We’ve got a sweet deal for you! Today (1/12) and tomorrow (1/13) you can learn more and save more in the Brit + Co Shop. How? By pairing a few of our online classes together. You’re gonna knock the socks off your “Learn Something New” resolution!
Here’s everything you need to know about our two-day offer:
- Get 10 percent off when you buy one online class.
- Get 20 percent off when you buy two online classes.
- Get 30 percent off when you buy three online classes.
The discount will deduct at checkout. So what are you waiting for? Buy more online classes, learn new skills and SAVE! Need help getting started? Scroll on for fun, skill-based class pairings.
*Please note: This offer excludes all Class Kits (including the Class and Kit Bundle).
PHOTO + GRAPHIC DESIGN SKILLS
Pair all three classes together for just $75 (originally $107).
1. Photography for Bloggers Online Class ($29): Calling all bloggers! Photography pro Lindsay Ostrom shares all of her behind-the-lens tips and tricks. Learn the basics of your camera, as well as how to light and style your shoot. At the end, you’ll see a notable difference in your photography.
2. Adobe Lightroom Online Class ($39): Let’s make better photos! In this class, Sakura will teach you how to edit photos like a pro using Adobe Lightroom. Learn how to use various tools and modes to make your photos perfect for a blog, Instagram account or print.
3. Intro to Adobe Illustrator Online Class ($39): Learn how to create adorable birthday invitations from start to finish with Adobe Illustrator. Alexi is here to teach you how to work with color tools, create shapes and add gorgeous typography.
Pair all three classes together for just $75 (originally $107).
1. HTML + CSS Coding Online Class ($39): Ready to create a personal page, a great new blog or a professional portfolio? All you need is some basic web design direction to get the job done. In Alison’s online class, you’ll learn the basics of coding and web page design in just under an hour.
CODING + ONLINE APP SKILLS
2. Coding: From Web Page to Website Online Class ($39): Taking your coding skills to the next level. Allison is here (again) to teach you how to plan and build a beautiful multi-page website. In her class, you’ll learn how to wireframe, layout in HTML + CSS and check and upload your code to the web.
3. How to Crush It on Instagram Online Class ($29): Learn how to create beautiful Instagram posts that celebrate YOU. Irene will teach you photo styling tips, mobile photography basics and how to promote your personal or professional brand on Instagram.
Pair all three classes together for just $40 (originally $57).
1. Acrylic Painting Online Class ($19): Set up a palette, blend colors and use various painting techniques in this online class. Plus, Courtney will give you a brush-up on color theory to help you dream up your next abstract masterpiece.
PAINTING SKILLS
2. Watercolor Painting Online Class ($19): In this class, you’ll start with a basic introduction to watercolor tools. Then you’ll learn various brush strokes to paint a flower arrangement, one petal at a time.
3. Illustration With Watercolor Online Class ($19): Find creativity and relaxation through Meera’s meditative style of painting. In her class, you’ll learn how to illustrate animals and flowers with watercolor paint.
Pair all three classes together for just $40 (originally $57).
1. Embroidery Online Class ($19): In this class, Kristen will teach you to master the back stitch, the satin stitch and the French knot. Plus you’ll learn how to hold your needle and how to tie off the thread to finish your embroidery project.
NEEDLE + THREAD SKILLS
2. Knitting Online Class ($19): In this class, you’ll learn how to hand-knit a modern snood. This includes how to start your project, hold the needle and do basic stitches.
3. Quilting Online Class ($19): Libs is here to help you experience the joy of quilt making by hand. In her class, you’ll learn how to cut, piece, stitch and assemble a gorgeous quilt.
Pair all three classes together for just $54 (originally $77).
1. Hand-Lettering Online Class ($19): In Danielle’s class, you’ll learn how to hold a pen, create letters and form phrases. At the end of her class, you’ll make a collection of custom goods, including greeting cards and wall art.
LETTERING SKILLS
2. Calligraphy 101 Online Class ($29): Take your calligraphy skills from amateur to pro with this online course. You’ll learn the basics of numbers, as well as upper and lower case letters. You’ll walk away with six hand-lettered greeting cards of your own.
3. Brush Calligraphy Online Class ($29): In this class, Jessica will teach you how to letter the full alphabet using a paintbrush and watercolor. Then she’ll walk you through tips and tricks for how to create a design layout with your favorite quote.
Pair all three classes together for just $54 (originally $77).
1. Handbag Design With Rebecca Minkoff Online Class ($39): Designer Rebecca Minkoff shares insider tips about what goes into handbag design. In her online class, she’ll give you a step-by-step tutorial on how to make a designer-inspired leather fringe clutch.
