Does Renters Insurance Cover Bedbugs?

Ridding your home of bedbugs can be a significant financial burden, with costs typically ranging from $1,000 to $4,000 depending on the size of your home and the severity of the infestation. Unfortunately, for most tenants, renters insurance will not step in to help with these expenses.

Why standard policies say “No”

Generally, renters insurance is designed to protect you against sudden, accidental “perils” like fires, lightning strikes, or windstorms. In the eyes of most insurance carriers, a pest infestation is considered a maintenance issue rather than a sudden disaster.

Because it falls under the category of home upkeep, your policy likely won’t cover:

• Extermination fees: The cost of professional pest control.
• Replacement costs: If you have to throw away an infested mattress or furniture.
• Relocation: Hotel bills if you need to vacate the unit during treatment.

While a few specialized policies or “add-on” endorsements exist that offer limited coverage (sometimes providing a few hundred dollars toward extermination), these are rare and often only available through specific property management partnerships.

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Is Your Landlord Responsible?

In many cases, the responsibility falls on the landlord, especially in multi-unit buildings. However, the answer often depends on your local laws and the specific language in your lease.

The Implied Warranty of Habitability

Most tenants are protected by a legal concept known as the “implied warranty of habitability.” This requires landlords to provide a basic standard of living, which includes heat, water, structural safety, and a home free of vermin.

However, this doesn’t automatically mean the landlord pays. The “source” of the bugs matters:

• If you brought them in: If you live in a single-family home and the bugs appeared right after you returned from a trip, the landlord may argue you introduced the pests and hold you liable for the bill.
• If the building is infested: If multiple units in an apartment complex have bedbugs, it becomes difficult to pinpoint the source. In these instances, the landlord is usually required to foot the bill for the entire building.

State and Local Laws

Specific regulations vary by location:

• Colorado: Landlords are generally required to pay for extermination, though tenants may still be responsible for their own relocation or furniture replacement costs.
• Florida: Law requires landlords to manage bedbug issues in any rental unit other than single-family homes or duplexes.

Always check your specific city and state ordinances to see who is legally obligated to pay.

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Your Responsibilities as a Tenant

Even if the landlord is paying, you have a role to play. Tenants are typically required to:

1. Report the issue immediately once discovered.
2. Cooperate with exterminators by clearing clutter or vacating the premises as requested.
3. Allow access to the unit for inspections and treatments.

If your landlord refuses to address an infestation or you cannot agree on who should pay, you may need to consult a tenant rights attorney or a local housing clinic.

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How to Get Rid of Bedbugs

If you are dealing with an infestation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency suggests the following steps in addition to hiring a professional:

Interceptors: Place bedbug interceptor cups under the legs of beds and furniture to trap bugs moving to and from the piece

Vacuum Thoroughly: Clean all rugs and floors, then immediately seal the vacuum contents in a bag and dispose of them in an outdoor trash bin.

Isolate the Bed: Move your bed away from the walls and ensure bedding does not touch the floor.

Declutter: Remove hiding places by clearing out piles of clothing or paper.

Seal the Gaps: Use caulk to close cracks around baseboards and electrical outlets.

Protect Furniture: Encase your mattress and box spring in certified bedbug-proof covers.

Heat Treatment: Place infested items (like clothes or linens) in a dryer on high heat for at least 30 minutes.

The Rising Cost of Staying on the Road

If you have noticed your auto insurance premiums climbing by hundreds of dollars recently, you are far from alone. Across the country, the average premium paid in the first half of 2025 has jumped more than 8 percent compared to the same period last year. Even more striking is the long-term trend: average premiums have surged by over 30 percent since 2023.

The Financial Reality for Drivers

The average driver is now facing an annual bill of approximately $2,679. however, location plays a massive role in how much pain consumers are feeling at the pump and in their policies. Drivers in states like Florida, Louisiana, and Nevada are seeing average annual costs climb well above $3,500, while in New York, the average has topped the $4,000 mark.

A recent survey of over 40,000 policyholders highlights just how widespread these hikes are:

• 38 percent of drivers reported an increase between $50 and $199 within the last year.
• 22 percent reported their annual premium spiked by $200 or more.

Looking Ahead

The upward trend may not be over yet. Current market analysis suggests that external economic factors, including the impact of prolonged tariffs on automotive parts, could drive national premiums up by an additional 8 percent by the end of 2025. This projected increase is double what many analysts originally anticipated, signaling a challenging road ahead for household budgets.

The good news is, yes, pothole damage is usually covered—provided you have collision coverage. Collision coverage, an optional portion of a standard auto insurance policy, covers damage to a car resulting from a collision with an object (e.g., a pothole, lamp post or guard rail), another car or as the result of flipping over. However, it does not cover wear and tear to a car or its tires due to bad road conditions.

Collision coverage is generally sold with a deductible—the higher your deductible, the lower your premium. Your collision coverage will reimburse you for the costs of repairing your car, minus the deductible.

