And how do you get home from the bar after a few drinks, if you've got a car with you?
I drive it home silly.
Just like everyone else in that VERY FULL parking lot outside any given bar.
What do you think all those folks driving to bars, filling the parking lots do? It isn't like those parking lots aren't empty at the end of the evening when the bar closes (if it is one of those bars that closes).
Actually one of the reasons I like to take the bus is that I can then use the time to do something useful because I am not driving. If I drive it would take ~25 minutes but I can do nothing but drive for those 25 minutes. By bus it is ~45 minutes but for ~40 of those minutes I can sit down and answer email, read journal papers, write course material etc. So while the bus may take longer I waste only ~5-10 minutes vs. 25 minutes when driving because I can do nothing but drive. For me the thing that will kill public transport is the self-driving car.
Why would you rather do the email, read journals, etc on a BUS rather than do those things in the comfort of your home, or even you desk at your office?
I'd rather spend my extra time where I like rather than sitting cramped with other folks on a bus. Hell, in the afternoons, I can drive and have some drinks at the bar with friends with that extra time before getting home. Much better than sitting on a train/bus.
They also need to work, in many areas, on comfort, cleanliness, and speed. We shouldn't be trading down to public transportation.
Install something like PRT so that the public option is just plain *faster* than cars and people will love them.
Heck, one idea I had was to put in more elevated walkways to avoid weather complaints and increase pedestrian capacity, then put slideways in the elevated walkways such that you double the distance a pedestrian can cover in a set amount of time. Which allows for fewer stops by mass transit as the acceptable walking distance between stations has doubled.
Nope, I don't think I'd much ever be interested in public transportation for many of the reasons you stated.
For me, it would be HIGHLY inconvenient. Having to wait on their schedule, and not being able to come and go on my time table is a deal killer.
Also, for things like grocery shopping, that wouldn't work. I usually look at the weekly sales and go hit 3+ grocery stores to get the best sale items. And I buy at once for a whole week, or even to put large things of meat in the deep freezer in case of a sale.
And for work? Forget about it. No routes are straight to my places I've worked at. I'd have to change multiple times, and nothing drops me off at the front door (or picks me up close to my home front door)...and in the heat of the summer or a torrential rain, well, I'd be soaked to the bone and not really professionally presentable.
Also...not the best thing in the world picking up a date via the bus, you not only look cheap, but she's not gonna real be thrilled sitting next to a smelly bum.
But to the bottom of it. I like to buy FUN cars. I've owned sports cars all my life. I have a blast every time I jump in the car and fire up the ignition. Why would I trade that for the PITA that would be public transportation? I have the means, and I'll always prefer my independence and enjoyment over saving a couple $$.
The sole exception being when I don't feel like the hassle of parking in the Quarter (and avoiding car break-ins), I do tend to park at the end of one of the street car lines, and ride into there to party, and catch a ride on it back to my car at the end of the night. But that is about the sole special example I could think of to ride public transpiration. And hell, that's only $1.25 each way...who doesn't have that?
How about realizing that many pedestrian accidents happen because it's THE DRIVER that is not WATCHING WHERE THE FUCK they are going?
You know...common sense would tell the person NOT protected by steel and glass, that no matter what, they'd better watch a bit more careful than the other person in the cage driving near them.
If they don't, well, then perhaps it is evolution that is acting to remove the more "stupid" genes from the gene pool, no?
Capitalists say "the kool-aid is working great, isn't it? Get them to worship REALLY expensive useless stuff!"
Well, it is only useless if it isn't capable of being used, or is NOT used. My cars and motorcycles do not fit this category.
I bought them because I like driving them, it gives me pleasure. I mean, hell, do you need a fun car? No. Do you need a pleasure boat? No.
But life is short and I feel I owe it to myself to make my one shot at it as MUCH fun and as pleasurable as I can while I still process oxygen. I don't buy things like that as a status symbol, I buy what I can afford, to enjoy. In some cases with some items...you DO get what you pay for. I would not have as much fun in a Yugo as I would a Corvette.
I have the disposable income, so it isn't a stretch for me or family. So...why not?
I can't wait for the day when humans are no longer permitted to drive.
I"m guessing you've never owned a car that is fun to drive...?
Ouch..man I hope that never happens in my lifetime. I've never owned a car with more than two functional seats, all sports cars.
