How to Know if Your Side Hustle is About to Take Off

So, you decided to start a small business during quarantine… You know, to fill up all your spare time among family walks and baking bread! Or, maybe you’re considering starting a business? Either way, there are many tell-tale signs to see if your side hustle is about to take off! Take our latest quiz to see where you stand!

Part of ‘adulting’ means keeping track of your important life documents and items. Download LifeHound—an easy-to-use platform created to ensure your important documents remain organized and secure. Ready to get started? Sign up for your free trial today! Download on the app store today.

Is Your Business Really a Small Business?

Did you know that in the United States alone, there are over 30.2 million small businesses that have been established? Take our most recent quiz to find out more about the small business sector and to get technical about what actually qualifies as a small business (WARNING: You might be surprised!)

Part of ‘adulting’ means keeping track of your important life documents and items. Download LifeHound—an easy-to-use platform that was created to ensure your important documents remain organized and secure. Ready to get started? Sign up for your free trial today! Download on the app store today.

Behind the Scenes of Running a Business: Do You Have What It Takes?

So, you want to run a business? Or perhaps you already are! That’s amazing—but first, let LifeHound test your knowledge to evaluate how much you know about what being a business owner takes and looks like. Take our latest quiz now to see where you stand, and where you can improve!

Part of ‘adulting’ means keeping track of your important life documents and items. Take our quiz to see if you have what it takes to run a small business! Then, sign up for your free trial today! Download on the app store today.

Just Starting Your Business? Here’s a Checklist of What You Need to Know

2020 was the year of business launches! In fact, 4.4 million new companies started worldwide in 2020. Did you start a small business, or did the idea cross your mind? Take our most recent quiz to test your preparedness and for a rundown on all of your “need-to-knows!” as a small business owner.

Part of ‘adulting’ means keeping track of your important life documents and items. Take our quiz for a checklist of what you need to prepare when launching a business, then download LifeHound—an easy-to-use app that was created to ensure your important documents remain organized and secure. Ready to get started? Sign up for your free trial today! Download on the app store today.

Small Business Owners: How LifeHound Can Save You Money

As a business owner, you have a lot of moving pieces to keep track of. Hence, organization is key. In fact, business owners, are acutely aware of the essence of time and organization (perhaps more than anyone!)

“For every minute spent organizing, an hour is earned.” – Anonymous

LifeHound for Your Small Business

Anything that can help streamline your processes is always top of mind and ready for consideration. Luckily, today, a myriad of apps have been created to help small businesses do just this. LifeHound is one of them. Apps like LifeHound allow business owners to manage their endeavors on the go.

Whether you’re an up-and-coming business owner or your business has been around for generations… there is always something to improve upon. From document storage to reminders, LifeHound was created to keep individuals organized. And who wouldn’t want to save time and money by implementing such an organizational tool? Here, we’ve compiled a list of what LifeHound can help you achieve as a millennial business owner.

LifeHound save your small business money

Here are some examples of document storage and reminders that LifeHound offers for business owners day to day:

  • Business License (with renewal reminders!)
  • Statement of Information (Filings required annually)
  • Taxes Filed
  • Estimated Tax Payment Reminders
  • Corporate Tax Filing Reminders
  • Federal Employer Identification Numbers and State Corporation Numbers
  • W-9 for the Company
  • Website SSL Certificates
  • DUNS Number (The Data Universal Numbering System managed by Dun & Bradstreet)
  • Bank Accounts and associated information
  • Store Statements
  • Paperwork Filed for Legal Entity Creation
  • Corporate Bylaws
  • Articles of Incorporation
  • Annual Meeting Minutes (Required to be stored and reminder to hold year)
  • Company Logos or Digital Assets
business owner LifeHound account

An example of what your LifeHound account looks like as a business owner. Are you looking to start a business or have you already? To improve efficiency and reduce expenses as a business owner, connect with us today to learn more about what our LifeHound tools can offer your business!

Do You Know How to Use Credit Properly?

When it comes to credit, there’s a lot to know. Do you know how to use credit properly? Put your knowledge to the test by taking our latest quiz!

Part of ‘adulting’ means keeping track of your important life documents and items. Take our quiz to see what you should and shouldn’t be keeping with you, then download LifeHound—an easy-to-use app that was created to ensure your important documents remain organized and secure. Ready to get started? Sign up for your free trial today!

