If you are thinking about purchasing a new family pet, you need to consider all of the things that pet needs. Owning a horse comes with a particular set of challenges that other animals do not have.

Protection

A horse is a big responsibility and is not something to be taken lightly. If you plan to take your horse to shows or use it in rodeos, you should seriously consider horse insurance. This will protect you if anything happens to your horse.

Space

Horses are large animals. They can weigh anywhere from 900 lbs to 2000 lbs and need a lot of space to be able to move around. If you are unable to provide the space horses need at your home, think about putting your horse at a boarding facility or an arena nearby. This will allow your horse the space it needs even though your property might not be able to house them.

Equipment

Another thing you need if you are going to own a horse is the proper equipment. This means lead ropes, halters, feed and water troughs, and, if you are planning to ride, you will need a saddle and saddle pads. All of this needs to be properly stored as well. Again, if this is not something your home is set up for, you should consider housing your horses in a boarding facility. There you will also be able to house your equipment.

Food

Finally, as with any pet, your horse needs food. Horses go through about 15 lbs to 20 lbs of hay in one day. This means that you are going through hundred of hay bales in a year. Make sure you have room to house enough hay bales to feed your horse throughout the year.

Purchasing a new family pet can be a fun and exciting time. However, it is important to keep in mind the animal’s needs so it can thrive in your home.…

You have liability insurance to protect you from financial disaster if you cause damage or harm to another person or their property. Sometimes, the damage goes far beyond what your insurance covers. To make sure you’re completely covered, you may want to have umbrella insurance.

What is Umbrella Insurance

Also called personal liability insurance, umbrella insurance offers financial protection above and beyond your primary insurance policy. If you’re sued for an amount above what your insurance will cover, umbrella insurance pays for the remainder. Have your insurance specialist Poulsbo WA set you up with a policy to protect you from financial ruin due to an accident.

What Does Umbrella Insurance Cover

Umbrella insurance is used to cover other people’s injuries or property damage, lawsuits that involve slander and your legal defense costs. It will not cover damage to your personal belongings, your injury costs, criminal acts or liability from a contract.

Do You Need Umbrella Insurance

If you have a high net worth or a high probability of being sued, you may want to have this type of insurance. Some people have a higher chance of entering into problems due to the lifestyle they have or the activities they pursue. Consider having an umbrella insurance policy if you own a home, are a landlord, have an inexperienced driver in the home, serve on a nonprofit board, frequently post reviews about businesses or products or are a public figure.

How Much Do You Need

The amount of umbrella insurance should be equal to your net worth and can be purchased through your insurance company. Make sure you have the minimum liability amounts set for your primary insurance to secure a new policy.

Having umbrella insurance isn’t necessary for everyone, but it can give you peace of mind knowing your assets are completely covered.…

Starting a new business can be a daunting task as you work to anticipate market conditions and changes, not to mention the financial resources that will be required to make your dream a reality. A lack of savings doesn’t mean you have to forgo your dreams, however. You can get a business off the ground successfully on a budget by following money-saving tips like these.

1. Develop a Budget

Every business needs to have a budget in place, and that includes your startup. Without one, it is difficult to divvy up resources and see where you can spend or where you should reduce spending. Include both fixed and variable costs along with the income you expect to generate. Ideally, your budget will be developed as you complete your final business plan. Use the two together as a roadmap for business spending.

2. Rethink Office Space

You may notice that office space is one of the biggest fixed items in the budget you developed. It doesn’t have to be that way, though. Today’s businesses are run out of a wide variety of office spaces. Consider starting your new business out of a home office or shared workspace. Look toward used office furniture and equipment, too. A few used cubicles can create attractive, dedicated work areas for multiple employees.

3. Take Advantage of Low-Cost Marketing Strategies

A robust marketing plan can quickly make startup costs skyrocket. Luckily, there are plenty of ways you can cut costs without reducing the effectiveness of a marketing strategy. The first step is to develop a marketing budget that incorporates as many low-cost and free resources as possible. Look to social media and community events as a way to build your brand without breaking the bank. Content marketing has also been shown to be very effective in generating web traffic and awareness over time.

The first step to starting a business is to develop a realistic budget. Once that is done, you can look at ways to cut some of the biggest costs, such as rent and marketing.…

These days, many small businesses are barely getting by. The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a chunk out of operational activity for many. Margins are slimmer than usual, and some businesses are barely staying afloat.

