Debra Newby Watkins CPA – Page 19 – CPA's not only count, they make change.

Google Takes A Stand

Wednesday, Google announced they would ban all ads pertaining to payday loan businesses. Customers will still be able to find these companies through an organic search on the browser but the ads will not be featured. Google has seen fit to “edit” their ad content previously as noted by Christine Hauser for the New York Times in, Google to Ban All Payday Loan Ads.

Google has taken similar action against advertisements for other products or services that it deems harmful or dangerous, such as guns, fireworks and tobacco. Last year, Google disabled more than 780 million advertisements for reasons ranging from counterfeiting to phishing.

It’s quite refreshing to see such a well known, worldwide company taking a stand of this magnitude. Go Google!

Are You Effective or Just Busy?

Mind-Your-Busyness — http://www.selfawarenessacademy.org/mind-your-busyness/

Ever have that feeling that your day will never end? Smartphones and other electronic devices make us available 24/7. Keeping our minds spinning, and making it seem that our time is constantly filled. In the Entrepreneur 360 article, 5 Ways to Stop Being Busy and Start Being Effective, four simple steps explain how we can accomplish work in the most effective way and help shed the constant feel of busy-ness.

Don’t say yes to every task.
Create time for your family and friends.
Prioritize.
Do not let others distract you.

Give it a try, and let us know how it works for you!

Save On Your Property Taxes

Were you shocked by the amount listed when you got your property appraisal in the mail recently? Did you know that protesting the appraisal is an option? Although not a simple process, it can be done by an individual. If you feel you need help with the paperwork and supporting documents, there are companies available who specialize in this type of tax appeal. You may be surprised by how much you will save on property taxes when your appraisal is lowered successfully.

2015 Tax Appraisal Tax Appeal

It’s Tax Day, Hug Your CPA

Today is one of the most stressful dates for many Americans. April 15th, Tax Day brings all kinds of worries for those who have waited to complete their tax forms and not sought the help of a CPA. On the other hand, accountants are just coming to the end of an extremely busy work season. Maureen Schwartz offers a humorous view of living with a CPA during this time and how best to care for them. Happy tax season and raise a glass to your and all CPAs in the US this monumental day! The 10 simple rules of caring for your CPA this busy season

April “Fools?”

Did you get a minion mic drop in your inbox this April Fools? Google’s famous elaborate April Fool’s pranks may have finally gone too far. This year, the idea was that you could select the “Mic drop” button on Gmail and send a .gif of a minion dropping a realistic mic. After sending, no other replies from that mail stream would come back to you. Conversation over, the end. What an amazing way to handle a never ending work email, right? Turns out that the “Mic drop” button was a little too close to the send button, causing quite a few misfires to clients and bosses. Oops. After a myriad of complaints on their Google forum, the button was removed and an apology issued.

What do you think? Did they go too far or do we all take ourselves just a little too seriously in this day and age of electronic communication?

April Fools’ Undo: Gmail Removes Its ‘Mic Drop’ Feature

What Part Does Social Media Play in Your Life?

How often do you check your social media accounts? Do they play a large part in your social or business life? You’re not alone. According to Teddy Wayne for the New York Times, 90% of 18-29 year olds and over 75% of 30-49 year olds use social media on a daily basis. But times may be changing as a small group of “holdouts” are eschewing social media, even as a marketing platform. Check out why in, Holdouts of the Social Media Age.

What’s On Your Desk?

Make yourself number one! Keep in mind that when you are happy and taken care of, you are able to do much more efficient and focused work. Not to mention warding off the temptation to feast on the chocolates at your neighbor’s desk or the donuts in the break room. The ideas shared by Danielle, a contributor to apartmenttherapy.com, in her article, Be Happier at Work: Try This Simple Desk Update Today make sense. Who doesn’t enjoy drinks and delicious snacks at his/her fingertips, as well as a little beauty added to the space?

Shall we give this a try?

Tell us your experiences in the comments section and we’ll share ours too. Now, get to work!

Men, Women and Sportscasting

In honor of National Women’s Day, an article about being in the public eye as a female sportscaster. Such a male dominated arena from both the commentator and fan perspectives, it offers more focused attention on the women who work the fields than any other anchor position. Richard Sandamir and John Branch for the New York Times, share the stories of these women and how important personal awareness and safety is in this profession. The Dangers of Being a Female Sportscaster. Not to mention the reminder that males should strive to behave as gentlemen.

Beg, Borrow or Buy?

Invest or borrow? Kim Myles offers great advice about when to purchase or borrow eight key items in her article, Save Money, Save Space: 8 Things to Borrow Instead of Buy. From air mattresses to tools to serving dishes, consider her wisdom about storage space and necessity before you make that next impulse buy for a weekend guest or dinner party.

Thinking it’s About Time For a Snack?

Are you sitting at your desk right now wishing you had a big piece of chocolate cake? Ever wondered why you feel the overwhelming urge for a sugary snack each afternoon? In their article, The Science Behind the 3 p.m. Snack Slump, thekitchcn.com offers scientific facts about the late afternoon slump as well as ways to curb your desire for sugar and fat with healthy options. 5 Healthy Ways to Beat Your Afternoon Snack Cravings. They even mention that sleep may play a big part in this daily crave. Instead of willing yourself to not eat junk, maybe you should just go to bed!