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Your money is important to you and your business, therefore it’s vital to do your homework and find the right person to help you manage your money. A good starting point in finding a financial advisor is to ask your friends, family, or colleagues for recommendations. You can do additional research online, but your personal resources are a good place to begin. It’s important to remember that when taking financial advice from a professional to ask them if they personally invest in what they are recommending you invest in. Consider asking, “Why would I invest in something that you would not invest in yourself?” If they can’t give you an answer that makes sense, you may need to keep looking. Here are some additional things to keep in mind when finding a financial advisor: Look for a fiduciary. This word is very important. It means that the financial planner has your best interests in mind at all times. Advisors who carry a fiduciary responsibility are legally bound to do the very best for you, and to put you first in all their planning and product selection. Keep in mind, these products may not always be the best for you, and it’s always okay to ask questions. Look for a planner that is a CFP. CFP stands for Certified Financial Planner. CFP’s are licensed and regulated, and take mandatory continuing education on ethics and other aspects of financial planning. Understand how the planner gets paid. This is an important one. You should know what type of financial advisor you are working with: fee-based or commission-based. You typically want to avoid commission-based advisors, as they may suggest products or investments you do not need or want. Planners who work on commission may also have incentives to push a certain brand or type of mutual fund if they’re getting a cut of the revenue they generate from the product. Like their personality. To be able to work well with someone, you must have good communication and have the ability to get along. A good advisor will be friendly and professional, and be available to you (calling back promptly) to have your best interests in mind. If you can see them as a friend or colleague, you will be able to communicate openly with your needs and what is best for you. When looking for an advisor, always be sure to do your homework. Do some research, talk to people, search around online. You can always meet someone and change your mind if you don’t feel good about them. Remember, this is your money – it’s your job to decide what’s best to do with it! Additional Resources: Resource for finding fee-only advisors (not commission based): http://findanadvisor.napfa.org/Home.aspx Additional questions to ask when looking for an advisor: http://www.forbes.com/sites/laurashin/2013/05/09/10-questions-to-ask-when-choosing-a-financial-advisor/ Source: http://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/financial-advisors/articles/2014/02/26/how-to-find-a-financial-advisor-if-youre-not-rich Source: http://guides.wsj.com/personal-finance/managing-your-money/how-to-choose-a-financial-planner/

People work in many different ways, but truly successful drivers have found a routine that not only functions for their needs, but also works well in the transportation industry. Long-lasting success won’t be achieved if there isn’t a constant focus on bettering your business daily. It’s important to apply these basic principles to your daily life to make sure that nothing falls by the wayside, and ensuring that you’re constantly driving your business towards success. So what differentiates successful people from others? 1) They see every day as an opportunity. People who are more successful don’t just punch in and punch out every day. They start their workday not just thinking about what they need to accomplish, but they see it as a stepping-stone towards their future. They think of it as a way to work towards accomplishment, and reaching future goals. They don’t see it as a means to an end – they see it as an opportunity for bettering themselves, and paving the road to their future hopes and dreams. They have a passion for what they do, and it shows. 2) They are healthy Successful people know that keeping their bodies healthy is a key component in running their business well. Eating unhealthy foods and not being committed to exercise will mean more doctors’ visits, and therefore less time on the road. On top of that, you’ll be sluggish, unfocused, and probably unable to get the best sleep. By keeping on top of health, truly successful people have more energy, and aren’t irritable when meeting customers or talking to their dispatcher. 3) They have their eye on the prize Those who continuously raise the bar by creating new goals for their business can always find success. They are driven by these measurable goals, and are constantly striving to reach them. It’s not just about having the desire to run a business well, it’s about acting upon it regularly, seeing the results, and always striving for doing better. 4) They don’t make excuses Successful people know that complaining and placing blame in a bad situation does not fix anything. They know that when things go wrong they can either bite the bullet and work to change it into something better, or be defeated by it. A truly successful person sees mistakes as a learning opportunity, not as something that will break their business. 5) They are focused People who run successful businesses create healthy habits – such as writing down their daily goals or aspirations each morning. They aren’t distracted by social media or addicted to every new TV show that is released. They understand the importance of taking a break from work, but when it’s time to put their mind to the business they are focused 100%. 6) They take risks This doesn’t mean that they make thoughtless business decisions, and careless investments. It means that they will take the risk to aim high, even if it means that they have the potential to fail. They understand that playing it safe isn’t always the best way to move forward, and they aren’t afraid of failure because they see it as a learning opportunity. They don’t worry about what others think, and do not fear their judgment. They thoroughly research opportunities before making a big decision, but accept any outcome and have the confidence that they will bounce back. Applying these tactics to your daily life and your business will create big changes. Success looks different for everyone, so don’t measure it against others. Create your own personal goals, and go from there by creating good habits and working towards them every day. Over 150,000 owner-operators have made the choice to hire ATBS over the past 20 years. We offer a variety of services including accounting, bookkeeping, and tax preparation. We also offer unlimited business consulting for our RumbleStrip Professional clients. A dedicated business consultant will help you keep your business “between the lines,” just like rumblestrips on the highway. If you’d like to learn more about ATBS services or want to get started today, give us a call at 866-920-2827.