Every time I put the key in the ignition, it is an adventure for the day. I feel sad for those that only have a car that is merely a mode of transportation from A to B.
You're missing out in life. The roar of a powerful engine, shifting....etc. Same thing goes for a nice motorcycle. These things are meant to be FUN as well as useful.
20 or 30 years ago I asked a cop in Australia about what should I do when the lights don't respond to a motorcycle. His reply was that if you are sitting there for so long then you can consider the light to be defective and you can proceed with caution. However this was before the widespread introduction of red light cameras and I never put it to the test.
That's when you activate your "James Bond" plate changer or hiding system to either change your plate number or temporarily obscure it from said cameras.
Incorporating yourself and paying yourself a salary to avoid payroll taxes is likely to attract auditors (well, not this year, the IRS is too poor, but in the future, it will).
If you do this, be sure to contact a tax professional so you know what hoops to jump through to survive an audit.
On the plus side, you can write off the tax professional's fees as a business expense:).
This is NOT something new. This is something S-Corps have been set up for and used for years. I know some people push the limits on them, but not me. I act fully within the law and use every legal means to save every bit of money from taxation that I can. The rules are there, you just have to learn them and play within them.
Yes, like anyone doing business today dealing with all this, I have a CPA that does my annual taxes and advises me when I have questions. Yes, that is a write off too.
:)
But again...this is something many contractors do and set up to save tax money. It is fully legal. Sure, anyone can get audited, and the IRS these days *DOES* seem to pick on the little guy because they don't have a fleet of lawyers, but if you don't try to push the limits and are reasonable on deductions and all...you can get by without raising flags.
Funny, that's exactly what contractors do. I was a contractor for 4 years at a desk where I had to show up in exact hours, attend OIG presentations about sexual harassment and child pornography on business systems, and of course was not allowed to post on Facebook where I work.
Then more likely you weren't a contractor. You were an employee treated as a contractor.
Not necessarily, this is almost exactly how it works on Federal Contracts. You work in the federal building on their networks, etc. You have core hours you have to adhere too, but you can be fully 1099 with no problem.
In California, the annual S Corp tax MINIMUM is $800 (plus 1.5% of the net income).
That seems strange...as that S-Corp is a federal filing, not the state.
You incorporate in your state (LLC or regular corp usually), then you file Subchapter S corp with the Feds, which sets you up for the savings in employment taxes like I described above.
Is this $800 minimum in CA for any corporation or specifically aimed at the state companies that file subchapter S status with the feds for some reason?
I don't see this as all that different. Either way you get punished for taking vacation time. If you're a W-2 employee and earn vacation time, your employer will punish you for using it. If you're an independent contractor, you don't get paid for the time you take off.
Not at all. With contracting, you just build the sick and vacation time into the bill rate to account for how much you want to take it off all year.
The thing I was hating about W2 working..is that you early like X hours per paycheck..and can't take more than what you have earned that year....what if you want to take a 2 full week vacation early in the year rather than later? That type thing.
As an independent contractor, I take off when and for how long I want....taking into consideration the project and all, I mean you don't want to be an asshole about it and leave folks in the lurch....you don't get more contracts by not having common sense and some social skills.
But you're not losing money as a contractor, you figure that into the BILL RATE when negotiating the rate. That's why some people gasp at how high the bill rate is for contractors. When you're billing $75-$120/hr...it isn't all profit, you have to pay taxes out of that, insurance, and other business expenses, and figure in enough to cover you while not working for 3-4 weeks a year for vacation and/or sick leave. That type thing.
Part of being a contractor successfully, is understanding how much money things take and how to plan and implement your plan.
Yes, it is a great life if you are just willing to put your "Big Boy" pants on and show some responsibility and be able to take care of yourself and your own affairs in a timely manner.
Why is a third category of worker needed? What are the benefits and down sides? Is this going to be exploited by walmart the way they give their workers 34 hours per week to avoid giving them benefits?
I agree...why a 3rd category??
They are clearly doing contracting work, plain and simple...and a model of work I prefer!!!
I would, however, encourage them to incorporate themselves, which has a number of benefits.
If incorporated the relationship is clearly corp-to-corp which keeps the govt from fscking up the relationship trying to insist you should be a W2 employee.
