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Tag: fees

  • Oregon Parks and Recreation Department To Add Parking Fees At 22 More Parks Starting March 30 – KXL

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    Beginning March 30, 2026, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department will require day-use parking permits at 22 additional state parks across Oregon.

    The fee is $10 per day for Oregon residents and $12 per day for out-of-state visitors. The permit is valid for the full day of purchase at any Oregon state park that charges for parking.

    Currently, parking permits are required at 46 parks, while fees are waived at more than 150 others. The 22 additional parks were selected based on amenities that require ongoing maintenance and operation, including restrooms, trails, paving, irrigation systems and boat ramps.

    “These updates are about protecting the experiences visitors love,” said Interim Director Stefanie Coons. “We know fee changes are tough and we truly appreciate the support from visitors. These changes help us take care of things people count on like restrooms, boat ramps, and trails, so we can keep parks safe, clean, and welcoming for everyone.”

    Access to parks will remain free for visitors who walk, bike or use public transportation. Drivers can show proof of payment by displaying a current camping hangtag, a valid 12-month parking permit, or by associating their license plate with a permit purchased online or through posted QR codes.

    An annual 12-month parking permit costs $60 for Oregon residents. The 24-month permit is no longer for sale, though existing permits will be honored until they expire.

    In addition to the expanded parking fees, a new $10 charge will take effect March 30 at 19 RV dump stations across the state park system. Officials say the fee will help cover maintenance costs and support more sustainable operations. Visitors can pay by scanning a QR code at the site or paying online.

    The department is funded primarily through constitutionally dedicated lottery funds, recreational vehicle license plate fees and park visitor fees. It does not receive general fund tax dollars.

    Parks Adding Day-Use Parking Fees March 30

    • Agate Beach State Recreation Area

    • Angel’s Rest Trailhead

    • Banks-Vernonia State Trail

    • Bob Straub State Park

    • Brian Booth State Park

    • Bridal Veil Falls State Scenic Viewpoint

    • Cape Blanco State Park

    • Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint

    • Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park

    • Devil’s Punchbowl State Natural Area

    • Elijah Bristow State Park

    • Fogarty Creek State Recreation Area

    • Gleneden Beach State Recreation Area

    • Governor Patterson Memorial State Recreation Site

    • Lake Owyhee State Park

    • Latourell Falls Trailhead at Guy Talbot State Park

    • Molalla River State Park

    • Oceanside Beach State Recreation Area

    • Roads End State Recreation Site

    • Umpqua Lighthouse State Park

    • Wallowa Lake State Park

    • William M. Tugman State Park

    Park officials recommend visitors check individual park webpages before heading out, as conditions, construction and seasonal closures can change quickly.

    More about:

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    Jordan Vawter

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  • Duke Energy Florida says it will lift storm recovery fee, lower rates starting March

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    Duke Energy Florida announced a planned decrease of residential customer rates beginning next March, saying the company intends to lift the storm cost recovery charge currently being imposed on customers.The utility plans to drop the storm cost recovery charge in March 2026 after placing it on customers’ bills in March of this year, following back-to-back-to-back hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton last storm season.Residential customers using 1,000 kwh (kilowatt-hour) of electricity will see their bills drop approximately $44 compared to February 2026.But the company said it expects bills for those same customers will increase from January to February next year by approximately $7.54.The company had filed to increase costs in December 2024 and recover an estimated $1.1 billion in direct costs from all three hurricanes.It maintains that those costs are related to the deployment of hundreds of crews, the acquisition of significant mutual assistance, and repairing, rebuilding and replacing critical infrastructure damaged by the catastrophic storm surge and wind.But in recent months, some customers have been voicing frustrations with what they call exorbitant increases in their monthly bills.”They have been flying up,” said Michele Miller of Clermont.Miller lives in a 2,400 sq. ft. home with three window AC units.”It used to be $418, which is so ridiculous. We don’t have central heat and air, so we just have units, and now it $525. It just went up this month.””There’s times when we don’t even make it paycheck to paycheck,” she said. “It’s paycheck to probably a week before the next paycheck. It’s extremely rough.”Other customers WESH 2 spoke with describe monthly bills in excess of $600 and $700.Wei Sun, a professor of electrical engineering at UCF with expertise in electric power and energy systems, said customers will always want bills lowered, but utilities will continue to pass along the costs for both storm rebuilding and for grid hardening.”Even we have hurricanes, but we probably look at history, there’s a faster recovery, and even you can make a grid more robust to be able to resist those high-speed winds,” Sun said.He said those who have the ability should look into solar panels for the roofs of their homes or consider the types of lights in the home.

