Study Finds That What You Wear Changes The Way You Think Of Yourself

The old saying says that the clothes don’t make the man. But science might be able to prove that wisdom wrong.

According to a recent study, people who wore expensive clothes from recognizable brands tended to be more confident.  The researchers also found a correlation between smart dressers and higher levels of performance.

Of course, it was not the clothes themselves that resulted in a job well done. But the clothes on your back have a significant placebo effect that is hard to ignore.

In the study, researchers told participants that they were using a Nike golf putter when swinging their club. In reality, they were using a generic club. When the participants believed they were holding the same clubs that golf pros like Rory McIlroy uses, their performance improved by around 20%.

Yet, the boost is not all physical. The researchers also gave a math quiz to some participants while the participants wore earplugs. The researchers told them that the earplugs came from 3M and were a high performance variety.

The participant performance on the math quiz improved by 20% when they thought their earplugs were high end.

Basically, this study proves that your lucky suit or lucky glove is not lucky per say. But these items might really have the boost on your performance that you believe they do. That’s good news

Frank Germann, an assistant professor at Notre Dame who worked on the study, said “when you think that you have this performance brand, you have higher-state self-esteem. As a result, you feel better and your self-confidence is elevated at a certain task. In turn, you’re less anxious, and because of that, you’re performing better.”

That means, if you’re going on a work trip any time suit, it would be a good idea to pack your favorite suit, because you’ll get much more out of a conference or networking event if you do.

Great Marketing Performance

The products themselves don’t just have an effect on how you feel about yourself. In fact, the brand power alone can change the way you think and act.

In another study performed at Duke University and published in 2008, researchers found that people’s exposure to logos may cause people to change their behavior. The behavior changers are based on the traits they associate with the brand attached to the logo.

In the study, participants were asked to complete a task after seeing to an Apple logo or an IBM logo. Those who saw the Apple logo completed the task with a creative flair compared to those exposed to the IBM logo.

Apple ran a now infamous “Think Differently” marketing campaign in the late 1990s. It featured advertisements that included prominent creative figures like Albert Einstein, Nelson Mandela, Jim Henson and John Lennon.

It helped prominently position Apple against established companies and made IBM look like a dinosaur.

The “Think Differently” campaign would go on to cause viewers to associate Apple with genius and creativity.

Similarly, participants exposed to the Disney Channel television logo behaved more honestly than those who viewed the E! Entertainment channel logo.

The innocence of Mickey Mouse likely had a strong impact on those who saw the logo. This was especially true in comparison to the channel best known for hosting the Kardashian clan.

The strange thing about the change in these behaviors was that the change was automatic. People weren’t thinking about them and they weren’t shown the emotive advertisements. They reacted to the images in real time and adjusted themselves according to their perceptions of the brand.

A Real Placebo Effect

Through these studies, science is telling people what they already know. A great outfit or product is like social armor. The right item can make you feel empowered, confident, humble, smart or strong. The closer your attachment is to it, the stronger your feelings will be.

So don’t deny yourself the flashy tie or Jimmy Choo heels. If you associate them with positivity and success, these items may help bring it to you in spades.

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Science Explains Why Crossword Puzzles Are Good For Your Mental Health

Have you seen the movie The Imitation Game, based on Alan Turing? If you have, I am sure you noticed how at one point Turing, when he needed to hire people to work under him, used a difficult crossword puzzle in a newspaper to test potential applicants.

Crossword puzzles can be a great way to pass the time. If you’re one of those people who just loves to solve crossword puzzles, you’ll be glad to learn that science has explained why this specific kind of puzzle is good for your brain.

Plenty of researchers have discovered the positive effects that crossword puzzles can have on one’s brain if played regularly. Regularly doesn’t necessarily mean every day — once a week is fine. Among these researchers is Ann Lukits, who wrote “Puzzles Boost Verbal Skills, Cut Dementia Risk” for the Wall Street Journal. She firmly believes that solving crosswords on a regular basis can “improve memory and brain function in older adults.” Such activities can also “improve mental functions in patients with brain damage or early dementia.”

Solving crossword puzzles alone is beneficial, but working in a group adds a bigger advantage to one’s brain function. One important factor of collaborative cruciverbalism is the ability to think creatively in a more strategic fashion. The other factors are fairly easy to capture. Involving yourself in such a brain-consuming activity helps you vastly by improving your verbal skills, making you solve problems, and causing you to think deeply.

