars per ticket.

American Airlines
Delta Airlines
Northwest Airlines
AirTran
Continental
United Airlines

Booking Engines

These websites will search multiple airline websites and display a handy chart, listing your options. They make their money by charging you a fee (usually around $6) per ticket.

Expedia
Travelocity
Orbitz

Photo by: Kozumel

Aggregators

Aggregators scan dozens of websites, including those of airlines and booking engines. They won’t charge you a fee, they just want you to use their sites. Aggregators make money with their on-site advertising and you benefit by finding cheap tickets.

FareChase
Kayak
Sidestep

International Flights

Most of the above websites don’t include international flights. If you are flying overseas, try these sites:

Momondo
Trabber
Skyscanner

So if you’re ready to get away from your Bakersfield home, grab a cup of coffee and a notepad and start your online flight search.

Common Cold Symptoms

While the common cold is not considered a life threatening illness, it can be a real nuisance. Some of the major symptoms you are probably familiar with include runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, sneezing and watery eyes. Other symptoms can include congestion, cough, mild fatigue and fever.

If your fever increases or you are experiencing extreme fatigue, you could have a more serious infection. Upper respiratory infections and ear infections can develop as a complication of the common cold and should be treated by a doctor. Sometimes symptoms of pneumonia, bronchitis and strep can be confused with the common cold but must be treated by a doctor.

Causes of the Common Cold

The common cold is highly contagious and spending long periods of time with someone who has a cold will dramatically increase your chances of catching it. The cold virus is spread by tiny water droplets in the air from sneezing and coughing. If you inhale that air, you could be breathing in the virus. Also, if you touch your eyes, mouth or nose after spending time with someone who is infected, you could also be spreading the virus.

Cold Prevention

Since the common cold is a virus, you can’t take antibiotics or medicine to get rid of it. But, you can reduce your chances of catching it and minimize your symptoms with certain actions:

• Wash your hands often – your hands can easily pick up and spread the virus.
• Don’t share drinks or eating utensils.
• Wash your children’s toys with warm water and a disinfecting agent after play.
• Keep surfaces of your Bakersfield apartment and commonly touched objects like the phone and door knobs clean.
• Limit the amount of time you spend with those who are infected.

How to Treat The Common Cold

Resting and drinking plenty of fluids (like fruit juice and water) is your best bet when fighting a cold. Tylenol will reduce a fever and ease minor aches caused by the illness. Cough syrups and drops are the best for suppressing a cough, and decongestants will help reduce the pressure from sinus buildup in your nose and sinus cavities. Colds typically only last one to two weeks, so if symptoms prolong or worsen, you should see a doctor.

For more information about the common cold and complications associated with it, check out the Mayo Clinic website on the common cold.

7 Business Blunders To Avoid

Arriving late- If you want to start your lunch off on a bad note, come late. It’s the easiest way to ruin a business lunch because it gives the impression that you don’t value other people’s time. Do yourself a favor. Don’t come on time, but come early.

Dressing inappropriately- A common mistake many people make is going to a business lunch under-dressed. Depending on the type of business you’re in, you should know what attire is appropriate for a work-related lunch. If you don’t, do some research and err on the side of dressing professionally. Don’t insult your client by looking as if you don’t take the lunch seriously.

Bad table manners- This includes everything from using the correct utensils during your meal to being polite to the waitstaff.

Too much small talk- You want to be polite and decent, so do make small talk. Small talk will in some ways, break the ice. However, lunches are usually only around an hour or so for most people. Get down to business. People who know how much their time is worth will appreciate you for it.

Waiting for the check to decide who picks up the tab- If you initiated the lunch and invited a client, you should take care of the bill.

Drinking too much during lunch- It’s not uncommon for people to drink alcoholic beverages during business lunches. But, generally speaking, it’s not a good idea to drink them. Sip on a wine spritzer if you want to be polite, but don’t get carried away. You can drink after work at a happy hour somewhere.

2 Places Perfect for a Business Lunch in Bakersfield

When deciding on a restaurant for your lunch, consider the other patrons, the service, and the atmosphere. Many restaurants in business districts train waitstaff to back off when papers are out on the table. This is the type of place you want to go. Also, select a place conducive to a conversational meeting, not too loud, not too dark.

The Bistro and Bar at the Four Points in Sheraton, Bakersfield- Great food and great service make this a great place entertain corporate clients. This four-star restaurant has been awarded ‘Best Business Lunch’ by the Bakersfield Californian’s Reader’s Poll.

Sertino’s Cafe- This upscale, but casual restaurant provides a great atmosphere for business lunches and they have wireless access to the internet.

