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AUGUST // SEPTEMBER 2018 • MONTANA SENIOR NEWS HOME & LIFESTYLE PAGE 15

finding common ground to take collective every level of government. Encourage your the candidates who put the country, or the
action in the national interest.” representatives to work constructively with community, first—above party allegiance or
Citizens can apply this principle in a num- their colleagues in an effort to de-polarize personal aggrandizement,” stresses Shapiro,
ber of ways. politics and ultimately be more effective at who also serves as a trade law and global pol-
Get involved. Attend city council meetings their jobs. icy consultant. More thoughts from Shapiro
and town hall meetings. But don’t just show Speak out. Organize or attend a rally. are available on his website at www.shapi-
up—make your voice heard. Make friends on Raise money for a political cause that matters roglobal.com.
all sides of the issue. Be a coalition builder. to you. Write a letter to the editor of your Shapiro argues the Senate is in trouble, but
Discover where your beliefs overlap with local paper. Take advantage of the channels it can be saved. Likewise, everyone, including
others before debating about the issues on available to you. average citizens, can be a champion for a cli-
which you disagree. “The best remedy of all, on both the mate of healthier politics, whether it’s around
Get in touch. From petitions to postcards national and local levels, is to support candi- the dinner table, on a social media thread, or
to calls and texts, there are numerous ways dates who are problem solvers and consensus at a city council meeting. MSN
to get in touch with your elected officials at builders, not partisan warriors. Look for

Rent Out Your Space Like A Pro

(STATEPOINT) From city apartments to beach houses, vacation Have the Right Insurance: What if your renter accidentally spills
home rental sites like Airbnb, VRBO and others have become popular something on a pricey rug or a valuable antique turns up missing? Or,
among homeowners and travelers alike. what if someone slips on a wet floor or falls down the stairs? While
Renting your entire house or even just one room, especially if some sites offer insurance coverage for hosts and landlords, other
there’s a big event coming to your town, can be a wonderful way sites may require you to provide your own coverage to protect against
to earn extra income, but it can also expose you to unexpected and these types of losses.
potentially costly risks. Before you start seeing dollar signs, learn how You’ll probably need protection if you decide to rent on your own.
to rent your home like a pro. It’s important to talk with your insurance agent about how you’re
List Through a Vacation Rental Site: Posting an ad is free on some using your home, the potential liability risks and whether your home
sites and eliminates some of the legwork involved. Some sites will is adequately protected against property damage, theft, and injuries.
verify users’ identities, provide guest and host reviews, and let you Deepen Your Tax Knowledge: According to the IRS, if you plan on
set your own rental price. renting your space for fewer than 15 days a year, you don’t need to
report the money earned as income. But many vacation rental sites
will automatically document the income to the IRS, meaning you could
get a letter asking you to pay on unreported income.
If you fall within that 14-day window, you need to write a letter
stating the income is not taxable and attach proof. However, if you
don’t actually live in the home, then you must report the income.

Upper 2/3rds Choice 168 Rooms Rental expenses, such as for advertising or housekeeping, can be
Steaks & Prime Rib deducted, but don’t deduct any personal expenses.
• 80% Sourced From Lounge Budget for Extra Costs: While it’s tempting to think about addi-
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tional income, make sure you understand the fee structure and costs.
Grains of Montana Products Casino Most rental sites charge either an annual fee or a percentage of each
Pool booking to cover processing and listing. Some take a percentage of the
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• Montana Grown or Hot Tubs rental fee and may even charge a service fee to your guest.
Distilled Products Depending on how much of your home you’re renting out, you
RV Park 406-443-5910 may need to find another place to stay. Plus, you need to consider the
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Brands with Warranties
up between guests.
Decide whether renting out your home is right for you and your
54250 US HWY 2 East, Glasgow 125 N Wallace • Bozeman family. If so, it’s time to start sprucing up your place to get ready
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