Here are some other reasons that show why crossword puzzles are good for your mental health.

They alleviate/avoid Alzheimer’s.

This is one of the most-discussed reasons for doing crossword puzzles. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, a daily dose of crossword puzzles is a significant way to keep the brain active and sharp, especially as you grow older.

They trigger bonding if solved in a group.

I mentioned collaborative cruciverbalism above. In plain words, it means working together in a group. The group may consist of cooperative couples, a band of brothers, a society of sisters, or a flock of friends. According to Lukits, working in a group will “improve the speed of thinking and talking.” Solving puzzles in a group can also strengthen social bonds.

They teach new words.

This is a great way to increase your vocabulary. Through crosswords, you are learning new words constantly. If you don’t know the meaning of a new word, you can always check the dictionary and add it to your vocabulary.

They engage you deeply.

When you are solving crossword puzzles, you tend to dig deeper into the problem at hand. This means you are less focussed on your own problems. It’s a great way to relax and forget your worries for a little while.

They help you deal with your problems in life.

Crossword puzzles are never quite easy to solve, despite playing the easiest level available. You have to rack your brain in order to solve one. This racking of your brain can actually help you to deal with your regular troubles in life and help you to solve problems, since you are practicing thinking clearly. If you can understand the pattern of a puzzle, you can easily understand the patterns of life!

They offer a fun way to overcome boredom!

If you are lonely, depressed, anxious, or bored, just open your newspaper and solve a crossword puzzle. This will help you to relax, keep your mind engaged, and just have fun! If you are not a puzzle person, you don’t have to be. Just give crossword puzzles a try and you’ll be hooked in no time!

Featured photo credit: Luca Sartoni via flickr.com

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Amazing Benefits Of Pineapple (+5 Refreshing Recipes)

Pineapples are a delicious tropical fruit. They can be consumed fresh, cooked, juiced, or preserved. Apart from being a popular ingredient for a wide array of cuisines, the pineapple leaves are used to produce the textile fiber piña in the Philippines, commonly used as the material for the men’s Barong Tagalog and women’s Baro’t saya formal wear in the country. The fiber is also used as a component for wallpaper and other furnishings.

Aside from all this cool stuff the pineapple can do and produce, it also provides lots of amazing benefits for your health!

1. Pineapples Keep Your Skin Flawless and Firm

The Vitamin C in pineapples can be used internally as well as externally, as a cure for acne and other inflammatory skin conditions. Bromelain, the anti-inflammatory enzyme in this fruit, boosts up the healing power of Vitamin C!

Also, pineapple gives the collagen synthesis in your body a boost. The higher the collagen synthesis is, the firmer and more flexible your skin will be. The added nourishment comes from the presence of amino acids and Vitamin C, which ensures that the damaged cells and tissues are repaired quickly.

How to use: Apply freshly prepared pineapple juice on the face. Wash off using tepid water after 10 minutes. Feel the tingle! Or try freshly crushed pineapple wedges to exfoliate your skin and make it look healthier! This will eliminate the dead skin and accentuate blood flow.

For more exfoliation, try using pineapple on your feet to help with callouses and cracked heels. The exfoliating property of pineapple, along with its collagen synthesizing nature, helps soften skin and get rid of dead skin. It will also assist with the inflammation associated with cracks on your feet.

2. Pineapples Strengthen Your Nails And Prevent Hair Loss

To soften and strengthen your nails, you can make lotion at home using 1 tablespoon fresh pineapple juice, 1 egg yolk, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, and 2 drops of lemon oil. Mix these together and then put it on your nails and cuticles (q-tips would work well, or a cotton ball, or thin makeup brush!). This is a safe lotion and can be used daily.

Just as Vitamin C is good for skin, Vitamin C is an important element that aids in preventing hair loss. It is a powerful antioxidant that combats free radical damage. Pineapple is a rich source of this water soluble vitamin. Eat pineapples in wedges or just juice them fresh to reap the benefits of Vitamin C and prevent hair loss and help thicken hair. Daily consumption of pineapple can help prevent and ease inflammatory conditions, which affect the scalp, using Bromelain, the anti-inflammatory enzyme. It can also offer relief from infections of the scalp, preventing unwanted hair fall.

