A friend of a friend called the other day after learning that I work for Bourke Accounting. She wanted to know why she only received $1,200 as her stimulus payment and not $2,400. As a single mother of a 25-year-old son (with a family of his own), Facebook told her that she’s entitled to double the money. She didn’t believe me when I told her that this simply wasn’t the case. I invited her to visit IRS.gov for information. She snorted, said, “Who believes the IRS?” and hung up. Rude.
I trust the IRS website more than Facebook, but I, too, have been guilty of believing rumors. For example, when I was a kid, my friends and I heard we shouldn’t drink Snapple because the company was owned by the Ku Klux Klan. Need proof? Look at that little “K” in the circle on the label! When I admonished a friend for drinking the stuff, she stared at me like I was a mentally damaged puppy and carefully (and slowly) explained what that little “K” actually meant. You know that subtle and awful symbol of hate? Yeah, well, it actually means that Snapple is kosher. I like the Peach Tea.
While the rumor mill didn’t topple Snapple, the same sort of smear campaign almost destroyed Brooklyn Bottling in 1991. Eric Miller, who inherited the small company from his father, decided that the only way to compete with the Big Cola Boys was to offer a good, cheaper priced drink. So, Miller created Tropical Fantasy, increased the bottle size to 20 ounces and sold the stuff for the low, low price of 49 cents. Within a few months, this barely known company enjoyed a 50% rise in sales and netted 12 million dollars (LATimes.com).
Things were going great! That is, until the pamphlets started mysteriously showing up all over New York City. These pamphlets advised consumers in lower income areas that Tropical Fantasy was manufactured by the KKK and included “stimulants to sterilize” minorities (Snopes.com). In no time, sales plummeted by 70%, delivery vans were attacked, stores that carried Tropical Fantasy were vandalized and store owners were brutalized (Snopes.com). The rumor was so widely believed that one of the leaders of the KKK told a magazine that they were “not in the bottling business” (LATimes.com). As an aside and answer for anyone wanting to know who could possibly believe a random flyer: The Tuskegee Study was a real thing.
Eric Miller was mad. He hired a private investigator to find out where the rumor came from. No dice. He gave Tropical Fantasy to the FDA for testing; when they released their findings that Tropical Fantasy was safe, people still weren’t buying. Finally, Mayor David Dinkins, NYC’s first Black mayor, drank a bottle on television (Newsone.com) and the company rebounded. Dinkins, a respected and trusted figure, saved Tropical Fantasy with 20 ounces.
So where did this rumor start? Pepsi and Coke denied any involvement. Social psychologists maintain that not only had they never heard of a “commercial rumor being started by a competitor,” but that the repercussions wouldn’t be worth it if it were ever discovered (LATimes.com). Miller finally conceded that it may have been started by a disgruntled ex-employee (Snopes.com). That is some nuclear revenge and I never want to be on the wrong side of that guy.
It’s very important not to believe everything we hear. If we happen to hear something that’s totally Crazy Town, it also very important to talk to professionals to learn the facts. Let’s face it, most of us would not be described as the leading minds of the world, so talk to the people who are.
Bourke Accounting doesn’t start rumors about our competitors. At Bourke Accounting, our experts want you to know how great they are the old-fashioned way: by showing you. So, the next time you hear a too good to be true financial rumor, pop open a Tropical Fantasy Cherry Blue Lemonade and call your knowledgeable Bourke Accounting tax preparer or bookkeeper.
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.
Bill at Bourke Accounting does not like change. I don’t mean progress or new ideas, I mean the jingle jangle in your pockets, nickels and dimes, change. As Bill is a little OCD, it might be the inherent messiness of change that he finds distasteful. It could even be the fact that too many moving parts are required to create viable, spendable money (he’s a person who also treasures efficiency). For whatever reason, Bill does not like change.
I like change. I like the old-school physical representation of the ability to buy things. To me, change is money whereas a card is almost a theoretical concept (this could explain my credit rating). Because of my love for scuffed and elderly coins, I find the current change shortage upsetting.
