home based business

KANSAS CITY, MO – GLOBE NEWSWIRE

While cyber attacks pose a major threat, not all attackers are found online. They can sift through trash and recycling bins to hunt for personal information like a name, address and Social Security number and use what they’ve found to file fraudulent tax returns. Shredding personal documents can help prevent personal information getting into the wrong hands, so H&R Block will host free shredding events on March 24, 2018 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 400 offices nationwide, weather permitting. That morning, there will also be just one day left for taxpayers to switch to Block and get half off what they paid for tax preparation somewhere else last year.

“Tax and other financial documents can help you claim all the tax benefits you’re entitled to, but they also contain some of your most important information. We are committed to protecting personal data ourselves and helping taxpayers protect their own information,” said Karen Orosco, senior vice president of U.S. retail for H&R Block. “These free paper shredding events are the perfect opportunity not only for taxpayers to safeguard their own information, but to learn best practices and other ways to protect themselves from tax identity theft.”

Taxpayers need to keep only a few documents indefinitely

During tax season, taxpayers often question what tax and financial documents they should shred, discard or keep.

“The good news is that taxpayers usually need to keep only a few types of documents indefinitely,” said Orosco. These can include records of business income and expenses for as long as the taxpayer owns the business, property sales that resulted in net-operating or capital losses and records of home improvements or other expenditures that establish basis in a home.

Three years is often sufficient for most documents

Taxpayers should keep most of their tax-related documents for at least three years. Three years from the return due date is generally the timeframe a tax return is open for review and a taxpayer could need to substantiate information on the tax return. This kind of information may include:

• Proof of charitable contributions
• Bank statements,
• Printed paystubs,
• Utility bills,
• Brokerage statements,
• Medical and dental expense receipts,
• W-2s, 1099s and other information documents,
• Tax-reporting statements like property or real estate taxes;
• Closing Disclosure statements (or HUD-1 for older sales),
• Mortgage statements,
• 1095s and certificates of exemption from the Affordable Care Act,
• Retirement savings annual reports and
• Annual brokerage statements.

Taxpayers should save their tax returns a minimum of three years but there are good reasons to save it longer than that, for example if it has business schedules (such as Schedule C) or other information they may want to refer to in the future.

“Ultimately, whether or not you keep supporting documents, and how long you keep them, depends on whether you used them for your tax return or need them for other purposes,” said Orosco. “For instance, if you’re not deducting rental expenses or claiming a home office deduction, you probably don’t need to save utility bills.”

Tax-filing discount available until March 25

“Just as important as keeping tax and financial documents secure is using those documents to get the best tax outcome you can. When you bring in your old documents for shredding, you might also want to bring in your current documents so we can help you get your maximum refund,” said Orosco.

Eligible taxpayers can also switch to H&R Block for tax preparation and get half off what they paid someone else last year. The offer ends March 25. Taxpayers should bring their tax preparation receipts from last year to their local participating H&R Block office or to receive the tax filing discount. The offer applies to individual and business, federal and state tax returns for tax year 2017. Returns are subject to a $125 minimum price.

“Tax Shred Live” event brings together document shredding and guitarists “shredding”

To celebrate and bring awareness to the shredding events across the country, guitarists Michael Angelo Batio and Bibi McGill will host H&R Block’s “Tax Shred Live” event on H&R Block’s Facebook page on March 22 at 11 a.m. CDT. Rather than shredding documents, Batio and Bibi McGill will “shred” on their guitars.

Batio is one of the originators and pioneers of the entire “shred” genre. He showcased guitar techniques and innovations, for the first time, on his early instructional programs as well as in live performances, which are now considered standard techniques among guitarists throughout the entire world.

Rolling Stone called Bibi McGill, the former lead guitarist for Beyoncé,“a Zen Master who can seriously shred.” Bibi McGill’s shredding skills have been praised as being the same caliber as artists like Earth Wind and Fire and Led Zeppelin.

Visit H&R Block’s Facebook page to tune in to the Tax Shred Live event with Batio and Bibi McGill on March 22 at 11 a.m. CDT.

Find a nearby participating office from among the 400 offices nationwide offering free shredding events on March 24.

For more information, call 1-800-HRBLOCK or schedule an appointment online.

IRVINE, CA – PRNewswire

Realty ONE Group, the fifth-largest real estate brokerage and one of the fastest growing franchisors in the nation, is proud to announce the unveiling of its newly redesigned blog, Unwritten launching on March 15. With its tagline being the “Stories of Tomorrow”, UNwritten will serve as the industry’s go-to source for the latest news, trends, tech tools and commentary.

