It was Friday, November 1st. I had fallen asleep on the couch and was reaching for the remote to turn off the television.
And there it was.
A Lexus – December to Remember – commercial.
Yes. On November 1st. Before we’ve even had a chance to buy cranberry sauce and stuffing.
At any rate, the advert featured a father and son and their attempts to hide a big red bow from Mom in various cupboards and closets. Said bow later served its purpose by gracing the roof of the brand-new Lex in the driveway. Everyone was insanely excited at the climax of the commercial. Mom even looked like she was going to cry.
If you have brand-new Lexus money, I salute you. You have clearly made good life choices.
However, are you sure buying a new car is one of those good life choices?
A new car has no history, which means no accidents (vehicular or biological). A new car has the latest in technological features. A new car is under factory warranty. Finally, a brand-new car has that brand-new car smell.
Considering all these fabulous attributes, why would you buy a used car?
Used cars don’t cost as much as new cars. We know that. Nerdwallet.com points out insurance and registry rates are cheaper. In addition, as Langley Steinert, founder of CarGurus.com says, “you’re going to take a deprecation hit on a new car. If money is your primary focus, then it doesn’t make a lot of sense to buy new.”
And as far as that “new car smell” goes, did you know that the new car smell “actually contains volatile organic compounds off-gassing from new plastic and vinyl interior surfaces”? That’s why Cars.usnews.com suggests, upon buying a new car, that you open all of the windows and hope that smell dissipates as soon as possible. If you don’t know what off-gassing is, it means when something gives off a chemical, “especially a harmful one, in the form of a gas” (Lexico.com).
Whether you are Team New or Team Used, there are a lot of things to consider with such a large purchase. So, when you want to buy a car, talk to your local car dealer. When you want to know if you should buy a car, talk to your friendly Bourke Accounting associate. Our Bourke Accounting experts can help you decide what your best course of action might be. They can assist you in figuring out a budget that either gives you a “December to Remember” or a 1952 Ford Mercury (go Team Used!).
Either way, Bourke Accounting is better than GPS when it comes to your financial 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.
There is nothing worse than going on a job interview. It’s difficult to try, in 20 minutes or less, to convince a stranger that you are capable, able to learn and won’t want the interviewer’s job a year down the road. And, of course, you are expected to do all of that, in a non-arrogant way, while not being too timid.
There is nothing worse than being the interviewee, except, of course, being the interviewer.
As an interviewer, one is put in a very precarious position. How do you gauge in, 20 minutes or less, if the person sitting in front of you is trustworthy, punctual and serious about the position being offered? A resume can offer some guidance regarding experience and work history, but that doesn’t tell the entire story of the person. As someone looking to hire, you’ll have some questions.
We all know that inquiries about race, sexual orientation and religion are off the table. Frankly, none of these have anything to do with the applicant’s ability to do the job. However, here are 3 simple things that you might want to ask a job applicant that are actually illegal:
1) Questions about transportation. According to westsoundworkforce.com, it is illegal to ask an applicant if they have a car. While you can ask if the person can get to work on time on a regular basis, you can’t ask if they have reliable transportation. Why? According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the question may be “discriminatory [as] the EEOC considers car ownership financial information.” If you didn’t know, you are not allowed to ask about an applicant’s financial situation.
2) Questions about children/childcare. No, you can’t ask if someone has children. However, if someone offers information about having children, you also can’t ask if they have stable childcare. The EEOC tells us that “such questions may be seen as evidence of intent to discriminate against…women with children.”
3) Questions about arrests. Employment-law.freeadvice.com cites the EEOC’s stance on questions having to do with arrests/prison: unless the employer can show that the conviction is in some way related to the position being applied for, the question is unlawful. Again, this has to do with curtailing discriminatory practices.
Finding the right candidate is difficult. Having to walk through a minefield of potential lawsuits is even more so. Stick to questions about experience and capabilities and you’ll be okay.
