Outsourcing payroll allows small-business owners to concentrate on their day-to-day operations
(NewsUSA) - As the year turns, small-business owners will start reviewing their past actions and planning for the future. But one big issue -; payroll -; can prove to be a problem every year.
Many businesses find themselves in trouble with the IRS, not because they’re dishonest, but because they miscalculate numbers or miss due dates. The government’s financial penalties can be unwelcome blows to small businesses.
Even if a business employs only one worker, small-business owners can find federal and state employment forms complex and demanding. Some small-business owners might believe that they can save time and money by performing their own payroll calculations, but it’s usually in businesses’ best interest to hire outside payroll service providers.
Small-business owners need to concentrate the bulk of their time and attention on making their business successful. Paychex, Inc., a national leader in the payroll and human resource industry, offers these tips to small-business owners looking for a reliable payroll-processing service:
- Insist on personal service. For best results, you should be talking with the same payroll representative each pay period. That same person should handle any questions or concerns about your service.
- Look for national payroll-processing companies. National payroll service providers are bonded and insured, so any liability for inaccuracy or fraud will not affect your business.
In the event of a natural disaster or other calamity, national providers often have multiple backup systems to preserve data and deliver payroll packages on time. Paychex employs a rigorous backup plan to ensure continuity for clients across the country. Moreover, national providers offer the best confidentiality and security, and payroll deposits are taken care of electronically.
- Look for payroll service providers that also offer human resource services. Integrated HR services might include 401(k) administration, workers’ compensation insurance administration and payment services, health benefits and other employee benefits such as flexible spending accounts and bonuses or other compensation paid on debit cards.
“Small-business owners can realize a new level of productivity and convenience when they choose to outsource their payroll function,” said Walter Turek, senior vice president, sales and marketing for Paychex. “Outsourcing ensures accuracy, timeliness and peace of mind, allowing business owners to focus on growing revenue, instead of worrying about administrative burdens.”
The Importance of Eye Exams for Those with Diabetes
(ARA) - Nearly 23 million Americans are affected by diabetes and, of these people, one-third, or almost 6 million, are unaware that they have the disease. Undiagnosed, diabetes can result in vision impairment, a frequent complication of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, and blindness.
An optometrist is an important member of the diabetes health care team. Part of living with diabetes is having a dilated eye examination on at least an annual basis — more often for those people with existing eye issues or more serious retinopathy.
Diabetic retinopathy, a diabetes-related eye disease, is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults 20 to 74 years old. Other vision problems caused by diabetes include: vision changes, glaucoma, and cataracts. Through a comprehensive dilated eye exam, doctors of optometry can look inside the eye and examine blood vessels directly, detecting signs and symptoms of retinopathy.
Prolonged blood sugar elevation damages the delicate blood vessels inside the eye, causing them to leak, bleed and become blocked. Symptoms may include:
* Fluctuating or blurring of vision
* Occasional double vision
* Night vision problems
* Flashers and floaters seen by one or both eyes.
Diabetes and its complications may affect many parts of the eye, resulting in changes in nearsightedness, farsightedness, and premature presbyopia (the inability to focus on close objects that often occurs in the early-to-mid-forties as a natural part of aging).
During a comprehensive eye exam, your doctor of optometry will perform a variety of tests, including looking in your eyes with lights and lenses that magnify the view of the retina, to identify signs of diabetes and other eye-related health problems, because early detection is important. In the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, laser therapy may be effective. In more advanced cases, surgery may be required.
Anyone experiencing changes in vision should immediately see an optometrist. Equally important is monitoring and maintaining control of diabetes, including adherence to your primary care physician’s instructions on diet, exercise and medication. By doing so, chances are good that you can enjoy a lifetime of good vision and health.
For more information, visit www.aoa.org.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
Although it leads in market share locally, customers may believe it is less safe
Wachovia’s well-known financial woes and its pending acquisition by Wells Fargo are providing an opportunity for competitors to do their darnedest to capture some of the Charlotte bank’s customers.
“You have one of the best franchises in the Carolinas being acquired by a West Coast bank,” said investment banker Bill Wagner of Howe Barnes Hoefer & Arnett in Raleigh. “It’s an opportunity for all banks.”
Wachovia is an especially enticing target in the Triangle, where it ranks first overall in market share based on deposits — No. 1 in the Raleigh-Cary metropolitan statistical area and No. 2 in the Durham MSA — according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.