I was first made aware of the shortage by a pal of mine. He texted that “They” were finally starting the “New World Order” by eliminating cash money. He warned that I should hoard what I have to avoid being tracked by “Them” in a cashless society. When I mentioned that our cellular devices pretty much do the tracking for “Them,” he dismissed the idea and sent me a Facebook post about chemtrails.
Since Occam’s razor tells us that the simplest explanation is usually the right one, I decided to look for another reason behind the change shortage – perhaps one that didn’t involve the end of the world.
First things first. Yes, there actually is a change shortage. Some of you have probably noticed signs stuck to store registers asking that exact money or cards be used. Okay, at least that part is true. Barring the End of Days, what could’ve caused it? If you thought the shortage has most logically been caused by the virus, you win a cookie. Todd Martin, the US Mint spokesperson, reported that at the beginning of our outbreak, the Mint reduced its workforce to facilitate social distancing (Politifact.com). Since the Mint’s staff was cut, obviously, production was cut – 10% in April and 20% in May (Politifact.com).
That was the first cause of the shortage. The second cause was that people weren’t out gallivanting around. If people aren’t wandering about, they aren’t spending money. Stores, therefore, weren’t getting that infusion of sweet, sweet coin. Since stores weren’t getting change, they were forced to order more from the Mint (Politifact.com), which as we’ve discussed, didn’t have it like that. Like everything else in nature, one little alteration causes great, big consequences.
The above reasons make more sense than a shadowy puppet master stealing all of our pennies. While America is leaning more towards plastic and virtual payments, it wouldn’t be possible to eradicate folding money at this point. For example, a letter from convenience and grocery store associations to the Federal government requested that coin makers hurry up. They cited that cash is used as payment in more than one-third of in-person transactions. Additionally, cash is used more frequently by people with lower incomes (USAToday.com). In other words, there is no possible way that we can get rid of cash now.
So, for those of you who believe that the cashless, New World Order is lurking around the corner, rest easy. Even shadowy puppet masters have to put Tooth Fairy quarters under the pillows of their shadowy puppet master children.
Bourke Accounting accepts all types of payment – we only ask that, if you’re using pennies, please have them conveniently rolled. While the virus has changed a lot of things, two things won’t change this second: money is money and you have to take care of your financial obligations. Meet with a Bourke Accounting bookkeeper or tax preparer and make sure that you’re protecting your future.
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.
At Bourke Accounting, we’re allowed to have personal items on our desks. Pictures of family, funky bits of art, flowers – as long as it’s not offensive, it’s permitted. However, we are not allowed clutter; if a worker’s “World’s Best Mom” mug collection is stacked three deep on her desk with more on the floor, Bill is going to schedule a little talk.
I see his point. Obviously, an organized space makes finding important documents easy and leads to greater productivity. As we are not hoarders at Bourke, we’re not included in the five to 14 million Americans who are (ScientificAmerican.com). Because of reality television shows, most people know what it means to be a hoarder. Just in case, a hoarder is a person who fills up her/his house with – what appears to be – junk. Most of those afflicted have suffered some sort of traumatic experience or varying degrees of abandonment. They find comfort in being surrounded by stuff.
Most of the time, hoarders keep pretty innocuous things: too many pictures of clowns or angel figurines. However, sometimes the hoarder keeps dangerous weirdness. For example, in 2013, a woman was found to have 67 dead cats in her freezer and 100 live ones in crates crammed to the ceiling (NYDailyNews.com). She wasn’t an evil animal abuser; she was simply very damaged and did not realize the harm she was causing these creatures.
While not all of us hoard physical items, a lot of us are mental hoarders. Some of us take old memories out of the closet to examine over and over. Just like physical hoarders, some of these ancient things are harmless and some are insanely detrimental. Not opening an umbrella indoors because your grandma said it was bad luck doesn’t affect your life (and might save a vase by the door). However, it’s when we relive negative experiences that we hurt ourselves. Remembering harsh words screamed by a friend or berating ourselves for losing the love of our life is not at all beneficial unless we learned something from it. If we simply relive a very bad memory thoughtlessly and automatically, we will never find happiness.