There are a lot of stereotypes surrounding truck drivers. But in reality, these drivers are just like you and me – they are hard workers with families, friends, pets and hobbies. They are amazing people that do great things every day, but when it comes down to it – they’re just trying to make their way in life. Here are a few things you may not know about being a truck driver, and ways you can make their lives a little easier. 1. Truckers bring you everything If you’re a regular Joe, you may not put too much thought into where that shirt you just bought came from, or how that apple got into your grocery cart. But chances are, a truck driver brought it to you. Truck drivers are a vital part of our society and economy. Think about all of the things you used today: The shampoo in the shower, the towel you dried off with, the coffee you’re drinking, the mug you’re drinking it out of, the computer you’re reading this article on, your cell phone, your eggs and toast. All brought to you thanks to a truck driver! These daily comforts don’t magically show up at the store. They are brought to us from locations all over the country, usually in the back of a truck. 2. Truckers are a lot like you They are a husband or a wife. They have kids. They are smart. They have hobbies, read books, and watch the TV shows that you watch. They own houses, they work, and they relax. They have good days and bad days. A truck driver’s office is on the road, and when they’re driving they are working. They appreciate the kindness and consideration of other drivers on the road. When you pass a truck driver, just remember they’re a lot like you! 3. Patience is always appreciated Driving a big rig takes a lot of practice and training. These big trucks need more time for everything, including accelerating, turning, and stopping. I used to own a small car with no pick-up at all. When climbing a steep grade, I could have my gas pedal to the floor and still be chugging along at 45mph. The drivers that were forgiving and respectful of my situation were the ones that I really appreciated. Patience and understanding for your fellow driver or truck driver makes everyone’s life on the road easier, and also much safer. 4. A little extra effort goes a long way Good driving manners result in a less stressful life. Relax and think about your fellow drivers on the road, especially the truck drivers out there. Remember the first item I mentioned at the top of this page? These drivers bring you everything! If they’re merging onto a busy highway, maybe hang back or merge left to let them in. Give them some space, don’t tail, and don’t cut them off. These things can be frustrating when they happen to a regular driver on the road, but for a trucker they’re downright dangerous. Your safety is important, and your actions and decisions on the road perpetuate that. Put yourself in a trucker’s shoes, and drive accordingly! 5. On a similar point, drive cautiously Truck drivers need more space to maneuver, which means wide turns. They need a lot of room, so do your best to try and give it to them. A little thought ahead of time goes a long way. If you see a driver with their turn signal on, stop early and give them some space. The same goes for blind spots. Be aware of those areas (if you can’t see their mirrors, they can’t see you), and drive accordingly. It’s for your own safety! Another good thing to remember is that these drivers travel all over the United States. They probably don’t know the area as well as you do, and sometimes Google Maps directions aren’t always the best. Not only are these drivers trying to find their way, but they’re also driving a very large vehicle at the same time. 6. Truck drivers appreciate you Drivers that respect others on the road always end up on top. Truckers work hard to drive safely, and they appreciate it when others do the same. Everyone is out there just trying to get from point A to point B safely, and then get home to their families at the end of the day to relax. So next time you pass a driver, maybe give them a wave or say “hello” – even “thank you”! Without them, we wouldn’t have a lot of the luxuries that we have in our lives. Be sure to show them a little love!

