TaxACT: 2013 Income Tax Filing Options

March 21, 2014 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: TaxACT

Last weekend, I camped out at my desk. After paying bills, sorting mail, and clearing off all the paperwork, I filed our taxes using my 5 Steps to Filing Your Tax Return. Yay!

Even though I use my favorite tax service, I still get a knot in my stomach and a bit nervous when answering the questions. I know the taxes are right, but I feel the weight of the responsibility on my shoulders as I work through the process.

Weird? Maybe. But taxes are nerve-racking even if you are using the best service provider.

With so many options and businesses offering FREE federal 2013 income tax filing options, I know making the decision on where to file gets overwhelming. Last year, I reviewed the pros and cons of three similar tax companies: TaxACT, H&R Block, and Turbo Tax.

As some filing and pricing options have changed, I will review those options again. To begin my review, I will start with my favorite option, and the one I have used for a few years, TaxACT.

Free Federal Option – Cost $0

The FREE federal option includes preparation for simple and complex (without itemized deductions) federal tax returns with e-filing, tax help, and audit support. State filing cost $17.99.

Deluxe Federal Option – Cost $12.99

Designed to maximum your deductions, the deluxe federal option includes your federal tax preparation, imports your information from last year (if you used TaxACT), one federal e-filing, tax help, and audit support. State filing costs an additional $5.00.

Ultimate Bundle Option – Cost $17.99

Best filing choice, if you need to file a state return, as this ultimate bundle option includes everything from the deluxe federal package plus a state filing and phone support.

Other Options

For those families who have multiple family members filing individually, TaxACT offers downloadable packages to prepare all your family’s forms along with a number of e-filing services. This option is great for families with working children or retired parents.

TaxACT is my favorite service offering 2013 income tax filing options. Having purchased the ultimate bundle for $17.99, I filed our 1040 tax return with Schedule A (deductions) and C (business) along with our state return. With the audit help available, I know I will get assistance should we get another audit letter to dispute.

As I continue to review the other two tax services, you will see that this price cannot be beat. In addition to a great price, TaxACT is also user-friendly with phone and audit support.

If you are still considering your options, then hang in there because the next review in this short series is H&R Block. Stay tuned . . .

Question: What do you look for in a tax service?

Cardpool: Purchasing Discounted Gift Cards

March 2, 2014 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Cardpool

In stretching your dollars, Cardpool is a service that buys and sells gift cards. If one has a gift card that she will not use, she can sell her gift card to Cardpool for 70-92% of the value for cash.

Cardpool then sells legitimate and active gift cards to customers at a discounted rate without sales tax or shipping charges.

Per Cardpool, all their gift cards have no fees and no expiration dates.

If the purchased gift card is a physical card, then Cardpool will mail the discounted card to you. Delivery typically takes 3-7 business days with FREE shipping.

For electronic gift cards, Cardpool will e-mail within 1 business day the discounted card’s code and any pin numbers needed to use the gift card online.

Should you experience any issues, Cardpool has a purchase guarantee program to refund your purchase price. With all these benefits, I tried Cardpool and was very impressed and satisfied with my order.

My Cardpool Experience

Though I have not sold any gift cards to Cardpool, I have purchased discounted gift cards. The ones I purchased where electronic gift cards.

My experience was fantastic. Once I purchased the three gift cards, I received a confirmation that the electronic codes would arrive in my inbox within 24 hours.

Keeping an eye on my inbox, my electronic codes arrived within 20 minutes of my purchase which I used the full amount on each gift card immediately. My order processed without incident, and I saved over $30 by purchasing discounted gift cards from Cardpool.

Cardpool Tips

I only purchased gift cards to cover the subtotal of the amount in my shopping cart. As I was not sure if I could use a gift card amount to pay for the taxes, I erred on the side of caution since I did not want to have a gift card with a remaining balance.

Though I had a great experience, there have been a number of Cardpool users who have experienced problems when they did not use the entire balance in one transaction. Though there are documented incidents where customers purchased gift cards and the merchant did not accept them, I did not experience this problem.

Should I have, I would have dealt with the merchant, in my case Sears, to get the reasoning behind the denial. Then I would have contacted Cardpool, who has a 100-day purchase guarantee.

My future with Cardpool

Finding this service a wonderful way to stretch our dollars, I will definitely purchase from Cardpool again. Many other customers have found this service beneficial as some gift cards are discounted up to 35% off the purchased amount. I was thrilled with the 7% discount as every little bit helps.

If you choose to use Cardpool, then access the site via my referral link to get $5 off your first purchase. Wow! I wish I had received a referral link to save an additional $5. Oh well, though I cannot get this deal, you can. 🙂

In stretching your dollars, I can recommend purchasing discounted gift cards from Cardpool. However, I have no experience with selling gift cards to Cardpool. Honestly, I do not foresee needing to sell a gift card, but I wanted to share this resource with you because you might need the cash.