“Real estate can be seen as confusing to those who don’t understand it, and we’re here to change that by humanizing the industry,” said founder and CEO Kuba Jewgeniew. “UNwritten will be our platform to share our passion by allowing us to further connect with our professionals, keep them informed of the latest trends, and inspire them to become empowered entrepreneurs.”

The company’s core belief that everything matters and everyone has a voice plays a pivotal role in the creation of the blog. Along with news articles, tips and commentary pieces, the blog will also house the company’s premier podcast, UNreal, as well as Jewgieniew’s own personal blog, Kuba’s Corner.

“I believe that anyone can be a great storyteller, whether it’s written on a piece of paper or spoken aloud,” explained Jewgieniew. “We’re breaking the industry ice with UNwritten by having our real estate professionals and members of our ONE family—the innovators, dreamers, and artists—tell their stories, which in turn will open the doors to inspiration for anyone who is reading or listening in.”

Visit and subscribe to UNwritten by visiting http://blog.realtyonegroup.com.

LIVONIA, Mich., March 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — National Puppy Day (March 23) is a reminder for pet owners everywhere of the love, joy, and even the responsibility they felt when their new best friend entered their world. Today, more than 60 percent of U.S. families own a pet, which equates to 84.6 million homes. To help these pet parents focus more on the rewards of owning a new pet, Pet Supplies Plus – the largest and most trusted pet retail franchise in the United States – has created a useful checklist to take the worry and guesswork out of planning their new pets’ homecoming.

A new pet parent can easily forget a few things in all the excitement of bringing a new pet home. To help its neighbors prepare for their new family members, Pet Supplies Plus’ pet guide offers recommendations on products such as food, comforting equipment, grooming and hygiene products, safety needs and supplies for providing the new pet with the appropriate level of physical activity. All recommended products are designed to maintain the pets’ overall wellness and will differ based on breed.

The guide makes these helpful suggestions and more:

• Food: When purchasing food for a pet – no matter the type – it’s important to do your research. Products have different price points, styles, flavors and health benefits. Pet Supplies Plus team members can help neighbors select a nutritious, beneficial food to keep their new pets happy and healthy.
• Comfort Equipment: Relocation can be stressful for newly adopted pets, so it’s important for them to feel comfortable and protected. Providing a bed and toys is a great way to help them become acquainted with their new environment. Newborns, such as puppies or kittens, will need chews and toys to help them through their teething process. Pet Supplies Plus team members are able to recommend a durable toy that will keep them occupied and at ease.
• Safety Needs: When a new pet joins the family, a pet parent might want to do a little “pet-proofing” around the house. Owners of dogs or cats can purchase gates or locks to keep pets away from dangerous areas or products. And because the new four-legged family member won’t always be inside the home, he will need a collar and identification tag. Microchipping services are offered at Pet Supplies Plus stores with VIP Petcare clinics on-site for $19. These safety measures increase the likelihood of an owner finding his or her pet in the event he is lost.
• Grooming & Hygiene Products: Every pet needs a bath now and then, but some even need a regularly scheduled blow out. Make sure to research your new pet’s basic grooming requirements and strategize a game-plan. Many Pet Supplies Plus stores offer grooming conveniences for dogs to their neighbors in the form of self-service pet washing stations, nail clipping services and full-service grooming salons. Proper hygiene can also include flea and tick prevention, and team members can help determine the best method of protection for the new family member. For puppies, be prepared for house training with puppy pads and pet-safe cleaning products for those inevitable accidents.
• Physical Activity Supplies: Today one out of three dogs and cats is overweight. Pet owners everywhere need to understand the importance of giving their pets the exercise they need in order to maintain their physical and mental well-being. Owners of dogs and cat are encouraged to devote as much time as possible to exercising their pets as they would for themselves. Pet Supplies Plus carries a variety of leashes, toys and exercise equipment, so that pets can take part in physical activity with their owners.

“Our neighbors want their new pets to live a happy, healthy lifestyle, and that starts with identifying the right supplies and resources,” said Chris Rowland, CEO of Pet Supplies Plus. “Our stores offer a large variety of products at a great value to ensure the pets’ overall wellness. We’ve created this guide to help our neighbors identify the items they will need before they bring their new pet home.”

An experienced and knowledgeable team is available at every Pet Supplies Plus location to help neighbors find everything they need.  Team members – extensively trained in the areas of natural and holistic foods – are able to answer a broad range of questions about dogs, cats, birds, reptiles and fish.  Shoppers can also take advantage of the free Preferred Pet Club, which offers members the benefit of regular coupons and monthly specials, resulting in big savings.