If you're a football fan, you probably admire the way quarterbacks direct their teams. But as an investor, you can learn something from the big game by putting together your own team to help you achieve your financial goals – and you may find it helpful to have your own “quarterback.” Who should be on your team? Your financial strategy will involve investments, taxes and estate planning, so you will likely need a financial advisor, a tax professional and an attorney. Ideally, your financial advisor – the individual with the broadest view of your financial situation – should serve as the quarterback of this team. And, just as a quarterback on a football team must communicate clearly with his teammmates, so will your financial quarterback need to maintain consistent contact with the other team members. Let’s look at a couple of basic examples as to how this communication might work. First, suppose you are self-employed and contribute to a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) IRA. Because your contributions are made with pre-tax dollars, the more you put in, the lower your taxable income. (In 2018, the maximum amount you can contribute is $55,000.) Your financial advisor can recommend investments you can choose from to help fund your SEP IRA. Yet you will want your financial advisor to share all your SEP IRA information with your tax professional. When it’s near tax-filing time, your tax professional can then let you and your financial advisor know how much room you still have to contribute to your SEP IRA for the year, and how much you need to add to potentially push yourself into a lower tax bracket. Now, let’s consider the connection between your financial advisor and your attorney – specifically, your attorney handling your estate planning arrangements. It’s essential that you and your financial advisor provide your attorney with a list of all your financial assets – IRAs, 401(k)s, investments held in brokerage accounts, insurance policies and so on. Your attorney will need this information when preparing your important legal documents, such as your will and living trust – after all, a key part of your estate plan is who gets what. But it’s imperative that you and your financial advisor convey some often-overlooked details that can make a big difference in the disposition of your estate. For example, your financial advisor might suggest that you review the beneficiary designations on your IRA, 401(k) and life insurance policies to make sure these designations are still accurate in light of changes in your life – new spouse, new children and others. These designations are meaningful and can even supersede the instructions you might leave in your will or living trust. Consequently, it’s important for you and your financial advisor to share this information with your attorney. It can be challenging to meet all your financial objectives. But with the right team in place, and a quarterback to help lead it, you can keep moving toward those goals – and you might cut down on the “fumbles” along the way. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by Greg Hall, Financial Advisor with Edward Jones. He can be contacted via email at greg.hall@edwardjones.com or via phone at 303-985-0045.​

There is nothing worse than being in the middle of nowhere with a major toothache. You can’t eat, your teeth are sensitive to cold water, and you can’t sleep because you’re in agonizing pain. Not to mention you might not have dental insurance and you’re afraid of the dentist. Dental emergencies and tooth pain happen to the best of us. Of course, it usually happens when you are 1,000 miles from home. While no one is a fan of visiting the dentist, if you experience severe tooth pain or injure your teeth while on the road it is important to see a dentist immediately. While a toothache might not seem like a major health issue like a broken arm, any injury to the teeth or gums could be potentially serious or even life-threatening. Don’t ignore dental pain as it can increase your risk of developing permanent damage that could affect your dental health and put a big dent in your savings account. What to Do If You Have a Toothache Toothaches can mean a variety of things so it’s important to see a dentist as soon as possible. Taking an over-the-counter painkiller should help relieve some of the pain in the meantime. If you experience any swelling, you can apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth. What to Do If You Have a Broken, Chipped or Knocked-Out Tooth Save any pieces. Rinse your mouth out with warm water. If it’s possible, you can try to put the tooth back into the socket, but if you can’t, place the tooth or any pieces into a cup of milk. The calcium helps preserve the tooth. See a dentist immediately because you have a high chance of saving the tooth if it can be returned to the socket within an hour. What to Do If You Lose a Crown Crowns are expensive so you definitely don’t want to lose it. If a crown falls off one of your teeth, save it and then make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible. You might be able to slip the crown back over the tooth and glue it in with over-the-counter dental cement or denture adhesive. What to Do If You Develop an Abscess An abscess is an infection around the root of a tooth or in the space between the teeth and the gums. Abscesses are a serious medical condition that could lead to permanent damage to the tissue and the surrounding teeth, and could potentially spread to other parts of the body if you leave it untreated. See your dentist immediately for antibiotics and possible drainage. An abscess looks similar to a pimple and may lead to swelling of the gums. Prior to seeing the dentist you can help alleviate the pain by rinsing your mouth with a mild salt-water solution multiple times a day and taking an over-the-counter painkiller. How to Find a Dentist on the Road Being far from home can be problematic if you have a dental emergency, but you can easily search the Internet for dentists located nearby you. Dental franchises like Aspen Dental and Gentle Dental are found throughout the country and take walk-in dental emergencies. Dental emergencies often come with a big price tag. A root canal and crown will set you back on average $2,000 to $3,000 without dental insurance. Even with dental insurance be prepared to shell out some cash. It’s always a good idea to have an emergency fund for things like this. Health issues on the road, like dental pain and emergencies, are no fun. While toothaches may seem minor at the time, it’s important to seek out a dentist as soon as possible before you have permanent damage. Of course, regular preventative care like brushing, flossing, and regular dental cleanings can help prevent dental emergencies. This article was originally featured on Teamrunsmart.com. Image Source - https://www.flickr.com/photos/angel_ina/

