On an average Bourke Accounting workday, I’m up by 4:30 AM. I don’t leave the house until 7:30, but I like drawn-out, non-rushed mornings. I sit on my back porch, drink coffee (I just bought some nice chicory) look at the moon, plan out my day and, um, yeah, smoke cigarettes.
I know, I know, I know. Cigarette smoking is about as retro and attractive as heading off to the opium den – and just as healthy.
I’m not a stupid person (usually). I am aware of the risks presented by smoking. I know the toll it takes on teeth and skin; I know about the myriad of internal organs negatively affected by the filthy habit. I also know that smoking isn’t a good look at work. For example, Bookkeeper Christina had a question for me the other day. Annnd I was out enjoying a smoke. While Christina was understanding, it made me feel bad that I wasn’t there when she needed me. Also, Bill doesn’t really like the smell of smoke. If a staff meeting is on the schedule, I make sure to get my cig in at least a half hour beforehand, as Bill becomes nauseous when exposed to the lingering aroma of Marlboros (and if you’ve ever met Bill, you know he can be quite vocal when displeased).
So, I pay around $6.00 a day to dodge my boss and rearrange plans. That six bucks also provides me with lovely fits of wake-up coughing and bucolic wheezing on hikes. Finally, my (new) car smells like a wet ashtray and there are gray smudges inside and out. What am I doing here?
For most smokers, sucking up that gentle cocktail of formaldehyde and arsenic isn’t just a convenient way to get that nicotine-addled monkey off our backs; instead, smoking is a way of life. Hungry and dinner is three hours away? Smoke. Sad? Smoke. Happy? Well, you get the point. It doesn’t matter if we picked up the habit decades earlier while attempting to look cooler or more mature, the reality is that we are now hopelessly addicted.
Smoking simply isn’t good for us. However, considering our current situation, smoking is more harmful to us Marlboro People than ever before. It’s no secret that “smoking suppresses immune function in the lungs” and increases the risk of influenza (Scientificamerican.com). Since the Coronavirus attacks the lungs, we smokers have put ourselves behind the eight ball before the game even started.
I love smoking, I always have. I am a natural born smoker. As much as I love it, I think now is a good time to kick the habit. Obviously, undoing the years of damage is going to take a minute, but after 24 hours without a smoky treat, the risk of heart attack is greatly diminished (Healthline.com). In addition, after two weeks, lung function can increase by as much as 30 percent (Healthline.com). I don’t know how I’m going to do it yet – and I guarantee that my co-workers will hate me, as I will be difficult – but it’s time for me to give up the ghost and the smoke. Although Rome wasn’t built in a day, I’ve grown tired of burning it down every single day. Fellow Smokers: wish me the greatest of luck, please.
The customer is always right. If you walk in smelling of Philip Morris’ sweet, sweet adulterated tobacco leaves, you won’t receive dirty looks from your Bourke Accounting bookkeeper or tax preparer (not even Bill!). While Bourke Accounting wants you to be healthy and happy, our great guidance doesn’t extend to your personal habits. Bourke Accounting offers the very best in financial services, and we want to be able to provide that to you for many years to come.
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
I never thought I’d say this, but I miss Bill’s Bourke Book Club. Ever since the current situation started up, our book club meetings have been adjourned. While it’s true that Bill’s choices are on the self-help side of the spectrum, the books include a lot of naughty words and some vaguely sexual language. Basically, I can relate to the books because they read like a drunken conversation you’d have with a smart stranger at a house you’ll never find again.
Because my parents were culturally and artistically permissive, my book and music selections were never restricted. In short, I didn’t feel the need to rebel (not in that arena, anyway). As a result of my upbringing, the concept of censorship was alien to me. When I found out what “censorship” meant, I was appalled and confused. This isn’t genius psychology, but even I knew that if you tell someone not to do a specific something, the forbidden activity becomes more attractive.
For example, in 1989, 2 Live Crew’s third record, As Nasty as They Wanna Be, was released. Later that year, it was banned. After that, it went Double Platinum. It was not a good record, and yet, it became 2 Live Crew’s best seller. So, if it wasn’t good, how could it have been so popular? The simple answer is that a prohibited apple tastes so much sweeter – even if one must endure bad cadence, a lack of rhythm, cheap samples and playground lyrics.
