I can’t wear my favorite shirt to work at Bourke Accounting. It’s a Richard Hell and The Voidoids t-shirt that I acquired about 20 years ago. When I say this shirt is broken in, I mean it’s one step away from being indecent. But I love it. It’s paper thin and as soft as Charmin and, since I gave up stitching the holes years ago, it’s hole-y. It is my favorite shirt.
Obviously, I keep things around for a very long time. I rather assumed that everyone else did, too. So, can you imagine my shock when someone told me about this new trend of renting clothing? I don’t mean renting a tux for a fundraiser or a wedding; these people are renting “everyday clothing, handbags, even [sneakers]” (TheGuardian.com) for a monthly subscription fee.
Clothing rental companies, like Rent the Runway (with a fee of $159 per month) (TheGuardian.com), are becoming popular as more people are attempting to cut down on waste and environmental repercussions. The fashion industry is responsible for “about 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions and consumes more energy than aviation and shipping combined” (LATimes.com). In addition, high end designers don’t want to “dilute [their] garments’ value by allowing discounts” (LATimes.com), so they burn what they don’t sell. Recently, the U.N. reported that “every second, one trash truck’s worth of textiles is either burned or sent to a landfill” (LATimes.com). Sad, right? Not only is it wasteful, it’s not great for the air or water.
Another reason for the rise in clothing rental companies are quickly changing fashion trends. This concept is lost on me, as I pretty much have the same style that I did when I was playing in bands (much to my mother’s chagrin). I just don’t understand the need to keep up with the latest fashion manias. However, as life coach Jane Evans told Euronews.com, the rise of social media has put pressure on people to never wear the same thing twice. Instagram trends like “’Outfit of the Day’ compel young people to be consuming constantly” (Euronews.com). With this in mind, renting 7 or 8 outfits that you’ll never wear again makes more sense than hoarding them in your closet.
Finally, it seems that Millennials are becoming known as “Generation Rent” (Euronews.com). This generation is more apt to rent a home than to buy one and they’re more likely to rent movies rather than invest in the purchase of one. Maybe it’s because of the housing market collapse, maybe it’s because technology, trends and everything else changes second to second. For whatever reason, Millennials don’t tend to have the same ownership desire as other generations.
I don’t want to rent clothes. From all I’ve read, the clothes arrive perfectly cleaned and in brand new shape (because of my insane phobia of bedbugs, this is a plus). And, if you really like an item, there’s the option of buying it for a fraction of the price. Perhaps I don’t like the ephemeral concept of renting clothes. When I go shopping, I look for things that I’ll keep forever.
Bourke Accounting has nothing in common with clothing rentals. Your Bourke Accounting specialist is in it for the long haul with you. While our Bourke Accounting tax preparers and bookkeepers keep up with changing laws and continuing education, flash in the pan trends don’t affect the superb services you’ll receive from your Bourke Accounting professional. Make an appointment today and keep an eye out for my favorite t-shirt (I’ll convince Bill to let me wear it someday).
Come see us any time. Our number is 502-451-8773 and don’t forget to visit our website at www.bourkeaccounting.com. See you soon!
Written by Sue H.
It’s been gloomy in Louisville. So sometimes, after a busy Bourke Accounting tax season day, I go to the tanning salon (I know, I know, it’s not great for me, but I’m not going full-tilt George Hamilton here). The subject of taxes came up while I was speaking with the young woman behind the counter. She was very excited that this was the first year that she had filed by herself, without her parents claiming her. Then she remarked, offhandedly, that her fiancé’s mother claimed her as a dependent on her own return.
Fiancé’s mother, dependent, uh, what? I had a few questions.
Her fiancé’s mother claimed her as a dependent foster child. No, the young woman is not a foster child. No, the young woman has neither lived with nor been supported by the prospective mother-in-law. The young woman explained that, since mother-in-law’s little chicks left the nest, mother-in-law hasn’t been enjoying her tax refunds very much. Hence, mother-in-law got the awesome idea to claim the young woman.
Something is very much amiss. The young woman didn’t know how her mother-in-law obtained her social security number, which, as we know, is needed to claim a dependent. The young woman also didn’t know what sort of evidence mother-in-law could have possibly provided to show that she was a foster parent. Finally, what proof was the tax preparer furnished with that reflected the young woman’s residence in the “foster” home?