Collision insurance is different from comprehensive insurance, which is also an optional coverage. Comprehensive coverage reimburses drivers for theft, vandalism, flooding and damage from fallen objects, such as trees.

A driver who hits another car, or a pedestrian, due to a pothole also will be covered by liability insurance, which is required to drive legally in every U.S. state except New Hampshire. Liability coverage applies to injuries that you, the policyholder or designated driver, cause to someone else.

In addition to filing a claim with your insurance company, some jurisdictions, like Chicago and New York state, may pay for pothole damage in certain cases. A driver who has had pothole damage needs to determine what jurisdiction is responsible for the road and inquire about compensation for pothole damage. Then the driver must file a claim.

Potholes usually cause relatively minor damage to cars, mostly to the wheels and tires. In some cases, potholes can also damage to the steering, suspension and alignment systems. Since the pothole damage your vehicle may incur could fall below the amount of your deductible, typically $500 or $1,000, it may not be practical to file a claim.

Facts and figures

Most motorists carry collision coverage on their vehicles. In the United States, 73 percent of insured drivers had collision coverage as of 2015, the most recent year for which the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has data.

The NAIC found that 78 percent of all drivers had comprehensive coverage in 2015.

Green Energy and Home Insurance: What You Need to Know

As more homeowners choose to “unplug” from traditional utilities, the insurance industry is beginning to adapt with specialized coverage and incentives. To save energy and reduce their environmental impact, many homeowners are moving beyond simple steps like recycling or using high-efficiency lighting and are instead generating their own power.

Living “Off the Grid”

Taking a home “off the grid” involves using alternative energy sources—such as solar panels or geothermal pumps—rather than hooking up to a public electric or gas company. While this was once a niche lifestyle, it is a growing movement. Estimates suggest that hundreds of thousands of households now operate independently of the public grid, with that number growing by roughly 10% each year.

Insurance Discounts for Sustainable Living

The insurance industry is starting to recognize the value of environmentally responsible homes. Some insurers have begun offering discounts—often around 5%—for homeowners who utilize solar or geothermal systems.

However, insurers generally distinguish between “safe” alternative energy and potential hazards:

• Approved Systems: Geothermal and solar systems are viewed as safe, modern technologies. To qualify for discounts, systems typically must be installed by qualified contractors and meet high efficiency standards.
• Fire Risks: Homes relying solely on wood fireplaces or coal stoves for heat are often viewed as higher risks due to the increased chance of fire, making them more difficult to insure.

Is Specialized Coverage Required?

In most cases, you do not need to buy additional riders or separate policies to cover alternative energy equipment.

• Replacement Cost: The value of solar panels or geothermal pumps is typically included in your home’s total replacement cost.
• Policy Reviews: It is vital to ensure your policy limits accurately reflect the cost to rebuild or repair your home with these high-tech systems included.

The Future of Green Insurance

While not every major carrier offers a specific “green discount” yet, most are willing to underwrite policies for off-the-grid homes. These properties are generally evaluated on an individual basis, looking at the specific risks and the quality of the installation.

As sustainable building practices become more mainstream, industry experts anticipate that more providers will offer competitive “off-the-grid” discounts to attract eco-conscious homeowners. For now, the trend is clear: as homeowners migrate toward greener living, the insurance market is moving right along with them.

Every homeowner should consider the benefits and risks of purchasing flood insurance, particularly as the seasons change. There are generally two primary ways to obtain this protection: through private insurance carriers or through government-subsidized programs.

Spring is statistically the time of year when the most flooding occurs due to rapid snowmelt and unpredictable weather patterns.

What is Flood Insurance?

Flood insurance provides financial backing to property owners if they incur water damage caused by rising surface water. Before a policy is issued, providers typically investigate the specific flood risks associated with the property’s location.

What Does Flood Insurance Cover?

Lowlands, floodplains, and areas with an extensive history of water damage will likely carry higher premiums. It is important to understand that insurance providers generally only provide coverage if the damage is caused directly by a flood event. For example, if a home is damaged by a different mechanical or structural issue during a storm, the claim may be denied if flooding wasn’t the primary cause.

The two most common types of coverage consist of:

• Building Coverage: Protects the actual physical structure of the house.
• Contents Coverage: Protects the items inside the property, such as furnaces, water heaters, carpeting, electrical systems, and personal belongings.

Why Buy Flood Insurance During Spring?

Spring is often considered the most critical time to secure coverage. Despite the onset of warmer weather, frozen ground cannot absorb melting snow or heavy rainfall. Instead, this water flows over the surface and into water banks near residential areas.

Heavy rain and rapid snowmelt are standard seasonal trends that can lead to life-threatening conditions and significant property loss. Having protection in place before these weather patterns begin can help ease the massive financial burden of a flood.

Potential Disadvantages and Limits

When selecting a plan, it is vital to read the fine print regarding coverage “loopholes.” Providers evaluate claims based on the direct cause of the event; if a non-flooding issue is determined to be the culprit, you may be left without reimbursement.

