#i have to put in the new employee paperwork before the next payroll happens. so they can actually fucking get paid lol

[orcelito]

Bought a new laptop, ordered groceries, scheduled an appointment for my continuous back pain

I'm tired.

#speculation nation #tally knocked over a plant Again. which has not helped anything. #im going insane not having a functional laptop so i found one on sale and ordered it #signed up for paypal credit bc wtf ever. i'll just make sure to keep up with payments #nervous about what the appointment will bring bc it's been two months and the back pain hasnt gone away #im supposed to do cleaning and whatever tf but i do not feel. up to it. #at the very least i will have groceries in a few hours. i need them. #i started applying to health insurance only to realize i actually do have insurance still #my dad's insurance would time out after i turn 26. so im gonna look into this again later. #aka why i switched gears to going and setting up an appointment lol. it's in a week. #for now... i need to eat something. just . Something. #i need some relaxation like Immediately bc lmfao. nearly had an aneurysm spending $400 for tuition installment #AND buying a $500 laptop (tho it's $800 full price so Very good deal there) #(aka why i just jumped right into it bc i need a new laptop so bad. anything would be better than what i have rn) #technically have 3 days off in a row this week (absolutely decadent) but im going in tomorrow for work stuff #i have to put in the new employee paperwork before the next payroll happens. so they can actually fucking get paid lol #but for today. For Today. im going to fucking rest. i need it so bad.

[occasionalstorytelling]

Summary: After catching Zemo trying to force Bucky to be the Winter Soldier again, Sharon kills him. Sam doesn't like her methods, and decides to continue his search for the Flag Smashers elsewhere, but Bucky decides to stay when Sharon offers him a paying job. Sharon takes Bucky to the party she's hosting, and Bucky discovers he likes taking her orders. Sequel to Pet Psychopath.

Word Count: 2603

Tags: Light BDSM, Light Dom/Sub dynamics, Bucky’s Got a Praise Kink, Touch Starved Bucky

Read it here:

“There we go,” Sharon smiled, handing Bucky his copy of the paperwork. “You’re officially on my payroll.”

“Huh,” Bucky said, flipping through the pages. “Uh, I don’t have anywhere to put this—”

“Put it in the spare room. It’s your room now,” Sharon shrugged. “Per the contract, I’m providing room and board.”

“It’s…weird,” Bucky admitted.

“What do you mean?” Sharon asked. “I’m so sorry, of course you don’t have to live here if you don’t want to—”

“No, that’s not it,” Bucky shook his head. “I’m just…you’re actually paying me.”

“That’s what the paperwork says, doesn’t it?” Sharon smiled.

“Yeah. It’s just weird that… I think you’re the first one to give me a paycheck since the 40s,” Bucky said, crumpling up the papers and shoving them into a pocket.

“If you’re a free agent now, you have to start acting like one,” Sharon said. “Even if you weren’t working for me, which by the way I’m very glad that you are, you’d need to advocate for yourself. Were you doing assassinations or bodyguard work in New York?”

“Uh, no,” Bucky said. “I had inheritance money from Steve. And, um…” He paused for a moment, considering how to describe beating up Hydra agents to Sharon. “I had hobbies,” Bucky finally said.

“A lot of the time, you have to force people to pay you,” Sharon said with a dark look in her eye. “I’m sure you’ll get the hang of it if you ever strike out on your own.”

“Yeah,” Bucky mumbled agreement. Striking out on his own? Not likely. He’d missed the simplicity of taking orders from someone he trusted. He’d followed Steve into countless battles, and it had felt right. Following Steve felt like the only thing he really knew how to do. He was going to give following Sharon a try, though. Steve had trusted her, and Bucky would too.

“Anyway, I’m having a party tonight,” Sharon said. “I’m hosting clients. They’ll be here in an hour.”

“I saw the Monet downstairs,” Bucky said. “You’re good at what you do.”

“I have to be,” Sharon shrugged. “Want to come?”

“What, to the party?” Bucky asked.

“Well, you’d have to change,” Sharon said, glancing at Bucky’s outfit. He still had Zemo’s blood stained across his chest.

“You know what, sure,” Bucky said. “Might as well enjoy myself.”

“That’s the spirit,” Sharon said. “Now remember, it’s my party, so—”

“I know, I know,” Bucky sighed. “Don’t kill anyone, don’t hurt anyone.”

