Accounting Talk

OT: Question of the day…. 02/02/07

admin — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

::Do you file your taxes early or are you a late filer? Always early being we get a nice return .

OT: iPod opinions wanted

admin — Fri, 25 Aug 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

I’m thinking seriously of buying an iPod hifi system. I want radio and some flexibility for other components. Anybody have opinions/experience about brands/types? I thinking of spending $400-500 and having it be the main house ’stereo’. Chuck

Response:

I love my iPod. I ripped my entire CD collection and loaded up my 20 gig 4G iPod. I do the wireless thing from my iBook to hometheater sound system with airport and airtunes. Sounds great.

Response:

You might want to check out iLounge.com; they’ve got reviews of most iPod-related components. Jim

Response:

Take a look at this: http://www.genevalab.com/productLarge.asp I haven’t seen or heard it in person, but this is very interesting. CV

Response:

Ipods should be backed up FOR SURE… IIRC, they have mini-hardrives and will stop working if dropped in the wrong way. If you haven’t backed up your tunes to a PC or other device, they are ‘gone’. Even though you’ve *paid* for them (???) I use an ‘old’ mp3 player with a removable *chip*… good for ‘on the go’ but it’s too easy to use the ‘big stereo’ at home… any and all tunes can be loaded into it. If I were building a new ‘home’ system… I’d probably base the ‘music’ in an inexpensive laptop connected to a ’stereo’ tuner amp.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m thinking seriously of buying an iPod hifi system. I want radio and some flexibility for other components. Anybody have opinions/experience about brands/types? I thinking of spending $400-500 and having it be the main house ’stereo’. Chuck Ipods should be backed up FOR SURE… IIRC, they have mini-hardrives and will stop working if dropped in the wrong way. If you haven’t backed up your tunes to a PC or other device, they are ‘gone’. Even though you’ve *paid* for them (???) I use an ‘old’ mp3 player with a removable *chip*… good for ‘on the go’ but it’s too easy to use the ‘big stereo’ at home… any and all tunes can be loaded into it. If I were building a new ‘home’ system… I’d probably base the ‘music’ in an inexpensive laptop connected to a ’stereo’ tuner amp.

Well, I use iTunes via my Mac -so everything already is backed up to the hard drive. Most of it also exists on CD or vinyl, but I’d like to quit using those for the most part. I really like the look of the unit that (whoever he is) Chainsaw posted. Much cooler tthan the Mac unit because it has radio and CD built in. Chuck

Response:

There was an engineer who had an exceptional gift for fixing all things mechanical. After serving his company loyally for over 30 years, he happily retired. Several years later the company contacted him regarding a seemingly impossible problem they were having with one of their multi-million dollar machines. They had tried everything and everyone else to get the machine fixed, but to no avail. In desperation, they called on the retired engineer who had solved so many of their problems in the past. The engineer reluctantly took the challenge. He spent a day studying the huge machine. At the end of the day, he marked a small "x" in chalk on a particular component of the machine and proudly stated, "This is where your problem is". The part was replaced and the machine worked perfectly again. The company received a bill for $50,000 from the engineer for his service.They demanded an itemized accounting of his charges. The engineer responded briefly: One chalk mark $1 Knowing where to put it $49,999 It was paid in full and the engineer retired again in peace.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There was an engineer who had an exceptional gift for fixing all things mechanical. After serving his company loyally for over 30 years, he happily retired. Several years later the company contacted him regarding a seemingly impossible problem they were having with one of their multi-million dollar machines. They had tried everything and everyone else to get the machine fixed, but to no avail. In desperation, they called on the retired engineer who had solved so many of their problems in the past. The engineer reluctantly took the challenge. He spent a day studying the huge machine. At the end of the day, he marked a small "x" in chalk on a particular component of the machine and proudly stated, "This is where your problem is". The part was replaced and the machine worked perfectly again. The company received a bill for $50,000 from the engineer for his service.They demanded an itemized accounting of his charges. The engineer responded briefly: One chalk mark $1 Knowing where to put it $49,999 It was paid in full and the engineer retired again in peace.

THAT was helpful. Old story too. Come on, give me a hand here. Chuck

Response:

I would suggest you simply wait until the prices go down. But also realize as soon as you buy one, the following week there will be a new model with twice the memory, better features and half the price of the one you bought. And if you wait long enough, it will become such a small device, it will be able to be implanted and activated with your voice commands. And soon after that, they’ll feature holographic projections then everyone will literally be able to live in their own personal world. That is if we don’t devolve into reptiles. KABONG!~!~!~

Response:

Ellie, you missed the point. I already HAVE a couple of iPods, and am likely to have more in the future. I’m talking about a dedicated hi-fi system to play th music through -particularly for my wife, who doesn’t like to listen via the computer (even though I’ve got half-decent speakers). So far the best looking system (but not cheap) is the Geneva that a previous poster left a link for. Very cool, but NOT cheap. Whatever I choose will replace our entire hi-fi system for many years. Chuck

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – THAT was helpful. Old story too. Come on, give me a hand here. Chuck I would suggest you simply wait until the prices go down. But also realize as soon as you buy one, the following week there will be a new model with twice the memory, better features and half the price of the one you bought. And if you wait long enough, it will become such a small device, it will be able to be implanted and activated with your voice commands. And soon after that, they’ll feature holographic projections then everyone will literally be able to live in their own personal world. That is if we don’t devolve into reptiles. KABONG!~!~!~ Ellie, you missed the point. I already HAVE a couple of iPods, and am likely to have more in the future. I’m talking about a dedicated hi-fi system to play th music through -particularly for my wife, who doesn’t like to listen via the computer (even though I’ve got half-decent speakers). So far the best looking system (but not cheap) is the Geneva that a previous poster left a link for. Very cool, but NOT cheap. Whatever I choose will replace our entire hi-fi system for many years. Chuck

Get off your dumb ass and do your own research Chuck.

Response:

Get off your dumb ass and do your own research Chuck.

I’ve done a tone of research, you reading deficient poser. I’m now asking for people’s experience with this. I can’t very well get the opinions of those whose opinions I value without asking, can I? Regardless of YOUR experience in this area, please feel free to spare me further flashes of genius. I’m very interested in what those who have used these various systems have heard. Chuck

Response:

Basically yes. I’m satisfied that MP3s and MP4s will provide sufficient quality over a long enough period of time to go ahead and configure it like that. It isn’t really iPod specific -as long as you have the right connection, which isn’t the hard part. So out go all the peripherals, all the cables, all the space used. Just a simple set up. We’re not audiophiles, so ‘pretty good’ is plenty for us. Chuck

Response:

You might want to check out iLounge.com; they’ve got reviews of most iPod-related components. Jim

Thanks – I didn’t know about this one. Chuck

Response:

So out go all the peripherals, all the cables, all the space used. Just a simple set up. We’re not audiophiles, so ‘pretty good’ is plenty for us. Chuck

OH! You should’ve stated that up front- Here you go! http://www.ibiblio.org/jimmy/Radio/Radios/

Response:

Basically yes. I’m satisfied that MP3s and MP4s will provide sufficient quality over a long enough period of time to go ahead and configure it like that.

I’m not. I’ll take *ANYTHING* full bandwidth over MP whatever. I’m one of those stupid old fools who still use vinyl and open reel tape. I *DO* use digital, but its full bandwidth. Just for the record…you can patch an Ipod into *ANY* home stereo. Its not rocket science…..

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Here you go! http://www.ibiblio.org/jimmy/Radio/Radios/

Arvin 77R19 I owned one, it might still be around somewhere. Thanks for the post. Ya gotta love the MoJo. Just 2 kool. Thanks for the memory. iPods can’t hold a candle 2 such things. JJTj

Response:

Using an iPod as the base for a main house stereo?!?!?! Oh the humanity…. I bought one of these for my wife, for her to use at the gym. For *that* kind of thing, iPods and the like are great. But to use one as a primary playback device….to me anyway, is an awful idea. I like my music far too much to do that to it!!!! Have you ever compared the sound of an original CD, versus the compressed file? Can you hear the difference? If you can not, then I understand….and you have my sympathy. If you *can* hear the difference, and you are OK with that…..then you are like many of today’s consumers. I fear good sounding and well produced CD’s will soon be a thing of the past…because no one cares any more. What a shame…. Mike

Response:

Have you ever compared the sound of an original CD, versus the compressed file? Can you hear the difference?

Sometimes. But MP4s in particular are closing that gap in a hurry. If you are a careful listener, you’ll find that they are quite faithful and generally very rich sounding. If you can not, then I understand….and you have my sympathy. If you *can* hear the difference, and you are OK with that…..then you are like many of today’s consumers.

Well, that’s the question, isn’t it? What’s the point of high quality speakers if the playback device limits the quality? I fear good sounding and well produced CD’s will soon be a thing of the past…because no one cares any more.

There aren’t all that many of those anyhow. As soon as you go to digital recording, you start losing a lot of the aural quality. It’s insanely expensive to recreate. What a shame….

Yes. Mike

Chuck

Response:

Read this. I’m sure you’ve heard of Gatski, and he makes some good points. http://www.proaudioreview.com/publishers_page/april04.shtml Chuck – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Have you ever compared the sound of an original CD, versus the compressed file? Can you hear the difference? Sometimes. But MP4s in particular are closing that gap in a hurry. If you are a careful listener, you’ll find that they are quite faithful and generally very rich sounding. If you can not, then I understand….and you have my sympathy. If you *can* hear the difference, and you are OK with that…..then you are like many of today’s consumers. Well, that’s the question, isn’t it? What’s the point of high quality speakers if the playback device limits the quality? I fear good sounding and well produced CD’s will soon be a thing of the past…because no one cares any more. There aren’t all that many of those anyhow. As soon as you go to digital recording, you start losing a lot of the aural quality. It’s insanely expensive to recreate. What a shame…. Yes. Mike Chuck

Response:

Read this. I’m sure you’ve heard of Gatski, and he makes some good points. http://www.proaudioreview.com/publishers_page/april04.shtml Chuck

Chuck, I remember reading that article when it was new. (long time PAR reader here) You’re right, there are many good points. Some remind me of the demise of Beta VCR’s. You had a better format that was doomed for the sake of convenience. In your other reply to my message, you mentioned that there aren’t that many good sounding CD’s any more, anyway. I agree. Most are so over-compressed, it’s downright annoying! But then….I think I know why that is. Have you ever opened up an MP3 into an audio editor, where you can see the wave form? It’s like a big, fat straight line, with no dynamics—at all. Nasty looking thing! Now then…do the same thing to almost any "popular" CD. Rip it into your editor and open up the file. Hmmm…almost exactly the same thing. It seems as though producers are now trying to make the original CD sound like an MP3, because that’s how it’s going to end up, anyway. Unless that trend reverses, high quality, mass produced/distributed music is doomed. It’s almost gone now, as you say. People are amazing, sometimes. Market something enough—regardless how good or *bad* the product is, and they will buy it. This has been proven again and again. There are some holdouts, especially in the indie market. Some people still strive for the best sound quality possible….thank goodness! I’m one of the few who will stand ready to hand over my cash for it, too. Regards, Mike

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m thinking seriously of buying an iPod hifi system. I want radio and some flexibility for other components. Anybody have opinions/experience about brands/types? I thinking of spending $400-500 and having it be the main house ’stereo’. Chuck Using an iPod as the base for a main house stereo?!?!?! Oh the humanity…. I bought one of these for my wife, for her to use at the gym. For *that* kind of thing, iPods and the like are great. But to use one as a primary playback device….to me anyway, is an awful idea. I like my music far too much to do that to it!!!! Have you ever compared the sound of an original CD, versus the compressed file? Can you hear the difference? If you can not, then I understand….and you have my sympathy. If you *can* hear the difference, and you are OK with that…..then you are like many of today’s consumers. I fear good sounding and well produced CD’s will soon be a thing of the past…because no one cares any more. What a shame…. Mike

Yes you can hear the difference between mp3s through a small portable thing or even the new thing Apple makes http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wo/2…. which sounds great to me (have one) if you are comparing it to a hi-end stereo and even some mid level stereos. You have to compare apples to apples – most good sounding stereos are a lot more $$$ than the current crop of iPod players. I think that the new Apple speaker thingy is perfect for kids going to college with Apple laptops and iPods.

Response:

Now, now. Chuck is a rather ignorant(not to mention whiny), little twat. Show some compassion! Where else besides an ‘amplifier’ group would you turn for MP3 advice? Certainly not here!! alt.music.mp3 Ahh, heck, there probably aren’t any familiar asses for him to kiss over in that group!

Response:

The Mackie HR624’s get their excellent sound from their internally amplified design: each box contains two amplifiers, one for each driver (100 watts and 40 watts). The crossover is pre-amplification, which means each amplifier only needs to deal with the frequencies in its own range. And the electronics are specifically tuned and calibrated on each unit for a ruler flat and in-phase response. For kicks, each speaker comes with its own frequency response test graph, just to prove to you that each one is ruler-flat. As pro speakers, the Mackies are also capable of being very loud without distortion (112 SPL, which is louder my pain threshold), and they also protect themselves from overload if you pass that limit. The beauty of the internally amplified design is that you can plug them directly into an iPod, with no extra amplifier needed. Perhaps doing this with a 128kbit compressed digital stream is a waste of the Mackie’s capabilities. But when you do it, your iPod does sound truly superb. http://davidbau.com/archives/2005/04/28/worlds_best_ipod_sound.html http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002ORLNI?tag=dqsd-20

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http://davidbau.com/archives/2005/04/28/worlds_best_ipod_sound.html http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002ORLNI?tag=dqsd-20

Very thoughtful Zoot. I’ve hooked the iPod up to sveral different powered speakers with hreat success. Now I want something different. Earlier in the thread this unit was pointed out, and I’ve got to say I like how it looks. I’d like to try this out: http://www.genevalab.com/productLarge.asp Chuck

Response:

Brainstorm….

admin — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

So, I’m not doing well going to work everyday. The anxiety is out of control! Here’s the brainstorm question… what are jobs that can be done from home? Any input would help! Hope you’re all great, Katie — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

{{{{{{{Katie}}}}}}} Wish I could help. :-( Di

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hi Katie, I’ve spent years thinking long and hard about what jobs I might be able to do from home as an anxiety disorder person. Among my own thoughts have been writing about anxiety disorders, writing about personal experience, writing fiction, somehow inventing some great and novel computer program or game, etc. Personally, I keep running into a few obstacles. * First, it’s really hard to come up with unique and wonderful ideas and, even when we do, it’s hard to sell it to publishers, distributors or the like. * Regarding anxiety disorders, I have problems "selling" material to fellow patients because I feel that would be taking advantage of people like myself. Though I have been published in this sense, I’ve never made any money from my writing. * If I could create a product I felt comfortable selling, would this be simply a "one-hit-wonder" that damages my disability status and does not result in a sustainable, long-term income? * If I could provide a service for an employer from home, would this damage my disability status, include good medical insurance and would this provide secure income to live from? * Would working from home involve a level of stress that would be unhealthy for an anxiety disorder person like myself? I don’t want to sound entirely negative. For each of us, there may be some wonderful, creative and comfortable solution. I’ve been looking for such a solution for a long time, I was thinking about it today and I’ll keep thinking about it. I’m just saying that home employment is difficult for most anxiety disorder people. Especially people with severe and chronic forms of anxiety disorders who often get neglected in more general statistics. Best Wishes, Arthur — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hi Katie: I hope you will explore some therapy options before giving up on your job. While there are jobs that can be done at home, some of them require very specialized skills: medical transcribing, bookkeeping and accounting, graphic design, copyediting and page layout, to name a few. Staying at home may simply increase your anxiety and lead to agoraphobia. You’ve gone through a huge change in your life… Be gentle with yourself but also keep getting out and going to work if you can. Boston has many excellent psychiatrists and therapists… You could start by calling Mass. General Hospital or something Harvard-affiliated. (Margrove will know specifics.) Hang in there. xxoo Anne — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

what are jobs that can be done from home?