Additionally, some policies—particularly those funded by government programs—have specific limits. For instance, some plans only provide the actual cash value for lost belongings (their value at the time of the loss) rather than the replacement cost (what it actually costs to buy a new version today). In these specific circumstances, a policyholder should weigh the long-term cost against the specific payout limits.

Helping Children Navigate “Big Emotions”

Children experience a vast spectrum of emotions as they grow and explore the world. Feelings like frustration, anger, sadness, excitement, and anxiety are all natural parts of development. However, many children struggle to process these “big emotions,” especially when they feel overwhelmed or lack the tools to express themselves. Counseling provides a guided environment where children can understand their feelings and build healthy habits for the future.

Understanding the Intensity of Childhood Emotions

Young children often experience emotions intensely because the brain centers responsible for regulation are still developing. When a child is overwhelmed, it may manifest as tantrums, social withdrawal, or difficulty focusing. These reactions are often a signal that the child needs help identifying and articulating what they are feeling in a constructive way.

Professional support helps children realize that all emotions are normal. Through consistent guidance, they begin to connect their feelings to specific triggers, helping them understand the “why” behind their reactions.

Cultivating Emotional Awareness

A primary step in emotional management is teaching children to name what they are experiencing. Many children act out simply because they lack the specific vocabulary to explain their internal state.

Counselors often use age-appropriate tools—such as storytelling, games, and creative play—to help children label different feelings. Once a child can put a name to a feeling, they are much better equipped to communicate their needs and approach situations with more clarity.

Developing Practical Coping Strategies

Sessions often focus on “in-the-moment” strategies that children can use when they feel a surge of emotion. These practical skills help children pause and think before reacting impulsively. Common techniques include:

• Deep Breathing: Learning to use slow, controlled breaths to physically calm the nervous system.
• Calming Visualizations: Using the imagination to shift focus away from a stressor.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Learning to identify a challenge and brainstorm a verbal solution rather than a physical one.

Building Resilience and Confidence

As children master these tools, their self-confidence grows. They learn that while they cannot always control what happens to them, they can control how they respond. This builds emotional resilience—the ability to recover from setbacks and adapt to change. This resilience is a foundational skill that helps them navigate school, friendships, and family dynamics more successfully.

The Role of Parents and Caregivers

Emotional development is most successful when supported both in professional sessions and at home. Therapists often collaborate with caregivers to create a consistent environment. This might include:

• Validating Feelings: Learning how to acknowledge a child’s perspective without necessarily agreeing with their behavior.
• Open Communication: Encouraging a household culture where it is safe to talk about difficult feelings.
• Co-Regulation: Practicing calming strategies alongside the child during moments of high stress.

Empowering Long-Term Well-Being

Learning to manage big emotions is one of the most important tasks of childhood. With the right support, children can transform overwhelming feelings into opportunities for growth. Counseling provides a safe, non-judgmental space for children to develop the awareness and resilience they need to handle life’s ups and downs with confidence.

How can you grow and develop as a manager? 

Stepping into a leadership position for the first time can be daunting, even if you feel prepared to handle your new responsibilities. Going from focusing primarily on your own work’s quality to overseeing an entire team’s output can feel overwhelming. However, effectively leading your team and experiencing success can be extremely rewarding. 

The relationship between a manager and their team can be complex to navigate. There’s more to it than telling everyone what to do; in fact, that management approach is highly discouraged. We’ll explore the characteristics of true leaders in management positions and a few behaviors to avoid to become an excellent manager.

What are the ideal characteristics of good managers?

We’ll highlight four primary characteristics of good managers and offer advice from seasoned influencers on how to incorporate these traits into your leadership style.  

1. Good managers are collaborative.

Creating a collaborative environment where everyone feels heard, respected and valued is a crucial step for new managers. A team that works together creates a welcoming, supportive culture. 

As a manager, you can encourage a collaborative environment by setting the pace for workplace ethics.

According to Summer Salomonsen, former chief learning officer at Grovo, tips for creating a collaborative work environment include delegating tasks, encouraging communication and feedback through regular one-on-one meetings, and prioritizing reciprocal trust among the team.

2. Supportive managers are growth-oriented.

Good managers should focus on helping their employees progress both individually and collectively. Get to know your workers personally so you can help them leverage their talents. Find what works and what doesn’t, and prioritize identifying and removing obstacles so your employees can perform at their best.

Will Esdaile, vice president of performance marketing at Blue Nile, suggests that managers “have a development goal that isn’t about the business. Have one goal focused on the development of a person (or people) on your team that isn’t connected to a business outcome. This could be developing confidence in presenting by sharing work to a big group or learning a new language.”

3. Excellent managers know how to communicate.

Communication is a driving force behind nearly everything people do, so clear communication is a vital characteristic for supervisors. You should set clear expectations for your employees, be transparent about important topics, and establish guidelines for both giving and receiving feedback.

To inspire original thinking, Salomonsen advises managers to create a diverse and inclusive company culture where everyone can voice their concerns, opinions and ideas. Encourage authenticity and vulnerability by leading by example, this could be asking for help or admitting you don’t understand something in front of your staff. Great leaders are aware of their strengths and weaknesses, and communicate how they are working to improve challenges.

