TAX SEASON IS UPON US WHICH FOR MOST FOLKS IS A NOT A PLEASANT TIME. HOWEVER THERE IS SOME GOOD NEWS. SOME TAXPAYERS ARE ENJOYING A SLIGHTLY BIGGER REFUND THIS YEAR. THE IRS ANNOUNCED LAST WEEK THAT BY THE END OF FEBRUARY, THE AVERAGE TAX REFUND WAS $3,034. THAT’S UP 3 PERCENT FROM A YEAR AGO.
QVC’S NEW SPROUTS PROGRAM, WHICH IS DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE ENTREPRENEURS, IS HELPING ONE WOMAN BEEF UP HER BUSINESS. SHELLY AFTHIM PITCHED HER GOURMET CHICKEN MEATBALLS TO QVC MORE THAN A YEAR AGO. TO HER SURPRISE, A BUYER ASKED FOR A TASTE AND LAST MONTH, HER GOURMET METABALLS BEAT OUT THE COMPETITION FOR A SPOT ON QVC.COM.
AND THERE’S A CHANGE AFOOT IN WINE COUNTRY. RECENTLY FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER WOMEN COMPETED IN THE ANNUAL NAPA COUNTY PRUNING CONTEST. UP UNTIL RECENTLY PRUNING HAS OVERWHELMINGLY BEEN A MAN’S JOBS BUT NOW WOMEN ARE GRABBING THEIR SHEARS AND WORKING FOR SOME OF THE WORLD’S FINEST WINEMAKERS. FOR MORE ON THESE STORIES AND MUCH MORE SIMPLY HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE www.workingwomanreport.com