I’m sorry your job isn’t working out for you, Katie. There’s always web design and computer programming, which is pick-up-able. Especially web design. Learning HTML is a breeze, and the other technologies that go along with it, like CSS. Then you just have to find clients, which isn’t too hard, as someone always wants a web page done. Then you have to haggle about prices, deal with their endless unrealistic needs, and try to placate these loons. Great job. Actually, I’m not one to talk to about web design, because I’ve given up on clients. I just do my own stuff in my spare time. But with enough motivation and sticking power, it’s certainly something you can do at home. Dawn has mentioned phone sex operator. Not exactly the best job in the world, but you do get to meet lots of interesting extremely lonely men, on their last shred of dignity. That’s a plus. There’s always freelance writing. This is the ideal work-at-home job. Stephen King probably hasn’t left his house in years, except for the occasional honorary dinner, which can be nice, I suppose, especially if it’s Chinese food. Writing is the one job where you can be completely agoraphobic, and still be rich and famous. Anyway, all this silliness aside, I hope you find something that better suits you, and like I said, I’m sorry things aren’t working out. Ian — http://sundry.ws/ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hi everyone! Thanks for the support and ideas. You guys are the greatest. As for some of the questions… Is there anything different about your anx/pan symptoms now than in the past? Feeling different, better, worse, new triggers …. OR are you feeling pretty much the same crappy symptoms?

Pretty much the same crappy symptoms but I think they’re a bit worse in terms of nausea and PAs because of the change in environment. If you haven’t had your thyroid function checked, go there ASAP ( pun intended). Ditto with your blood sugar. ( Disregard the advise if you’ve BTDT)

I found a great PCP (it’s easy working at a hospital!) and I’m actually getting a full blood workup tomorrow. I’ve been having stomach problems (hence the nausea) and associated weight loss… so she’s a little concerned that something else besides anxiety is going on. Nothing like the fear of sickness to up the anxiety ante, right? As for things here, my BF moved up last week and it’s great to have him here. It’s also frustrating to have to be responsible to another person since I was here alone for a month, but that too shall pass. I love living here in Boston and although I miss some of the things about NYC, this is a much better place for me to be. Thank you all again! Katie — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Katie, I’ve got an idea that I’m thinking about starting myself, half as a hobby, and maybe I can make some money if I get good at it. My cousin makes candles and sells them – she makes pretty good money – about $18 per candle, but it depends on how fancy she makes them. They are very nice quality candles, better than those "Yankee" whatever ones. I’ve read a little about the start up costs – they are minimal compared to a lot of other businesses you can start. If you mess up a candle, you melt the wax down and start over. The biggest expense are the molds – but they sell those on Ebay for around $20. She does have one room that she uses for her candle making – space COULD be a problem, but you may not have to have a whole room for it – I don’t know. I just know Barb makes a decent living that way. If you want to talk to her about it, email me and I would be glad to put you in touch with her. Also.. I know many people make a living as transcriptionists – I think you already know the medical terminology, so that’s about half of it, the other is a transcription machine, A Steadman’s Medical Dictionary (or encyclopedia, whatever..) .. but you have to find clients, and how you do that, I do not know.. but I do know some people do that. I’ve thought on it, but I never want to do anything in the medical field again. I’m done. Sally PS.. You just find the way that is right for you, as far as the anxiety goes. I couldn’t work for a very long time, and there is a possibility in the future, I may be that way again. That’s why I’ve been trying to brainstorm, too. Getting ready for "what if" in the future, if it ever happens.. I’ll already have a plan. — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

::So, I’m not doing well going to work everyday. The anxiety is out of ::control! Here’s the brainstorm question… what are jobs that can be ::done from home? Any input would help! ::Hope you’re all great, Dear Katie, I`m so sorry you are struggling with anxiety. I know hard it is to go to work everyday with high anxiety. It is hell. I don`t have any advice about home based business. I do have a book I bought a few years ago called, ‘101 Best Home-Based Business For Women’. I will more than gladly give it to you. Just (((((Katiebug))))) Jackie ~*~Would you respect my mind more if it bounced gently when I walked?~*~ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hi Katie, I don’t post a lot here, just check in from time to time. I find my anxiety is about GOING to work, not "being" there. Once I AM truly there in person and engaged in the day, I am fine. GETTING there is the most difficult part, the drive, the transition, the engagement with the days events. You’ve made a major life transition, which could give ANYONE pause. That you’ve done this so quickly is huge success for you. Is there anything different about your anx/pan symptoms now than in the past? Feeling different, better, worse, new triggers …. OR are you feeling pretty much the same crappy symptoms? If the symptoms haven’t changed, its just the same old, same old, SSDD or SSDP ( same s**t different place) Wherever you go– there you are. I can ( and DO) have those symptoms sitting at my pooter in my PJ’s in my own house! So what the H. IF I’m gonna have the problem, I may as well be OUT of the house doing something productive, with pay, and with other people. Just my mileage, yours may vary. {{{ Katiebug}}} Some days are better than others, and don’t let the tough days cut you off from enjoying the better ones. Isn’t your Significant Other almost due to join you in Beantown? Something to look forward to? Am I understanding that you are working in a hospital setting?? You are new to the area, will need a PCP, go chat up age appropriate co-workers for their recommendations and realize that THAT is normal chit chat for people in transition. If you haven’t had your thyroid function checked, go there ASAP ( pun intended). Ditto with your blood sugar. ( Disregard the advise if you’ve BTDT) But as tempting as it gets, DO NOT THROW IN THE TOWEL. Staying home will box you into a corner that will eventually be a shoebox, not a place you want to live. When you don’t want to live and work at home, where do you go? Blessings on ya, Katiebug. Its tough, but you’ve placed your face to the sun. When the sun comes out in New England, you will feel better. Sue Western Maine Here at ASAP, you are as normal as the rest of us. — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Tricked by indignation

admin — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

Let us know how this went, okay. {{{{{Ian}}}}} Oh, believe me, I will, if I’m alive, and not wildly screaming. Well, even if I’m wildly screaming, I should be able to hammer out a post. (Oh my goodness, how I dread this horrible event. To think that people are going there of their own free will….)

Hi Ian, We’ve all had to go to place or occasions we don’t feel comfortable with. Yes you are catastrophising this and perhaps it will be as bad as you say. Do what you can live with. If staying home is worse than going, then simply go and laugh about it later when you tell us how it went. You just never know, you might surprise yourself and actually have a great time Vanessa — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hi Ian, I recently turned down an invitation to attend a wedding within the family. I simply explained that it would have been too much for me at this time. Personally, I knew that attending would stress me out. Also, it’s hard to celebrate other people’s romantic good fortune when my disorder has kept me lonely and isolated for more than a decade. And what to do about all the socializing that goes on at such events? Not only am I somewhat social phobic, but people aren’t going to want to hear about my issues during the casual conversation which is common at weddings and receptions. It’s one of those situations where I feel like I have to pretend that my PD isn’t a serious issue, and I really dislike situations like that. Most people wouldn’t understand my situation and simply feel like the loser everyone is looking down on. Too many difficulties all round. Not attending was the best decision for me. Best Wishes, Arthur — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Oh you married people. You probably forget how difficult it was to get married in the first place.

Yup. It is easy to forget. I remember first dates well. Panic attack city. The tone for the night? It would be a death dirge of despair, and other alliterations as well. It’s not that I *want* to be like this. The last time I saw her I didn’t plan out ahead of time, "I’m going to completely ignore her, and inwardly die." It just sort of played out that way.

Hey, did she get half!? You gotta reel that one in brother. Play the cool 007 role. Don’t act too interested, but certainly don’t act uninterested. You need to send _mixed_ vibes. Chicks love/hate that. Come up with some conversation topics before you go. Just a few short things to talk about when you see her. Throughout the day/night you have these short little chat sessions with her and after a minute or two you just say you have to go and "mingle" and will talk to her again later. Now you "mingle" may mean running into the bathroom and hiding by the toilet, but she doesn’t need to know that. So every 1/2 hour come out from behind the toilet and go play the 007 role. Jim — You roll an 18 in Dex and see if you don’t end up with a girlfriend JimD Central FL, USA, Earth, Sol — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I very luckily did not get invited to a wedding that’s taking place tomorrow, but unfortunately found that an excellent opportunity to complain. "Well *I* haven’t received an invitation." So my mom, equally indignant, or possibly knowing that I was bluffing, and just furthering her quest to make me uncomfortable, made sure that I got an invitation. At first I didn’t know what to say, because I had just been acting indignant over the whole thing, but eventually my true feelings came out, and I told her, "Well if I don’t receive an invitation by Friday, I’m free and clear." Knowing the full extent of my plans, my mom redoubled her efforts to get me invited, and sure enough, I got a phone call last night from the bride’s mother telling me I had the green light to go to the wedding. I pretended to be somewhat enthusiastic, but inwardly I was screaming things that would have made a sailor blush. Now I have to go to this wedding tomorrow, and it’s *not* close enough for me to walk home when the anxiety hits, as it will. It’s in the middle of nowhere, at a barn, and will probably lag on for hours, possibly weeks. Keep in mind, *we don’t have a car*. I will literally be trapped in this hellish barn for hours and hours, and probably won’t even be able to bring a book, or my MP3 player, as if those would quell the rising tide of anxiety. Notice a book doesn’t help at the ER waiting room, or on airplanes. It just reminds you that you want to go home, where better entertainment exists. Sure, the woman I’ve loved for 25 yrs will be there, giving me another opportunity to act like a ten yr-old, looking away and being silent, and making wonderful conversation like, "How are you? Oh, okay," and walking away. She’s, I think, one yr older than I am, and recently divorced (big plus), but as unapproachable as the planet Neptune. So I have that to look forward to. She’s always with her sister, too, and they tend to laugh silently with one another at my social ineptitude. Plus the inevitable dinner conversation, which will probably not involve any jokes I make about wombats, my cat, or Republicans … rather just embarrassed silence, as I wish I could say *anything* even remotely like the casual banter I make on Usenet. I can’t go there doped up on Klonopin and Haldol, because I *will* fall asleep, and as far as I know, there won’t be a nurse’s tent. This is going to suck. This will suck enough to leech the chrome off a trailer hitch. If anyone from ASAPM would like to go in my stead, I have an all-purpose Ian Disguise Kit I bought from Wile E. Coyote, who was unable to make use of it in catching the roadrunner. Help!!! There’s not enough medicine in the world to make this anything slightly better than a grating, mind-numbing, soul-sucking ordeal. Not looking forward to it, IOW. Ian — Ian, as far as I am concerned, easy answer. Don’t go. If it is making you crazy do not go. If people do not understand, who cares? Don’t try to do something you feel you cannot do. I know that feeling. It is better to send apologies and deal with what is on your plate. At some time you will have to go somewhere but I am sure no one will be angry with you about this. Love, Vicki

What Vicki said, only double. Don’t go. Don’t go. Nobody’s opinion about Ian matters, except Ian’s. I know I sure don’t have the ability to "make" people think much of anything about me, good or bad. Nobody’s sitting with a score card jotting down the fact you attended or didn’t (except you) – attention will be on the bride and groom, not on guests, Ian. Hell.. anything that causes me the type of anxiety you seem to be going through, I just put it in the "I ain’t gonna do it" category, and give myself full permission to not do it. I don’t care who cares, or what they think. It’s my life, and I am not going to live according to what others MIGHT (I stress might) think, or what I PERCEIVE that their expectations are of me. They aren’t judge over me so long as I don’t MAKE them my judge in MY own mind. As my ex used to say quite a bit..Fuck em if they can’t take a joke. Yes. I said the "F" word in group. I think that’s the first time I have.. I better change my posting name to pottymouth coming out of the closet. Take care of Ian and do NOT go. Sally — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Too many difficulties all round.

Wow, Arthur, are you sure you’re not me, posting while in a blackout or something? That’s *exactly* what the situation is like. Good to know I have a brother in anxiety out there in the wide world. Ian — http://sundry.ws/ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

What Vicki said, only double. Don’t go. Don’t go.

That’s what I’ll do, then. You know, it feels very good. I know I sure don’t have the ability to "make" people think much of anything about me, good or bad.

Oh, well I think you’re quite nice, Sally, even if you said the F word in your post. Ian — http://sundry.ws/ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Ian, you are sooo funny-if I had air in my car and you lived near Chgo. I would drive you AND your mom to the barn and back just to hear your witty remarks and see the badger on your head. ) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – So every 1/2 hour come out from behind the toilet and go play the 007 role. Brilliant! "Sho, Mish Moneypenneh…." That might work. I often think people who are married are people who have succeeded at dating where others have failed. I should take your advice, or, possibly, ignore your advice, as coming from one of the "succeeders". I think I’m a failure, and I’m willing to back that up with statistics! Ian — http://sundry.ws/ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

I very luckily did not get invited to a wedding that’s taking place tomorrow, but unfortunately found that an excellent opportunity to complain.

Ian, in a situation this disastrous there can be only one solution – fake your own death. If you can get hold of a male corpse of roughly your own height, I can supply 200 gallons of gasoline and a seat on the next flight to Equador. Let me know what you decide by sundown and I’ll send Big Louis around with the stuff. :-) — _TJ_

Response:

So every 1/2 hour come out from behind the toilet and go play the 007 role.

