People are on edge… April 15th is on its way! Like Christmas, taxes bring a lot of anxiety. Unlike Santa, though, Uncle Sam usually comes to collect :). One way you can make sure you are paying your fair share (and not a penny more) is to keep track of your deductible expenses throughout the year using Categories in CheckBook Pro. For example: this past year was a big year for my family and medical expenses (nothing horrific, we had a new addition). I was extremely glad that we kept track of our medical bills for tax purposes.

Be ready for tax time in 2012 by keeping track this year! Already own it? Give the gift of stress-free money management to a friend. CheckBook Pro is on sale now through April 22nd :).

Ever thought about learning French?

The reason I bring this up is that its almost yard work/driving season (at least for those of us in the Northern regions-for people living in warmer climates, this info is twice as important since you may find yourself doing double the yard maintenance).

While it’s fun to get seeds in the ground, weeding can get to be a bit dull. So, why not pick-up a new language this season?

Coffee Break French is a free podcast that operates on the philosophy that you can learn a new language in the same amount of time as a coffee break. Or during the time it takes you to remove the dandelions from the carrot section of your garden.

Consider it 🙂

PS. Audiobook Builder is an excellent tool for organizing your podcasts!

Carrots from the garden

Prior to having children, my diet consisted of whatever would fill me up. In between school, sports, and hanging out with friends a “nutritious” meal meant fast food, a mayo sandwich, and/or the infamous ramen noodles. Liquid? usually beer.

While I still love beer (hey, I’m from Wisconsin!) my ideas about what my family and myself should eat have drastically changed. Mac-n-cheese is cool once and a while, but for the majority of the days we try to sit down with plates that are at least half covered in what my 3 year old calls, “our green friends!”

Tracking my finances with CheckBook Pro has revealed the large chunk of change that goes towards groceries each month. Though ramen noodles weren’t exactly good for me…they were/are cheap.

Exploring ways to lower the cost of groceries, I discovered “Practical Ways to Trim High Grocery Prices”I’m in the process of trying out some of these strategies.

What are some of your best tricks for staying on budget with food?

Hi All, Splasm’s Resident Pixie here!

Just had the opportunity to be a guest on the podcast MyMac.com. It was fun chatting with Guy & Gaz about CheckBook Pro and Audiobook Builder. I was a bit nervous…there was so much more I could have said and wish I had shared about CheckBook Pro, but there’s a first time for everything. Hopefully, I will be able to get more words out the next go round 🙂

Below is a description of the podcast, MyMac.com, from iTunes:

“Looking for a different Macintosh and iPod podcast that won’t talk over your head? Hosted by Guy and GazMaz, we interview both the well-know, such as Apple CEO Gil Amelio and Microsoft, and interesting Mac people you may never have heard of. We hold many contests, giving away items such as Adobe CS4, Microsoft Office 2008, iPod gear, iPhone gear, and a ton more. We accept voice feedback at feedback@mymac.com so you can be a part of the show. This podcast started in December 2004, and continues to grow each month. Join us! Updated weekly.”

Check out the episode we taped together on iTunes later this week!

Also, for all you deal lovers out there, My.Mac.com will celebrate their 400th show in style by giving away some awesome prizes (including one or two licenses from my favorite software company…)