Real deal in tax filing

 I officially dumped TaxAct. I switched all of us over to FreeTaxUSA. My daughters both filed for free, my middle son filed for free and we paid $14.99 total to file our state and federal taxes with all of the education credit documentation etc. The free version even allowed for my daughter to file a 1099B and my son filed his federal and two different states for nothing.  All because their incomes are under $41,000.  

Remember to use the link in last nights post to the MO Department of Revenue and then link from there. It will not be totally free without that link. 

File taxes for FREE in Missouri

 If you’re on a budget or just money conscious you’re always looking for a coupon or deal, right?  Taxes are no different. 

I have used TaxAct for years, religiously.  I’ve even had my kids use it. Now, I generally have to pay a fee but they give out discounts every December via email and you just have to log in to get them and they will be effective at tax time.  If something goes wrong and it doesn’t get applied simply call them and they will refund you the difference.  The kids’ taxes have mostly been simple enough to qualify for the free versions.

But this year my 17 year old had to file since she made just enough earned income and unearned (from an old custodial account) combined that she was required to. Last year she didn’t pay any taxes and didn’t make enough at her job so we did not have her file. This year, we knew she wouldn’t owe and she only stood to get $4 back between state and federal but she was required to file and filing the forms required for a 1099B for her investments, though small, meant TaxAct would charge her about $70. Umm what?  No. 

I set out to either do her taxes manually or find somewhere to file for free. Low and behold when I looked for a way to file the state side for free Missouri had links. Please keep in mind if you don’t use these links you could be charged for the state filing even though they all do federal for free. 

I chose FreeTaxUSA and it took all of 15 minutes to fill out her employee info, 1099B gains and 1099INT info. It even allowed us to e-file for her for free. It literally didn’t cost a dime. And she paid the state what she owed electronically. 

Now, I think it would cost us because of HSA and other things but I’m going to seriously look into using them before I file. I mean if they’re less expensive than TaxAct and they have a fixed state return fee really could be worth it. 

On a side note:  Even if your child only has earned income of less than the requirement to file, if they paid taxes from their checks they will get it all back. HAVE THEM FILE 

👇🏼Here’s the link to those free tax filing web sites:

https://dor.mo.gov/taxation/individual/tax-types/income/vendors.html

Save money….eat leftovers

 We try to make really large anoints of food that we can reinvent into something else when we have 3 or more of the kids home.  And barbecue beef sandwiches with coleslaw are a hit and then the next day we make homemade queso (real cheese etc) and finish the beef. And we need lots for that because they eat DO much!!  

But today, I ate a leftover sandwich but wasn’t feeling the slaw.  I found a half an avocado that was going to go bad and some tzatziki sauce that I actually made over the weekend with leftover cucumber kimchi.  This was an AWESOME sandwich  as in I’m going to have to introduce the whole family to this one and tzatziki sauce goes so far!

Enjoy and save money.

#moneysavingtips #savemoneywithleftovers #savemoney #eatathome

Small cleanings

My husband hates it when I get sidetracked while doing one project for another.  No matter what or how small. I guess it’s because I do it often. I call it squirrel syndrome.  But for me, these little “extra” projects make me happy. When I’m done with all of it I can walk by and we what I did and feel productive. Little cleanings are good. They’re not overwhelming and they make you feel good and you can check one thing off that mental list. Do you do small cleanings?

 

Our spoiled baby

 Aka Loki the kitten. He’s approximately 10 months old. We’ve had him almost 7. He’s a mouse and vole killing machine so he’s great. But he is so spoiled for an outside cat. He loves to sit by the door and snuggle with whoever will do it. He’s very affectionate but he’s hungry 100% of time.  Even if he’s just eaten he runs through the house to the door where his food is because he wants more. If we eat dinner he jumps at the door handle because he understands how that door opens.  And I cannot keep his paw prints off the glass.  This is killing my OCD. He is a purring machine and if someone has him in the house for even a second you can hear him in other rooms. He loves to show his love by cleaning you so he licks everyone. Such a sweet baby but a little dramatic sometimes. 

Small cleanings

 Small cleanings over time have a big impact. You can really get a deep clean over the course of days instead of hours. When I get rid of junk, things that are no longer any good or things we don’t want, need or use I make space. And empty space makes me feel better. Less anxious. Try it. 

Link to cleaning brushes

#affiliate

Free stuff and how to "luck" into it

Want to be a Walmart Spark Reviewer??

@mindful_frugalista

It’s not a guarantee but I’ll share what I read before I was invited to the program. 

• Take the time to review items you bought on Walmart.com
• Be honest 
• Include photos or videos
• Include details of what you like and dislike
• Help consumers with your reviews

I know of others personally who have gotten invited so it’s not exactly a lottery. It is pretty awesome though. Once you get in be sure to abide by the rules. Don’t sell any of your items or give them away. They’re for your household to use and give an honest review of. Review the item timely including photos and details. It doesn’t take long and is fully worth being in the program

My biggest advice, if you get in, is to only accept items that you would really like to use and have. Things you can give an honest review of. 

Good luck!

#walmartsparkreviewer  #freestuff #reviews #savemoneywithfreethings #getthingsfree  #moneysavingtips  #getstufffree #freethings