Brilliant! "Sho, Mish Moneypenneh…." That might work. I often think people who are married are people who have succeeded at dating where others have failed. I should take your advice, or, possibly, ignore your advice, as coming from one of the "succeeders". I think I’m a failure, and I’m willing to back that up with statistics! Ian — http://sundry.ws/ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Well, the saga is over. I phoned my mom and told her, "I’m too anxious. I’m not going." She said, "Whatever," and hung up on me. So … that’s over with. Now it’s time to celebrate with a big horkin’ Mason jar of coffee and the rest of this massive stack of candy bars. Hooray! Thanks everyone for setting me straight. Ian — http://sundry.ws/ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

I very luckily did not get invited to a wedding that’s taking place tomorrow, but unfortunately found that an excellent opportunity to complain. "Well *I* haven’t received an invitation." So my mom, equally indignant, or possibly knowing that I was bluffing, and just furthering her quest to make me uncomfortable, made sure that I got an invitation. At first I didn’t know what to say, because I had just been acting indignant over the whole thing, but eventually my true feelings came out, and I told her, "Well if I don’t receive an invitation by Friday, I’m free and clear." Knowing the full extent of my plans, my mom redoubled her efforts to get me invited, and sure enough, I got a phone call last night from the bride’s mother telling me I had the green light to go to the wedding. I pretended to be somewhat enthusiastic, but inwardly I was screaming things that would have made a sailor blush. Now I have to go to this wedding tomorrow, and it’s *not* close enough for me to walk home when the anxiety hits, as it will. It’s in the middle of nowhere, at a barn, and will probably lag on for hours, possibly weeks. Keep in mind, *we don’t have a car*. I will literally be trapped in this hellish barn for hours and hours, and probably won’t even be able to bring a book, or my MP3 player, as if those would quell the rising tide of anxiety. Notice a book doesn’t help at the ER waiting room, or on airplanes. It just reminds you that you want to go home, where better entertainment exists. Sure, the woman I’ve loved for 25 yrs will be there, giving me another opportunity to act like a ten yr-old, looking away and being silent, and making wonderful conversation like, "How are you? Oh, okay," and walking away. She’s, I think, one yr older than I am, and recently divorced (big plus), but as unapproachable as the planet Neptune. So I have that to look forward to. She’s always with her sister, too, and they tend to laugh silently with one another at my social ineptitude. Plus the inevitable dinner conversation, which will probably not involve any jokes I make about wombats, my cat, or Republicans … rather just embarrassed silence, as I wish I could say *anything* even remotely like the casual banter I make on Usenet. I can’t go there doped up on Klonopin and Haldol, because I *will* fall asleep, and as far as I know, there won’t be a nurse’s tent. This is going to suck. This will suck enough to leech the chrome off a trailer hitch. If anyone from ASAPM would like to go in my stead, I have an all-purpose Ian Disguise Kit I bought from Wile E. Coyote, who was unable to make use of it in catching the roadrunner. Help!!! There’s not enough medicine in the world to make this anything slightly better than a grating, mind-numbing, soul-sucking ordeal. Not looking forward to it, IOW. Ian — http://sundry.ws/ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Ian, I don’t have very good suggestions for you except to either make up an excuse why you can’t attend and call her back, or don’t show up. What would happen if you didn’t show up? Probably nothing. :-) If you did go, you might have a good time listening to the music and other people’s conversations. Are you in a position to take a taxi or bus home? How about hopping a ride with someone there and then asking them to drop you back home early? I’m trying to think of something for you. :-) Let us know if you go. Anti-anxiety vibes being sent your way. {{{{{Ian}}}}} Di

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I very luckily did not get invited to a wedding that’s taking place tomorrow, but unfortunately found that an excellent opportunity to complain. "Well *I* haven’t received an invitation." So my mom, equally indignant, or possibly knowing that I was bluffing, and just furthering her quest to make me uncomfortable, made sure that I got an invitation. At first I didn’t know what to say, because I had just been acting indignant over the whole thing, but eventually my true feelings came out, and I told her, "Well if I don’t receive an invitation by Friday, I’m free and clear." Knowing the full extent of my plans, my mom redoubled her efforts to get me invited, and sure enough, I got a phone call last night from the bride’s mother telling me I had the green light to go to the wedding. I pretended to be somewhat enthusiastic, but inwardly I was screaming things that would have made a sailor blush. Now I have to go to this wedding tomorrow, and it’s *not* close enough for me to walk home when the anxiety hits, as it will. It’s in the middle of nowhere, at a barn, and will probably lag on for hours, possibly weeks. Keep in mind, *we don’t have a car*. I will literally be trapped in this hellish barn for hours and hours, and probably won’t even be able to bring a book, or my MP3 player, as if those would quell the rising tide of anxiety. Notice a book doesn’t help at the ER waiting room, or on airplanes. It just reminds you that you want to go home, where better entertainment exists. Sure, the woman I’ve loved for 25 yrs will be there, giving me another opportunity to act like a ten yr-old, looking away and being silent, and making wonderful conversation like, "How are you? Oh, okay," and walking away. She’s, I think, one yr older than I am, and recently divorced (big plus), but as unapproachable as the planet Neptune. So I have that to look forward to. She’s always with her sister, too, and they tend to laugh silently with one another at my social ineptitude. Plus the inevitable dinner conversation, which will probably not involve any jokes I make about wombats, my cat, or Republicans … rather just embarrassed silence, as I wish I could say *anything* even remotely like the casual banter I make on Usenet. I can’t go there doped up on Klonopin and Haldol, because I *will* fall asleep, and as far as I know, there won’t be a nurse’s tent. This is going to suck. This will suck enough to leech the chrome off a trailer hitch. If anyone from ASAPM would like to go in my stead, I have an all-purpose Ian Disguise Kit I bought from Wile E. Coyote, who was unable to make use of it in catching the roadrunner. Help!!! There’s not enough medicine in the world to make this anything slightly better than a grating, mind-numbing, soul-sucking ordeal. Not looking forward to it, IOW. Ian

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Listen carefully to my advice, because one should always listen carefully to the advice of dying people (cough): DON’T GO. Stay home and laugh devilishly at anything you please and DON’T GO. Everybody makes mistakes. This is your opportunity NOT to make things weird for yourself. Go get yourself a can of sterno and celebrate I’m serious — this is SO not important. Deirdre — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Anti-anxiety vibes being sent your way. {{{{{Ian}}}}}

Thanks, Diane. The ride situation is dodgy at best. There was one couple who were going to take us, but they’re going in two carloads. The first is going about an hour before anything starts (huge anxiety), and the second will be a van full of kids (huge anxiety, and possibility of lawsuit for mass murder). The people who normally give us rides are probably not going to be able to, as it’s their daughter who’s getting married. The *other* people who give us rides are like aunt, uncle, cousin to the bride, plus that would mean a long ride with the Untouchable Woman. (Huge, huge anxiety.) I really don’t know how we’re getting down there. Not going is not an option at this point. My mom lobbied hard for me to be invited. She said, "You’d better bloody well go at this point, or there’ll be hell to pay." Not sure what kind of hell I’d have to pay, but it would seem strange to have had my mom acting for weeks as if I were dying to attend this event, and then me suddenly not showing up. The bride’s family must be puzzled. "Ian normally hates going to things like this. Why does he care?" It’s all my mom’s fault. She has them thinking I’m mortally offended at not receiving an invitation, which is my fault, for playing the "not invited" card, which is all part of the "the rest of the Baha’is don’t like us, Mom" game, which sometimes backfires, as it has now. Not much of a *fun* game, but one in which I can feel sorry for myself, so that’s good. I figure I can grit my teeth through it, and it is being catered, although that’s another problem, as the caterers are *delivering* the food, and the local Baha’is have to serve it, which means I might get roped in to *serving people*, which means talking to strangers, just walking up to them and saying, "Excuse me, would you like fish or tabouli?" or something, and then having a panic attack and hiding in the bathroom, or rather port-a-potty, as this is a barn. On the plus side, Baha’is don’t drink, so there won’t be booze there, on the … subtraction side, Baha’is generally don’t smoke, so everyone will hate me for smoking. I’ll have to literally go behind the barn to smoke. No matter what, everyone’s going to hate me after this. I already hate myself. I loathe what I’m going to act like tomorrow, which is sort of a cross between Rain Man and Ellen. Thank you for the vibes. I will carry them with me, and use them to hit people over the head who try to engage me in conversation. :-/ Ian — http://sundry.ws/ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I very luckily did not get invited to a wedding that’s taking place tomorrow, but unfortunately found that an excellent opportunity to complain. "Well *I* haven’t received an invitation." So my mom, equally indignant, or possibly knowing that I was bluffing, and just furthering her quest to make me uncomfortable, made sure that I got an invitation. At first I didn’t know what to say, because I had just been acting indignant over the whole thing, but eventually my true feelings came out, and I told her, "Well if I don’t receive an invitation by Friday, I’m free and clear." Knowing the full extent of my plans, my mom redoubled her efforts to get me invited, and sure enough, I got a phone call last night from the bride’s mother telling me I had the green light to go to the wedding. I pretended to be somewhat enthusiastic, but inwardly I was screaming things that would have made a sailor blush. Now I have to go to this wedding tomorrow, and it’s *not* close enough for me to walk home when the anxiety hits, as it will. It’s in the middle of nowhere, at a barn, and will probably lag on for hours, possibly weeks. Keep in mind, *we don’t have a car*. I will literally be trapped in this hellish barn for hours and hours, and probably won’t even be able to bring a book, or my MP3 player, as if those would quell the rising tide of anxiety. Notice a book doesn’t help at the ER waiting room, or on airplanes. It just reminds you that you want to go home, where better entertainment exists. Sure, the woman I’ve loved for 25 yrs will be there, giving me another opportunity to act like a ten yr-old, looking away and being silent, and making wonderful conversation like, "How are you? Oh, okay," and walking away. She’s, I think, one yr older than I am, and recently divorced (big plus), but as unapproachable as the planet Neptune. So I have that to look forward to. She’s always with her sister, too, and they tend to laugh silently with one another at my social ineptitude. Plus the inevitable dinner conversation, which will probably not involve any jokes I make about wombats, my cat, or Republicans … rather just embarrassed silence, as I wish I could say *anything* even remotely like the casual banter I make on Usenet. I can’t go there doped up on Klonopin and Haldol, because I *will* fall asleep, and as far as I know, there won’t be a nurse’s tent. This is going to suck. This will suck enough to leech the chrome off a trailer hitch. If anyone from ASAPM would like to go in my stead, I have an all-purpose Ian Disguise Kit I bought from Wile E. Coyote, who was unable to make use of it in catching the roadrunner. Help!!! There’s not enough medicine in the world to make this anything slightly better than a grating, mind-numbing, soul-sucking ordeal. Not looking forward to it, IOW. Ian —

Ian, as far as I am concerned, easy answer. Don’t go. If it is making you crazy do not go. If people do not understand, who cares? Don’t try to do something you feel you cannot do. I know that feeling. It is better to send apologies and deal with what is on your plate. At some time you will have to go somewhere but I am sure no one will be angry with you about this. Love, Vicki — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anti-anxiety vibes being sent your way. {{{{{Ian}}}}} Thanks, Diane. The ride situation is dodgy at best. There was one couple who were going to take us, but they’re going in two carloads. The first is going about an hour before anything starts (huge anxiety), and the second will be a van full of kids (huge anxiety, and possibility of lawsuit for mass murder). The people who normally give us rides are probably not going to be able to, as it’s their daughter who’s getting married. The *other* people who give us rides are like aunt, uncle, cousin to the bride, plus that would mean a long ride with the Untouchable Woman. (Huge, huge anxiety.) I really don’t know how we’re getting down there. Not going is not an option at this point. My mom lobbied hard for me to be invited. She said, "You’d better bloody well go at this point, or there’ll be hell to pay." Not sure what kind of hell I’d have to pay, but it would seem strange to have had my mom acting for weeks as if I were dying to attend this event, and then me suddenly not showing up. The bride’s family must be puzzled. "Ian normally hates going to things like this. Why does he care?" It’s all my mom’s fault. She has them thinking I’m mortally offended at not receiving an invitation, which is my fault, for playing the "not invited" card, which is all part of the "the rest of the Baha’is don’t like us, Mom" game, which sometimes backfires, as it has now. Not much of a *fun* game, but one in which I can feel sorry for myself, so that’s good. I figure I can grit my teeth through it, and it is being catered, although that’s another problem, as the caterers are *delivering* the food, and the local Baha’is have to serve it, which means I might get roped in to *serving people*, which means talking to strangers, just walking up to them and saying, "Excuse me, would you like fish or tabouli?" or something, and then having a panic attack and hiding in the bathroom, or rather port-a-potty, as this is a barn. On the plus side, Baha’is don’t drink, so there won’t be booze there, on the … subtraction side, Baha’is generally don’t smoke, so everyone will hate me for smoking. I’ll have to literally go behind the barn to smoke. No matter what, everyone’s going to hate me after this. I already hate myself. I loathe what I’m going to act like tomorrow, which is sort of a cross between Rain Man and Ellen. Thank you for the vibes. I will carry them with me, and use them to hit people over the head who try to engage me in conversation. :-/ Ian —

Take the hell. Your mom cannot voodoo you, Ian!!! Do what you have to do. Vicki — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Make this into something other than what it is. Be creative. Or not. Maybe you should just not go at all. It’s getting complicated.

Yes, the logistics of this thing are already a nightmare. Should I wear my "Piss Off" t-shirt, or something more appropriate, like "I went to a wedding in a barn, and all I got was this lousy t-shirt" t-shirt. I should bring Tennis Ball. If anyone tries to engage me in conversation, I should just fling her in their face, to which she will attach with all four paws. By the time the ambulance arrives, I can safely sneak away. Of course she’ll be there with her "La Dolce Vita" sunglasses, her oversized film magazine, and her bon bons. I think that’s the secret. Bring my cat. She has claws, and a piss-off attitude that would work perfectly here. Really, I laugh about it, but it’s going to be horrible. I know that’s catastrophic thinking, but if this doesn’t qualify as a catastrophe, I don’t know what does … aside from actual catastrophes. Ian — http://sundry.ws/ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Why don’t you plant a big one on the love of your life when you see her? Just walk up and give her one of those big-screen type kisses. That should set the tone for the night

Oh you married people. You probably forget how difficult it was to get married in the first place. The tone for the night? It would be a death dirge of despair, and other alliterations as well. It’s not that I *want* to be like this. The last time I saw her I didn’t plan out ahead of time, "I’m going to completely ignore her, and inwardly die." It just sort of played out that way.

Response:

Playing those card games can be tricky. As the great Kenny Rogers said, "you gotta know when to hold em and know when to fold em". I was going to suggest you don’t go, but reading the other posts that doesn’t seem like an option. Exactly how far is this barn-wedding? If it were me, I would just try to find someone who could drive me home early. Take a little extra Klonopin. Not enough to make you very sleepy, just a little extra to help with any extra anxiety. Why don’t you plant a big one on the love of your life when you see her? Just walk up and give her one of those big-screen type kisses. That should set the tone for the night Jim — You roll an 18 in Dex and see if you don’t end up with a girlfriend JimD Central FL, USA, Earth, Sol — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – DON’T GO. Stay home and laugh devilishly at anything you please and DON’T GO. Oh dying one, I wish it were so. Even the old, "I’m disabled. Look, I have a badger on my head," line won’t work, because as my mom slowly becomes more and more insane, I’m supposed to be the less-insane one, thereby winning support for my point of view, which is, basically, that my mom is insane. Everyone is like, "Oh, that Ian. We misunderstood him for so long, and now we know his mother is a lunatic, and he was right all along." Now they’ll be like, "Maybe Ian *is* wrong, and we should agree with his mom from now on," thereby undoing years of work. I hate my family, I really do. I just treated my mom to Chinese food, and she was in a terrible mood. I told her she needed to laugh, and tried endless jokes, but she finally told me, "I’m not your laughing hyena, to perform tricks for you." Sort of an, "Uh, what?" kind of comment. Her friend Willie was there, who is always collecting pop tops off of soda cans for the Ronald McDonald House, and she said, "If Willie comes over here to get my pop top I’m going to tell her to go away. I feel like I’m being raped every time she does that. It’s such an invasion of privacy." Another, "Uh, what?" comment. So there was a lot of that, and another reassurance that I absolutely had to go to this thing, or I would be publicly stoned. Not that I haven’t been publicly stoned before, but in a different manner, more of a "Hee hee, I’m stoned, and no one knows", sort of thing. Oh, help me. I know you’re both saying, "Just don’t go." I wish that were an option. I don’t want people to hate me, but they just do. I can’t control it. I’m this big, lumbering guy, who always stares at wimmen longingly, like over a vast gulf, makes terrible conversation, and hogs all the BBQ meatballs at weddings. I just want to hide in a box and drink sterno with Tennis Ball. Very likely I’ll just grit my teeth and get it over with, and come back and complain to you all in my normal voice.