Obviously, I am not attempting to disparage another tax preparer. I’ll allow that this particular tax preparer may be guilty of nothing more than honest ignorance and naivete. However, tax preparers have a lot to answer for when it comes to filing your taxes. For example, if your tax preparer (knowingly) files a fraudulent tax return or uses false statements and is found guilty, s/he is subject to a “fine of not more that $100,000, imprisonment…or both” (IRS.gov). Eeek.
As we’ve talked about before, the IRS is closely watching returns with Earned Income Credit and Child Tax Credit. If a tax preparer doesn’t carry out the due diligence required, s/he is in danger of a “penalty of over $500” (Gregorytaxlaw.com) per violation. This could really add up. According to the IRS, “due diligence” pretty much amounts to common sense. For example, if the client’s information “appears to be incorrect, inconsistent or incomplete” (IRS.gov), it is the legal responsibility of the tax preparer to find out what’s going on. Failing that, the tax preparer could have their preparer tax identification number revoked (IRS.gov), which is sort of like disbarment for an attorney.
Thankfully, my tanning salon friend filed her return first and has received her refund. She’ll probably receive a notice from the IRS, but I’m not worried about her. I wonder how mother-in-law will do. Eh, I’m guessing the IRS will be in touch.
I know you guys would never intentionally provide false information to your Bourke Accounting tax preparer or bookkeeper. However, while our Bourke Accounting experts’ first concern is providing you with the best and most accurate service, we should remember that they have a lot riding on this. Our Bourke Accounting specialists have gotten so used to handing out the best financial solutions and advice, there is no way they’d be satisfied (or capable) of doing anything else!
Come see us any time. Our number is 502-451-8773 and don’t forget to visit our website at www.bourkeaccounting.com. See you soon!
Written by Sue H.
So, I pitched my Beach Blanket Bingo – Antarctica Edition! teambuilding vacation idea to Bill. He looked at me with an expression that said: did I really hire you? Then, he shook his head slowly, left, right and then left again. He walked away to do something else. Something that didn’t necessitate Annette Funicello, beaches or Antarctica, I’m guessing.
But his completely comprehensible and nonverbal communication got me thinking. Probably like you, I have vague memories of being potty trained. As a kid, when my parents took my brother and I to a new place, I visited the bathroom. Was I avoiding an accident or did I just like checking out new bathrooms? I couldn’t tell you, but I remember doing it. However, while I can sort of remember potty training, I have no recollection of learning that a shake of the head meant “no”. I don’t know how I learned that a nod meant, “yes” or “go on, you’re doing it right.” Do you?
Thanks to pop psychology, we know that if someone is standing with arms crossed, that’s an indication of defensiveness or some sort of discomfort. But how do little kids understand body language before they can even understand Dr. Phil? Universalclass.com suggests that “from the time they are babies, children imitate what you do.” You smile, they smile. Essentially, babies are damp little mirrors. When does the actual understanding come in?
In the 1950s, there was an anthropologist named Ray Birdwhistell. Birdwhistell had a theory that “no more than 30 to 35 percent of the social meaning of a conversation…is carried by the words” (Wikipedia.org). His concept was that most of what we get out of an interaction is gleaned from the way the other person moves. Birdwhistell called his concept “Kinesics” and it is made up of “facial expression, gestures, posture…and visible arm and body movements” (Edge.sagepub.com). Birdwhistell further believed that these movements are as “systemic and socially learned as verbal language” (Edge.sagepub.com). Furthermore, because these “nonverbal signs…are learned” (Edge.sagepub.com) from a very young age, we didn’t even notice that we were learning them.
I have a friend who tells me not to lie to children because children always know. Oh, right, little onesie wearing polygraph machines? Sadly, this is true (and creepy). According to Raisingchildren.net.au, “when your nonverbal communication sends a different message from your words, your child is more likely to believe the nonverbal communication.” This does makes sense, as kids are still part of that visceral, natural world. I have to say, it makes me wholly uncomfortable: you can’t figure out where your head goes when putting on a shirt, but you know I’m lying when I say I believe in Santa? Get outta here…
Final proof that Birdwhistell was on to something regarding body language: text messages. How many times have you had to send an apology text because someone didn’t understand that you were joking? This is a daily occurrence for me. The man knew what he was talking about.
