Shiloh Jolie-Pitt's tomboy style ignites blogger buzz, but is no cause for worry, experts say

BY Rosemary Black
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Wednesday, March 3rd 2010, 1:59 PM

INFphoto

Brad Pitt (r.) and Angelina Jolie (not pictured) let three-year-old daughter Shiloh (l.) pick out her own clothes, sources say.

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Oh, boy! Shiloh Jolie-Pitt’s newly cropped short haircut and tomboyish wardrobe have style mavens, celeb watchers and bloggers puzzling over why Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie?a>??s 3-year-old girl apparently doesn’t want to look like a girly-girl.

“Does Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s daughter secretly want to be a boy?” asked Mark MarinoBettyConfidential.com. While admitting that Shiloh looked “adorable,” he went on to report that many bloggers mistakenly thought she was her 19-month-old brother Knox when she went boating last month with her famous parents. on

When Pitt took daughters Zahara, 5, and Shiloh clothes-shopping on the Left Bank in ParisPeople.com reports, they got to pick out their own duds. “Zahara chose very girlie outfits, but Shiloh only wanted items from the boys’ collection, which is in another boutique across the street,” a source told People. She chose acid-yellow boys jeans, cotton scarves and shirts, People.com reports.

Some Jolie-Pitt clan-watchers like Shiloh’s look. “Yeah, yeah, some people might think Suri Cruise is super-adorable in her high heels and ballerina getups,” wrote Kate Torgovnick on TheFrisky.com. “But I think Shiloh Jolie-Pitt is way, way cooler. It takes a special kind of 3-year-old to embrace tomboy style in the way Shiloh has.” recently,

So should Shiloh’s sartorial style be cause for concern? It’s a non-issue if she’s shunning dresses because she wants to, says psychologist Lisa Rene Reynolds. But if her parents are the reason for her ultra-boyish attire, it could be a problem.

“If they are trying to bend gender roles in order to be politically correct, then that could lead to self esteem issues and role and gender confusion later on,” she says. It could also lead to teasing,  Reynolds says, if people start making comments like, “You must be a boy because you dress in jeans and boots all the time.”

At age three and four, Reynolds says, it’s typical for kids to exert their influence over clothing choices and parents should let kids wear what they want within reason.
“At this young age, it is not a huge deal unless someone were to question her gender."

There could be a very simple reason for Shiloh’s tomboyish way of dressing: comfort. “Some kids have preferences in clothing due to sensory issues,” Williams says. “They don’t like tight waist bands, some clothes may make them feel itchy and squirmy, and some kids like to be covered up and feel the warmth and pressure of clothing on their body.”

Age four is a little early to diagnose gender identity issues, says Dr. Eva Ritvo, psychiatrist and co-author of "The Beauty Prescription.”

 “It is very common to want to experiment with clothes and there is a lot of room for variability in small children,” she says. “You want kids to be creative and comfortable. A lot of little girls don’t want to wear dresses and they don’t grow up wearing men’s clothes. Girls like to play around and skirts can be uncomfortable."

Dressing in a particular way is an important form of self expression and stage of development for kids, says teen expert and advice columnist Sarah Burningham, author of “How to Raise Your Parents.”

“Kids change their style constantly,” she says. “There is so much pressure on kids today, and clothing helps them discover who they really are. It’s a way to put yourself out there. Shiloh’s a toddler, so this is probably just a stage. It’s important to just let it run its course.”

Original source : http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/2010/03/03/2010-03-03_shiloh_joliepitts_tomboyish_style_is_a_hot_topic_for_style_mavens_and_celeb_watc.html

Tip-of-the-Day: Attacking the Rain in Style

Nothing beats down a spirit like a rainy day. But not for me. Some of my favorite clothing is built for the rain.

An easy way to “stand out from the crowd” on the streets: check the daily weather forecast in the morning, be prepared and have a good piece of rainwear. On a wet day, average Joe Dresser is usually uncomfortable, cold, and looking miserable in a soaked, heavy fleece jacket or wool peacoat.

A big part of being “stylish” is dressing appropriate for the situation, and the weather.

Here, five looks to help you stay dry in style, for five different occasions.

1. Casual

Yellow has been a go-to color for rainwear for as long as I can remember. I think it may be due to a subconscious yearning for sunshine. Regardless of its origin, it just works.

