It’s thrilling to own and manage a business, but when it comes to payroll management, you realize how daunting things can be. Any mistake on payroll can create serious financial trouble and directly impact your taxes. Managing payroll on your own means you have taken on the responsibility to withhold and deposit payroll taxes, among other things. So, here’s a concise guide to understanding how to manage payroll for all small business owners.

Collect payroll information

If you’re a small business owner, the first thing you need to learn is setting up a payroll. To do this, you need both the employer and employee information.

Employer responsibilities

• Employers need to apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) before they start hiring. EIN is necessary for tax documentation purposes. Then, you’ll need to register with the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) to pay federal taxes.
• Depending on your state, check whether you need employer ID numbers for state and local governments and register at the state’s new hire reporting website.
• Decide the pay frequency and the payment method beforehand. You might need the employees’ bank account details to make the payments.
• Know your employee’s salary status, for which you must check whether they must be paid overtime wages.

Collect employee information

Before an employee starts working, they need to complete certain paperwork:

• Existing employees must fill out Form W-4, which is the Employee’s Withholding Certificate and determines the federal income tax amount you need to withhold from them.
• New employees need to submit Form W-4 and Form I-9, which is Employment Eligibility Verification that confirms their eligibility to work in the country.
• Collect information on benefits like health insurance and retirement plans so that you know how much they want to contribute to these accounts.

Choose a payroll system

• Manual payroll: It’s a cost-effective way to manage payroll, but it’s susceptible to serious mistakes throughout the process. You are responsible for figuring out the tax amounts to withhold and for sending taxes to the appropriate agencies on time.
• Outsourcing payroll: This is the best payroll management method for a small business owner to save time, but it can be expensive. You can hire a payroll consultant to help withhold and deposit taxes.
• Payroll software: This is the most preferred system for small businesses. It’s affordable, accurate, and quick, and you can choose from several payroll software for small businesses available in the market.

Run payroll

Once you’ve chosen a payroll system, you’re ready to start managing it. Running payroll is always the same process: enter the employee work hours, account for any overtime, withhold taxes, and pay via the chosen method.

Handle taxes

Handling taxes is another important aspect of learning to manage payroll for a small business. You must withhold, deposit, and report specific taxes from each employee’s gross wages. These include:

• Federal income tax
• State and local income taxes (if applicable)
• FICA tax (Social Security and Medicare taxes)

Keep records

You must keep payroll records for each employee, including documents like the employee’s Form W-4, total hours worked each workweek, and pre-tax and post-tax wages. You can check with the Department of Labor (DOL) for information related to payroll record retention.

Indigestion is a common issue that accompanies pregnancy. Thanks to this little side effect of pregnancy, most moms-to-be suffer at least a handful of episodes of acid reflux and heartburn/GERD. Contrary to its name, the burning sensation from heartburn has little to do with the heart. However, much to all would-be moms’ relief, it has a safe cure that will relieve them of the discomforting feeling without harming the baby.

The solution to this problem can be as simple as dietary and lifestyle changes. While there are safe treatments available, there are preventive options that won’t cause heartburn/GERD in the first place. Read on to know more about what causes heartburn/GERD during pregnancy and what dietary choices to make to prevent heartburn/GERD.

Why is heartburn/GERD such a common occurrence in pregnancy?

Heartburn/GERD is caused when stomach acids start rising into the esophagus. Pregnancy changes hormonal levels and helps relax muscles, which results in relaxation or leaking of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). LES is what keeps the stomach acids in place, which, in addition to the growing uterus is an invitation for indigestion symptoms.

Here are the dietary and lifestyle measures that can help prevent heartburn/GERD during pregnancy.

• Eat often, eat less

A full stomach is an invitation to heartburn/GERD. Studies suggest, eating smaller meals evenly distributed throughout the day keeps you from indigestion. The key to preventing heartburn is to keep from filling your stomach to the hilt with food. While pregnant, the stomach has less space than usual to expand, eating until full only increases the pressure on other organs.

• Trigger foods – Identify and Eliminate

Commonly, heartburn/ GERD is triggered by a certain type of food, like acidic foods that include citrus fruits, or fried and spicy foods. The list also includes coffee and carbonated drinks and chocolate. Ideally, there is no hard and fast list to stick to; therefore, it is essential to identify what works for every individual, and what does not. The common trigger food groups also include alcohol, which is one more reason for you to eliminate alcohol from your diet.

