Holidays-Christmas or “Stress-mas” ?

This is an exciting and hectic time of the year. Sometimes it can be fun, but the shopping, events, and business issues of wrapping up the year, analyzing any investement decisions to make before year-end, and the last chance for 2009 tax planning, etc., make it hard even if the rest of your life is going great.

I also feel a little sad. Christmas was so wonderful when I was a kid: lists for Santa, helping mom make candy, seeing what Santa brought, etc. Now I'm older and I really have everything I need and most of what I want. The kids are grown, so no last minute assembly tasks, frantic shopping for the hot sold out gift on their Santa list...and it is all pretty mundane.

Oh well, back to work:

I have been considering selling some of my stock positions, the prices look pretty high.

On the tax planning front:

How does 2009 compare to 2008?
Will you need to make or adjust 4th quarter estimates?
Should all of your bonus go to withholding?
Make any last minute contributions?
Set up an SEP, 401K plan?
Defer or accelerate income and/or deductions?
Buy any fixed assets?

Most of all, my hope and prayer is that each of us is able to take the time to enjoy the holiday season. To experience wonderful moments with family and friends and not worry about buying so much stuff.

Happy Holidays!

Lindsey