The problem is, I think alot of men prematurely out-grow wearing the classic yellow parka. On the street there seem to be alot of children wearing them, but rarely an adult – which makes it so refreshing to see a man in a bright, rubberized slicker.

It’s a great, “safe” way to wear a bold color in an off-summer casual outfit. Not to mention that a rubberized cotton is completely impermeable.

I did another casual rainwear post back in Spring/Summer, see here.

Ruberized yellow rain slicker from Army/Navy surplus store (size S, $25). Micro check hidden-button shirt by Steven Alan (size M). Navy cardigan by Uniqlo (size M). Jeans by JBrand (34). Low-top bean boats by L.L. Bean. Wool socks by Land’s End. Watch by Montblanc. Watchband by Corvus.

2. Business Casual

If you’re only going to add one thing to your wardrobe this year, make it a tailored trench coat – in a neutral color like khaki or navy blue.

It goes with just about everything and because they are usually cut a little bigger (to fit over a suit), they are a perfect last layer to throw over anything from a blazer to a down vest to a denim jacket. (Post on trench layering coming soon!).

Not only will you look more appropriate (and slightly bad-ass) and be more comfortable when it rains, a good trench will also dramatically increase the life of your outerwear that is not meant to get wet.

For those keeping track, this trench was featured a while back, here, and more recently here.

Reader:

Hey SB,

Daily reader from way back here. You have so much footwear, what would you say is your favorite pair? Just curious. Keep up the blog, your readers are loving it!

SB:

Hey there. Glad you are enjoying the site.

It would be difficult to choose one pair as a favorite, but these corset-inspired two-tone brogue lace-up boots by Alexander McQueen (r.i.p.) are definitely near the top. Thanks for reading.

Trench by Brooks Brothers Black Fleece (size 2). Grey donegal pants (part of 3-piece suit) by MAB (bespoke, my own design). Boots by Alexander McQueen. Leather unlined gloves by Saks Fifth Avenue (size S). Umbrella by Davek.

3. Business

The advantage of a single breasted rain coat (like this navy mac)? It’s easier to throw on and keep open – meaning you don’t have to cover up your outfit.

The simplicity and straight-forwardness of this outfit is complimented nicely by a piece of outerwear with similar characteristics.

Navy mac rain coat by APC (size M). Navy gingham shirt and grey sharskin trousers by MAB (bespoke, my own designs). Flannel tie by Thom Browne. Silver tie bar by Tiffany & Co. Cordovan tassel loafers (with rubber soles) by Alden. Wool socks by Land’s End. Umbrella by Davek.

Yes, I wear leather shoes (with rubber soles) in the rain. I have a fairly large shoe collection, so the way I see it, getting them wet once in a while won’t kill them. Besides, I like my leather uppers with a little beat-in texture and character to them.

If you are really adverse to wearing your “nice” shoes in the rain, you can invest in some rubber covers or “swims”. I wear these once in a while (over my favorite shoes) but usually end up forgetting/losing them. With swims, go black over black shoes, brown over brown shoes, and every once in a while try a bright yellow or red for an unexpected pop.

Another strategy used by some of my friends in the corporate world is wearing rain-appropriate footwear (Bean or Hunter boots, for example) during their commute to the office and carrying “work” shoes in their bags/briefcases. In my opinion, this is a pain in the ass (an even bigger pain in the ass than inserting and removing swims). I also don’t like to carry a bag in the rain if I don’t have to. Keep in mind, however, that I am a stylist, so there is rarely a situation when I must wear a suit in the rain.

If you’re like me and don’t care to cover them or carry them, invest in some cordovan shoes with rubber soles (they are significantly more durable than other hides) and just get them shined for $3 if you get caught in the heavy stuff.

4. Business Formal

My view on umbrellas is similar to my view on footwear:

You can buy them cheap three times a year and never be quite satisfied (these products are short lived and get worse with time), or you can buy quality and enjoy a well-made product for years (pieces that often get better with age).

The irony is, on top of the benefits of looking and feeling better, you usually end up saving money when you buy quality.

For example: three $20 umbrellas/year for  3 years = $180.  One well-made made umbrella that can last 5 years+ (provided you don’t lose it): $150. Savings = $30.