These negative thoughts are especially true when considering self-esteem. The things that are said to us as children stick. While we might be the most capable person in the world, some of us cling so desperately to damaging assessments given to us while young that we constantly doubt ourselves.
Right now, it’s very apparent that our mental hoarding is doing damage. For instance, I know someone who doesn’t like a particular group of people. He has never had any disastrous dealings with said group, yet he still feels that they’re vaguely out to get him and, somehow, beneath him. Wouldn’t you know it? His father was part of a club that enjoyed wearing pointy hats and dresses at night. While this man, logically, knows that we’re all the same, he still can’t totally clean out the mental storage unit that was filled by his father. We have to be better.
So how do we avoid cutting ourselves on the broken glass of bad memories and early indoctrination? Think of a pink elephant. The next time you’re remembering something that you wish you could throw away, think of a pink elephant. If it’s a seriously terrible memory, put some glitter on that beast. You lived the experience and you examined the memory endlessly. Now it’s time to call 1-800-GOTJUNK and get rid of it.
Besides continuing education lessons, Bourke Accounting experts don’t hoard memories. You won’t be tortured with reminders of past financial missteps by your Bourke Accounting expert. Bourke Accounting bookkeepers and tax preparers understand that every day is a new day and there’s no percentage in living in the past.
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.
At this point, we know that the IRS is back to work. We also know that, after a scathing report by the TIGTA regarding the IRS’ negligence in auditing the super-wealthy, the IRS is here to crack some well-heeled skulls. Well, the TIGTA wasn’t quite done with the mathematically inclined – off-the-rack – suits. It seems that the TIGTA has a big issue with the IRS’ handling of marijuana dispensaries.
Whether you think marijuana is the Devil’s lettuce or God’s most generous gift, it can’t be argued that there’s a lot of money involved surrounding the blameless little herb; in 2017, $4.7 billion was collected in Federal taxes from 29 states (QZ.com). That seems like a nice chunk of Chronic change, so what problem could the TIGTA possibly have?
The TIGTA doesn’t think that the IRS is giving enough guidance to Mary Jane manufacturers. The TIGTA’s biggest complaint is that the IRS isn’t explaining Section 280E of the tax code properly. Section 280E was introduced in the 1980s “as a way to block cartel kingpins from writing off yachts and fancy cars” (Marijuanamoment.net). This section says that businesses are not eligible for most tax deductions if they make their money from a drug that falls under Schedule I, which weed does (Marijuanamoment.net). As an aside, marijuana and heroin are in the same category. Really. Now, 280E makes sense when dealing with kingpins, but state-legal dispensaries, while reporting all of their income, aren’t allowed to deduct rent, wages and the normal expenses that come with a brick and mortar shop (Wecannca.com). Since the indica industry can’t deduct, this means that their tax rate is somewhere near 70 percent (Marijuanamoment.net).
The fact that sativa stores can’t use banks also has the TIGTA demanding assistance from the IRS. Since marijuana is still considered naughty under Federal law, “banks risk charges of aiding and abetting a federal crime or money laundering” (Publicfindlaw.com) if they decide to work with dispensaries. Because of this, it’s almost a completely cash industry. Incidentally, since these businesses have to pay taxes in cash, the IRS has had to build “cash rooms” to hold these payments (Marijuanamoment.com). While the IRS demands total transparency from dispensaries, a lot of mistakes can happen when dealing strictly with cash. At this point, the IRS is offering no education regarding how to keep things legal in a folding money world.
When the TIGTA recommended that the IRS work with the Small Business commissioner to “develop…specific guidance…for taxpayers that report Schedule I related activities” (Marijuanamoment.net), the IRS said, “Nah, we’re not gonna do that.” The IRS disagreed with the suggestion and said it had other priorities that needed to be addressed before “developing that specific guidance” (Marijuanamoment.net). I don’t blame the TIGTA for getting a bit snarky. Every agency wants every business to follow the law, but that’s sort of hard for taxpayers when they don’t know what’s required.