“Are you kidding?” Sharon raised an eyebrow at him. “I was going to say the opposite. If anyone so much as looks at you wrong, do whatever you want to them.”

“Really?” Bucky blinked at her, confused. “But—”

“But what?” Sharon scoffed. “You’re on my payroll, which means you’re mine. If someone is messing with you at my party, it’s my business. Feel free to handle it. Unless you’d rather call me over, I’d be happy to kill a fucker for you.”

“Uh, no, I could handle it,” Bucky frowned. “But…really? I used to be the Winter Soldier. Everyone’s going to stare at me.”

“Use your discretion who gets hurt and who doesn’t, then,” Sharon said, like it was obvious. “Probably after you take down the first thug, nobody else will have anything to say to you.”

“So I should probably change into something sleeveless, then,” Bucky said, looking down at his metal hand.

“Buck,” Sharon sighed. “Can I call you that?”

“Uh, that’s fine,” Bucky said, surprising himself that he actually was fine with it.

“Buck, wear whatever you want, so long as it doesn’t have blood on it when the party starts. Hurt or kill whoever you want. I do not care,” Sharon said.

“But…everyone else does,” Bucky said, hating how pathetically it came out.

“Do I look like everyone else?” Sharon said. “You and I both know what it’s like to be on the run. I’m finally in a position with some power, and I’m paying you to back up that power. And, I trust you—do what you want.”

“Uh, okay,” Bucky said awkwardly. They stared at each other for a moment then, as Bucky tried to figure out how to organize his next words.

“Is there a problem?” Sharon asked. “I didn’t mean to imply you have to come to the party. Nobody’ll force you.”

“Uh, what should I wear?” Bucky asked.

“Pick whatever you want,” Sharon said, leading him to a clothing rack. “I’ve got plenty of stuff.”

Bucky sifted through the clothes. They all seemed so different, so fancy, so…weird. “Can you pick something for me?” he asked.

“Why?” Sharon asked, stepping just slightly closer to him, a hint of a smile on her face.

“Uh, I don’t know what’s good,” Bucky said, face flushing just slightly red, but he wasn’t sure why.

“Okay,” Sharon said. She reached past him, hand just brushing against the blood stain on his chest. “Wear this.” She pulled out a loose black jacket, with fully covered sleeves. It had a black pattern of stars embossed into it in gentle, sloping lines.

Bucky took the jacket, and took a step away from Sharon. “Thanks.”

“No problem,” Sharon said, cocking her head sideways. There was still just a hint of a suggestion of a smile on her face. “Are you feeling okay?”

“Yeah, why?” Bucky swallowed, throat suddenly feeling dry.

“You’re on my payroll. Which means you’re mine,” Sharon repeated. She took a step closer to Bucky, closing the distance again. “How does that make you feel?” She all but breathed the words, making Bucky shiver.

“I guess…it’s nice?” Bucky said.

“Go on,” Sharon said.

“I’m the one who came up with the plan to work with Zemo,” Bucky said, looking at the floor. “It was stupid, and I shouldn’t’ve—”

“Hey, shh, shhh,” Sharon said, rubbing his shoulder gently. “It’s not your fault. You’re not stupid.”

“It’s just nice that I’m not the one calling the shots anymore,” Bucky blurted, all in a rush.

“I get it,” Sharon smiled, and stepped away from him, giving him a little space. “Steve makes a big shadow. It’s easy to stand in it and follow orders. Steve’s got that kind of a presence.”

“Maybe I’m just the kind of person who follows orders,” Bucky said quietly. “I don’t know if I was like that before Hydra…but either way, I am now, so.” He took deep breaths, trying to stay focused.

“So you like that I’m your boss now,” Sharon grinned. “It’s okay. I like that you’re my employee.”

“Well, good,” Bucky said, sounding like a little kid.

“I want to give you as much freedom as you want,” Sharon said. “You’re not the Winter Soldier, you don’t have to suffer silently. You have to tell me when there’s something happening that you don’t like.”

“Yes, sir,” Bucky said, then coughed trying to cover it up. It had just slipped out. He hadn’t meant it.

“At ease,” Sharon winked. Then her tone became brisk and commanding. “Wear the jacket I gave you. Meet me downstairs in 45 minutes exactly.”