Same goes for shoes. For example: 3 pairs of $120 mass-produced “dress” shoes per year, for 3 years =  $1,080. One hand-made pair of shoes that, with resolling, can last 3 years+ = $895 (+ two $40 resollings) = $975. Savings = $105.

Someone should really do a longterm case study on the benefits of purchasing quality products. Maybe that could have been my dissertation at Columbia – damn, a little late.

Trench by Brooks Brothers Black Fleece (size 3). Midnight suit (part of this 3-piece) and brown bengal stripe shirt by MAB (bespoke, my own designs). Purple crown emblem by Hickey. Umbrella by Davek.

This is one of those pieces that I can realistically see myself wearing well into my sixties. It doesn’t get much more classic than a double breasted, belted khaki trench coat.

It’s the perfect rainwear to go over a business suit, and if you get it cut to 3-6 inches above the knee, it also looks great with jeans and a layered casual look.

5. Formal

In the chance that you have to step out to a formal event on a rainy day/night, go with a simple, above the knee length, black treated cotton topcoat.

As always with formal attire, make sure the fit is slim, sharp and well tailored.

Black cotton topcoat by Theory (size 40). Hidden placket shirt, white satin suspenders, black bowtie and midnight navy tuxedo (as featured here and here) all by MAB (bespoke, my own designs). Shoes by Bally. Watch by Montblanc. Umbrella by Davek.

Thanks for reading. Stay dry.

Yours in style,

SB

Original source : http://www.thestyleblogger.com/tip-of-the-day-attacking-the-rain-in-style/

By Erin O'Brien, eHow Contributor

Credit Card Laws Crash Course

How to Make the Most of Them -- and Your Money

Credit Card Laws Crash Course (photo: sjlocke/iStockphoto.com)

To actually see an end that's not 15 or 20 years out, to see that if I pay this amount for three years, the debt will be gone? I can do this.
— Sarah M.

On an otherwise unremarkable spring day, Sarah M. stepped out of her tidy suburban home and pulled a credit card bill from the mailbox, just as she had been doing for more than 20 years. The balance, payment terms and interest rate were as she expected, but there was something new on the bill. There was a chart that detailed how long it would take to pay off her $9,000 balance if she made only minimum payments.

"It was nearly 18 years," Sarah said. "I almost fell off my chair."
Another entry on the chart; however, showed how a higher monthly payment would erase her debt in only three years. It was that hard-and-fast calculation that gave Sarah new determination.
"To actually see an end that's not 15 or 20 years out," she said, "to see that if I pay this amount for three years, the debt will be gone? I can do this."
That bit of information on Sarah's bill was courtesy of the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009. The act, also known as the Credit CARD Act, was phased in during 2010 and is helping consumers like Sarah from coast to coast.

Making the Credit CARD Act Work for You

According to the Federal Reserve, Americans carried a staggering $826 billion in revolving debt in June 2010. The Nilson Report, which compiles statistics about U.S. consumption and payments, states the average household in the United States had 5.4 credit cards as of April 2009. Almost half of the credit card users carry over a balance each month. Those balances translate into much more than the sum of items purchased with plastic. They also include a barrage of fees, interest and penalties that can inflate modest balances into lifetime loans. The Credit CARD Act aims to ease the sting for consumers, but not unless consumers stay alert. Credit card companies cannot raise your rate during the first year you have an account. This rule does not apply if you're more than 60 days late in making a payment. It also does not apply to variable rate accounts or those featuring an introductory rate. You cannot be charged over-the-limit transaction fees unless you have authorized over-the-limit transactions on your account. Play it safe by saying "no" to opt-in features.

Gift Card Rules

(photo: Philipdyer/iStockphoto.com)

Gift cards are a safe and convenient option for uncertain shoppers. Electronically loaded balances on those colorful plastic cards were sometimes misleading in the past, leaving gift recipients unhappily surprised at the cash register when unexpected fees came off their balance -- or, worse yet, when the gift disappeared all together due to an unclear expiration date.
As of August 2010, gift cards are under the umbrella of new rules, courtesy of the Credit CARD Act. This makes gift-card transactions more secure for givers and recipients.
A gift card -- both the single-store type and those that are issued under corporate names such as Visa or MasterCard -- cannot expire for five years from the date of purchase or the date of the last addition of funds.
Any fees associated with the card must be clearly stated on the card or its packaging. Fees may apply to buy or replace a card or for inactivity if you haven't used the card for a year.
Reloadable bankcards that are not gift cards and cards given as part of a reward-style program are not covered by the new rules, but the issuers still must disclose any fees or dates of expiration.