Part of the Bourke Accounting experience is being interviewed by one of our associates. It’s painless and really sort of fun (Bourke Accounting associates are very charming). They won’t ask you how you got to our offices. They don’t care if you took the TARC bus or if you came by Tesla. They will ask about children and child costs. Our Bourke Accounting experts will also ask about your financial situation. But don’t worry! They will ask in the gentlest of ways and only because they 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 Sue H.
I have a friend who keeps his used band aids. My grandmother saved empty Chanel No. 5 bottles. Some things we save are sentimental: 3rd grade history essays, love letters from the neat guy we met on Spring Break 20 years ago, signed pictures of Corey Feldman.
In a world where we save so many things, how can we know what the really important things are?
We know that we should save car titles and mortgage statements, insurance papers and birth certificates. But what about our tax returns and back up documents?
At Bourke Accounting, this is one of the most frequently asked questions.
According to IRS.gov, you ought to “keep records for 3 years from the date you filed your original return or 2 years from the date you paid the tax.” There’s a very good reason for this. The IRS has a 3-year timeframe in which to audit a taxpayer. That’s also the timeframe allowed for a taxpayer to file an amended return.
However, according to usatoday.com, the IRS does have the power to go back as far as six years if a taxpayer “under-reported [their] gross income by 25 percent or more.”
In addition, if you didn’t file a return (or filed a fraudulent one) there is no statute of limitations. If this is the case, it’s been suggested that you should keep your records for as long as you can. As in, forever.
While the IRS and many other outlets suggest the 3-year rule, Forbes.com says that you “should retain every tax return you ever filed.” This is because, according to them, you can’t always be sure that your return didn’t get lost in the mail or that some other mishap didn’t befall your documentation. In addition, if the IRS has a question, they generally will request a copy of the return that was filed. Yes, the IRS has transcripts of returns, but it’s generally “easier to ask…for a copy instead of recovering it from the IRS’ storage.”
Before you consider building a new wing on your house to store every single one of these documents, don’t worry. Forbes.com says that a PDF file of your return is just as good as a hardcopy. Just make sure that you randomly back up your files onto an external device.
Bourke Accounting keeps records. Very good records, in fact. As a reputable tax preparing firm, Bourke Accounting can answer your questions regarding record retention, withholding payments and pretty much any financial question under the sun. Our Bourke Accounting experts know what’s important to save and what, like that 7-year old Chuck E. Cheese receipt, can be safely jettisoned. Give a call and see what Bourke Accounting can save 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.
Did you go to summer camp? Did you ever make a leather keyring for a parent with illegible initials burned into it? Did you receive a friendship bracelet that fell apart before you could remember the name of the person who made it for you? What about making ashtrays for people who didn’t smoke?
No? Read on, please.
As adults, we sometimes forget what made us so cool as little kids: a sense of adventure, a welcoming spirit, peeing in the woods. We have become so focused on the mundane that we have forgotten the beauty of the wind against butt cheeks in the silence of dawn.
Ladies and Gentlemen, if you don’t remember (or have never experienced these things) let me introduce you to the, adult only, summer camp, Camp Bonfire.
Camp Bonfire was first brought to my attention by a little magazine called Mel – Your Bathroom Reader, put out by Dollarshaveclub.com (oddly enough, it was in a public bathroom that I saw this). This camp is for adults who want to get away from it all in a loosely structured environment. According to their website at Campbonfire.com, the main premise of their existence is simple: We’re not here to fix you, cleanse you or launch you. We think you’re fantastic just the way you are. We’re here to be at summer camp, a place to relax, have adventures and connect.
What can one expect from an adult summer camp? Benjamin Camp, camp director/counselor, said “We wanted that traditional summer feel…the activities we have are pretty similar to what you’d find at a kid’s camp.” The man isn’t lying. They offer poetry, boating, archery, a talent show, even.
Of course, there are rules that are clearly defined on their website. Stripped down, the rules pretty much say: Don’t be a jerk. They provide alcoholic beverages at night, but direct those who would like to spend the weekend wasted to find another spot. Also, Camp Bonfire will not tolerate discrimination of any sort. They invite quite a diverse clientele and will not abide anyone treating other campers unkindly.