• Fluid fever

Liquids or liquid-like foods pass through the digestive system quicker than solid foods, which reduces the chance of indigestion. This includes milkshakes, protein shakes, smoothies, yogurts, and soups. However, don’t chug them down all at once. Learn to incorporate food, solid or liquid, into your system with patience. There is no reason to avoid solid foods in entirety. Till you chew well and eat slowly, solid foods should need not be eliminated completely.

• Plan your meals

Nighttime episodes of heartburn/GERD are common and bingeing eating before bed increases its chances. Avoid eating for at least 3 hours before bed and if possible include liquids in your dinner. Additionally, don’t lie down immediately after eating, move around, sit, or stand upright to prevent heartburn/GERD.

Leasing a car is one of the popular ways of financing a car, especially if you have just started working. However, you need to be on guard against expensive car leasing deals, especially if you have never leased a car before. Leasing a car involves jargon that is not commonly used while buying a car, or even while applying for a car loan. However, to get the best car leasing deals, you must familiarize yourself with the leasing process. Read on to know some handy tips that can help you get affordable car leasing deals.

Learn the jargon

Some terms are exclusive to car leasing, and you probably won’t hear them anywhere else. Therefore, get familiar with the everyday jargon that is used in car leasing deals. This way no dealership will be able to swindle you into an unprofitable deal. To get started, here are some common car leasing jargon terms that you must understand: capitalized cost, cap cost reduction, money factor, residual value, buyout price, acquisition fee, disposition fee, due at signing, and purchase option fee.

Choose the car wisely

When you’re leasing a car, you’re essentially paying for its depreciation. Choosing a car that has a low depreciation value essentially means that you’ll be paying less on your lease. Moreover, cars with a good resale value have a strong residual value. This means that the car will have a higher value even at the end of your lease term.

Know what you can and can’t negotiate

This is where understanding the car leasing jargon comes handy. Certain aspects of car leasing deals can be negotiated, and certain terms such as residual value, acquisition fee, disposition fee and purchase option fee, and registration and tax amount are non-negotiable. To get the best deal, focus on what you can change, and negotiate terms that are favorable to you. It is recommended that you strongly negotiate on capitalized cost, money factor, cap cost reduction, buyout price, mileage cap and charges, and trade-in value.

Check lease deals

When a car isn’t selling quickly, carmakers usually offer lucrative lease deals to get rid of it. While this sounds fishy, it is also your chance of getting affordable car leasing deals. In such cases, you can negotiate to lower your monthly payment and sing-in amount.

Calculate the total cost

A lower monthly payment is tempting, but it might not necessarily help you save more money. Therefore, calculate the total amount that you’ll be paying to avoid falling for such offers. This includes the down payment, taxes, and other applicable fees. To get the best car leasing deals, you should compare offers from various dealers and opt for the one best suited for you.

Estimate the mileage you need

It is important that you have a reasonable estimate of the number of miles you’ll be driving before you decide on leasing a car. Overshooting the mileage limit can be extremely costly, and can negatively affect your budget in the long term.

One of the best pickup trucks in the business, the 2020 Ram 2500 is loaded with a suite of features that make it one of the most desired pickup trucks today. To offer the ultimate driving pleasure, the Dodge has features divided into various trims that can suit every buyers’ budget. As a result, the Dodge Ram 2500 is now available in six trims and 29 configurations. This article elaborates on the special features offered by each trim—right from its engine specifications to interiors and much more. Read on.

• Tradesman

The powertrain consists of a 6.4-liter V-8 gasoline engine with eight-speed automatic transmission. It is also available with a 6.7 Cummins turbo diesel. The 4×4 model features manual shifting with an on-the-fly transfer case for all old-school drivers. The pickup truck also comes with electronic stability control and automatic quad halogen headlights.

• Power Wagon

It has the same chassis as the Tradesman, except, instead of the 6.7-liter Cummins turbo diesel, it has an 8HP75 with eight-speed transmission. This engine is suitable for light commercial vehicles (LCV). It also has LED projector headlamps. The Power Wagon comes with hill descent control for better stability and control when descending down a mountain range. With a push-button start, the instrument cluster speedometer has a 3.5-inch driver information display.