Know the Fees

Credit card bills must be mailed or delivered to cardholders 21 days before the payment due date, which is an increase from 14 days. But, don't get lax with the newly extended period. A late fee is still a late fee.
Under changes that took effect in August 2010, late-fee amounts will dip. Most often, late fees will decrease and be standardized at $25 dollars, but credit card companies can raise these fees if you have been late on a payment within the past six months. Additionally, card companies may no longer double penalize you in a single billing cycle. That means if you incur a fee for exceeding your spending limit, you may not also be charged a late fee.
If you have split-billing with different interest rates applying to certain portions of your balance, and you pay more than the minimum payment, the credit card company must first apply those additional funds to the portion of your balance that carries the highest interest rate.
Avoid costly higher-interest offers, such as cash advances, and try to keep your balance at one simple rate. Those 21 or younger have to show proof that he or she can make monthly payments; if they can't provide that, they'll need a co-signer. To get an increase in a credit limit if you are under 21, your co-signer has to agree to the increase as well. Co-signers, beware: Should the person you vouch for become unable to make the payments, the credit card company will come looking for you. You won't be free from responsibility once the person turns 21, either. If you sign on as a co-signer, it could affect your credit for years to come.

Borrower Beware

Lenders are constantly looking for ways around the new protections. Case in point, according to the National Consumer Law Center, some credit-card companies are allowing over-the-limit purchases, then charging a "late fee" instead of an "over-the-limit" fee if a purchase is not paid in full in that billing cycle.
Lauren Saunders, managing attorney at the National Consumer Law Center, advises cardholders to keep track of their balances and credit limits. "In addition to being aware that your minimum payment may be higher than you expect if you go over your limit," she said, "consumers might try calling their credit-card company and asking if they can have a 'hard' credit limit, where transactions are denied if they go over the limit."
Consumers should understand that the most effective line of defense against evasive practices is themselves. "Consumers need to read what they get in the mail from their credit-card company. They need to understand what it is that the credit card is offering them," said Susan Weinstock, financial reform campaign director at the Consumer Federation of America.
Consumers can also log on for solid guidance. The Federal Reserve's website is brimming with clear language and good advice when it comes to the Credit CARD Act and using credit cards in general. Tips include paying your bill on time, staying within your credit limit, paying more than the minimum monthly payment and reading those "change in terms" notices.
"If you're unhappy with what your credit-card company is offering, shop around," Weinstock said. The Credit CARD Act makes this easier now with a 45-day notification requirement for all major changes to your account, although some exceptions apply to accounts with variable or introductory rates and accounts more than 60 days late. It's also wise to monitor your credit report regularly, so you can keep on top of inaccuracies and address anything that might hurt your overall credit score.

A Lesson Learned

Sarah, meanwhile, is optimistic that she'll pay down her credit in three years, but she's quick to admit that it took her much longer to grasp the implication of her debt.
"It's easy to flash plastic and not think about the consequences," she said, adding that the real expense of paying with credit comes due no matter what new consumer protections are legislated.
"It costs money to borrow money."


Read more: Credit Card Laws Crash Course | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/feature_7175792_credit-card-laws-crash-course.html#ixzz18UP0jjT4

How to Find a Secured Personal Loan

By Ana Jackson, eHow Contributor

updated: December 4, 2010

A secured personal loan involves pledging an asset or assets to back the loan. Secured personal loans are appealing due to their cost-effectiveness. You typically pay lower interest rates, as the collateral reduces the lender's risk. If you default on the loan, the lender can sell the collateral to minimize the loss. If you're considering applying for a secured personal loan, it is important to follow the right procedure.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Collateral

1. 1
   Take inventory of your assets. Decide what you would like to use as collateral for your secured personal loan. For example, you can use a car, a boat, a motorcycle or a motor home. Other options include CD savings accounts and cash investments.
   