Okay, you do that. I am looking forward to a hilarious accounting of this terrible event. Let me tell you why I’m not all gooey with sympathy. I actually am all gooey with *empathy*. I’m the big lumbering *girl* etc… it’s a shame I can’t go to this thing with you so we can get ALL the meatballs. If the bridal couple is particularly attractive I could cough on them. Just a thought. They don’t really hate you. Maybe they just don’t ‘get’ you. You could think of this as a combination smiling-practice thing, and doing the research necessary for the hilarious accounting of the terrible event. By the way: hyena? poptops? Maybe you could dress your Mom up as you and send her to this thing. Hey I just had an idea — first thing when you get there, scope out the area and find a place to sit and take mental notes. Or actual notes, if you have a small notebook. Don’t forget to take sunglasses. Mystery is good. But what the heck do I know? I’m the one who tries hard to be eccentric at things like this so people will leave me alone, and I end up exchanging tuna casserole recipes with the girls in the kitchen. I hate that. Make this into something other than what it is. Be creative. Or not. Maybe you should just not go at all. It’s getting complicated. Deirdre — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

I have a fever. Ignore me.

Oh, you’re okay, Deirdre. Just drink a bottle of NyQuil and wake up next Thursday. Nothing like sleep therapy. Ian — http://sundry.ws/ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

DON’T GO. Stay home and laugh devilishly at anything you please and DON’T GO.

Oh dying one, I wish it were so. Even the old, "I’m disabled. Look, I have a badger on my head," line won’t work, because as my mom slowly becomes more and more insane, I’m supposed to be the less-insane one, thereby winning support for my point of view, which is, basically, that my mom is insane. Everyone is like, "Oh, that Ian. We misunderstood him for so long, and now we know his mother is a lunatic, and he was right all along." Now they’ll be like, "Maybe Ian *is* wrong, and we should agree with his mom from now on," thereby undoing years of work. I hate my family, I really do. I just treated my mom to Chinese food, and she was in a terrible mood. I told her she needed to laugh, and tried endless jokes, but she finally told me, "I’m not your laughing hyena, to perform tricks for you." Sort of an, "Uh, what?" kind of comment. Her friend Willie was there, who is always collecting pop tops off of soda cans for the Ronald McDonald House, and she said, "If Willie comes over here to get my pop top I’m going to tell her to go away. I feel like I’m being raped every time she does that. It’s such an invasion of privacy." Another, "Uh, what?" comment. So there was a lot of that, and another reassurance that I absolutely had to go to this thing, or I would be publicly stoned. Not that I haven’t been publicly stoned before, but in a different manner, more of a "Hee hee, I’m stoned, and no one knows", sort of thing. Oh, help me. I know you’re both saying, "Just don’t go." I wish that were an option. I don’t want people to hate me, but they just do. I can’t control it. I’m this big, lumbering guy, who always stares at wimmen longingly, like over a vast gulf, makes terrible conversation, and hogs all the BBQ meatballs at weddings. I just want to hide in a box and drink sterno with Tennis Ball. Very likely I’ll just grit my teeth and get it over with, and come back and complain to you all in my normal voice.

Response:

Let us know how this went, okay. {{{{{Ian}}}}}

Oh, believe me, I will, if I’m alive, and not wildly screaming. Well, even if I’m wildly screaming, I should be able to hammer out a post. (Oh my goodness, how I dread this horrible event. To think that people are going there of their own free will….) Ian — http://sundry.ws/ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

I meant something much more support-group-like, I’m sure. I have a fever. Ignore me. Deirdre — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

I’m so sorry you can’t get out of this, Ian. Hoping a taxi home when you’re ready will help. Let us know how this went, okay. {{{{{Ian}}}}} Di

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Job Offer = Anxiety Attack

admin — Thu, 16 Mar 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

As a panic disorder sufferer who has it under control through medication and therapy and who refuses to let it control my life as much as I can, I understand what you are saying. The best thing I can tell you is this, do not rush to judgement about things especailly when you are in a panic or depressed state. I can get both sometimes. You make bad decisions and when you do feel better you regret them. Instead wait a few hours or even a day then re evaluate everything. Also as people with panic, we often have difficulty adjusting to new scenarios and situations. You had just started a new job which may have been great for you if you had taken some time to adjust. Just some advice based on the experiences I’ve had.

Response:

The important items have been covered. I’ll add a little ‘oblique-angle view’ to consider. It is thought that anxiety, as a disorder, has origin in genetics, neurochemistry anomalies, thinking style and for some it seems there are psycho-social background issues involved. I would not begin to presume to know why you personally have anxiety attacks when triggers present themselves. It may be helpful to consider the idea of "safety", since that is a common theme in your accounting of events and reasons for actions taken/not-taken. Many people who become anxious, including people who have no disorder at all, feel anxiety due to a feeling of not being safe. If they lose their job, how will they pay their mortgage? What if they can’t get another job? What if their house is foreclosed? What if they end up homeless? (sound familiar?) A lady was placed into an ambulance today, in Augusta Georgia, and it went driving down the expressway (as ambulances do) and was struck from the side by an SUV of some sort. The ambulance was flipped, and the lady was unfortunately the one fatality from the accident. She may have felt "more safe" than just prior to the paramedics arrival at her house, she may have felt like she was on her way to a better situation, she may have felt unsafe, or very worried. Her feelings (which are unknown to me; I did not know her) did not ultimately affect the outcome – she died, and not from the health problem that made her seek help. This is obviously a relatively rare circumstance. Unforeseen events (like an accident) can suddenly change everything, so that something that was "reasonably safe" suddenly became "utterly unsafe" and ultimately fatal, in this case. The cognitive strategy here is to focus on "enough". E.G. – I’m safe enough. I’m well-employed enough, I’m happy enough, I’m loved enough and ultimately I am enough. It promotes a center-continuum thinking style, and keeps us from being too far on one end or the other (in this case, too safe/sheltered/self-imprisoned vs. in total peril). Control is the other obvious issue – your safe job could end tomorrow (probably not, but the point being – you can’t "control" it) and so could a new job. The trained ambulance personnel attempted to exert as much control as is feasible, I’m sure, but they could not ultimately control the outcome today. I hope they will focus on all the times that they did succeed in helping the person, rather than on this, which they could not prevent – at least they lived, and have the opportunity to consider it on any level. I hope that you will take a look at what aspects of safety/control exist in your life that may hold inordinate dominion over your own decision-making. This issue is but one of many that are usually explored in great detail in a cognitive-behavioral therapy scenario and I’d encourage you to seek that out, as has already been suggested. Things will be alright. Kindly, Gary

Response:

Hi all, A few months ago, I felt that while I did enjoy my current position, I should try to see what else was out there. I knew that there was an opportunity for me to make more money at another company, as well as move to a higher level. I received a job offer from a company that was financially strong, and the offer was about 15% more, not counting bonus potential. I accepted the offer, put in my notice at work and immediately had an anxiety attack…..the attack was so intense that the next day, I immediately notified my current employer that I had made the wrong decision and wanted to stay. They were happy I wasn’t leaving, so all was well. Of course, following that anxiety attack, I had two weeks of "aftershock"…….worrying about everything, like whether my current employer would fire me……I was a wreck for almost a month. I didn’t want to do anything, I was constantly sad….. A few months passed and I was feeling back to normal. I rationalized that my anxiety attack was due to the fact that I didn’t feel up to the job that I had been offered (could have been a lot more hours, and I would have needed to specialize in areas I am unfamiliar with and manage people that I do not know…..unfamiliar territory is not my friend!). Anyhow, I started to have thoughts of starting to look again, and I was contacted by a headhunter that was very impressed with my resume. So impressed, that he told me of a position at a very large company in town that needed someone with my credentials for a position that was being vacated due to an internal promotion. The job itself didn’t sound all that exciting, but the pay was very good, so I thought it wouldn’t hurt to take a look. I met with the department managers and they were all VERY nice….and the benefits at the company were exceptional….and I would even have my own office. Yet, the feelings of an anxiety attack started to creep up. I felt that I needed to be happy with my work, so I decided to call them and tell them that while it was a great company, I knew that the position wouldn’t be very exciting or enticing to me. Still, they wanted me to consider taking the time to meet with the head honcho of the company….so I did. He was also VERY nice, and they were all so impressed with me that they wanted to create a position for me just to get me on board. Anyhow, the anxiety started to creep up again. I spoke at length with my wife about everything, especially knowing that the salary impact would be 30%+ higher than where I am currently at. 30%!!! There were things I like about my current job (I enjoy my work, my co-workers, my proximity to home….I know there is advancement potential) and things I knew I wouldn’t like about the offered job (not close to home, unknown situation, not sure what I would do….and why would they pay me so much more to do less than I am now…..I’m very skeptical!). At the end of the day, I decided to pass on the job, knowing that I am happy where I am at, excluding the compensation piece of things. Plus, so many of my friends are miserable in their jobs, that I know that it might be a bad idea to jump ship from a solid, stable company that I am happy at to go to an unknown situation where I would make a lot more money but could be miserable (and stuck). My decision was made….still, I had a full blown anxiety attack after the decision, and I then followed up with weeks of "aftershocks" worrying about whether I made the wrong decision, wondering why I was having an anxiety attack that I couldn’t explain, worrying about whether I could ever take a new job again without having an anxiety attack, worrying about whether I I am just curious if there are others out there that have had the same experience? If so, is there anything you have done to prevent the anxiety attacks? Is this just a disability that one must live with? I have seen a psychologist, and there is no "cure", just breathing exercises you can do and pills you can take (for me, lorazepam). Sorry so long…….thanks!!!!

Response:

Wow what a story and you write SO well! I can see why you are getting so many job offers. You seem to be so intelligent and down to earth. My advice won’t be very long. I’m sure there will be others who can elaborate better than I can, but I’m thinking a therapist might be able to help you right now. You’re already on Lorazepam, do you think the dosage is high enough? It sounds like you might be having some obsessive thoughts. Do you take an anti-depressant? I’m sorry I just realized that you did say that you have seen a psychologist. What is your diagnosis if you don’t mind? It’s pretty obvious that you have GAD, generalized anxiety disorder, but there is more to it than that. Self esteem issues, afraid of change. Would you consider seeing a psychiatrist instead?

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all, A few months ago, I felt that while I did enjoy my current position, I should try to see what else was out there. I knew that there was an opportunity for me to make more money at another company, as well as move to a higher level. I received a job offer from a company that was financially strong, and the offer was about 15% more, not counting bonus potential. I accepted the offer, put in my notice at work and immediately had an anxiety attack…..the attack was so intense that the next day, I immediately notified my current employer that I had made the wrong decision and wanted to stay. They were happy I wasn’t leaving, so all was well. Of course, following that anxiety attack, I had two weeks of "aftershock"…….worrying about everything, like whether my current employer would fire me……I was a wreck for almost a month. I didn’t want to do anything, I was constantly sad….. A few months passed and I was feeling back to normal. I rationalized that my anxiety attack was due to the fact that I didn’t feel up to the job that I had been offered (could have been a lot more hours, and I would have needed to specialize in areas I am unfamiliar with and manage people that I do not know…..unfamiliar territory is not my friend!). Anyhow, I started to have thoughts of starting to look again, and I was contacted by a headhunter that was very impressed with my resume. So impressed, that he told me of a position at a very large company in town that needed someone with my credentials for a position that was being vacated due to an internal promotion. The job itself didn’t sound all that exciting, but the pay was very good, so I thought it wouldn’t hurt to take a look. I met with the department managers and they were all VERY nice….and the benefits at the company were exceptional….and I would even have my own office. Yet, the feelings of an anxiety attack started to creep up. I felt that I needed to be happy with my work, so I decided to call them and tell them that while it was a great company, I knew that the position wouldn’t be very exciting or enticing to me. Still, they wanted me to consider taking the time to meet with the head honcho of the company….so I did. He was also VERY nice, and they were all so impressed with me that they wanted to create a position for me just to get me on board. Anyhow, the anxiety started to creep up again. I spoke at length with my wife about everything, especially knowing that the salary impact would be 30%+ higher than where I am currently at. 30%!!! There were things I like about my current job (I enjoy my work, my co-workers, my proximity to home….I know there is advancement potential) and things I knew I wouldn’t like about the offered job (not close to home, unknown situation, not sure what I would do….and why would they pay me so much more to do less than I am now…..I’m very skeptical!). At the end of the day, I decided to pass on the job, knowing that I am happy where I am at, excluding the compensation piece of things. Plus, so many of my friends are miserable in their jobs, that I know that it might be a bad idea to jump ship from a solid, stable company that I am happy at to go to an unknown situation where I would make a lot more money but could be miserable (and stuck). My decision was made….still, I had a full blown anxiety attack after the decision, and I then followed up with weeks of "aftershocks" worrying about whether I made the wrong decision, wondering why I was having an anxiety attack that I couldn’t explain, worrying about whether I could ever take a new job again without having an anxiety attack, worrying about I am just curious if there are others out there that have had the same experience? If so, is there anything you have done to prevent the anxiety attacks? Is this just a disability that one must live with? I have seen a psychologist, and there is no "cure", just breathing exercises you can do and pills you can take (for me, lorazepam). Sorry so long…….thanks!!!!

Response:

Bias balance circuit?

admin — Wed, 08 Feb 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

Anyone know what this is? Did Fender ever use this circuit in any of it’s amps? Thanks in advance. Mr Soul http://www.MusicIsLove.com

Response:

Anyone know what this is? Did Fender ever use this circuit in any of it’s amps?

