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.
I wouldn’t say that we’re over-the-top, dedicated health enthusiasts at Bourke Accounting, but we try to stay active and eat sensibly. In the break room, bottled water and granola bars share space with cookies and chips; we follow the old “everything in moderation” credo. During our staff lunch meetings, no one gorges themselves and no one talks around mouthfuls of food. We are civilized.
It is perhaps because of this that I’ve been sheltered from some of the scarier aspects of society. I am not naïve and I know that there are some questionable trends available on the internet, but I just found out about something that leaves me perplexed (well, perplexed and a little ill):
Mukbang is a social media genre that originated in South Korea. The word itself is a combination of two Korean words: “mukja,” meaning “let’s eat” and “bang song,” meaning “broadcast” (Menshealth.com). People film themselves eating food. That’s it. Sometimes they interact with the audience, sometimes, they just eat quietly. It is believed that this movement has become so popular because, in Korea, it’s not common for people to go to restaurants by themselves, as “dining is a social activity” (Menshealth.com). When forced to eat at home alone, people were lonely. With mukbang, the audience can kind of pretend that they’re sharing a meal with another person.
Like with most things, Americans have put their own spin on this practice. While Korean mukbangers eat large quantities of food, the Americans bring it to an entirely new level. Take, for example, Youtuber Erik Lamkin. A few years ago, Mr. Lamkin engaged in “The 100,000 Calorie Challenge.” In a span of 100 hours, Lamkin consumed, as the title suggests, 100,000 calories (Insider.com). Keep in mind that an average 24-year old should be eating about 2,800 calories per day. And, of course, American mukbangers seem to seek out the unhealthiest, greasiest food imaginable.
I took one for the team recently and watched a few American mukbangers in action. These are not well-mannered and dignified eaters. Food flies out of mouths, there’s slurping, there’s the licking of fingers…there is also non-stop commentaries on just how good the food is. Oddly, what makes the above my nightmare, is one of the biggest reasons people love these videos. Many audience members report that they find the loud smacking, chewing, crunching (arrgh! You get it) very relaxing (Mashed.com).
And does being a mukbanger pay? You betcha – popular mukbangers “can earn nearly $100,000 a year” (Insider.com). 100K to slather the pinnacle of artery clogging food across your face on a daily basis? Right. Everything’s totally clear now. That money will come in handy: side effects of mukbanging include “weight gain, heart disease and diabetes” (Mashed.com).
In a hungry world, it’s distasteful that people force-feed themselves huge quantities for the amusement of the masses. Also, a moment of fame isn’t worth destroying the body or promoting seriously bad eating habits to impressionable audiences. What happened to good old-fashioned movie stars?
If you walk in with a big bag of mukbanger money, your Bourke Accounting tax preparers and bookkeepers can assist you. Bourke Accounting experts, while maybe not witnessing your craft, still know how to keep you on the good side of the IRS. In addition, and if you should ever want to try a different line of work, your Bourke Accounting pro can offer advice concerning your future endeavors.
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.
Bourke Accounting likes women. Not in a creepy, hidden cameras in the bathroom kind of way. At Bourke Accounting, there are more female employees than male, but everyone is treated identically. If one of us messes up – no matter what gender – Boss Bill will call us to the carpet in the exact same fashion.
Bill doesn’t come down harder on us because we are women and he sure isn’t easier on us because we’re the gentler sex. Nope. He holds everyone to his same, exacting standard.
I like this. As a kid, I hated playing games with boys who “went easy” on me because I happened to be a girl. I also hated the boys who told me I couldn’t be on the team because, as a girl, I would only drag their side down. Since playing “Kill the Man” was a lot more fun than making squishy, light-bulb heated brownies with the Easy Bake Oven, I was often disappointed.
Long gone are the times when women couldn’t own property, vote or even serve on juries. While women might not enjoy 100% equality, we’re getting there. What I really think is interesting is that, throughout history, the simplest things lead to the biggest consequences.
Take, for example, Susanna M. Salter.
Susanna Salter was a very vocal member of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union in Kansas. When women were granted the right to vote and run in local elections in 1887, the WCTU decided to endorse male candidates who shared their hatred of alcohol. As a leader of the WCTU, Susanna Salter, “presided at [the] caucus” (Timeline.com) in which candidates were selected, including the position of mayor. Some of the men present were “offended by female presumption to endorse candidates” (Timeline.com) and thought they had come up with the perfect plan to humiliate these uppity, loud women.