Did You Know?

Communication is key to employee engagement and job satisfaction. It’s crucial to communicate concisely with your team so misunderstandings don’t hinder their work.

4. Good managers motivate their employees to improve.

Money isn’t the only incentive that motivates employees. Every worker wants to feel valued. If they don’t believe their work is making a difference in some way, they won’t be motivated. 

Yaniv Masjedi, marketing personnel at Aura, said new managers should “take some time to get to know each team member’s strengths and where they need extra support. Use assignments as a learning process for you and your team. Then support where needed and lean extra hard when you’re able to.”

Masjedi added it’s best to learn alongside your team as you grow into your role. Your staff will see you putting in the work to improve, which will inspire them to do better in their own positions.

Tip

When you’re managing remote teams, proactive communication is crucial. Hold regular meetings and set clear guidelines on what communication methods to use in specific circumstances.

Bad leadership habits every manager should avoid 

New managers often fall into bad leadership habits as they take on their new responsibilities. Salomonsen noted six leadership weaknesses to avoid at all costs.

• Providing only negative feedback: Managers can fall into the trap of providing feedback only during performance reviews or when problems arise. Feedback is essential to an employee’s professional development. However, feedback includes praise for specific tasks, not just criticism. When employees experience a carousel of negative – and only negative – feedback, they can become discouraged and thus disengage from their work.
• Micromanaging staff: While you must oversee your team’s workflow and help staff handle roadblocks, you shouldn’t try to control them completely. It’s essential to trust your team to complete tasks as a whole and respect each individuals’ work style. Forcing your workers to perform tasks counter to their typical methods can cause a significant drop in productivity as they adjust. As long as the end result is the same, give your staff room for creativity.
• Not requesting feedback: Poor managers rarely solicit or address questions, feedback and concerns. Good managers offer the floor to team members so they can freely express their questions and concerns. This will often clear up misunderstandings and create a more collaborative space. Keep in mind if one team member has a question, others may need the same guidance.
• Shutting themselves off from new ideas: Closed-minded managers won’t accept criticism or new ideas. They become a roadblock keeping the team from performing at its best. Each team member has their own perspective on the creative process, and is uniquely suited to recognize inefficiencies within their workflow. Listen to your team’s input, and use their perspectives to enact positive change.
• Avoiding tricky conversations: Good managers must tackle challenging situations that affect the team’s productivity head-on. Avoiding these situations lets the problem fester and can cause employee engagement to drop significantly. 
• Not setting clear expectations: Bad managers are unclear about team goals and often set expectations too high or low. Instead, managers should establish project expectations before starting so their team understands the end goal. Setting expectations too high can make goals seem unattainable, but going too low can cause the overall performance to fall under key benchmarks.

What strategies should a new manager implement?

Several techniques help new managers ensure their team is working optimally. Consider these methods:

• Introduce yourself to team members. When stepping into a new managerial role, it’s essential to introduce yourself to your new team as soon as possible. Meeting everyone allows you to build trust with the group while setting professional expectations for the foreseeable future.
• Set recurring one-on-ones. Regularly checking in with individual team members gives you a chance to provide feedback, praise them for their strengths and address any potential roadblocks. This way, you can discuss any issues regularly and work together to overcome obstacles.
• Align team and company goals. Aligning team goals with the company’s overall objectives helps set your project’s pace. Additionally, when employees know what you expect from them, they’ll have clear professional goals to achieve. These goals can give them a sense of how their work contributes to the company’s success.
• Set measurable benchmarks for team performance. Setting metrics for your team’s performance is good for everyone. Team performance goals can help employees set achievable professional goals. Team goals also give you an easy way to determine when an employee is struggling with their tasks.
• Maintain transparency about company decisions. As a manager, you’re privy to more leadership decisions than your employees. However, keeping these decisions to yourself and changing your team’s workflow without explanation can cause employees to disengage from their work. Instead, be as open and honest as is allowed about company policy shifts. This way, you build trust with your team even if the changes you have to make are difficult. 

How can you grow and develop as a manager? 

You should never feel lost or unsupported when taking on a new role, especially as a leader. Here are three ways you can learn and grow in your new position.

1. Participate in management training.

Every company should offer training before hiring. However, many businesses don’t prioritize management development because of expense or time concerns. Some even reserve these programs only for senior leaders or offer workshops just a few times a year, explained Salomonsen.

“These sessions may be rewarding and inspiring, but they rarely make an impact on day-to-day work,” she said. “Moreover, sending every new manager to a management seminar their first week on the job is prohibitively expensive for most companies.”

Internal training is another option that’s especially suitable for small businesses. Host a few sessions with company experts or managers to run through the basics. Often, employees are promoted to a management role, so they already understand company standards and expectations.

2. Utilize microlearning methods.

Microlearning is a popular training method for small businesses. It’s quick, intensive and collaborative. This way, managers learn all they need to know in short bursts without feeling overwhelmed.