Quasi-legal weed is still in its infancy and there are bound to be some problems. Section 280E should be abolished to allow dispensaries to act as any other corporations. Barring that, the IRS owes it to these very lucrative cash cows to at least provide the rule book.
Bourke Accounting bookkeepers and tax preparers know all about small business and self-employment. While weed isn’t legal in KY yet, just like with all new changes, your Bourke Accounting pros already know the rules to keep you in compliance. Whether it’s new standard deductions or reefer returns, your Bourke Accounting specialists never stop learning for you.
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 Bourke Accounting Book Club is back in session with JD Salinger’s Franny and Zooey keeping us company. JD is my favorite nonprolific reclusive writer of all time, so I’m digging it. Yesterday, we delved into the subtleties of literature over Panera Bread. My co-workers ate salads ladened with mysterious fruits and little-known vegetables as I left buttery fingerprints from my Classic Grilled Cheese (with extra cheese) on my book. While my co-workers argued points of dialogue, I thought about malnutrition.
When we think about malnutrition, we generally think of faraway countries and pallid Oliver Twist extras, begging in the streets for a shilling. We think of the 37 million Americans who aren’t getting enough to eat as a result of limited money and inaccessibility to food banks. At the grocery store, we don’t label a well-appointed, fit young person or a larger store clerk as people suffering from malnutrition. However, as obesity and lower-nutritional food choices become ever more rampant in this country, we’re embarking on yet another crisis.
Just like you can’t judge a book by its cover, you can’t judge a malnourished person by a waistline. If you’ll remember 8th grade health class, malnutrition means that not enough of the right foods are eaten (we had the food pyramid, but I think they use a plate graphic these days). As of right now, 85% of Americans aren’t getting the proper, FDA recommended, vitamins and minerals from food for healthy living (TheGuardian.com). In addition, vast amounts of children are suffering from “hidden hunger,” or micronutrient deficiency, which means that the foods they are eating “are calorie dense, but nutritionally poor” (TheGuardian.com). As a kid, I was told that if I didn’t finish my vegetables, I wouldn’t grow up to be big and strong – what are these kids being told?
Besides causing us to look like a Dickens’ refugee, malnutrition does incredible internal damage. By simply eating the wrong things, we are afflicted with tiredness, inability to concentrate, depression, immune system problems and, eventually, difficulty breathing and heart failure (Medicalnewstoday.com). As issues create a sicker, weaker population, it affects the US economy, as well. The productivity of malnourished workers isn’t as high as nourished ones and sick workers don’t go to work. Also, undernourished folks cost the country $157 billion per year in medical expenses (Mediaroom.com). While it won’t kill us to eat a carrot, not eating one could.
With our busy lives and bizarre new world, we want comfort. Unfortunately, this desire for comfort doesn’t end with a fluffy sweater. Research has shown that “70% of fast food meals consumed in the US are of poor nutritional value” (USNews.com). Since almost half of all Americans eat fast food every day (USNews.com), we are paying for the privilege of being poisoned. People say that eating healthy is too expensive. That’s true. A Harvard study has discovered that healthy meals cost $1.50 more a day than fast food (HSPH.Harvard.edu). But what about the hours needed to cook healthy, cheap meals at home? I Goggled cheap, healthy, fast meals and found 643,000,000 entries in .59 seconds. I think it’s possible to avoid McDonald’s, I really do.
We aren’t good for anything if we’re not good to ourselves. Our mental and physical health are being damaged by the plastic foods we’re ingesting. It’s time to put down the spork and pick up real food.
Bourke Accounting bookkeepers and tax preparers know that they can’t meet your needs with clogged arteries. Bourke Accounting pros also know that their cognitive abilities are lessened with a brain full of additives. Sit down with a Bourke Accounting expert and see how their clean living can benefit you. Also, they’re not shy about sharing their secret, healthy recipes!