    , Fla. —

    Duke Energy Florida announced a planned decrease of residential customer rates beginning next March, saying the company intends to lift the storm cost recovery charge currently being imposed on customers.

    The utility plans to drop the storm cost recovery charge in March 2026 after placing it on customers’ bills in March of this year, following back-to-back-to-back hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton last storm season.

    Residential customers using 1,000 kwh (kilowatt-hour) of electricity will see their bills drop approximately $44 compared to February 2026.

    But the company said it expects bills for those same customers will increase from January to February next year by approximately $7.54.

    The company had filed to increase costs in December 2024 and recover an estimated $1.1 billion in direct costs from all three hurricanes.

    It maintains that those costs are related to the deployment of hundreds of crews, the acquisition of significant mutual assistance, and repairing, rebuilding and replacing critical infrastructure damaged by the catastrophic storm surge and wind.

    But in recent months, some customers have been voicing frustrations with what they call exorbitant increases in their monthly bills.

    “They have been flying up,” said Michele Miller of Clermont.

    Miller lives in a 2,400 sq. ft. home with three window AC units.

    “It used to be $418, which is so ridiculous. We don’t have central heat and air, so we just have units, and now it $525. It just went up this month.”

    “There’s times when we don’t even make it paycheck to paycheck,” she said. “It’s paycheck to probably a week before the next paycheck. It’s extremely rough.”

    Other customers WESH 2 spoke with describe monthly bills in excess of $600 and $700.

    Wei Sun, a professor of electrical engineering at UCF with expertise in electric power and energy systems, said customers will always want bills lowered, but utilities will continue to pass along the costs for both storm rebuilding and for grid hardening.

    “Even we have hurricanes, but we probably look at history, there’s a faster recovery, and even you can make a grid more robust to be able to resist those high-speed winds,” Sun said.

    He said those who have the ability should look into solar panels for the roofs of their homes or consider the types of lights in the home.

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  • Canadians will see savings from reduced credit card processing fees – MoneySense

    Canadians will see savings from reduced credit card processing fees – MoneySense

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    The small business group has, however, noted that not all processors have been clear that they’ll pass on the savings, pointing for example to Stripe where not all customers will see a change. 

    Kelly said Stripe’s decision means the company would keep the savings that were intended for small business customers.

    “It’s extremely disappointing to see a big company take this approach,” he said.

    Stripe says customers on its Interchange Plus plan, which sees costs vary by transaction type, will see the fee reductions passed through, just like other network cost and fee changes.

    But those on its flat-rate plan won’t see a change, because the company says it has seen other costs and fees rise that add up to more than the reduction in interchange fees. 

    Other processors such as Moneris have said that qualifying businesses on both its interchange plus and flat rate model will see a reduction.

    Government expects processors to pass on savings

    Finance Ministry spokeswoman Marie-France Faucher said the fee reduction should benefit about 90% of businesses that accept credit cards, and the department expects companies to pass on the savings.

    “The federal government is closely monitoring the implementation of the credit card fees reduction, with the strong expectation that all payment processors like Stripe will pass the savings on to small businesses.”

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    The Canadian Press

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  • When working with a financial advisor, understand what fees you’re paying – MoneySense

    When working with a financial advisor, understand what fees you’re paying – MoneySense

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    Fee-based advisors, who charge based on asset size, typically work better for people with more assets and dollars to invest. 

    Tam said fee-based financial planning aligns the motivation of an advisor with the client. 

    “They’re not going to be motivated to do what we call churning your accounts, or selling and buying similar mutual funds, so they can make a commission,” he explained.