Pet Supplies Plus offers a wide array of natural pet foods, and a variety of Made in the USA pet consumables. These include wet and dry food, treats, rawhide and chews. Set in welcoming neighborhood environments, Pet Supplies Plus team members get to know their neighbors and pets by name at every store. Many locations also feature a full offering of grooming services tailored to meet every pet’s needs, including washes, haircuts, body brushing, flea treatment and nail, skin, ear and oral care.

WACO, TX – PRNewswire

Each spring, seasonal allergies take their toll on people across the U.S., but symptoms seem to be getting worse year after year. Due to global warming, pollen counts have increased in many parts of the country, making prevention more important than ever. While there are common rules to live by in the spring, such as keeping your windows closed, there are lesser-known culprits that are contributing to allergens in the home.

With spring approaching, Aire Serv, a Neighborly company and global franchise organization providing installation, maintenance and repair of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and indoor air quality systems, is keeping allergy-prone consumers in mind by offering its top tips for alleviating allergies in the home.

• Start in the bedroom. The number of allergens that build up in your bedroom is tremendous, but it can be managed. First, encase your pillows, box spring and mattress in a sealed tight dust-mite-proof cover. This will prevent build up in an area that your face is touching every single night. In addition, make sure to wash your sheets once a week to rid your bedding of any unwanted allergens.
• Vacuum and deep clean the carpet present in your home. You should vacuum carpets at least once a week.
• Choose furnishings that are easy and accessible to clean. With you and your family spending so much time in the living room, cleaning essential pieces of furniture will prevent your furniture from being a source of sneezes.
• Remove unnecessary clutter. Old knick-knacks and piles of clutter will collect dust. Store items that you wish to save in plastic bins and store in your attic or a storage unit.
• Open windows and allow for cross ventilation in your home. The air quality inside your home is usually much worse than outside, so allow the fresh air to come in and purify your home.
• As much as we love to have plants indoors to spruce up our home, this can be an area for mold build up. Find a new home for your potted plants or cover them with aquarium gravel to prevent mold growth.
• Use a vented exhaust fan to remove cooking fumes and avoid moisture build up when cooking.
• Having a hot, humid house is the perfect growth spot for mold and dust mites. Maintain a temperature of 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Replacing air filters monthly will also help with this problem.

Once you’ve taken the beginning steps to prevent allergens in your home, there is still a chance that pollutants could be hiding in your air ducts affecting your indoor air quality. Our professional technicians at Air Serv® can inspect your home and find where allergens are hiding, and prevent indoor allergies.

Since 1992, Aire Serv has offered premium residential and commercial services for every type of heating and cooling system. Home services, which include air conditioner repair, replacement and maintenance, are charged by the job and not by the hour. In addition, Aire Serv conveniently offers 24-hour emergency air conditioning repair and service to its residential and commercial customers.

ROCKVILLE, MD – PRNewswire

The Sleep Inn brand concluded a successful 2017 with a 25 percent increase in franchise agreements over the previous year. The brand’s story is resonating among developers after being told through a provocative marketing platform. Franchised by Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world’s largest hotel companies, the Sleep Inn brand has more than 525 properties open or in the pipeline globally. As interest in the brand continues to grow, there are several openings planned in major United States markets in 2018, including Denver, Fort Worth, Texas, Houston and Jacksonville, Fla.

The bold “Always Sleep Inn Style” ad campaign from last year highlighted the brand’s timeless appeal to both guests and owners, commitment to low costs, and proven leadership in the segment – making it the smart investment in midscale new construction.

“Our strategy for the Sleep Inn brand is working, and developers certainly have noticed. Demand continues to increase for the brand because of the high-performing, long-term investment opportunity it offers owners,” said Brian Quinn, head of development, new construction brands, Choice Hotels. “With the lowest new construction build costs in the segment, and a lasting prototype that guests love, the Sleep Inn brand has affirmed its leadership in the highly sought-after midscale market, and is an attractive option for developers throughout the country.”

The Sleep Inn prototype was designed to appeal to tastes and behaviors of guests of today and tomorrow. It features an efficient footprint with timeless, nature-inspired aesthetics throughout every guest touch point, as well as the amenities guests need to feel well-rested.

“Guests appreciate the simply stylish design of the Sleep Inn brand, featuring warm colors, black-and-white artwork, and accents rooted in nature,” said Anne Smith, vice president, brand management and design, Choice Hotels. “Plus, they like the innovative touches like the streamlined closets and style that don’t sacrifice function. We’re thrilled about the continued interest from developers, and look forward to more consumers discovering our Designed to Dream experience in new markets.”