2. 2
   Determine your credit score. If you don't know what it is, purchase it from either of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. You can also obtain it from FICO for a fee of about $15.
   
3. 3
   Request a copy of your credit report from annualcreditreport.com. The service is free. Examine the report, and make sure that all the information is accurate.
   
4. 4
   Compare the products available from at least three different lenders. Banks and credit unions are an ideal place to start, as these types of lending institutions generally offer lower interest loans. Compare the repayment amounts, interest rates and any applicable fees, as well as the terms and conditions.
   
5. 5
   Opt for a loan with a fixed interest rate, which means that the monthly payment will remain the same for the length of the loan.
   
6. 6
   Provide your contact and employment information, and offer the collateral.
   
7. 7
   Read all the terms and conditions thoroughly before signing the contract.

Read more: How to Find a Secured Personal Loan | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_7598424_secured-personal-loan.html#ixzz18UOjSVls

How to Find a Trustworthy Charity

By Maria Scinto, eHow Contributor

Whether you'd like to donate to a charitable organization out of the goodness of your heart or because you need an income tax deduction (or a little bit of both), you want to make sure you choose a trustworthy one. You want one where you can be sure that your money will actually get where it's supposed to be going. It isn't always easy to do this, however, as there are always scam artists out there trying to make a quick buck off of other people's good intentions. Take some steps to make sure that your next charitable contribution goes to help the people, animals, land trusts, that need it rather than lining the pockets of the undeserving.

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Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Internet access
• Check or credit card

1. • 1
     Ask the charity's contact person if your donation is tax deductible, even if you are not interested in taking the deduction. If the organization is a true charity, the deduction will most likely be tax deductible. If the outfit is a scam or a for-profit company posing as a charity, then, it won't be tax deductible. There may be some legitimate causes that for some reason do not have that tax status, but this should be a red flag that will tell you you need to collect more information about the organization before agreeing to make a donation.
     
   • 2
     Inquire as to what percentage of your donation will go towards the actual cause you're hoping to support. At least 60% of all funds raised should go towards the stated cause. If not, the overhead for this organization is way too high, which means that this "charity" is either remarkably inefficient or that someone, somewhere in this so-called nonprofit organization is actually making quite a hefty profit.
     
   • 3
     Never agree to make a donation over the phone, unless you are the one who placed the call to the charitable organization. Telemarketers are frequently employed by scammers and fake charities.
     
   • 4
     Do your homework. Check out not only the website of the charity itself, but also any press coverage it's received. If it is a legitimate organization, it should have received a certain amount of media coverage, and the media may indicate whether or not this charity is getting the job done in the manner it claims.
     
   • 5
     Pick a local charity if possible. That way you can see for yourself firsthand evidence of your organization at work. You can even choose to bypass the middleman and make a direct donation to your local church, soup kitchen, animal shelter, public school, library, or other organization in need of a little financial help.
     
   • 6
     Search the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance website for any mention, positive or negative, of your charity. You can also check with other watchdog groups monitoring charities, groups such as the American Institute of Philanthropy, Charity Navigator, and Guidestar. Guidestar posts copies of the federal tax returns filed by each charity.

Read more: How to Find a Trustworthy Charity | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2330586_find-trustworthy-charity.html#ixzz18UOLJnGF

8 Great Gadgets to Give or Receive

8 Great Gadgets to Give or Receive This Season

By Crystal Hsing, eHow Contributor

updated: December 3, 2010

1. 
   Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
   Electronics make great gifts for the holiday season.
   Who doesn't crave the latest gadgets, especially when they're wrapped up under the tree? From digital cameras to MP3 players to LCD monitors, the market is filled with high-tech electronic goodies, but which ones are the hot items for this holiday season? Take a look at eight popular gadgets that make a perfect present, whether you are giving or receiving the gift.