Without her being aware of it, this group of men substituted Salter’s name on the ballot as their candidate for mayor. These guys “assumed that no man would vote for a woman mayor” (Timeline.com) and Salter’s loss would put her and her group back in their proper place. These sad little men hadn’t really thought this through, however – women had just won the right to vote and run in local elections, remember?
While doing laundry, Salter was made aware that her name was on the ballot and asked if she would serve if elected. A little confused, she said, “sure.” The members of the WCTU turned out to vote for their girl, while some men found the whole thing funny and voted for her, too (Timeline.com). So, because of a mean-spirited joke, Susanna M. Salter became the first female mayor in America.
While Salter chose not to run for a second term, her point was made. In addition, her contribution inspired other women. For example, in 1888, Mary Lowman ran in Oskaloosa, KS and “served with the nation’s first all-woman city council” (Timeline.com).
Equality for everyone is important. It might be slow going at times, but I think we’re becoming more enlightened every day.
Bourke Accounting bookkeepers and tax preparers are good with businesses. Bourke Accounting experts are good with tax returns. However, Bourke Accounting specialists aren’t good with discrimination. Your Bourke Accounting rep will provide the same wonderful guidance and service no matter what your gender might be. It’s too exhausting to be any other way.
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.
Driving home from Bourke Accounting, I saw a maintenance crew. There was a guy standing at the edge of the road with a sign that read “Slow.” I watched as a few motorists came within inches of clipping him. His face remained passive and he didn’t step back; I wasn’t sure that he was even aware of how close he had come to peril. I gave him a wide birth and a cheerful wave. His expressionless apathy made me think that the Department of Public Works might be ground zero for the zombie apocalypse.
According to Ziprecruiter.com, the average salary of a Louisville Public Works employee is around $31,195. When you consider that workers must contend with both the elements and crazy drivers, it seems a bit light. So, I started thinking about other really rough jobs.
1) Telemarketers. A lot of us have worked telemarketing, which is why we don’t do it now. I understand that telemarketers are annoying – they tell you that the warranty on your Cadillac is about to expire (you’ve never owned one), they tell you that you won that sweepstakes you entered (you’ve never entered one). Telemarketers call during the worst times and don’t take no for an answer. However, these people, according to Indeed.com earn, on average, $13.98 an hour and are treated to the upmost in vile language and abuse. I don’t care how irritating an unsolicited call is, there is still a breathing human on the other end of the line – let’s at least show our quick digit dialing friends a modicum of respect.
2) Roadkill Removal Specialist. This job is exactly as stated. These are the tireless people who clear the road after one of our furry pals has gone, via Michelin, to the great beyond. Much like road construction workers, these people have to deal with weather and distracted drivers. They also have to deal with biohazard, stench and insects. According to Jobmonkey.com, it can be a lucrative occupation if one is paid per animal (about $72,000 a year). However, generally the hourly rate is around $15.00. Sorry, but that wouldn’t remotely pay for the around the clock therapy that I’d require.
3) Resurrection Men. Back in the long-ago, medical students needed to learn the inner workings of fellow humans. Because most of Europe only allowed dissection of murderers who had been put to death, there was quite a demand for fresh bodies. Resurrection Men, or body snatchers, filled this niche nicely (Wikepedia.org) by obligingly digging up the dead for study. While it wasn’t legal, the authorities didn’t press serious charges if a Resurrection Man was discovered, as they believed that young doctors had to learn somehow (Owlcation.com). However, if a family member caught one of these fellas, the Resurrection Man could easily become the specimen.
I could never work in the above job fields; office work has made me soft and I’m all right with that. I don’t have the thick skin to handle telephonic abuse and I would suffer dehydration from crying if I had to clean up dead Thumpers every day. I think that we should take a second to commend the people in our world who are doing the tough jobs (we should probably leave out the Resurrection Men, though).
Bourke Accounting bookkeepers and tax preparers have a tough job, too. Sometimes Bourke Accounting experts have to be the bearer of bad news. At times, Bourke Accounting pros must decline a client’s dubious request. Through it all, our Bourke Accounting specialists offer the utmost in professionalism and skill. Basically, if Bourke Accounting bookkeepers and tax preparers were digging up bodies, every Med student in the world would be set for life. Um, but maybe we should just let Bourke pros stay in the office.