The most glaring problem with censorship is that it is purely subjective. Take, for instance, The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger. I read this book when I was 12 and I didn’t feel very traumatized when I was finished. I enjoyed it very much. However, this book, written in 1951, has been banned as recently as 2009 and was listed in the top ten most frequently banned books in schools and libraries, according to the American Library Association (Blogs.bl.uk). While it is a story about a sad, disenfranchised and lost young man, one sticking point was that Holden Caulfield liked to swear. We’re not talking about pure gutter language, but Holden did enjoy a GD here and there.
The biggest problem that censors had with this book was the fact that Holden Caulfield was an intelligent, well-to-do young man, attending an elite boarding school and yet, he still wasn’t happy. Holden’s parents cared little about his mental well-being and seemed more concerned about what the neighbors would say about his “erratic” behavior. When Holden’s brother passed away, his parents were more interested in attending parties than assisting their son to process the loss of his brother.
Basically, this book was banned because it was an indictment against distant and cold parenting. Also, Holden’s nihilistic viewpoint was scary in a time of economic advancement, happy kids and the end of war. What did these kids have to be upset about? This book was banned because it showed that treating kids like another new car or appliance was going to cause problems later.
No, I don’t like censorship. When reading something that I don’t agree with, I still enjoy that people have the right to air an opinion. If we live in an echo chamber that merely repeats our own ideas, we don’t grow. And if we’re not growing, well, then, I think we know what happens.
Your Bourke Accounting bookkeepers and tax preparers are not big on censorship. If you don’t agree with what your Bourke Accounting pro is doing, they want to hear your ideas. Bourke Accounting experts don’t want you to follow blindly because they happen to sit on the other side of the desk. Your opinion is welcomed and needed. We’re here to grow and change – what works for one might not work for you. We want you to be comfortable enough to speak your mind.
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 how much your Bourke Accounting professional likes you. And, at Bourke Accounting, we hope you like us, too. I hate to bring up a sore subject, but if you think about it, the relationship you have with your bookkeeper or tax preparer can be compared to social distancing – you keep me safe and I keep you safe. Your financial expert trusts that you are telling the truth and you assume that your expert is telling you the truth.
This is just the natural way in a civilized society, but after reading The Kiplinger Tax Letter the other day, it would appear that some of us just don’t know how to behave.
For example, Kiplinger reported in their 4/17 newsletter that a tax preparer was recently barred from ever preparing tax returns again and must pay $545,000 in restitution to the US Government. Why? Because this gentleman decided to prepare returns that included “phony business income and expenses [and] education expenses” (Kiplinger, Vol. 95, No. 8). In addition, the gentleman then charged a larger fee because of these much bigger tax refunds (Kiplinger). A legitimate tax preparer will offer an upfront price – your refund amount shouldn’t have anything to do with accounting fees.
And then you have clients like Mike Sorrentino (“The Situation”), a reality television “star” from The Jersey Shore. This guy, along with his brother, “intentionally failed to inform [his accountant] about the true income amount” (Don’tmesswithtaxes.com) he received from his MTV show. In addition, Sorrentino gave his tax preparer a list of business expenses that weren’t quite right. Basically, “The Situation” bought a whole lotta stuff for personal use and thought: Well, shucks, I need this for my business, sort of. According to Forbes, these false returns “defrauded the IRS out of between $550,000 and $1.5 million.”
Gregg Mark, the accountant, pled guilty to filing fraudulent returns, agreed to work with prosecutors and avoided jail time (“The Situation” received 8 months in jail). When Gregg Mark admitted his fault, he explained that he filed false returns “to reduce the taxes owed by the Sorrentinos” (Accountingtoday.com). I don’t know if Mark is still able to prepare returns, but he has a Linkedin page, so that’s a little scary.
Was Gregg Mark trying to be a “bro” when he filed fraudulent returns? I mean, according to his profile, Mr. Mark has been an accountant for 33 years (no, I’m not including a link). After 33 years, you’d think an accountant on the up and up wouldn’t do illegal things in order to curry favor with a 30-something with a dubious claim to fame.
If you have any bookkeeper or tax preparer worth their salt, you’d better be prepared to furnish proof of dependents, business expenses and income. If your financial professional doesn’t require these things from you, as Gregg Mark has shown, there will be one more person on the prosecution’s side if things go sideways.
Bourke Accounting bookkeepers and tax preparers are not your “bros”. They won’t file fraudulent anything, with or without your knowledge. In a willy-nilly world, the one thing you can depend on is a wholly transparent relationship with your Bourke Accounting expert. Your Bourke Accounting pros can protect your financial interests better than a Teflon vest, but you wouldn’t ask them to take a bullet for you now, would 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 like words. Sometimes, at Bourke Accounting, I think I drive Bill a bit mental. It’s too simple to say, “Man, that guy’s a jerk.” Instead, I must label said jerk as an “invertebrate reprobate” or something else with too many syllables and a high chance of mispronunciation (I speak quickly so most people don’t notice). Bill will shake his head, ask why I have to make things difficult and walk away, sometimes muttering about crazy receptionists.