Digital camera

2. 
   portable hard drive image by Adrian Costea from Fotolia.com
   SLR cameras are all the rage these days, but with prices ranging from $400 to $700, it may be easier on your wallet to consider point-and-shoot digital cameras. Look for cameras with reliable, built-in, automatic flash and long battery life to get the best bang for your buck. For around $250, Samsung offers its ST80 Wi-Fi Camera, which lets you instantly upload your photos or videos directly from the camera onto sites like Facebook and Youtube via its handy built-in Wi-Fi connection. Canon's PowerShot A3100 IS is a steal at $99 with features such as a 2.7" LCD screen and Face Detection technology.

iPad accessories

3. If you know someone who already has an iPad, why not give them something that adds a little oomph to their tablets? From covers to screen protectors to docks, there are plenty of add-ons to choose from. Kensington offers its Powerpad iPad Dock that doubles as a case with built-in speakers and provides up to five hours of extra battery life. All that for $100. If you're looking for something more budget-friendly, try an iPad stand, like Bracketron's Netbook and iPad X-type Stand, which sells for around $12 and allows users to watch movies or read their iPad hands-free.

Headphones

4. 
   headphones image by Daniel Wiedemann from Fotolia.com
   A set of good headphones makes the perfect gift for the music lover in your life. Many headphones offer noise-reduction abilities that up the sound quality of any musical experience as well as full-ear enclosure for added comfort. Prices range from $10 to over $500 depending on the quality you want. Eskuche's Control CPU and Koss Porta's Pro headphones both offer great sound with a sleek, retro look for around $50. Other options to consider are high-performance earbuds, which can run anywhere from 450 to $250, for those who are always on the go and don't want to lug around hefty headphones.

Microsoft Kinect

5. 
   black and blue game pads image by Warren Millar from Fotolia.com
   For the gamers, you can't go wrong with Microsoft's answer to the Nintendo Wii: Kinect for Xbox 360. With sensors that track your body movements and your voice, Kinect offers a one-of-a-kind gaming experience, no controller necessary. The Kinect sensor (Xbox console not included) sells for $199 in a bundle that includes two games; each game usually sells for around $50 on its own.

External hard drive

6. 
   external hardrive image by Photoeyes from Fotolia.com
   It may not be the sexiest gift, but the peace of mind that comes with knowing your important computer data is safely backed up on an external hard drive feels priceless. It's the perfect gift for those on your list that pride themselves on extensive digital music, video or photo collections. External hard drives come in all shapes and sizes, with different capacities ranging from a couple of gigabytes to terabytes. Important specs to consider include reading and writing speeds, connection types (USB 3.0, USB 2.0, FireWire, etc.), and information such as noise level and run temperature. The Western Digital My Book 3.0 was the best reviewed external hard drive on www.consumersearch.com and comes in 1 or 2 terabyte models for around $150 and $180, respectively. For those who value portability, Iomega's eGo portable hard drive boasts a slim design at about 6 in. long with either 250GB or 500GB capacities.

MP3 player

7. 
   music pocket pc image by Alexander Oshvintsev from Fotolia.com
   The market for MP3 players is pretty much dominated by Apple, and for good reason. IPods, from the shuffle, the nano, the touch and the classic, iPods have become the standard by which all other MP3 players are judged. The shuffle runs for a mere $49 and comes with a built-in clip that's perfect for those on the go; the newly redesigned nano starts at $149 and now uses touch-screen technology; and, the iPod touch includes features such as Facetime, Retina display and Wi-Fi capability for internet access, all starting from $229. For the non-Apple lovers, Microsoft's Zune HD sports a 3.3-in. display with an HD radio tuner and an amazingly long estimated battery life of 33 hours.

Ebook reader

8. Die hard book lovers may be holding out against ebooks, but there's no denying that digital readers are here to stay. Take factors such as portability, screen size and battery life into consideration when choosing which reader to get. The third generation of Amazon's Kindle now comes in models with 3G/Wi-Fi ($189) with improved battery life and even plays MP3 audio. Barnes & Nobles' Nook Color is significantly pricier at $249, but the 7-in. color touch screen is hard to beat. Amazon's Kindle and Barnes and Noble's Nook are the most popular readers, but they are not the only choices in the market: the Sony Reader comes in Pocket and Touch Editions while Apple's iPad definitely functions well as an ebook reader, among all its other uses.

