The narrative is annoying, but the premise of the commercial is not "computers are archaic" but "The iPad Pro is a good computer." That is, adults are supposed to watch the commercial and think that, yes, a well executed tablet meets the criteria for 'computer' and is sufficient for my needs.
With the iPad Pro...it IS pretty powerful and I'd dare say it beats some laptops out there for power, and certainly for screen quality.
I've been playing with one, doing Affinity Photo and doing some pretty heavy computational stuff, like focus merging about 22 RAW images. It is cranking through that faster than some older desktops or laptops I've seen.
Is it a replacement, no...BUT....I likely may more often leave my laptop behind and just carry the iPad Pro while out and still do some high end image manipulation on it...till I get back home to the desk workstation set up.
I"m currently using an older MBP, but it is on a stand and wired up to wacom tablet, usb and thunderbolt drives and devices, 27" monitor and good old fashioned buckling keyboard. It is NOT a portable computer. I'll soon be swapping it out for an iMac pro....., but even freeing it up from main use...I will be traveling with my iPad Pro more than the laptop. I need to do work, but usually, I do not need full blown desktop needs while on the road.
Last year, however, they thought it would be good to get all political, and slant a lot of them towards immigration (predominately touching about illegal immigration concerns).
I'm guessing this year, we'll have more than our fair share of #MeToo related ads.
I'll give them the 1st quarter, if no commercials are funny, I'm switching it off...as that I really don't care much for either team playing.
The NFL has been losing viewers a lot last year or so...and they keep wondering why...?
One clue...keep the fucking politics OUT of it, it is supposed to be leisure and escapism.....
A minor scrape to a bumper while parking is cause for police reports and waiting around, whereas in the US a note with contact/insurance info under the wiper (or just a pile of cash obscured by a note) is the standard response.
Hmm...I guess the last few times I came out in the parking lot, to see one side or the other of my caved in by someone pulling out and hitting me, that the note just must have blown off the windshield...
Man, these days, I wonder if drivers are getting their licenses out of a box of Cracker Jacks or something....NO ONE can seem to drive these days. And the worst offenders, seem to be the ones driving the largest trucks and SUVs.
I drive a small 2 seater sports car. And each time I've come out to see the side of my car caved in (one time side view mirror also ripped off)...it was from parking next to a large truck.
Ok, maybe they weren't paying enough attention and didn't see my car, but surely they felt the impact while they turned out of the parking space and were scraping the full length of my car...??
These folks have NO fscking clue where they are in space with relation to their truck/car.
These days, I see it VERY often with pulling up to the line at a stop light.
Rather than pull all the way up to line, more and more of these Bozos are at least almost one car length away from the line.....like they stop when they see the nose of their large truck at the line, which is NOT near the line.
Even if they see me pulled way ahead of them to the line, they don't move.
In New Orleans, where we have neutral grounds (medians as others call them) on almost all roads...if making a left turn, you have a limited number of cars that can fit....and these assholes are keeping at least 1-2 cars from being able to wait for the lights to change and complete the left turn.
Its like no one taught them how to drive and judge where you car is in space.....
I won't even get into who none can seem (especially LARGE trucks/SUVs) to fscking PARK in between the lines, nor do they realize the swinging the door open full force when getting out, *might* just cause it to hit the car parked beside it....
No..I am not a CPA by any stretch of the imagination.
I"m actually not very good with finances, etc...but I do know how to research for myself to learn things, and I do HIRE a CPA to do my taxes and advise me when I need it.
and I'm not talking about Europe in any form or fashion, my comments were for contractors in the US only.
I wish I could pay myself $40k out of $100/year, but I would be $39.9k short...
Well, depends on the field and experience, etc.
But also, do realize from that example, that you ask for a bill rate as a 1099 contractor MANY times more than you would take home as a W2 employee, since you do have to account for times not working (vacation and sick leave, about 3 weeks), and pay your own employment taxes, pay your own insurance and put money away for retirement AND....most importantly put money aside as a next egg for times in between gigs which can and does happen.
When you add all that together, 6 figures gross is not that much really, especially if you have a family.
A lot of people don't realize the bill rates for true contractors, especially in the IT world.
With a federal contract, you easily see from the govt. side $175-$250/hr, depending on the job description.