Also, if you don't mind a little extra paperwork, make yourself a S-corp. This way, you only have to pay SS and medicare (the employment taxes) on a portion of your billing. For example, if you bill $100K. You pay yourself a W2 salary from your company that is reasonable, say maybe $30K. Now, you only have to pay SS/Medicare (employee and employer parts) on that $30K. the remaining $70K you only have to pay normal federal (and state if you live in a state tax state) after you write off all your expenses.
This savings can really add up.
Also, most of the insurance policies out today after obamacare came out, will qualify for high deductible policies, which will allow you to open a HSA (Health Savings Account) into which you can sock up to about $3K pre-tax for your normal routine medical expenses (co-pays, meds, etc). And, you get to write off a LOT of expenses.
Sure it is a bit more paperwork, and you have to be an adult and learn how to manage money, save for tax payments, etc. But I find it is a MUCH better way to do things than the usual W2 set up...where you have to "earn vacation hours" (God I hated this), you work when you want to and are off when you want to....and if you do things right, you can not only have this independence, but you can also save a bit more of your hard earned money from Uncle Sam.
Well, not a great example....processed refined wheat products (i.e. BREAD) are NOT good for you. They spike your blood insulin levels and go straight to fat (do not pass GO, do not collect $200). And these types of foods promote inflammation of the gut, which can be detrimental to your entire organ system.
Much of the obesity today can be attributed to sugar and the huge amount of refined carb products.
Combine that with the fact that much of the processing behind processed foods kills off much of the enzyme activity and denatures the proteins....the nutrition of the food is very much depleted before it ever reaches your mouth.
Step one to not aging so fast: Don't be white trash.
Seriously, every white trash friend I've ever had ended up looking 10-20 years older than their age by the time they're in their 30's. I've seen 20-something white trash who looking like they were middle-aged.
White Trash is basically the Caucasian equivalent of nigger, right?
Why is that post not getting down modded as fast as this one is...to be due to the utterance of the dreaded "N" word?
Yeah! You guys (and gals) know how to do food right! I really enjoy my trips there - never thought it'd be the same after the floods, but you can't keep good things down (unless they're food).
Actually, honestly...in the long run, Katrina was one of the best things that happened to New Orleans. There was 1-2 year struggle after but since then, the city is MUCH better overall.
After the first year, we actually had MORE restaurants than before the storm.
Due to money coming in after Katrina, this city was largely unaffected by the recession and the housing value drop the rest of the US experienced.
And frankly, a lot of the *bad* sort in the city were flushed out, and one of the largest demographics moving in, are 25-35 year old , well educated folks with good jobs following them. While in past couple years...the bad part of the city has infiltrated back in some, and crime has gone up, but over all...the city is much better, much stronger and better equipped to be a good place to live since the storm.
Hopefully...in just another year of so, one of the last projects remaining will be torn down and replaced with mixed housing...doing this all these years to the other horrible crime infested projects throughout the city, has really helped a lot too. And once the large VA/LSU medical corridor opens soon down Canal St.....more good paying jobs will be coming in here.
Yep, come for a visit....we're a much better city at the 10 year Katrina anniversary.
Slashdot Mirror
I drive it home silly.
Just like everyone else in that VERY FULL parking lot outside any given bar.
What do you think all those folks driving to bars, filling the parking lots do? It isn't like those parking lots aren't empty at the end of the evening when the bar closes (if it is one of those bars that closes).
Well....it IS a challenge!!
Those young little suckers have quick reflexes!!!
Why would you rather do the email, read journals, etc on a BUS rather than do those things in the comfort of your home, or even you desk at your office?
I'd rather spend my extra time where I like rather than sitting cramped with other folks on a bus. Hell, in the afternoons, I can drive and have some drinks at the bar with friends with that extra time before getting home. Much better than sitting on a train/bus.
Nope, I don't think I'd much ever be interested in public transportation for many of the reasons you stated.
For me, it would be HIGHLY inconvenient. Having to wait on their schedule, and not being able to come and go on my time table is a deal killer.
Also, for things like grocery shopping, that wouldn't work. I usually look at the weekly sales and go hit 3+ grocery stores to get the best sale items. And I buy at once for a whole week, or even to put large things of meat in the deep freezer in case of a sale.
And for work? Forget about it. No routes are straight to my places I've worked at. I'd have to change multiple times, and nothing drops me off at the front door (or picks me up close to my home front door)...and in the heat of the summer or a torrential rain, well, I'd be soaked to the bone and not really professionally presentable.