“With microlearning, both new and experienced managers can access digestible lessons that focus on the critical behaviors they need to perform their best, right in the course of their day-to-day work,” Salomonsen added. “Done right, a microlearning approach allows managers to quickly put new knowledge into practice, and gradually improve their habits and skills over time.”

Microlearning is efficient and far more affordable than extensive training programs.

3. Work with mentors and L&D partners.

Working with a mentor or learning and development (L&D) partner can set up new managers for success by providing support and expert knowledge.

“Each person is different, and every new manager has their own areas of growth in the early days of their new role,” Salomonsen said. “Whether they need to develop their interpersonal skills, time-management skills, strategic planning skills or leadership approach, they will need support from senior colleagues. … Finding a management mentor or L&D partner early can help set a strong foundation for the new manager’s development in their role.”

Keep an open mind about colleagues, friends and professional connections, and network as much as possible. Once you work with someone who can guide you through the beginning process, you’ll feel more confident in your role.

“Everybody needs a mentor,” added Brett Helling, owner of Gigworker.com and Ridester. “Find one and discuss the problems you are facing. Having a mentor or someone with expertise is the clear indication of growth within yourself.” 

Spring is in the air! It’s time to open the windows and let warm breezes freshen up homes that have been battened down for winter. Spring is always a good time to take stock of what has accumulated in your life and clean the world around you — take donation runs, prepare your garden, and vacuum out your car.

It is also a good idea to tidy up your digital world, both to simplify your life and to tighten your security. While 46% of the respondents of a 2021 Consumer Privacy Survey done by Cisco said they “feel they are unable to effectively protect their data,” you don’t have to be one of the people who feel uncertain of how to manage their online presence this spring. Here are some practical tips to prepare your personal data and devices for a season of travel and adventure:

1. Get in the habit of turning off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth while in public.

Public Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are both greatly convenient and terribly unsecured. Always consider if you need to utilize these free services, since you never know who else has access to the network. Do not utilize public Wi-Fi to access sensitive work information, or your own personal private data such as banking information. If possible, use a VPN or create a mobile hot spot with your phone to avoid using a public network, and keep your phone’s Bluetooth and Wi-Fi options turned off when they are not actively in use.

2. Go through your devices and delete applications that you are not using.

Not only are these applications cluttering up your desktop and taking up space on your phone, but they are additional services that may have access to your personal data and thus can be compromised.

3. Update the applications you are using.

New updates to apps and operating systems are not only about having the shiniest software features available; these updates include security patches for new cyber threats. Having up-to-date applications mitigates many vulnerabilities that could leave you susceptible to cyberattacks.

4. Check on your privacy settings.

Every application you use will have different privacy settings, and will request to access different information. Take a bit of time to see which apps are tracking your location, have access to your photos or calendar, or can view your contact directory. Limit the data the apps can use, especially taking into account their purpose and which permissions they need to function. The National Cyber Security Alliance has compiled collection of helpful information to guide you in updating the privacy settings of your accounts.

5. Check your password hygiene.

Utilize unique passwords for each account you maintain. Do not re-use passwords. Do not store them in one easy to access online document, or a sticky note on your work computer. To check whether your passwords have been exposed in any breaches, reference a site like Have I Been Pwned. If the password has been in a breach, do not use it again. Consider using a password manager — a password storage option that protects all of your passwords and passphrases, and may even create unique passwords and alert you when they have been breached.

6. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) whenever possible.

According to figures cited by US National Cyber Security Chief in 2021, the use of MFA could prevent between 80% and 90% of cyber attacks. Here at DriveStrike, we highly encourage the use of MFA whenever possible. Something as simple as having an SMS message sent with a one-time code can save you a world of grief. Services like Google and Proton Mail offer MFA, as well as many healthcare portals, insurance portals, and other online services. Check wherever your data is stored to see if you can enable this effective safeguard.

7. Invest in the security of your hardware.

Companies can have the luxury of IT Departments and security guards monitoring their office complexes, but the average household can take steps to protect their devices and WiFi networks without a team of professional security analysts. Actions as simple as putting devices away in a locked cabinet when not in use, securing your home router, opting for an economical software to track and remotely lock cell phones and computers, or taking the steps to secure your home office can make a massive difference when it comes to personal data security.

8. Finally, make data security a habit.

Storage and data statistics show that “public and private cloud infrastructure will receive 200+ zettabytes (ZB) of data by 2025”. Our household devices are connected via WiFi and Bluetooth both to us and to each other, and that is only expected to grow in a world increasingly investing in systems and technologies that expand the Internet of Things (IoT) into every aspect of the modern world. Understanding this reality does not mean you have to live in fear, burn your cell phone, and move into an underground bunker. Being aware of the risks allows you to make smart choices with your online footprint, and make healthy choices when weighing the trade offs between convenience and cyber security.

Spring is a time of new beginnings and fresh starts; a perfect time to reassess and freshen up your data security actions and attitudes. There is no escaping the fact that our world is going increasingly digital. Be aware of vulnerabilities and threats, and takes steps like the ones above to be vigilant. Remember, your information is yours. Teach yourself to view it as such, and protect it as would any other possession.

