Feeling worn down from the daily grind of city life? Sometimes a weekend away in nature is all it takes to reset and recharge; in fact, forest bathing or Shinrin-yoku — the Japanese practice of taking in a forest atmosphere — has proven benefits that will help you be healthier and feel happier.
To get off the beaten path, we scoured Airbnb for 13 amazing places where you can quietly post up and decompress for a few days. There are also various Airbnb Experiences to help you fully immerse yourself in forest bathing, such as the Urban Forest Walkabout in San Francisco, CA; Forest Therapy in Los Angeles, CA; and Short Mountain Hike and Yoga in Hadano, Japan. Julia Plevin, the host of the Urban Forest Walkabout, says, “One easy way to forest bathe is to find a spot and just sit there for 20 minutes a day doing nothing but noticing and being. Another way is to just be aware of all the nature around you — the plants in your house, the air you breathe, the water you drink.”
So let’s get outdoors; we bet you’ll come back to your routine feeling enchanted and inspired.
Mushroom Dome Cabin
This amazing dome loft features a large deck among Oak and Madrone trees; even more, it’s next to a Redwood grove and small creek, which flows during winter months. Ninety percent of guests give this great spot a perfect five-star rating, so it’s certainly worth scoping out for your next natural getaway.
Bluff View Glamping
Mendocino Grove, a relatively new property in Northern California, boasts 60 deluxe safari tents (20 are available on Airbnb) perched over the Pacific Coast. Unwind in the woods with an ultra-comfy heated bed, crisp linens/down comforters, leather butterfly chairs, and a personal fire pit. You’ll love activities like hiking (the property has on-site trails), yoga, kayaking through sea caves, s’more making, and hammock naps.
Garden Gingerbread House
This sweet home might not be located in a woodsy forest as you’d imagine, but the entire rental is the epitome of the lush beauty that has made Hana, Hawaii, famous. Live like famous Hana residents (Oprah, Clint Eastwood, and Steven Tyler included) on a private, gated property with an organic nursery and farm. Reviewers love this spot for curing “nature deficit disorder” and rave about the hosts’ tour-giving abilities and the lilikoi smoothies they make for guests. It’s a scenic 20 minutes from the airport, and you can come and go easily (and as you please); this spot also has a lockbox for quick check-in and checkout.
Unique Cob Cottage
Kick off your retreat by arriving at Mayne Island on a scenic ferry, and then head to this cozy cottage made of natural and sustainable materials for your stay. On acres of land with sheep, orchards, and gardens in a rural neighborhood, you’ll relish in the peace and quiet of the woodsy island. When you want to get out and about, head into town to get some local fruits and veggies, pick up some books, or treat yourself at the spa.
The Pondhouse
Stargazing and tuning out the sounds of your surroundings are just two relaxing activities to look forward to with this country getaway. This quiet site is about 10 minutes outside of the closest town and ideal for vacationers who like hikes. Once you’ve worked up an appetite exploring the great outdoors, treat yourself to Elmer’s for breakfast (we hear they make some of the best pancakes in New England) or Country Pie for a hearty pizza.
Secluded Intown Treehouse
We wouldn’t have guessed it, but urban treehouses are a thing. So much of a thing, in fact, that this Atlanta hotspot for two has been showcased by Today, Treehouse Masters, and more. Though you might hear some city sounds like sirens or a train, the hosts write that listening to birds, wind rustling leaves, and frogs is much more common. Sign us up.
Silo Studio Cottage
The Berkshires is one of the most beautiful spots to enjoy nature in Massachusetts, and this round cottage is perfectly positioned in a valley for the ultimate woodsy getaway. Once home to a sculptor, the inspiring property has a babbling brook, lily pond, and gardens. History lovers will appreciate the nearby homes, along with the Appalachian Trail, which is accessible less than three miles from the charming two-story home.
Saul Zaik Treehouse
Condé Nast Traveler called this the coolest treehouse in the world, and we can see why: The endless views and mini-decks are prime for posting up during sunset or photographing mountain and city views. Make the most of your stay by inviting your BFFs or family to tag along — this treehouse boasts a guest suite with a sitting room, bedroom, and private bath.
Cozy A-Frame in the Redwoods
Are you a creative who wants to hole up for a few days while donating to a good cause? This inspiring little retreat is surrounded by Redwoods on the Sonoma coast, and the hosts donate $50 for each rental to Raphael House, a San Francisco organization whose goal is to help at-risk families achieve stable housing and financial independence. While there’s no TV or microwave for use, you might be delighted to find a record player, wood burning stove, heaps of cookbooks, and a beautiful view. Take your delicious homemade eats outside for alfresco dining; there’s nothing quite like that fresh-air feeling.
Geo Dome on Farm Upstate Catskills
You have to “BYOBed” for this one, but setting up your own experience in this woodsy dome means you can glamp exactly as you want to. Hosts and travelers recommend coming with air mattresses, air pads, sleeping bags, pillows, and towels. Fit for the ultimate sleepover party, this serene spot has you and your crew covered with high-speed WiFi, a claw foot bathtub, double outdoor showers, outdoor kitchen and grill, and a fire pit. For activities, scope out the greenhouse, vegetable garden, and nearby lake or join in on the donation-based Sunday yoga class. Namaste.
Lovely Ocean Front Bungalow
This Brazilian bungalow gives you a little jungle and a little beach all in one spot. Enjoy the lush views of the Atlantic Rainforest, and take the private walkway down to the beach when you’re ready to get some sand between your toes.
Cosy Little Wood House
Just outside of Lisbon, you’ll find this little house tucked away in mountains of the quaint town of Sintra. The tiny house has just the essentials you’ll need and a cute balcony to enjoy the fresh air and spectacular views of the Pena Palace. There is also plenty of hiking just outside the front door.
DreamCaught Treehouse
Escape to the peaceful northern mountains of Thailand and stay in this treehouse along the river. Wake up to the sounds of nature, hike through the forests, enjoy the restaurant on the premises, and let the friendly hosts show you all the local sights (they’ll even do pickups and drop-offs at Chiang Mai airport). If you stay for three nights or more (which you will want to do), the hosts provide a free cooking class.
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:
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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.
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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