“You hate to think you are profiting when someone else is down, but yes, it will benefit us,” said Gregg Strickland, CEO of Patriot State Bank in Fuquay-Varina.
Wachovia, as well as most of the other large banks in the area, has already seen its market share slowly erode in recent years as expansion-minded community banks have encroached on its turf.
“With our [leading] market share, we always have a target on our back,” said Jack Clayton, Wachovia’s regional president. He also contends deposit data don’t give the complete picture, because they don’t include money that customers invest through Wachovia.
Industry analysts say it’s unlikely competitors will try to lure Wachovia customers by substantially raising interest rates on deposits or lowering fees. Nor are they likely to resort to gimmicks.
“What they are selling is security and strength,” said Buddy Howard of Equity Research Services, a Raleigh firm that tracks the banking industry. “They are not going to get a customer to deposit a bunch of money with you for a free toaster, if [the customer] doesn’t think their money is safe.”
Current ad campaigns by several local banks pointedly focus on financial strength, safety and stability. The ads don’t mention Wachovia, but the underlying message is that “these are things that do not apply to … the Wachovia of 2008,” Howard said.
A SunTrust ad that appeared in The News & Observer and elsewhere even goes so far as to say, “When you’re ready to switch accounts, we’re here to help.”
John Stallings, who heads SunTrust’s Central Carolinas region, said the campaign isn’t aimed solely at Wachovia customers. Rather, he said, the volatility in the banking industry is putting a lot of customers in “shopping mode.” SunTrust is No. 1 in market share in Durham and has more branches in the Triangle than any other bank.
Stallings said that, beginning last year, SunTrust also stepped up its efforts to call on wealthy individuals and businesses who aren’t clients in hopes of converting them.
“The way we win business is where we’re in front of clients and they have a chance to hear our story, our capabilities, our expertise, etc.,” Stallings said.
Read More:News & Observer
How to Choose the Right Pet Health Insurance Plan
(ARA) - We all love our pets and for good reason. They provide a great deal of joy in our lives and offer unconditional love. That’s why whether it’s a routine annual exam, ongoing flea and heartworm control, or a medical treatment for cancer, a growing number of pet owners are making a serious commitment to give their pets the best health and preventive care available. But over time, this care can be expensive.
Recent studies show pet owners now spend $24.5 billion a year on veterinary services, over-the-counter drugs and other health supplies for pets. Tremendous advancements in veterinary technology have helped increase the life span of cats and dogs. For example, expensive medical treatments like cat scans, MRIs and chemotherapy — services once only available for people — are now being used to help save the lives of pets.
Pet owners’ beloved four-legged friends can sometimes face unexpected medical emergencies or illnesses, resulting in the difficult decision whether or not to spend thousands of dollars to save the life of their pet. Having pet health insurance helps allow pet owners to decide with their hearts, not their wallets, what’s best for their pets in their time of need.
But with so many plans out there, how do you know which one to choose? Here are some factors to consider:
1. Insure young.
The best time to purchase pet insurance is when the animal is young. Many pet health insurance plans do not cover pre-existing conditions so it is best to insure your pet when it is a puppy or kitten. Insuring early can also provide coverage for certain initial veterinary procedures such as vaccinations and spaying/neutering.
2. What kind of coverage does the plan offer?
There are many different types of pet health insurance policies available. Some policies cover only accidents, some cover accidents and illnesses, while others offer coverage for accidents, illnesses and preventive care. The preventive care coverage can include certain customary annual costs of routine vaccinations, flea and heartworm preventative medications, routine annual physical exams and lab tests, and other preventive care as outlined in the policy.
3. Do I have to pay a deductible?
Just like with human insurance, different plans have different deductibles. PurinaCare pet health insurance, the first pet health insurance under the Purina brand, allows pet owners to choose from four different deductible options: $100, $250, $500 or $1,000. There is a 20-percent co-pay once the annual deductible has been met, and the benefit limit is $20,000 annually.
4. Are certain conditions excluded?
Pet insurance exclusions can vary depending on the policy chosen. Common exclusions include pre-existing medical conditions, cosmetic and elective procedures, fertility and pregnancy.