Oh, and don’t do drugs. According to the website: Your counselors want to play kickball…not feed you orange slices and wait for you to come down. See?! This is seriously summer camp for folks with their big girl/boy pants on!
I want to go and I think you should, too. A weekend spent in the Poconos wilderness with mellow folks looking for peace? Stop me when I’m wrong, but this sounds wonderful.
Bourke Accounting Clients, here is your mission: when you come in this year for your bookkeeping, financial and tax preparing needs, convince your Bourke Accounting associate that Camp Bonfire would make the perfect team/client building getaway. How can you really trust someone to do your taxes if you can’t trust them to help you build a kite?
Remind your Bourke Accounting expert that tax season just isn’t tax season without a skinned knee and a trust fall!
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 (hopefully at Camp Bonfire)!
There are a lot of things to worry about in this world: war, pollution, Social Security sustainability. Even closer to home, you get to worry if your kid is going to get into the school of her dreams, if your son will get his heart broken, even if you be able to retire before you turn 90. Yup. Lots of things to worry about.
So, here are 3 things you should ban from your Worry Plate:
1) Your armpits are fine. There is nothing wrong with your armpits. There are quite a few products out there that promise to lighten dark armpits and make your armpits kissably soft. These products also hint that your underarms aren’t as smooth as they ought to be. Armpits are kind of gross. They are dark and sweaty places. However, humans have sweaty armpits for a reason. Webmd.com reaffirms that “sweating is your body’s natural way of keeping cool.” Unless you have an oozing rash under your arms, you are okay. Don’t be mean to your pits.
2) Your eyelashes are fine. There is nothing wrong with your eyelashes. Many products on the market tell you that your eyelashes aren’t as lush as they should be. Who judges eyelash lushness? Also, neat side effects for a lot of these offerings are blurred vision, eye irritation, redness, and (in one, unsubstantiated, case) a permanent blind spot in the center of the eye. If you care that much about your eyelashes, there are a number of safe and easy to use false eyelash sets with non-side effect causing fixatives. Still, and I’m just saying, your eyelashes are okay.
3) That extra 20 pounds are fine. Losing weight means sacrifice. If your diet pill tells you that you don’t have to change even one of your bad habits to lose weight, you might want to re-think using the product. We all know the healthy ways to lose weight: exercise and a good diet. If a company proclaims that your problems can be solved by swallowing a single pill, that company is lying to you. Or worse. You could become an unwitting speed freak or, and this is a thing, a victim of a biological diet aid. This, known as “The Tapeworm Diet,” is still practiced by some with strong stomachs. Healthline.com reports, perhaps obviously, that “you cannot get these pills from a reputable medical professional. The FDA [has] banned these pills.” Seriously, one swallows a tapeworm egg and waits for the “results.”
You are all right. You might not be perfect, but you are all right. Don’t do weird things to fight imperfections that just aren’t there for the rest of the world to notice.
I don’t know what the armpits of Bourke Accounting associates look like. I haven’t noted their eyelashes, either. I do know that Bourke Accounting experts want you to be healthy and happy – physically, mentally and financially. Bourke Accounting can’t solve all of your problems, but at least they can help to solve your monetary issues.
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!
In 1993, San Francisco citizens came out in droves to vote to allow a police officer to “walk his beat with a ventriloquist’s dummy,” according to Mentalfloss.com. This was part of a program to “break down barriers between citizens and police.” Nothing screams “trust me” like a grown man walking down the street with a gun in one hand and a handful of Muppet butt in the other. The citizens came out, though, to say: Yes, we want a cop with a puppet.
In 2005, Carrie Underwood won American Idol with “500 million votes cast in the season and 37 million for the finale,” according to Wikipedia.com. People left work early, refused social engagements and declined to take their kids to the park in order to vote on the success or failure of something that had nothing to do with anything (well, no one knows how invested you might be in Carrie Underwood).
