Financial Tips

Credit
Loan or lease? The advantages and disadvantages are spelled out in any easy-to-read format so you can carefully weigh the options.

Management
Is agritourism in your future? If so, think like a retailer first, and a grower second.

How to price a branded commodity — A brand "premium" refers to the amount you can charge above and beyond the usual market price for a product. In agriculture, entrepreneurs attach premium prices to commodities that reflect superior quality or value: Premium apples (or tomatoes or ice cream or lumber — you name it) at a premium price!

Case Study: Tips on how to start a new farm enterprise

6 public relations tips you can use every day

A closer look at an income statement and balance sheet. Learn how both reports can help you achieve your business goals.

Business management advice.
Common sense tips that really make a difference.

How to be a better risk manager. To keep risk under control, start with a few basic steps.

Tax
Records: What to keep and for how long?
Handy guidelines to help you decide what financial records to hang on to and what to throw out.

Opportunities from the 2001 Tax Act
Year-end tax planning is always important. After a tax bill with significant changes, however, tax planning becomes even more important because you don't want to lose out on opportunities that are available to you.

Education tax credits.
Don't forget two important education tax credits.

Appraisal
Do you need an appraisal? A simple questionnaire to help you decide if you need a business appraisal.

Estate Planning
13 Estate Planning Terms You Should Know
Families delay doing critical estate planning for a variety of reasons: much of it deals with death or incapacitation, they don’t think they need planning, or it raises touchy family issues. Another reason is that they don’t understand the complicated jargon.

© 1999-2005 Farm Credit of Maine, ACA. All rights reserved.