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.
Since I fill in for Phil as Phil Jr. at Bourke Accounting, I’ve been fielding a couple of calls here and there. Naturally, the most common caller right now has questions about their Coronavirus Stimulus check.
First, there’s the inquiry regarding when it will come. I hip everyone to the IRS’ website – coming in mid-April, under “Economic Impact Payments” there will be an app available to track your payment. The second question is generally asking about the amount that can be expected. Since I’m not going to speak of that which I know naught about, I – you guessed it – encourage the use of the IRS website and guidelines. Also, Kiplinger offers a stimulus calculator, so there’s that…
However, there was one caller who asked a question, for a friend of a friend, regarding child support. The gentleman wanted to know if his “friend” was still eligible for his check if he owed back child support. I didn’t have an answer for him, so I decided to find out.
The answer is no. If you owe back child support, your stimulus check might not be all your own. According to Nolo.com, “if you’re on the Treasury Offset list for unpaid child support, your stimulus check will be reduced by the amount you owe.” After the IRS takes the check, they’ll send it on over to the appropriate state support agency (Nolo.com). No one knows if you’ll receive an IRS notice first, but, come on, if you haven’t paid child support for the last few years, this shouldn’t come as a surprise. However, if you don’t know if you’re on this list or not, Nolo.com suggests calling the IRS to find out: 1-800-304-3107. Be prepared to wait. And wait and wait. And wait.
Oddly enough, if you owe any other sort of taxes or student loan debt, your check will not be affected (Forbes.com). Even if you’ve owned back taxes for years, the IRS isn’t going to make this time rougher on you. I like that.
Another reason you might not receive a stimulus check is if you’re living in the US without a Social Security number. I don’t want to talk about people being here illegally, so I’ll just say that some people who are here, maybe the opposite of legally, shouldn’t expect a check; after all, the IRS is sending checks based on tax returns and it’s hard to file without a valid Social. However, people with green cards or work visas are eligible for checks (USAtoday.com).
Young adults are also in a certain sort of limbo. If you claim your working 17-year-old as a dependent on your return, that kid will not receive a stimulus check. However, you, as the parent or guardian, will also not receive the $500 per kid check, as the dependent is over the age of 16 (USAtoday.com). Neat, huh?
Now here’s another question I had, but honestly, couldn’t find anything about: do incarcerated people get a stimulus check? What happens if you filed a return for 2018, got arrested and are currently serving a sentence? I suppose you would still be eligible, since a return was filed, but I’m not sure how the IRS views inmates and stimulus relief checks. I will find out because now I want to know.
Things are getting weird. Your Bourke Accounting bookkeeper or tax preparer can handle it, though. Your Bourke Accounting expert might not know all the answers, but they can find out. No one knows exactly when you’re getting your check. However, drop off your 2019 tax information and your Bourke Accounting pro can definitely tell you how much your refund is going to be. Hey, some things don’t change because of a virus.
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.
Unpopular Opinion Time: I don’t believe The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act is a good idea. Just in case you aren’t aware, this stimulus package is the “biggest fiscal stimulus in American history” (NewYorker.com) at $2 trillion. This has been introduced as relief for the millions of Americans out of work as a result of the coronavirus. And I don’t think it’s going to do us any favors. However, before you get out the torches and pitchforks, hear me out first.
Bill and I were talking over here at Bourke Accounting the other day. I reiterated that I thought it was a bad idea for the government to include pretty much all taxpayers in the new stimulus package. Bill looked at me as if I had declared that Bambi’s mother had it coming. I’m liberal, but Bill is LIBERAL. Like I said, though, I have a few reasons for this belief.
First and foremost is the fact that those Americans lucky enough to still be working could be eligible, depending on their income, for this payment. While the standard check amount for a single person with no children is about $1,200, this amount could be higher or lower – Kiplinger.com offers a quick calculator here, if you’re curious. Since we have no idea how long our current situation will last, I believe that we ought to conserve resources while we can. To launch a scattershot relief act that benefits the needy, as well as the okay-for-now citizens, equally, seems wasteful. Don’t get me wrong, I would enjoy receiving a check, but when I need it, not when I’m still floating (somewhat) peacefully along.