Also, according to Wikipedia, 250,056,000 people turned out to vote in the Presidential election of 2016.
Someone check the math here, but doesn’t that mean that 249,944,000 more people voted for the outcome of a television show than for the election of a President?
Here in Kentucky, Tuesday, November 5th is the regular gubernatorial election. We have the chance to get out and vote for our next governor. As American citizens, we should take our civic duties seriously. If you get called for jury duty, go. If you must pay school taxes with no school aged children in sight, pay (we need the kids to be literate). Don’t complain that your taxes are going towards roads, police and firefighters.
We need these things.
We also need difference of opinions. No one cares what side of the aisle you might happen to be on. The beauty of our system is that everyone’s voice matters. It also matters that a lot of brave women and men fought for our right to stand up and be counted. Whether or not you have an issue with the Electoral College, you still get the opportunity to yell your opinion, with a pre-chewed No. 2 pencil, at the ballot box. It’s also a lot more fun to be able to say, “Well, I didn’t vote for him/her” when something goes wrong.
No one at Bourke Accounting will ask if you voted. No one at Bourke Accounting will ask what side you voted for (Bill says one should never discuss sex, politics or religion in the workplace). Just like Bourke Accounting is part of a trusted tradition, our electoral process is part of our own trusted tradition as American citizens. So, after you vote tomorrow, give a call and see what Bourke Accounting can do 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 internet is capable of a lot of damage. Infidelity, petty arguments, too much wasted time playing Cookie Cats and, we know, even arrests. But there’s one thing that is often overlooked: a lot of our country’s primary source history is now on the web. Because of the internet, we don’t only get the chance to read history, we can actually hear it.
Type in OTR Horror Radio on, for example, Youtube.com. The first thing that pops up is 579 choices of old-time radio serial episodes. We have Suspense, The Saint, The Shadow, Escape, Dark Fantasy, the list seems practically endless. Not only that, the commercials include “professional hostess and socialite” Elsa Maxwell who urged housewives to entertain only with Roma Wine and Lipton Packaged Soups. Americans were invited to plant Victory Gardens and contact the police if a neighbor tried to sell counterfeit gas ration coupons.
I know this sounds rather strange now, but there were also several companies selling pills to promote weight gain. That handsome man in Accounts Payable only asked Sally out when she put on ten healthy and beautiful pounds!
We often hear people talk about the “good old days.” In days past, we seem to believe that children were more respectful, violence didn’t exist and everyone lived on a quiet and shaded suburban street.
If that were truly the case, why do all of these radio shows revolve around madness, murder and mayhem? In 1946, Bette Davis was the star of “Goodnight, Mrs. Russell” (Suspense) where she was the stalking victim of an unbalanced short-order cook who heard voices telling him to do bad things. These shows feature murder for insurance money, revenge and jealousy. Not so different from now, right?
Of course, the women were generally referred to as “doll”, “sister” or “honey.” A woman had one of three roles in these shows: hysterical psychopath, murder victim or plucky busybody who solves the crime (while still being made the butt of a joke at the conclusion. Generally, there would be some reference to her wearing glasses).
Race was not addressed in these shows unless the story had to do with Voodoo or the “savages” of Darkest Borneo. This, of course, doesn’t mean racism didn’t exist, it simply wasn’t acknowledged. Once in a while, an African American (or a Caucasian playing one) would show up as a maid or a train porter (complete with a “Steppin’ Fetchin’” accent). Basically, these shows just didn’t recognize half of the American population.
History books are great. However, experiencing the entertainment of years past gives us an insight into what was considered culturally important. It’s a keyhole to put our ear against. We can hear the changes in dialect, vernacular and even news of the day. Not to mention, using coconut shells to simulate the sound of horse hooves was sort of innovative for the time.
Our experts at Bourke Accounting will probably not entertain you with coconut shells. Bourke Accounting associates will not tip fedoras at you. Also, you will not be offered a Sidecar and a smoke (well, maybe Bill will if you’re nice to him). What Bourke Accounting can offer is good advice that keeps up and adapts with the times.