As a business owner, you must account for and manage several types of expenses in order to keep your operations running. Categorizing these expenses can help you effectively plan your finances, maintain an organized record of all transactions, and file taxes with ease. Understanding the key business expense categories can also make it easier to identify what is and isn’t tax deductible.

In this article, we will discuss what these small business expenses are, how to categorize them, and how expense tracking can benefit your business. 

Key Takeaways

• Key expense categories for small businesses include utilities, insurance, and taxes. 
• When categorizing and tracking expenses, business owners should consider setting up a separate bank account and using tracking software or apps.
• Tracking business expenses can offer several benefits including better preparing you for tax season and providing strategic opportunities for budget planning and tax deductions. 

What Are Tax-Deductible Business Expenses?

Tax-deductible business expenses, or “tax write-offs,” are costs that business owners can deduct from their total revenue to determine their taxable income. In essence, tax-deductible business expenses can reduce the amount of taxes you have to pay for operating and profiting from your business. 

Here are some key examples of tax-deductible expenses:

• Business use of home and/or car
• Direct labor
• Taxes
• Office or storage facility rent 
• Insurance payments
• Utilities like phone bills, internet service, etc. 

Small Business Expense Categories

Categorizing business expenses can make it easier to identify deductible items and file tax returns. Here are the main deductible expenses for small businesses to keep in mind. 

Taxes

Business-related tax expenses like state and local sales tax, state and local income tax, personal property tax, and excise tax may be deductible. 

Utilities and Rent 

Expenses paid for utilities necessary for your business to remain operational can be deductible. These expenses can include your telephone, internet, and electricity bills, and rent paid for your office and additional storage space.

Note

If you work from home and use a home office setup, you can include the cost of a computer, mobile data plan, office chair, work desk, and similar expenses for tax deductions.

Insurance

The ordinary and necessary cost of insurance can be deducted as a business expense if it is specifically for your business or trade. Examples of tax-deductible insurance expenses include insurance premiums, general and professional liability insurance, commercial property insurance, and data breach insurance. 

Vehicle Expenses 

If you use a car or a similar vehicle for business purposes, cost of ownership and operations can be tax deductible. More specifically, the cost of gas, mileage from business use, parking fees and tolls, and depreciation (though there are certain criteria for the latter) can be considered deductible expenses.  

Compensation

The wages you pay your employees or contractors for direct labor can count as a deductible business expense. 

How To Categorize Small Business Expenses

Categorizing business expenses can be helpful, but it may feel challenging and overwhelming if you have never filed business taxes before. Whether you are a new business owner creating efficient systems for expense tracking, or a seasoned entrepreneur looking to change your financial records system, here are some ways to categorize small business expenses. 

Set Up a Separate Expense Account 

Setting up a separate bank account for handling specific business expenses can make tracking easier. For example, you can pay all your phone, internet, and electricity bills through a separate “Utilities” account. 

Use Online Apps and Software

User-friendly (and often free) tracking apps and software can streamline the expense tracking and tax calculating process for small business owners. Instead of having to manually add to and maintain a spreadsheet or sort through a pen-and-paper trail of transactions, business owners can have an automated system to create invoice and expense reports, track expenses and time, and easily look up financial records and data.

Note

Examples of expense tracking software include SAP Concur, Expensify, Quickbooks, and Mint. 

Why You Should Track Business Expenses

Tracking business expenses can help you in the following ways:

• Expense tracking helps you identify tax-deductible expenses and gets you better prepared for tax season.
• A well-maintained transaction record can come in handy during business audits and inspections. 
• Regularly tracking business expenses can help you determine how you are doing financially, your business’s potential for profitability, and what needs to change. 
• Expense tracking helps you categorize and organize all the financial data essential to keep the business running. 
• Tracking business expenses also helps you budget effectively and find external funding if required. 

Note

Remember to keep records of business expenses and other business paperwork even after you file your taxes.

Gone are the days of finicky spreadsheets, yellow pages, and scratch paper to-do lists. Modern technology makes most things much easier, and owning a home is no exception. There are plenty of mobile apps available that can help homeowners make the ins and outs of owning a home a little bit simpler. Whether you need help organizing maintenance schedules or picking the perfect color for your walls, you can bet there’s an app for that.

Owning a home presents a lot of unique challenges. While many of these apps can be used by anyone, they are particularly helpful for homeowners. You can use apps to track household inventory, manage smart home features, help your lawn and garden thrive, handle home repairs, or even plan a full-scale renovation.

Under My Roof

Under My Roof is a mobile app that aims to help users organize their homes. It is geared toward people who have trouble keeping track of all the little details that come with owning a home. The app is also designed for those who want to ensure they have everything needed to file an insurance claim in the event of a disaster, such as a flood or fire. “After losing a small cabin to a wildfire,” one reviewer explained on the App Store, “my insurance company wanted a detailed inventory list before paying out on the contents portion of the policy. Needless to say, that task was difficult since I had to rely on memory and some photos … They are now scanned documents in the app … this is the only meaningful full-featured app for home contents.”