Yes, some of the silverface fenders from the 70s had this feature to help balance slightly mismatched Output tubes (cheaper than tube matching I suppose). Negative bias applied to the grid of the tube can control the amount of plate voltage and output power of the tube. What it consisted of was the way the bias level pot was reconfigured with a few resistors to enable it to be adjusted like a balance control in your stereo so that any uneven plate voltage between 2 tubes (or sets of tubes) could be evened out by directing either more or less negative bias control to one tube or the other. The Normal bias pot (if there is one) would deliver only equal level changes to the set of tubes thus not accounting for any missmatch. In my amp I have individual bias pots for each of 2 tubes which controls both balance as well as level (allows one to dial in varying amounts of harmonic distortions and set the threshold of tube breakup when the output stage is pushed) Have a look at some schematics of old super reverbs etc. to see the way the different pot wireing scheme. Cheers Savy

Response:

Did the ‘67 Deluxe Reverb (AB763) have this circuit? I don’t think it does. Mr Soul

Response:

Did the ‘67 Deluxe Reverb (AB763) have this circuit? I don’t think it does. Mr Soul

No, it does not. It has a direct bias adjustment. Both tubes are adjusted using the one bias pot, and that’s why you have to have matched output tubes. This type of bias network is much preferred over the later "bias balance" network. But as has been mentioned ad infinitem here, you can combine the two circuits to get bias adjustment AND bias balance, which gives you the best of both worlds. http://www.hoffmanamps.com/charts/Biascircuits.htm http://www.hoffmanamps.com/charts/bias_conversions.htm –E

Response:

Stressed Out again….

admin — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

HI, Kind of the same old same old with me, but it helps for me to just write out whats going on once in a while… I’m Kinda freaking out because I have tax issues to get taken care of, (taxes that need to get filed personal, and old business) for the past 3 years now. They are complex. I need the help of a accountant or cpa, and I don’t have the money to do them. So I am freaking out a bit on this. I get 1, 2, 3 medical bills a day for co-pays, deductiables, and co-pays that the insurance doesnt or didnt cover. I can’t even see my chiropractor anymore because I own him a couple hundred bucks. Even when I get some income at some point, I don’t know if I’ll ever get caught up on all this crap. I still have not heard anything on my SSDI, despite there promise to get a descision to me multiple times now. I just called any left a message asking them to call me back and let me know what is going on. I was supose to get a decision in mid Novenber, then I was told late November, then I was told that It would be longer, then i was told to come in to a private doctor for testing, I did, that was mid december, I was told I would hear a couple weeks after that. I didn’t Only thing I can think of that might have slowed it down again is that I called very early jan, like the 2nd or 3rd or somewhere around there and told them about my fibro diagnosis. So perhaps that slowed it down… Its getting close to the end of January here, and nothing but more bills and nothing from ssdi…. ,,,,,,,,,, Still waiting on a respons for my application for medical assistance. I was told that is going to take longer as well. No Money, and all the related problems that brings. My parrents and friends are quickly running out of money to help me with things anymore. I called for energy asistance, but I can’t get in till the middle of next month. My monthly expenses (Including insurance, deductiable and co-pays, which I am not even able to pay many of right now), with the house Line of credit that I can get refinanced due to no incomme / bankruptcy last year are around $2300, just for lil ol me. I really hate to think about moving, cause of all the stress that would be and I think it would make me too fucking depressed, I know it would. I’ve tried so hard to make this house nice for myself, I would hate to leave. +++ If I leave the way the market is, I would not be able to see the house for anywhere near what it is morgaged out to. It is morgaged to 110,000, and I would be luck if it sold for like 95-100 in this market, – realtors fees of like $6,000 on that, I would get like 89-96 ish, putting me in the hole like $14,000 to $21,000. So that means the bank would not even let me sell it, so I would have to just not pay for it, let it get foreclosed upon,etc… So getting rid of the house i really a last resort. Plus if it gets foreclosed upon, you know there not gonna sell it for a good price, and u know there gonna try and get the balance from me. Since I filed bankruptcy last year, cant file again, so I would have another big chunk of change that I owe either way!!! I cant think of anythink else to reduce the bills, I already have shaved down about everything I can, except getting rid of the internet, and I cant really see that as a good option to save $35 a month…. I am finally feeling like I’m making some progress on the Fibro and stuff with this new Rheumy I’m seeing. I’m really optimistic, and some of the treatment is really helping. However, I feel StuCK, because, For example, I can’t see the chiro anymore, and I am supose to do that, (and my back is in pain), but I can’t cause I owe him too much money. Same story on my allgery Shots I’m supose to get, and thoes have been helping as well… On the flip side of that, Im still not thinking I am ready to jump back into any type of regular work. I am thinking I’d either have to try something really part time or try something self-employeed. Problem is I still get overwhelmed really easily… I’m pretty sure that Anxeity summs up how I feel a lot of the time, even though I do a lot better with anxeity now than I did in the past. Biggest thing that SUCKS here with benefits and assistance from the state and county is that if I work I risk losing benefits,,, If I can work, no Biggie, if I try to work, handle something for like 6 weeks or what not, and then cant handle it, then I have to re-apply for all the benefits again!!! So I am not confidant yet that I can do anything that permenatly,, so I don’t think I can risk losing my benefits (or I should say the prospect of benefits from ssdi at this point) the only benefit I am getting is a whopping $152 a month is food stamps. I decided that I really wanted to try and get more active with doing some stuff again, so I am tryin some volunteer work. I helped out at a local community center for the developmentally disabled for 4 hours today. Went well, and they appricated the help. I just have too many days that are UP and then down for a few days with energy, anxeity, PaIN to be able to be relyed upon to do something as consistant as a regular JoB. I wish I could think of some other options. But to me it looks like, work real job = make $$ = lose benefits and prospect of benefits = anxeity & strees & pain = need to limit work = less money = need to re-apply for benefits and wait 6 months to see if it is approved again. Nice hun?? Self-employed sounds more flexiable, but from past experiance, it is often very stressful! In terms of self-employment, I looked at doing some freelance photography work, but I need new & more equiptment. This will cost me a minium of about $2,000 to do anything at all serious. I also wanted to look at selling some photos, but to get stuff framed up and looking nice, I need a good chunk of change there also. It’s all causing Major Anxeity, and all that combined with the recent problems with relationships, I feel totally overwhelmed. I gets hard to feel like its worth it to keep strugling… Sucks Doesnt It??? Well that pretty much all the main stuff, I could go on and on with the little shit that bother the hell out of me, but I won’t do that right now… Any Suggestions are welcome… Feeling Anxious, Sad, Lonely, etc… Jamie

Response:

HI, I got up to barnes and noble yesterday, and I could not find, "Stand Up to the IRS." So I am going to have to order it from online. Also, as you may have saw in my message from yesterday, It looks like the disability may be going through… So if it does all go though, then I will have some more resources to deal with this… Thanks again, Jamie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Now that you say this, I know it had to be a S corp because we wanted it setup so we could take profit / loss onto our personall taxes. I know there was something that the lawerys did for the irs and such, but I don’t know if it ever was sent in or anything about it. You can call the IRS and inquire as to the status of the Corporation. There’s no harm in asking them to send you a copy of the verification letter. I still have my copy when I started my Corp in 2002. I don’t see a need to get a hold of the lawyers since the IRS should have a record that they sent you a verification letter. Did you use ledgers, a Dome Book, or a software program? You need All records of the first 6-7 months of business were lost. Hmmmm….. Without backup discs there is nothing to be done here. I know we had K-1’s if that means anything? or we were supose to, but they never got done. K-1’s are easy to do provided there are no "passive shareholders" and (IOW) every shareholder participated in the business. Each shareholder gets a K-1 by January 31, listing his or her share of the company profits for the year, regardless of whether or not they received any of the profits in the form of distributions. They then take the K-1 information of THEIR share of the profits (distributed or not), and transfer that to the 1040, line 17, and also attach a Schedule E where they can list profits and even expenses the company never paid them for (unreimbursed expenses). The 1040 should include a Schedule E, but the K-1 is not necessary–it is for the shareholder’s information only. Your federal 1120S Corporate Income Tax form is only for informational purposes. You include a copy of every K-1given to all shareholders. I sometimes forgot to do this; the IRS reminded me with a letter all the time. If it is really a C-corp, then do I sitll have any libility as far as you know or is the company just dead and I don’t even have to do anything else about the corporation?? The C Corp is alive and well until you send the "Final" return to them and declare a closing. Same with the S-Corp. You can call the IRS and check this out, but first, I would inquire as to the status. My X…has no records. Most everything was either lost in the software carsh or never created…. Here’s where I would be thinking in terms of closing and and taking it from there. What would the offer in compermise mean? As you know from my first post, I have no money, and from what I can tell, I don’t see why I would owe any money with all the losses… There are ways to sort of get around that. A good book to get is "Stand Up to the IRS." It’s sounds like a nasty title, but it clearly explains the little "nuances" you can use to get yourself as much as possible off the hook. The key is this: Federal Tax Court. The IRS will do anything to avoid Tax Court because they do not control it. You have a lor of cards and lately I have noticed that the IRS has become a lot friendlier these last few years. There are also tax abeyances and even elimination of tax debt under special circumstances that the book explains. I would look into the book because it is written by a tax lawyer and easy to understand. Now I am sure you can see why this whole thing is such a freaking mess!!! and why I am so confused and anxious about what to do…. Well, I am confused about my anxiety and depression. So we sort of are in the same boat. Lots of people here are. To sum up, I would recommend: 1) Inquire as to status. Ask for copy of verification letter. 2) Get whatever records you can get–bank transaction slips, any disks if at all, any record of anything at all. 3) Get the book. 4) Take it from there. The book may guide you. With the info in it, you can prepare yourself gradually and patiently to put this once and for all behind you. It will take time, but each new step you take will begin to ease the anxiety. You will have to close the Corp eventually; same with the state. You may have to do some "estimated" returns, etc.; but I think I would read the book first to get you started. Your local library may have it. But personally, I think these four steps should get you started on the road.

Response:

I’m Kinda freaking out because I have tax issues to get taken care of, (taxes that need to get filed personal, and old business) for the past 3 years now. They are complex. did you file personal or corporate bankruptcy? did you file chapter 7 or 13?

7 personal generally, if bankruptcy is filed, the taxes are assessed within days of the corporate dissolution, taxes generally assessed and obligated to shareholers. what type of corporation did you have?

Since there was not the conformation from the irs, we think it was a s corp and it never actualy became a C -copr and generally, the IRS doesn’t fuck with bankruptcy court. what kinda business did you have an were you incorporated and if so, why type of corporation? if yer business went ker-plunk after 3 years, are ya tellin’ me that ya profited wildly and took a sudden fall at tha end of this term? was it a cash business?

no cash really. almost none, commercial printing. I tok maybe 20,000 ish in pay roll the whole time we were open. I have not done anything at all with the corporation, it is just sitting there, not doing anything. no taxes, no bankruptcy, etc… I need the help of a accountant or cpa, and I don’t have the money to do them. no ya don’t, bankruptcy court decides these matters. it’s cut’n dried. again… personal or corporate bankruptcy? chapter 7 or 13? what type of corporation?

7 personal.. didnt do anything at all directly with the corporation… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – PLEASE respond to the above 3 questions. So I am freaking out a bit on this. I get 1, 2, 3 medical bills a day for co-pays, deductiables, and co-pays that the insurance doesnt or didnt cover. I can’t even see my chiropractor anymore because I own him a couple hundred bucks. maybe ya oughta sans yer addiction ta medical treatment (especially a fuckin’ chiro, fer chrissake)… good god, Jamie.. you can definitely live without THAT treatment Even when I get some income at some point, I don’t know if I’ll ever get caught up on all this crap. were your taxes assessed subsequent to bankruptcy? if so, there’s ultra-leverage within this arena following bankruptcy. .

I have not had any taxes assesed at all really that I know of. I was never notified that I owe anything. I just never filed anything. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – if you had no corporation, i assume you were in a "cash based" business, and reported only the minimum dollar amount required to stay just a weeeeeeee bit uner the bottom level tax bracket, thus being required to pay zilch fer taxes. I still have not heard anything on my SSDI, despite there promise to get a descision to me multiple times now. I just called any left a message asking them to call me back and let me know what is going on. I was supose to get a decision in mid Novenber, then I was told late November, then I was told that It would be longer, then i was told to come in to a private doctor for testing, I did, that was mid december, I was told I would hear a couple weeks after that. never heard of Disabilty givin’ a time line… a span, yes, usually 6-8 months from the date of filing.

The first thing I got said within 93 days. But anyway, it looks like it is getting approved soon. I hope… I didn’t Only thing I can think of that might have slowed it down again is that I called very early jan, like the 2nd or 3rd or somewhere around there and told them about my fibro diagnosis. So perhaps that slowed it down… which would require either re-filing or amending. did either one of those two things happen?

I think they ammended it.. They told me to call them durring the whole process anytime that I have new medical info…. were you seen by a state-ordered specialist regarding this condition?

yep. Its getting close to the end of January here, and nothing but more bills and nothing from ssdi…. ,,,,,,,,,, Still waiting on a respons for my application for medical assistance. I was told that is going to take longer as well. it’s government red tape…. you SUREly knew this wasn’t a quick fix kinda deal, didn’t ya? yer case worker tells ya that. and under NO circumstances do those people give’ah 2 or so week timeline… that’s just not tha way tha system works in tha g’ment ass-coverin’ arena of life.

Yea, I knew it wasnt quick,, but that still didnt give me any solution as to how to live… with the house Line of credit that I can get refinanced due to no incomme / bankruptcy last year are around $2300, just for lil ol me. a refi after bankruptcy? unless you filed homestead exemption, (not the over 65 exemption) you can’t get financed, refinanced, or a loan ta pay for yer bicycle. homestead exemption is not available unless you have been approved for disability, so how’s this workin’ out? i mean…. am i missin’ something here?

I filed under wisconsin law not federal bankruptcy law, many states allow you to file under state bankruptcy laws and not under federal. In wi, as long as you have atmost 20% equity in your home, it is fully exempt from chaper 7. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I really hate to think about moving, cause of all the stress that would be and I think it would make me too fucking depressed, I know it would. I’ve tried so hard to make this house nice for myself, I would hate to leave. +++ If I leave the way the market is, I would not be able to see the house for anywhere near what it is morgaged out to. It is morgaged to 110,000, and I would be luck if it sold for like 95-100 in this market, your home DEcreased in value? impossible. appraisals are done via the internet and raised 15% automatically, and lenders use their own appraisers, free of charge that work in their favor to get loan

Back when i refininced several years ago, I had to pay like $300 to the credit union to have some apprisor come out and measure, and look over the whole house. He came back with like a 112,000 apprisal. I paid like 79,995 for the house. The houses in the area are all selling for like 90-95 at best. approval… you have no credit score, so i don’t know how yer doin it, as you haven’t been approved for disability, have no access to homestead exemption and have’ah bankruptcy hangin’ over yer head. and no equity, since your house decreased in value.. (now THAT’s a first).

The whole realestate market appears to really be in the hole in the area… today’s market dictates some hefty interest rates, and lenders goin tha extra mile ta roll these fees into a refi…. but for tha life’ah me i don’t see how you’re rationalizin’ what you’re sayin’ here. please splain.

All the refining that was done thus far was prior to bankruptcy. Have not been able to do anything after bankruptcy… – realtors fees of like $6,000 on that, I would get like 89-96 ish, putting me in the hole like $14,000 to $21,000. So that means the bank would not even let me sell it, you could sell it all day long if yer willing to pay the difference between your loan payoff and your selling price including fees…. but that is soooo "out there" in my book.

Yea, I know, but I dont have the $$$ to do that, and it just seems nuts to have to pay… you bought your house HOW much above appraisal value? there’s a

It was appriased at like $84,900 or something like that when i bought it and i got it for like $79,99g legality that dictates the lender to work within the appraisal value. family dwellings don’t decrease in value, that’s absured. you’re makin’ little ta no sense… so what’am i missin’ here?

Well in terms of what I see people actually paying for homes up and down my street, I know that the best homes are only getting like 95 or so… So i guess yes, it has decressed in value from what that appriser said a couple years ago… so I would have to just not pay for it, let it get foreclosed upon,etc… ya filed bankruptcy, what’s a foreclosure gonna hurt? ya seem ta have access to funds i’ve never heard of with a bankruptcy, i’m sure a foreclosure ain’t gonna hurt ya, yer not workin’ with’ah credit score here.