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.
At Bourke Accounting, we don’t really exhibit any exotic phobias. While we may be a little quirky over here, we’re not going to keep any psychologists riveted. While I suspect that Bookkeeper Christina might be suffering from atychiphobia (fear of failure), that’s kind of a good thing, as she’s a perfectionist in a specialized career. Also, her (alleged and Sue-diagnosed) phobia doesn’t seem to negatively affect her life.
Some phobias make sense. Vaguely fearing things that can actually harm us, like heights (acrophobia), spiders (arachnophobia) and disease (nosophobia), are simply primitive self-preservation skills with fancy names. The problem arises, obviously, when these phobias take over and disrupt one’s capabilities to live life. While some phobias have been normalized in our culture, there are some that just have me bumfuzzled:
1. Omphalophobia. This is the deep-seated fear of belly buttons – one’s own and everyone else’s. Many sufferers live in constant fear that there’s a possibility of belly buttons coming “unraveled” and dumping internal organs on the sidewalk. While, logically, they are aware that this can’t happen, it doesn’t stop the dread. These people will avoid places where navels are likely to be displayed and, if they happen to be surprised by an outie, they are overwhelmed with “panic, horror or terror” (Healthline.com).
2. Arachibutyrophobia. This one is the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth. It doesn’t really have anything to do with peanuts themselves, but more the weird feeling of having to scrape something out of one’s mouth. In addition, psychologists believe that it’s closely related to pseudodysphagia (fear of choking) and, generally, is caused by either an unfortunate incident with a PB&J sandwich or possibly even an early experience with food allergies (Verywellmind.com).
3. Ergophobia. Fear of work. No, really. Okay, I’m sensitive, but let me call BS on this one for cause: I had a friend who was on disability benefits because she suffered from ergophobia. She couldn’t work because getting up early, being told what to do, showing up every single day, being on time and being around people caused anxiety and depression. Oddly, she had no problem going to crowded bars or being punctual for concerts. Maybe this is a legitimate diagnosis for some people, but I haven’t met them and I remain skeptical.
4. Amaxophobia. The fear of driving. This one is real! For people with amaxophobia, like my good self, a quick jaunt to the grocery store fills us with pure, unadulterated terror. What if I get lost? What if I hit another car? What if I hit a squirrel? I have been in one accident and it was so minor that it wasn’t even lightly traumatic. I have no idea when or why I developed this phobia. Bookkeeper Christina is trying to help me in her no-nonsense way, though. When an errand must be run, she sweetly requests my assistance, provides an address and very specific directions. She knows my pride will generally overrule my fear.
Anyone living with a phobia knows how truly awful they can be. Thankfully, there are a lot of treatment options available. Some therapists will help the sufferer to discover and come to terms with the early traumas that might have caused the phobia. Other therapists use exposure therapy, where they gently and gradually introduce the phobia causing object to the patient (this is pretty much what Christina is attempting with me). If you have a phobia, there is help out there and we can get through this.
If you have arithmophobia (fear of math), Bourke Accounting is the place to be. Your Bourke Accounting bookkeeper or tax preparer will keep all those bad numbers away and do all the work for you! No matter what esoteric phobia you live with, your Bourke Accounting pro can make your life easier and better. And remember to ask Bookkeeper Christina for an exposure therapy plan to fit your needs!
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 a hot and sticky summer night. The stagnant air is alive with the buzzing of cicadas. Oh, no! What’s that slithering through the grass? It’s a venomous copperhead! You’ve never seen a copperhead in your yard before! Why is it here? Oh, right, those cicadas. As it turns out, copperheads very much enjoy cicadas, so if you have these lumbering buzz-machines hanging around, watch where you walk at night.
Yes, the predators of the natural world are drawn to the vulnerable, the oblivious and the protein dense. When you stop to think about it, copperheads share a lot of the same qualities as a certain type of human. Although we’ve talked about scammers before, it pays to remember that they are constantly lurking and evolving. While the end result of befriending scammers is always the same – your money in their wallet – the ways in which they achieve this change minute by minute.
