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New Year’s Diet Resolutions

After indulging ourselves with all kinds of foods during the holidays, we all want to lose some weight. Whether you want to lose a couple of pounds or more, the most important thing to remember is that “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a small step” (Chinese proverb). In other words, to reach any goal, one must begin slowly, step by step. Focus on making only one change at a time. Here are some ideas to help you make dietary and other health changes for the New Year:

1. Exchange soda for water. You can lose one pound per month. Drink water with a splash of your favorite juice and sparkling water.
2. Add more veggies to your plate and reduce the amount of meat.
3. Pick up a fruit for dessert.
4. Eat a fruit or vegetable as a snack.
5. Designate a day as “fish day.”
6. Try a new fruit or vegetable next time you shop.
7. Select yogurt as a snack or dessert and add fresh fruit to it.
8. Instead of butter on your toast or sandwiches put slices of avocado or use nut butters.
9. Use brown rice or mix it with your regular favorite type of rice. Add some cooked vegetables, herbs such as parsley, oregano, thyme, and sprinkle with olive oil and a little salt.
10.Get your body moving! Walk, dance, and play with your children.
11.Make sure you get enough sleep. It will help your body restore, stay healthy, and cope with stress.

Gift Cards

Now that the holidays are over, you may have one or more gift cards lying around and have questions on how long you can keep them.

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Facts about the American Opportunity Tax Credit

 

Many parents and college students will be able to offset the cost of college over the next two years under the new American Opportunity Tax Credit. This tax is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Here are six important facts about this tax credit.

  1. This credit, which expands and renames the existing Hope Credit, can be claimed for qualified tuition and related expenses that you pay for higher education in 2009 and 2010. Expenses include tuition, related fees, books and other required course materials.
  2. The credit is equal to 100 percent of the first $2,000 spent and 25 percent of the next $2,000 per student each year. The full $2,500 credit may be available to a taxpayer who pays $4,000 or more in qualifying expenses for an eligible student.
  3. The full credit is generally available to eligible taxpayers who make less than $80,000 or $160,000 for married couples filing a joint return. The credit is gradually reduced, however for taxpayers with incomes above these levels.
  4. Forty percent of the credit is refundable, so even those who owe no tax can get up to $1,000 of the credit for each eligible student as cash back.
  5. The credit can be claimed for qualified expenses paid for any of the first four years of post secondary education.
  6. You cannot claim the tuition and fees tax deduction in the same year that you claim the American Opportunity Tax Credit or the Lifetime Learning Credit. You must choose to either take the credit or the deduction, which ever is more beneficial to you.

More detailed information on this and other key tax provisions may be found on the official IRS Web site at: www.irs.gov/Recovery
 

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