In a 100 gram serving, raw pineapple is an excellent source of Manganese (44% of Daily Value) and Vitamin C (58% of Daily Value), and also includes potassium, copper, calcium, magnesium, beta carotene,  thiamine, B6, and folate, as well as soluble and insoluble fiber. The health and medicinal benefits of pineapples include their ability to improve respiratory health, cure coughs and colds, improve digestion, help you lose weight, strengthen bones, improve oral health, boost eye health, reduce inflammation, prevent cancer, increase heart health, fight off infections and parasites, improve the immune system, and increase circulation.

I could spend hours telling you about ALL the benefits of pineapple, but here are a few big ones that are both interesting and informative!

3. Pineapples Reduce Symptoms of Arthritis

One of the most celebrated benefits of pineapple on health is its ability to reduce the inflammation of joints and muscles, particularly those associated with arthritis, a truly debilitating disease that impacts millions of people around the world. Pineapples contain Bromelain, which is primarily associated with breaking down complex proteins, but it also has serious anti-inflammatory effects, and has been positively correlated with reducing the signs and symptoms of arthritis in many test subjects.

4. Pineapples Help Cure Coughs, Colds and Sinusitis

The normal immune system boosting power of vitamin C is well known, but the enzyme, Bromelain, is also connected with the reduction of phlegm and mucus build up in the respiratory tracts and sinus cavities. It therefore prevents the illnesses that cause phlegm and mucus build-up, while also treating them by loosening those materials and helping you eliminate them from your body if you’ve already contracted an illness or infection. Eating pineapple along with prescribed medicines can help cure colds and coughs!

5. Pineapples Tackle Digestive Problems

Like most fruits, pineapples are a rich source of fiber, but they are special in that they contain both soluble and insoluble fiber. This means that eating a healthy amount of pineapples can protect you from a vast amount of digestive health conditions, including constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, atherosclerosis, blood clotting, and irregular blood pressure.

6. Pineapples Maintain Your Oral Health

Along with the antioxidant compounds that protect against oral cancer, pineapples also have astringent properties, which strengthen gums and make sure that your teeth do not become loose. Astringent agents help to tighten up tissues and tone the body so things like tooth loss, hair loss, and muscle weakness or skin loosening are positively impacted by eating pineapples. Pineapples are very powerful astringents and are often prescribed as a natural remedy to fix loosening of teeth or the the retraction of the gums.

7. Pineapples Improve Your Vision

Macular Degeneration is a condition in which adults lose their vision. The beta-carotene present in pineapple can help improve vision!

Let’s Eat It!

We all know pineapples go great in fruity cocktails, upside down desserts, and in fruit salads, but how can we get more of this miraculous multiple fruit into our diet? Here are 5 great recipes to eat more of this tangy, sweet, and healthy fruit! (Non-dessert recipes, even!)

Shrimp and Pineapple Tacos with Black Bean Salad

This is made by broiling shrimp and pineapple on skewers and is a great, fresh type of taco!

Pineapple Pico de Gallo

A great side for any tacos, fajitas, or more, and a great way to incorporate more pineapple into a diet without making it the main part of a meal! This sweet pico will rock you!

Bacon and Pineapple Stuffed Portobellos

These 4-ingredient mushroom caps will make your day – and your dinner!

Squid with Pineapple and Toasted Garlic

This is a more complicated recipe, but has amazing reviews. If you’re like me, you love international cuisines!

Pork and Pineapple Curry

via delish

This is a moderately difficult recipe for a delicious curry dish!

Featured photo credit: Phonlawat_51 via shutterstock.com

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These 6 Amazing Things Will Happen If You Read Before Bed

“No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.” – Confucius

Let me ask you a question. Are you one of the 25% of Americans who have not read a single book in the whole of last year? If you are, then read this because you will be amazed at how beneficial reading is for your health, especially if you read before bed. If you already do, just pat yourself on the back because you really know how to look after yourself. Here are six amazing things that will happen when you dedicate some time to reading before bed.