Because I like words, and because I like to make easy things difficult, I’m always interested to learn the backstory of well-known, everyday phrases. I get a charge when discovering that familiar idioms originally meant something completely different or have very dark true meanings. Hey, some people like to gamble, dance all night or play chess. I get off on this.
So, here are a few of my favorite phrase origin stories:
1) Cat Got Your Tongue. There are a couple of different versions of the truth with this one. For example, one explanation suggests that the phrase came from the English Navy’s use of the Cat-o’-nine-tails whip. When the whipping of some poor punished sailor was finished, the victim was left speechless (Boredpanda.com) – hence, cat got your tongue. Another concept is that, in ancient Egypt, liars would have their tongues cut out and fed to lions (Grammarist.com). Also, there’s the theory that the phrase originated from the Middle Ages, regarding witches: if you happened upon a witch doing witch things, a black cat (her/his familiar) stole your tongue so you couldn’t speak about what you saw (Bloomsbury-international.com). Finally, Grammarist.com is just a party pooper by saying that the phrase is nothing more “than odd, childish imagery.” Whippings and witches are more interesting.
2) Blood is Thicker than Water. While the origin of this phrase is debated, the meaning is not. Researchers seem to agree that the line actually reads: The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb. Learningenglish.voanews.com posits that this means “bloodshed on the battlefield creates stronger ties than the water of the womb does.” Basically, the people you choose to risk your life with are closer to you than the people of your family, whom you had no say in choosing. Although we use the phrase to signify that family is more important than friends, the original wording suggests that the intent was just the opposite.
3) Don’t Cut Off Your Nose to Spite Your Face. As far as backstories go, this one is brutal. So, around the year 867, Vikings attacked Coldingham monastery in Scotland. The Nun in Charge, St. Aebbe the Younger, decided that it would be better if the nuns disfigured themselves rather than lose their honor to crazed Vikings. She managed to cut off her nose, her upper lip and scared holy bejeezus out of the Vikings. The nuns were left with their honor intact (the Vikings, did, however, burn down the monastery with all of the nuns inside) (Didyouknowfacts.com).
At the next dinner party, sit me next to the etymologist. Rock stars and FBI agents might have interesting stories, but I don’t think they come close to a person who knows the history of our weird phrases. Our commonly used idioms say a lot about us as a species, after all.
Bourke Accounting bookkeepers and tax preparers know a lot. Do they know the origins of your favorite phrases? Maybe, maybe not. However, Bourke Accounting pros do know all of the rules to keep you on the right side of the IRS. Your Bourke Accounting expert is always fascinated with learning new things, so if you know the history of a common expression, your Bourke Accounting specialist is more than happy to hear 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.
You know that we are animal friendly at Bourke Accounting. Both Bill and Bookkeeper Christina like dogs. Some Bourke Accounting experts like unicorns, some prefer kitties, some really dig birds. And of course, I want to be a panther. All of these animals, both real and fantastical, are super cool. However, there is one animal that is the stuff of nightmares – swimming around right now – and it’s weirder than anything H.P. Lovecraft ever thought of.
Ladies and Gentlemen, let me introduce my favorite obsession: The Deep-Sea Anglerfish.
So, what makes the deep-sea angler fish so interesting? Well, as you can see above, this is one frightening looking fishy; between the huge underbite, the needle-like teeth and the weird bioluminescent doodad that hangs from her head, she’s, most likely, not someone you’d like to share a bubble bath with. I am not being sexist by using the feminine pronoun; only female deep-sea anglerfish have the shiny head thingamajig.
Besides looking fascinatingly alien, most of these fish live in desolate environments: 3,000 feet below the surface in the Atlantic and Antarctic oceans (Nationalgeographic.com). Down there, it’s dark and it’s freezing and these weird little guys have evolved to significantly impressive levels. The glowing head lure that the females sport is “filled with bacteria that make their own light” (Oceana.org). This lure attracts “pelagic crustaceans, fish, and other prey” (Oceana.org) way down in the depths.