Bourke Accounting professionals are fluent in both verbal and nonverbal language. However, even if our Bourke Accounting experts know you’re uncomfortable about something, they won’t call you out. Bourke Accounting tax preparers and bookkeepers will listen until you’re ready to share. After a few gentle head nods, you’ll know that you’re getting the best (and most welcoming) financial service in the business.
Come see us any time. Our number is 502-451-8773 and don’t forget to visit our website at www.bourkeaccounting.com. See you soon!
Written by Sue H.
When I was ten years old, my parents, being very permissive in terms of literature, handed me a copy of Stephen King’s The Stand. I found it absolutely interesting/terrifying that, because of a few wrong moves, the population of this fictional Earth was virtually decimated. Of course, this book focused on supernatural concepts of good vs. evil, but the main storyline was that “the government” created a superbug that took out almost everyone in the world. Cheerful summer reading for a 5th grader, to be sure.
However, thanks to reading this book (and the fatalistic pals I’ve met in the intervening years), I am not scared of the current coronavirus outbreak. Should I be? Meh.
First, what is a coronavirus? Quick answer is that “coronaviruses are a family of hundreds of viruses that can cause fever [and] respiratory problems” (Wired.com). Coronaviruses also come from animals. Considering our coronavirus (Covid-19), “many of those initially infected either worked or frequently shopped in the Huanan seafood wholesale market” (TheGuardian.com). In addition, our current nasty little buddy is “the third in the past three decades to jump from animals to humans” (Wired.com).
I am not downplaying the seriousness of this situation. While numbers change constantly, The Week reported that more than 75,200 people have been infected and 2,006 people have passed away (Vol. 20, Issue 964). Obviously, these are upsetting numbers. What’s even more disturbing are the ridiculous “cures” being promoted on the internet. For example, The Daily Beast reports that some folks are suggesting that consuming cow poop will treat corona. That doesn’t sound right. The Daily Beast also mentions that some are pushing the need to stay away from dogs (as they believe dogs are carriers), gargling salt water and spraying alcohol on your head.
Perhaps the most dangerous remedy comes from America: drinking bleach. There’s a group out there that is encouraging the use of a bleach mixture called “Miracle Mineral Solution” that is meant to cure common colds, HIV and, now, the coronavirus (Thedailybeast.com). It’s bleach, guys, so, no. Don’t do this. Don’t drink bleach. Just…just don’t.
Of course, we should have a healthy fear of new viruses. We don’t know what they do, where they’re going, etc. However, I don’t feel the need to spend that much time stressing over corona. Healthline.com tells us that “if you’re in the US, the odds of getting the virus are almost zero.” I like those odds. Also, as a friend who walked away from 7 significant car wrecks told me: when it’s your time, it’s your time.
Obviously, I’m not saying that you should go lick an airport sink. Certain precautions right now wouldn’t be a bad idea: don’t travel out of the country if you don’t have to, wash your hands, get enough rest. Things we should be doing anyway, in other words. However, we shouldn’t make ourselves crazy until there’s enough evidence that tells us that we should make ourselves crazy. I don’t think we’re living The Stand just yet.
Bourke Accounting professionals won’t advise you to eat cow poop. Your head will not be sprayed with anything when you meet with your Bourke Accounting tax preparer or bookkeeper. Your Bourke Accounting specialist will offer you coffee (maybe Red Bull, if you’re nice to Bill), but we don’t supply bleach. Worry about the things you have control over, like your finances. And face it, if you have a Bourke Accounting expert across the table from you, you won’t even have to worry about that.
Come see us any time. Our number is 502-451-8773 and don’t forget to visit our website at www.bourkeaccounting.com. See you soon!
Written by Sue H.
Normal is an illusion. What is normal for the spider is chaos for the fly. – Morticia Addams
Are you normal? Am I normal? How do we even know? While my Bourke Accounting employers and co-workers are capable, knowledgeable and efficient (and very cool), I think they’re a pretty weird crew. However, I’m pretty weird, too, so I know whence I speak.
For example, every morning when I get out of the shower, I kiss my fingers and then touch the shower head. Why? I have no idea. I don’t know if I’m thanking the water, the water company or the universe. This is something I’ve done since I was tall enough to reach and I thought this was completely normal. I happened to mention it to someone and she looked at me like I was a full-on psycho.
So, I guess not everyone thanks the water after washing their pits. Good to know.
