I am so 'old school'. I have a small pocket calendar I carry in my purse. I have a larger calendar I keep right next to me at my desk. Both show a month per page. I have learned to use pencil on both except for birth dates.
We have a wall calendar hanging in the kitchen. I will admit I rarely refer to that one and I do not mark on it. Mostly it is just for reference. I bought it from Lang so it's pretty to look at.
Many of my friends and family keep their calendars on their phones and computers. They claim it is more convenient and is with them most of the time. They carry their mobile phones everywhere.
In August Bob and I spent the big bucks and bought iPhones for each of us. I carry mine in my purse. At home I usually have it nearby. I refer to it and play games on it while we watch TV in the evenings.
Maybe one of these days I will investigate its calendar. Maybe it could work for me but I am so used to reaching for my calendar and referring so very quickly to our work schedules and future plans for trips.
'til later
Friday, March 28, 2014
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Employees
Yesterday the National Labor Relations Board determined that college players are employees.
There are a lot of talking heads on the airwaves this morning discussing the ramifications of Northwestern football players being considered employees. Therefore, they can unionize.
It all makes for interesting discussions and questions but it all begins with the identification of these young men as employees of the university. Most are there on scholarships. Most will not go on to professional ball playing. Many are seeking a first class education made available to them by their football talents.
The Internal Revenue Service has many definitions of employees versus independent contractors. They also have penalties for the mishandling of workers by treating them as independent contractors.
IRS: Does the company control or have the right to control what the worker does and how the worker does his or her job?
IRS: Are the business aspects of the worker’s job controlled by the payer? (these include things like how worker is paid, whether expenses are reimbursed, who provides tools/supplies, etc.)
IRS: Are there written contracts or employee type benefits (i.e. pension plan, insurance, vacation pay, etc.)? Will the relationship continue and is the work performed a key aspect of the business?
The National Labor Relations Board ruling is the first step. There are hurtles ahead for this concept.
'til later
There are a lot of talking heads on the airwaves this morning discussing the ramifications of Northwestern football players being considered employees. Therefore, they can unionize.
It all makes for interesting discussions and questions but it all begins with the identification of these young men as employees of the university. Most are there on scholarships. Most will not go on to professional ball playing. Many are seeking a first class education made available to them by their football talents.
The Internal Revenue Service has many definitions of employees versus independent contractors. They also have penalties for the mishandling of workers by treating them as independent contractors.
IRS: Does the company control or have the right to control what the worker does and how the worker does his or her job?
IRS: Are the business aspects of the worker’s job controlled by the payer? (these include things like how worker is paid, whether expenses are reimbursed, who provides tools/supplies, etc.)
IRS: Are there written contracts or employee type benefits (i.e. pension plan, insurance, vacation pay, etc.)? Will the relationship continue and is the work performed a key aspect of the business?
The National Labor Relations Board ruling is the first step. There are hurtles ahead for this concept.
'til later
Friday, March 21, 2014
Ripon, Wisconsin
The Northern Republicans saw the expansion of slavery as a great evil. The first public meeting where the name "Republican" was suggested for a new anti-slavery party was held on March 20, 1854 in a schoolhouse in Ripon WI.
I have visited that small schoolhouse in Wisconsin.
The GOP should remember their roots and continue to fight for freedom of all citizens. I raise the banner here.
'til later
I have visited that small schoolhouse in Wisconsin.
The GOP should remember their roots and continue to fight for freedom of all citizens. I raise the banner here.
'til later
Monday, March 17, 2014
Thinking Green
Thinking Green
Happy St. Patrick's Day! Most celebrations and parades were held over the weekend but today is March 17.
I'm thinking green on two front this morning beyond the date March 17.
Green of spring can't be far ahead. With much of our snow melted revealing brown grass and the twig branches of bushes, I am longing even more for the green of new life. We may see 50 degrees come Wednesday. A few days of sun and warmth and the plants will respond. A friend has shared that her daffodils are pushing up through the hard frozen ground.
Green is also the color of $. I have been working on our budget lately, tracking expenditures. It's time for a new working budget. This winter has brought larger fuel costs. This week we are having 3 ash trees removed from our property. We do not have a large lot and the removal of these trees will leave us with 3 trees, all maples.
I need to keep an eye on our real estate taxes as well. Those statements will be arriving soon and our first payment will be due in May. Fingers are crossed that they have not increased much.
I had some medical tests done recently and just received the bill from the hospital. I get the feeling our tax refund will come in useful over the next few months.
As the green of spring bursts forth, the green in our bank account will diminish.
I say bring on Spring!
'til later
Happy St. Patrick's Day! Most celebrations and parades were held over the weekend but today is March 17.
I'm thinking green on two front this morning beyond the date March 17.
Green of spring can't be far ahead. With much of our snow melted revealing brown grass and the twig branches of bushes, I am longing even more for the green of new life. We may see 50 degrees come Wednesday. A few days of sun and warmth and the plants will respond. A friend has shared that her daffodils are pushing up through the hard frozen ground.
