Welcome to my site!

I’ve come to the conclusion that I need to lighten things up around here, and broaden the scope of this blog. Expect to see some changes!

Up until now, I’ve focused my posts exclusively on small business development and how to start your own business. I’ve posted tips, techniques, and even the dreaded tax calendars for the year. I think it’s time to mix some pleasure with the business.

I’ve added a section for photography and light painting. I’m going to be adding a section so you can follow my  latest robotic project, Annabot. My goal with Anna is to develop Smart Wheelchair technology that I can release to the public domain. I’ll share my experiences in e-commerce, and I’ll show you how my wife went from starting a simple cooking blog (www.ApronFreeCooking.com) to publishing a cookbook and having nationally syndicated cooking columns. Of course I’ll keep posting those tax calendars no matter how boring and dreaded they are.

Enough said. Expect changes. Enjoy them. And muddle through the tax calendars.  ;)

 

Important Federal Tax Dates for June 2013

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Wed 5 Deposit payroll tax for payments on May 29-31 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.
Fri 7 Deposit payroll tax for payments on Jun 1-4 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.
Mon 10 Employers:  Employees are required to report to you tips of $20 or more earned during May.
Wed 12 Deposit payroll tax for payments on Jun 5-7 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.
Fri 14 Deposit payroll tax for payments on Jun 8-11 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.
Mon 17 Individuals outside the U.S.: File Form 1040.
Mon 17 Individuals: Pay the second installment of 2013 estimated tax.
Mon 17 Employers:  Deposit payroll tax for May if the monthly deposit rule applies.
Mon 17 Corporations: Deposit the second installment of your 2013 estimated tax.
Wed 19 Deposit payroll tax for payments on Jun 12-14 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.
Fri 21 Deposit payroll tax for payments on Jun 15-18 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.

Order Your Free 2013 Consumer Action Handbook

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(This comes from USA.gov)

The Consumer Action Handbook is your go-to guide for practical information to help you plan a purchase, know your consumer rights, and file a consumer complaint. The Handbook features new content in areas that matter to you, such as banking, housing, and protecting your privacy, as well as tips to alert you of the latest frauds and scams.

Use the updated Consumer Assistance Directory to contact corporate consumer affairs departments, national consumer organizations, and  local, state, and federal government offices. The Handbook also includes a sample complaint letter for when you need to file a complaint about a product you purchased.

Order your free copies of the Handbook or the Spanish language version, Guía del Consumidor.

Prefer an electronic version? You can download the PDF or try the new interactive version, with links to related videos and downloadable resources.

Hatching Praying Mantis Eggs

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My latest diversion…hatching a Praying Mantis eggsack. I’ve always been fascinated by the Mantis. Now I’m going to have the chance to try to raise them firsthand. And hopefully get some great pictures as they mature through their lifecycle.

I found this Praying Mantis eggsack yesterday at my mother-in-law’s farm. I found several actually, but this is the only one that didn’t look hatched out, or invaded by little red ants.

Mantis Eggsack

Mantis Eggsack

After I got home, I prepped a 10 gallon aquarium with branches for molting, planted some seeds for plants to grow, added some lights and the eggs, and now all I need to do is wait. Hopefully, it pops soon :)

 

Mantis Aquarium

Mantis Aquarium

I’ll let you know how it goes.

P.S. If you’re looking for instructions on how to care for baby or adult Mantis’, Carolina Biological Supply has a really nice 3 page caresheet (here).

Weekly Photo Tip Series on www.LizotteStudios.com

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Photo Tip 1 - Browse Your Camera Manual(Admin Note: You can follow this weekly series on the blog pages of www.LizotteStudios.com. You can find this first weekly tip here)

I’ve been getting a lot of questions from friends and family lately about how we take some of the pictures we do, what camera should they buy, and in general, how can they use their camera better.

I’ve decided to put together some really easy tips for learning to take incredible photos, even with a very simple camera. I’ll publish a new tip every Monday. If you follow along and try the things we talk about, you’ll see a major difference in your photography in just a few weeks. None of my tips will take more than 10 or 15 minutes to learn, and I promise I’ll make it fun. Even the homework assignments. Yes, I said homework…but it will be fun.  

Read more... (608 words, 1 image, estimated 2:26 mins reading time)