Take consideration, however...that the prime contractor takes a cut, as does each sub contractor between you and the prime in many cases....
But as you work the field, you learn what the numbers are and where you fit in.
Tax evasion is illegal and they are prosecuted for that.
Tax avoidance is perfectly legal, in that it is perfectly legal to use ANY LEGAL method as put for the by the tax code, to save/deduct or otherwise pay as little in taxes as possible.
Are you saying you willingly forego any and all tax deductions that are available to you, and willingly pay more in taxes that you really legally have to?
If not...why should any other individual or company have to pay a single $0.01 more than the legally are obliged to pay?
For a small "income pass-through" business, incorporation will probably cost more in administrative overhead than saved in taxes. I investigated this with my tax person considering the new tax law as we just came into possession of a small farm with a cash flow of ~$50 - $75k. She indicated the overhead costs would be too much unless cash flow was much larger. I think she was talking hundreds of thousands or at least $1 million.
It absolutely is not.
I have an S-Corp, and work through it as sole employee and owner.
What overhead costs?? Yes, I pay a CPA at end of year to do my taxes, but during the year, its just me and it isn't *that* much extra work, and it isn't rocket surgery.
And it is worth it...I can now write off most anything that is even remotely related to current work or work I wish to pursue.
I also, save on employment taxes (SS/Medicare) and do not have to pay that on the full amount I bill on.
You pay yourself a "reasonable" salary, and that is the amount you pay SS/Medicare on.
Example:
You Bill $100/yr.
You pay yourself a reasonable salary of say, $40K. Out of this mostly, you give yourself a paycheck...and the company pays state/federal/SS/Medicare based on this.
At EOY, from that remaining $60K, after you deduct for all expenditures, retirement funding, etc....what's left falls through onto your personal taxes, and you only pay state/federal tax on that.
I just keep records during the year, I log onto state and fed websites monthly and quarterly to pay taxes....and send paper work to CPA at EOY and she tells me what extra I pay..
and, by the way, during the year, that extra money is earning interest for me.
I am FAR from being a millionaire, I live basically an upper middle class lifestyle, and that little extra effort, is worth it for me to keep more of my hard earned money.
And for once it is nice to see that I likely will be affected by this new tax law.
Its about time the small business guy caught a break.
The reason that some millionaires set up pass through type companies...is because its a fucking GOOD idea. Why not emulate what works...?
It cost very little extra but a bit of your time and effort.
On Amazon Prime day...I dunno if I caught a glitch or what, but I got the Spark with Intelligent Fly More combo (external remote, extra batteries, prop guards, battery charger, etc)...all for $268.50.
I had to double and triple check myself, but it went through.
I kept expecting Amazon to nullify the sale, but nope...was a brand NIB set as described for only $268.50.
I've had fun with it, I'll learn with this and eventually get a Mavic Pro. I'm guessing in the not too long term, the Mavic Pro will be due for an upgrade.
Has anyone else experience a "glitch" on Amazon getting a product for a ridiculously low price?
I told a friend after I got mine, and the deal had disappeared before they could get it.
Mind you, it wasn't a Prime Day advertised deal...I just happened to see one similar to it and saw the combo was at this low price....weird.
But some times, you get lucky and catch a break, eh?
Most people just want to do a job and don't want to spend their lives negotiating for a better deal.
Then, those are people with no motivation, and they will likely NEVER excel in life, make enough money to be comfortable and save for retirement, etc.
Part of life and succeeding IS being able to stand up for yourself, and fight and win.
This is a competition out here for all of us. Its been that way ever since there was man on this planet....its the same game, just the parameters have changed.
Those who don't know their worth, and compete....lose.
And it isn't spending your life...just when you are getting a job. And if you are a W2 employee, you need to do this to keep getting raises and promotions, with contracting...its the bill rate on your next gig.
This is a part of life....not sure what generation lost that valuable lesson in life....?
Because it comes at the expense of people who can least afford to give you tax breaks.
Well, as another persons answered you on this thread...it is MY money to begin with, this is just letting me keep a bit more of it.
And second, what's the problem...I'm not wealthy, I'm not a 1%'er like everyone rails against.
I'm middle to maybe slightly upper middle class.