The female angler is about the size of a football while the male is about the “size of a small finger” (Seasky.org). Nothing strange about that – a lot of species have size discrepancies between female and male members. Male deep-sea anglerfish also don’t have glow sticks stuck to their noggins. Again, nothing odd there, a lot of animals have different appearances depending on sex. The most truly bizarre aspect of these guys is the way in which they mate.
As the little male deep-sea anglerfish gets older, his “digestive system degenerates, making it impossible for [him] to feed on [his] own” (Seasky.org). Well, that seems like a design flaw, right? Flawed maybe, but the boys make up for this short-coming when a lady angler enters the picture. Once the comparatively tiny male finds his sweetheart, he bites her. Then he “releases an enzyme that dissolves the skin of his mouth and that of her body” (Seasky.org). Having done this, the male is now being fed by the female’s blood and, eventually, the male’s “eyes and fins atrophy away” (Wired.com). Oh, but his…um…man parts stay intact (yup, man parts just kind of stuck to the side of her body). This way, when the female is ready to “spawn, she has a mate instantly available” (Seasky.org). The female can accommodate around six males and once you’re hooked on her, you are hooked for life. Sadly, only about “one percent of males” (Wired.com) find true love; the wallflowers are left to die of starvation.
Although it seems like the world is getting strange these days, if you think about it, the world has always been strange – the romantic world of the deep-sea anglerfish is all the evidence required.
Much like my beloved anglerfish, Bourke Accounting pros are adaptable and evolve as our strange world dictates. Whether it’s helping you to navigate your small business relief package or planning for a different economy, your Bourke Accounting bookkeepers and tax preparers are up to date on all of the changes in our new and different world.
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.
Stimulus Check? More like Stimufuss Check. All right, all right, that was lame. Okay, what about: Stimulus Check? More like StimuNotForUs Check. That was even worse. I’m going to stop trying. But. I do have a point:
There are many problems with the Coronavirus Economic Impact Payments.
This week, a lot of us received our stimulus payment. Please don’t think I’m ungrateful that the government is giving me (my own) money. It was nice to see that “big, fat beautiful check” in my checking account. However, there are a lot of people out there who, so far, have not been as lucky.
For example, the IRS’ Get My Payment tool doesn’t seem to be working quite right. Many taxpayers are noticing that they can’t update incorrect bank account information (CNBC.com). Some who were actually able to update account information have been met with a lovely little message that informs them that their “payment status is not available” (Washingtonpost.com). Finally, people have been “locked out of the system completely” (CNBC.com) and they can’t find out why. But why can’t they find out why? Surely there are customer service representatives at the Internal Revenue Service waiting patiently to help taxpayers, right?
No. No, not at all.
If you were to go to the IRS’ website and click on the “Coronavirus Tax Relief Economic Impact Payments,” one of the first things you will find is this stark advisory: Do Not Call. So, no, there are no patiently waiting representatives willing to help you. However, don’t you worry your little taxpaying head about this! Luis Garcia, IRS spokesperson says the problems “should be fixed now” (CNBC.com).
Besides computer issues, a lot of people who use strip mall tax preparers are finding that, since they “received an advance on their tax refund or had the fee for tax preparation taken out of their tax refund” (Washingtonpost.com), they are going to have to wait for a paper check. This is because the IRS claims that they don’t have these accounts on file. Of course, because someone had to put his name on every check, a lot of these people are going to have to wait even longer for their relief payment. But that someone’s name in the memo line makes it all worth it, right?
And finally, some people aren’t getting credit for their under 16-year-old children and some aren’t getting credit for spouses (Washingtonpost.com). However, on a good note, lots and lots of dead folks are getting their checks (Foxnews.com), so it really balances out.
I understand what a vast undertaking the distribution of these checks amounts to, I really do. However, it seems to me that, perhaps, this whole thing should have been thought out a lot better.
Unfortunately, Bourke Accounting can’t make your Stimulus check come any quicker. If your Bourke Accounting bookkeeper and tax preparer could hold up the IRS and make them correct your bank account information, they would. However, if something goes sideways with your Corona check, your Bourke Accounting expert will make darn sure that you get credit on your 2020 return. Cold comfort, but comfort nonetheless.
Come see us any time. Our number is 502-451-8773 and don’t forget to visit our website at www.bourkeaccounting.com. Have a Good Day and See You Soon.
Written by Sue H.
Life has gotten very odd. At Bourke Accounting, people can’t stop to chat when dropping off their paperwork. Smiles are hidden behind masks and there are no more handshakes; everyone seems to be sizing each other up as potential harbingers of plague. However, there is a certain – albeit physically distant – solidarity because we have no choice but to walk the same road together.
