Sometimes, the best escape is right under your nose. Planning a staycation in your local area can save you the hassle of long travel days and large expenses but also reveals hidden gems in your own backyard. Here are six ways you can turn your town into a fun staycation! SET YOUR INTENTIONS. Start by deciding what kind of staycation vibes you’re aiming for. Is it relaxation with spa-like peace and quiet, or are you looking for adventure and exploration? Setting your intentions will help guide your activities and tailor your staycation to your desires. TREAT YOURSELF. Part of the joy of vacationing comes from stepping out of your routine and indulging a bit. Why should a staycation be any different? Book a massage at a local spa, order takeout from that high-end restaurant you’ve always wanted to try or splurge on a fancy “hotel-style” breakfast in bed. Remember, it’s all about treating yourself! VISIT A NEW PLACE EACH DAY. Challenge yourself to visit new spots in your area. It could be a park you’ve never strolled through, a museum you’ve skipped, or an interesting shop you’ve passed but never entered. It’s fun to see how much you discover in places you can visit every day. DON’T JUDGE YOURSELF FOR NOT DOING ANYTHING. If your most adventurous activity for a day is moving from your bed to your couch or hammock, that’s perfectly fine. Not Your Staycation, Your Rules Easily Enjoy a Perfect Home Holiday
When a divorced couple who were still living together came to us recently for help, I offered some unusual advice: Set up separate households right away! Don’t get me wrong — I am not hanging out a shingle as a couples counselor! But for these ex-spouses, supporting two households rather than one conferred some tax advantages. And by moving apart and working with us, the ex-husband was able to settle a $154,000 tax debt for a mere $800 — less than 1% of the amount owed! Love and Taxes: How One Couple’s Split Lowered Their IRS Bill Toph’s Tax Triumph
Let’s start the story from the beginning.
You have probably heard about “the marriage penalty,” the quirk in tax law that forces some married couples to pay higher taxes jointly than they would if they were single and filing separately. While 2017 legislation reduced the number of couples affected, the marriage penalty still hits spouses at higher income levels. That was the case for this couple. One of the primary reasons they had divorced in the first place was taxes. They had both joint and separate tax debts that needed to be resolved. We wouldn’t normally represent both ex-spouses, but these two were cooperative and seemed to get along. So, we secured a conflict-of- interest waiver from both of them allowing us to represent them both before the IRS. Even though the IRS should have treated this couple’s concerns as two separate cases, I knew the agency would demand more of each of them if they were living together. In the agency’s view, sharing a household would mean sharing the bills, leaving more surplus cash to pay the IRS. When I suggested to the ex- husband that he move out for a while to show the additional expense of supporting a separate household, he agreed. We then offered $800 to settle the ex-husband’s $154,000 in unpaid taxes back through 2013. Even I was surprised when the IRS accepted! His ex-wife owed less than half as much as her ex- spouse, and her case is still pending. So what about their relationship? I don’t know the details. If you’re asking my opinion, this pair still seemed to enjoy each other’s company, suggesting there was hope for a lasting reconciliation. But of course, it’s not my place to say!
every staycation day needs to be filled with activities. After all, the best memories can come from hanging out and enjoying the peace of your own space. BE A TOURIST FOR THE DAY. Grab a camera and see your city through the eyes of a tourist. You might discover typical tourist activities you’ve never done because you live there. It’s a fun way to engage with your surroundings differently.
REMEMBER, IT’S YOUR STAYCATION. The best part of a staycation is that there are no rules. Sleep in, stay up late, eat dessert for breakfast, or wear pajamas all day. Do what makes you happy because, after all, isn’t that what any great vacation is about?
–Toph Sheldon
2 • 513-513-8674
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator