Take a look at our September newsletter!
Kindness Costs Nothing, but It Changes Everything
Mama always said, “Be nice and sweet.” It wasn’t just a suggestion. This is a way of life.
it’s not about money. Posterity is about the future, seeing that light at the end of the tunnel and walking toward it together. Courtesy is the thread that ties it all together. It says, “We’ll get there, and I’ll be nice and sweet along the way.” It’s not only about clients, though. Even when we deal with the IRS, the same principle applies. It’s easy to forget that IRS agents are people, too. They’re people with jobs to do, deadlines to meet, and, let’s be honest, a pretty thankless role in the public eye. They’re not out to “get” people; they’re just showing up to work. And for them, it’s a hard job. Approaching those interactions with respect and empathy changes everything. When you meet tension with courtesy, conversations go smoother, problems get solved faster, and everyone walks away with a little less stress. Here’s the thing: Courtesy isn’t just for clients or government offices. It’s for life, the grocery store, the school drop-off line, and the coffee shop. It’s for strangers and neighbors, friends and family. It’s for the moments when someone cuts you off in traffic and you choose to breathe instead of honk. It’s tough to argue against courtesy. It costs nothing, yet it can completely shift a moment, a day, or even a life. We’ve all had times when one person’s kindness made the impossible feel possible. That’s the ripple effect Mama was talking about. So, this month, as we celebrate National Courtesy Month, I’m carrying those words with me, not just because Mama said them, but because they’re the compass that points me toward the kind of person I want to be. Because the truth is, we all have the power to change someone’s day for the better. And maybe, if we do it often enough, we’ll change more than a day. We might just change the world. -Ben Golden
“It’s tough to argue against courtesy. It costs nothing, yet it can completely shift a moment, a day, or even a life.”
I grew up a Southern gentleman, and in our house, that phrase was shorthand for something more meaningful. Being nice and sweet meant more than holding the door or saying “please” and “thank you.” It meant giving people the benefit of the doubt, remembering that you never know what someone’s going through, and choosing kindness … always. September is National Courtesy Month, which feels like the perfect time to reflect on that wisdom. Courtesy isn’t just about politeness for the sake of being pleasant. It’s about empathy and understanding that the person snapping at you in line might be dealing with something heavy, or that a curt email from a coworker might come from exhaustion, not malice. My mom’s words remind me daily that a bit of grace can go a long way.
We all have a choice: to bring light or to bring darkness into someone’s day. Life gives us plenty of opportunities for both, but real, heartfelt courtesy leans toward the light. Being nice and sweet doesn’t mean ignoring wrongs or avoiding hard truths; it means delivering them with humanity. I’ve found this especially true in my work in tax resolution. Our clients don’t call us because everything’s going perfectly. They call because they’re in a tough spot, facing intimidating letters and stressful deadlines. It’s easy to forget, especially in business, that a human being is on the other side of every problem. If you start from a place of kindness, you give them something more than solutions. You give them hope.
SEPT 2025
We follow what I call the Three P’s: Peace, Protection, and Posterity. People often hear “prosperity,” but
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When you think of building muscle, what comes to mind? For most people, it’s likely lifting exercises or equipment like free weights and strength training machines. But what about walking? You’re probably not thinking about building muscle when you go for a walk. It’s too simple and gentle an exercise, right? That can be true, but with the right intensity, duration, and frequency, it can also support muscle growth. Can You Walk Your Way to Stronger Muscles? THE SECRET TO STRONGER STRIDES
PROTECT YOUR WALLET WHEN DISASTER STRIKES
If you’ve ever walked up a big hill or taken a brisk loop around your neighborhood,
you probably know what it’s like to feel your calves burn. That soreness is a sign of muscle fatigue and development. To build muscle,
our bodies must experience enough resistance to break down muscle fibers. When those fibers are repaired, the muscles get stronger and thicker. You probably won’t achieve this on a casual stroll, but picking up
Grilled Teriyaki Flank Steak
the pace, especially on an incline, can increase muscle activation significantly.
DIRECTIONS
INGREDIENTS
Incorporating inclines into your walks is one of the best ways to increase the muscle-building benefits of walking, but walking
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1 1/2 lbs flank steak
1. In a large bowl, whisk together marinade ingredients. 2. Place the flank steak in a large, rimmed dish. Pour the marinade over the meat. 3. Refrigerate and allow to marinate for 15 minutes. Flip and let marinate for another 15 minutes. 4. Preheat grill to 400 F. 5. Add the meat to the grill and cook for 3–5 minutes on each side. Leave the grill lid open to avoid overcooking. 6. For a medium-rare steak, remove from grill at 130 F internally, and for medium, remove at 140 F. 7. Let the meat rest on a cutting board for 5–10 minutes. Then, slice against the grain into thin pieces and enjoy!
on uneven terrain can also help. Walking on sand and dirt trails makes your calf muscles work harder and can even help engage other muscle groups, including those in your core, thighs, and glutes. Another strategy is to add weighted gear, like a weighted vest, ankle weights, or even a loaded backpack. Adding weight can also help you burn more calories on your walks. Of course, none of these strategies will give you a rippled physique through walking alone. You should prioritize activities that use fast-twitch muscle fibers to really bulk up. These activities require sudden bursts of energy, such as weightlifting, sprinting, and jumping. You also need to focus on a healthy diet and ensure adequate protein intake. Walking might not be ideal for muscle growth, but it’s still a great everyday activity. It increases your heart rate, helps maintain flexibility and balance, and promotes overall fitness. And even if it won’t leave you flexing in front of the mirror, it can help increase tone and build strength where it counts.