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 work for tax preparers. Because of that, I am now in the process of gearing up for my Super Bowl, my Mardi Gras, my harvest season. I am eating better, drinking lots of water and getting plenty of sleep.
I am getting ready for Tax Season.
Of course, this changes my life – longer hours and more responsibilities. Come see me and I might even practice my people skills on you. While it might seem like I’m only thinking of myself right now, I spared a moment for all of you, too.
Hey! Who wants to talk about IRS audits?
So, I was wondering (I know, that’s dangerous for me and everyone else), what is it about a certain tax return that could cause the Internal Revenue Service to come sniffing around? Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind this tax season:
1) Bad math. You might forget to carry that one and, even though it’s an honest mistake, the IRS won’t see it quite that way. According to Clark.com, your silly little slip-up with “basic math errors in adding and subtracting will raise suspicions about what else could be wrong on your return.” You forgot a decimal point and now the IRS wants to know exactly how you afforded to buy that island off the coast. Nerdwallet.com suggests that taxpayers hire a tax preparer (how many times have I said that?!).
2) Failure to report all income. The general consensus is that if you think you’re being clever by “forgetting” that $10,000 1099 work you did in June, well, you’re not. You’re just not. Again, as Clark.com points out, “the IRS gets copies of all the 1099s and W-2s you receive.” Do you honestly think that the Internal Revenue Service isn’t paying attention?
3) You are either too rich or too poor. I included this one because, well, just look at that sentence. Cheatsheet.com mentions that, if you’re on either side of the income spectrum, the IRS is going to be a little curious about you. If you make too much, they kind of want to know how. If you make too little, they “might think you’re hiding some of what you earned.” I know there is really nothing you can do about this one, but I was just putting it out there. I found it surprising and didn’t want to keep it to myself.
With these things in mind, there are two routes that you can travel this tax season: Don’t file your tax return or – and hear me out – you could acquire a reputable and knowledgeable tax preparer to gently guide you. Personally, I think the second choice would look better on you, but I don’t want to tell you what to do.
If you should decide on the latter option, Bourke Accounting is a good option. Our Bourke Accounting experts know what they’re doing and, just like you, want to avoid uncomfortable IRS questions. This tax season could be the best tax season ever, if you work with the right people. Give a call and see what Bourke Accounting can do 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.
There are many “Words of wisdom” out there: Don’t run with scissors. Don’t take a bath with a toaster. Don’t eat green chicken. These all make a lot of sense. In these new and interesting times, I think one really important concept is overlooked: Don’t Tattle on Yourself. This is pretty similar to don’t air your dirty laundry in public. Or even, to a lesser extent, ol Ben Franklin’s: Three can keep a secret if two of them are dead. Considering the advent of social media, I think we all need a second to reflect on what we shouldn’t offer up to the world.
When social media first came out, it was fairly harmless. People were posting about sitting in Starbucks, how they bought new shoes and, oh, look, here’s a picture of a baby! Now, it seems that folks are being way too open about other, perhaps naughty, activities that they might be engaged in. For example, Dr. Phil had an episode a while ago that featured a woman who lost a job at ESPN before she even started because of what was discovered on her Facebook page. Let’s just say that what she posted did not exactly align with ESPN’s concepts.
Paradoxically, I almost didn’t get a job a few years back because I had (and still have) no presence on social media. Seriously, my prospective employer thought that I must have been hiding something, as I didn’t have a Facebook page. I explained, no, I’m not hiding anything, I simply don’t believe last night’s dinner needs validation from strangers. I was met with a wary and suspicious stare.
So, in such interesting times as these, I am offering three tips regarding social media:
1) DON’T post anything that you wouldn’t want your grandmother to read. This includes how you had [redacted] with a stranger Friday, how you smoked [redacted] Saturday night, how you would like to [redacted] your neighbor with a crowbar. Family functions are difficult enough. Don’t make it worse.