Under My Roof is a bit of a multi-tool. The app allows you to track household supply inventory, maintenance schedules, repair and renovation history, and collections (like movies or board games) as well as general information for everything you own, including warranties, purchase dates, and manuals. The app is free to download, though there is a 10-item limit for the free version. To unlock the full version, you can subscribe for $34.99 per year or $4.99 per month. This app is for iPhone, iPad, and Mac only.

Planta

Planta is an app that helps homeowners care for their gardens and houseplants. It is designed for those who love the luscious garden look but can’t seem to keep their plants alive. The app has a robust AI feature that helps users diagnose problems with their plants and create tailored care routines. “I used to be discouraged from having plants because I knew I would forget to care for [them] and have [them] die,” one user said on the Google Play store. “This app makes it easier to remember when to water, mist, add fertilizer, etc. It can even diagnose issues with your plant with their Dr. Planta feature [and] provide solutions.”

Planta works with both indoor and outdoor plants and can create a detailed care plan tailored to your home and garden. This includes watering reminders that account for local weather and climate, as well as more than 30 other parameters. The app will also send you reminders for routine plant care, such as fertilizing and misting — all personalized for your specific plants and location. It can also help you to identify plants you don’t know, and includes a space for a plant journal. The app can even use your phone’s built-in camera as a light meter to help you decide which locations are suitable for which plants. It runs on a subscription-based fee system and costs $47.99 per year. Planta can be used with both iOS and Android.

Frontdoor

Frontdoor connects homeowners with pre-qualified home-repair technicians via live video chat to assist with maintenance and repair issues. It’s designed for homeowners who feel comfortable with DIY home-repair tasks but don’t know where to start when that leaky faucet is staring them in the face. “This app is absolutely worth having for anyone — rent or own,” one reviewer said on the Google Play store. “We saved a ton of money on fixing the furnace on a holiday weekend. The app was easy to navigate, he was patient and professional, and walked me [through] every step, including helping me grab the correct tools out of my toolbox.”

Beyond the video chats with home-repair experts, Frontdoor also includes a library of how-to tips as well as a list of vetted professionals in your area who can come out and help if you are unable to fix the problem yourself. The app has experts available to help with tasks like electrical issues, HVAC, everyday appliance repairs, and plumbing. The free tier comes with one free chat, along with access to the library of how-to articles and several discounts on home essentials. The premium version of the app is $149 per year and comes with unlimited video chat sessions and more extensive discounts. Frontdoor works on both iOS and Android.

Sweepy

Keeping a clean home is easier said than done. Household chores are just one of those things that never seem to end — finish washing the final dish, and a new stack inevitably appears the moment you turn your back. There are plenty of cleaning hacks to keep your home tidy, but sometimes you just need that extra push. Sweepy is an app that helps homeowners keep their homes clean and organized and provides motivation by turning cleaning into a game among family members.

Sweepy automatically generates a cleaning schedule for your home based on the parameters you set, including how much you can clean each day. It also lets you split chores among household members so everyone can compete for the top spot on the household leaderboard. The premium version is priced at $3.99 per month or $19.99 per year. There is a free tier that allows you to manually create a cleaning routine with pre-added tasks or custom tasks, but it doesn’t include the automatically generated schedule or gamified elements. Sweepy is available for both iOS and Android.

iScape

Hoping to tackle some landscaping projects to boost home value? Landscaping your own home can be a bit intimidating, especially when you have a vision but don’t know where to start. The iScape app helps homeowners design and preview landscaping plans before breaking ground on a new project. It is unique because it uses augmented reality to let you experiment with different options before ever picking up a shovel.

To use the augmented reality feature, users can take a photo of their yard and then browse the app’s database to add plants and hardscaping elements directly to the photo. This creates a 2D model of their landscaping plans. From there, you can make a complete inventory of materials needed to bring your vision to life. The app has a limited free tier that allows users to make and save up to two designs and includes some access to the app’s database and other features. For $29.99 per month or $299.99 per year, you get full access to iScape’s database and features, a proposal tool, and the ability to upload your own images. The apps work on both iOS and Android.

Houzz

Houzz is a home design app that allows you to browse for renovation and design inspo. The app is geared toward homeowners who like Pinterest but want something more focused on design and that connects them directly with local professionals. “This app has given me wonderful ideas for organizing, decorating, remodeling, and even gardening,” one reviewer said on the Google Play store. “It is so enjoyable to read about home decor and how others have remodeled on a tight budget.”

The Houzz app allows users to explore and save design inspiration ideas, find local professionals, and view products using the “View in My Room 3D” feature, an augmented reality tool that works with a phone camera to see what products will look like in a particular home. The app is free for homeowners and works for both iOS and Android.