Yea, but the bankruptcy is done, gone overwith. So if I stop paying now on the house, they will sure me, and they will collect all the legal fees, etc. from me if they ever can in the fiture…. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – So getting rid of the house i really a last resort. Plus if it gets foreclosed upon, you know there not gonna sell it for a good price, and u know there gonna try and get the balance from me. there’s many alternatives to foreclosure, look at this link: http://www.hud.gov/foreclosure/index.cfm Since I filed bankruptcy last year, cant file again, so I would have another big chunk of change that I owe either way!!! I cant think of anythink else to reduce the bills, I already have shaved down about everything I can, except getting rid of the internet, and I cant really see that as a good option to save $35 a month…. you need ta work with a good lender, i’m working with one now if you want her name’n phone #. it doesn’t matter where y’are in tha country, she’ll get’er’dun. lemme know.

Thanks, yea, please do. I think it is worth talking to them, esp since it looks like my disability will be approved soon. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am finally feeling like I’m making some progress on the Fibro and stuff with this new Rheumy I’m seeing. I’m really optimistic, and some of the treatment is really helping. However, I feel StuCK, because, For example, I can’t see the chiro anymore, and I am supose to do that, (and my back is in pain), but I can’t cause I owe him too much money. Same story on my allgery Shots I’m supose to get, and thoes have been helping as well… prioritze! On the flip

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my subchapter S…never filed as an employee, but independent, even in officer status… and i somehow managed ta make no money for 15 years… i dunno how that worked, but it did….

There are accountants who help folks declare themselves "volunteers" to the Corporation and never pay themselves a salary, and instead write themselves distributions but no salary. If they do this, then they pay Federal Income Tax on the distributions but no Social Security tax. This is unacceptable to the IRS, and often distributions are re-declared by them to be taxable salaries. This is an automatic audit red flag–distributions only but no salary. Personally we pay ourselves a "reasonable salary," which is defined by what a contractor in our area would make and the gross for the year, and the rest we distribute or just keep in the corporate account for growth. In this way an S Corporation is far more advantageus than a Schedule C self-employed person, who pays self-employment tax on every profit he makes. We don’t have to do that. Eventually the IRS would expect you to pay yourself a salary and soon. They repeatedly have ruled that an Officer would expect to get paid a salary. Some folks get lucky, but I prefer to get it right from the get-go–reasonable salary plus distributions. There are no requirements as to when to distribute (and if to distribute at all). However, we are starting to distribute in regular quarterly periods similar to a C Corp. It just looks better that way, but it is not required that distributions are done regularly.

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Jamie ! good LORD… ya got’ah hook up ! don’t let Marie get out’ah yer sight, fer chrissake ! maybe you could employ her to do yer taxes and work a payment agreement, or SUMthin… but why you lettin’ an opportunity slip by ya accountant or at least she is well versed in what you need, MAKE HER AN my theory? what’s tha worse that can happen? right. Marie can say "no". dammit, Jamie ! don’t make me come ovah theah and steal yer television. and dvds. ~tanya

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my subchapter S…never filed as an employee, but independent, even in officer status… and i somehow managed ta make no money for 15 years… i dunno how that worked, but it did…. There are accountants who help folks declare themselves "volunteers" to the Corporation and never pay themselves a salary, and instead write themselves distributions but no salary. If they do this, then they pay Federal Income Tax on the distributions but no Social Security tax. This is unacceptable to the IRS, and often distributions are re-declared by them to be taxable salaries. This is an automatic audit red flag–distributions only but no salary.

my business was purely commission based, and i performed procedures without taking a commission, i gave it to the artist i was taking the procedure from, i just WANTED to pierce, so i did, but never took payment for anything. there were no salaries paid, and i THINK i filed as some sorta "absentee" sumthin, but it was legit… and since my corporation was me, (which sucked, cuz my personal credit was attached for at least awhile, i don’t really remember, i never got involved, my manager took care of that stuff b’cause i’m lame and can’t write’ah check or i flip out, he signed all checks, etc.) so my corporation paid 2 sets of taxes, i think one had "retail" tax involved, i had a wholesale #. so nobody was actually "paid" thru the corporation, they actually paid the corporation. somehow it worked, i ain’t gotta clue how, but i never had to personally pay my own money for taxes, that i know. when i say i OWN tha businesses, i MEAN it… i never RAN them, people get that confused a lot, i was’ah master delegater, cuz i have no business sense. i can only do what i’m good at and that’s not anywhere near this kinda stuff……. but…… my house was broken into and all my records, release forms, daily, weekly, monthly reports were taken, in the 8th year of business, and i DO remember my manager "cookin books", but under the advise of the IRS, cuz i had to talk to them personally then, they wouldn’t talk to him…. and it was basically determining the shop profits as we averaged them out over i think a 3 or 4 year period, averaging the profits and increasing by that number, it was an "estimation" done per the IRS, and that worked, i guess…. maybe Jamie could do sumthin’ like that. it’s a wonder i had successful businesses, and it’s NO wonder i have been up and down 3 times and workin’ on my fourth, eh? some people are floored that i never knew ONE THING about my business, and still succeeded, i think it was dumb luck and i’m doin’ it agin. SHOOT ME ! (even tho my lack’ah business sense never took me down, it was other factors)…. i don’t recommend it, but it werkt fer meeeeee.. LOLOL ! now that y’all are talkin’ bout this, i’m pullin’ out my disks and i’m lookin’ at this stuff. i wonder can i even get tha disk in that hole and make it come up !… i rarely get stuff ta come up on disk, but i’m gonna, dammit…. y’all got me curious. Personally we pay ourselves a "reasonable salary," which is defined by what a contractor in our area would make and the gross for the year, and the rest we distribute or just keep in the corporate account for growth. In this way an S Corporation is far more advantageus than a Schedule C self-employed person, who pays self-employment tax on every profit he makes. We don’t have to do that. Eventually the IRS would expect you to pay yourself a salary and soon. They repeatedly have ruled that an Officer would expect to get paid a salary. Some folks get lucky, but I prefer to get it right from the get-go–reasonable salary plus distributions.

i was never required to pay myself a salary, and they worked closely with the IRS during my "icky" time, i have no clue what the deal was, but my boyfriend just pulled out all my disks… and i’m'ah lookin. There are no requirements as to when to distribute (and if to distribute at all). However, we are starting to distribute in regular quarterly periods similar to a C Corp. It just looks better that way, but it is not required that distributions are done regularly.

is it possible that ANYbody is as dumb as me when it comes ta purveying their own businesses? i was fortunate enough to have a manager for 16 years that quit his law practice to do this, my best friend, i trusted him, but i don’t have that this time around, i’m still countin’ on him ta get me "as much in tha know" as possible, but now i’ll be dealing with non profit and not for profit stuff and i’m like… "HUH?" i sho nuff got my business plans intact tho, tha easy stuff i can do. my advertising’s in place, my advertisers for my magazine, the businesses within the business are ready ta rock, everything’s in line ta be up ta code, i got tha media scheduled, but i can’t read a paragraph. sumthin’s definitely wrong in my world. and right ! ~tanya, CPA and corporate tax attorney for 7 zillion multi-million dollah corp. in a town near YOU… extraordinaire… (and genius, ta boot.) lalalalala

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If you were a Subchapter S Corp, then you have the 1120S and the K-1’s. To the 1040 you add the Schedule E with the K-1 info.

my subchapter S was attached to my personal finances. it wasn’t much (or any, in fact) protection of my personal assets til i reached some sorta fork in tha road (i dunno what it was, ask my accountant… i sure don’t talk to him, i don’t understand what he’s talkin’ about) that relieved my personal attachment. i also had independent contractors that seemed to work well in that corporate structure, and never filed as an employee, but independent, even in officer status… and i somehow managed ta make no money for 15 years… i dunno how that worked, but it did, and i might be statin’ sum stuff that’s totally off base, i dunno. but if Jamie starts a Sub S corp, can he do so with a bankruptcy? *If you need help, please e mail me*. I do my Subchapter S corporate taxes just because it’s fun and very easy.

manohmanohman, tha stuff some people find "easy" makes me SICK ! i feel soooooooooooooooooo dumb…. i’m thinkin’ you should give me’n some other folks a "smartenin’ up class"…. do an e-book… hell, i’d buy it in’ah new york SECOND ! i can understand it when i read about it online but once my own stuff’s put in tha mix? …. i’m done. stick’ah fork in me. it becomes more complicated than mixin’ muh hair dye and that’s not good. is that normal for people ta freak when it’s their own shit as opposed to tha "general terms" that seem so simplistic when the terms don’t involve them in financial arenas? (please say yes.) LOL ~tanya

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HI, I’m Kinda freaking out because I have tax issues to get taken care of, (taxes that need to get filed personal, and old business) for the past 3 years now. They are complex.

did you file personal or corporate bankruptcy? did you file chapter 7 or 13? generally, if bankruptcy is filed, the taxes are assessed within days of the corporate dissolution, taxes generally assessed and obligated to shareholers. what type of corporation did you have? and generally, the IRS doesn’t fuck with bankruptcy court. what kinda business did you have an were you incorporated and if so, why type of corporation? if yer business went ker-plunk after 3 years, are ya tellin’ me that ya profited wildly and took a sudden fall at tha end of this term? was it a cash business? I need the help of a accountant or cpa, and I don’t have the money to do them.

no ya don’t, bankruptcy court decides these matters. it’s cut’n dried. again… personal or corporate bankruptcy? chapter 7 or 13? what type of corporation? PLEASE respond to the above 3 questions. So I am freaking out a bit on this. I get 1, 2, 3 medical bills a day for co-pays, deductiables, and co-pays that the insurance doesnt or didnt cover. I can’t even see my chiropractor anymore because I own him a couple hundred bucks.

maybe ya oughta sans yer addiction ta medical treatment (especially a fuckin’ chiro, fer chrissake)… good god, Jamie.. you can definitely live without THAT treatment Even when I get some income at some point, I don’t know if I’ll ever get caught up on all this crap.

were your taxes assessed subsequent to bankruptcy? if so, there’s ultra-leverage within this arena following bankruptcy. . if you had no corporation, i assume you were in a "cash based" business, and reported only the minimum dollar amount required to stay just a weeeeeeee bit uner the bottom level tax bracket, thus being required to pay zilch fer taxes. I still have not heard anything on my SSDI, despite there promise to get a descision to me multiple times now. I just called any left a message asking them to call me back and let me know what is going on. I was supose to get a decision in mid Novenber, then I was told late November, then I was told that It would be longer, then i was told to come in to a private doctor for testing, I did, that was mid december, I was told I would hear a couple weeks after that.

never heard of Disabilty givin’ a time line… a span, yes, usually 6-8 months from the date of filing. I didn’t Only thing I can think of that might have slowed it down again is that I called very early jan, like the 2nd or 3rd or somewhere around there and told them about my fibro diagnosis. So perhaps that slowed it down…

which would require either re-filing or amending. did either one of those two things happen? were you seen by a state-ordered specialist regarding this condition? Its getting close to the end of January here, and nothing but more bills and nothing from ssdi…. ,,,,,,,,,, Still waiting on a respons for my application for medical assistance. I was told that is going to take longer as well.

it’s government red tape…. you SUREly knew this wasn’t a quick fix kinda deal, didn’t ya? yer case worker tells ya that. and under NO circumstances do those people give’ah 2 or so week timeline… that’s just not tha way tha system works in tha g’ment ass-coverin’ arena of life. with the house Line of credit that I can get refinanced due to no incomme / bankruptcy last year are around $2300, just for lil ol me.

a refi after bankruptcy? unless you filed homestead exemption, (not the over 65 exemption) you can’t get financed, refinanced, or a loan ta pay for yer bicycle. homestead exemption is not available unless you have been approved for disability, so how’s this workin’ out? i mean…. am i missin’ something here? I really hate to think about moving, cause of all the stress that would be and I think it would make me too fucking depressed, I know it would. I’ve tried so hard to make this house nice for myself, I would hate to leave. +++ If I leave the way the market is, I would not be able to see the house for anywhere near what it is morgaged out to. It is morgaged to 110,000, and I would be luck if it sold for like 95-100 in this market,

your home DEcreased in value? impossible. appraisals are done via the internet and raised 15% automatically, and lenders use their own appraisers, free of charge that work in their favor to get loan approval… you have no credit score, so i don’t know how yer doin it, as you haven’t been approved for disability, have no access to homestead exemption and have’ah bankruptcy hangin’ over yer head. and no equity, since your house decreased in value.. (now THAT’s a first). today’s market dictates some hefty interest rates, and lenders goin tha extra mile ta roll these fees into a refi…. but for tha life’ah me i don’t see how you’re rationalizin’ what you’re sayin’ here. please splain. – realtors fees of like $6,000 on that, I would get like 89-96 ish, putting me in the hole like $14,000 to $21,000. So that means the bank would not even let me sell it,

you could sell it all day long if yer willing to pay the difference between your loan payoff and your selling price including fees…. but that is soooo "out there" in my book. you bought your house HOW much above appraisal value? there’s a legality that dictates the lender to work within the appraisal value. family dwellings don’t decrease in value, that’s absured. you’re makin’ little ta no sense… so what’am i missin’ here? so I would have to just not pay for it, let it get foreclosed upon,etc…

ya filed bankruptcy, what’s a foreclosure gonna hurt? ya seem ta have access to funds i’ve never heard of with a bankruptcy, i’m sure a foreclosure ain’t gonna hurt ya, yer not workin’ with’ah credit score here. So getting rid of the house i really a last resort. Plus if it gets foreclosed upon, you know there not gonna sell it for a good price, and u know there gonna try and get the balance from me.

there’s many alternatives to foreclosure, look at this link: http://www.hud.gov/foreclosure/index.cfm Since I filed bankruptcy last year, cant file again, so I would have another big chunk of change that I owe either way!!! I cant think of anythink else to reduce the bills, I already have shaved down about everything I can, except getting rid of the internet, and I cant really see that as a good option to save $35 a month….

you need ta work with a good lender, i’m working with one now if you want her name’n phone #. it doesn’t matter where y’are in tha country, she’ll get’er’dun. lemme know. I am finally feeling like I’m making some progress on the Fibro and stuff with this new Rheumy I’m seeing. I’m really optimistic, and some of the treatment is really helping. However, I feel StuCK, because, For example, I can’t see the chiro anymore, and I am supose to do that, (and my back is in pain), but I can’t cause I owe him too much money. Same story on my allgery Shots I’m supose to get, and thoes have been helping as well…

prioritze! On the flip side of that, Im still not thinking I am ready to jump back into any type of regular work. I am thinking I’d either have to try something really part time or try something self-employeed. Problem is I still get overwhelmed really easily… I’m pretty sure that Anxeity summs up how I feel a lot of the time, even though I do a lot better with anxeity now than I did in the past. Biggest thing that SUCKS here with benefits and assistance from the state and county is that if I work I risk losing benefits,,, If I can work, no Biggie, if I try to work, handle something for like 6 weeks or what not, and then cant handle it, then I have to re-apply for all the benefits again!!! So I am not confidant yet that I can do anything that permenatly,, so I don’t think I can risk losing my benefits (or I should say the prospect of benefits from ssdi at this point) the only benefit I am getting is a whopping $152 a month is food stamps.