    On average, fee-based planners charge a flat rate of 1% and provide holistic advice such as tax planning, estate planning or even everyday financial planning during uncertain economic times. 

    While uncommon, fee-only, advice-only financial planners are another way to seek help with your money. This type of planner reviews the client’s finances and makes recommendations. It’s then left up to the client to implement those recommendations.

    These advisors simply provide guidance and do not sell investment products, Tam said. 

    “It truly is a decoupling of advice versus sales, which we think is a very positive thing,” he said. 

    The fee is typically charged at a flat rate, Tam added. 

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    The Canadian Press

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  • Costco raises annual membership fees for 1st time in 7 years amid rising inflation

    Costco raises annual membership fees for 1st time in 7 years amid rising inflation

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    NEW YORK — Heads up for consumers: the cost of admission is increasing for Costco members.

    Starting on September 1, customers will see a $5-10 increase depending on their membership plan. The change applies to both current memberships and renewals.

    It is the first time in seven years that the wholesale chain is increasing its membership fee.

    According to Costco, the price change will “help to offset operational costs so we can keep our prices low.”

    Despite rising inflation in recent years, membership prices had remained steady.

    The fee increase comes after the company announced it would crack down on card sharing by requiring shoppers to scan their membership cards to enter stores.

    “Over the coming months, membership scanning devices will be used at the entrance door of your local warehouse,” Costco said in a statement online. “Once deployed, prior to entering, all members must scan their physical or digital membership card by placing the barcode or QR Code against the scanner.”

    Despite the membership fee increase, Costco says its memberships will continue to include one free card for a designated person in the same household who is at least 16 years old.

    For more on how you can still save, watch the video above.

    Copyright © 2024 KGO-TV. All Rights Reserved.

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    KGO

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  • Biden administration cracks down on airline seating fees that can run $200 a trip

    Biden administration cracks down on airline seating fees that can run $200 a trip

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    The U.S. Department of Transportation is proposing a new rule that would ban airlines from charging parents more to sit with their young children.

    Under the proposal, released Thursday, U.S. and foreign carriers would be required to seat children 13 or younger next to their parent or accompanying adult for free.

    If adjacent seats aren’t available when a parent books a flight, airlines would be required to let families choose between a full refund, or waiting to see if a seat opens up. If seats don’t become available before other passengers begin boarding, airlines must give families the option to rebook for free on the next flight with available adjacent seating.

    The Biden administration estimates the rule could save a family of four as much as $200 in seat fees for a round trip.

    “Flying with children is already complicated enough without having to worry about that,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said.

    Buttigieg pointed out that four airlines – Alaska, American, Frontier and JetBlue – already guarantee that children 13 and under can sit next to an accompanying adult for free.

    Congress authorized the Department of Transportation to propose a rule banning family seating fees as part of the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act, which President Joe Biden signed in May.

    The legislation also raises penalties for airlines that violate consumer laws and requires the Transportation Department to publish a “dashboard” so consumers can compare seat sizes on different airlines.

    The department will take comments on the proposed family seating rule for the next 60 days before it crafts a final rule.

    Airlines have been pushing back against the Biden administration’s campaign to eliminate what it calls “junk fees.”

    In April, the administration issued a final rule requiring airlines to automatically issue cash refunds for canceled or delayed flights and to better disclose fees for baggage or cancellations.

    Airlines sued and earlier this week, a three-judge panel on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily blocked that rule from taking effect, ruling that it “likely exceeds” the agency’s authority. The judges granted a request by airlines to halt the rule while their lawsuit plays out.

    Asked whether the family seating rule could face the same fate, Buttigieg noted that the Transportation Department also has the backing of Congress, which authorized the rule.

    “Any rule we put forward, we are confident it is well-founded in our authorities,” Buttigieg said during a conference call to discuss the family seating rule.

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    Dee-Ann Durbin, The Associated Press

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  • When are costs for a U.S. property tax-deductible in Canada? – MoneySense

    When are costs for a U.S. property tax-deductible in Canada? – MoneySense

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    It sounds like you sold or are planning to sell a property in the U.S., Bob. To cut to the chase, selling costs, like a realtor commission, would be deductible on your Canadian tax return.