You Don’t Need Your Two Foot Long CVS Receipt… How Long Should You Hang Onto Things?

Are you the kind of person who holds onto things? Pay stubs? What about that two foot long CVS receipt? Take our quiz to find out how long you should hold onto financial documents!

Part of ‘adulting’ means keeping track of your important life documents and items. This includes letting go of certain financial documents when the time comes! Take our quiz to see what you should and shouldn’t be keeping with you, then download LifeHound—an easy-to-use app that was created to ensure your important documents remain organized and secure. Ready to get started? Sign up for your free trial today!

You Just Purchased a New Appliance… Now What?

The time has finally come! You wave goodbye to your old washer and dryer, refrigerator, whatever the old leaky appliance might be, and hello to its shiny, new replacement. It’s always fun to purchase something new! But wait, you’re not done just yet. 

There are steps you can take after purchasing a new appliance to save yourself from future stress and frustration. Here are nine steps to do after you’ve purchased a new appliance.

Hold onto Important Documents

Don’t make the mistake of overlooking your packaging or product documents that come with your appliance! This includes any receipts and the appliance manual. We know, it’s easy to get caught up in the unboxing of the appliance! Typically, your receipt will be needed for warranty repairs and returns.

Your receipt might also include guarantees about appliance replacements. Your manual contains important information beyond installation instructions. We recommend you fold up both of these documents and file them away for safekeeping. For those who decide to keep the appliance’s packaging, you might fold and tape your documents to its box and store it away that way.

Want an extra life hack? Save a photo of your sales receipt using LifeHound. This way, it won’t get lost in the abyss of your phone’s photos!

Record Important Dates

Make note of your purchase/order date as well as the date you received your appliance. Remember, the difference between the two is important as your warranty may not begin until its delivery date. 

Don’t cut your warranty short!

Do You Know the Magic Number?

Write down your appliance’s model number and serial number. If your item needs servicing, you will need this information. Additionally, on the off chance that your appliance is stolen, you will have the necessary numbers for that scenario as well.

You Might Have a Warranty, But It Doesn’t Matter Unless…

You register your appliance! To ensure your warranty is in effect, set aside a moment after purchasing your appliance to do so. When you register the appliance with its manufacturer, you will receive information about defect notices, recalls, and might even receive an extended warranty just for registering. One can typically register their appliance online or by mail.

Why not get an extra year of support for a mere five minutes of your time!?

Manufacturer Warranties

After purchasing a new appliance, write down its manufacturer warranty information. Then, set a reminder in LifeHound before the warranty expires so that if you need to have your appliance repaired or encounter an issue, you are able to fix it before it’s too late.

Extended Warranties

Oftentimes, we forget where we’ve put our extended warranties. Be sure to take note of any that you’ve purchased. Take a picture of who the warranty is with, how to report an issue, and when it expires. When you use LifeHound, you can additionally make a reminder for when your extended warranty expires!

Whether or not the warranty is worth it will prove itself after your appliance’s warranty expires. In other words, you’ll see if purchasing the warranty was worth it! Taking this step will encourage you to make better decisions in the future.

All In One Place

To make things as easy as possible, write down all necessary information (i.e. purchase date, cost, and so on) directly onto your appliance’s manual. Then, tape your receipt onto the cover of your manual to keep everything in one convenient location. You can house all product manuals and receipts in a common folder to maximize organization.

If you lose track of their manuals, contact your manufacturer or visit their website for assistance. You might also consider searching your appliance’s make and model number along with the words ‘product manual’ online to locate a digital copy.

Take a Picture, It Lasts Longer!

While we’ve already mentioned recording photos above, be sure to add digital photos of your manuals, installation information, and so on in LifeHound. This way, you’ll have them handy if you ever need to uninstall an item or have it serviced.

Now, The Fun Part!

Enjoy your brand new purchase! With LifeHound, purchasing a new appliance is all fun and no stress! Use its special features and take manufacturer recommendations into place. Store its accessories in a convenient place so as not to lose anything. LifeHound offers the services to keep you organized and prepared for all your organizational needs. 

Sign up today for your free trial, no credit card required.