The most important goal of a predator is survival. It’s because of this that the current group of thieves have discovered gift cards in a big way; halfway through 2019, $74 million was already lost to gift card scammers (AARP.org). While talking victims out of credit card numbers was never problematic, the traceability of the endeavor was (Againstscammers.com). Gift cards shield the perpetrator from identification and ensures that the victim will never see their money again. The best part, for the scammer, is that it’s just so blessed easy.
For instance, this year Katrina Whitaker needed a car. As luck would have it, she found one on Facebook at an amazing price. The seller asked for $1,400 to be paid in eBay gift cards, claiming it was for the safety of both of them. Whitaker then received an email from “eBay,” requesting the card codes so that the money could be held in trust; if Whitaker didn’t like the car (which was being shipped), she’d get her money back. By the time Whitaker understood that the car wasn’t coming, it was too late. The cards had been used and Whitaker’s bank informed her that, since the gift cards had been bought legitimately, there was nothing they could do (Courier-journal.com). If Whitaker had realized that she’d been cheated before the cards were used (how could she not have realized?), the funds could have been frozen. However, once that money’s gone, it doesn’t leave a forwarding address.
While I don’t want to blame the victims of gift card fraud, I’m going to. Since when are gift cards better than good old cash money? A mixture of greed and mad dog dumb decisions are keeping scammers fat. Speaking of greed and the certifiably stupid, “sugar babies” are now being targeted, too. If you don’t know, a sugar baby is a person who receives support from a wealthier patron. In exchange, the sugar baby offers nothing more than platonic companionship all the way up to…um…intimate adult fun time. With this scam, the patron offers to pay off the sugar baby’s credit cards. Once the baby provides their account information, it would appear that the debt has been paid. Then, the patron demands gift cards in appreciation; for some reason, the baby complies and provides the codes. The accounts used to pay off the credit cards are fake, the money disappears from the gift cards and now the baby is in a lot of debt (Fraud.org). While no one deserves to be a victim, isn’t a sugar baby just a prospective scammer in the first place?
There is no such thing as getting something for nothing. Don’t trust strangers on the internet and certainly don’t give out information or money. Easy as that.
Bourke Accounting experts don’t want you to meet a scammer. If you suffer a momentary lapse of judgement, however, your Bourke Accounting specialist can create a plan to help get you back on track again. In a world lousy with nefarious con artists, your Bourke Accounting pro is honest and dedicated – and they’ll never ask you for gift cards.
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.
At Bourke Accounting, I am often accused of leaning towards the “dark side.” While my co-workers are now dressed in summery pastels and floral prints, I’m still favoring mostly black. Bookkeeper Mary regales us with funny stories about her grandchildren; I wonder aloud if the bubonic squirrel found in Colorado is a harbinger of the apocalypse. Even though I am terribly mysterious and macabre (but fun at parties!), I hate to be stereotyped. Walk with me while I channel my inner Mary Poppins, won’t you?
The Black Death did a lot of good for the world. While it’s true that bubonic was responsible for the decimation of one third of Europe, that doesn’t mean it was all bad. For example, it made the population stronger. People who survived it had “their genes altered to make them more resistant to disease” (Listverse.com). In addition, researchers have discovered that, pre-plague, only ten percent of folks lived past 70; after, that number was up to 20 percent (Listverse.com). Also, just look what it did for art. Before bubonic, if art wasn’t based on religious concepts, it was considered “devil’s work” (Listverse.com). During the plague, artists realized that the citizens needed a laugh. Since there weren’t that many great religious one-liners, writers winged it and we all applaud.
While it’s difficult to see the good while the bad is still happening, there might be some positive to come out of our current situation. For instance, the coronavirus has shown how much power the “little” people actually have. The Independent Restaurant Coalition reports that about 85% of non-chain restaurants could close by next year because of poor sales related to the virus (Restaurantdive.com). While this prediction is dismal, the implication is stunning. Imagine if we all got together and said, “We’re tired of using gasoline in our cars – make us one that only uses air.” Obviously, the entire country agreeing on anything as a bloc is something out of a sci-fi fairytale, but the concept remains. The citizens hold the purse strings, and the power, not the corporations or the government.