Itemtopia

If you have a home, you probably have a lot of stuff in it. Itemtopia allows homeowners to track and organize information for all of their belongings. Users can inventory everything they own and add information such as receipts, warranties, insurance policies, and other important documents. “After using this app for over a year, I can honestly say I’ve never had this kind of excellent support from a developer,” a reviewer said on the Google Play store. “The app itself is a fantastic collection of superb capabilities to track everything about my home assets for both insurance purposes, but more importantly to me, being able to find things that I have tucked away somewhere and prevent me from buying duplicates of things I already own.”

This app is a great way to manage your belongings. Users can track the location of an item (like when you let someone borrow something), how much it’s worth, add photos and videos, and more. There is also an AI feature that allows users to ask questions about their belongings, including how to fix or maintain them and what their current value is. The app has a robust free version. Purchasing a premium subscription adds the ability to print QR codes and export data. Itemtopia works with both iOS and Android.

Color Portfolio

Color Portfolio by Benjamin Moore allows homeowners to see what paint colors will look like in real photos of their home. It can also match your favorite colors to Benjamin Moore paints, so you never have to wonder what shade to use for your room again.

Color Portfolio has a virtual library of Benjamin Moore colors. With the app, you can virtually “try on” colors using a photo of a room in your home. The app is free to use, though there is a physical tool (called a ColorReader or ColorReader Pro) that is available for purchase to use with the app. The ColorReader tool allows users to get a more precise match than is possible with photos alone. Color Portfolio is available on both iOS and Android.

Nextdoor

Nextdoor is an app that connects neighborhoods, allowing neighbors to get safety alerts, get together for events, share favorite local spots, buy and sell items, and more. “Nextdoor is a great neighborhood network that truly brings communities together,” one reviewer said on the Google Play store. “It makes it easy to stay connected with neighbors, share important updates, ask for recommendations, and support one another. The platform creates a sense of trust and belonging by focusing on real local connections.”

The app is essentially a neighborhood-specific social media platform. It provides neighbors with a feed of news stories from local publishers, local safety alerts, and a place to share and learn about local favorites — things like where to hike, favorite coffee shops and hangouts, and even trusted local professionals like babysitters or electricians. There is also a marketplace where neighbors can list items they would like to sell or give away for free, and a calendar for neighborhood social events like BBQs and other gatherings. Nextdoor is free to download and join. It is available for both iOS and Android users.

Photo Measures

There are many reasons to keep measurements on hand if you own a home. Digging through the notes app in your phone in the aisle of a store when you need to know if a piece of furniture will fit in that one empty spot can be time-consuming and stressful. Photos Measures allows homeowners to take photos of rooms, furniture items, or anything that needs to be measured. From there, you can add measurements directly to the photo itself for easy reference.

“[Photo Measures] allows you to directly lay measurements on top of existing photos, which not only looks more professional; it also helps with intricate details that would otherwise have been missed or misinterpreted,” one user said in their review on the Google Play store. “I highly recommend this app! It’s easy to use and to understand, while also having several tools available to you in a streamlined and intuitive package.” The measurement photos can be saved in the app or exported as a PDF or JPEG file and then printed or shared. Photo Measures is a $4.99 one-time purchase on Google Play or $6.99 in the App Store.

ToolBox

Can’t find your tool kit? Why not turn your phone into a pocket-sized toolbox? Though they may not replace the real thing, many phone apps work just fine in a pinch when you need to finish that perfect gallery wall and your level is nowhere to be found. ToolBox is a five-in-one carpenter kit for your iPhone or iPad. This is useful for homeowners doing projects in their homes, like renovations or even just hanging pictures.

The app gives you a bubble level, a bullseye level, a protractor, a plumb bob, and an AR ruler. It is useful for simple projects around the home, like hanging pictures, leveling shelves, measuring angles, and checking the verticality of furniture. The premium version is 99 cents per month or $7.99 for a one-time purchase. The free version allows access to the bubble level only. ToolBox is available for Apple users.

Home Assistant

There are a million ways to make your home a smart home, but how do you keep track of them all once you’ve started accumulating devices? Home Assistant is an open-source smart home hub designed for this purpose. This companion app allows users to access and control smart home devices from multiple brands remotely. 

With Home Assistant, you have access to all your smart home features without having to jump from branded app to branded app. This allows you to automate heating, manage security, detect leaks or a door left open, check battery levels, control lights, and more from a single central hub. The app connects with a Home Assistant account and is open source and free. It’s available in both the App Store and the Google Play store.

My Lawn

Maintaining the perfect lawn can feel like a Herculean task — especially when there are so many recommended tools for healthy green grass. For many homeowners, it can be hard to know where to start. My Lawn is a lawn care app from Scotts that lets you create customized lawn care plans, diagnose and fix problems, track water use, and learn tips for growing the best lawn possible.

My Lawn can help you decide which products you need to keep your lawn healthy and weed-free, and tell you when to apply them. The app can also help you calculate the size of your lawn, so that you know how much of each product you need to apply. It also lets you track water usage and has a library of lawn care tips. The app is free to use and works with both iOS and Android. Scotts lawn care products can be purchased directly through the app.