What You Need to Know About Getting Your REAL ID

Hmm, a REAL ID? You might be thinking, “I already have a real ID!” And that may be true, kind of… While you might have an authentic form of identification, a REAL ID is different—and new for many! 

Hold on, we promise it’s not as confusing as it sounds! Let us explain. Here’s what you need to know about getting your REAL ID: the when, why, and how, made simple.

When You Need It

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the REAL ID enforcement deadline has been pushed back, once again. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has now extended the date to May 3, 2023

Although this seemingly gives people “plenty of time” to get their ducks in a line, dates like this always sneak up on people, and it’s better to be prepared than to be scrambling at the last minute. 

LifeHound is here to help!

Why You Need It

In simple terms, for your safety! And for the safety of the United States people. 

Although the U.S. government had a variety of security measures in place prior to the September 11th terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, this event scaled their security efforts tenfold.

In 2005, Congress passed the Real ID Act. This act places stricter rules and restrictions on the type of identification people can use, as to prevent the use of counterfeit driver’s licenses and IDs. The REAL ID that will be mandated in 2023, will be necessary to board United States flights and to enter federal facilities, including federal courthouses, nuclear plants, military bases, and additional federal facilities.

Identification cards that are REAL ID-compliant are marked with a gold star near the top of the ID card. REAL IDs that are administered in California are additionally marked with a gold bear. For state-specific information on how to obtain your REAL ID, visit the DHS’s REAL ID website.

Your REAL ID Checklist

In order to apply for and receive your REAL ID, there is preparation to be done. If you’re using LifeHound, however, the process will be a breeze as all of your important life documents are already organized!

Before you get your REAL ID, know that you should anticipate a trip to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

What You Need to Know About Getting Your REAL ID

But don’t worry! It’ll be quick and easy if you have your documents ready. Below is a list of what you’ll need.

Proof of Identity

Of course, to get your REAL ID, you need to prove your identity! Here are some examples below, according to the California DMV, of what this might look like

  • Valid, unexpired U.S. passport or passport card
  • Original or Certified copy of U.S birth certificate
  • U.S. Certificate of Birth Abroad or Consular Report of Birth Abroad of U.S. Citizen
  • Unexpired foreign passport with valid U.S. Visa and approved I-94 form
  • Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of U.S. Citizenship
  • Valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card”

Note: This is not a comprehensive list. Please visit your state’s DMV site for a complete list of approved proof of identity documents.

Proof of Social Security Number

If eligible, you must present one original document displaying your name and entire social security number. If you are not eligible for a social security number, not to worry! You can still apply for a REAL ID. Visit your state’s DMV site for more comprehensive information. According to the California DMV, however, here are some documents that will pass as proof of your SSN:

  • Social security card
  • W-2 form
  • Social Security Administration (SSA) 1099 form
  • Non-SSA-1099 form
  • Paystub with full SSN

Proof of Residency

In California specifically, you must present two printed documents that prove your state residency. These documents must include your first and last name and the mailing address must match that on your driver’s license or ID application. Some examples that might prove residency include:

  • A rental or lease agreement
  • Deed or title to residential real property
  • Mortgage bill
  • Home utility bill
  • Medical documents
  • Faith-based document

Visit your state’s DMV site for a complete list of necessary documents. 

For those who do not have proof of residency, please visit your state’s DMV for more information.

Not to Worry!

To many, sifting through their life’s important documents to apply for a REAL ID sounds like a nightmare. But it doesn’t have to be! At LifeHound, we recommend you take advantage of the REAL ID deadline extension. 

If you begin your free trial of LifeHound today, you truly will have plenty of time to get your application and important documents sorted. LifeHound makes it easy. 

What are you waiting for? Download the app and sign up today!

What’s in your purse (or wallet)?

Just think: If you were to lose your wallet or purse tomorrow, how long would it take you to replace everything in it? And could you?! Take our quiz to find out!

Part of ‘adulting’ means keeping track of your important life documents and items. Whether it be your social security card or an irreplaceable photograph, being responsible for the things you own is vital. Take our quiz to see what you should and shouldn’t be keeping with you, then download LifeHound—an easy-to-use app that was created to ensure your important documents remain organized and secure. Ready to get started? Sign up for your free trial today!