The Demo Crew

I once was a contract worker  You know all the people in Sam's and Costco giving out all those wonderful samples?  Yep... I did that... and I loved it!  It really was such a great job.  When they first told me I would be a "contract worker", to be honest, I had no idea what they meant.

Contractor management  didn't need to worry about taking out taxes for me. If my gig was a $50 job, then I was paid exactly that, $50.  At the end of the year, I received a 1099 for my personal tax purposes.

A great benefit of paying income taxes as a contract laborer is that you can claim deductions for many work related expenses.  The IRS treats you as a "business" and this gives you more freedom to deduct expenses you incur while providing your services.  One example was the mileage I drove from home and to the various store locations.  Many more types of expenses are deductible, but your eligibility for them will depend on the type of work you do.

For me, another advantage was it meant that I could work when I wanted and where I wanted.  If I had a busy weekend, I simply chose not to work.  If there were demos available in a variety of stores, I was able to choose a convenient location for what I was doing that day.

So if you like to be your own boss, and need flexibility, contract labor may be right for you.

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

The Process of Bankruptcy

It does seem ironic that if you use a lawyer to file for bankruptcy, you pay a fee.  I mean you’re filing for bankruptcy… but at the same time… a lawyer can be instrumental in getting the process done correctly.  When doing it on your own there are so many things to consider. 

The first thing is that the process for filing for bankruptcy is governed by the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedures.  It is also governed by the local bankruptcy courts and there is one for every judicial district in the country.  There are 90 bankruptcy districts across the country.  So do your homework.  If you live in Georgia, I would call Georgia bankruptcy lawyers if you have questions.

The United States bankruptcy judge is the court official with the decision-making power over federal bankruptcy cases.  The bankruptcy judge makes the decision as to whether or not a debtor should receive a discharge of his debts.  For the most part, bankruptcy is an administrative process, meaning lots of paperwork, and the debtor rarely goes before an actual judge.  This does keep your attorneys fee lower.

There is a tremendous amount of paperwork involved with filing a bankruptcy.  The forms necessary can be obtained from your local district court.

Filing for bankruptcy is a complex procedure where lots of legal jargon is used such as "automatic stay" and "discharge" and "exemption".  If you are not familiar with these terms, or lack an understanding, it would certainly prove to your benefit to obtain a bankruptcy attorney.

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Chapter 7 or Chapter 13?

So what exactly is the difference between a Chapter 7 bankruptcy and Chapter 13?

The biggest difference between the two is the repayment of your debt.  A repayment plan where a portion of your debt is to be repaid will be ordered by the court in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy.  With a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, there is no repayment plan and certain debts can be eliminated entirely and you are no longer required to pay them back.  So your first thought may be... Chapter 7... then I don't have to pay anything back.  Well, there are other things to consider.

Very rarely will the court take your car or home in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy but if you have equity in your home or investments, a Chapter 7 bankruptcy can liquidate these and any other assets.

There is also what they call a Means Test with Chapter 7.    It's main purpose is to catch those people who have sufficient income to repay their debts and don't truly need the relief granted in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy.  It also prevents people from running up credit card bills, making frivolous purchases, with no intent in paying for them.

With a Chapter 13, you are repaying a reduced percentage of your debt based on what you can afford to pay to your creditors.  It also forces your creditors to accept the repayment plan set by the bankruptcy court.  Obviously, this will only work if you have a set income, which is required to file this type of bankruptcy.

A great advantage is that Chapter 13 allows you to keep any assets you may have such as large amounts of equity in your home, investments, etc...

Both plans can give you relief from overwhelming debt and give you a new financial start.

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog for bankruptcy california and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my
own.

More School Equals More Money

There's no question that going back to school can be a great advantage.  It's a known fact that more school equals more money.  To break that down... more school means you most likely will make more money in the long run.  But it also means... more school costs more money.  School costs money, but again, ultimately it will pay off.

There are the obvious ways to save money.  Everyone has at least one bad habit whether it's a soda, energy drink, latte, smoking, whatever.  Do the math to figure out how much you are spending on your bad habit and quit!  Put that money into your college fund and it will add up fast.

Staying home rather than going out can seem pretty boring, but again, do the math.  Go to the library for free DVD's, CD's, or a great book.  Entertainment at the library is free.  Wear washable clothes.  Dry cleaning is expensive and not necessary.  Give up impulse shopping for bargain shopping.

Another idea is to check with your employer about any college tuition reimbursement programs they may have available.  It may surprise you that businesses are willing to help with your college education and why not?  It gives them a more educated employee.

Going back to school is a great idea and if you are determined enough, you can make it happen.  Being able to give up that bad habit, and making a few lifestyle changes will let you know just how determined you truly are.

