Take a look at our December newsletter!
NO REWIND, JUST RESET MAKING TOMORROW THE BEST VERSION OF TODAY
If woulds and buts were candy and nuts, it would be Christmas all the time. I love that phrase. It’s clever and true, and it captures something that we all wrestle with: the idea of looking back and wishing we could rewrite the past. Because, let’s face it, we’ve all had those moments where we think, “If only I’d done this differently …” or “What if I could go back and fix that one mistake?” Dec. 8 is officially Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day, which is kind of funny when you think about it. But maybe there’s something deeper in that idea. What if you really could time travel? What if you could hop into a time machine and change
decide, right here and now, that you won’t make that same decision again. You can choose to plan differently, think smarter, and act with a little more wisdom and grace for yourself. But this doesn’t only apply to money. It’s applicable to relationships, family, work, and even the way we talk to ourselves. We can’t keep replaying yesterday’s missteps and wishing they’d gone differently. We’ve got to stop living in the “should haves” and start living in the “next times.” Because tomorrow is more important than yesterday. Tomorrow is when we can actually change things. Especially around the holiday season, that message feels extra powerful. There’s something beautiful about the idea of a fresh start and saying, “Okay, that was yesterday. Now what can I do tomorrow?” So, this month, don’t think about what you’d change if you could go back. Think about what you can do now to make sure you don’t have to relive those same mistakes, because what’s important in life is having the courage to keep moving forward. And hey, if woulds and buts were candy and nuts, it really would be Christmas all the time. But since they’re not and we’re here right now, let’s just make tomorrow the best version of today that we can. -Ben Golden
“We can’t keep replaying yesterday’s missteps and wishing they’d gone differently.”
just one decision? Not 10, not 20, but just one. Would it be something financial or a mistake with your taxes? Maybe that one investment you didn’t make, or the one you did that went south. Or maybe it’s something else entirely, like a job you didn’t take, a bill you ignored, or a moment you hesitated. The truth is, though, if we start changing too many decisions, we’d probably mess up everything else that came after. That’s the tricky thing about hindsight: It’s always 20/20. We can see it all so clearly when we look backward, but life doesn’t give us a rewind button. It only gives us tomorrow. While it’s fun to imagine the power of going back in time, the real magic is in realizing that every tomorrow gives us another shot at getting it right. So, instead of beating ourselves up about what we should have done, maybe the better question is: What decision can I make tomorrow that makes my life (and maybe my finances) better than today? That’s the thing about life: It’s not about reliving the past, it’s about learning from it. You can’t go back and undo that one tax mistake, spending spree, or that financial move that didn’t pan out. But you can
Wishing you a Merry Christmas filled with joy, peace, and love! As we gather with family and friends, may we remember the true reason for the season: celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, whose light and love continue to guide and bless us all. Merry Christmas from our family to yours!
DEC 2025
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James Bond gets the movie credit, but real spies in World War II were pulling tricks long before 007 hit the screen. Their work wasn’t flashy; it was desperate. The British intelligence agency MI9 and later the American MIS-X program were tasked with helping Allied soldiers escape Nazi prisons or avoid capture. That meant turning everyday objects into tools. Take the button compass. It looked like part of a soldier’s uniform, nothing more. But inside sat a tiny magnetic needle. Line it up on a string, and suddenly you knew which way was north. Hairbrushes carried folded maps or money. Monopoly boards weren’t just for killing time; they came with real bills mixed in, and if you saw a red dot on “Free Parking,” chances were good there was more than a game in the box. The Secret Tools of War FREEDOM IN A DECK OF CARDS
AVOID EXPENSIVE TAX As we get ready to close out 2025, most business owners are focused on hitting revenue goals, closing deals, and maybe taking a well- deserved break. But one thing often gets pushed to the bottom of the to-do list: tax planning. Unfortunately, overlooking a few key details before Dec. 31 can lead to costly mistakes come tax season. However, a little preparation now can save a lot of stress (and money) later. Ignoring Year-End Deductions Many businesses miss out on legitimate deductions simply because they wait too long to act. Expenses like equipment purchases, bonuses, and charitable donations can all reduce your taxable income, but only if they’re made before year-end. Don’t wait until January to think about deductions. Review your books early, identify what you can invest in now, and document everything properly. Failing to Track Receipts and Records Nobody enjoys tracking receipts, but come tax time, disorganized records are a nightmare. Without proof, legitimate deductions can be disallowed, increasing your taxable income. Cloud accounting tools like QuickBooks or Xero make it easy to upload receipts in real time, so you’re not scrambling in April with a shoebox full of paper. BEFORE THE
A few companies, including the U.S. Playing Card Company, also did their part. Soldiers could peel away the top layer of a card to uncover silk escape maps. Cigarette packs from the
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company carried radio parts. Gillette even made razor blades that acted like a compass if you balanced them on a stick. What’s remarkable is that the companies involved never asked for recognition or payment. Gillette, R.J. Reynolds, and the Playing Card Company volunteered and helped. And the gadgets kept coming. Radios hidden in suitcases. Hollow heels in boots with maps tucked inside. Even Ping- Pong paddles had secret compartments. Guards saw these items and didn’t give them a second thought. That was the point.
Roast Beef With Caramelized Onion Gravy INGREDIENTS
• • • • • •
1 tbsp black peppercorns 1 tbsp mustard powder
Gravy •
4 tbsp flour
1 tbsp dried thyme 1 tsp celery seeds
• •
2 beef stock cubes
Most of the devices were destroyed when the war ended. But enough stories survived to give us a glimpse. Clever doesn’t even begin to cover it. For many prisoners, a deck of cards or a shaving kit wasn’t just a distraction. It was a shot at freedom.