    This assumes the property is taxable, which is typically the case for a foreign property. Interestingly, a property outside Canada can qualify as your principal residence. But this would be unusual for a Canadian resident, whose Canadian home would typically be more valuable than a foreign one, and therefore, more appealing to claim as your principal residence.

    Do you have to report the sale in Canada?

    Assuming the property in question is a vacation or rental property, the sale would be reported on your Canadian tax return. In addition to your selling costs, Bob, your acquisition costs, including legal fees, renovations or improvements, can reduce your capital gain.

    Your capital gain would be calculated based on your net sale proceeds minus the acquisition cost, including renovations. You have to convert these amounts from U.S. dollars to Canadian dollars based on the applicable exchange rates.

    The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) says you should report foreign income or expenses based on the Bank of Canada exchange rate on the date of the transaction. It will accept a different rate for the transaction date if the source is:

    • Widely available
    • Verifiable
    • Published by an independent provider on an ongoing basis
    • Recognized by the market
    • Used in accordance with well-accepted business principles
    • Used to prepare financial statements (if any)
    • Used regularly from year to year 

    Bloomberg L.P., Thomson Reuters Corporation, and OANDA Corporation meet these criteria and are “generally acceptable” to use, according to the CRA.

    U.S. tax implications of selling property in the U.S.

    The U.S. property sale will also have U.S. tax implications, even if you’re not a U.S. citizen. When a Canadian sells real estate in the U.S., they must file a U.S. tax return with U.S. capital gains tax potentially payable. This is a common requirement in other countries as well.

    The U.S. tax paid can qualify as a foreign tax credit to reduce your Canadian tax payable, Bob, to avoid double taxation.

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    Jason Heath, CFP

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  • Austin Pets Alive! | It’s Gonna Be May Austin-Area Adoption Event

    Austin Pets Alive! | It’s Gonna Be May Austin-Area Adoption Event

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    It’s “tearin’ up our hearts” to see so many pets waiting to find a family of their very own all across the Austin area! So, in honor of Justin Timberlake’s unofficial “It’s Gonna Be May” month, Austin area shelters are working together to get pets into loving homes — “no strings attached.” Join us May 20th-27th to meet all of the pets vying to win your heart and who “just wanna be with you!”

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  • How to change a past tax return – MoneySense

    How to change a past tax return – MoneySense

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    According to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), two types of fees are eligible to deduct:

    1. “fees to manage or take care of your investments,”
    2. and “fees, other than commissions, paid for advice on buying or selling a specific share or security by the taxpayer or for the administration or the management of the shares or securities of the taxpayer.”

    So, the second one would generally include a management fee paid as a percentage of your investment account, but not commissions or mutual fund management expense ratios (MERs).

    In addition, the fees must be paid to a person or a company whose “principal business is advising others whether to buy or sell specific shares or whose principal business includes the administration or management of shares or securities,” according to the CRA.

    Can you claim a past expense on your current year’s tax return?

    You generally cannot claim a receipt from a previous year on a current tax filing, Ian—at least not directly. It should be claimed for the year in which it was incurred.

    There are some deductions and/or credits that can be carried forward after reporting them in the correct year to claim in a future year, like donations or capital losses, but these claims should still be reported for the year they arise.

    How to amend a previous tax return

    There are three ways you can adjust a previous tax return you filed.

    1. Submit a T1-ADJ, T1 Adjustment Request to the CRA. This can be done using commercial tax software, or by mailing the form and supporting documents to the CRA tax centre that serves your area.
    2. Send a letter signed by you to your tax centre requesting the adjustment.
    3. Log into My Account, the CRA’s secure online service, and use the “change my return” option.

    How many years back can you go to change your tax return?

    The CRA will generally accept an adjustment request for any of the previous 10 calendar years, Ian. For example, in 2024, you can request adjustments to your tax returns as far back as 2014.

    The CRA may accept an adjustment to an earlier tax return, but you must submit the request in writing. (Read: Can you file multiple years of income taxes together in Canada?)