Of course, it would be extremely difficult for the IRS to be able to differentiate who really needs relief; as we’ve discussed before, the Internal Revenue Service is dangerously understaffed. So right now, not only do we have a virus going around, but, as we were also in the middle of tax season, this skeleton crew agency must figure out who gets checks – both refund and relief? I hear great and thunderous hiccups in the distance.
Another issue is that the IRS will be using 2018 and 2019 tax returns to calculate the taxpayer’s relief amount. This is fine if one has been religiously filing every year, but what about those who haven’t filed. For example, groups like “low-income taxpayers, senior citizens [and] Social Security recipients” (NBCnews.com) generally aren’t obligated to file. So, now those who haven’t filed in years, are scrambling to find a tax preparer amid a very truncated workforce in order to be eligible for their relief check.
Obviously, I love that our country is trying to alleviate some of the suffering with this new legislation – these relief checks could represent the difference between food on the table and empty refrigerators. Not only that, but I believe it will act as a morale booster for a scared and confused populace. While no one is going to be able to survive indefinitely on $1,200, at least an effort is being made to try and stop the financial bloodletting (and fear) to a certain degree.
Your Bourke Accounting bookkeepers and tax preparers have left the light on for you; we’re trying to make this frightening time a little easier to get through. A Bourke Accounting professional, while not being able solve every problem, can offer you the best in service and advice. At the end of the day, we must remember: We will get through this, we will help each other and we will show the world that, as a country, we care.
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 never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, did you?”
― Stephen King, The Body
Friendships are weird because there are just so many different variations when you get right down to it. For example, I like seeing my Bourke Accounting co-workers; I’m curious about what they did over the weekend and they make me laugh. Since I’ve only worked at Bourke Accounting for 6 months, I don’t necessarily consider them my besties (I really hate that word), but the potential is there.
Another weird thing about friendships is the different ways in which they can evaporate. I know, I know – depressing. But think about it: do you remember your best friend in 8th grade? I do. My best friend and I became blood sisters one summer (a practice kids don’t engage in today, I don’t think) and we fought each other’s battles. Right before high school, my aunt, cynically, said that we wouldn’t know each other in two years’ time. I didn’t believe her.
After starting at different schools, we still hung out. Gradually, though, we didn’t call as often and there were no weekend plans anymore. Eventually, we stopped talking altogether. The last time I saw her, we were 25. She was on Kid 2, a stay-at-home mom and living in a house in the ‘burbs. I was in NYC, playing in a rock n’ roll band. To this day, I couldn’t tell you which one of us succeeded.
The sad thing was that there was no big fight; there was no real explanation for our decimated friendship. We just started walking in different directions and forgot to look back, I guess. Honestly, it took me about 6 months to even notice her absence – life has a way of showing us shiny things to distract us.
Personally, I prefer my friendships to end heated and bloody. I’d rather a quick amputation to a sad sort of lingering. I had one friendship that ended like this and I still laugh at her very creative and very interestingly obscene insults.
If you’re losing a friend to circumstances, rather than interestingly obscene insults, it’s hard to figure out why. Of course, one of the biggest reasons is separation. All of a sudden, you can’t complain about the same bully teacher or moon over the same cutie in the 3rd row. Your viewpoint is no longer a shared viewpoint; there are no common experiences anymore.
Another explanation for the loss of friendship is completely different lives. My friend talked about Kid 1’s first steps, I talked about playing a show in a dive bar until 3 AM. It was cordial, but, sitting in her bright kitchen, there were some pretty uncomfortable silences. There were hugs and promises to call soon. That was almost 20 years ago and I don’t have her number.
Friendships take hard work and a lot of time. If you have a single friend who would – after receiving a call from you about an unexpected body – show up with a shovel and a bag of lime, count yourself very lucky. In our technical world, it’s easy to forget that, just sitting with a friend, talking about dumb things on the back porch can do a world of good. We have to remember that, sometimes, we have to fight to preserve a pure connection.
Bourke Accounting bookkeepers and tax preparers don’t drift away. And I promise you, you’d notice their absence if they did. Our Bourke Accounting experts understand the importance of good communication and complete availability to their clients. Much like a friend who’ll help you with a rather distasteful task, your Bourke Accounting expert can be counted on to take up the cause for you and be in your corner if there’s a battle to be fought.
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.