Green is also the color of $. I have been working on our budget lately, tracking expenditures. It's time for a new working budget. This winter has brought larger fuel costs. This week we are having 3 ash trees removed from our property. We do not have a large lot and the removal of these trees will leave us with 3 trees, all maples.
I need to keep an eye on our real estate taxes as well. Those statements will be arriving soon and our first payment will be due in May. Fingers are crossed that they have not increased much.
I had some medical tests done recently and just received the bill from the hospital. I get the feeling our tax refund will come in useful over the next few months.
As the green of spring bursts forth, the green in our bank account will diminish.
I say bring on Spring!
'til later
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Watchdogs = Truth
We need as many watchdogs as possible. We heard over the weekend that hidden in Obama's newest proposed budget lies a change to Roth IRAs. It doesn't sound like much of a change but it could be the beginning of a slippery slope.
This country needs independent watchdogs in the news. Digging into the fine print, under covering truths, and sounding the alarm.
Now we can contribute (there are some income limits) to a Roth IRA with after tax $. It is allowed to grow tax free and when we take it out (some age and time restrictions), it is all income tax free. Another bonus is that we never have to take $ out. Other traditional IRAs require us to take out and pay taxes on a minimum amount once we are 70 1/2 years old.
Obama has proposed that Roths now be subject to minimum required distributions at 70 1/2 like other IRAs.
That doesn't sound revolutionary but it is the first step. It opens the door to redefining these retirement arrangements, the first step to taxing the withdrawals like other traditional IRAs. They would become similar to IRAs that have basis.
If income or other restrictions would not allow deductible contributions, you can contribute to an IRA with after tax $. Basis. The big headache with basis IRAs is that you must track the accumulated basis over the years. Then when you take $ out of your IRAs, your taxable portion is reduced by the basis.
Bob and I have some basis $ in IRAs. I have a spread sheet showing the year and the amount. As we withdraw in the future, these numbers will figure into calculating the taxable portion. In turn, the next year that number will be reduced by the portion used the prior year and so on.
I have contacted my senators and representative voicing opposition to Obama's budget based on the change to Roth IRAs. I urge everyone to do the same. The truth should be uncovered.
'til later
This country needs independent watchdogs in the news. Digging into the fine print, under covering truths, and sounding the alarm.
Now we can contribute (there are some income limits) to a Roth IRA with after tax $. It is allowed to grow tax free and when we take it out (some age and time restrictions), it is all income tax free. Another bonus is that we never have to take $ out. Other traditional IRAs require us to take out and pay taxes on a minimum amount once we are 70 1/2 years old.
Obama has proposed that Roths now be subject to minimum required distributions at 70 1/2 like other IRAs.
That doesn't sound revolutionary but it is the first step. It opens the door to redefining these retirement arrangements, the first step to taxing the withdrawals like other traditional IRAs. They would become similar to IRAs that have basis.
If income or other restrictions would not allow deductible contributions, you can contribute to an IRA with after tax $. Basis. The big headache with basis IRAs is that you must track the accumulated basis over the years. Then when you take $ out of your IRAs, your taxable portion is reduced by the basis.
Bob and I have some basis $ in IRAs. I have a spread sheet showing the year and the amount. As we withdraw in the future, these numbers will figure into calculating the taxable portion. In turn, the next year that number will be reduced by the portion used the prior year and so on.
I have contacted my senators and representative voicing opposition to Obama's budget based on the change to Roth IRAs. I urge everyone to do the same. The truth should be uncovered.
'til later
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Working
Our 5 year old granddaughter made a card for her dad. She printed several things including "you really like to work a lot". She's learning to read. Some of the words were spelled right. Some were left to interpretation.
Her dad's response was he really like to pay for their home, the electricity, her clothes. Children do not put the two together.
They may get the connection between $ and buying things. They might think the bank or ATM machine is where you keep your $. More likely these days they don't see much $ change hands. Mom and Dad have magical plastic cards.
As I consider Katie's card that she put in her dad's lunch for him to read at work, I see the pronouncement of a blessing.
Blessed is the man or woman who makes a living loving what he/she does. More people than not are at jobs they do not enjoy. A blessing is having a job in times like these. A greater blessing is enjoying what you do.
I think Katie sees her dad interested in his work. He some times work from home connecting from his home office. She may think work means being on the computer a lot. Mostly she sees he likes to work.
I think that's a good thing. May you face your work day grateful you like what you do.
'til later
Her dad's response was he really like to pay for their home, the electricity, her clothes. Children do not put the two together.
They may get the connection between $ and buying things. They might think the bank or ATM machine is where you keep your $. More likely these days they don't see much $ change hands. Mom and Dad have magical plastic cards.
As I consider Katie's card that she put in her dad's lunch for him to read at work, I see the pronouncement of a blessing.
Blessed is the man or woman who makes a living loving what he/she does. More people than not are at jobs they do not enjoy. A blessing is having a job in times like these. A greater blessing is enjoying what you do.
I think Katie sees her dad interested in his work. He some times work from home connecting from his home office. She may think work means being on the computer a lot. Mostly she sees he likes to work.
I think that's a good thing. May you face your work day grateful you like what you do.
'til later
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