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog for denver mba and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Maybe Not For The Young

I've mentioned before that I work at a company that receives and ships product via semi trucks on a daily basis. Our company frequently is looking for new drivers and we have had young employees who are looking for advancement take the necessary steps to gain their CDL license.  Sometimes this goes well, and other times, not so much.

We had one driver who could do everything, and I mean everything, required to pass the CDL test except for backing a trailer into a dock door.  And once he got it in his head that he couldn't do it, well, he really couldn't.  With this being required on both ends of driving... the picking up and the delivery of product, this just didn't work out.  And then we had the nervous driver... who was so overly cautious that he ended up causing more harm than good.

You have to possess a certain ere of confidence when driving one of those massive semi trucks.  Not too much. You do want to side with caution.  But you also have to be able to do what is necessary to get your load around town, or across the country for that matter.  We had one such nervous driver.

Upon entering the freeway, he remained overly cautious..... going ever so slowly as to get his truck into a lane.    Knowing that he would be on the freeway for quite sometime, he was shooting for the far left lane.  He hesitated, then accelerated, hesitated again, accelerated until he got the trailer swaying from left to right.  Once this swaying gets started, it is very hard... very hard to stop it.  Only an experienced driver can maintain this type of motion.  The entire trailer fell on it's side, naturally dragging the cab with it, and the whole thing slid on it's side down the freeway.  Thankfully, no one was hurt, but the fear in the young driver was very real and remained with him.

It's safe to say, that driving a semi is no casual thing.  There is skill and mental capabilities required... to say nothing of basic driving experience which comes with age.  And anyone who is not aware of this should not have any business giving it a try.

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog for CDL Driving Jobs and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

A Beautiful Smile

My Mom has a beautiful smile.  She always has had that perfect toothy grin that everyone admires.  Every picture I have ever seen of her shows off her smile.  And I know she likes her smile.  She is not a vain person by any means, but she is very comfortable in her own skin.  In her high school days, she was considered very attractive and had many beaus.  The pictures of her show off a wonderfully clear and lovely complexion, her lovely smile, happy eyes, and her wow-like figure.  Her waist was so tiny.  I don't think any of us had as tiny of a waist has her... even when in elementary school.  She was the perfect example of 36" - 24" - 36".  And despite all of these wonderful qualities, it is still her smile that people notice first.  Thank goodness her love for tennis developed after she was married and had children who were well into their teens... and after their were vast improvements in cosmetic dentistry.

My parents played tennis on a regular basis.  They played doubles.  My Mom played with a women's tennis group while my Dad was at work, and we were at school.  She had a wonderful group of friends and loved the game along with her social network of fun girlfriends.  I will never forget the Saturday where Dad and Mom were playing doubles.  My brother and I frequently went to shag the balls for them and we would play our own version of tennis on another court.  Well, there was quite a lengthy exchange of volleys.  It was the kind of point that you just couldn't believe could go on that long, but hit after hit both sides just kept scrambling to return the ball.  And then my Mom raced to make a final last save and somehow her swing came right back at her and that beautiful smile... was missing her left front tooth.  Her racket had knocked it clean away!  Well, I guess not completely away.  There was a small crooked stub of a tooth protruding from the gum.  I will never forget how just one tooth can drastically change a smile.  We all just stood there in shock.  Of course, my Mom was mortified... and it was a Saturday so who were we going to get a hold of now?

We had lots of time over the weekend to gather recommendations and Monday morning she was on the fast track to getting her beautiful smile back.  Honestly, I can't tell which tooth it was and she is still the most beautiful Mom around.

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog for cosmetic dentist NYC and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Growing Older

I have always told myself that I would not succumb to getting any "work done" as I grow older.  I don't color my hair, although, I confess this is mostly due to my laziness.  I am a low maintenance woman and if I colored my hair, I would have to continue as my hair grew out.  To be honest, I like the color of my hair and I don't have a problem with gray in my hair.  I'm 51 and so there should be some gray.  I also like my wrinkles.  I love the words in Martina McBride's song "This One's For The Girls" where she says, "every laugh line on your face... made you who you are today."  I firmly believe that and don't mind them at all.  But there is one thing I think I would consider.  My smile.

I love to smile.  I love to laugh.  People have always told me what a great smile I have... well not lately.  I have come to notice that my teeth are yellowing.  I never knew what it meant when my Grandpa would say that he is  "growing long in the tooth".  Unfortunately, I get it now.  My dentist says that it's not because my teeth have grown longer, but my gums have receded... making my teeth appear longer.  There are also little cracks and crevices, or spaces between my teeth.  I had braces, but then again, that was nearly 35 years ago.  I guess I can assume they would move somewhat over the years.

So I think I would consider cosmetic dentistry.  And I must admit that if I am willing to consider fixing my smile, then everyone should be able to fix anything that they are not comfortable with.  If your neck skin is sagging and you don't like it... and your willing to go through what is necessary to fix it... then I say "Just Do It!"

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog for nashville cosmetic dentist and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.