Toni’s Enchiladas

Trivia 2

1. Gold Content: 24 Karatage ___ %, 22 K ___%, 18K___% & 14K ___%.
2. Think green. A small water leak can waste ___ to ___ gallons of water per day.
3. California produces ___% of American roses, but the vast numbers sold on Valentine’s Day in the United States are imported from ____ _____.
4. For every dollar you spend for produce at the supermarket, how much goes to the farmer who grew the produce? _____ cents
5. What is the world’s largest oil company?
6. What company today was originally named the Computer-Tabulator-Recorder Company (C-T-R)?
7. Who was the first U.S. president in office to visit the New York Stock Exchange?
8. Who was the first American to make $100 million a year?
9. What were the first publicly traded securities in the U.S.?
10. What has been the longest-listed company on the New York Stock Exchange?

Answers:
1. 24K 100% gold, 22K 91.75% gold, 18K 75% gold & 14K 58.5% gold
2. 70 to 100 gallons
3. 60%, South America
4. 5 cents
5. Exxon Mobil
6. IBM
7. Ronald Reagan on March 28, 1985
8. Al Capone
9. $80 million in U.S. Government bonds that were issued in 1790 to refinance the Revolutionary War debt
10. Con Edison, which was listed originally as the New York Gas Light Company in 1824

Choosing the Right Accountant
When you’re a small business owner, your money, your business, and the sustainability of your
business is your life. Choosing an accountant to manage the books for your life should be a
serious decision and not taken lightly.

The CPA you choose shouldn’t just prepare your tax return; they should also act as a trusted
advisor who can spot potential problems before they get out of control and offer you information
you need to make good decisions for your business. Many people think CPAs just do their tax
returns, but they can actually help save them money and expand their business.
Top five things every small business owner should look for when choosing an accountant:

1. Personal Connection.
You’ll be interacting with your accountant more often than you may think. If they’re going to be
involved in the most intimate financial details of your business, you need to know that you work
well together. Ask them about their processes and procedures: do they usually meet in person
with their clients, or is it over the phone? How often? These details tell you if their style matches
yours.

2. Reliability.
The importance of making sure your accountant is reliable is priceless. You need someone who
is there when you need them and who is going to meet their deadlines. It’s not worth it to mess
around with an unreliable CPA.

3. Proactive.
Where your finances are concerned, you want to be aware of any issues well before they become
real problems, so finding an accountant who is proactive is important to success.

4. Experience in your industry.
Make sure the CPA you choose has knowledge about your particular industry. For example: in
retail, inventory is a huge part of the finances; in professional services, you would not have
inventory at all. A CPA who’s had experience within your industry will be well-versed with what
goes into your finances.

5. Trustworthy.
Most importantly, you should ensure that the person you trust the intimate details of your
finances with is trustworthy.

CPAs are required to participate in continuing education programs to maintain their license and
stay on top of changes in tax law and accounting practices. Ensure that the individual’s
credentials are up-to-date. You can verify the status of a CPA license at the Indiana Professional
Licensing Agency’s website.

A common way to find a CPA is asking someone you trust to recommend their CPA. Do your
research – why do they like their accountant? Are they licensed with the Indiana Professional
Licensing Agency? Are they current with their Continuing Education? Can they provide
references for you? Be comfortable with your choice and committed to building a lasting
relationship.

Bonnie’s Black Bean Salad

1 red bell pepper, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 yellow bell pepper, diced
½ cup red onion, diced
1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
1 clove garlic, minced
1 Tbsp. cilantro
¼ cup olive oil
4 Tbsps. red wine vinegar
1 tsp. lime juice
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained
Salt and pepper to taste
Tortilla chips

1. In a bowl, combine peppers, onion, corn, garlic and cilantro.
2. Add olive oil, vinegar, lime juice, salt and pepper to taste, and toss.
3. Add black beans, toss well.
4. Serve with tortilla chips and enjoy!

Trivia

1. One baby boomer turns 64 every _______ seconds.

2. According to the National Alliance for Caregiving (2009) more than one in four American families is providing _____ hours per week of support to a frail adult.

3. Fidelity Investments estimates that a 65-year old couple in 2010 may need $________ in retirement to pay out-of pocket health expenses, not including long-term care.

4. Baby boomers make up a large segment of our population. There are _____ million baby boomers.

5. Outside of the financial industry, the five most-trusted brands in the United States are ______, ________, _______, ________ and ________.

6. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declines ___% or more about once every ____ years.

7. The first transcontinental railroad was constructed by the _________ railroad and the ________ railroad in 1869.

8. What was Time Magazine’s headline on October 31, 1977?

9. What was Time Magazine’s headline on August 27, 1979?

10. During the 1950s ________, ________ and _______ were children’s television favorites and _______ rocked the music world.

Answers:
1. 7 seconds
2. 20 hours
3. $250,000
4. 77 million
5. Google, Johnson & Johnson, Intel, General Mills and Kraft Foods
6. 20%, 3 years
7. Central Pacific Railroad, Union Pacific Railroad
8. War on Terrorism
9. The Topsy-Turvy Economy
10. Howdy Doody, Roy Rogers, Mickey Mouse and Elvis

Bonnie’s Potatoes

Stir together:
32oz package thawed hash browns
1 pint sour cream
1 stick butter, melted
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 cup or more cheddar cheese

Spread in a 9×13 pan.
Sprinkle top with “real” bacon bits.
Bake 45 minutes at 350 degrees.

1 cup sugar
3 Tbsp. corn starch
1/8 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. corn syrup
1 cup water

Combine the above.
Cook and stir until mixture thickens.
(about 5 minutes after it boils)
Add: 3 Tbsp. strawberry gelatin and stir
until completely dissolved.
Cool.
Pile: 1 quart of strawberries in a 9-inch
baked pie shell.
Spoon mixture over berries.
Chill.

Campbell’s Fiesta Nacho Cheese Soup for Southwestern recipes

Dilute with chicken broth or stock to desired consistency (2 to 4 cups)

Diced or shredded chicken. (I used the Tyson ready to eat chicken for salads)

Corn (canned or frozen) I like canned fiesta corn with red & green diced peppers

Black beans (optional) drained and rinsed

Salt, pepper and chili powder to taste. (I used white ground pepper)

Garnish with baked tortilla strips. I roll up then cut wheat or flour tortillas with my pizza cutter into thin strips. Separate and toss strips onto cookie sheet or baking stone. Bake until they start to brown. Turn or toss occasionally during baking. This can also be done in the microwave oven on a small stone or paper plate.

1) People who look for a home during the Holidays are more serious buyers!

2) Serious buyers have fewer houses to choose from during the Holidays and less competition means more money for you!

3) Since the supply of listings will dramatically increase in January, there will be less demand for your particular home.  Less demand means less money for you!

4) Houses show better when decorated for the Holidays!

5) Buyers are more emotional during the Holidays, so they are more likely to pay your price!

6) Buyers have more time to look for a home during the Holidays than they do during a normal work week!

7) Some people must buy before the end of the year for tax reasons!

8) January is traditionally the month for employees to begin new jobs.  Since transferees cannot wait until spring to buy, you must be on the market now to capture those buyers!

9) You can still be on the market, but you have the option to restrict showings during the six or seven days during the Holidays!

10) You can sell now for more money and we will provide for a delayed closing or extended occupancy until early next year!

11) By selling now, you may have an opportunity to be a non-contingent buyer in the Spring when many more houses are on the market for less money.  This will allow you to sell high and buy low!