Tax tax tax

We pay tax on groceries.

We pay tax on gasoline.

We pay tax on automobile purchases.

We pay tax on fun.

We pay tax on utilities.

We pay tax on illness.

We pay tax on communications.

We pay tax on income.

We pay tax when we save income.

We pay tax when we spend income.

We pay tax when we earn income.

So, tell me, why is the government in such deep debt? How is it that they can run billions of dollars in the red but I have to make sure I don't overdraw my bank account without getting slammed with ridiculously high charges?

Sorry. It's a hopeless rant, I know. I just get sick of paying and paying, then paying some more. I probably only have half of my pay as real disposable income. Same for you.

Technorati Tags: taxes,income,finances

Stressed

I think we all wind up feeling stress. Either in our jobs or at home. Stress seems to be a normal part of living these days, and small stresses aren't harmful. Big stresses are, though, as they release hormones into our system that can increase blood pressure and heart rates to unhealthy levels.

I know I feel extra stress at my job. If you've ever worked in fast food, then you exactly know what I mean. Your job is to get a food product that's fresh and hot into the hands of the customer within about 90 seconds, and it has to be made exactly to the customer's specifications. I dare anyone at home to produce a fresh, hot burger within those constraints.

The thing is, it's not really "fast food" anymore because every sandwich is made to order. Now it's called "quick serve". None are made ahead, as it was in the old days, yet customers expect (rightly so) that they will be enjoying the sandwich just as quickly as they always did. Now, if that doesn't stress you out enough, think of trying to train new people to operate the kitchen and register systems in the midst of still producing the product.

What do I do to combat this kind of fast-paced stress? I take time out, just a few seconds, to do some deep breathing. Five breaths, drawn in through the nose and exhaled through the mouth, helps me to refocus.

Occasionally a customer will have had a bad day, and if they don't get perfection in their burger, they are likely to swear at us, throw the food back at us, and behave in ways they'd never think of in a traditional restaurant setting. While I personally believe this kind of behavior is uncalled for, I still have to attempt to correct the mistake and make peace with the customer. Deep breathing really helps here. It makes me calmer, and even if the customer doesn't respond in kind, I can still wish them a pleasant day and invite them to return.

No matter what stresses you, the deep breathing really can help. Try it.

Technorati Tags: stress,job,work

Rising cost of washing clothes

The cost of doing laundry at the laundra-mat has gone up a little. It may not seem like much, but over time it adds up. Now, instead of twenty five cents per 10 minutes of dryer time, it's been dropped to 8 minutes. This means that putting in 4 quarters only results in 32 minutes in the dryer, while before it was 40 minutes. 40 minutes will get the clothes nice and dry. 32 minutes - they're still a bit damp.

I wash clothes at the laundry an average of three times a month. That's 36 times a year, and I usually use two dryers. The extra 8 minutes it takes to dry my clothes, at twenty five cents a pop, adds up to an increase of $9 over a year's time. Call me a penny pincher if you want, but if I do larger loads of laundry, such as bedding or coats, then the cost rises significantly more.

Ok. It's only probably $15 a year. So, I'm a cheap;skate. Sue me. I'll give you the $15.

Technorati Tags: laundry,finances

Products for sale

There are some wonderful products in the world that really do everything they claim to do. Whether it's shampoo for thinning hair or highly concentrated laundry detergent, the products are out there if you just look.They aren't cheap, but over the long run they will save money because you can use less of them. You won't find them at the grocery store or discount store, either. They are only sold by individuals like you.

It's key, however, that you not saturate the market around you with therm. Diversify. Have more than one product available so that your customers can choose products for different purposes. Make your calls at times when you think the customer may be running low on products - not a week after you sold them some.

If necessary, give potential customers a sample of the product to use on their own time. Samples are just about the best way to convince people that it really is a good product. Or, give them a free trial of something else if they buy one of your products. It could be something that goes along with the product they've bought. Stain remover with detergent. Astringent with night cream. You get the idea.

Keep things personal yet professional. Don't be afraid to tell customers what you do and don't like. You aren't trying to sell them everything in your catalog. Just those things you love to use and that you think they'll love as well.