• Big Horn

The engine and chassis features are the same as Tradesman. On the exterior, this trim offers 18-inch chrome-clad wheels. This pickup truck has a Big Horn badge on the tailgate. The interior has all the features of the previous trims. In addition, it features keyless entry.

• Longhorn

The engine specifications of this trim are the same as the Big Horn. The exterior of the pickup truck comes with a bi-functional LED projector and chrome LED taillamps. The model also has 18-inch aluminum wheels. With its signature Longhorn badging, it also has a remote tailgate release, spray-in bedliner, and rain-sensitive wipers. When it comes to the interior, you get to choose from a range of upholstery options. It also has a completely upgraded infotainment system that facilitates both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

• Laramie

This trim has the same engine specifications as Big Horn. On the exterior, it consists of LED fog lamps, reflector lamps, and taillamps. It has 18-inch polished aluminum wheels and a chrome billet grille. Laramie also consists of a remote start mechanism, with ParkSense Front and Rear Park Assist system. Speaking of the interior, it has dual-zone automatic climate control and a 7-inch color screen for information. Additionally, it has an auto-dim rearview mirror with adjustable pedals and sliding rear windows.

• Limited

The Limited trim comes with a 6.4-liter V-8 engine. It features the Keyless Enter-n-Go system entry and push button start. Being a limited edition model, it comes with luxury features such as Black Argento wood interior accents, leather-wrapped grab handles, and a 7-inch driver information display.

Unlike other parts of your vehicles, your tires undergo rigorous wear and tear. Depending on the number of miles you drive and other factors, you need to replace them every few years for the safety and optimum performance of your vehicle. While this may cause a dent in your pocket, one of the best ways to shop for tires is using tires coupons. Many big tire brands such as Goodyear, Firestone, and Bridgestone among others, offer tires coupons and promo codes as part of their marketing or customer retention campaigns.

You can easily find tires coupons for brands such as Firestone, Bridgestone, and Goodyear on various coupon websites. However, you need to ensure that these websites are authentic and also check the expiration date on these coupons. Moreover, considering the safety concerns related to tires, you should only opt for the best tires from reputable brands like Goodyear. To help you pick the right tire for your vehicle here is a quick read on the benefits of purchasing tires from Goodyear.

To find the right Goodyear tire for your vehicle, use the Tire Finder tool on the Goodyear website. Using any of the following three options, you can find the right tires for your vehicle.

• Vehicle type: Here, you need to add the year, make, model, and version of your vehicle. Also, you need to enter your location to know if the tire is available in a Goodyear store near you.
• License plate: Entering your license plate number, you can find the right tires for your vehicle via your state public vehicle records. There are no security concerns as the website accesses only your public records, and doesn’t store any information.
• Tire size: This is a more direct option if you know your vehicle’s tire size. It is usually written on the tire’s sidewall. Enter your tires’ size on the website, and it will show if the tires are available in a Goodyear store near you.

Benefits of buying tires from Goodyear.com

• Firstly, as seen above, the process of finding the right tires for your vehicle on Goodyear’s website is extremely convenient.
• Purchasing tires from Goodyear.com allows you to schedule installation at your nearest Goodyear store.
• You get the option to exchange your tires for a different set of Goodyear tires within the first 30 days. This is valid only on a select set of tires, the list of which is available on the website.
• Goodyear has been around for more than 100 years, which testifies to its tires’ premium quality.
• You often get competitive rebates on tires that you purchase from Goodyear.com. However, to take advantage of this, ensure to get tires coupons from the official website.
• Goodyear offers a massive selection of tires, which means you can get the right tires for almost any car, truck, and trailer.

When it comes to off-roading capability and engine power, probably no other SUV can outstand the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee is more capable and refined than its predecessors and is available in a wide variety of trim levels. To help you stay informed the next time you are at a Jeep Grand Cherokee sale, here is a list of its specs and features, and where you can find Jeep Grand Cherokee for sale.

• Performance

The Grand Cherokee Limited X, the new trim level to the 2019 model, is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine that produces a horsepower of 295 and torque of 260 lb-ft. This robust engine offers a comfortable and effortless ride. One of the most impressive features of this SUV is its towing capacity of up to 6,200 lbs. You can also go for the upper trim levels that are powered by the superior V8 engine. The supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine in the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk generates 707 horsepower and 645 lb-ft of torque, which delivers a towing capacity of 7200 lbs. The Grand Cherokee has the slick eight-speed automatic transmission and is available in the four-wheel-drive configuration.