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    Jason Heath, CFP

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  • Austin Pets Alive! | “Pawth of Totality” Adoption Special

    Austin Pets Alive! | “Pawth of Totality” Adoption Special

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    All pet adoption fees will be 50% off between April 5-8, 2024

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  • Austin Pets Alive! | APA! Announces $24 Pet Adoption Fees

    Austin Pets Alive! | APA! Announces $24 Pet Adoption Fees

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    AUSTIN, TX – Austin Pets Alive!
    is ringing in the new year with an adoption special for the dogs and
    cats in the shelter’s care. Adoption fees are lowered to $24 for the
    first week of January 2024. This includes kittens, puppies, and animals
    in foster homes.

    Austin Pets Alive!
    (APA!) pioneers innovative lifesaving programs designed to save the
    animals most at risk of euthanasia. APA! has helped keep Austin a No
    Kill city since 2011 and has rescued over 120,000 animals.

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  • California Implements New Cryptocurrency Laws to Combat Bitcoin ATM Scams

    California Implements New Cryptocurrency Laws to Combat Bitcoin ATM Scams

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    Bitcoin (BTC) ATMs have become both convenient and worrying, with scammers taking advantage of unsuspecting victims. Authorities in the US and other jurisdictions are now waging a war against crypto-ATM-based scams.

    California takes a stance on new cryptocurrency laws

    The state of California has introduced rules for cryptocurrency transactions. Senate Bill 401, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, means you can only make $1,000 worth of cryptocurrency transactions at ATMs each day, and starting in 2025, the maximum they can charge you is $5, or 15% of the transaction. Whichever is higher.

    Initially, some Bitcoin ATMs allowed up to $50,000 in transactions with fees ranging between 12% and 25% above the value of the digital asset. These changes are intended to protect people from scams and high fees, explained Sen. Monique Lemon, one of the co-authors.

    Scammers taking advantage of the convenience of Bitcoin ATMs have been a growing concern, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting that more than 46,000 people have lost more than $1 billion to cryptocurrency scams since 2021. New transaction limits give victims more time to spot scams before loss of money. But Charles Bell of the Blockchain Advocacy Coalition worries that these rules could hurt the cryptocurrency industry and small businesses.



    You may also like:

    Explore Australia’s rapid rise in the global cryptocurrency ATM scene

    FBI Alerts About Bitcoin ATM and QR Code Scams

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has raised the alarm about fraudulent schemes exploiting ATMs for cryptocurrencies and quick response (QR) codes for payments. These schemes take various forms, including online impersonation, romance scams, and lottery fraud, all using cryptocurrency ATMs and QR codes as tools.

    QR codes, which smartphone cameras can scan, simplify cryptocurrency payments. However, criminals are now using it to trick victims into paying money. Victims are often asked to withdraw money from their accounts and use a QR code provided by scammers to complete transactions at physical cryptocurrency ATMs.

    Once the victim makes the payment, the cryptocurrency is transferred to the scammer’s wallet, making recovery nearly impossible due to the decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies. The FBI offers several tips to protect against these schemes, focusing on caution, verification, and avoiding cryptocurrency ATM transactions that promise anonymity using only a phone number or email.



    You may also like:

    Bitbuy is partnering with Canada’s largest Bitcoin ATM provider

    Cryptocurrency regulation efforts in California

    The passage of Senate Bill 401 in California is part of a broader effort to regulate the cryptocurrency industry while protecting consumers. Another law, scheduled to take effect in July 2025, will require digital financial asset companies to obtain licenses from the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. This represents a clear shift towards tightening government regulation and oversight in the world of digital finance.

    Gavin Newsom’s decision to sign these bills into law demonstrates California’s commitment to strengthening the cryptocurrency industry and protecting its citizens. Balancing innovation and security remains a challenge, especially in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

    Bitcoin Depot’s historic debut on the NASDAQ

    In July, Bitcoin Depot, a leading bitcoin ATM operator, went public on the Nasdaq. This milestone comes after Bitcoin Depot merged with GSR II Meteora, a blank check company.

    The move to go public demonstrates the growing legitimacy and acceptance of cryptocurrencies in major financial markets.