 

Technorati Tags: sales,product

Selling products from home

Home supplies and cosmetics are probably the top two products that women sell from home. Either through parties, door-to-door, or simply by offering products to colleagues and co-workers, women across the country have started their own small businesses. Their dream is to get out of the workplace while they sell products to get rid of blackheads or to clean floors.

It really can be done, but you have to be convinced that the product you're selling really is the best. Your enthusiasm and commitment translate into sales even more than how good the actual product it. It's important to be excited about your product. Use it yourself, and relate to others the wonderful results you got. Think it's hard to be that excited? It's really not.

Technorati Tags: sales,home business

President's Day 2010

Well, President's Day is winding down now. Not a lot of hoopla associated with this holiday, although you will see some flags flying at homes and businesses. Otherwise, it pretty much occurs without much notice at all. My only indication of it was the fact that there was no mail today.

Nope. This isn't a holiday of parades and fireworks. In fact, it's such a dull holiday anymore that it ranks right up there with over the counter sleeping pills as far as making us yawn. Of course, there are the mattress sales, white sales, and other sales that signify the official turn from winter apparel to skinny-summer apparel. Otherwise, what president is actually honored today? And would he feel honored if he could see the day for himself?

 

Technorati Tags: holidays

Adult skin problems

It seems like more and more adults are dealing with skin problems that used to be only teen years problems. Acne comes to mind, first of all, followed by more minor skin eruptions. I don't know if it's the environment, the food, or what's going on.

I do know, however, acne treatments are being advertised more and more. The ads are geared toward adults with the skin problem, too. Maybe it's time we looked around us to see what we might be doing in our diets and in our homes that could be promoting these outbreaks. My thought as that other than genetics, there may be other solutions.

Technorati Tags: health

Moisturizing

One of these days I'm going to try to improve my looks a bit. I'm not vain, but I know that in this world, your appearance does matter. It's a shame, but it's the cold hard facts. I know that by using cocoa butter stretch marks will fade, so I'll be doing that.

I often use my home made cosmetics for moisturizing and exfoliating. I can put a half bar of real soap, a cup of sugar, a cup of coconut oil, and 1/4 cup of olive oil together in the food processor, run it till it's finely blended, and have a wonderful shower scrub. I usually add some lavender leaves or mint leaves to it and get great fragrance and soothing aroma.

Technorati Tags: cosmetics

Preparing tax return information

Being iced in does have a few advantages. Today, I was able to compile all my tax return info. When I get my last 1099 form, I'll be able to take it all to the preparer's office and get this chore over with for another year.

I'm really hoping to get the rest of my info in the mail in the next few days. It's kind of like having a tooth pulled - you really dread the pain of the extraction but when it's all over with, you feel a ton of relief!

I'm thinking I need to go ahead and buy some ink cartridges and Flexo ink cleaner, though. See, the information I've compiled is on my laptop, which could easily be viewed. But, I think it would look more professional if I simply printed out the pages and attached the summary to the front of the bunch.

From what I can tell, I should at least break even again this year. That would be much better than a couple of years ago when I owed a whopping $548 to the IRS. It may not seem like much to many people, but for me it was a stretch getting that paid off!

Technorati Tags: taxes

Jealous of others?

I am always amazed at how jealous people are of other people's income or belongings. What do I say? Get over it.

See, for me, it doesn't matter what other people have. It only matters what I have, and my needs are pretty simple. I'm not low-income. However, I'm not even up to middle class yet. I am making enough money to make ends meet, get my bills paid, and have some left over if I want to see a movie or go out to eat. What more can anyone want?

Well, I guess a lot. While others may yearn for a $100.000 new car, I'm satisfied with my 2000 Ford Explorer.

While others may yearn for a mansion, I'm delighted with my little cottage.

While others may desperately desire a new wardrobe for every season, I'm satisfied with the mix-and-match clothes I have, adding to my wardrobe with a few items from clearance racks every so often.

I've heard people say how good it feels to spend money on nice things, like a dip station. Not for me. I spend money on things that are necessary and never even think about jewelry, furs, fast cars, or a house that is the envy of everyone in the county.

I've even heard people at work make jealous talk over someone else's good fortune as far as pay goes. What tripe! Deal with what you're making now, make it stretch, do a good job, then enjoy the raises that do come along later. Not everyone starts at the top!

Technorati Tags: income