Special low teaser rates. . . No payments for one year. . .On-the-spot credit approval. . . It seems that everywhere you turn, a lender offers you credit. And, at this time of year, who couldn't use some extra cash to pay off holiday bills?

Surely it's happened to you. You scour the toy stores looking for the latest "must have" toys for your children only to find that, within a day or two, the new toys have broken, run out of batteries, or are missing pieces. According to the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA), a far better idea is to give children financial-related gifts. Gifts that teach the importance of sound money management and investing can provide valuable lessons that will serve your children or grandchildren for years to come.

Donations to your favorite cause don't always have to be in cash. If you want to make a charitable gift before the end of the year, consider appreciated property. The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA) says that whether you donate stock, mutual funds, artwork, or real estate, you may qualify for a tax break while your charity of choice reaps the full value of your donation.

If you do volunteer work for a charitable organization and haven't kept track of your out-of-pocket expenses, you're passing up an excellent opportunity to lower your tax bill, reports the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA). Whether you have volunteered your time all year or are planning to do so over the holidays, the costs associated with your volunteer work may add up to a tax deduction.

If you learned suddenly that your home needed a new roof, could you access the cash to pay for it before your possessions were drenched? What if you lost your job? Would you be able to cover your monthly bills? You could with an emergency fund, says the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA). If you don't already have one, now is a great time to establish a plan for 2003.

It's the question that's on every business owner's mind: How can I motivate my employees to contribute their best work? The answer is to create an environment in which employees are motivated to succeed and to reward them for their success. The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA) provides the following suggestions for enhancing employee performance and productivity.

Obtaining a commercial loan can be one of the biggest challenges facing a growing business. Even experienced small business owners can feel overwhelmed and under-prepared when seeking outside financing for the first time. The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA) offers the following insights into how to borrow from a bank directly or through an SBA-guaranteed loan.

As students head off to college with expensive computers, televisions, stereo equipment, and bicycles in tow, the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA) suggests that parents add an insurance review to their preparation checklist. A review of your homeowners, auto insurance, and health insurance policies can help to ensure that your college-bound student is properly covered while away from home.

Before your college freshman even settles into his or her dorm room, chances are, credit card marketing teams will be on campus to sign up students for credit cards. In fact, company representatives will compete for your student's business by handing out T-shirts, coffee mugs, CDs, and other enticements. According to the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA), your best defense against this marketing blitz is to set some ground rules and educate your student about the importance of using credit wisely.

Most people refinance their mortgage to take advantage of lower interest rates and reduced monthly payments - but those are not the only reasons to consider trading in an old mortgage for a new one. The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA) has identified other reasons why refinancing makes sense and offers advice on getting the best deal.

There's no denying it: long-term care insurance is expensive, particularly for buyers in their sixties and seventies. But it's also very important, especially for those who want to protect their assets from being depleted by an extended hospital or nursing home stay.

Owning a vacation home gives you a great opportunity to relax and have fun in the sun - or snow - depending on your preferences. To add to your enjoyment, a vacation home also can provide significant tax benefits. Here's what the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA) says all current and would-be vacation homeowners should know.

Whether you plan to build a website for your business or you already have one, a user-friendly, accessible and informative site is essential to good business. The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA) provides the following checklist to help you evaluate the effectiveness of your site.

The tragic events of September 11 affected hundreds of companies in New York City, but they especially affected small businesses. One method of protection from financial disaster, according to the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA), is business insurance. No matter what size business you own, adequate business insurance is essential to managing risk and minimizing the impact of catastrophic events.

It's April 15. Your tax return is filed. You're relieved. The task is behind you - until you realize you've made a mistake on your return. There's no need to panic, says the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA). You can easily make amends by completing and filing IRS Form 1040X, Amended U.S. Individual Tax Return. Generally, you have three years from the time your original return was filed or two years from the time the tax was paid, whichever is later, to file an amended return. A return filed before the April 15 due date is treated the same as filing on the due date.

Don't be fooled this tax season. The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA) provides these tax tales to help you better understand the tax law and avoid paying more than your fair share of taxes.

All taxpayers, and particularly those who lost their jobs, experienced pay cuts, or otherwise earned less than in previous years, should take the time to add up their miscellaneous expenses to see if they qualify for a deduction on their 2001 tax return. Tax law allows deductions for certain miscellaneous itemized expenses that exceed 2 percent of your adjusted gross income (AGI), according to the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA). As a result, individuals who had lower AGIs in 2001 but expenses similar to past years may find that they qualify for this deduction, even if they could not claim it in the past.

A tough job market and a slowing economy have more workers taking on jobs as independent contractors. If you're among them, or would like to be, it is important that you understand the tax rules involved. According to the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA), for tax purposes, independent contractors are treated as running their own businesses. This makes them eligible for many tax benefits that are limited or not available to employees.

Supporting elderly parents can be rewarding, but also financially draining. The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA) points out that qualified taxpayers can get some assistance from Uncle Sam. Individuals who provide financial support for their parents may qualify for a dependency exemption on their tax returns. In addition, they may qualify for a medical expense deduction as well as a credit for dependent care expenses.

Today, Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) offer a number of options for saving toward retirement or a college education. According to the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA), choosing the right one for you and your family is critical to ensuring that you have the finances for your goals. Here is an overview of some of the most popular types of IRAs.