Another good thing to come out of all of this (which I hope becomes permanent) is that restaurant servers and 1099 contract workers were able to share in unemployment benefits. Also, while I didn’t agree with handing out that extra $600 a week, I know that many were very pleased to have received it. Between that and the stimulus checks, there’s no doubt that a lot of Americans were able to stay fed and in their homes. Although there were quite a few hiccups regarding the checks and $1,200 wasn’t going to make anyone independently and forever wealthy, it was an effort. Did our elected officials decide to do this to ensure that we didn’t revolt as one? Maybe. However, I’d like to think that the motivation was of a more humanitarian nature.
Finally, the coronavirus showed the country that the jobs that pay the least are also those that are the most important; most of us are still more interested in a loaf of bread than a Brazilian butt lift. Sadly, with our rocky economy and problems inherent in raising the minimum wage, I’m not sure how we could pay these workers what they’re really worth. While acknowledging how important they are is great, I think they’d like a more concrete “thank you” in the coming months.
We’ve lost so much to this virus. Nothing will change that. Perhaps if we really try, though, we can use this terrible time to bring about lasting and important good for all. It’s worth a try.
Like the Black Death, your Bourke Accounting expert can snatch something beneficial from the most negative circumstances. Whether your business is just reopening or the IRS is on your trail, your Bourke Accounting bookkeeper or tax preparer is available to save your hide with a smile. Your Bourke Accounting pro is that silver lining you were looking for without knowing it.
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.
No one likes to think about what would happen to them if rational decision making was no longer possible. An accident or the evil march of time can steal more than our physical mobility. At Bourke Accounting, everyone has a plan to make sure that their wishes are honored in a worst-case scenario (except for me, but I’m still pretty sure that I’m indestructible). While having a will is an important first step, it’s not the only step. Documenting what you want to happen after you’re gone is great, but what if you haven’t quite left the building yet?
Recently, I came across a weird article about the “Free Britney Spears Movement.” I assumed that Ms. Spears was facing arrest after maybe attacking another car with rain gear, but it’s more complicated than that. Beginning in 2007, Spears started to lose the thread – divorce, publicly shaving her head, losing her kids and ending up in rehab/psychiatric hospitals made for a few bad years. Because of her erratic behavior, Spears has been “held under a conservatorship since 2008,” with her father, Jamie Spears, originally appointed as sole conservator (Elle.com). Her father, who petitioned the court, has testified that she is suffering from early onset dementia (Yourtango.com), which, of course, could be a side effect of being sold to the Disney Channel at age 11.
If you don’t know, a conservatorship is a “form of legal guardianship of an adult” (Smartasset.com). These are granted when the courts decide that a person no longer understands what’s going on, can’t take care of basic needs and might harm her/himself or others. While there are a few different types, Spears is under a temporary (yeah, 12 years temporary), financial conservatorship, meaning that it’s meant to last for a specific time period and that she has no control over her estate or financial and personal assets (Businessinsider.com). As she is worth millions, Spears’ fans believe that the fair princess is being held captive by her nefarious and greedy father.
So now, as the stunning result, there are fans brandishing “#FreeBritney” signs outside of courthouses. As the internet is pure logic incarnate, fans are convinced that Spears is begging for help using hidden messages in her social media posts; they are decoding them and many have come to the conclusion that she is being held captive, as well as being trafficked (Yourtango.com). In one TikTok post, Spears twitches in and out of frame, twirls around and looks somewhat unhinged. Seriously, at any time, you expect her to turn into the scary little dead girl from The Ring. I’m sorry, Britney, but the others will have to save you – I’m just not understanding your message.