Bourke Accounting bookkeepers and tax preparers want to keep their customers happy. They will work overtime to ensure that deadlines are met. They will skip lunch to make sure that payroll is completed. They will come in early to finish a return. All in all, they are dedicated professionals to the core.
However, our Bourke Accounting specialists are not people pleasers. Just try to ask one of them to do something stupid or illegal and you will be met with a blank stare and perhaps an invitation to the door.
People pleasers are a strange breed. These are the folks who spread themselves too thin in order to do way too much for others. They say “yes” to everything, even if it means putting themselves, their health or their financial security on the line. We civilians look at this sort and say, “Wow, she’s so selfless! There’s a place in heaven for her!” But is that really the case?
For example, I used to do volunteer work for an infectious disease outreach program. I was helping the world a little and it felt good. However, the woman who ran the place regularly worked 12-hour days, lent people money out of her own pocket (and never got paid back) and was stolen from all the time (and never phoned the police). At one point, when I asked why she did so much, she responded: Because I’m all they have.
On the surface, this seemed like a very altruistic answer. However, when I started thinking about it, it seemed like she had, inadvertently, put herself in a sort of god-like position. If she wasn’t there to hand out canned goods, Kroger cards and listen to extremely brutal problems, her clients would all just fall apart, right? This lady, while having her heart in the right place, was desperate to feel needed.
As Psychology Today reports, “the intense need to please and care for others is deeply rooted in…a fear of rejection.” So, while the people pleaser might be helping you, they are also protecting their own psyches. These guys fear that, if they don’t bend over backwards, everyone important in their lives will leave.
Besides a fear of prospective abandonment, people pleasers need to be told that they’re worthy. Linda Tillman, Ph.D suggests that “their feeling of security and self-confidence is based on…the approval of others” (Psychcentral.com). Your gratitude is like a shot of adrenaline to them because they can’t find confidence within themselves.
Perhaps the scariest aspect regarding people pleasers is the amount of unscrupulous people willing to take advantage of them. If someone is considered an “easy touch,” you can depend that there are those willing to take them for all that they have. As a people pleaser in recovery, I’ve seen this firsthand. A sob story can make us give our last $10 to someone we barely know. In short, we hurt ourselves to help.
Helping each other out is a very good thing. However, we need to look after ourselves first if we’re going to be of any use to others. If you spend everything to help everyone, at some point, you’ll have to find your very own people pleaser to bail you out.
Your Great and Terrible Bourke Accounting pros don’t know all. But. They know a lot. So, if you try to pressure a Bourke Accounting expert to agree with your Pet Rock farm franchise idea, know that you’re in for a battle. Your Bourke Accounting specialist will gently, yet firmly, guide you in a more feasible direction. Bourke Accounting bookkeepers and tax preparers don’t have any desire to blow smoke up your parts just to make you happy – they want you safe, too.
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’m going to stop writing about the coronavirus for a while, but I just had to tell you one last thing. I can honestly say that the adaptability of the human animal is absolutely astounding and never fails to stun me.
Since social distancing was introduced, I asked Bill what was going to happen to the people who make their living by…um…being really physically close to other people. Again, he gave me his “seriously, I don’t even remember hiring you” look and walked away. All right, I decided that I’d find this out for myself.
Problematically, as I have discovered, America’s adult entertainers are generally considered independent contractors, “meaning they don’t have paid sick leave or other benefits” – this includes unemployment benefits – if they suddenly find themselves out of work (Rollingstone.com – I won’t be including links to these specific articles, as some of these pictures are a little risqué). According to the IRS, one is not an independent contractor if the services performed can be controlled by an employer. Basically, an exotic dancer is considered the same as a hairdresser or a tattoo artist (NYPost.com), because, like those professions, an adult entertainer is not working with a scripted work day.
So, Shon Boulden, owner of Oregon’s adult entertainment club, the Lucky Devil Lounge, came up with an idea to help his uncomfortable panty wearing workers: Bo*ber Eats (I’m not sure if I can use that word). The Lucky Devil Lounge, besides showcasing dancing ladies, also serves food. Like Uber Eats, Boulden decided to start a delivery service for his bar food, with a little bit of a twist. Say you want some chicken strips. You call and, for an additional delivery fee of $30, two ladies show up at your house, dance around your lawn for a little bit and everyone’s happy (NYPost). Besides allowing dancers to keep working, Boulden also has his bouncers go along for the ride to make sure no one tries to make themselves too happy.