FASHION DESIGN SKILLS
2. Knotted Jewelry Making Online Class ($19): Ready to make a knotty statement necklace? The mother-daughter duo from Knotty Gal will teach you three different decorative knots. This includes a simple knot, an intermediate knot and an intricate knot.
3. Jewelry Making + Metalworking Online Class ($19): Make a pair of teardrop earrings using metalworking tools and forging techniques. With the help of Tiffany, you’ll learn about metal types, how to use each tool and the basics of forging.
Welcome to Selfmade Finance School, our new money series with Block Advisors to help small business owners with their tax, bookkeeping, and payroll needs year-round. This week, we explore the tax implications of bringing family members into your business.
The question for today is this: Does hiring your family members make sense for your business? Let me be clear. This is not a piece about whether hiring your family members makes sense for your relationships with those family members. As someone who is part of a family business, I could fill up a lot more than 600 words on my opinions about that. For today's purposes, we focus on whether it makes sense from an overall "good business and tax implication" perspective. As it turns out, there is a decent amount of tax nuance when it comes to employing your family. Let's break it down based on relationship to the employee:
You X Ventures for Unsplash
Spouses Who Are In Business Together
Personally, if I had to be in business with my husband, it would not go well. However, many couples build viable, strong businesses together and I say, good for them! Depending on how you have your business entity structured, it will make a big difference on the tax treatment of you and your spouse working as partners. Because a business jointly owned and operated by a married couple is generally treated as a partnership for Federal tax purposes, the spouses must comply with filing and record keeping requirements imposed on partnerships and their partners. The election to file two Schedule C (Form 1040) forms, (one for each spouse) permits certain married co-owners to avoid filing partnership returns, provided that each spouse separately reports a share of all the businesses' items of income, gain, loss, deduction, and credit. Under the election, both spouses will be subject to self-employment tax and on net earnings from self-employment and receive credit for Social Security earnings.
One Spouse Employs Another
If you have a dynamic where your spouse is an employee of your business, then your spouse's wages are subject to income tax withholding, Social Security and Medicare taxes. If you are self-employed (not a corporation or a partnership), your spouse's pay does not have to be included in your federal unemployment tax account (FUTA) contributions and payments. However, if your business is a corporation or a partnership you must include that spouse's pay in your unemployment tax contribution calculation.
Kobu Agency for Unsplash
You Employ Your Child
First, let's be clear. I work in my family business, but I am an adult, so I am treated just like a normal employee. However, if you, for example, run a family restaurant and want to hire your children under 18 to work for you, there are some tax benefits. But first, you should check with your state for rules on how many hours minors can work (in non-agricultural jobs) and reference the Fair Labor Standards Act for information on limitations on the kinds of work children can perform.
"This is an often overlooked or under-utilized strategy. Paying your children for true services they provide in your business can be a powerful tax-saving tool," says Cathi Reed, Block Advisors Regional Director. "If you are a sole-proprietorship or single member LLC, and the child is less than 18 years of age, the business is not required to withhold FICA or payroll taxes. The child can use his or her standard deduction against income you pay."
You Hire Your Parent
Oh dear. If you are brave enough to do this, know that you will need to pay Social Security and Medicare taxes on your parent's wages and make the appropriate withholdings, but you don't have to pay unemployment taxes. Now all you have to do is convince your parent that you are the boss. Have fun with that!
Is Hiring Family Members Worth It For The Tax Benefits?
"There are some positive tax advantages to hiring family members. It's important to treat a family member like any other employee. Hiring your children can result in substantial savings for businesses. Make sure your child has real, age-appropriate work to do and a reasonable pay rate, comparable to other employees. Consult with a Block Advisors small business certified tax pro to ensure that you are complying with all requirements," advises Reed. "Block Advisors, a team within H&R Block, is dedicated to meeting the tax, bookkeeping and payroll needs of small business owners year-round. To start working with the tax experts at Block Advisors, visit blockadvisors.com."
In my opinion, you should not hire a family member solely because of the tax benefits. You should always hire based on whether that person is right for the job and keep in mind how this hire could materially impact your relationship with that person and others in your family. Finally, as I mentioned, make sure you have a tax professional on your team when making these determinations. As you can see, things can get a little tricky!
*All details were sourced from IRS.gov and blockadvisors.com
The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect those held by Kestra Investment Services, LLC or Kestra Advisory Services, LLC. This is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations for any individual. It is suggested that you consult your financial professional, attorney, or tax advisor with regards to your individual situation. Comments concerning the past performance are not intended to be forward looking and should not be viewed as an indication of future results. Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. O'Keeffe Financial Partners and any other entity listed herein is not affiliated with Kestra IS or Kestra AS Investor Disclosures: https://bit.ly/KF-Disclosures