The Cooties have changed human life, that much is obviously evident. Besides some of us not being able to work and all of us not being able to enjoy a nice rum and Coke at the bar, there are other changes that I hadn’t even thought about. Also, I wonder what sort of lasting effects we will experience as a result.
So, I present to you a few alterations to our world:
1) Our rats are losing their rat minds. Because most cities have implemented some sort of lockdown procedure, there is not as much sweet, sweet garbage in the streets. When I lived in Brooklyn, the sidewalks looked as though a midnight food fight had occurred; people walking by donated their half-eaten hot dogs and bagels to the concrete. Now that so many businesses have been shuttered and people are staying indoors, the rats are starving. These rats are now fighting, to the death, amongst themselves and eating their young (NYPost.com). Mayor LaToya Cantrell of New Orleans warned that this puts her city’s homeless population at an even greater risk (NYPost.com). Um. Anyone remember the movie Willard?
2) Greetings and Goodbyes. I have a friend who wonders if Corona is going to lead to the death of the handshake. Personally, I’m all right with this – there is nothing worse than receiving the squishy, dead fish handshake of a person you’re only required to spend five minutes with. However, my common sense is at war with my early training – not shaking hands is going against my father’s teachings! I refuse to attempt the elbow bump, as I have terrible depth perception and would either miss completely or elbow an elderly man in the face. And our “goodbyes” have become even worse. Instead of saying, “Have a good day,” it’s become “Stay Safe.” I know the Danse Macabre unites us all, but can we please at least go back to “Take care”?
3) Our environment. It’s probably not surprising that, with everyone staying put, there are already “huge reductions in air pollution” (Newsweek.com). In China alone, since lockdown, there has been a “drop in carbon emissions of an estimated 25 percent” (NYTimes.com). While I realize that our air is going to return to its dismal state once we get back to our abnormal normal, I think this is a learning lesson. Perhaps we ought to really re-think what our routine actions do to the Earth and figure out sustainable ways in which to protect our Home Planet.
We are in the midst of a strange trip. It’s awful and tragic. However, I think this is also a time to put our priorities in order and figure out how we can better ourselves, our wildlife and our world. I believe we are learning what really matters right now.
Is filing your tax return with a Bourke Accounting tax preparer a priority right now? You have until July to file your returns and your Bourke Accounting pro is patient, so maybe not. However, are you trying to save your business and workers with the Paycheck Protection Program? Did you know that your Bourke Accounting expert is willing to guide you through the steps for free? I’ve found that putting food on the table is always a priority.
Come see us any time. Our number is 502-451-8773 and don’t forget to visit our website at www.bourkeaccounting.com. HAVE A GOOD DAY!
Written by Sue H.
Sociopaths know the difference between right and wrong; they just don’t care – My Psychology 101 Professor
I don’t lose sleep over what I have done or have nightmares about it – Dennis Nilsen, Serial Killer
We are not sociopaths at Bourke Accounting. In fact, we’re pretty sympathetic towards one another. For example, when an employee’s birthday rolls around, Bill throws a little party and Phil bakes a cake. We treat each other with respect, we help each other out and it’s all very nice and it’s all very civilized.
We spend a lot of time concerned about feelings and the well-being of each other. And sometimes I wonder: wouldn’t everything be simpler if we all just decided to be sociopaths?
The term “sociopath” is actually an outdated moniker that mental health professions shy away from these days. The preferred classification, as outlined in the newest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (every shrink’s travel guide), is Antisocial Personality Disorder (Webmd.com). However, “sociopath” sounds cooler and I’ll be using it for the duration of this writing.
With movies like Joker and The Silence of the Lambs, we tend to think of every sociopath as a clever and stylish killer. But, as with a lot of things, reality is more mundane than fantasy. So, what is a sociopath, really? According to the Mayo Clinic, a sociopath suffers from a “mental disorder in which [the] person…shows no regard for right and wrong and ignores the rights and feelings of others.” With this definition, it’s easy to understand how serial killers are often diagnosed as sociopaths; they clearly have no respect for the boundaries of others.
However, the majority of sociopaths don’t hit the infamous depths of someone like Ted Bundy. In fact, Health.com cited a study that “estimated that as many as 3.8% of Americans” could be defined as sociopathic. So, if you’re at a party and can’t guess who the sociopath is, well, it might just be you. If you’re not quite sure, Psycom.net has a handy little “Are You a Sociopath” quiz (when I took it, my score said that I had “little to no indication of antisocial personality disorder.” I know, I was surprised, too).