“So much is yet to come. Soon will be blankets and pillows, and books by the bed to make the stuff of dreams. And then tomorrows.” – Jim McCann, Return of the Dapper Men

1. You will sleep better

Reading helps put your consciousness on another plane, which will induce sleep. Look at how children adore stories before bedtime, as that helps them to get a great night’s sleep. Moving into a fictional world eases the tension and helps them relax better. That is one of the best ways to get a really restful sleep. What a pity it is that so many of us lose this habit as adults.

2. You will reduce your stress levels

Researchers at the University of Surrey (UK) did a study to see if stress levels were reduced by reading, especially before bed. They found that stress levels were reduced by as much as 68 percent. So, if you are stressed out, why not pick up a book before you go to bed? It will really help you to switch off and de-stress.

3. You will become more creative

You might think that high-powered executives will read books on marketing before they drift off. Actually, many successful entrepreneurs read anything and everything before bedtime. Why? Research shows that they are going to be much more creative and will have more passion for their projects. It is like looking at the world with a different pair of glasses every time. You begin to see problems, people, and situations with more creativity and ingenuity. We need a brain workout a lot more than that workout in the gym which we are so hung up about.

4. You will be able to concentrate better

All that messaging and playing around with social media while trying to keep up with everything that is happening in the world is ruining our concentration. We never really concentrate on anything. But reading before bedtime will force us to process the information without all the visual aids of the computer or smartphone. We are training our brains to concentrate. It can help us focus on our to-do list for tomorrow. If you don’t use it, you will lose it.

“I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.” – Groucho Marx

5. You will be a more empathetic person

What makes you empathetic? It is simply the ability to see the world from the perspective of another person and to be more sympathetic to where they are coming from. Reading fiction is a marvelous way to discover and understand how others feel and act. The work of Raymond Mar, a psychologist at York University in Canada supports the premise that reading can make us more empathetic:

“Narratives offer a unique opportunity to engage this capacity, as we identify with characters’ longings and frustrations, guess at their hidden motives and track their encounters with friends and enemies, neighbors and lovers.” – Raymond Mar

6. You will create an oasis of peace and serenity

What is the best way to wind down before bedtime? Certainly not with the TV on with a violent police drama, or the news with depressing headlines. You need to create a quiet space where you can calm your nerves and help your mind get ready for sleep. The blue light emitted from TV and computer screens will do the opposite. This is why there is nothing like reading a book to quieten everything and everyone down. By the way, the experts say that if you choose an e-book instead of a paper book, your reading speed can be reduced by as much as 30 percent.

“But a book is a book is a book. A reassuring, feel-the-weight, take-your-own-time kind of thing.” – Garland, 1982

Featured photo credit: Jean-Etienne Minh- Duy Poirrier via flickr.com

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Why Are My Plant’s Leaves Turning Yellow?

Do you love having indoor plants but you can’t keep them alive to save your life? It usually starts when a leaf starts to turn yellow, crumple, and then fall off the plant. You think it’s underwatered, so you start watering it more. Then your plant gets waterlogged and wilts.

How did this happen? Where did you go wrong? Instead of spending hours poring over every move you’ve made looking for a mistake, you should learn some common causes of yellow leaves. Check out this infographic by Safer Brand and the list below to learn how to read your plant’s leaves and some easy fixes to get it healthy again.

Lack of Sunlight

Plants turn sunlight into chemical energy, so without the sun your plant isn’t making any fuel for itself. Without chemical energy, your plant will begin to suffer. The amount of sun needed varies from plant to plant, but practically every plant needs at least a few hours of sunlight each day. If you’re concerned that your plant isn’t getting enough light, you might need to move it to another location. If you’re all tapped out of natural light, you can use artificial lights to help your plants along.

Overwatering

Everyone knows that plants need water, but not everyone knows how to gauge the right amount of water. Some plants prefer wetter conditions, but if your leaves are yellow and wilted, you might be drowning your poor little plant. A good way to know if your plant needs water is to check the soil first. When you touch the soil, how does it feel? Is it dry and flakey? Does it feel damp? If the top of the soil is still moist, your plant probably doesn’t need to be watered more.

If you don’t think you’re overwatering but your plant still seems to be getting too much water, you might have a drainage problem. Always make sure that potted plants have holes at the bottom of the container to allow excess water to escape. Consider adding sand or another additive to your soil in order to create more space in the soil and allow it to drain better.