Reversing a longstanding trend among owner-operator clients of the ATBS business services firm, miles run were up in 2015 among all segments toward yet another record year for net income, says ATBS President Todd Amen. ATBS clients, largely leased operators but including a sizable subset of independent truckers with authority with various trailer types, “broke $60,000 in net income for the first time since we’ve been tracking this data,” more than 13 years. READ MORE

American Truck Business Services (ATBS) has developed a new resource for truck drivers who find themselves with some free time on the road this summer. READ MORE

Large fleets that have adopted electronic logging devices in recent years learned that productivity dropped, said Todd Amen, president of owner-operator financial services provider ATBS. READ MORE

ATBS’ Richard DeForest opened the Friday session of the Overdrive/ATBS Partners in Business seminars last week at the Great American Trucking Show by asking for a show of hands. Who thinks there’s a problem with a driver shortage? he asked. Just a few hands among the scores assembled were raised. READ MORE

Owner-operator miles and earnings have been fairly level this year, according to the third -quarter report from ATBS, the nation’s largest owner-operator financial services company. READ MORE

LAKEWOOD, COLO. – December 14, 2016 – American Truck Business Services, also known as ATBS, is excited to announce the launch of its new website, www.ATBS.com. The site, which features a responsive design and a clearer focus on the trucking industry, also includes information about the recently developed service packages branded under the name ‘RumbleStrip’ by ATBS. Since 1998, ATBS has served over 100,000 truck drivers by helping them keep their business 'between the lines'. That notion was what led ATBS to create and optimize the ‘RumbleStrip’ service packages. Just like rumble strips on the interstate help you course-correct and keep you safe, ATBS helps drivers course-correct their business. Often, it’s a small nudge due to inattention, or perhaps a more fundamental shift in trajectory. Either way, the driver’s well-being, both financial and personal, is ATBS’ primary concern. Previously, drivers had the option to enroll in our most popular service package which was referred to as ATBS Standard Business Services. That service package has now been renamed ‘RumbleStrip Professional.’ Since the development RumbleStrip, there is now a wider range of service packages from which a driver can choose. For information on all of the new RumbleStrip products, please visit www.ATBS.com. With this launch, ATBS has also developed an additional service package that has never been offered before, named ‘RumbleStrip Essentials.’ With RumbleStrip Essentials, drivers will receive the time-saving benefits of the following services: Tax Consulting Year-End State and Federal Tax Returns Quarterly Tax Estimates Bottom Line Checkup - Tax Reconciliation Year-To-Date Profit & Loss Statements Monthly Bookkeeping Access to a Secure Online Document Portal Between December 15, 2016 – January 15, 2017, owner-operator drivers can enter to win one of three RumbleStrip Essentials service packages and receive all of the services mentioned above FREE for a full year. To enter the contest, drivers can fill out the form at www.atbs.com/essentials-giveaway. All entries must be received by the end of the day on January 15, 2017 to be eligible to win. American Truck Business Services (ATBS) is the largest tax, consulting, and bookkeeping firm in the transportation industry, with over 18 years of experience working with owner-operators and independent contractors. Since 1998, ATBS has helped over 100,000 clients earn more money, reduce stress, and drive a richer life. In 2016, ATBS developed the RumbleStrip line of service packages, which includes back-office solutions for truck drivers in every stage of their careers. For more information, visit www.ATBS.com. ###

It’s a new year and certainly a new era in the nation’s capital. No better time for assessing your operation, including a few words of wisdom from those in the industry. READ MORE