5. Can I use my own veterinarian?
It depends on the plan. PurinaCare pet health insurance, for example, allows pet owners to take their pet to the veterinarian of their choice, including veterinary specialists such as oncologists, neurologists and allergists, as long as they are licensed in the United States.
“Pet health insurance can help pet owners provide the best care possible for their pets in a time of need. However, less than one percent of pets are currently insured due to a lack of awareness of pet insurance, and dissatisfaction with current plan options. We are excited to use Purina’s pet expertise, innovation, brand trust and experience to deliver simple, comprehensive and easy-to-use pet health insurance that meets the needs of today’s highly involved pet owners,” says David Goodnight, D.V.M., president and chief operating officer of PurinaCare Insurance Services., Inc.
For more information about PurinaCare or to obtain a free, no obligation quote, visit www.purinacare.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
(NewsUSA) - America’s private, job-based benefits system is one of the most successful in the world. The benefit plans within the system hold more than $6.1 trillion in assets and cover approximately 150 million workers, retirees and their families. The job-based benefits that give millions of workers health coverage and the opportunity to enjoy a financially secure retirement are more critical than ever.
Since 2001, the Labor Department has made great gains in its efforts to safeguard the pension, health and other employee benefits crucial to millions of workers. And we are continuing to improve the system to make benefits more accessible and secure.
This administration succeeded in enacting the Pension Protection Act of 2006 - the most sweeping reforms of retirement plan rules in over three decades. These reforms have improved the solvency and the transparency of traditional pension plans, better ensuring that retirement promises made to workers are kept.
We are boosting participation in 401(k) and similar plans through automatic enrollment, helping many more workers and their families build a nest egg for a secure and comfortable retirement. We are also making it easier for workers to get quality, professional investment advice to inform their retirement savings decisions.
And the Labor Department’s efforts have produced record-setting results. Since 2001, our enforcement and outreach programs have yielded monetary results of nearly $11 billion on behalf of workers and retirees and have led to the indictment of more than 800 individuals for crimes involving benefit plans.
In addition, the participant assistance program handled nearly 1.3 million inquiries that helped individuals understand their benefit programs and recovered nearly $545 million to pay pension and health benefits of working families.
The Department’s successful stewardship benefits millions of Americans, both as workers and investors. The Department of Labor put the tools in place for workers to plan and save for their retirement, and now it is up to each of us to save so we can achieve our retirement dreams. For more information or assistance, call 1-866-444-3272 or visit the Web site at www.dol.gov/ebsa today.
(ARA) – The most dangerous risk most people face at work is getting their tie caught in the copy machine. Not Bill Gratzianna. He and his wife Marci own the Chicago-based O’Hare Towing and Recovery. He knows first-hand that accidents happen and cleaning up isn’t for the faint of heart.
While most people are familiar with the tow truck if their car breaks down or if they’ve parked illegally, the towing and recovery business can be a very dangerous one. According to the Tow Truck Association of America, more than 60 operators are killed on the job each year. Some reports put the number as high as 100.
The crew from O’Hare Towing puts their lives on the line during each recovery–and they respond to more than 200 calls each day. “This is a very dangerous job,” says Bill. “We lose a lot of towing operators on a regular basis…every response is delicate and can be volatile.”
Calls may be as mundane as a flat tire on the side of the road or cleaning up the remnants of a major wreck. “Seeing teen bodies being pulled out of a wrecked car after drinking and driving will haunt me forever,” says Katie Gratzianna, Bill and Marci’s 16-year-old daughter.
Keeping a busy towing business functioning in the middle of chaos is in Bill and Marci Gratzianna’s blood. Their parents are in the business and Bill’s brother (who also happens to be married to Marci’s sister) owns a rival shop. The best thing about the job, says Marci, is working with her family.
A typical day at O’Hare Towing and Recovery includes 12-hour shifts filled with adrenaline, accidents, yelling and lots of coffee and doughnuts.
“This is a world similar in many respects to that of a major urban firehouse,” says Robert Ecker, vice president of programming for SPEED. “Until the phone rings and that emergency call comes in, there’s simply no way of knowing what any given day will bring and when it does come, lives can literally hang in the balance.”
Viewers can follow the Windy City’s toughest (and most colorful) towing family as their new show “Wrecked” debuts on SPEED July 17 at 10 p.m. Eastern/9 p.m. Central. The show is Bill’s latest pride and joy. “We gave them the ammo for the best tow show ever,” he says.