There are some things we know are kinda out of the norm. For example, if you walk into a friend’s house, find him sitting in the corner, eating flies and repeating the counties of New Jersey in alphabetical order over and over, you might want to have a little sit-down with him (preferably with an interventionist). Most of us have some issue with authority, intimacy, abandonment or public speaking. We’ve all met people who are so defensive that even the most innocuous of comments invokes a vicious response. All of these are the kind of normal weirdness that we’re used to.
But how do you know if you’re normal normal? Scientificamerican.com has a few guidelines to help us. For example, you have a healthy personality if you have “more positive than negative emotions in daily life” (Scientificamerican.com). Negative people are a downer for the rest of us, however, it must be even worse for the negative person. These guys are forced to live in their own little pessimistic and dismal noggins. Of course, they’re sort of depressing, but they still fall within the “normal” spectrum, I think. Another way to tell if you’re normal is if you are able to cultivate a “warm, authentic connection to others” (Scientificamerican.com). In order to accomplish this, one must be empathetic and sympathetic enough to view others as fellow living creatures with emotions and needs. Yup, that sounds about normal to me (although, I’ve admitted that I’m weird, so take my opinion with some salt on top).
The good thing is that the old adage that goes something like, “if you think you’re crazy, you’re not,” is actually true. According to Gerald Goodman, PhD and emeritus professor of psychology at UCLA, “believing that you are going crazy is a good clue that you are sane” (Webmd.com). Dr. Goodman believes that really unbalanced people have no idea that they’ve lost the thread. They simply think that they are the only sane one in a world full of crazy people. Of course, in these chaotic times, it’s easy to decide that we’re going a little squirrely. Because “there is more stress today than in previous generations” (Psychcentral.com), we’re all susceptible to “depression and mood disorders” (Psychcentral.com). This is especially true if you happen to be someone who has a genetic predisposition to these afflictions.
Are you normal? Maybe, maybe not. Your Bourke Accounting professional, as I’ve said, isn’t a shrink. However, if you have a Bourke Accounting expert working for you, you will sleep better, eat better and be kinder to small animals with the knowledge that all of your finances are being well taken care of by the best in the business. Make an appointment and share your weird, little habits with a Bourke Accounting specialist today!
Come see us any time. Our number is 502-451-8773 and don’t forget to visit our website at www.bourkeaccounting.com. See you soon!
Written by Sue H.
Before starting at Bourke Accounting, I worked with a felon. He shot a guy in the butt with a .22. He maintained that shooting little buddy in the butt was his intention, but I tend to think it wasn’t. He was a good guy, wasn’t any more dangerous than our non-felonious crew and was a seriously hard worker. He was so thankful that he finally got a job that he was willing to go any number of extra miles for us.
It’s mercenary, but his gratitude made him a great employee. It’s not surprising that he was grateful, considering that every year, “650,000 inmates are released from prison [and] a study showed that fewer than 45% were employed after eight months” (Jobsforfelonshub.com). Why employers are a little disinclined to hire felons is also probably not surprising: employers worry that the hiring of felons would “increase the potential risk of crime at work” (Jobsforfelonshub.com) because, they feel, that not all ex-bad guys are really ex. Furthermore, employers are concerned about the rest of their staff and how comfortable they’d be with this new addition to their department.
Our government realizes that the best possible way to avoid recidivism in former offenders is to get them into the workplace and making an honest living. With this in mind, a program called the Work Opportunity Tax Credit has been put in place. This program makes a “federal tax credit available to employers who hire and retain individuals from target groups” (Hiringthing.com) who might have difficulties finding employment. Examples of target groups are veterans, TANF (temporary assistance for needy families) recipients, food stamp receivers and, of course, felons (IRS.gov).
This tax credit allows employers to “earn a tax credit equal to 25% (if the employee works 120 hours) or 40% (if the employee works 400 hours) of a new employee’s first-year wages” (Hiringthing.com). Employers can claim about “$9,600 per employee in tax credits per year…[and] there is no set limit to the number of individuals an employer can hire” (Hiringthing.com).
But does the program work? Since the WOTC is “split between the IRS and state-level labor agencies, no unified dataset exists” (Taxfoundation.org), so the studies are a bit fractured. For example, one study says that the WOTC has “increased employment rates…by around 12.6 percentage points” (Taxfoundation.org). However, another study found no indication that the program had any “positive impact on either employment rates or wages…in the long term” (Taxfoundation.org).