For more information on Sleep Inn hotel development opportunities, please visit https://choicehotelsdevelopment.com/sleepinn/.

Sleep Inn® Dream Better Here®
Every Sleep Inn hotel offers a simply stylish stay that’s designed to help guests Dream Better Here. You’ll find fresh, nature-inspired design elements that are modern but timeless, that create a relaxed and serene environment. An all-new construction brand, every Sleep Inn hotel is built with a specific vision in mind — to be a sanctuary for travelers as well as an efficient property to build, operate, and maintain. Franchised by global lodging leader Choice Hotels, Sleep Inn properties boast strong product consistency and an established presence in the midscale hotel segment with over 500 Sleep Inn properties open and under development across North America. All Sleep Inn hotels include free Wi-Fi, a complimentary Morning Medley breakfast buffet with plenty of hot and cold options, swimming pool and/or fitness center. For more information, visit www.choicehotels.com/Sleep-Inn.

NEW YORK, NY – PRNewswire

Today, Weight Watchers International, Inc. (NYSE: WTW) (“WW”) announced the launch of the WW Healthy Kitchen™: a collection of inspirational and innovative products, content and experiences designed to make it easier than ever to cook and eat healthier at home and on-the-go. Delivering on the company’s new purpose to inspire healthy habits for real life, WW will unveil the WW Healthy Kitchen at the 2018 International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago, IL, on March 10-13 and showcase strategic partnerships, including:

• WW Healthy Kitchen tools and products, developed in partnership with Gibson Overseas, Inc.: To make it easier for people to incorporate healthy habits in their lives, WW has partnered with Gibson Overseas, Inc., one of the nation’s leading producer of kitchenwares, to develop a new collection of branded kitchen tools and products—including more than 100 health-conscious items, from prep to cookware to storage. The WW Healthy Kitchen line of tools and products, which will debut at the show, will be available at retail stores at the end of 2018.
• Healthy and fresh quick-prep meal kits available at grocery retail, created in partnership with FreshRealm, LLC: WW is working with fresh food industry innovator FreshRealm, LLC, to develop and roll-out fresh and convenient, quick-prep meal kits and individual products at grocery retail in the second half of 2018.
• WW Freestyle™-inspired recipes curated by new WW member and brand ambassador, Chef Eric Greenspan: Chef Eric Greenspan, acclaimed chef and restaurateur, author and television host, has joined WW as a member and new brand ambassador. As a member following the WW Freestyle program, Chef Eric has developed several WW Freestyle-inspired recipes, including healthier versions of his delectable, comfort food-style fare. At the International Home + Housewares Show, he will host a cooking demonstration to showcase some of his favorite new recipes cooked with WW Healthy Kitchen tools and products.

“At WW, our goal is to be a partner to everyone on their pursuit toward healthier living,” said Mindy Grossman, President and CEO of Weight Watchers International, Inc. “We know people today need the tools, inspiration and community to develop healthy habits in their day-to-day lives. Whether through a collection of delicious and satisfying recipes, custom WW kitchen tools, or fresh, quick-prep meal kits, we are delivering the solutions that make healthy eating and cooking accessible, easier, and simpler for all.”

Gibson Overseas, Inc.
As part of the WW Healthy Kitchen, WW is launching a line of more than 100 products and tools – ranging from cookware to storage and meal prep tools – with Gibson Overseas, Inc.

Sample products in the line include:

• Products that provide healthy, on-the-go options, such as water bottles with built-in tea or fruit infusers, as well as storage and containers with compartments for easy, fresh food on-the-go
• Tools to make meal prep simple, including a pineapple corer; combo spiralizer/juicer; and cutlery sets with stainless steel blades and a non-stick coating, to make it easier to cut and slice vegetables
• Products that help you cook healthier, including nonstick pans with a new Teflon Platinum scratch-resistant coating and pour spouts to help drain away fats like oil and butter while cooking
• Tools that encourage healthier portion sizes, including measuring cups, mixing bowls and pots with internal measuring marks

“For generations, our mission at Gibson has been to provide customized solutions,” said Sal Gabbay, CEO of Gibson Overseas, Inc. “It’s powerful to know by partnering with WW to develop this distinct and superior line of products and tools, we will make a significant impact on people’s lives. These products are simple, convenient and specifically tailored to help people eat healthier on their journey to health.”

FreshRealm, LLC
In an effort to make healthy cooking accessible to everyone, especially those leading busier lives, WW is also working with FreshRealm, LLC, a leading innovator in the fresh foods industry. WW and FreshRealm, LLC will develop WW-branded quick-prep, pre-portioned meal kits and individual fresh food products, which will be available at grocery retail.

