Tax laws are constantly shifting, lots of ebbs and flows.  There are no major new tax legislation changes for 2015, but tax laws are still always changing.  Some changes for 2015 may affect you.  Thank goodness, Florida does not have a state tax!

The 2015 tax bracket refers to the top 1 percent of high-income earners.  This means high-income earners will be paying 39.6 percent income tax on gross taxable earnings.

The IRS is cracking down on IRA rollovers. It was easy to “borrow” money set aside for retirement for up to 60 days.  As of 2015, one can only do that once in a 12-month period.  If you wish to move IRA assets, you may do so by using “trustee to trustee” transfers.

The Health Insurance penalty for not having health insurance has…

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Local, organic, seasonal and sustainable are current “buzzwords” used a lot lately.  To be truly helpful to the environment one must know the differences between and similar implication of these words. If you are a health conscious foodie, you probably want your food or other agriculture products to be local, organic, seasonal and sustainable.

Local food means food that is grown within a certain range.  That radius can cover a few miles or hundreds of miles of your area.  It generally is a good idea to ask if the product is from your town, county or state so you are clear on what local means in that particular instance.

Organic refers to the method food production. Crops that are grown without artificial fertilizers, artificial pesticides, not…

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Everyone who is in the market to sell his or her home is looking for maximum dollar. The real estate market wavers each year regardless of whether you live in South Florida or another part of the country.  Spring and summer have proven to be the most advantageous time of the year with winter being slightly slower.  Palm Beach County real estate market seems to favor spring as the “selling season” with perfect weather, flowering plants and wonderful days at the beach.

Springtime is the beginning of selling season. There is an increase in new listings at this time.  The momentum from spring selling season overflows into the summer season, making summer the second best time of year to list your home.

Homes listed toward the end of the workweek,…

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March is a wonderful month in South Florida.  In Palm Beach County the sun is shining, people are bustling and the weather is perfect to be outdoors.  This weekend, March 17 – March 20, 2016, our area hosts a number of outdoor events for everyone young to young-at-heart.

The 31st Palm Beach International Boat Show, Downtown West Palm Beach Waterfront, March 17 – 20, 2016 is four full days of exhibitions of the finest yachts and boating accessories.  There are hundreds of boats, flats boats, sportfish, center consoles, and super yachts and much more on display.  The Palm Beach International Boat Show is one of the five top boat shows in the United States exhibiting over $1.2 billion worth of boats and accessories from the leading watercraft…

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Although the weather here in Palm Beach County is picture perfect, sunny and 75 degrees, other parts of the United States do not enjoy the same climate. Approximately a half million people journey to South Florida for the winter, avoiding the ice, snow and bitter cold.

Millions of people flock to South Florida for vacation and spring break.  Year round inhabitants of the Sunshine State face many challenges when the visitors and seasonal residents arrive. 

Some tips for residents to manage snowbird season:

Be Tolerant. Anticipate slower traffic, the out of state driver is not familiar with the highways and streets as residents.  Give yourself a few extra minutes to get where you are going.

Be Cognizant. The out of state driver may not know…

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Orchids, orchids, and more orchids!  Over 10,000 orchid floras from local and international vendors will be on exhibition at the 14th Annual International Orchid Festival.  Learn all about the exotic air plants March 18th -20th at the Port St. Lucie Orchid Society Show.

 South Florida was an orchid utopia in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.  As the Florida East Coast Railroad made its way through Florida, their beauty amazed people.  The orchids were collected and sold across the United States as houseplants.  The orchid environment was practically eradicated with the development of South Florida. 

 Orchids are blossoming florae that are often vibrant and aromatic.  There are over 26,000 varieties of orchids that are more than twice the number…

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In a recent study by the National Association of Homebuilders, the following features in homes are the most wanted by various age groups.  Outcomes indicate that new buyers are insisting on the latest energy efficient and environmentally “smart home” features.

ENERGY STAR rated appliances are appliances certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.). In 1992, the E.P.A. announced ENERGY STAR ratings as a “voluntary labeling program designed to identify and encourage energy-efficient products to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”  Across the generations, all new homeowners preferred and requested ENERGY STAR rated appliances.  Note other important features desired by homebuilder’s buyers.

Millennials (born 1980 or later)

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Jonathan Dickinson State Park was named for a Quaker merchant from Port Royal, Jamaica. Jonathan Dickinson was born in 1663.  Dickinson was shipwrecked on the southeast coast of Florida in 1696.  He was traveling with his family, his slaves, other passengers, and crewmembers of the ship. Hostile Native American Indians captured them on the Jupiter coastline.

In his journal, Dickinson recounted his family’s encounter with the Native Americans and their 230-mile journey to St. Augustine. The party was held captive by Jobe ("Hoe-bay") Indians. Dickinson and his family, which included his wife, Mary, their six-month-old son, Jonathan, and his ten slaves, took route on the ship Reformation. The Reformation unintentionally separated from the other ships…

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The Miami Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals come to the Jupiter community of Abacoa for spring training and each year flocks of people migrate to Abacoa’s Main Street.  Main Street is just adjacent to Roger Dean Stadium, and a pleasant area to walk and enjoy dinner al fresco.

There is a lot more to Abacoa than just spring training baseball.  This quaint, brick lined street hosts a variety of shops, restaurants and taverns.  Top places to eat in Abaco are plentiful ranging from brewery/pub to casual French bistro. 

Civil Society Brewing Company located at 1200 Town Center Drive, is a brewery and bar, which pours craft beer to spring training fans.  One of the owners of the brewery is a retired major league pitcher for the Miami Marlins, Chris…

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With its 1,400 golf courses, Florida is truly the golf capital of the world.   Palm Beach County is home to some of the most unbelievable golf courses across the globe. It is the premiere destination for the ultimate golf trip.

The Honda Classic just wrapped up at on the Championship Course at PGA National Resort and Spa, P.G.A. National, Palm Beach Gardens.  The tournament draws the preeminent professional golfers to the area to compete for the multimillion-dollar purse.  The “Bear Trap” is a very well known demanding stretch of golf spanning three challenging holes.

The Palm Beaches features over 160 golf courses.  The State of Florida offers a specialty plate and personalized tags for an annual fee of $25.  Revenue from the proceeds of the…

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