I believe that people deserve second chances. My former co-worker was a dumb kid who found his significant other in a compromising position with a gentleman who was not his own good self. Depending on the odiousness of the offense, though, we sometimes can’t separate the person from the transgression. I say that we hire felons on a person to person basis and go from there.
If you’re considering giving an ex-offender a chance, why not see your Bourke Accounting professional to discuss the possible advantages of such an endeavor? Your Bourke Accounting specialist can lead you through the paperwork and discuss a viable plan of action to get the most out of your good deed in hiring. Just like your Bourke Accounting pro might be your new best friend, your ex-offender employee might be the best and most trustworthy worker you’ve ever had.
Come see us any time. Our number is 502-451-8773 and don’t forget to visit our website at www.bourkeaccounting.com. See you soon!
Written by Sue H.
I’ve mentioned before that some of us don’t have retirement plans. Because of this, a few members of our elite demographic may not be aware of the difference between a Traditional IRA and a Roth IRA (I’m not even getting into backdoor, SEP or SIMPLE IRAs here). In case you don’t know (and this will be vaguely important later), let’s get real quick and dirty:
An individual retirement account (IRA) allows you to save money for retirement in a tax-advantaged way. – Fidelity.com
Traditional IRA: you pay taxes when you retire and withdraw the funds. – Theblance.com
Roth IRA: you pay the taxes now, before you contribute to your plan. – Thebalance.com
What these two retirement plans have in common is that, while you can withdraw your cash at any time, you could get dinged with a “10% penalty and a tax bill if you take out your money before age 59-1/2” (Nerdwallet.com). Like every rule in the book, there are certain exceptions. For example, you might be able to avoid penalties for early withdrawal if you use the cash for medical bills, higher education, first time home buying and disabilities (Thebalance.com). However, to claim an exemption for a disability, you must “have your doctor certify that you are completely and permanently disabled” (Thebalance.com) and unable to work enough to support yourself.
In 2018, Kathryn Gillette tried to test out the disability exception with the US Tax Court. Ms. Gillette had been a soldier, worked as a firefighter, owned rental properties and was married to a cop. Kind of seems like an upstanding, law-abiding couple, right? And they probably would have stayed that way, but then Ms. Gillette was diagnosed with Restless Leg Syndrome. To combat her affliction, she was put on medication (Accountingweb.com). According to The Mayo Clinic, these medications “increase dopamine in the brain.” One of the short-term side effects of the increase causes “impulse control disorders, such as compulsive gambling.”
And did Ms. Gillette gamble? Let’s just say she was worse than Worm in the 1998 film, “Rounders”. For example, early one day, she won $162,000. By the end of that day, it was gone. Her rental property fees went to casinos, she hit up friends (and didn’t pay them back), she stole from her husband and, finally, she withdrew money from her IRA in 2012 (Accountingweb.com).
When it came time to file her tax return, Gillette maintained she wasn’t responsible for the IRA penalty because of her affliction (Accountingweb.com). The Tax Court decided that “her condition didn’t prevent her from doing regular activities” (The Kiplinger Tax Letter, Vol. 95, No. 3). Earning and losing $162,000 in a day isn’t exactly regular, but I get their point. Also, the Tax Court said that her “disability” was of a short-term nature: stop with the drugs and you’re A-OK, basically.
Chances are, you won’t suffer from drug-induced impulse control issues this year. However, emergencies happen and you might be tempted to cash out your IRA early. Before facing penalties, why not meet with your Bourke Accounting tax preparer or bookkeeper? Bourke Accounting doesn’t have a magic word to make your troubles disappear, but they can offer knowledgeable insight into ways to avoid touching your retirement.
Come see us any time. Our number is 502-451-8773 and don’t forget to visit our website at www.bourkeaccounting.com. See you soon!
Written by Sue H.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please call the Nation Problem Gambling Helpline at 800-522-4700.
Bill at Bourke Accounting doesn’t dye his hair. He’s gray and he’s proud. Some of Bourke Accounting’s bookkeepers may or may not dye the gray – I will not divulge who does, as that seems indelicate and dangerous. As for me, I’m at a stage where I’m not sure if I want to lose the gray or not (my hair is three different colors now, so I should probably make a choice).