Underwatering

As you can see, water is an essential element for a healthy plant. Striking the right balance can be difficult. A plant that is underwatered will have leaves that feel dry and crunchy when you touch them. If the soil feels dry and crumbly when you stick your finger into it, then you know it’s ready to be watered again. Water your plant more regularly and it should perk up soon.

It’s also possible to have soil that drains too well: it doesn’t hold any water for the plant to use. A layer of mulch around your plants will help them retain the needed moisture.

Potassium Deficiency

Plants need their vitamins and nutrients to grow big and strong just like people do, so yellowing leaves could be a sign that your plant is lacking important nutrients. If the edges and tips of the leaves are yellow, this could be a sign of potassium deficiency. Burying citrus rinds at the base of your plant and using a compost rich in fruit and vegetable waste will have your plant back on track in no time.

Nitrogen Deficiency

Plants that need nitrogen will have leaves that are yellow at the tips with a yellow center vein. An organic compost such as coffee grounds can work wonders for fixing this particular problem. Other nitrogen-rich items that you can add to a compost pile for your plants include corn cobs, eggshells, nutshells, moldy bread, grass clippings, and even hair or fur.

Pest Problems

This shouldn’t come as a surprise, but little bugs munching on your plants can do a hefty amount of damage. If you notice holes in your leaves, obvious signs of chewing, or pests living on your plants, go into pest-control mode. Insect-killing soaps and neem oil are both great options for getting rid of pests, but you can make your own pesticides at home too if that’s your style.

Plant Diseases

Some plants are more susceptible to disease than others, but almost no plant is completely disease-free. If you notice spotting on your leaves or a change in the shape of your leaves, your plant might be fighting some kind of disease. Other issues that could trouble your plants include wind burn or even salt burn, which can occur in plants that are near the ocean or that have been “marked” too often by the local wildlife.

To make your plants as disease-resistant as possible, try planting varieties made specifically to resist disease, and make sure your plants have good air circulation. Plants that are lying on the ground can be more susceptible to disease as well.

If you suspect one of your plants is infected but the rest of your crop is fine, you should remove that plant and dispose of it to prevent the infection from spreading. Never use infected plants for compost and be sure to clean and disinfect any garden tools that come in contact with the infection.

Soil Troubles

Soil pH is just one thing you can learn from a soil test. Testing your soil can also determine what type of soil you have, if your soil is compacted, and what nutrients the soil has or needs. While most plants prefer a slightly acidic soil, a soil that is too acidic will not allow plants to thrive.

Adding lime to your soil can lower its acidity. To combat alkaline soil, you’ll want to add sulfur or ferrous sulfate. Alkaline soil can also be amended by regularly adding compost and manure.

Whether you’re a practiced green thumb or just getting started in your garden, yellowing leaves are a cause for concern. With a little research and attention, you can quickly get your plant back in tip-top shape and ready for harvest time.

Featured photo credit: Safer Brand via saferbrand.com

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A Guide to Financial Independence

Transitioning from being a carefree college student to a financially responsible person can be a huge shock for young adults. As many young professionals can attest, entry-level positions often come with meager salaries — but even with a small paycheck, saving is still possible.

If you find yourself in need of help when it comes to financial independence, try a few of these tips to implement a smarter savings plan.

1. Write Down Expenses

If you’re a budget newbie like I was, start by writing down all of your expenses and analyzing your spending. Little things like a $4 coffee may not seem like a big deal, but if you do that every single day, you’re spending over $100 a month on coffee. Managing my budget became a lot easier once I saw where I was wasting money. Cutting out the daily lattes and opting instead for a cup brewed at home helped me save around $100 a month. If you struggle to follow a budget, try an app like Mint to help you stay on top of your spending.

2. Apply the 50/20/30 Rule

Now that you know where you’re actually spending your money, figure out where you should be spending your money. I began by implementing the 50/20/30 rule that many budget experts recommend. You’ve probably heard of it, but this rule puts your budget into three simple categories.

50 Percent: Absolute Necessities

This includes all necessities, such as rent, food, and utility bills like water and electric.

20 Percent: Financial Obligations

I put 20 percent of my salary into my savings account, a 401(k), and toward paying off my student loans. To help stay within this percentage, I negotiated an income-based repayment plan for my student loans, which drastically lowered my monthly payments to a more affordable range.