For more information or for a programming schedule, visit www.SpeedTV.com
(ARA) – The origin of money may be lost to antiquity, but it’s a pretty sure bet that shortly after someone invented cash, someone else came up with the idea of shopping around to get the best deal for their money. As comfortable as Americans are with seeking a deal – witness the thousands of price comparison Web sites – there is one major purchase many still seem unwilling to comparison shop for, and it’s a purchase everyone will eventually make.
“Although more people than ever are preplanning their funeral services, for many Americans there is still a sense that this is something they don’t want to deal with until they absolutely have to,” says Jody Brandenburg of the Dignity Memorial network of funeral, cremation and cemetery service providers. “Yet preplanning is the best way to ensure you get your ‘best-cost’ funeral – one that carries out your wishes, ensures you’ve gotten good value for your money and protects your family from making potentially costly decisions during a difficult time.”
Comparison shopping for your best-cost preplanned funeral arrangements really isn’t that different than shopping around for a good deal on anything else you buy, Brandenburg says. The basics are the same, with a few added considerations.
* First, discuss your desire to preplan with your loved ones. Remember that you have the right to decide for yourself how you would like your funeral to be – and how much you want to spend on it.
* Next, compare prices and levels of service to determine the funeral provider and service options that are best for you. “Your best-cost funeral will be one that carries out your wishes and fits within your budget,” Brandenburg advises.
* Personalization is becoming increasingly popular, and making your arrangements in advance ensures your funeral will be the unique, personal service you desire.
* Emotional overspending is a common pitfall for grieving families faced with making cost decisions in the wake of a loved one’s death. Preplanning – and even prefunding – your funeral can help protect your survivors from making ill-advised or overly costly spending decisions.
* Price should not be the only consideration when planning a funeral. Just as you might be willing to pay more for a luxury vehicle or luxury hotel stay, be aware there is a wide range of service standards and options among funeral providers.
“Talking about funerals can be a delicate subject for many people,” Brandenburg says. “For that reason, making arrangements in advance makes sense to ensure you’re getting the best-cost funeral you can have.”
To learn more about preplanning, visit http://www.DignityMemorial.com .
More than 60 percent of non-traumatic, lower-limb amputations occur among people with diabetes. Don’t become one of them.
(NewsUSA) - Nearly 21 million people in the United States are afflicted with diabetes, which accounts for 7 percent of the population. The prevalence of the disease is even higher among African Americans. In fact, approximately 13 percent of African Americans aged 20 years or older have the disease. And while diabetes is a chronic disease that can be managed, people need to be more aware of the complications associated with it.
Diabetic complications can cause nerve and vascular damage, which can eventually lead to foot ulcers. If not treated in time, these ulcers can result in amputation. In fact, more than 60 percent of non-traumatic, lower-limb amputations in the United States occur among people with diabetes.
What can you do? The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) recommends regular visits to an APMA podiatric physician as part of a comprehensive foot care plan to help reduce your risk of amputation. Additionally, the APMA suggests following these simple tips at home.
* Check your feet every day
Especially if you have a loss of sensation, visually inspecting your feet daily will help you notice any cuts, sores, blisters or changes in the skin or toenails. You can use a hand mirror to help you check the bottoms of your feet. If you notice a change in your feet, see your podiatrist immediately.
* Clean your feet daily
Washing your feet will help avoid the build-up of bacteria. Be sure to wash in warm water, rather than hot. Completely dry your feet after washing, and pay special attention to drying between the toes.
* Keep skin healthy
By lightly applying lotion or moisturizer to your feet, you can help prevent dry, flaky or cracked skin. Use lotion on the tops and bottoms of your feet but never between the toes because excess moisture between the toes creates conditions favorable to forming an infection.
* Always wear shoes and socks
Soft, lightly padded socks will help you avoid blisters and sores. Socks with no seams are best. Also, examine the insides of your shoes to be sure there is nothing harmful that will injure your feet.
* Choose shoes that fit well and protect your feet
One of the best ways to avoid injuries to your feet is to wear sturdy and supportive shoes at all times.
For more information on diabetes and your feet or to find an APMA podiatrist in your area, visit www.apma.org.
Insurance companies reduce premiums for homeowners who install high-tech safeguards against water damage.