Jamie? talk to a financial advisor. if he/she can work with you, suggest (or they will) a contingency arrangement. I decided that I really wanted to try and get more active with doing some stuff again, so I am tryin some volunteer work. I helped out at a local community center for the developmentally disabled for 4 hours today

VOLUNTEEEEEER? DUDE ! IF YOU CAN VOLUNTEER, YOU CAN WORK FOR THA ALMIGHTY DOLLAR ! (omg….. no he did NOT just say that.) Went well, and they appricated the help.

well who don’t like free labor? (lord.) ::shakin head:: I just have too many days that are UP and then down for a few days with energy, anxeity, PaIN to be able to be relyed upon to do something as consistant as a regular JoB. I wish I could think of some other options. But to me it looks like, work real job = make $$ = lose benefits and prospect of benefits = anxeity & strees & pain = need to limit work = less money = need to re-apply for benefits and wait 6 months to see if it is approved again.

that is NOT the only option. you can work and get g’ment assistance, as well.. you can also provide thru yer corporation, should you choose yer own business, yer own benefit package…. they’re competitive as HELL right now for business owners, Stellar Network.com has a kick-ass him and ask about it. make your business non-profit or not-for-profit, there’s many advantages. Nice hun?? Self-employed sounds more – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – flexiable, but from past experiance, it is often very stressful! In terms of self-employment, I looked at doing some freelance photography work, but I need new & more equiptment. This will cost me a

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Now that you say this, I know it had to be a S corp because we wanted it setup so we could take profit / loss onto our personall taxes. I know there was something that the lawerys did for the irs and such, but I don’t know if it ever was sent in or anything about it. My guess would be to say it didnt get sent in, but I cant be sure. I don’t know at all how to tell. I would ask the lawyers, but my old company owes them about $3,000 and they are going to be less than useless now…. That’s the *first step.* We can’t go further than from here.

Is there any way to verify this with the IRS? company at all other than bank statements. Did you use ledgers, a Dome Book, or a software program? You need

A software program we used for like from sept till april or so, then we pretty much stoped doing much, we tried toget stuff into quick books, but my X never really got anything in there other than some bills for clients. The origonal software program crashed and the backups failed. All records of the first 6-7 months of business were lost. I know we had K-1’s if that means anything? or we were supose to, but they never got done. records of gross income and expenses. You need to have IRS authorization papers that accepted your request for S status. Has your

I am 90% sure that we never got this. I never saw it, and I am pretty sure I would have come across this at some point if it had come. If it is really a C-corp, then do I sitll have any libility as far as you know or is the company just dead and I don’t even have to do anything else about the corporation?? When I got paid, I got a check that we took taxes and stuff out like a normal employee…. X filed? Does she have the records?

My X was just engaged to me, so she just F’ed everything up and has no direct responsibility for any of it. No She has no records. Most everything was Either lost in the software carsh or never created (I didn;t really know how bad she was doing at the record keeping untill things were going down hill towards the summer and I was getting too sick and too out of money to do shit about it. I always though that it I was able to turn things around I would be able to pay an accountant / lawyer to get crap strightened out.). Well, the 1040s are no big deal. It’s the corporate info (probably also in your state) that you need to find, especially since all the corporate info gets translated to the personal returns in terms of dividends (C) or distributions (S). I recommend that you find *whatever* paperwork you have and then go to the IRS and state income tax department and take it from there. However, without records, all I can see is an Offer in Compromise. Just my humble opinion.

What would the offer in compermise mean? As you know from my first post, I have no money, and from what I can tell, I don’t see why I would owe any money with all the losses… Now I am sure you can see why this whole thing is such a freaking mess!!! and why I am so confused and anxious about what to do…. Jamie

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You can call the IRS and inquire as to the status of the Corporation. There’s no harm in asking them to send you a copy of the verification letter. I still have my copy when I started my Corp in 2002. I don’t see a need to get a hold of the lawyers since the IRS should have a record that they sent you a verification letter. Did you use ledgers, a Dome Book, or a software program? You need All records of the first 6-7 months of business were lost.

Hmmmm….. Without backup discs there is nothing to be done here. I know we had K-1’s if that means anything? or we were supose to, but they never got done.

K-1’s are easy to do provided there are no "passive shareholders" and (IOW) every shareholder participated in the business. Each shareholder gets a K-1 by January 31, listing his or her share of the company profits for the year, regardless of whether or not they received any of the profits in the form of distributions. They then take the K-1 information of THEIR share of the profits (distributed or not), and transfer that to the 1040, line 17, and also attach a Schedule E where they can list profits and even expenses the company never paid them for (unreimbursed expenses). The 1040 should include a Schedule E, but the K-1 is not necessary–it is for the shareholder’s information only. Your federal 1120S Corporate Income Tax form is only for informational purposes. You include a copy of every K-1given to all shareholders. I sometimes forgot to do this; the IRS reminded me with a letter all the time. If it is really a C-corp, then do I sitll have any libility as far as you know or is the company just dead and I don’t even have to do anything else about the corporation??

The C Corp is alive and well until you send the "Final" return to them and declare a closing. Same with the S-Corp. You can call the IRS and check this out, but first, I would inquire as to the status. My X…has no records. Most everything was either lost in the software carsh or never created….

Here’s where I would be thinking in terms of closing and and taking it from there. What would the offer in compermise mean? As you know from my first post, I have no money, and from what I can tell, I don’t see why I would owe any money with all the losses…

There are ways to sort of get around that. A good book to get is "Stand Up to the IRS." It’s sounds like a nasty title, but it clearly explains the little "nuances" you can use to get yourself as much as possible off the hook. The key is this: Federal Tax Court. The IRS will do anything to avoid Tax Court because they do not control it. You have a lor of cards and lately I have noticed that the IRS has become a lot friendlier these last few years. There are also tax abeyances and even elimination of tax debt under special circumstances that the book explains. I would look into the book because it is written by a tax lawyer and easy to understand. Now I am sure you can see why this whole thing is such a freaking mess!!! and why I am so confused and anxious about what to do….

Well, I am confused about my anxiety and depression. So we sort of are in the same boat. Lots of people here are. To sum up, I would recommend: 1) Inquire as to status. Ask for copy of verification letter. 2) Get whatever records you can get–bank transaction slips, any disks if at all, any record of anything at all. 3) Get the book. 4) Take it from there. The book may guide you. With the info in it, you can prepare yourself gradually and patiently to put this once and for all behind you. It will take time, but each new step you take will begin to ease the anxiety. You will have to close the Corp eventually; same with the state. You may have to do some "estimated" returns, etc.; but I think I would read the book first to get you started. Your local library may have it. But personally, I think these four steps should get you started on the road.

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this is why I never formed a corporation. This is for normal people. I realize when I look around everyone is moving forward and slower . Me fast and not getting anywhere.But its better then an institution although , I wish my brain didn’t go where I should go if I had no business doing it to begin with.

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Correct. Have not filed. Well sort of. I had a wisconsin (C I think, maybe a S as your mention below…) Coporation. I started it in 2003, and had transactions in 2003 and 2004. I did not do taxes at all for this business, as by the time I was supose to file the first return ( sept 2004 I think) we were closing down due to my health problems.

There’s a world of difference between a C and an S. With a C, the corporation pays corporate taxes, makes estimated payments, etc. With an S, there is no corporate tax on the fed level, but there may be in your state (not in Florida). The profits are federally taxed at the shareholder level, whether or not they were ever distributed. The first thing you need to do is to grab WHATEVER you have and 1) Find out what the corporate status was. You need authorization from the IRS to file as Subchapter S. If you never did this, then you are automatically a C. That’s the *first step.* We can’t go further than from here. Yes. It’s mainly that I have no clue on the corporate taxes, and on top of that my X did the book keeping for the company, and it really is a freaking mess, it pretty much amount to not having any meaningful records for the company at all other than bank statements.

Did you use ledgers, a Dome Book, or a software program? You need records of gross income and expenses. You need to have IRS authorization papers that accepted your request for S status. Has your X filed? Does she have the records? So overall, this is what it looks like: No taxes filed for: Corporation 2003 (Compay that was started in 2003) Corporation 2004 (Compay that was started in 2003) (Also no final papers were sent to IRS) Personal 2003 Personal 2004 Personal 2004 (not due yet, I know, but I don’t know the old information like loses to put on this return)

Well, the 1040s are no big deal. It’s the corporate info (probably also in your state) that you need to find, especially since all the corporate info gets translated to the personal returns in terms of dividends (C) or distributions (S). I recommend that you find *whatever* paperwork you have and then go to the IRS and state income tax department and take it from there. However, without records, all I can see is an Offer in Compromise. Just my humble opinion.

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HI, Let’s take one thing at a time: Are you stating that you haven’t filed during the last three years, or

Correct. Have not filed. that you need to make amendments? Were you self-employed at that time?

Well sort of. I had a wisconsin (C I think, maybe a S as your mention below…) Coporation. I started it in 2003, and had transactions in 2003 and 2004. I did not do taxes at all for this business, as by the time I was supose to file the first return ( sept 2004 I think) we were closing down due to my health problems. Self-employment is a simple Schedule C which you attach to your 1040. It’s no big deal. Maybe you know all this perhaps. If you were a Subchapter S Corp, then you have the 1120S and the K-1’s.

Yes. It’s mainly that I have no clue on the corporate taxes, and on top of that my X did the book keeping for the company, and it really is a freaking mess, it pretty much amount to not having any meaningful records for the company at all other than bank statements. Any suggestions on how to approach the mess since I have so few records from the company?? Were talking about like $90,000 in sales total between sept 2003 and aug-sept 2004 when we closed. Were talking about $175,000 in loans put in, plus a good $50,000 – $75,000+ (deffinatly on the higher end of you include all the things I put on my personal credit cards, many of which where discharged in my personal bankruptcy, don’t know if that makes any difference or not.) of my money put into the business. So I figured there is no way I could owe taxes on it… To the 1040 you add the Schedule E with the K-1 info. *If you need help, please e mail me*. I do my Subchapter S corporate taxes just because it’s fun and very easy.

Thank You. I really appricate the advice. This is / has been a big concern for a long time now. So overall, this is what it looks like: No taxes filed for: Corporation 2003 (Compay that was started in 2003) Corporation 2004 (Compay that was started in 2003) (Also no final papers were sent to IRS) Personal 2003 Personal 2004 Personal 2004 (not due yet, I know, but I don’t know the old information like loses to put on this return) On top of this, I am unsure of any State / Federal / Sales Tax / other business taxes, that are owed / might be owed. I know there is a record on the wisconsin court records site for some tax that is owed, but it is in the corporations name, not my name, so I don’t know if I have to worry about it. Also, I did file bankruptcy, so I don’t want to worry about anything that I am exempt from due to bankruptcy or due to the fact that the company was a corporation (I know this might not protect me from anything, but I though I would mention it.). Thank you again, Jamie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Maybe others can help you with the other stuff.

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I’m Kinda freaking out because I have tax issues to get taken care of, (taxes that need to get filed personal, and old business) for the past 3 years now. They are complex. I need the help of a accountant or cpa, and I don’t have the money to do them.

Let’s take one thing at a time: Are you stating that you haven’t filed during the last three years, or that you need to make amendments? Were you self-employed at that time? Self-employment is a simple Schedule C which you attach to your 1040. It’s no big deal. Maybe you know all this perhaps. If you were a Subchapter S Corp, then you have the 1120S and the K-1’s. To the 1040 you add the Schedule E with the K-1 info. *If you need help, please e mail me*. I do my Subchapter S corporate taxes just because it’s fun and very easy. Maybe others can help you with the other stuff.

Response:

I hate details

admin — Sun, 22 Jan 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

I am an adult and I hate details. I can’t handle simple things if they have a lot of details – even simple details. I can understand complicated, conceptual things easily if the details are fed in slowly. I can read books about linguistics to grasp the general ideas, but if I have to get coffee for three people and bring it back I get all confused, need to write down how each one wants the coffee, and just want to refuse to do it. I got great marks in an accounting major in college, but found I could not even begin to do it on the job. I couldn’t stand the details details. I hate shopping, hate financial stuff, etc.

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confused, need to write down how each one wants the coffee, and just

A note pad is helpful, yes. — We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams.

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Thanks. I never heard of a note pad. That is very deep.

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WHO'S KIDDING WHO? Evolution a Pipedream — Three Cheers for Intelligent Design…

admin — Thu, 20 Oct 2005 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

Actually, I’m pretty much in agreement with your viewpoint. HOWEVER, Ed Conrad was criticizing the evolution enthusiasts’ physical evidence, so it just seemed reasonable for me to expect him to show us HIS physical evidence in support of HIS viewpoint

—snip— So some scientific experimentation is taking place but certainly not reported as anything of interest to the mainstream media. Possible out of fear of being labeled tabloid? Wayne

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Response:

Actually, I’m pretty much in agreement with your viewpoint. HOWEVER, Ed Conrad was criticizing the evolution enthusiasts’ physical evidence, so it just seemed reasonable for me to expect him to show us HIS physical evidence in support of HIS viewpoint. <

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Gee, I wonder why that is? Could it be that god and other spirits are shy in the company of skeptics? Maybe they are all-powerful only in friendly confines. BTW, I do believe that super-natural events occur, I just want to know how. — Chip Wood For example, a person with some degree of psychic ability will perform well when surrounded by like-minded or

sympathetic observers. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – But when the scientific method is introduced, i.e. card guessing under lab conditions, etc – they will usually fail.

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Gee, I wonder why that is? Could it be that god and other spirits are shy in the company of skeptics? Maybe they are all-powerful only in friendly confines. BTW, I do believe that super-natural events occur, I just want to know how. — Chip Wood

My guess, based on simple observation of how religions get started, is that a self-proclaimed prophet was able to come up with visions not seen by ordinary people and thus became the shaman, prophet, teacher… whatever, of the family/tribe in which he/she lived. Mostly he because in most cases it was the old man who received the doting attention of the women and the hunters hunted and toolmakers made tools and the elders had ample time to contemplate their navels and thus achieved a meditative level of mind, which is an essential element to psychic work (in my case, and others, but not all). So why a skeptic keeps the ’spirits’ away is just speculation. The human brain is a receiver and transmitter of many kinds of energy as we have proven with the EKG and other instruments. But these instruments may not be sensitive enough to pick up the more ’spiritual’ emanations and only a few of us have been endowed with the ability to breach, even a bit, of ‘normal’ psi. Quien sabe? I don’t know. But I continue the search. There was one time in my life where I felt completely connected to humankinds past and future. It was on a trip to Mexico and on top of the pyramid of the sun in Teotihuac

Making a profit on ebay

admin — Thu, 29 Sep 2005 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ghod forbid someone should make an extra buck on something he’s throwing away? It’s called reclassification and is the smartest business move one can do to render items useless before selling something as scrap or throwing it away. Your good high paying regular customers would wait till you throw it out or sell it at scrap prices instead of paying top dollar for it. We learned this many tears ago and have totally eliminated the problem by crushing items that are difficult or uneconomical to sell. Rita

Our solution is to have another eBay seller pay us $200 per month to haul all of our worthless trash away. Works like a champ. — Many thanks, Don Lancaster voice phone: (928)428-4073 Synergetics 3860 West First Street Box 809 Thatcher, AZ 85552 Please visit my GURU’s LAIR web site at http://www.tinaja.com

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station wagon I was unable to find a new home for. It had to go to the scrapyard. I let them haul it for free-but it was SCRAP after my trusty sledge hammer and 629 Smith got done with it. (Actually I had to get out the .375 H&H for the block and transmission.) They "paid" for scrap and that was what they got.

Bret, why do you expend so much energy – not to mention ammunition – rendering junk even junkier?