    Authorities vs. illegal crypto ATMs

    The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is taking a strong stance against illegal cryptocurrency ATM operators. Using its power under money laundering regulations, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has carried out raids on cryptocurrency ATMs suspected of illegal activities across England.

    The measures, which follow previous operations in east London and Leeds, are part of the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) efforts to crack down on unregulated cryptocurrency operations. This highlights global pressure for stronger cryptocurrency regulation, mirroring steps taken in California. The balance between innovation and security remains a fundamental concern for regulatory bodies around the world.



    Read more:

    McLennan County Bitcoin ATM Lawsuit Resolved

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    Editorial Team

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  • How The FTX Collapse Spiked Fees On Popular Bitcoin Exchanges

    How The FTX Collapse Spiked Fees On Popular Bitcoin Exchanges

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    This is an opinion editorial by Michael Chapiro, a materials engineer, an aerospace and defense executive and founder of Caliber.

    On Wednesday, November 9, in the aftermath of the collapse of FTX, reports began emerging on Twitter of prices for buying bitcoin being quoted and subsequently executed for about $1,000 dollars above the spot market price on Swan and Strike, while the bitcoin price traded primarily in the $16-18k range, a small drop on the order of 10-20% from the prior week before the FTX debacle. One tweet claimed a discrepancy as high as $1,600, though they do not provide a screenshot to confirm. These problems remain ongoing with screenshots showing price discrepancies mostly in the $600-1200 range, indicating spreads in the range of 3.5-7%, well in excess of the highest fees charged by any major exchange even on their fee-boosted consumer interfaces.

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    Michael Chapiro

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  • Austin Pets Alive! | Texas Pets Alive! Celebrates House Bill 2510 by…

    Austin Pets Alive! | Texas Pets Alive! Celebrates House Bill 2510 by…

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    Mar 15, 2021

    AUSTIN, TX – Texas Pets Alive!, Austin Pets Alive!’s advocacy arm, is excited to announce that House Bill 2510, introduced by Representative Candy Noble (R-District 89), will ensure no nonprofit animal rescue will have taxes imposed on adoption fees. HB 2510 is a companion bill to SB 197, filed by Senator Jane Nelson (R-District 12).

    Texas Pets Alive! works to promote and advocate for those rescue and shelter organizations that save the most at-risk companion animals in Texas, understanding that rescues across the state often pull homeless pets with expensive medical cases from municipal and county shelters, and cover the costs for those procedures, saving taxpayer money and saving lives.

    “I’m proud to carry House Bill 2510. Families who are willing to open their homes to unwanted animals through pet adoption should be applauded by Texans, not taxed by the state,” said Representative Candy Noble. “The efforts of those who work in our rescue and shelter organizations should be rightly focused on the care and placement of the pets, not in the collection and paperwork associated with sales tax receipts.”

    HB 2510 clarifies that rescues are exempt in statute from the Texas Comptroller’s Office imposing taxes on adoption fees. The Comptroller’s office has reviewed this legislation and determined that the bill can be administered as written.

    “Rescue organizations are a lifeline for large municipal and county shelters, and ensure that animals have more options for leaving the shelter alive,” said Katie Jarl Coyle, Executive Director of Texas Pets Alive!. “Providing this sales tax relief for local organizations ensures they can easily continue to support shelters by pulling the most expensive animals and recouping fees for those costs through adoptions.”

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  • Steamboat Lodging Properties and www.Vacation.Rentals Join Forces to Combat Online Travel Agency Booking Fees

    Steamboat Lodging Properties and www.Vacation.Rentals Join Forces to Combat Online Travel Agency Booking Fees

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    A seasoned property manager has had enough and has made the switch to a new vacation rental platform.

    Press Release
    –


    updated: Jul 24, 2018


    BRANSON, Mo., July 24, 2018 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Vacation.Rentals and Steamboat Lodging Properties are teaming up to combat the burdensome fees charged by the major online travel agencies. Suzie Spiro and Tom Reagan owners of Steamboat Lodging Properties and longtime residents of Steamboat, Colorado have managed upwards of 20 vacation property rentals over the years by ascribing to the “hands-on approach.”