(NewsUSA) - Water damage can prove devastating. Ruptured washing machine hoses, leaking water heaters, leaky pipes and failed plumbing systems can make entire rooms or basements flood. Floods can stain ceilings and walls, warp wooden floors, destroy expensive electronics and ruin personal items.
Such water damage causes many homeowners to file insurance claims. In the U.S., only home fires cause more damage.
Small water leaks can also create moist areas -; perfect places for mold, one of the major sources of low indoor air quality, to grow.
In allergic or asthmatic people, indoor mold can cause rashes or asthma attacks. Even people without allergies develop respiratory, skin and eye irritation when exposed to mold.
Mold can damage home ventilation systems, walls and carpets, not to mention sentimental items like old wedding clothes or fine art. Carpets containing mold must be replaced, and moldy wall installation requires removal. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average homeowner’s claim is $3,000 to $4,000 dollars.
For water damage combined with mold, homeowners typically claim $15,000 to $30,000.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mold is nearly impossible to remove. Homeowners or contractors can scrub off visible mold from walls and replace rugs, but the only way to reduce mold is to reduce a home’s moisture content.
The best way to handle mold? Prevent the water leaks and damage from encouraging mold growth.
Insurance companies now give discounts to homeowners who install high-tech devices to limit water damage. The FloLogic System, an automatic water shut-off system, acts like a circuit breaker for water systems.
From the water main, the FloLogic monitors a home’s water flow. If the system detects a change in pressure resulting from a pinhole leak, flooding appliance or running faucet, the FloLogic sounds an alarm and shuts off the water before flood and mold damage can occur.
Insurance companies recognize that early detection limits damage and reduces claims, and many offer reduced rates to homeowners who install the FloLogic system.
For homeowners, using high-tech devices to prevent water damage can become a double boon -; they can protect their valuables and pay less money to insure their homes. To learn more, visit www.flologic.com.
Third Annual Essay Contest Gives Kids Chance to Thank Outstanding Drivers
“America’s school bus drivers are collectively doing an outstanding job of safely transporting our children to and from school every day,” says John O’Leary, president and CEO of Thomas Built Buses, the leading manufacturer of school buses in the United States. To recognize the contributions individual drivers make to children’s safety every year, Thomas Built sponsors an annual Children’s Choice School Bus Driver of the Year essay contest.
With their parents’ help, children in kindergarten through sixth grades can nominate their favorite drivers by submitting a 90-word essay on what makes their driver so special. Now in its third year, the contest runs until August 1, 2008. Winners earn a $1,000 educational savings bond and laptop computer for the nominating child and a $1,000 Visa gift card for the nominated driver. All winners and runners up also receive Thomas Built Buses jackets and Saf-T-Liner C2 school bus lunch boxes. To enter the contest, visit www.thomasbus.com/contest for complete rules and an entry form.
Completed forms and typed or legibly printed 90-word essays should be mailed to: Children’s Choice Essay Contest, HMH, 1435 W. Morehead St., Suite 140, Charlotte, NC 28208.
School buses are the safest and largest mass transportation system in the United States, according to research by the School Bus Information Council (SBIC). Consider the following eye-opening facts about school bus safety:
* Each year, the nation’s 450,000 yellow school buses annually make 8.8 billion student trips carrying 24 million children, the SBIC reports.
*While nearly equal numbers of children ride the school bus as use other modes of transportation in getting to school, in 2003, the last year for which statistics are available, five passengers were fatally injured while riding in school buses. By contrast, every year about 800 school aged children lose their lives on their way to school while either riding in private passenger vehicles, walking or biking, according to the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences.
* Long gone are the dubiously maintained and equipped school buses you might remember from your own childhood. Today’s buses have safety devices that range from specially cushioned high-backed seats, and flashing red and yellow warning lights to rollover protection, enhanced braking systems and buses can now be equipped with optional three-point lap-shoulder belts for every seat without reducing passenger capacity.
* School bus drivers undergo rigorous special training, must hold commercial drivers licenses, and submit to criminal background and substance screening tests.
“Modern school buses are outfitted with extensive safety devices but one of the most important contributors to your child’s safety is the bus driver,” O’Leary says.
To nominate your driver for “School Bus Driver” of the year, visit http://www.thomasbus.com/contest for complete rules and an entry form.