“Yes,” Bucky said, stifling the "sir" that almost followed it out. Sharon marched off deeper into the apartment. Bucky went to the spare room—his room—to change. It was nice to get out of the bloodstained uniform, the one with the sleeve torn off. He’d worn it to the bar, to play the character of being the Winter Soldier again…people always wanted to see the Soldier’s arm, like it was some kind of toy. Bucky had thought Sharon would want people to see it. Wasn’t that why she’d hired him, so he could be her muscle? But the jacket she gave him flowed in all the right places. When he put it on properly, it moved the same over both arms. To him, it felt more like armor than a bulletproof vest. He smiled, seeing it in the mirror. When he went to the bathroom, Zemo’s corpse had already been cleaned up and removed. This was Bucky’s space now. It felt good. He went down to the party to meet Sharon, at just the time she’d told him.

“You’re right on time,” Sharon smiled. “Good boy,” she said.

Bucky shivered, hearing her say it. That felt good, too.

“Are you okay?” Sharon asked, concerned.

“Great,” Bucky nodded. “Sir.”

Sharon’s smile returned, matched with a hungry look in her eye. “Enjoy the party. Try to stay out of trouble, but if trouble finds you, remember what I said.”

“Yes sir,” Bucky said, and once it came out he felt so embarrassed, he’d said it twice in a row and she’d think it was weird and she wouldn’t want him—but Sharon just smiled, like she genuinely wanted him there, and rewarded him with a quick ruffling of his hair before she disappeared back into the depths of the party, leaving Bucky alone.

Bucky went to the bar, even though he knew he couldn’t get drunk. He wasn’t sure what else to do, where else to be. He didn’t exactly like mingling, or talking to new people. Why had he even agreed to come? On some level, he was only here because Sharon told him to be.

<Quite a show in Low Town,> someone said in Russian. Bucky turned. There was a man approaching the bar, one Bucky was pretty sure he recognized from the Low Town bar. Wonderful. Bucky hoped he wasn’t here because Bucky had injured one of his friends. That would be a guaranteed fight.

The man was about the same height as Bucky, but he had blonde hair, tied up into a braid behind his head. <Ready to comply, Solider?> he asked.

<I’m not the Winter Solider anymore,> Bucky responded with a sigh. <My name is James Bucky Barnes.> He’d said the phrase so many times, it was almost automatic. Almost.

<That wasn’t what I saw last night,> the man grinned. <I saw a killer. A predator.>

Bucky turned back to the bar and ordered a drink, trying to signal that the conversation was over.

<I’m talking to you, Soldier,> the man shoved Bucky in the human arm and stood between him and the bar. <Where’s your master?>

“You know what, man? Shut up,” Bucky scowled. He really didn’t want to deal with this. The party was a bad idea.

“Make me,” the man said, pulling a knife. Bucky raised both hands instinctively in surrender, even though he could have taken the knife away in a heart beat.

“I don’t want trouble,” Bucky said. “Go back to the party.”

“Oh, now you don’t want trouble,” the man laughed. “You're going to be my new henchman.”

“You’re going to get out of my party, Artemiy,” Sharon said. She’d appeared from nowhere, and pressed her gun to the man’s ribcage.

“We’re just having a talk,” Artemiy said. “The pet’s here. Where’s the master? Where’s Zemo?”

“Zemo is dead. I killed him,” Sharon said coldly, but her friendly smile never dropping. “You’re next if you don’t stop talking to my newest employee.”

“The Winter Soldier works for you?” Artemiy went pale.

“His name is Bucky,” Sharon said, forcing the gun against Artemiy’s ribs a little more forcefully. “Anyone who’s got a problem with that can talk to me.”

“Sharon, you don’t have to kill him,” Bucky said, more out of a sense of obligation than any real feeling on the subject. “He’s just an idiot.”

“You’re right,” Sharon said. She drew her gun under Artemiy’s chin before putting it away. “There will be other idiots to make an example of.”

They’d drawn a small crowd. Sharon put her hands on her hips and stared them down. “This man is mine. The next person who forgets that is dead. Am I clear?”

There were furtive nods and sounds of agreement from the crowd.

“Good,” Sharon smiled. “Then let’s get back to enjoying the party, why don’t we!” The crowd dispersed, and Artemiy slipped away quick as a snake.

“It was a mistake to come to this,” Bucky mumbled. “Sorry.”

“Don’t apologize,” Sharon said. “It's my fault. I shouldn’t have left you. Just stick next to me for the rest of the night, okay?”

Bucky nodded.

