BUZZ ON BUSINESS
by Peter Wein
Getting Beyond April 15th
Hurray! Tax time is over. For many years everyone I know has dreaded April 15th. The heck with Caesar and the Ides of March. We should be saying “beware the Ides of April!” It seems that even in normal times, people panic as it gets closer to the cut off for filing taxes. So is the case when most people are affected by this economic downturn and don’t have the extra cash on hand to pay what is owed to the government in the way of taxes. On the plus side this year is that there are tax credits, stimulus packages and, unfortunately, the loss of the income that we have relied on for so long. They will have to go to the mall or buy clothes off the rack instead of custom-made attire! The point of this is that no matter your station in this world, there are certain obligations that we all have. It is the wise ones who can adjust and also plan for when there is a negative change in income.
Those who were diligent enough to have filed their returns earlier this year have already started to receive their refunds. And I can only assume it is those who owe Uncle Sam that are the ones who waited as long as they could to mail that all-so-painful check to cover their shortfall on their tax obligation.
Think about it. If you try to get away without paying what is due from you by our governing laws, how will our government be able to bail out the Banks, the Auto Industry and the Insurance Industry? And I am sure there are other industries that are trying to line their pockets with OUR MONEY. What has always gotten the best of me is that if I ran my business with the lack of regard , irresponsibility and greed that these conglomerates have, I would be out of business. The government would not bail my little company out. The government wouldn’t give me tax breaks because of my mismanagement. Of course, by giving these corporations money, their CEO’s and other upper echelon members can maintain the lifestyles that their families and close associates have become accustomed to. Could you imagine if your personal income had to take a cut of 50%? Oh my God, that means these leaders of business might have to live on only 4 or 5 million a year. What a shame. How would they survive?
They may have to deprive their children of some of the finest summer’s educational experiences. Europe for only 4 weeks instead of 8 weeks! No more shopping on Palm Beach Island this summer.
Shop Locally…Keep Money in Our Community
A word to the wise: if you shop locally, not only can you save on your purchase, but you lower the cost of wear and tear on your transportation and you save on fuel. Additionally, you will keep money in the community. The same community that needs money spent there to keep the retailers, the professionals and the restaurants open. This ensures a better quality of life. To you, the business owners: advertise and market to your local residents. When they have less to spend, the closer you are to them, the easier it is for them to get to you. It is like the circle of life (the cycle of Business Life!) So dear businesses, now that there are less of you out there, spend some money wisely and make sure that your local targeted shopper stays local and doesn’t find the need to search out into other neighborhoods. Think traditional venues. And then think out of the box. Print! Internet! Radio! Any of these might just work. Contact a professional who can guide you into an area that you haven’t tried before…because marketing can be a challenging aspect of business.
I know I am advertising my business and services locally and I hope others will do the same. To advertise in this online publication, click on “Advertise.” This will ensure that I see you somewhere “Around Wellington.”
Peter Wein, a business professional who is very active in the Western Communities, is also the managing member of the B Network. To contact Peter, email: [email protected] or call him at (561) 827-4223. Tune into Peter’s Livingroom radio show on W4CY radio, www.w4cy.com or visit his network at www.mybnetwork.com.