You can buy the frames in any size from a 5-inch-screen all the way to 15-inch-Gigantor-screen. They come in a variety of colors, with the black digital photo frame being a popular choice. Or, alternatively, you can get a digital key chain. The key chain is portable, allowing you to take it anywhere and show your photos to friends, family and coworkers.

Photo by: Keegan Jones

How Do They Work?

A digital photo frame displays a slide show of your favorite photos on an LCD screen. Most frames can hold 50+ images. You load the photos by removing the memory card from your camera and placing it directly into the digital picture frame. The frame will then show each photo you’ve included. Some frames allow you to upload photos via a USB connection. This allows you to customize your slide show with any images that are saved on your USB device. The top-of-the-line frames have a wireless capability that allows you to load pictures over the internet from photo-sharing sites or RSS feeds.

Things to Consider when Buying your Digital Picture Frame

Photo Format – Some frames only display JPEG pictures while others can display additional formats like TXT and GIF.
Resolution – Select a frame with at least a 640×480 resolution if you want your photos to have a high quality appearance. Anything less will have a lower quality than a traditional printed photo.
Ratio – A 4:3 format is best. This is the same way your camera is formatted.
Memory Card Slot – Be sure you choose a frame that accommodates the same memory card you use in your digital camera.
USB Port – If you want to transfer photos from your computer to your frame, you’ll need one of these.

Photo by: Lynn Schnitzer

Choosing the Right Frame

Before shopping, think about your requirements…where will you get the photos from? Where will you put the frame in your Bakersfield apartment? What size will you need the frame to be so you can see it clearly in that location? Will you want to plug it in with an electrical cord or run it on batteries? What is your price range? What color frame would look best? Would a key chain be more convenient? Surf the web to read product reviews and comparisons and choose the frame that is right for you.

So, what kind of functional and decorative pillows can you add to your apartment to really make it stand out as distinct, comfortable and truly yours? Let’s take a look at some popular pillow types for different rooms:

Throws – These small, comfortable pillows add a nice decorator touch to the living room. If you need to know how to choose among the many pillows out there, consider the main colors in your room. Go for pillows that accent the theme or colors found within it and you’ll be all set. You’ll find throw pillows come in just about any size, shape and design imaginable.

Floor pillows – These are excellent buys in homes that have a lot of traffic. This type of pillow can quickly transform a piece of floor into an extra seating area for kids or more casual visitors.

Patio pillows – If you really want to transform your outdoor space into a living area, adding pillows to your design outside can help. Make sure to purchase pillows rated for outdoor use, however. Regular down pillows might not withstand moisture.

Photo by: juandazeng

Down pillows – If you love big, fluffy pillows when you lay down at night, load up your bed with down pillows. You can add throw pillows to accent your colors in the bedroom, too.

Body pillows – These giant and very comfortable creations are excellent additions to bedrooms and even living rooms. This type of pillow is like a portable mattress that gives the body extra comfort.

When it’s time to decorate a Bakersfield apartment to give it a distinct feel, don’t forget the pillows. These little accents can add beauty and function to any room in your home.

Photo by: Ants4pets

What is Feng Shui?

According to the art of Feng Shui, clutter can create “sha” or “shar” – those are the Chinese words for “bad energy”. This kind of physical environment is not good for your soul. You may even be attracting misfortune.

Feng Shui, which literally means “wind and water”, is based on the notion that living with, rather than against, nature, benefits both humans and the environment. It is all about how to create good energy, called “Chi”. With good energy you can manifest positive things into your life. Allow good energy to flow freely through your apartment and this positive force will create more good energy.

Create a Feng Shui Room in Every Room of Your Apartment

Take a look at your apartment and try to get rid of any noise, mess, clutter or agitating elements. Instead, incorporate these positive qualities in your Feng Shui decorating:

• Organization
• Cleanliness
• Art
• Beauty
• Order

Feng Shui Bedroom

Most Americans spend at least a third of their life (8 hours a night) in the bedroom. To limit “sha” and create the most “Chi,” follow these Feng Shui tips:

• Keep the master bedroom far away from the front door. This provides a feeling of security and safety.
• Make sure your bedroom door can open completely. This allows good opportunities to come in.
• Place your bed so that if you are sitting on the bed, you can see who is entering the room, either directly or by looking in a mirror. This prevents the misfortune brought by negative chi from sneaking up on you at night.
• The foot of the bed should NOT face the door because this is considered to be the death position in Chinese culture. It also should not face a mirror of a bureau.
• Your headboard should not nudge the wall, but part of the bed should be touching a wall so you will feel stable.