Also...not the best thing in the world picking up a date via the bus, you not only look cheap, but she's not gonna real be thrilled sitting next to a smelly bum.
But to the bottom of it. I like to buy FUN cars. I've owned sports cars all my life. I have a blast every time I jump in the car and fire up the ignition. Why would I trade that for the PITA that would be public transportation? I have the means, and I'll always prefer my independence and enjoyment over saving a couple $$.
The sole exception being when I don't feel like the hassle of parking in the Quarter (and avoiding car break-ins), I do tend to park at the end of one of the street car lines, and ride into there to party, and catch a ride on it back to my car at the end of the night. But that is about the sole special example I could think of to ride public transpiration. And hell, that's only $1.25 each way...who doesn't have that?
You know...common sense would tell the person NOT protected by steel and glass, that no matter what, they'd better watch a bit more careful than the other person in the cage driving near them.
If they don't, well, then perhaps it is evolution that is acting to remove the more "stupid" genes from the gene pool, no?
Well, it is only useless if it isn't capable of being used, or is NOT used. My cars and motorcycles do not fit this category.
I bought them because I like driving them, it gives me pleasure. I mean, hell, do you need a fun car? No. Do you need a pleasure boat? No.
But life is short and I feel I owe it to myself to make my one shot at it as MUCH fun and as pleasurable as I can while I still process oxygen. I don't buy things like that as a status symbol, I buy what I can afford, to enjoy. In some cases with some items...you DO get what you pay for. I would not have as much fun in a Yugo as I would a Corvette.
I have the disposable income, so it isn't a stretch for me or family. So...why not?
I"m guessing you've never owned a car that is fun to drive...?
Ouch..man I hope that never happens in my lifetime. I've never owned a car with more than two functional seats, all sports cars.
Every time I put the key in the ignition, it is an adventure for the day. I feel sad for those that only have a car that is merely a mode of transportation from A to B.
You're missing out in life. The roar of a powerful engine, shifting....etc. Same thing goes for a nice motorcycle. These things are meant to be FUN as well as useful.
That's when you activate your "James Bond" plate changer or hiding system to either change your plate number or temporarily obscure it from said cameras.
What happened to parents teaching their kids basic safety, and the old adage about "Looking both ways before crossing the street"?
Seriously...do parents not teach kids the basic things about life? Don't talk to strangers, look both ways, cross street at intersections, etc.
I guess I'm just puzzled why what used to be common sense has suddenly gone straight out the fucking window?
Troll...? Really?
GO check out the Time magazine front pages and other article found back then, they WERE saying the threat was global cooling.
Yeah, except in the 70's they were predicting the earth getting COLDER rather than warmer like they are saying now.
This is NOT something new. This is something S-Corps have been set up for and used for years. I know some people push the limits on them, but not me. I act fully within the law and use every legal means to save every bit of money from taxation that I can. The rules are there, you just have to learn them and play within them.
Yes, like anyone doing business today dealing with all this, I have a CPA that does my annual taxes and advises me when I have questions. Yes, that is a write off too.
But again...this is something many contractors do and set up to save tax money. It is fully legal. Sure, anyone can get audited, and the IRS these days *DOES* seem to pick on the little guy because they don't have a fleet of lawyers, but if you don't try to push the limits and are reasonable on deductions and all...you can get by without raising flags.
Not necessarily, this is almost exactly how it works on Federal Contracts. You work in the federal building on their networks, etc. You have core hours you have to adhere too, but you can be fully 1099 with no problem.
That seems strange...as that S-Corp is a federal filing, not the state.
You incorporate in your state (LLC or regular corp usually), then you file Subchapter S corp with the Feds, which sets you up for the savings in employment taxes like I described above.
Is this $800 minimum in CA for any corporation or specifically aimed at the state companies that file subchapter S status with the feds for some reason?
Not at all. With contracting, you just build the sick and vacation time into the bill rate to account for how much you want to take it off all year.
The thing I was hating about W2 working..is that you early like X hours per paycheck..and can't take more than what you have earned that year....what if you want to take a 2 full week vacation early in the year rather than later? That type thing.
As an independent contractor, I take off when and for how long I want....taking into consideration the project and all, I mean you don't want to be an asshole about it and leave folks in the lurch....you don't get more contracts by not having common sense and some social skills.