The Spears Saga is indicative of the importance of future planning. As Spears is experiencing, someone she wouldn’t have chosen has had power over her daily life for years. Don’t think this couldn’t happen to you if you fail to make decisions now (you know how your little brother spends all of his money on Hot Wheels cars? Yeah, he could be making your stock picks). Before the court makes a choice for you, it’s important that you have Power of Attorneys in place. A Medical POA will allow someone to decide how your medical treatment goes; likewise, a Financial POA will give a certain sober someone the authority to handle your cash and assets. And remember, you must be of sound mind to sign a POA, so avoid the rush and plan your future today!
Your life is your own. If you want to be extra-special sure that it stays that way, plan ahead. Not only will this protect your interests, it will ease the burden for your loved ones – no one wants a knock-down drag out in the emergency room.
Bourke Accounting experts can’t protect your from falling anvils, but they can offer you financial guidance. Besides being extraordinarily knowledgeable, Bourke Accounting pros have the sensitivity and time to act as a sounding board. Bourke Accounting specialists won’t make up your mind for you, but they will make all of your decisions a lot clearer.
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.
By the time you read this, Bourke Accounting will be welcoming Phil and Bill back (with socially distanced and virtual open arms) from vacation. I am a little wary about traveling right now, but I’ve come to learn that my Bourke co-workers aren’t as insanely, overly cautious as I am. Since there are a lot of you swashbucklers out there, I figured it was a good time to talk about airline etiquette.
We aren’t savages, but sometimes, we forget ourselves and allow our baser natures to take over. Oddly enough, this happens most often when the repercussions are greatest. So, in order to avoid federal charges and annoying your fellow travelers, here are a few tips to remember while flying:
1. Take a shower. It doesn’t matter how red-eye your flight is, someone will be sitting next to you. Once the smell of your mocha wears off, the aroma of your unwashed pits will insidiously poke at your row mate’s nostrils. Likewise, don’t douse yourself in perfume/cologne; a subtle scent in the office will become a headache-inducing icepick to the brains of those sharing your enclosed space. Finally, keep your shoes on (experience has taught me that this advice is needed). While plane air is pretty clean – a Boeing’s cabin air is “completely refreshed in under five minutes” (Thedrive.com) – those can be a long five minutes if you’re forced to inhale the nervous sweat of exposed piggies.
2. The person in the center seat gets both armrests. End of discussion.
3. Be kind if a larger person is sitting next to you. Obviously, we don’t like our personal space to be invaded. Ken Friedlander hates it so much that he invented a plastic little partition called “Create-A-Space” that fits on the armrest and ensures that everyone stays on their side. Most larger travelers are aware of their size and will purchase two seats. However, I’ve flown miserably on account of someone not quite so self-aware. Yes, I hated it, yes, I thought nasty thoughts and no, I did not create a disturbance. I took the attendant aside and, quietly, asked about a seat change, which was impossible on the packed flight. The man beside me was visibly embarrassed and attempted to make himself smaller. It might not have been fair to me, but I finally convinced him to just relax. Being squished for two hours wasn’t worth eviscerating a stranger’s self-esteem.
4. Don’t be that lady. Recently, three women attacked Spirit Airlines workers because their flight was delayed. They threw things, kicked, punched and stole one employee’s phone. The victims were basically the equivalent of restaurant greeters, with no control over delays. No matter how stressed you are over your itinerary, striking the person behind the counter is not going to end well for anyone. Keep your hands to yourself and remember delays aren’t forever.
Adventure and travel are good for the soul. However, you don’t want your adventure to start before you leave the state and you don’t want to travel to the county lock-up. When roving in these weird times, remember that everyone is on edge. I’m not saying that we should be scared of each other – I’m just saying that, in these days, an elbow armrest war could end in an unanticipated way.
Whether it’s tax deadlines or travel, Bourke Accounting pros know the importance of keeping a cool head. No matter what sort of calamity you are experiencing, your Bourke Accounting expert can lead you through it with the calmness and knowledge of a seasoned Sherpa. And when you’re done getting the best of Bourke Accounting’s advice, you can swap vacation pictures!
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.