
If you’re like us and are pampering your loved ones with extravagant gifts this Christmas (…and maybe also pampering yourself with a head-turning holiday outfit or two), then when it comes to getting glam for New Year’s Eve, you might want to keep it on the cheap. Luckily, we hunted down 20 budget-friendly get ups—try $50 or less!—that are guaranteed to make you look like a million bucks as you ring in the new year.
1. Darling Sequined Combo Dress ($33): This cute dress is fun and flirty without being skimpy. It’s a flattering cut that will suit most body types, and most wallets!
2. Babydoll Dress With Bow Detail ($45): The little black dress gets a hot, holiday makeover with a strappy back that’s topped with a big bow. Take this outfit to the next level with a pair of glitzy heels.
3. Eva Franco Runway Dress ($50): We love how this conservative silhouette is jazzed up by blue metallic panels that resemble a futuristic plaid, not to mention the three-sided cutout on the back.
4. Oh My Love Metallic Skater Dress ($40): Dressing up for NYE doesn’t mean you have to be bound to spandex or other bodycon materials. This relaxed skater dress proves that point for sure. Its textured metallic finish makes it unmistakably party-worthy.
5. Bold Moves Bodycon Dress ($23): But then again, if you do want to show off what your mama gave ya, then slide into this smokin’ red dress.
6. Metallic Surplice Wrap Hi-Lo Hem Dress ($49): While many hi-lo dresses can be unforgivingly extreme, the tapering hemline makes this metallic dress feel soft and dreamy. It’s the perfect balance of elegance and edge.
7. Vera Wang Lavender Dance With Me Dress ($41): This dress makes us want to twirl, Sound of Music-style. But that two-toned tiered chiffon skirt isn’t the only eye-catching detail: we’re swooning over that beautifully draped bust and bedazzled belt.
8. Textured Knit L/S Dress ($40): Take a walk on the wild side with this bodycon knit dress. Skillfully placed cutouts make this dress super sexy without being distasteful.
9. Milly Like Honey Dress ($50): Our obsession with this dress goes way beyond the sparkle: it might be the classiest sequined dress we’ve ever seen. The cap sleeves and pleated crew neck give this dress structure, while the black bow belt adds a preppy pop around the waist.
10. New Look Sleeveless Peplum Dress ($19): This red peplum dress is way more than a one-wear wonder. Amp it up for the grand countdown with some sparkly jewelry, then rock it to work after break with a structured blazer and your favorite pair of D’Orsay flats. So in other words: it’s a freakin’ steal!
11. Dazzling Doll Fit and Flare Dress ($30): Your average fit and flare dress gets pumped up by petal colored sequins and two side cutouts. We like.
12. Proenza Schouler Laced Whispers Dress ($40): This frosty bustier dress is ultra chic. The textured top and frosty lace pencil skirt were made for each other.
13. Eva Franco Ora Dress ($50): This dress gives a whole new meaning to black tie attire ;) Who wouldn’t want to toast to the new year in this playful, neutral number?
14. Sleek Scuba Knit Skater Dress ($18): Sure this skater dress is frill-free, but when you’re rocking a dress in such a beautifully rich color (radiant orchid, anyone?) those extra embellishments are completely unnecessary.
15. Tina Turk Speckled Sequined Maxi ($41): This not-quite leopard print dress is a great mix of modern glitz and ‘70s inspired decadance. It’s an equation that equals undeniable glam.
16. Allison Parris Lisa Dress ($21): The cutouts on this dress are expertly placed, making this full-skirted number appropriate for more conservative occasions (just toss on a sequined jacket or cardigan) or totally party-ready baring all on its own.
17. Cutting Edge Brocade Dress ($33): Here’s another instance in which an understated silhouette can look white hot with the help of cutouts. Get up close to see the gorgeous woven brocade that makes it appropriate cocktail party attire.
18. Wyatt Black and White Asymmetrical Strapless Party Dress ($49): See, ruffles aren’t just for girly girls. We thought we’d never say this, but the contrast color, asymmetrical ruffle actually makes this sleek black dress edgy. Mind = blown!
19. Dancing Queen Sequined Dress ($45): Multi colored sequins and silver leaf beading add eye-popping sparkle to this tank dress. As if we had to tell you, skip the statement accessories with this number—instead add a dark, bold lip to bring the look together.
20. Rahul Mishra Indian Palace Sheath ($31): This dress proves that you can wear a dress with mesh detail and still look posh. That royal blue pops underneath a black sheath that gives some slight coverage to the arms and neckline.
Who are your go-to retailers for party-ready attire? Tell us where you like to shop—on and offline—in the comments below!
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