Smartphone

9. 
   Smartphone image by Dominator from Fotolia.com
   If you're thinking about gifting someone with a smartphone, be sure to consider what they'd be using the phone for most. For avid texters, the Samsung Reality comes with both a touch screen and a QWERTY keyboard for maximum texting potential. Apple's iPhone 4 is perfect for those who want their phone to do it all: texting, gaming, web-surfing and other forms of multimedia. Another important factor to be aware of is the recipient's wireless carrier, as certain phones are only available on a particular network (such as the iPhone, which is currently only carried by AT&T, though the Wall Street Journal recently reported that the iPhone would be available for Verizon subscribers in early 2011).

Read more: 8 Great Gadgets to Give or Receive This Season | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/list_7596550_8-gadgets-give-receive-season.html#ixzz18UO4RJmP

How to Know When to Issue a 1099-MISC

By an eHow Contributor

File a 1099-Misc

How to Know When to Issue a 1099-MISC

A 1099-MISC needs to be issued by your trade or business under many situations when you pay someone for rent, services, royalties or other various fees.

From Essentials: 1099 Due Date

• 
  How to Know When to Issue a 1099-MISC A 1099-MISC needs to be issued by your trade or business under many situations when you pay… More
  

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Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Spreadsheet Softwares
• File Cabinets
• Office Software
• Accountants
• Calculators
• Notebook Papers
• Tax Services
• EIN
• Business Services
• IRS Forms

Who Must Issue 1099-MISCs

1. 1
   Determine if you have a trade or business. If you are operating for the purpose of making a gain or profit, you have a trade or business.
   
2. 2
   Determine if you run a nonprofit organization, a taxable farmers cooperative, a government agency, or a trust of a qualified pension or profit-sharing employer plan. These are considered trades or businesses for 1099-MISC purposes.
   
3. 3
   Calculate if you paid $600 or more during the tax year in the course of your trade or business to an individual or partnership. Professional fees to an attorney, doctor or other professional are included. Payments to corporations are included only if they are for medical, health care, legal or fishing activities.
   
4. 4
   Calculate if you paid $10 or more in royalties.
   
5. 5
   Issue 1099-MISCs if you have or manage a trade or business and have paid $600 or more to an individual or partnership (or certain corporations) or have paid $10 or more in royalties.
   
6. 6
   Issue a separate 1099-MISC to each individual or partnership (or specific corporation).
   

Payments Requiring 1099-MISC

7. 1
   Determine that you paid $600 or more in compensation for services rendered by a nonemployee to your trade or business. Include the gross amount of payments in box 7, including anything you paid the contractor for supplies and materials.
   
8. 2
   Determine that you paid $600 or more in rent for office space, machines, equipment or land in the course of your trade or business. Write the amount in box 1. Do not include amounts paid to corporations or real estate agents.
   
9. 3
   Verify that your trade or business gave any prizes or awards to an individual who is not your employee. Include only amounts of $600 or more. Put amounts in box 3. But don't report it if the prize was transferred directly to charity.
   
10. 4
    Verify that your trade or business paid $600 or more in medical or health care payments to an individual, partnership or corporation. Put the amount in box 6.
    
11. 5
    Verify that your trade or business paid $600 or more to an attorney or corporation for any legal services. Write the amount in box 7. If you cannot determine the amount paid that applies to legal services, write the gross amount paid, even if less than $600, in box 13 and put the letter A after the amount.
    
12. 6
    Determine if you paid $600 or more in taxable fringe benefits to nonemployees in the course of your trade or business. Write the amount in box 7.
    
13. 7
    Determine if your trade or business paid $600 or more in punitive damages. Write the amount in box 3.
    
14. 8
    Determine if your trade or business paid $600 or more in director's fees. Write the amount in box 7.
    
15. 9
    Determine if your trade or business paid $600 or more to a deceased employee's estate or beneficiary. There are some tricky rules on this one, so be careful and get some help. Write the amount in box 3.
    
16. 10
    Verify that you paid $600 or more for your trade or business to purchase fish from an individual, partnership or corporation. Write the entire purchase cost in box 7.
    
17. 11
    Verify that you paid a share of fishing boat receipts to someone. The rules are quite tricky on fishing boats, so see a tax professional. The amount is written in box 5.
    
18. 12
    Verify that you paid royalties of $10 or more in the course of your trade or business. Write the amount in box 2.

Read more: How to Know When to Issue a 1099-MISC | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_13664_know-issue-1099.html#ixzz18UNh0WWE