Not a Willie

When it comes to taxes don't pull a Willie Nelson who owed $32,000,000 to the IRS because he failed to inspect his accountants.

Pay your taxes. But choose an honest, competent tax specialist after talking with a few. Don't choose cheap for one of your biggest expenses. Choose competent.

And don't just do it yourself; make sure you do a hybrid approach: researching manuals on taxes for hours and using a CPA or other competent professional to find legitimate ways to decrease your tax liability. A true professional will often save you hundreds or thousands while costing very little.

Make sure they truly understand the tax laws and the proper deductions.

Meet with an accountant regularly so they can review your ideas and ensure you're being honest without overpaying.