“There has been a shift in what people demand as it relates to the food they consume; people are busier so they want convenience, but they also desire fresh foods – whether they are on-the-go or at home with their family,” said Michael Lippold, Founder & CEO of FreshRealm, LLC. “We’re working closely with WW to deliver on all these points with a distinguished product line of healthy and delicious quick-prep meals.”

Chef Eric Greenspan
With the new WW Freestyle program, people have more freedom and flexibility than ever before to eat what they love while learning the skills to help them live their best life. Chef Eric Greenspan has already seen success on the WW Freestyle program, incorporating healthier techniques and approaches to recipe development into his dishes.

“While I am the king of comfort food, WW Freestyle has taught me how to implement healthier choices into my dishes,” said Chef Eric Greenspan. “The program is empowering and liberating, and the new WW Healthy Kitchen tools make eating and cooking healthier, fun and simple. You can’t beat that.”

The launch of the WW Healthy Kitchen follows an earlier announcement that WW will remove all artificial ingredients from products that carry the WW brand. Additional ways the WW Healthy Kitchen will come to life in the near future include the introduction of new kitchen products, content and experiences – from cookbooks to WW cooking classes – with a renewed focus on delivering healthy choices and inspiring healthy habits for real life, for everyone.

Irvine, CA – RestaurantNews.com

Juice It Up!, one of the nation’s leading handcrafted smoothie, raw juice, and superfruit bowl franchises, announces its acquisition by SJB Brands, LLC. and appointed Chris Braun as company CEO. Purchased from longtime owner and former CEO, Frank Easterbrook, SJB Brands was formed as a partnership between California-based private investment firms, Dover Shores Capital, LLC, led by Braun, Britt Private Capital, LLC, and Jupiter Holdings, LLC. After over two decades of leadership at Juice It Up!, Easterbrook has passed the baton but remains committed to the brand as a franchisee. The partners of SJB Brands, LLC, possess over 30 years of experience in the franchise space while sharing a passion for healthy living and the vision of growth for Juice It Up!

“We are grateful for the incredible leadership and support that Frank Easterbrook provided to the Juice It Up! brand and franchisees for over 20 years,” said Braun. “We are excited to begin this journey and build upon the legacy that Frank, the management team and dedicated franchise partners have created, cementing Juice It Up! as a major player in the growing smoothie, raw juice, and bowl market.”

Juice It Up! currently has 100 locations open and in development across California, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, and Florida. Under the new ownership, the brand will continue to enhance its core offerings of hand-crafted smoothies, fresh raw juices and superfruit bowls. In addition to focusing on product innovation and a customer-centric strategy, growth in prime markets while sourcing high quality site locations and franchisees are key initiatives.

Braun continued, “We’re going to continue to add value to an already established and beloved brand, as well as take a proactive role in the company’s growth. It is our principal objective to pursue initiatives that are designed around innovation, growing average store sales, and expanding our franchise base to continue to build on the success of the brand.”

Help us expand into your market! For more details about Juice It Up!’s financials, franchisee support and franchise opportunities, please visit Juice It Up!’s franchise website at www.juiceitupfranchise.com.

MIDLOTHIAN, IL – PRWEB

Moran Family of Brands, one of the nation’s leading franchisors of general automotive repair, transmission repair, window tinting and driver safety products, has experienced dramatic growth over the past few months. Moran has executed agreements with franchise owners for several new locations that are currently in various stages of development.

Moran has recently signed agreements and opened new stores in Winston-Salem and Cary, NC. Other new locations, which are in the site selection process, are expected to open shortly in Tampa, FL, Bear, DE, Dallas, TX, and Las Vegas, NV. The agreement with the franchise owners in Cary and Las Vegas are for multiple locations in those markets. Each of these new stores are for Milex/Mr. Transmission co-branded locations, with the exception of Tampa, which will feature all four of Moran’s branded operations – Milex, Mr. Transmission, Alta Mere and SmartView.

The Multistate Transmission store in Chicago Heights, IL is now under new ownership after the previous owner of 44 years retired and sold the franchise. The new franchise owner will co-brand the location with Milex Complete Auto Care in the next month while taking over the highly successful, and established business.

“We are very excited and fortunate to bring on this many quality franchisees in such a short period of time, along with entering several new markets for Moran’s franchise system,” said Pete Baldine, President of Moran Family of Brands. “We are on track to continue this pace throughout 2018 as we execute our target market strategy, and we are fortunate to have strategic partnerships with broker groups that continue to provide us with high-quality candidates.”