It felt familiar, following Sharon around the party. He stayed just a step behind her, keeping close enough to participate in her conversations but far enough away that it wasn’t rude when he didn’t. He remembered bodyguard duty as the Winter Soldier, he’d done it hundreds of times. It was an easy role to slip into, and looking the way he did was half of the work. It was different, here. The jacket concealed the metal arm, making him feel more like a person, and less like a mechanical toy. Sharon would reach out and touch him every so often, fixing his hair, or adjusting his collar…no one from Hydra ever did that. They were all scared of the Winter Soldier. Sharon wasn’t scared at all. She was a very touchy kind of person. She acted like she liked touching him, and the last person who would’ve agreed with her was Steve. It had been a while since anyone had offered Bucky even so much as a friendly pat on the shoulder. He found that he liked it. He wished she’d do it more.

“You’re quiet,” Sharon said, nudging him in the shoulder. “Everything okay?”

“Just thinking,” Bucky said.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Sharon asked.

“You could fix my collar more often, if you wanted to,” Bucky said awkwardly.

“Like this?” Sharon smiled and took his shirt collar in both hands.

“Uh, yeah,” Bucky said, feeling his face begin to heat up.

“Or maybe like this,” Sharon said, pulling him close.

“Yes,” Bucky whispered.

“I could kiss you right now,” Sharon said, lips just centimeters from his cheek. “Then everybody would see that you’re mine. That you belong to me.”

That she wanted him. He didn’t just belong to her, she had picked him. He liked it.

“I’d like to kiss you,” Sharon said, “if that’s okay.”

Bucky blinked. He hadn’t even realized he hadn’t responded, and now Sharon was looking at him like she was worried she’d made a mistake, like she’d accidentally triggered him or given him a flashback. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. He nodded, as much as he could manage. He felt overwhelmed. She really wanted him? She really cared?

Sharon pulled on his collar and pulled him close to her, kissing him. He closed his eyes and kissed back. His enhanced hearing told him the people around them were ceasing their conversations to watch, but he didn’t care. Sharon kissed him until she was done, then released his collar, smoothed it back into place, and eyed him up and down, hungrily. “Mine,” Sharon said.

Bucky’s heart felt like it was going to explode out of his chest, it was pumping so fast. “Yes, sir,” was his only response, and for a moment he worried people would think he was just the Winter Solider obeying a master’s orders, but he soon realized he didn’t care. Sharon could have told him to drop to his knees right there, and he would’ve done it. He’d done much worse as the Winter Soldier, and this time the memory almost made him smile. It couldn’t hurt him anymore. He wasn’t the Winter Soldier, he was Bucky. He was Sharon’s Bucky. It felt really good.

Sharon took Bucky’s elbow in one arm. “I’ve got more people to talk to. Coming?”

“Anywhere,” Bucky breathed, and she led him deeper into the party.

#my AO3 #AO3 fanfic #my ao3 account #Bucky Barnes #james bucky barnes #sharon carter #tfaws #the falcon and the winter solider spoilers #falcon and winter solider series

[nothingeverlost]

Fic: Thunderstorms and Pancakes (Baby Steps Verse)

We had a pretty big storm last week that gave me this plot bunny.  Takes place about a week after Bae comes home to visit.

II

“I should be going.”  He’d been to dinner every night since Bae had come home, at Belle’s insistence.  Since it was Saturday he’d been at the house since lunch, sharing a picnic in the back yard with his son and Emma, Belle and Ruby.  Trevelyn worried that it was too much, but when he’d tried to beg off dinner the night before Belle had reminded him that Emma was only around for another day, and Bae would have to go to New York in a week.  

“It’s still raining pretty hard, are you sure that’s a good idea?”  Belle never mentioned his cane or the limp that was evident, and he never offered any information.  He could see her glance at his leg, though, before frowning at the window.  It had been raining for more than an hour, the summer shower a surprise.

“I’m sure it will let up soon.”  At that moment the windows lit up and a roll of thunder made the house shake.

“I don’t think so, dad.  Remember what happened when I was ten and old man Hubbard drove in a storm like this?  He was lucky to get out of the car before it ended up in the river.”

“Fortunately I don’t pass any rivers on the way home.”  After another flash of lightning the lights flickered.  The rain, rather than receding, seemed to pound harder against the glass.

“I think you should stay in the guest room tonight, Trev.  We’ll all sleep better knowing that you’re not out in this.”  Belle collected the dessert dishes.  Ruby was already sleeping, the baby monitor on the table where Belle could watch her.  Bae and Emma nodded in agreement.