• Features, technology, and safety

All Grand Cherokee models are equipped with the ProTech I package. This includes features such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, ParkSense® Rear Park Assist, and ParkView® Rear Back-Up Camera. The base model also features a ProTech II package that includes features like a forward-collision warning with an active braking system, lane departure warning with lane keep assist, automatic high-beam headlamps, and advanced brake assist.

The Grand Cherokee Laredo E model comes with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ support that allows you to control your smartphone via the touchscreen. The upper trim levels of the Grand Cherokee such as the Overland features heated and ventilated seats for comfort in every climate. It also comes with a dual-pane panoramic sunroof.

• Price

The Grand Cherokee’s trim levels range from mid $30,000s to $90,000. Here are starting price of its prominent variants:

Laredo E: $34,000

Altitude: $38, 490

Upland: $37,080

Limited: $40,200

Limited X: $45, 295

Overland: $46,940

Trailhawk: $45,400

Summit: $53,090

Trackhawk: $87,645

• Where can you find Jeep Grand Cherokee for sale?

If you do not want to splurge on the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, then you can buy a used 2019 model at the Jeep Grand Cherokee Sale. Regardless of the model you choose, all Grand Cherokees are available at a reasonable price. You must keep in mind that the availability depends on your location. Here are top websites where you can find the Jeep Grand Cherokee for sale at affordable prices.

• Cargurus.com
• Cars.com
• Autotrader.com
• Truecar.com
• Carfax.com
• Edmunds.com

When purchasing a vehicle, you are generally provided with the manufacturer’s vehicle warranty. The warranty stays valid on an average of 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. However, after that, it is recommended to invest in an extended vehicle warranty to cover the repairs your vehicle may undergo over the coming years. While there are several extended vehicle warranties in the market, you need to choose the one that best suits your requirements. To help you narrow down your choices, here is a list of some of the most popular extended vehicle warranty services you can consider.

Endurance
Extended vehicle warranty from Endurance is accredited by the Vehicle Protection Association and Better Business Bureau (BBB) with an A+ rating. Endurance provides 24-hour roadside assistance, 24/7 claims processing, and allows you to choose from multiple dealerships and 350,000 certified mechanics in the country and Canada. Since Endurance is a direct provider, it directly pays the repair shop for any damages, making the claim process hassle-free. The extended vehicle warranty covers parts, labor, and tax. Extended vehicle warranty from Endurance ranges from $350 to $700 per year with a $100 deductible, depending on the mileage, year, make, and model of your vehicle. Additionally, It offers coverage for models as far back as 1958 and up to 200,000 miles. 

Carchex
Carchex’s extended vehicle warranty is accredited by BBB with an A+ rating. Moreover, it has also received numerous awards for its efficient customer service. Carchex extended vehicle warranty includes 24/7 gas delivery, emergency roadside assistance, lost key or lockout service, trip-interruption, and more. Its warranty is valid in any licensed repair shops, auto dealers, and national chains. Customers don’t need to pay out of their pocket and wait for reimbursements as Carchex pays repair facilities directly. Extended vehicle warranty from Carchex is eligible for vehicles that have covered a range from 36,000 to 125,000 miles. Vehicles that have more miles or are older than 20 years are not included under the coverage. A standard five-year plan costs around $1,500 and requires no down payment.

Autopom
Another one of the popular choices for extended vehicle warranty, Autopom maintains an A+ rating from BBB. It partners with four warranty providers— Financial Group, Enterprise Royal Administration, Mercury Insurance Group, and United Car Care. This gives you a choice of mileage caps and flexible payment terms ranging from three to eight years. Autopom also offers coverage for vehicle breakdowns. The quotes range between $1,500 and $4,000. However, you are required to pay a 10% down payment, which is higher than industry standards.

CarShield
CarShield offers more than 30 extended vehicle warranty plans, offering coverage for almost any vehicle under 300,000 miles. This wide variety of plans for new, used, and pre-owned vehicles make it easy to qualify for an extended vehicle warranty from CarShield. Most warranties are monthly and can be transferred. CarShield pays claims directly to repair facilities, offering 24/7 roadside assistance. It also offers the flexibility to get your vehicle repaired at any dealer or ASE-licensed mechanic. CarShield pricing is typically under $100 a month.