30 Percent: Personal Purchases

Everything extra goes into the personal purchases part of my budget. My cellphone and Internet bills are included within this 30 percent. If you are having trouble staying under the 30 percent mark because of increases in your bills, consider going with a cheaper plan. Many people don’t realize that they are actually overpaying for Internet and not even utilizing the high speeds they pay for.

3. Follow the Rent Rule

Housing makes up a significant portion of most budgets. Many financial experts recommend spending no more than 30 percent of your gross income on your rent or mortgage per month (though that percent seems to be increasing as housing prices continue to increase). Like many young adults, I quickly realized that buying a house straight out of school was not in the cards for me. Though I dreamed of living in my own little home, I followed the “rent rule” and allotted 30 percent of my budget toward rent. Staying within that price range kept me from looking at apartments I couldn’t afford.

4. Consider a Roommate

I wanted my own place when I got out of school. I had spent my entire life living with other people, so why couldn’t I get a place of my own now that I had a reliable paycheck? After looking carefully at my finances, I decided to get a roommate instead — just for a bit. This cut my rent cost significantly, allowing me to save even more money every month to put toward a place of my own. While having a roommate may not be ideal, it is becoming more common for young adults fresh out of college. A few years with a roommate, especially if you’re living in a pricey downtown neighborhood, could allow you to save thousands of dollars that can be put toward the down payment on your first house.

5. Cut Down on Dining Out

Food is a necessity, but going out to eat can get expensive fast. I would often rationalize eating out by thinking that I could get a cup of soup and a side salad cheaply at a restaurant, which is probably just a bit more than what I would spend on a meal at the grocery store anyway — plus it was so much more convenient! But add a drink and an appetizer, and my bill would always end up being more than what I intended on spending.

I quickly realized that those frequent restaurant meals had to stop if I was going to begin saving effectively. Now, I allow myself one good meal out each week and eat the rest of my meals at home. I also make it a rule to always bring my lunch to work; the only day I go out for lunch is Friday and I give myself a $10 limit. If you find this difficult, set aside an hour every week and plan out your weekly menu or use a meal planning app. Make a grocery list of everything you will need for the week: following a list prevents you from spending extra money on impulse shopping when you get to the grocery store.

6. Make Do with What You Have

After getting out of school, I felt like I had earned the right to buy the newest of everything. I worked hard — didn’t I deserve to treat myself? Unfortunately, spending on big-ticket items like a new car can stop you from saving money and push you further into debt. Although it wasn’t what I really wanted to do, I decided to stick with my old car instead of buying a brand-new vehicle.

Before you make expensive purchases (like that next-generation iPhone when your old one works just fine), ask yourself, “Can I do without this?” It’s tough to go without the things you really want, but saving your money now means you’ll be able to make more important purchases down the road.

7. Look for Free Events

One of the hardest parts about budgeting is feeling like you don’t have any money left over after paying your rent and utilities, buying groceries, and setting aside some savings. Don’t forget to dedicate some time and resources to having fun and cultivating your hobbies. It’s important to have fun, but your slush fund doesn’t need to be big to be effective. Instead of expensive concerts or sporting events, find out what free events are available in your area. By seeking out these free events, I could make plans with my friends that didn’t involve spending a lot of money.

Although saving can feel impossible, you can get started with a few simple changes to your lifestyle. Take the time to set a budget and analyze your spending habits, and like me, you will find that adjusting to a savings plan is completely manageable, even on an entry-level salary.

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Top 5 Tax Mistakes You Should Avoid

As tax season approaches, you’ll want to make sure your finances are in order to properly report your income and expenses to the IRS. Unfortunately, a lot of households make the same mistakes–and they’re entirely avoidable!

Simple mistakes can lead to a tax audit. That means the IRS will double check that your individual account and tax information is correct. To avoid the headache of a tax audit, be sure to report your income and expenses properly the first time.

This starts by avoiding these common tax mistakes:

Choosing the wrong filing status

The IRS uses five different filing statuses to determine things like your correct tax rate, eligibility on certain credits, and your standard deduction. These filing statuses include:

• Single
• Married Filing Jointly
• Married Filing Separately
• Head of Household
• Qualifying Widow(er)

It’s not always easy to determine which filing status you should choose. For example, if you recently separated from your spouse but are still legally married, should you choose Married Filing Jointly or Married Filing Separately? It’s also common for people to claim Head of Household when they do not meet the requirements.