“I don’t want to be an imposition.”  Bae mentioned Hubbard, but Trev remembered another night drive fifteen years ago that had ended in weeks of hospitalization, months of therapy and surgeries, and a cane he still hated with a passion.  He hated how much his knee ached in the rain too.  Staying inside had more than one advantage, but he didn’t want to make Belle do any more work.  It would be strange to sleep in his house again as well.

“You couldn’t be more of an imposition than Bae, and she puts up with him.”  Emma leaned over, hitting Bae’s shoulder with her own.  Their chairs were only inches apart; they liked to touch.  Bae rolled his eyes but leaned into the touch as well.

“I insist.”  Belle briefly squeezed Trev’s shoulder as she returned to the table.  “I think you might still have some things in the back of the closet.  If not Bae probably has something you can borrow to sleep in.”

He did end up needing to borrow a pair of sweatpants, though Belle found him a long forgotten t-shirt that had clearly been a present from Bae.  It declared him to be the ‘world’s okayest dad.’  Trev shook his head when he saw it, but Belle had been amused.  

“Are you certain you wouldn’t prefer the master bedroom?  The bed is bigger.”  Belle made the same offer she’d made already.  

“The guess room is fine.”  A full sized bed was plenty for him.  He tried not to think about any reasons why he might need a larger bed.  None of his thoughts involved being alone, so they were best not considered at all.  Especially when the only person he’d fantasized about recently was standing in front of him.  The fact that the master room had been a space he’d shared with Milah for so long didn’t even occur to him.  “Besides Ruby would be confused if she came looking for you.”

“Ruby would be delighted if she found her ‘Good’ when she came looking for me.  She’s going to be so excited tomorrow when she realizes you’re here for breakfast.”

Gold nodded, holding the t-shirt to his chest.  He couldn’t shake the image of lying in bed with Belle, an arm draped casually over her waist.  Not doing anything, just lying with her and sharing space when Ruby came in for breakfast.  It was a daydream that left him rattled; he never had moments like that in Bae’s childhood.  It wasn’t his brain replicating a memory, but a completely separate dream.  “I should go to bed.”

“Sweet dreams, Trev.  You know where almost everything is, but if you have any questions you know where to find me.”

Unfortunately he knew all too well where to find her, not that he would breach the doorway that had been his own for so many years.  “Thank you.”

“Hey dad, these should work.  They have a drawstring, which I thought might help since you’re skinny.”  Bae came out of his bedroom with the promised sweatpants.  Behind him Emma leaned in the doorway of the bedroom that had been Bae’s since he was three weeks old and Milah had declared she couldn’t sleep with a baby in the master bedroom.  While he knew that Bae and Emma were sharing a room it was still a little startling to see it with his own eyes.  It didn’t bother him, but it was another reminder that his son was grown up.  He was so proud of his boy, but some part of him would always miss the child he had been.

“Your dad has a little restraint around desserts, unlike some people I know,” Emma teased.

“Hey, I inherited my love of cake from him.  He had a piece too.  But I bet he’s still in the habit of skipping meals.  Tea does not count as breakfast.”  Behind Gold he heard a snort, and turned to find Belle covering her mouth.  She shrugged, but he could tell she was amused to find that she wasn’t the only one to scold him for having tea alone in the morning.

“Yeah, like no one saw you sneak that second piece in the kitchen.”  Emma rolled her eyes before vanishing into the bedroom.  Gold was pretty certain he heard Bae mutter something about working off the calories.  He didn’t want to ask for clarification.  Fortunately the guest bedroom didn’t share a room with his son’s bedroom.

“I’ll just take this and-” he gestured at the door to the room that was just past Belle’s own.

“Sleep well, Trev.”  Belle’s smile seemed to ensure he’d have either sweet dreams or troubled sleep.

“Goodnight Belle.”  He was used to speaking to her over the phone and wishing her a good night, or speaking to her from the end of the hall at the bed and breakfast.  Somehow the hallway of his home - her home now - seemed more intimate.

“Goodnight!” A duel shout came from behind the closed door of Bae’s room as he headed for the guest room door.

II

He couldn’t sleep. Perhaps it was being back in the house that held so many memories, or perhaps it was knowing that only a wall separated him from the bedroom where Belle was sleeping.  Either way he spent an hour staring wide eyed at the ceiling before giving up and getting out of bed.  If he remembered correctly there was still a bottle of whiskey in the library.  Unless Belle had a taste for it, which he doubted, it should still be there.  A wee dram might help him fall asleep.  Carefully he walked down the hall, avoiding the squeaky floorboard near Bae’s room.  Since he didn’t carry his cane he had to use the handrail on the stairs.  To his surprise there was a light on in the library.