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station wagon I was unable to find a new home for. It had to go to the scrapyard. I let them haul it for free-but it was SCRAP after my trusty sledge hammer and 629 Smith got done with it. (Actually I had to get out the .375 H&H for the block and transmission.) They "paid" for scrap and that was what they got. Bret, why do you expend so much energy – not to mention ammunition – rendering junk even junkier?

Ghod forbid someone should make an extra buck on something he’s throwing away? I put some usable but unwanted stuff out by my trash can one afternoon, making sure it was tidily displayed and easy to pick up so the folks who have the energy to scavenge could find it easily. A neighbor who trotted over to tell me someone had "stolen" my trash pile was absolutely scandalized that I was glad to hear it; she couldn’t comprehend why I thought it was a Good Thing that someone might take it to a flea market and make money on it. *I* was thrilled to have it out of my house and useful to someone in some way. — Ty Who is mostly just a slightly skewed Donna Reed "Conservation may be a sign of personal virtue but it is not a sufficient basis for a sound, comprehensive energy policy." ~~ Vice President Dick Cheney "Don’t buy gas if you don’t need it." ~~ President George W. Bush

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – At the required 30:1 sell/buy ratio for eBay profits… I’ve seen this a few bazillion times. You make this sound like rocket science. Where the heck do you get 30:1 ratio? Most companies don’t make more than 15-20-25% profit margin over actual cost and OH, so how do you figure you have to maintain 30:1 to be profitable? Just curious. A sell/buy ratio is in no manner a profit margin. All it does is set an UPPER LIMIT on what your possible profit margin could be. Profit margins of ONE-TENTH the sell/buy ratio are enormously difficult to achieve on eBay. Partucularly when full burden accounted for. Naturally, if you are not including your pro rated water bill (and similar obscure items) in your eBay accounting, you do not have the faintest clue what your true costs really are. See the numerous tutorials at http://www.tinaja.com/auct01.asp 30:1 is not cast in stone. You could conceivably sometimes and rarely go as low as 29.999:1 or ulp 29.998:1. But 29.997:1, of course, would be beyond the pale. http://www.tinaja.com/glib/ebaysell.pdf — Many thanks, Don Lancaster Synergetics 3860 West First Street Box 809 Thatcher, AZ 85552 Please visit my GURU’s LAIR web site at http://www.tinaja.com

Don’s rambling reminds me of a couple of college profs I had years ago trying to teach marketing - full of big buzz words that nobody could figure out - of course they never had a real job in their lives

Response:

I’d sure like to know how to! These PayPal fees, on top of final value fees are killing me. I sold a digital camera for $380, I had to pay $11 in PayPal fees and $10 in EBay final value fees.

Where else could you have sold it for that much, for so little? Kris

Response:

<
I seriously doubt you can consistently buy the kind of _desirable merchandise_ any good consistent seller is going to require, at a 30:1 buy/sell ratio. You are buying a LOT of crap at these lowball prices. But if you could, you would make money. Any regular person is going to lose more walking away from solid opportunities at a normal buy/sell ratio than make out on on these submarine bid deals-and submarine bidding is actually what your web page entails. Personally as a lot seller, my rule is it either brings 10% of market price (except military aviation stuff, ONLY for _flying_ warbird buyers) or it gets rendered unremerchantable. Example was the junk station wagon I was unable to find a new home for. It had to go to the scrapyard. I let them haul it for free-but it was SCRAP after my trusty sledge hammer and 629 Smith got done with it. (Actually I had to get out the .375 H&H for the block and transmission.) They "paid" for scrap and that was what they got. They bitched a little, but they hauled it. Tek scopes are sometimes worth more for the ceramic terminal strips inside than thay are as working scopes.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I sold about 20 cds when I first started on ebay, but I was a little perturbed with the proportional final value fee, as well as the listing fee, which let’s face it is temporary storage space a whole lot lesser than you would get at a free email or website hosting, which is deleted for reuse 3 months later anyway, the extortionate proportional final value fee really takes the biscuit, it feels like a noose around your neck, I found out after selling all my cds that I owed ebay more money than I made, I have not really met anybody that has made a profit on ebay, except those who chose to violate ebay’s policy by circumventing their fees (I am sure all those powersellers know what I mean) I’d sure like to know how to! These PayPal fees, on top of final value fees are killing me. I sold a digital camera for $380, I had to pay $11 in PayPal fees and $10 in EBay final value fees.

At the required 30:1 sell/buy ratio for eBay profits, your camera cost would, of course, be less than $12.67. $380 minus $22 minus $12.67 leaves $345.33. You should be able to eke out an existence on this if your other costs are tightly in control. See http://www.tinaja.com/glib/ebaysell.pdf — Many thanks, Don Lancaster Synergetics 3860 West First Street Box 809 Thatcher, AZ 85552 Please visit my GURU’s LAIR web site at http://www.tinaja.com

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Go down the street and open a real store , 7 days a week, rent – utilities etc etc — depend on foot traffic – pay advertising and see how much you profit is Ebay is a super bargain

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At the required 30:1 sell/buy ratio for eBay profits…

I’ve seen this a few bazillion times. You make this sound like rocket science. Where the heck do you get 30:1 ratio? Most companies don’t make more than 15-20-25% profit margin over actual cost and OH, so how do you figure you have to maintain 30:1 to be profitable? Just curious.

Response:

At the required 30:1 sell/buy ratio for eBay profits… I’ve seen this a few bazillion times. You make this sound like rocket science. Where the heck do you get 30:1 ratio? Most companies don’t make more than 15-20-25% profit margin over actual cost and OH, so how do you figure you have to maintain 30:1 to be profitable? Just curious.

He pulled it out of his hat and aplied some smoke and mirrors. Here is the real world, things are different. People who buy ordinary items at $10 and sell them on eBay at $100 do indeed make a profit. (Ordinary item: doesn’t require a blimp hanger to store one, isn’t so heavy that no truck or train can carry it, doesn’t require a thousand hours of labor to prepare it for sale, isn’t in a giant lot of unsellable junk.)

Response:

At the required 30:1 sell/buy ratio for eBay profits… I’ve seen this a few bazillion times. You make this sound like rocket science. Where the heck do you get 30:1 ratio? Most companies don’t make more than 15-20-25% profit margin over actual cost and OH, so how do you figure you have to maintain 30:1 to be profitable? Just curious.

Donald Rumsfeld is giving Bush his daily briefing, and concludes by saying, "Yesterday, three Brazilian soldiers were killed in a terrible accident." "OH, NO!" exclaimed Bush. "That’s terrible!" His staff are stunned by this display of emotion, and continue watching nervously as Bush sits, head in hands. Finally, Bush looks up and asks, "How many is a brazillion? — Joanne

Response:

I’d sure like to know how to! These PayPal fees, on top of final value fees are killing me. I sold a digital camera for $380, I had to pay $11 in PayPal fees and $10 in EBay final value fees. At the required 30:1 sell/buy ratio for eBay profits, your camera cost would, of course, be less than $12.67. $380 minus $22 minus $12.67 leaves $345.33. It would be near impossible to sell things this expensive and make a profit if you are buying them yourself. I only sold it because I had it laying around.

So you stole it?

Response:

"Lumpy" wrote Hmmm. What’s wrong with that picture. Nothing, presuming that he is not running a business and wasn’t avoiding fees by rejecting CC. He said elsewhere that he was just trying to get rid of a camera, not generate a second revenue stream.

In other words, he cannot handle a 30:1 sell/buy ratio because an infinite sel/buy ratio is failing to generate a profit for him. — Many thanks, Don Lancaster Synergetics 3860 West First Street Box 809 Thatcher, AZ 85552 Please visit my GURU’s LAIR web site at http://www.tinaja.com

Response:

"Lumpy" wrote Hmmm. What’s wrong with that picture. Nothing, presuming that he is not running a business and wasn’t avoiding fees by rejecting CC. He said elsewhere that he was just trying to get rid of a camera, not generate a second revenue stream.

Correct. I’ve had some things around the house I’ve wanted to sell, the camera was the first one. I had to upgrade because somebody paid via CC.

Response:

"Lumpy" wrote Hmmm. What’s wrong with that picture.

Nothing, presuming that he is not running a business and wasn’t avoiding fees by rejecting CC. He said elsewhere that he was just trying to get rid of a camera, not generate a second revenue stream.

Response:

… It sounds like your PayPal account is either a premier account or you had to upgrade to accept a CC or debit card, otherwise you could have avoided the fees by keeping it a personal account and staying under the $500 limit…

Hmmm. What’s wrong with that picture. Craig

Response:

I’d sure like to know how to! These PayPal fees, on top of final value fees are killing me. I sold a digital camera for $380, I had to pay $11 in PayPal fees and $10 in EBay final value fees. At the required 30:1 sell/buy ratio for eBay profits, your camera cost would, of course, be less than $12.67. $380 minus $22 minus $12.67 leaves $345.33. It would be near impossible to sell things this expensive and make a profit if you are buying them yourself. I only sold it because I had it laying around. A $22 fee, not including shipping, is going to be hard unless you sell in bulk and get deals on the stuff.

I agree… for the casual eBayer or someone trying to turn over used stuff using the full compliment of the available services is steep. It sounds like your PayPal account is either a premier account or you had to upgrade to accept a CC or debit card, otherwise you could have avoided the fees by keeping it a personal account and staying under the $500 limit. The flip side of this is that by making PayPal available and accepting a CC (not sure if this is what you did, but it sounds like it could be the case) you were able to attract more bids, and therefore drive up the price of your item. So it kinda comes out in the wash.

Response:

I sold about 20 cds when I first started on ebay, but I was a little perturbed with the proportional final value fee, as well as the listing fee, which let’s face it is temporary storage space a whole lot lesser than you would get at a free email or website hosting, which is deleted for reuse 3 months later anyway, the extortionate proportional final value fee really takes the biscuit, it feels like a noose around your neck, I found out after selling all my cds that I owed ebay more money than I made, I have not really met anybody that has made a profit on ebay, except those who chose to violate ebay’s policy by circumventing their fees (I am sure all those powersellers know what I mean)

Still waiting for the period. Craig

Response:

I’d sure like to know how to! These PayPal fees, on top of final value fees are killing me. I sold a digital camera for $380, I had to pay $11 in PayPal fees and $10 in EBay final value fees. At the required 30:1 sell/buy ratio for eBay profits, your camera cost would, of course, be less than $12.67. $380 minus $22 minus $12.67 leaves $345.33.

It would be near impossible to sell things this expensive and make a profit if you are buying them yourself. I only sold it because I had it laying around. A $22 fee, not including shipping, is going to be hard unless you sell in bulk and get deals on the stuff.

Response:

At the required 30:1 sell/buy ratio for eBay profits… I’ve seen this a few bazillion times. You make this sound like rocket science. Where the heck do you get 30:1 ratio? Most companies don’t make more than 15-20-25% profit margin over actual cost and OH, so how do you figure you have to maintain 30:1 to be profitable? Just curious.

A sell/buy ratio is in no manner a profit margin. All it does is set an UPPER LIMIT on what your possible profit margin could be. Profit margins of ONE-TENTH the sell/buy ratio are enormously difficult to achieve on eBay. Partucularly when full burden accounted for. Naturally, if you are not including your pro rated water bill (and similar obscure items) in your eBay accounting, you do not have the faintest clue what your true costs really are. See the numerous tutorials at http://www.tinaja.com/auct01.asp 30:1 is not cast in stone. You could conceivably sometimes and rarely go as low as 29.999:1 or ulp 29.998:1. But 29.997:1, of course, would be beyond the pale. http://www.tinaja.com/glib/ebaysell.pdf — Many thanks, Don Lancaster Synergetics 3860 West First Street Box 809 Thatcher, AZ 85552 Please visit my GURU’s LAIR web site at http://www.tinaja.com

Response:

At the required 30:1 sell/buy ratio for eBay profits… I’ve seen this a few bazillion times. You make this sound like rocket science. Where the heck do you get 30:1 ratio? Most companies don’t make more than 15-20-25% profit margin over actual cost and OH, so how do you figure you have to maintain 30:1 to be profitable? Just curious.

You’re new here, aren’t you? And off to a fine start, I might add. — Ty Who is mostly just a slightly skewed Donna Reed "Conservation may be a sign of personal virtue but it is not a sufficient basis for a sound, comprehensive energy policy." ~~ Vice President Dick Cheney "Don’t buy gas if you don’t need it." ~~ President George W. Bush

Response:

I sold about 20 cds when I first started on ebay, but I was a little perturbed with the proportional final value fee, as well as the listing fee, which let’s face it is temporary storage space a whole lot lesser than you would get at a free email or website hosting, which is deleted for reuse 3 months later anyway, the extortionate proportional final value fee really takes the biscuit, it feels like a noose around your neck, I found out after selling all my cds that I owed ebay more money than I made, I have not really met anybody that has made a profit on ebay, except those who chose to violate ebay’s policy by circumventing their fees (I am sure all those powersellers know what I mean)

Is your minimum selling price at least $19.63? Is your sought after sell/buy ratio 30:1 or higher? Both are essential first steps for eBay profits. See http://www.timaja.com/glib/ebaysell.pdf — Many thanks, Don Lancaster Synergetics 3860 West First Street Box 809 Thatcher, AZ 85552 Please visit my GURU’s LAIR web site at http://www.tinaja.com

Response:

I sold about 20 cds when I first started on ebay, but I was a little perturbed with the proportional final value fee, as well as the listing fee, which let’s face it is temporary storage space a whole lot lesser than you would get at a free email or website hosting, which is deleted for reuse 3 months later anyway, the extortionate proportional final value fee really takes the biscuit, it feels like a noose around your neck, I found out after selling all my cds that I owed ebay more money than I made, I have not really met anybody that has made a profit on ebay, except those who chose to violate ebay’s policy by circumventing their fees (I am sure all those powersellers know what I mean)

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I sold about 20 cds when I first started on ebay, but I was a little perturbed with the proportional final value fee, as well as the listing fee, which let’s face it is temporary storage space a whole lot lesser than you would get at a free email or website hosting, which is deleted for reuse 3 months later anyway, the extortionate proportional final value fee really takes the biscuit, it feels like a noose around your neck, I found out after selling all my cds that I owed ebay more money than I made, I have not really met anybody that has made a profit on ebay, except those who chose to violate ebay’s policy by circumventing their fees (I am sure all those powersellers know what I mean)

I’d sure like to know how to! These PayPal fees, on top of final value fees are killing me. I sold a digital camera for $380, I had to pay $11 in PayPal fees and $10 in EBay final value fees.

Response:

I sold about 20 cds when I first started on ebay, but I was a little perturbed with the proportional final value fee, as well as the listing fee, which let’s face it is temporary storage space a whole lot lesser than you would get at a free email or website hosting, which is deleted for reuse 3 months later anyway, the extortionate proportional final value fee really takes the biscuit, it feels like a noose around your neck, I found out after selling all my cds that I owed ebay more money than I made, I have not really met anybody that has made a profit on ebay, except those who chose to violate ebay’s policy by circumventing their fees (I am sure all those powersellers know what I mean)

My net profit before taxes is 67%, including home-business expenses. Insertion, FVF + PayPal fees average less than 10%. The only fees I avoid are insertion fee extras. My title does my advertising. If you think eBay provides less marketing value than a free web hosting service, make the switch and see what you get. PayPal does wonders for my cash flow.

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