Me catching a tax break for once in a LONG time, is not a bad thing.
I don't have kids, so I don't get that break (however, by that logic I *do* supplement those that have kids)...I don't get a tax break on a home I own and live in...etc....no earned income tax credit.
Dammit...I'm due to catch a break, and no, it isn't at anyone else's expense.
The other problem was he could never get a raise because his contract agency had established how much he was willing to work for
That's why you do direct, independent 1099 contracting...you incorporate yourself and subcontract yourself out. This way YOU negotiate the bill rate you want to work for. Never be a W2 employee to a contract house, that's the worst of both worlds.
You may do it for awhile to get contacts, but that's it.
Well, him not having a degree was a hindrance...but that's a problem he should have solved.
Someone choosing to contract over being a W-2 truly is disadvantaged in many ways. This includes taxation (pays the full FICA tax), benefits (no individual health insurance market worth a damn), worker protection, vacation/sick/parental leave and retirement savings (401k's way superior to IRA's).
Even if the hourly rate is 2x, it still isn't quite enough to close that gap.
I'll agree that independent contracting is NOT for everyone, but if you want the freedom and wish to put in the extra work, it can be quite lucrative and satisfying.
First, with regard to the FICA (and medicare, the "employment taxes"). Yep, you have to pay both sides of this, HOWEVER there is a way around this somewhat.
You can form a S-Corp. With this you pay yourself (as sole employee) a "reasonable"salary, and you only have to pay the employment taxes on that "reasonable salary".
Example: Say you bill out $100K annually.
You pay yourself a "salary" of $40K. Throughout the year, you pay fed and state taxes and both halves of the FICA/Medicare taxes ONLY on that $40K.
At the end of the year, the remaining $60K, you deduct your business expenses, etc....and then the remainder falls through on your personal taxes, and you only pay federal and state taxes on that. That is your "disbursement".
Yep, takes some paperwork shuffling, but can be done.
For vacation/sick and health and retirement, well, you have to know what your bill rate is to negotiate.
And it is likely quite a bit more that double as you'd mentioned.
Over the years, I've been quite happy with my insurance I buy..I get a "high deductible" policy, usually with like $1300 deductible. With this I can open a HSA (Health Savings Account) that I fund fully each year Pre-tax. I pay my routine medical costs with this and the insurance policy is there for emergency care. Actually, after Obama care, the insurance part got MUCH more $$...due to the requirements to have stupid coverage I don't need (I don't ever need prenatal or maternity coverage, I'm a guy and not having kids)....but even so, you do your bill rate to cover that. It's not that difficult, and the coverage MORE than serves me well with my medical needs. And I am a bit older now, some pre-existing stuff, but still...is not that much a strain.
I have investment accounts set up and I put money way pre-tax to the max, and some that is post tax. I have in my bill rate enough to cover me to take off about 3 weeks a year sick/vacation.
Yes, it takes more of my time, but I get the benefits of making my own hours, taking off when needed. I'm fortunately enough to work remotely, so I can really set up shop wherever I want..I can be working from a bar in Key West if I wish....
:)
But no, it isn't for everyone....but it can be a nice and rewarding way to work. You bring in a LOT of $$, but you have to be disciplined enough to save for taxes, retirement and expenses....but even after that, you can make enough to have a good bit of disposable fun money too, depending on the field you are in.
It helps if you have people skills too...to get and KEEP longer term gigs.
When you de-haze, you can see other sliders moving when you move the de-haze slider. (This is more visible if, as do I, you have a midi controller with motorized sliders bound to the most used Lightroom controls.) So yes, there's probably a way to do it by making fine adjustments with other parameters. (Probably highlights, blacks, and contrast.) But in my case I had to process hundreds of photos in a very short time, and having a single de-haze slider was a huge time saver.
Hey, thanks for the info on the haze slider's effect on the other sliders!!!
Like I said, I might play with this this weekend..and that info helps!!
I wasn't talking about the macbook, I was talking about the macbook "air"....which IMHO, isn't quite a laptop either.
Someone who had a MB Air...likely isn't doing heavy/real computing.....and with the filesystem now on iPad PRO....and the screen and processor, its definitely powerful enough to do a lot with.