One way to make up losses, at least partly, during this downturn and beyond is to save on the taxes you owe. Are you aware of the small business deductions that can legitimately be yours? Perhaps you can benefit from small business accounting services Cedar Hill TX.

Small Business Tax Deductions Often Overlooked

Whether your enterprise is in its planning stages, or already up-and-running, one key to profitability is legally minimizing your taxes. The following are among the many legitimate tax advantages for small businesses that can be overlooked:

• Startup Costs. The federal government provides some outstanding tax breaks for certain costs of starting up your business. You may quality for startup deductions of up to $5000. You may also be able to deduct up to an additional $5000 for organizational outlays.
• Home Office Deduction. Do you operate your business from your residence? If so, you may qualify for a home office deduction. This must be handled properly: Take a look at IRS Publication 587 for more details.
• Educational Expenses. Do you pay to have your employees educated or trained in any aspect of your business? Good for you. The IRS permits you to deduct these costs in many qualifying situations.

Be Sure To Keep Good Records!

Always remember that you must keep accurate records when taking these deductions, whether you are attempting to file on your own or working with a professional. These records include receipts, invoices, and other documentation relating to business operations. These deductions are legitimate and can save you on taxes, as long as you have the documentation to prove them if audited.…

Offices, schools and many other public places have to develop plans to keep their employees and patrons safe in case of an emergency. The first step in creating these procedures is knowing what you need to prepare for. Here are some types of emergency plans you need.

Fire

Fire response plans are important for every organization since fires can occur anywhere at any time. There are many corporate news sources that can help you determine the best course of action and how to implement it.

Extreme Weather

The types of extreme weather emergencies you should account for depends on geographical location. For example, Midwestern locations should plan for tornadoes, offices in California should plan for mudslides and the east coast should prepare for hurricanes. In addition to developing strategies to handle such scenarios, you should consistently monitor extreme weather warnings.

Active Shooter

Hopefully, your organization will never experience any threats of violence, but it is important to acknowledge that possibility and be ready to act when needed. Companies should create notification systems, such as text alerts, to get crucial information to employees quickly. Additionally, you will need to determine procedures for contacting the police, barricading doors, hiding, and evacuating.

Hurricane

Hurricanes can usually be predicted by scientists, allowing time to issue warnings to the general public. However, you should prepare for the worst-case scenario in which there is no warning. There should be designated spaces that are safe for people to take shelter when needed.

Public Health Crisis

Until recently, most businesses had not given any thought as to what they would do if there were a public health crisis, making shutdowns from the COVID-19 pandemic challenging. Companies should determine a back-up plan in case they ever need to shift to remote work without warning.

Developing procedures to respond to emergencies helps ensure the safety of both colleagues and clients. Staff should be made aware of these plans and practice them often. Signage should also be posted telling people what to do when disasters occur.…

Every day there seem to be new businesses coming onto the playing field. The competition for office space has become so competitive that it is next to impossible to get that perfect location. The high demand has created an atmosphere of creativity that has led to virtual office space becoming a flexible and money-saving alternative to the physical office space. If you are considering a virtual office, here are some benefits that will help you make that decision.

Before making the leap into a virtual office there are benefits that you must consider. These simple, yet important things will help guide your thinking as to what is right for your company’s growth and longevity.

• With a virtual office, you will have the benefit of a corporate office address. You will no longer need to use your home address for your company. This puts your company on the map, so people know you really exist.
• It allows you the flexibility of being able to connect with your office staff and employees as they work from remote locations.
• You will have a phone number, fax number, voicemail, and a receptionist assigned to your company. They’ll help with incoming inquiries and customer service. 
• You will save money by not having to rent an office space in a large complex. This is valuable money that can be saved on office rent and overhead expenses can be reallocated to other parts of the business.
• Your voicemail box will be personalized and kept current. This is a major benefit because customers often wonder if they called the right number if there is no identifier on the greeting.
• The virtual office option gives you more time with your family. You will not have to work late trying to organize calls or agenda items. Some of the office administration and busywork is done by the virtual assistant.
• You will also find an amazing amount of extra time. You will not have to commute to and from the office which can take up a lot of time. Now, you can simply get up and turn off the computer at the end of your workday.
• You will find that extra money is available to hire the person that you need desperately to fill the vacant position.

You will find a lot more benefits once you make that choice to move over to a virtual office. The only thing that you have to gain is money and time when making the move to a virtual office. …