Of course, I don’t believe for a second that Boulden is a completely altruistic guy who only cares about his financially unprotected workers’ needs. However, the more people who can stay employed at this point is for the best. Naturally, these people aren’t making their normal amount of cash nightly, but I think every bit helps.
What if you own an adult entertainment venue, but aren’t really into food delivery? Ryan Carlson of Las Vegas’ Little Darlings has decided to “offer drive-up window strip shows” (RGJ.com). That’s right, for one hundred dollars, you can sit in your car and watch people do things for ten minutes. This establishment is also going to introduce sanitizer wrestling (I don’t believe the combatants will be dressed). Again, it’s a good thing to keep people working. More importantly, it’s a good thing to try to hold onto a sense of humor during rough times.
As I said, we are very adaptable creatures. I’m not saying that the lemons we’ve been handed are apt to make the best lemonade, but with innovative ideas, at least we have a chance at being sustained.
Bourke Accounting tax preparers and bookkeepers won’t wrestle each other in hand sanitizer, clothed or otherwise. However, we’re still open and, from a distance, we’re still providing the best in financial guidance. Hopefully soon, we’ll be able to get back to normal and you’ll be able to actually shake hands with your Bourke Accounting specialist again. For some reason, though, I think dancing ladies delivering food might be a thing from now on.
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 told you that my medical expertise is limited to poking the afflicted with a stick. So, imagine my surprise when my brother (casually) informed me that, when/if my parents can no longer care for themselves, I’m being tagged in for the job. And my parents think this is a great idea! My parents made sure I didn’t put anything too metallic into sockets, they wiped my tears and my butt – I’m okay with the concept, but the execution of the concept leaves me a bit flummoxed.
How can a family member provide care while also holding an outside job? Seniorlink.com reports that “31.3% of caregivers…have financial difficulties” when caring for a loved one. In addition, there is a greater likelihood that the caregiver “will experience poverty or rely on public assistance” (Seniorlink.com). Is caring for a family member even feasible for a working, would-be caregiver?
There are a few reasons why caring for loved ones at home could work. First, care at home is a lot less expensive than care in a nursing home (Payingforseniorcare.com). For example, instead of using hard-saved cash for a $15 Tylenol, Mom will be able to buy soup cozies on Etsy. Also, and obviously, most people prefer to stay home rather than to be placed in an institutional setting. Nothing against nursing homes, but home is where the bourbon is.
Even lost income can be addressed with help provided by state organizations. For example, here in Kentucky, there’s the Kentuckiana Regional Planning & Development Agency (KIPDA). This agency offers two waiver programs through Medicaid to help people stay at home. The Participant Directed Services program lets individuals “hire providers of their choosing” (KIPDA.org), including friends and family. This program also offers support groups, help with modifying the home and training (which I will need. A lot). The other program, The National Family Caregiver Program, “provides vouchers for medical supplies and equipment” (KIPDA.org) so that caregivers are not out of pocket when procuring must have items. This agency is certainly trying to make the transition from family member to caregiver as seamless as possible.
Now, no one is going to get filthy rich taking care of Aunt Edna (the hardest workers get paid the least, after all). Depending on the state, these Medicaid waivers generally pay between “$9.00-$19.25 per hour” (Payingforseniorcare.com). Also, there’s a good chance that the caregiver is looking at more than a 40-hour week. However, at least caregivers can afford to keep themselves and the home afloat for as long as necessary.
Another benefit regarding at home care is that the person who needs help “may not owe employment taxes” (IRS.gov) when paying their relative. Also, since the afflicted person has to provide a W2 to the caregiver, the caregiver doesn’t have to worry about self-employment tax that would come up if it were a 1099 gig. Much like KIPDA, it seems that the IRS is trying to make it simpler for the disabled to stay in their homes.
I like my parents. I wish them many more years of wandering around casinos, wearing their matching fanny packs (seriously, they have them), but if the time comes, I’m going to take care of them.
Bourke Accounting professionals know how quickly life can change. That’s why a Bourke Accounting specialist is here to support and help you through every new development you encounter. Whether it’s elder care, tax preparation or bookkeeping, your Bourke Accounting expert is available for you. Oh, and if you see two people meandering about with windmill covered fanny packs, say “hi” to my parents. Windmills, yeah. I don’t know why either.
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.