By The Books CAS Firm

AI scams are increasing, and it's predicted to get worse this year. ▶ What to do? "Be wary of unexpected texts, emails, and calls that create urgency or pressure, especially those claiming to be from trusted organizations." ...among other things https://lnkd.in/gWuh235C

Here's something to be thinking about in these first days of 2025... Write down a snapshot of where you want to be -- financially, vocationally, etc -- in the long-term, and then craft a few steps you can take NOW to go in that direction. Does it feel... A) Totally doable B) Overwhelming and out of reach C) Reachable, but hard to get there

Because we want you to stay ahead of the personal information thieves, today we're offering up an identity protection best practice that we're pretty sure you've heard before but should REALLY take seriously: 🔒 PROTECT YOUR PASSWORDS. 🔒 The longer the password, the tougher it is to crack. Some password tips: - Use at least 10 characters; 12 is ideal for most home users. - Mix letters, numbers, and special characters. - Try to be unpredictable – don’t use your name, birthdate, or common words. - Don’t use the same password for many accounts. - Don’t share passwords on the phone, in texts, or by email. - Keep your passwords in a secure place out of plain sight. And if this seems like a lot to do and keep track of on your own, there are literally dozens of password security providers out there now (LastPass, Dashlane, LogMeOnce, Bitwarden, 1Password, etc.). Pick one and start using it today.

"My interest is in the future because I am going to spend the rest of my life there." - Charles Kettering Time to look to 365 days of future possibility and opportunity. Happy New Year!

Let’s reflect on 2024: How did you grow financially? Did your strategies bring in the revenue you wanted? Did your numbers improve from last year? If you’re having trouble answering these questions, it’s probably because you don’t have the data you need. And without this data, you’re going to have a hard time charting the path forward. 📊 So, let us help you – because clear, accurate financial data is your growth roadmap for 2025.

Think you’ve got a good idea how much healthcare in retirement costs? Let’s test your knowledge. What's the average amount suggested you'll need... A. About 75k B. Around 120k C. Roughly 165k Honestly, any amount will be helpful, but Choice C – roughly 165k – is more accurate. More than you thought, huh?

You’ve probably already heard the news – the previous January 1, 2025 beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting deadline is currently on hiatus (but may come back around). What does that mean for YOU? ❗️If you already filed: Keep your BOI records handy. ❗️If you haven’t filed yet: Get your BOI reporting documents in order. ❗️And regardless: Stay in the loop. It's likely the ruling will be overturned, but the timeline for that isn't clear yet. Drop a “🤔” below if you're still confused or want to go over this topic for your business. We've got answers.

The greatest gift we can give this season is love. Let our hearts be open not to just those who are close to us, but to ALL humanity. Let us be slow to judge, quick to forgive, and show patience and empathy. Happy Holidays from our homes to yours. What special traditions make the holidays memorable for you?

What financial milestone are you most proud of this year? Don’t be shy – let’s hear about the forward steps you’ve taken in 2024.

2025 is only weeks away. And if you want to crush your 2025 goals, you need to be meticulously tracking your metrics. Why? Because what gets measured gets well-managed. Measuring key metrics helps you: ✅ Get the feedback you need to adjust and improve. ✅ Make smarter, data-driven decisions. ✅ Gain real insight into your business’s health and performance. Ready to make your numbers work for you? Let’s chat.