We know that as we age, we lose some of the cool attributes we had in younger years (no, I’m not going to talk about shifting body parts again). We kind of assume that, around 40, those little wiry, white buggers are going to start popping up. What if it’s not just the aging process that’s forcing us to buy stock in L’Oreal, though?
I know you’ve seen horror movies where the victim sees the ghost/monster in the basement and in the next scene, poof! A full head of white hair has replaced the shiny brunette locks from previous scenes. We say, hey, cool effect, but it’s such an old wives’ tale that fright makes white. Maybe not so much.
Recently, Harvard University conducted a study focused on the effects of stress. At first, the scientists studied “cortisol, the ‘stress hormone’ that surges in the body” when we go into a fun “’flight or flight’ response” (Healthline.com). This makes sense, as stress is even used as a descriptive for the hormone. However, as it turns out, we have more than one aspect of our physiology that contributes to flight or fight: the sympathetic nervous system.
The sympathetic nervous system is that skin deep tattletale that makes some of us bad at poker or utterly useless at talking to the cute person behind the register. It’s responsible for such lovely reactions as extreme sweating, blushing and high heart rates during stressful times (Britannica.com). The sympathetic nervous system also pumps out norepinephrine during these moments.
What happens then almost seems like a horror movie itself: your “sympathetic nerves branch out into each hair follicle on the skin” (Sciencedaily.com) and when you get stressed, this norepinephrine “causes pigment producing stem cells to activate prematurely, depleting the hair’s ‘reserves’ of color” (Healthline.com). And once those reserves of color are gone, they are gone, daddy, gone.
Of course, stress is a necessary evil for our continued existence. As Bing Zhang (researcher involved with the Harvard study) points out, “acute stress, particularly the fight or flight response, has been traditionally viewed to be beneficial for an animal’s survival” (Sciencedaily.com). Like Joseph Heller said: Just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they aren’t after you.
So, like other folk beliefs, this one is true (just like folding bedsheets indoors is bad luck). Now that we know it’s true, there are a few things that you can do to slow down your graying progress, if not actually stop it. Calm down, for one. Yes, I’m talking about meditation, breathing exercises, drum circles, pretty much anything hippie. Also, quit smoking, stay out of the sun, take vitamin B-12 and eat walnuts and fatty fish (Healthline.com). Doing these things won’t restore your raven tresses, but you might feel better when you discover you’re more pepper than salt for a longer duration.
One great way to start on the Road of Calm is to meet with your Bourke Accounting tax preparer or bookkeeper. Knowing that your finances are in capable hands may go a long way to easing at least some of the stress in your life. Your Bourke Accounting pros will join the drum circle while providing you with the best service anywhere (and helping you keep that hair of your youth).
Come see us any time. Our number is 502-451-8773 and don’t forget to visit our website at www.bourkeaccounting.com. See you soon!
Written by Sue H.
The crew at Bourke Accounting has been working really hard this tax season. Because of this, I am suggesting a team building vacation to Bill: I say we throw our swimsuits, beach blankets and SPF 30 into a duffel and head out to the beaches of Antarctica.
I’ve read that Antarctica is absolutely beautiful and, as The Week reported in their latest issue, “the temperature…reached its highest in recorded history on Feb. 6” (Vol. 20, Issue 963) at 64 degrees. In Antarctica. Obviously, this is a bit out of the norm. Generally, the temperature in February can range between a low of 4 degrees and a high of 27 degrees (Weatherspark.com). There’s something happening here.
Let me just say that I don’t want to get into any sort of political debate. For those of you who don’t believe in climate change, please suspend your disbelief for just a moment and just go with the premise that 64 degrees in Antarctica is kind of strange. Moving on.
That Antarctica is warming up is not surprising to scientists. For example, “the Antarctic lost 40 billon tons of melting ice to the ocean each year from 1979 to 1989” (Sciencealert.com). As scary as that is, starting in 2009, “that figure rose to 252 billion tons” (Sciencealert.com) per year. These findings are leading the folks in the know to deduce that there are problems with our environment. Besides hotter summers, we’re looking at “more frequent droughts…storms and other extreme weather” (Sciencealert.com). And all of these neat changes could, eventually, culminate in the seas rising nearly “three feet globally by 2100 if the world does not sharply decrease its carbon output” (Sciencealert.com).