2) DON’T post any pictures of yourself doing anything illegal, don’t talk about doing anything illegal on social media. In 2017, abc7chicago.com reported that “50 [were] arrested after Chicago police infiltrate[ed] Facebook groups selling guns, drugs.” One of those detained happened to be a school teacher. This is not the only instance of arrests made because of social media. I found around 20 articles with titles like “7 People Sent to Prison because of Social Media.” So. Don’t do that.
3) DO have social media. I know, right? We can’t win here. If you have social media, you will be judged. If you don’t have social media, you will be judged. Have a public page with lots of friends from your knitting circle and pictures of bunnies. Have a private page (if you really must) about your thoughts regarding the Zombie Apocalypse.
So what happens if you posted something ill-advised on social media and now have the IRS rap, rap, rapping on your door? Well, a good accountant would be a handy asset. I’m not promising that the experts at Bourke Accounting can save you from yourself, but they can offer you valuable insight and advice. The associates at Bourke Accounting are here to help, even if it appears to be a Sisyphean endeavor. Bourke Accounting won’t give up on 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.
I landed my first job at 13. I worked every day after school and on Saturdays for $5.00 an hour at a dry-cleaners. Looking back, I don’t know why I was so anxious to join the workforce. Looking back, with a bit more experience, I’m fairly certain that my employers and I were engaged in something illegal. Child labor and whatnot.
I have always liked the concept of work. “Daytime is work time,” I’ve espoused numerous times. I rather thought everyone felt the same way. But. If everyone felt the same way, why am I reading horror stories about hiring Millennials?
First, let me say that I don’t have a problem with Millennials. Honestly, I don’t know enough of them, personally, to have any sort of feeling at all. All I know about Millennials is that my outdated computer didn’t recognize “Millennials” as a properly spelled word. Also, ad execs feature them in order to peddle deodorant and energy drinks to me on my television. Apparently, if I apply the right deodorant, while drinking the right energy drink, I will be a sexy 20-something.
Doing some cursory research, it seems that there are two schools of thought regarding Millennials in the workplace. According to Forbes.com, “the great thing about Millennials is that they bring fresh ideas and fresh perspectives to your workplace.” What’s more, Millennials are generally more open to a diverse workplace environment. These are two great qualities. From what I’ve been reading, office drama will be cut down as Millennials are less likely to discriminate based on gender, sexual orientation, race, etc.
Let’s sign ’em up!
Oh, but wait. There’s a dark side.
According to thebalancecarreers.com, you should avoid trying to keep Millennials away from social media during work hours. According to them, “a no Facebook rule in the office is a death sentence [for Millennials]. One-third considers social media freedom a higher priority than salary.” Look, I like reading trashy romance novels, but I realize that I probably shouldn’t do that at work.
An even greater indictment comes from Michael Levin, a Daily News contributor, when he states “As God is my witness, I will never hire a millennial again as long as I live.” Eeeee. I was even uncomfortable retyping that. However, Levin shares some Millennial-hire experience which gives some credence to his statement. It seems that his biggest complaint is that Millennials grew up in a time “where everyone was made to feel special. You didn’t have to put forth an effort to win a ribbon…showing up was good enough.” Levin cites laziness, entitlement, wanting too much without paying one’s dues, and on and on. Okay, you get it. He really doesn’t like Millennials.
My thought is that you shouldn’t base your entire opinion, on an entire generation, on a few bad experiences. If you do, wouldn’t you be engaged in stereotyping? There are lazy and entitled folks in every generation. Simply because the lady at the grocery store failed to hold the door for me, doesn’t mean that every Baby Boomer is selfish.
If you’re an HR exec or a business owner, evaluate every applicant on their merit, not by their date of birth.
Here at Bourke Accounting, you won’t be judged. I was going to expand regarding race, religion, age, but I can stop with: Here at Bourke Accounting, you won’t be judged. Our associates want to help you with your financial endeavors, your IRS issues and your future well-being. Gen X-er, Millennial, Baby Boomer, all are welcome at Bourke.
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.