Now, for someone like me, who is still feeling guilty for accidentally killing a spider when I was ten, being a sociopath seems pretty attractive. For example, sociopaths generally don’t feel remorse. Also, they don’t have any sense of responsibility, never hold themselves accountable for anything and basically do what they want when they want (Healthline.com). I’m not saying we should be sociopaths all the time, but we should each get, say, a half an hour a day to be a sociopath (with no casualties, obviously).
As it turns out, I can never be a sociopath. Whereas some mental troubles are organic in nature – you’re either born that way or you’re not – sociopathic people are created. There is no ingrained brain malfunction, sociopaths are simply brought up in really bad households (Psychcentral.com) and the behavior manifests in adult behavior.
Maybe I don’t really want to be a sociopath. Being free from guilt and responsibility sounds awesome, but I’m too used to guilt and feeling that pesky sense of responsibility to change now. Also, I would look terrible in a prison uniform.
We aren’t sociopaths at Bourke Accounting, but it’s okay if you are. Just as we don’t discriminate against tattoos, your Bourke Accounting bookkeeper or tax preparer will still give you the best in financial advice and services – even if you are a gentler Hannibal Lecter. Since the world is mad anyway, Bourke Accounting welcomes all with open arms.
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 love putting spices in things. For example, when I make spaghetti sauce, I cackle, spin around and add dashes of oregano, basil (fresh), garlic (both powdered and fresh) and my super-secret ingredient (maybe, someday, I’ll tell you the super-secret – no, it’s not Soylent Green). Then, when it’s simmering good and proper, I repeatedly scream-sing, “Fire burn and caldron bubble!”
Cooking is loud in my house because, yes, I like to pretend that I’m a witch. It’s perfectly normal, nothing wrong with that and, I betcha, a lot of people do the same.
Because I enjoy doing this, I am always interested in new spices. My mother has a lot of free time on her hands these days and she has inspired me to test one I’ve never heard of: Turmeric. If you’re like me, we are now sailing unchartered seas together.
What is turmeric? According to Healthprep.com, it’s a “flowering plant that belongs to the ginger family.” I like ginger, so we’re off to a good start. Turmeric, native to Southeast Asia and India “has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine” (Healthprep.com). Ayurvedic medicine (I didn’t know what that meant either) is one of the oldest holistic healing systems and it’s focused on protecting the body, spirit and mind (Webmd.com). The theory is that if you take care of yourself preemptively, you’ll have no need to fight disease because, well, you won’t have disease to fight in the first place.
From what I’ve read, turmeric tastes pretty good, too: it is aromatic with scents of orange or ginger and has a pungent flavor (Spiceadvice.com). And the amount of things you can cook with it? Boy howdy! There’s one easy recipe for something called “Golden Milk” that is on the top of my list to experiment with: simmer milk, turmeric, black pepper and cinnamon for ten minutes (Downshiftology.com) and it’s supposed to relax the bejeezus out of you. I’m thinking a bit of rum would make it complete, but that’s just me.
Besides tasting good, there’s a few other reasons turmeric has been used for thousands of years. Studies done have shown that it’s an effective pain reliever, an anti-inflammatory and it can actually improve liver function (Medicalnewstoday.com). Have you found yourself overindulging during your quarantine? Turmeric is thought to be able to “stop your liver from being damaged by toxins” (Medicalnewstoday.com). Sometimes, the old ways are the best ways.
Because I’m randomly a Negative Nancy, I felt that I should investigate the side effects of turmeric. There aren’t many and most of the side effects come about because people have taken too much (it’s also available in capsule form). For example, while turmeric is a good digestive aid, it causes the stomach to produce more gastric acid than some people can handle and can lead to discomfort (Medicalnewstoday.com). In addition, it acts as a blood thinner, so it’s recommended that people taking blood-thinning medications avoid using large quantities (Medicalnewstoday.com).
I have taken the plunge and am now awaiting the arrival of my organic turmeric. I need Golden Milk in my life! I’ll let you know how it turns out, but I’m guessing I will fall in love.
You know, Bourke Accounting is sort of like turmeric. Besides aiding in a better night’s sleep, your Bourke Accounting bookkeeper or tax preparer can preventively head off any problems on your horizon. Since you won’t have to stress about your financial future, your Bourke Accounting expert can also help you to avoid ulcers. See? Bourke Accounting might be a better digestive aid than even turmeric itself!
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 (I’ll have Golden Milk waiting)!
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.