    As “chief cook and bottle washer” Suzie became tired and frustrated with the ever-changing dynamics of online travel agencies, the loss of control of who stays in the homes they manage for their Owners and their commission based structures and began to look for a better alternative to VRBO™, AirBNB™ and FlipKey™. She believes she has found it with Vacation.Rentals – a new platform launched in May 2018. This new website returns control to Suzie who is again able to “hold their guest’s hands” from booking to departure, by enabling the guest to find the best fit for their needs – much like the original format of these large OTAs.

    They simply have changed and made the experience for the traveling public and Owners/Property Managers a maze of incomprehensible options which has ruined what was a very good thing at one time.

    Suzie Spiro, Owner

    With www.vacation.rentals owners and property managers can list their vacation homes for rent on the website with nothing more than a basic annual subscription. There are no fees or commissions and never a charge to the travelers. Although brand new to the industry, the owners of the website and Suzie believe they have an absolute winner with the combination of an instantly recognizable URL, unique branding, and an eager owner base to work with.

    “We were with VRBO™ for years and years before they were bought out by Expedia™,” said Suzie. “They simply have changed and made the experience for the traveling public and Owners/Property Managers a maze of incomprehensible options which has ruined what was a very good thing at one time, and we have had enough. We believe that www.Vacation.Rentals has what it takes to succeed in the short-term rental market, and it is the main reason we chose to list our rental properties in Steamboat Springs with them.”

    “Our vacation properties in Steamboat have been very successful over the years, and we have a large repeat base to work with. Without our repeat clients, it would be extraordinarily difficult to receive bookings and pay these exorbitant fees the online travel agencies are charging.” Suzie continued.

    “We are honored that Steamboat Lodging Properties decided to give us a shot to prove ourselves. But, we are offering the same to all vacation homeowners. Right now, anyone can list their Colorado vacation home for rent on our site and get six months free. We are so certain of our future potential we are willing to forgo immediate payments to grow the base and improve the product.” said Mike Kugler “Working together we hope to see the time when every homeowner is back in charge of their listings and travelers get a great deal on their reservations. It will take some time – growth in our platform – and for people to drop their dot-com addiction. Once they do that, they will immediately see better options and savings.”

    About Steamboat Lodging Properties

    Suzie and Tom have been both property managers and real estate investors for over 30 years.  Starting out with purchasing and renting their properties on a long-term basis, they fell into managing homes for others “by mistake.” While renting one of their vacation rentals in Steamboat, Suzie doubled booked their home over the holidays, she managed to scramble finding another Owner to rent their home.  Saved the day, and suddenly they were hooked on the business of renting vacation homes for others as well as themselves. Their philosophy is very much a “hands-on approach.” Suzie is the front desk handling all the calls for potential guests, asking as many questions as needed to make sure the guest finds the best place to stay and has the best experience they can when visiting Steamboat. Be it making sure they can purchase discounted lift tickets at the best price, or buying flowers for that particular person on Valentine’s Day, we can do it all. Over the years, Suzie and Steamboat Lodging Properties have an incredible return guest rate, and many of our Owners and our Guests have become our longtime friends. 

    About Vacarent, LLC
    Vacation.Rentals is a project that has been pursued for the past three years by the owner and developer of the site, Mike Kugler. Mike and his wife Handan own Hunters Friend Resort in Branson, MO. and have been in the short-term rental market for 14 years. During this time, they noticed a strong trend towards taking more of the owner/property managers’ revenue from listing sites, while giving less in return for owners who did not pay for premium listing services. In August of 2015, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) released new gTLDs to the marketplace in the hopes of spreading out some of the competition for highly lucrative domains. For the past three years, we have pursued and finally won the right of ownership for Vacation.Rentals. Vacation.Rentals launched live to the internet on the 30th of March, 2018 with the desire to bring a more affordable, user-friendly experience to the short-term, nightly rental market. This effort took months of hard work and commitment from a dedicated staff, along with a sizeable commitment in investment. It is our strongest desire to grow this site to over a million listings worldwide, and we will not stop until we have achieved this. We will accomplish this by demonstrating a commitment to owners as well as travelers. We do not collect any fees or commissions on bookings, just a simple annual membership fee for each home listed. We will not strike out contact information from either side and encourage our owners to interact with us directly, to let us know what other features they would like to see added. With this, we will launch a forum for https://vacation.rentals and encourage everyone to use it.