3 tbsp caramelized onion chutney
1 tbsp olive oil
4 1/4 lbs topside joint of beef
•
2–3 tsp yeast extract
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TURNING TAX TURMOIL INTO RELIEF WIN OF THE MONTH
ERRORS AT YEAR-END BALL DROPS
Misclassifying Employees The IRS is cracking down on companies that misclassify employees as independent contractors. While hiring contractors can save money on benefits and payroll taxes, it can backfire if those workers meet the IRS definition of employees. Review your relationships carefully. If you control how and when someone works, they’re likely considered an employee, not a contractor. Forgetting Estimated Tax Payments Businesses that owe more than $1,000 in taxes must make quarterly estimated payments. Missing one (or paying late) can trigger penalties. Double-check that you’ve made all required payments for the year, and if cash flow is tight, talk to your accountant about adjusting your strategy for next year.
CASE SNAPSHOT Type of IRS Issue: Multiple State and Federal Matters
Not Meeting With a Tax Professional Perhaps the biggest mistake of all is waiting until tax season to talk to your CPA. Year-end is the perfect time for a strategic review to discuss depreciation options, tax credits, retirement contributions,
Tax Years in Question: 2014–2016, 2020, 2024 IRS Claimed Liability: $122,520.68 (remaining after CSED) Savings Secured: $134,937.56 Monthly Payment Secured: $0 (Still in Resolution) This client’s journey with IRS Trouble Solvers is a true example of persistence paying off. Over the years, our team has worked diligently across multiple state and federal tax jurisdictions to secure meaningful results and long-term relief. We first helped the client through the state of New Jersey Amnesty Program, achieving full compliance and significant savings. From there, we successfully negotiated Installment Agreements with both New York and New Jersey, allowing the client to manage and resolve their state‑level liabilities. Once the state cases were completed, our focus shifted to the federal side. We are currently in the process of securing a Partial Payment Installment Agreement (PPIA) with the IRS, an outcome that will allow the client to settle their remaining balance without undue financial strain. In the meantime, the Collection Statute Expiration Dates (CSEDs) for tax years 2012 and 2013 have expired, resulting in over $134,000 in savings, and more than half of the client’s total federal liability has been eliminated. This case serves as an excellent reminder that, with strategy, patience, and consistent advocacy, even the most complex cases can yield extraordinary results.
and potential changes to your business structure. A proactive meeting now can reveal opportunities you’d miss if you wait until after the books close.
DIRECTIONS
1. With a pestle and mortar, crush peppercorns, mustard powder, thyme, and celery seeds together. 2. Stir in oil, then rub into beef. 3. Preheat oven to 375 F and set seasoned beef in a snug roasting pan. Roast for 1 hour. 4. Remove from the oven, lift onto a platter, and cover with foil to rest 30 minutes. 5. For gravy, pour juices from the pan into a large measuring cup. 6. Let the juices separate, then spoon 2 tbsp of fat back into the pan. Discard remaining fat. 7. Top juices in the cup with boiling water to make 3 cups total liquid. 8. Heat pan with fat over medium heat and stir in flour, stock cubes, onion chutney, and yeast extract. 9. Cook for 1 minute, stirring, and gradually add juices/water. Bubble to thicken and serve with the beef.
Inspired by IHeartEating.com
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1 Choosing Tomorrow Over Yesterday 2 Disguised Devices of WWII 5 Common Year-End Tax Mistakes Businesses Make (and How to Avoid Them) INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Roast Beef With Caramelized Onion Gravy
3 Win of the Month 4 3 Train Trips to Take Today
Scenic Rail Journeys Worth Riding Tracks and Treasures
Flying over beautiful landscapes can be exhilarating, but what if you could experience those beautiful sights in a closer and more personal way? With railway vacations, you can. Whether you’re a seasoned train traveler or curious about cruising on the tracks, here are three travel options you can only experience and appreciate on the rails. A Euphoric European Escape While there are plenty of thrilling sights to behold in America, the glamorous international excursion of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is incomparable. From its pristinely preserved 1920s/1930s-era carriages and stunning Art Deco interior to its remarkable gourmet food (including breakfast in bed!) and live entertainment, this world-renowned train will take you through Venice, Paris, Istanbul, and other legendary European destinations. A Symphony of Swiss Scenes For many travelers seeking some of the most breathtaking visuals imaginable, all rails lead to the Swiss Alps. The Glacier Express’ 292-bridge/91-tunnel track from Zermatt to St. Moritz gives passengers a personal view of picturesque valleys, mountain streams, and alpine meadows. Often referred to as “the
slowest express train in the world,” it travels 24 miles per hour, allowing you to feast your eyes on the scenery through its panoramic windows. Boasting millions of passengers in its decades-long history, the Glacier Express has earned its rightful place as one of the most celebrated names in tourism. An Alaskan Adventure If you’re looking for railway adventures closer to home, consider hitting the tracks in Alaska. Since 1903, the Alaska Railroad has provided travelers an intimate way to explore what later became our 49th state. Getting a seat will guarantee a breathtaking journey through scenic landscapes, national parks, fjords, snow-capped peaks, and valleys brimming with wildlife. For the ultimate Alaska experience, opt for the Alaska Railroad’s GoldStar Service, which offers glass-dome ceilings for panoramic nature viewing, a full-service dining room, and a one-of-a-kind upper-level platform for additional sightseeing.
The next time your wanderlust inspires you to explore new wonders, skip the plane and take a train!
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