Hell, I'm still blown away with what I can do what Affinity Photo for the iPad PRO....it can do focus merges faster than Photoshop can on a real computer....
Maybe they have something else in the pipeline. Or maybe they don't care about losing market-share in the laptop area because they see tablets/phones as more profitable.
I think for the most part, you are looking at the iPad Pro as the replacement already in place, for the MB Air.
Slashdot Mirror
With the iPad Pro...it IS pretty powerful and I'd dare say it beats some laptops out there for power, and certainly for screen quality.
I've been playing with one, doing Affinity Photo and doing some pretty heavy computational stuff, like focus merging about 22 RAW images. It is cranking through that faster than some older desktops or laptops I've seen.
Is it a replacement, no...BUT....I likely may more often leave my laptop behind and just carry the iPad Pro while out and still do some high end image manipulation on it...till I get back home to the desk workstation set up.
I"m currently using an older MBP, but it is on a stand and wired up to wacom tablet, usb and thunderbolt drives and devices, 27" monitor and good old fashioned buckling keyboard. It is NOT a portable computer. I'll soon be swapping it out for an iMac pro....., but even freeing it up from main use...I will be traveling with my iPad Pro more than the laptop. I need to do work, but usually, I do not need full blown desktop needs while on the road.
Well...they USED to be....
Last year, however, they thought it would be good to get all political, and slant a lot of them towards immigration (predominately touching about illegal immigration concerns).
I'm guessing this year, we'll have more than our fair share of #MeToo related ads.
I'll give them the 1st quarter, if no commercials are funny, I'm switching it off...as that I really don't care much for either team playing.
The NFL has been losing viewers a lot last year or so...and they keep wondering why...?
One clue...keep the fucking politics OUT of it, it is supposed to be leisure and escapism.....
Who wants to live in those shitholes...?
Hmm...I guess the last few times I came out in the parking lot, to see one side or the other of my caved in by someone pulling out and hitting me, that the note just must have blown off the windshield...
Man, these days, I wonder if drivers are getting their licenses out of a box of Cracker Jacks or something....NO ONE can seem to drive these days. And the worst offenders, seem to be the ones driving the largest trucks and SUVs.
I drive a small 2 seater sports car. And each time I've come out to see the side of my car caved in (one time side view mirror also ripped off)...it was from parking next to a large truck.
Ok, maybe they weren't paying enough attention and didn't see my car, but surely they felt the impact while they turned out of the parking space and were scraping the full length of my car...??
These folks have NO fscking clue where they are in space with relation to their truck/car.
These days, I see it VERY often with pulling up to the line at a stop light.
Rather than pull all the way up to line, more and more of these Bozos are at least almost one car length away from the line.....like they stop when they see the nose of their large truck at the line, which is NOT near the line.
Even if they see me pulled way ahead of them to the line, they don't move.
In New Orleans, where we have neutral grounds (medians as others call them) on almost all roads...if making a left turn, you have a limited number of cars that can fit....and these assholes are keeping at least 1-2 cars from being able to wait for the lights to change and complete the left turn.
Its like no one taught them how to drive and judge where you car is in space.....
I won't even get into who none can seem (especially LARGE trucks/SUVs) to fscking PARK in between the lines, nor do they realize the swinging the door open full force when getting out, *might* just cause it to hit the car parked beside it....
[/rant mode off...going to get a cool drink]
Actually, "states" do not fund or pay the federal govt in tax revenues.
Only businesses and individuals pay taxes.
This was mentioned in this thread earlier by another poster.
No..I am not a CPA by any stretch of the imagination.
I"m actually not very good with finances, etc...but I do know how to research for myself to learn things, and I do HIRE a CPA to do my taxes and advise me when I need it.
and I'm not talking about Europe in any form or fashion, my comments were for contractors in the US only.
Funny...Cuomo is all up in arms about net neutrality, yet has no problem running roughshod over actual amendments within the Bill of Rights.
Well, depends on the field and experience, etc.
But also, do realize from that example, that you ask for a bill rate as a 1099 contractor MANY times more than you would take home as a W2 employee, since you do have to account for times not working (vacation and sick leave, about 3 weeks), and pay your own employment taxes, pay your own insurance and put money away for retirement AND....most importantly put money aside as a next egg for times in between gigs which can and does happen.