The IRS can help with that. Take a quick five-minute survey, What is My Filing Status?, on the IRS website to ensure you’re filing correctly. Be sure to have the following items on hand:

• Marital status
• Spouse’s year of death (if applicable)
• Percentage of costs your household members paid toward keeping up a home

Failing to file taxes for household workers

One of the biggest mistakes individuals make is failing to file taxes for household workers. It’s not because people are trying to cheat the system, just that they are misinformed.

If you pay household workers, such as nannies, home health aides, housekeepers, house managers, etc., over a certain amount each year, you are considered a domestic employer. The threshold changes each year as the national average wage index changes.

According to the IRS, the threshold for 2015 is set at $1,900, but will increase to $2,000 in 2016. That means that if you paid your household workers more than $1,900 in 2015, you will have to pay Social Security and Medicare taxes. These rates are currently at 6.2 percent for Social Security and 1.45 percent for Medicare.

Homeowners often misclassify domestic workers as independent contractors. Making this mistake may lead to fines and imprisonment. Independent contractors set their own hours, supply their own tools/machinery, and offer services to the general public. If this does not sound like your workers, do not send them a 1099! This point is incredibly important: don’t let someone tell you that you can just pay your domestic workers with cash–this is illegal! The IRS has clear guidelines for what a domestic worker is and if you fail to pay their taxes properly, you could face fines and penalties.

Talk to your accountant or a domestic taxes expert if you suspect workers, like your nanny, fall into this “household worker” category. Be sure to provide your financial records and payment information to ensure your taxes are filed accurately.

Failing to report additional income

Too often individuals report only what they see on their W-2s and 1099s. However, you may have income from other sources that aren’t on these forms. By law, you still have to report it.

This can include income like tips, self-employment income, income from rental properties, etc.

Not only is this mistake avoidable if you’re proactive and keep track of your income, but omitting any additional income from your tax forms can result in fees and other penalties from the IRS.

Claiming ineligible dependents

Claiming dependents on your taxes gives you certain exemptions that will lower how much you have to pay. It is common for individuals to misinterpret what is meant by “dependent.” For example, you can claim children and relatives as dependents, but you can’t claim your spouse.

A dependent is someone you support financially, usually a child or relative that lives with you.

Unfortunately, the rules for claiming someone is often misunderstood. For instance, if someone can claim you or your spouse (if filing jointly) as dependents on their tax return, you cannot claim someone else as a dependent. This is true whether or not the person actually claims you.

For example, if you live with your parents and also have your own child, your parents may be able to claim you as a dependent. In that case, you can’t claim your child on your tax return.

You can claim dependents if:

1. They are a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, resident alien, or resident of Canada or Mexico. The only exception is for adopted children.
2. The dependent is not married or filing jointly.
3. The dependent is a Qualifying Child or Qualifying Relative according to the IRS.

If you’re unsure, visit the IRS website and take a short survey, Who Can I Claim as a Dependent?

Be sure to have the following items on-hand:

• Marital status, relationship to dependent, and amount of support you provided them.
• Income information, including your adjusted gross income.
• Terms of a multiple support agreement you may have for the dependent.

Making mistakes on paper tax forms

While taxes were once filed exclusively through paper forms, the Internet has made filing taxes easier than ever. The benefit to filing electronically is that the system can check for miscalculations or mistakes, like forgetting to sign your name. Unfortunately, the IRS won’t even accept returns that aren’t signed, and making a single math mistake can cost you, either in a reduced refund or in various fees.

It’s tough to catch mistakes like this with the human eye, but they can be easily mitigated when you eFile through the IRS.

Tax season can be stressful for both individuals and accountants. However, you can relieve some of that stress by paying attention to these common mistakes. That way, you know you’re not headed down a path toward incurring fees, penalties, and even jail time. If at any point you’re unsure of what’s expected of you or whether you qualify for certain categories or not, talk to a professional to get expert advice on your personal situation.

Featured photo credit: El Nariz via thumb9.shutterstock.com

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