    Source: VacaRent, LLC

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  • Market Advisory Group: The Biggest Mistakes Investors Make Before Retiring

    Market Advisory Group: The Biggest Mistakes Investors Make Before Retiring

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    Market Advisory Group founding partner Danny Goolsby discusses important details prior to retiring

    Press Release
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    updated: Jan 30, 2018


    WICHITA, Kan., January 30, 2018 (Newswire.com)
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    If decisions about where and what to invest in are keeping you up at night, it’s no wonder: retiring today has gotten more complicated. Our great-grandparents retired with a pension and an amount from Social Security with the confidence that their income needs would be guaranteed. Any earnings their investments made were like icing on the cake.

    Today, pensions have gone the way of the dinosaur, Social Security benefits are under threat and investors are left to figure out things on their own using the money in their retirement and brokerage accounts. Through no fault of their own, we’re seeing people make dire mistakes when it comes to the allocation of these resources. Given today’s longer life expectancies and the volatility of a global market, it’s even more important than ever before that you do the right thing at the right time with the money you’re relying on for retirement.

    Here are the biggest mistakes we see investors making, along with a suggestion about what you can do instead to make sure that you don’t run out of money before you run out of life.

    MISTAKE #1: Not Understanding What You Own

    There are many different ways you can be charged commissions and fees inside of an investment but typically speaking, you pay those fees whether the account earns money or not. Too many investors keep their account statements sealed in a drawer because they’re either too afraid to look or they don’t understand what they’re looking at. Here’s the thing, though: just because you’re not looking at the bad news doesn’t mean it goes away.

    High fees create an unnecessary drag on your returns and may prevent you from reaching your retirement goals. As fiduciaries, we’ve even seen some situations where, after adding up all the fees paid out over a period of years, there were more fees charged than what the consumer earned. Don’t keep your head in the sand. Get a second opinion. Ask a fiduciary professional to walk you through the fees you’re paying on the investments you own and find out if you have better options.

    MISTAKE #2: Not Knowing How Much Risk You’re Exposed To 

    It’s been said that convincing investors to stay in the market is the horsepower that drives the market. The more investors, the more the market grows. It’s easy to make money in the market when the markets are going up, the question is, how much of that money will you get to keep?

    There are several adages — such as buy and hold — that don’t necessarily apply to the investor who is at or near the time of retirement. If you are five or fewer years away from your full retirement age, for example, then you might be in what we call the retirement red zone. This is the time in your life when losing money matters the most; make a fumble now, and it could negatively affect the earning power of your portfolio over the long term. Instead of focusing on risk and growth, protect what you have before it’s gone.

    MISTAKE #3: Not Having a Plan

    A lot of people hear the term “protection” and instantly jump to the conclusion that they won’t earn any returns. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Having a plan in place is the process of coordinating the different aspects of a portfolio — including taxes, Social Security and Medicare decisions — along with your market investments to seek both growth and protection. This is how you can get a cohesive strategy with minimal fees and less risk for maximum returns. 

    If you’ve worked multiple decades to get your nest egg to where it’s at now, then you’ll want to take steps to ensure that what you need for retirement is protected. Protect first, grow second and build a plan around your goals. Do that and you’ll be able to achieve what we want for our all clients: peace of mind.

    Are you paying too much in fees? Worried about your exposure to risk? Ready to get your retirement ducks in a row? Schedule your complimentary consultation by filling out this simple form and one of our advisors will be happy to get back to you. We take this step seriously, as it is crucial that you understand your current situation based on facts, not persuasion or sales pressure. We look forward to helping you avoid these mistakes so that you can enjoy the retirement you deserve.

    Investment advisory services offered through Foundations Investment Advisors LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser.

    Source: Market Advisory Group

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