How to reduce wedding costs
Having a beautiful wedding doesn’t mean breaking the bank. Tips from pros can help you cut costs for your or your child’s wedding without scrimping on the elegance of the special day.

Spot wash-sale rule conflicts
With the stock market seemingly engaged in an endless cycle of ups and downs, you may be tempted to try to capture an occasional tax loss in your investment portfolio. The tax advantage of selling securities at a loss may offer a bit of a silver lining in an otherwise dark cloud on your investment horizon. But, be careful that you don't run afoul of the tax law's wash sale rules.

Credit card rules begin soon
If you have a credit card, you now have a bill of rights. Many rules that apply to credit cards change under the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility Disclosure Act of 2009, also called the Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights. Most provisions take effect in late February 2010.

How minimum wage laws work
The Fair Labor Standards Act outlines federal rules for minimum wage and other labor issues. State laws may supercede the act, but the information in the act is something every employer should know.

Relaxing the dress code? Try Fridays first
If you’re considering changing your workplace from a traditional business dress code to business casual, it might be wise to try “casual Fridays” first. Whether you call it a pilot program, a gradual transition, or getting your feet wet before you decide whether to take the plunge, a trial run might save you some big headaches.

Sense of humor can be an asset ... or not
Leaders in the spotlight have often found a positive, well-developed sense of humor can help further their careers and enable them to be more effective in business situations. But business people should exercise caution by evaluating whether humorous comments are perceived positively or negatively.

Buy-sell agreement calms succession woes
Do you and other key members of your family business have an agreement describing what happens in the event of your death, disability or withdrawal from the business? If you don’t, develop one. If you do, keep it current.

IRS to eye businesses for tax compliance
In each of the next three years, 2,000 business taxpayers will be randomly selected by the IRS for comprehensive examinations to collect data on employment tax filers. The IRS says the results will allow it to gauge more accurately the extent to which businesses properly comply with employment tax law and related reporting requirements.

How to groom new managers for success
You have just completed an exhausting executive search for the perfect candidate for that vacant managerial position. You found the right person. Your offer was accepted. Now you can rest, confident that your new manager will make you proud. Wrong!