Cardpool is another resource to help you in using time wisely while stretching your dollars. Happy stretching!

This post contains Using Time Wisely affiliate links at no additional cost to you. For more information about Using Time Wisely’s associations with providers, please read my disclosure policy.

Question: Have you sold or purchased discounted gift cards through Cardpool?

Great Clips: $5.99 Haircuts – March 1-7, 2014

March 1, 2014 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Great Clips

Haircut time! Participating Great Clips hair salons are running $5.99 haircuts. In Ohio, the promotion started February 23 and continues through March 3, 2014.

The television advertisements running here in South Carolina report the $5.99 haircuts promotion runs from March 1 through March 7, 2014.

I realize that many have issues with businesses like Great Clips. If you get a great stylist, then you will love Great Clips. However, it only takes one bad haircut to ruin any chances to make the mistake right. I get it.

As I have had really good experiences at Great Clips, I continue to use their services. Usually I wait for a coupon, but with this promotion, no coupon is necessary.

Since I cut my husband’s and children’s hair, I am the only one in our family who needs to pay for a haircut. In stretching our dollars, I find Great Clips a beneficial option. Their online or app-based check-in system saves me time as I can check-in before leaving my home and shave off minutes waiting for an available stylist.

Saving time and stretching our dollars is possible with promotions like Great Clip’s $5.99 haircuts. Paying for the haircut and tip is the easy part after finding a good time this week to check-in online and head to the salon. Happy savings!

Question: How do you save money on your family’s hair care needs?

Attractions Books for $15 or $20 each

January 31, 2014 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Attractions Dining and Value Guide

In finishing our Scheduling 2014 series yesterday, we focused on feeding our families. One fabulous find for our family has been our Attractions Dining and Value Guide.

In October of 2013, I paid $20 and purchased the 2013 Attractions book and received the 2014 Attractions book for FREE.

Having never used these books, I wanted to try them out. Well, I’m impressed. The book contains high valued coupons for a combined savings over $6,000.

Last year, we used coupons for FREE pizza, FREE meals, FREE desserts, and FREE entertainment. Though we did not use half of the coupons in the 2013 book, I definitely saved more than $20 on the savings used.

Each book is designed for your local area in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina with all offers valid until December 31, 2014. The coupons include places for formal dining, casual dining, informal dining, and fun. In addition to the coupons within the book, you can register your book online for additional savings.

While supplies last, all Attraction books are $5 off their regular price. As the books are either $20 or $25 depending on your area, you can purchase Attractions books for $15 or $20 each. When we purchased ours, I purchased a second set for my in-laws as these books make great gifts.

We keep our book in our vehicle. I have found that when our plans change, I turn to these coupons to feed our family without paying full price. These options are great for date nights, family nights, and going out with friends. We also enjoy trying new places, and having a coupon encourages our adventurous tendencies.

If you or someone you know could benefit from the Attraction book, then check it out. You can even view the coupon savings before purchasing.

If you prefer ordering over the phone, call 1-800-897-1004, and the representative can answer any questions prior to purchasing. Happy savings while using time wisely with those you love!

Question: Do you use the Attractions books?

Medical Bills: Save on Radiology Tests

January 25, 2014 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Fotolia

Realizing how very fortunate we are to have kept our health insurance, we have been able to keep our doctors and our monthly premiums did not increase for 2014.

Though there are many benefits to still having private health insurance, we did see some changes in our copays and coinsurance.

Radiology Test with the Copay

Last year, the two main radiology centers moved into the two large hospital systems. Not realizing that continuing to use their services would incur a $75 hospital copay, I had my knee X-ray done at one of their locations.

I had been seen at their center before (prior to their relocation at the hospital) and had not been charged the copay. As our insurance had not changed, I just went back to the center at the new location.

Well, when the bill came in, my $708 bill was adjusted down to $81 of which $75 was the hospital copay. Ignoring the inflation of services, my $6 bill cost us $81 because of where I had the X-ray done.

To say I was not happy is an understatement. However, it was done, and my knee was fine. We paid the bill, and then I took the time to find an alternative to save on radiology tests. Locating an independent radiology group that was on our plan, I noted their information for future reference.

Radiology Tests without the Copay

As I turned 40 last year, I needed radiology services for my annual mammogram. This time, I went to the independent group and did not incur the $75 hospital copay. Also, Paul is needing a radiology test done, and he will go to the independent group to prevent the extra $75 fee.

In navigating the murky waters of medical bills and healthcare, we found a way to save on radiology tests by using an independent service. Thus far, we have saved $150 for a few minutes of research time.

I know others have found medical schools that offer FREE or discounted radiology tests for those who allow supervised students to conduct the tests.

With healthcare changes occurring very quickly, keep up with your policies, copay changes, and deductibles. Though medical bills and tests are expensive, there are ways to save on radiology tests, procedures, and healthcare to stretch our dollars while using time wisely. Happy savings!

Question: Do you have any tips for how to save on radiology tests?

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