When you add all that together, 6 figures gross is not that much really, especially if you have a family.
A lot of people don't realize the bill rates for true contractors, especially in the IT world.
With a federal contract, you easily see from the govt. side $175-$250/hr, depending on the job description.
Take consideration, however...that the prime contractor takes a cut, as does each sub contractor between you and the prime in many cases....
But as you work the field, you learn what the numbers are and where you fit in.
You might wanna look into getting the local politicians to work for YOU and lower those taxes.
The fed shouldn't subsidize your state taxes being too high.....
Wrong my friend.
Tax evasion is illegal and they are prosecuted for that.
Tax avoidance is perfectly legal, in that it is perfectly legal to use ANY LEGAL method as put for the by the tax code, to save/deduct or otherwise pay as little in taxes as possible.
Are you saying you willingly forego any and all tax deductions that are available to you, and willingly pay more in taxes that you really legally have to?
If not...why should any other individual or company have to pay a single $0.01 more than the legally are obliged to pay?
It absolutely is not.
I have an S-Corp, and work through it as sole employee and owner.
What overhead costs?? Yes, I pay a CPA at end of year to do my taxes, but during the year, its just me and it isn't *that* much extra work, and it isn't rocket surgery.
And it is worth it...I can now write off most anything that is even remotely related to current work or work I wish to pursue.
I also, save on employment taxes (SS/Medicare) and do not have to pay that on the full amount I bill on.
You pay yourself a "reasonable" salary, and that is the amount you pay SS/Medicare on.
Example:
You Bill $100/yr.
You pay yourself a reasonable salary of say, $40K. Out of this mostly, you give yourself a paycheck...and the company pays state/federal/SS/Medicare based on this.
At EOY, from that remaining $60K, after you deduct for all expenditures, retirement funding, etc....what's left falls through onto your personal taxes, and you only pay state/federal tax on that.
I just keep records during the year, I log onto state and fed websites monthly and quarterly to pay taxes....and send paper work to CPA at EOY and she tells me what extra I pay..
and, by the way, during the year, that extra money is earning interest for me.
I am FAR from being a millionaire, I live basically an upper middle class lifestyle, and that little extra effort, is worth it for me to keep more of my hard earned money.
And for once it is nice to see that I likely will be affected by this new tax law.
Its about time the small business guy caught a break.
The reason that some millionaires set up pass through type companies...is because its a fucking GOOD idea. Why not emulate what works...?
It cost very little extra but a bit of your time and effort.
I had to double and triple check myself, but it went through.
I kept expecting Amazon to nullify the sale, but nope...was a brand NIB set as described for only $268.50.
I've had fun with it, I'll learn with this and eventually get a Mavic Pro. I'm guessing in the not too long term, the Mavic Pro will be due for an upgrade.
Has anyone else experience a "glitch" on Amazon getting a product for a ridiculously low price?
I told a friend after I got mine, and the deal had disappeared before they could get it.
Mind you, it wasn't a Prime Day advertised deal...I just happened to see one similar to it and saw the combo was at this low price....weird.
But some times, you get lucky and catch a break, eh?
Then, those are people with no motivation, and they will likely NEVER excel in life, make enough money to be comfortable and save for retirement, etc.
Part of life and succeeding IS being able to stand up for yourself, and fight and win.
This is a competition out here for all of us. Its been that way ever since there was man on this planet....its the same game, just the parameters have changed.
Those who don't know their worth, and compete....lose.
And it isn't spending your life...just when you are getting a job. And if you are a W2 employee, you need to do this to keep getting raises and promotions, with contracting...its the bill rate on your next gig.
This is a part of life....not sure what generation lost that valuable lesson in life....?
Wow...how does enjoying a RARE tax break, allowing me to keep a few of my hard earned dollars make me selfish?
Well, as another persons answered you on this thread...it is MY money to begin with, this is just letting me keep a bit more of it.
And second, what's the problem...I'm not wealthy, I'm not a 1%'er like everyone rails against.
I'm middle to maybe slightly upper middle class.
Me catching a tax break for once in a LONG time, is not a bad thing.
I don't have kids, so I don't get that break (however, by that logic I *do* supplement those that have kids)...I don't get a tax break on a home I own and live in...etc....no earned income tax credit.
