10 Ways You Know It Is the End of the Year

This is a sure sign that December 31st is approaching, Christmas lights.

This is Faribault fireman John taking his turn ringing the bell for the Salvation Army. With the wind-chill it was around 25 degrees below zero.

This is our black Monte Carlo after driving home from Pittsburg. Salt sure makes driving safer but it can cause a mess too!

Another sure sign of Christmas and the end of the year, bills. Does anyone else hate to check credit card balances at the end of the year, or dread going to the mailbox?

Near the end of each year it seems I spend more time in the studio, on the air filling in for other announcers because they are sick. There is a very contagious disease that spreads at this time of year. It is called "use it or lose it!" Many save a few vacation days just in case something comes up and they need them. We cannot push them into the next year so, it is "use it or lose it."

Many friends of KDHL drop off Christmas treats. Good friend Shirley dropped these off. For those that love to bake at Christmas, it would be impolite not to help them out by enjoying the goodies right?

When harvest and fall fieldwork is wrapped up, it is time for bookwork and income tax planning. Well, maybe some of us wait until near the end of December. But, it is important to check income, expenses and your income tax liability for the year. Whenever I pay a farm bill I keep a copy of it in a file on my desk. Why is it my income file is not as large as my bill file?

A nice problem to have is that your income is up so you prepay some expenses for next year. It is legal under IRS rules if you file on a cash basis as most farmers do. You cannot just put money on your account at your seed dealer. It has to be for a specific hybrid and number of units.

Another sure sign of the end of the year, New years Resolutions! Many people do not make New years Resolutions because most are not kept anyway. Just so you know I already made a New years Resolution and KEPT it already! Mine was to set up on line banking. Roxie drew the short straw and she helped me. Thank You Roxie for helping with my New Years Resolution.

The strongest sign of the end of the year approaching? You have been so busy you need a nap!