When your toothbrush isn’t handy, reach for scrubber foods!
WE’VE all been in situations where we’ve wished we had a toothbrush—but didn’t. Perhaps it was on a recent camping trip. Perhaps it was right after lunch, on a day when you were…
Category: Consumer Columnists
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Wage insecurity on security checks: Should employees be paid while at employer’s security line?
ACCORDING to reports, Walgreens, the drug retail chain, was sued by its California employees for, among other things, failure to provide employees the required meal and rest breaks and for…
Do you need to get out of the debt trap?
IF YOU are buried in debt, you may be feeling trapped at the moment with no way out. You realize you need help but don’t know where to go for…
Client raids retirement account to pay Business debts, then seeks bankruptcy relief
In life, for those who already have experience and some wisdom, there is such a thing as getting the right advice at the right time. In fact, the right advice…
Professional and business owners both seek bankruptcy protection
THE PHYSICIAN Members of the professions are normally doing well financially in the United States because they are highly paid for their skills. However, even with high gross incomes, wrong…
Debunking the Myth of Being a “Salaried” Employee
Q: I AM a salaried employee receiving exactly twice the minimum wage per hour. I have a heavy workload and I supervise a few employees but I can’t hire or…
Filing bankruptcy to avoid being stuck in debt forever
WHEN debts spiral out of control, bankruptcy can become an invaluable financial recovery tool in stemming the tide and getting you back on the right track. Without the “fresh start”…
3 tips for eating healthy lunches your teeth will like
WE believe in preventive dentistry and yes, much of that depends on you! Cleaning your teeth after you eat is important, but the effects of good habits also have a lot to…
Professional and business owner both seek bankruptcy protection
The physician MEMBERS of the professions are normally doing well financially in the United States because they are highly paid for their skills. However, even with high gross incomes, wrong…
Los Angeles is wage theft capital? Employees are fighting back!
HERE is an interesting statistic from the Economic Policy Institute (EPI): In the year 2012, “the US Department of Labor recovered $280 million in back pay for 308,000 workers. That…
10 strategies during an IRS appeals conference
YOU have just lost an audit and have decided to bring your case before the appeals office of the IRS. You have learned the basics of the appeals process and…
Are you facing financial stress and anxiety?
AS WE continue to go through turbulent economic times, a lot of people are in a state of panic and anxiety. Thousands of families are overwhelmed with the difficult choices…
Civil cases with fraud allegations should be litigated in bankruptcy court not state court
IN THE last two weeks, 3 clients with state court cases in their late stages based on complaints for very large amounts arising from business transactions sought bankruptcy relief. One…
How insolvent taxpayers can exclude debt forgiveness income
AS you know, cancellation of debt income can surface from the foreclosure of your residence or any other real property. Like adding salt to an open wound, you are then…
Are undocumented workers entitled to back wages if fired due to disability discrimination?
CA Supreme Court issues an answer EARLY this year, we related the plight of an undocumented worker who was terminated by his employer because of his disability, and whose fate…
Pool water can affect your smile
IF you, or someone you care for spends six hours a week or more in a swimming pool, listen up! This is super important information to know. Prolonged pool water…
Combination of chapters 7, 13 and loan modification gives clients extreme financial makeover
WHEN an obese person weighing 500 lbs. implements steps to lose 300 lbs. and actually succeeds, people take note and are happy for that person. The reality shows call this…
Who else needs to get out of debt and start saving again?
A LOT of people who find themselves at the end of their financial rope wonder about how they could rebuild their finances again. Out of desperation and in an effort…
Why workers lose when misclassified as independent contractors
And what they can do to fight back RONALD Shephard installed garage doors for Lowe’s, a home improvement retailer that operates nearly 100 stores in California. Lowe’s offers its customers…
‘Help, can I file bankruptcy AGAIN?’
“If you have filed bankruptcy before, you may be wondering whether it’s possible to do it again. Generally, the answer is that you can file bankruptcy as often as needed…
10 tips to prepare for an IRS appeals conference
YOU are still upset from losing an IRS audit. You have two choices: pay or fight. If you choose to fight, go to appeals. Let me give you 10 tips…
When to use chapter 13
CHAPTER 13 is normally used to save a house from foreclosure. But this is not the only situation where Chapter 13 is used. When a Chapter 13 petition is filed,…
The ABCs of foreign bank and financial accounts (FBAR)
IF YOU have offshore bank accounts, should you report the accounts to the US government? Yes, if the aggregate balances exceed $10,000 at any time during the year. What if…
When employees blow the whistle on employers
DAVID Bryant worked for 22 years for San Diego Gas and Electric as a bill collection clerk and then as a senior collector. For several years, he has reportedly complained…
Dieting? Four tips to keep your smile healthy
ARE you setting weight loss goals? Great! Just remember to stay healthy—and that includes taking good care of your teeth while dieting. Connections between oral health and whole body health…
Are you feeling hopeless about your debt problems?
THE last few years have been financially difficult for a lot of people. When the real estate marked crashed a few years ago, millions of people found themselves with a…
When you should use Chapter 7 debt relief
THE Supreme Court of the United States has often called Chapter 7 bankruptcy the “Fresh Start”. This is an accurate description of debt relief given by Chapter 7. Debtors are…
Remedies for employees who suffer age discrimination
IN February 2010, Cable’s Restaurant in Woodland Hills, CA was acquired by GACN, Inc. During the acquisition, the employer promised that veteran servers Martha Aboulafia (57 years-old), Cheryl Colgin (57),…
7th Case Report of California Certified PA (Public Insurance Adjuster) Jae Park- “Should I file a claim?” Water loss at Condo unit owner/ Town house owner at Pasadena/ nearby San Marino, California.
7th Case Report of California Certified PA (Public Insurance Adjuster) Jae Park “Should I file a claim?” Water loss at Condo unit owner/ Town house owner at Pasadena/ nearby San…
6th Case Report of California Certified PA (Public Insurance Adjuster) Jae Park- Water loss at Silverlake/ Helendale, California ( nearby Victorville/ Apple Valley/ Hesperia/ Barstow)
6th Case Report of California Certified PA (Public Insurance Adjuster) Jae Park In August 2012, there was flood damage in Mr. A’s mansion (with floor space of approximately 5,200 sq….