Dammit...I'm due to catch a break, and no, it isn't at anyone else's expense.
You say this like it is a bad thing?
There a LOT of us 1099 contractor types, doing real jobs (not uber)....what's wrong with us catching a break for once?
That's why you negotiate for a HIGH bill rate, so you can cover your vacation/sick time off, and health benefits.
It's not rocket surgery....you have to factor all those things into your bill rate.
Lots of people do it, and make enough money over and above that to live well and retire.
That's why you do direct, independent 1099 contracting...you incorporate yourself and subcontract yourself out. This way YOU negotiate the bill rate you want to work for. Never be a W2 employee to a contract house, that's the worst of both worlds.
You may do it for awhile to get contacts, but that's it.
Well, him not having a degree was a hindrance...but that's a problem he should have solved.
I don't like everything i the US, but I do like most of it, and the freedoms I have to live my life that other countries don't quite have.
I'll agree that independent contracting is NOT for everyone, but if you want the freedom and wish to put in the extra work, it can be quite lucrative and satisfying.
First, with regard to the FICA (and medicare, the "employment taxes"). Yep, you have to pay both sides of this, HOWEVER there is a way around this somewhat.
You can form a S-Corp. With this you pay yourself (as sole employee) a "reasonable"salary, and you only have to pay the employment taxes on that "reasonable salary".
Example: Say you bill out $100K annually.
You pay yourself a "salary" of $40K. Throughout the year, you pay fed and state taxes and both halves of the FICA/Medicare taxes ONLY on that $40K.
At the end of the year, the remaining $60K, you deduct your business expenses, etc....and then the remainder falls through on your personal taxes, and you only pay federal and state taxes on that. That is your "disbursement".
Yep, takes some paperwork shuffling, but can be done.
For vacation/sick and health and retirement, well, you have to know what your bill rate is to negotiate.
And it is likely quite a bit more that double as you'd mentioned.
Over the years, I've been quite happy with my insurance I buy..I get a "high deductible" policy, usually with like $1300 deductible. With this I can open a HSA (Health Savings Account) that I fund fully each year Pre-tax. I pay my routine medical costs with this and the insurance policy is there for emergency care. Actually, after Obama care, the insurance part got MUCH more $$...due to the requirements to have stupid coverage I don't need (I don't ever need prenatal or maternity coverage, I'm a guy and not having kids)....but even so, you do your bill rate to cover that. It's not that difficult, and the coverage MORE than serves me well with my medical needs. And I am a bit older now, some pre-existing stuff, but still...is not that much a strain.
I have investment accounts set up and I put money way pre-tax to the max, and some that is post tax. I have in my bill rate enough to cover me to take off about 3 weeks a year sick/vacation.
Yes, it takes more of my time, but I get the benefits of making my own hours, taking off when needed. I'm fortunately enough to work remotely, so I can really set up shop wherever I want..I can be working from a bar in Key West if I wish....
But no, it isn't for everyone....but it can be a nice and rewarding way to work. You bring in a LOT of $$, but you have to be disciplined enough to save for taxes, retirement and expenses....but even after that, you can make enough to have a good bit of disposable fun money too, depending on the field you are in.
It helps if you have people skills too...to get and KEEP longer term gigs.
This has been going on for a LOOOONG time.
At least a couple of decades ago, I realized that there was no loyalty of the employer to the employee.
The W2 employee is JUST as readily fired/let go as the 1099 contractor.
I figured, hey, if you have the job security of a contractor, you might as well get the bill rate of a contractor.
Just make sure to incorporate yourself...makes life easier.
I went the S-Corp route, never looked back.
Hey, thanks for the info on the haze slider's effect on the other sliders!!!
Like I said, I might play with this this weekend..and that info helps!!
Someone who had a MB Air...likely isn't doing heavy/real computing.....and with the filesystem now on iPad PRO....and the screen and processor, its definitely powerful enough to do a lot with.
Hell, I'm still blown away with what I can do what Affinity Photo for the iPad PRO....it can do focus merges faster than Photoshop can on a real computer....
[shudder]
I think for the most part, you are looking at the iPad Pro as the replacement already in place, for the MB Air.