But you're not losing money as a contractor, you figure that into the BILL RATE when negotiating the rate. That's why some people gasp at how high the bill rate is for contractors. When you're billing $75-$120/hr...it isn't all profit, you have to pay taxes out of that, insurance, and other business expenses, and figure in enough to cover you while not working for 3-4 weeks a year for vacation and/or sick leave. That type thing.
Part of being a contractor successfully, is understanding how much money things take and how to plan and implement your plan.
Yes, it is a great life if you are just willing to put your "Big Boy" pants on and show some responsibility and be able to take care of yourself and your own affairs in a timely manner.
I agree...why a 3rd category??
They are clearly doing contracting work, plain and simple...and a model of work I prefer!!!
I would, however, encourage them to incorporate themselves, which has a number of benefits.
If incorporated the relationship is clearly corp-to-corp which keeps the govt from fscking up the relationship trying to insist you should be a W2 employee.
Also, if you don't mind a little extra paperwork, make yourself a S-corp. This way, you only have to pay SS and medicare (the employment taxes) on a portion of your billing. For example, if you bill $100K. You pay yourself a W2 salary from your company that is reasonable, say maybe $30K. Now, you only have to pay SS/Medicare (employee and employer parts) on that $30K. the remaining $70K you only have to pay normal federal (and state if you live in a state tax state) after you write off all your expenses.
This savings can really add up.
Also, most of the insurance policies out today after obamacare came out, will qualify for high deductible policies, which will allow you to open a HSA (Health Savings Account) into which you can sock up to about $3K pre-tax for your normal routine medical expenses (co-pays, meds, etc). And, you get to write off a LOT of expenses.
Sure it is a bit more paperwork, and you have to be an adult and learn how to manage money, save for tax payments, etc. But I find it is a MUCH better way to do things than the usual W2 set up...where you have to "earn vacation hours" (God I hated this), you work when you want to and are off when you want to....and if you do things right, you can not only have this independence, but you can also save a bit more of your hard earned money from Uncle Sam.
Interesting. I really didn't have to do anything to prove I was a business (although I am incorporated).
But I've never seen any type of zoning law come up with reference to what kind of ISP connection you have.
Interesting...
A long, and happy marriage will never exist if everyone has to be 100% honest.
I mean, one of the familiar "Honey does this dress make my ass look big" episodes alone will cause chinks in the marital armor.
By the way..this account comes to my house (rented).
Nope, I have a Cox Cable business account, no blocked ports, no caps, no limits.
$69/mo.
It really isn't that difficult...linux, postfix...add in a bit of 'magic' spam filter settings...and email server from home!!!
No reporting required?
Well, not a great example....processed refined wheat products (i.e. BREAD) are NOT good for you. They spike your blood insulin levels and go straight to fat (do not pass GO, do not collect $200). And these types of foods promote inflammation of the gut, which can be detrimental to your entire organ system.
Much of the obesity today can be attributed to sugar and the huge amount of refined carb products.
Combine that with the fact that much of the processing behind processed foods kills off much of the enzyme activity and denatures the proteins....the nutrition of the food is very much depleted before it ever reaches your mouth.
White Trash is basically the Caucasian equivalent of nigger, right?
Why is that post not getting down modded as fast as this one is...to be due to the utterance of the dreaded "N" word?
Actually, honestly...in the long run, Katrina was one of the best things that happened to New Orleans. There was 1-2 year struggle after but since then, the city is MUCH better overall.
After the first year, we actually had MORE restaurants than before the storm.
Due to money coming in after Katrina, this city was largely unaffected by the recession and the housing value drop the rest of the US experienced.
And frankly, a lot of the *bad* sort in the city were flushed out, and one of the largest demographics moving in, are 25-35 year old , well educated folks with good jobs following them. While in past couple years...the bad part of the city has infiltrated back in some, and crime has gone up, but over all...the city is much better, much stronger and better equipped to be a good place to live since the storm.
Hopefully...in just another year of so, one of the last projects remaining will be torn down and replaced with mixed housing...doing this all these years to the other horrible crime infested projects throughout the city, has really helped a lot too. And once the large VA/LSU medical corridor opens soon down Canal St.....more good paying jobs will be coming in here.
Yep, come for a visit....we're a much better city at the 10 year Katrina anniversary.
Try to avoid any wheat products....and most grains in general, but wheat products especially.
Maybe even more general than this.
Avoid all WHITE foods with the exception of cauliflower.
That alone will go a LONG way towards helping your general and long term health.