Marinade •
2/3 cup red wine 1/2 cup soy sauce or tamari
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1/3 cup brown sugar
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1/4 cup sesame oil
1 tbsp sesame seeds
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1 tsp minced garlic
1/4 tsp black pepper 1/4 tsp ginger powder
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1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
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A FINANCIAL PREPAREDNESS GUIDE
Natural disasters often strike with little warning, leaving behind much more than just physical damage. They can also throw your finances into chaos. In honor of National Preparedness Month, let’s talk about how you can protect your financial well-being, whether you’re an individual or a business owner. A little preparation now can save you a mountain of stress later. Gather and Protect Essential Documents Start by identifying the financial and legal documents you can’t afford to lose. These include:
Make both physical copies and digital backups. Store paper copies in a waterproof, fireproof safe at home, and keep digital copies in a secure, encrypted cloud storage service. This ensures you can access your information even if your home or office is damaged.
contact information accessible so you can act quickly if you need to request assistance.
Build a Community Strategy for Your Business
For business owners, financial preparedness means more than just safeguarding documents. Think about how you’ll keep operations running.
Create an Emergency Cash and Payment Plan
During disasters, power outages can make ATMs and card readers useless. Keep a small stash of cash in a secure place for essential purchases like food, fuel, and lodging. If you own a business, consider backup payment methods so you can continue serving customers even if your main system goes down. Have an IRS Gameplan If you’re already dealing with the IRS, whether it’s back taxes, an audit, or payment plans, don’t wait for disaster to strike before making a plan. The IRS offers disaster relief programs that may delay filing deadlines or payment dates for those affected. Keep your IRS correspondence and
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Maintain a list of critical vendors and their backup contacts. Keep a separate record of client information and outstanding invoices. Review your insurance coverage to ensure it includes disaster-related losses and business interruption.
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Identification (driver’s license, passport, Social Security cards) Financial records (bank account information, credit card numbers, loan documents) Insurance policies (home, auto, health, life, and business) Tax returns from the past three years Property records (titles, deeds, and lease agreements)
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Prepare Now, Stress Less Later You can’t control when a natural disaster will happen, but you can control how prepared you are. By securing your essential documents, having backup payment options, and knowing your IRS relief options, you’ll put yourself in the best position to recover quickly.
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WIN OF THE MONTH: FROM $24K OWED TO $35K REFUND
Our client, a CPA in Texas, found herself under audit after having a tax credit disallowed from an amended return. The IRS opened an audit for three years, asking for substantiation for all expenses, credits, income, capital gains, losses, etc. This was a massive undertaking, and our client simply didn’t have the time to pull together all the information. She hired us to prepare the audit response and argue that her expenses and her credit should be allowed. Being a CPA, our client kept meticulous records, and we were
Case Snapshot Client: CPA in Texas Type of IRS Issue: Personal Tax Years in Question: 2017, 2020, and 2021 IRS Claimed Liability: Full Disallowance of Refunds and Credits Savings: $35,587.29
able to examine all her expenses and offer proof that the credit should be allowed. The audit started with a proposed liability of $24,087.08 and ended with the client getting not just the credit restored, but a refund from the IRS of $35,587.29! This proves no one is immune to being audited, but with proper recordkeeping, the pendulum can swing your way!
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1 Courtesy Isn’t Old-Fashioned — It’s Life-Changing 2 The Power of Everyday Walking Grilled Teriyaki Flank Steak 3 Safeguard Your Finances Before, During, and After a Natural Disaster INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Win of the Month 4 The French City That Has It All (And Then Some)
When you hear about people taking trips to France, your mind likely conjures images of the Eiffel Tower, delicious high-end French cuisine, and a view of the “Mona Lisa” at the Louvre Museum. However, there’s much more to France than the scenic beauty and decadent flavors found along the streets of Paris. If you want to experience the best of France, you must spend time in Bordeaux. While we often refer to Napa Valley and Sonoma County in California as wine country, Bordeaux is the original wine region. Its history with wine dates back over 2,000 years, and you can still experience the area’s love of wine today. Le Bar à Vin and Le Bistro du Fromager are beautifully decorated wine bars that will leave you stunned, unlike anything you can experience stateside. And if you want to take it up a notch, you can visit La Cité du Vin, Bordeaux’s interactive wine museum, and enjoy a glass under a chandelier made from a thousand bottles. Even if you’re not a wine drinker, there’s plenty to enjoy in Bordeaux. Those interested in fashion or shopping will love walking down Rue Sainte Catherine, Europe’s longest pedestrianized shopping street. If that’s too crowded for your liking, you can enjoy shopping in the historic Chartrons Move Over, Paris: Bordeaux Is France’s Best-Kept Secret
district. As you walk through the city, you’ll surely see towers that look straight out of a fairytale or Disney movie. If you’re visiting during the first Sunday of any month, you’ll get to hear the Grosse Cloche belfry ring its 250-year-old bell! For adventurers, just 37 miles southwest of Bordeaux is Dune du Pilat, Europe’s tallest sand dune, also famous for paragliding. Now, it wouldn’t be a visit to France without taking in some art, and Bordeaux won’t leave you disappointed. The Musée des Beaux-Arts and the contemporary art museum CAPC are both worth a visit, and your trip won’t be complete until you stop by the awe-inspiring Monument aux Girondins, a free-flowing fountain over a beautiful bronze sculpture.
If a European vacation is on your bucket list, consider visiting Bordeaux when you go. It might just be the highlight of your entire trip!
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