As individual civilians, what can we do? We’ve all been taught about recycling, the dangers of throwing away plastic straws, old phones and CRT televisions. We’ve been bringing our own reusable bags to the supermarket. We’ve been doing our part, right? Eh, well, yes and no….
It’s time to start walking, guys. According to the EPA, as reported by Lemonade.com, “the #1 sector responsible for greenhouse gas emissions in the US is transportation, and cars account for 82% of this” (electricity is second). Because we do everything bigger over here in the States, no one should be shocked that we’re “responsible for the highest number of emissions…[with the] highest carbon footprint per capita” (Lemonade.com). Why can’t we be known for having the coolest and nicest people in the world?
Another thing we can do is plant trees. Since 3rd grade Science class, we’ve known that trees provide us with oxygen while taking away carbon dioxide. Plan a fun family, couples or friend day and plant trees around your house. After that, why not donate a few bucks to Onetreeplanted.org? This is a Vermont-based non-profit organization that plants a tree for every dollar donated around the world and over here.
I’m pretty sure that Bill won’t agree to us playing Beach Blanket Bingo in Antarctica, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t check out the world. Plant a tree and then take a nice walk to meet with your Bourke Accounting tax preparer or bookkeeper. Considering the superb services your Bourke Accounting pro can provide, a trip to Antarctica may be closer than you think.
Come see us any time. Our number is 502-451-8773 and don’t forget to visit our website at www.bourkeaccounting.com. See you soon!
Written by Sue H.
You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him – Malcolm Forbes
I have worked for Bourke Accounting since September. In that time, I have yet to experience an entitled Bourke Accounting client. Everyone who has walked through the door has treated Bourke bookkeepers, tax preparers and yours truly with respect. At other corporations, I’ve been viewed as a vaguely useful appliance, so it’s very nice that Bourke clients remember that we’re fellow humans, too.
Betterhelp.com describes an entitled person as one who has “an unrealistic, unmerited or inappropriate expectation of favorable living conditions and favorable treatment at the hands of others.” I define an entitled person using somewhat coarser language, but either way, we all know the type. This is someone who angrily asks to speak to the manager because her 4-month expired coupon can’t be honored. He’s the guy who will shove you out of the way to scramble into the cab that you flagged down. In short, these are the people who believe that they deserve free stuff, first position in line and attention right now, no matter how many people have already been waiting.
Psychologytoday.com (shrinks really give the benefit of the doubt) lends a sympathetic view to entitled people. They suggest that “a sense of entitlement can emerge from feelings of being mistreated or not getting what we need.” That’s nice, but just because someone cut you in line last week, is that a reason to abuse a restaurant server this week? Clearly, there is a difference between standing up for yourself and deciding that the entire world exists simply to serve you.
Quickanddirtytips.com isn’t quite as understanding. In fact, I detect a hint of resentment. A definitive aspect of the entitled person is, if s/he perceives someone to be “below them, like service workers or customer support, they’re rude and go out of their way to show they’re dominant and superior.” I’ve seen this! I’ve been treated terribly by people who, upon seeing me behind a desk in the waiting room, decide that I’m only two steps away from working as a Lady of the Night. And probably not that bright, either. I could explain that I graduated college with honors, but what would be the point?
Everyone is a little entitled sometimes. Every once in a while, yes, I will take the nacho with the most cheese. However, I don’t make a habit of it. Honestly, I feel bad for people who can only be happy if they’re “better” than someone else. Quickanddirtytips.com points out that the entitled “care deeply about approval.” Although they tend to shout their greatness to the world, “deep down they feel insecure about measuring up to those grandiose standards.” To vigilantly protect a fragile ego at all times seems an uncomfortable way to live. While the entitled people of the world scream themselves hoarse for faster service, can the rest of us just calmly wait for our turn? Trust me, it’s better for the blood pressure.
Bourke Accounting bookkeepers and tax preparers are not entitled. They have sacrificed and worked hard to get where they are. They don’t just expect clients to come to them and they don’t have to scream their worth (tell me the last time you’ve seen Bill dancing around with bad CGI on a late night commercial). They prove their merit with their superior knowledge and skills. Even if you happen to be an entitled person, see a Bourke Accounting bookkeeper or tax preparer and, I promise, you won’t ask to speak with the manager.
Come see us any time. Our number is 502-451-8773 and don’t forget to visit our website at www.bourkeaccounting.com. See you soon!
Written by Sue H.