“Belle?”  She sat at the desk, the only light coming from the lamp in the upper corner of the desk and the glow of the laptop monitor.  The clock on the wall told him it was a little after midnight.

“End of the month reports have to be finished tomorrow.  I’m almost done.”  She leaned back in the chair, taking off a pair of glasses he rarely saw her wearing.  “Employees need paychecks and the quarterly taxes are due.”

“You don’t have a payroll person for that?”

“Granny always did it herself.  I remember sitting next to her at the kitchen table, working on homework while she was working on it.  There were always cookies.  I guess it makes me feel closer to her.”  Belle stretched, leaning back farther in the chail.  The bottom of her pajama top rose just enough to see a narrow strip of skin.  “I should probably look into a service, but I only think of it at midnight when I’m struggling to get it done.”

“I can ask my bookkeeper if she can take on someone new.  I believe she does payroll.”  Belle had enough to do, managing two businesses and raising a two year old.  She didn’t need to stay up late with paperwork.  He would make sure Ariel could take her, even if he had to pay to make it happen.

“You don’t need to-” Belle stopped mid sentence, shaking her head.  “No, that’s silly.  I know I need help and as usual you have just the answer I need.  Thank you, Trev.  I would appreciate the recommendation.”

“I’ll make a call tomorrow.”

“Thank you.  Now what can I do for you?  You didn’t come down here to talk about payroll and taxes.”

“I was planning on having a drink, actually.”  The scotch was exactly there he left it.  A few years additional aging would only improve the flavor.

“May I join you?”

“Really?”  He’d seen her drink wine, and could imagine her with a daiquiri in hand.

“Sure.  I’m almost done with my work and it would help me unwind.  I even have my own glass.”  Grinning she picked up a plastic tumbler with a cartoon on it, one of Ruby’s.  “If you don’t mind sharing, of course.”

“I don’t mind.”  She sat at his desk in his library, though he’d cleared enough bookshelves off to allow her some space for her collection.  The bed she slept in was his.  There was a great deal they shared already, a drink hardly seemed like anything in comparison.  Yet as he placed the glass he’d brought from the kitchen next to the plastic cup and added the liquor to each it felt strangely intimate.  Perhaps it was the late hour.

“Should we toast something?”  Belle took hold of her glass, but a moment later almost dropped it when a lightning strike lit up the room.

“Belle?”

“I don’t like lightning very much.”  She took a sip of her drink, making a face that told him she didn’t appreciate the taste.  It didn’t stop her from taking a second sip.

“My father told a story when I was a lad about a selkie looking for his lost love in a thunderstorm.  She was human and they had fallen in love when he had rescued her from a shipwreck, but her people had come for her and taken her back to their land.  Whenever lightning fills the sky you know he’s still looking for her.”  His father hadn’t been worth much, but he had been able to spin a story.  As a child it had entertained him.  As he’d gotten older ‘story’ had just been another word for a lie.

“My mother told me that angels were bowling.  It didn’t scare me when I was a kid.” He couldn’t see into the plastic cup but guessed it was mostly gone after she took another sip.  When he held up the bottle she nodded and he refilled her glass.  She started into the depths of the glass as if it was something more than plastic with unicorns on it.  Knowing what it was like to get lost in thoughts he didn’t say anything.  It was a few minutes before she spoke.  “There was a thunderstorm the night my mother died.  She would always come into my room when there was a storm to check on me and ask me who was winning the bowling game.  I waited but…”

“I’m sorry, Belle.”  Her voice wavered and she didn’t seem able to continue.  He remembered her mentioning moving to America after her mother’s death.  She’d been too young to lose a mother, as well as a father not long after.  

“Ruby doesn’t mind a storm, and I don’t want her to think they’re scary.  I suppose I should have a story for her.”  Belle looked over her shoulder, as if waiting to catch the next clap of thunder.

“You could tell her about the angels bowling.”  He could almost picture her as a girl of Ruby’s age, asking for a story.  She probably wasn’t quite as demanding as Ruby could be, but just as hard to deny.

“I think I like your story better.  Maybe you could tell me the whole thing sometime?”  Perhaps it was the fact that the thunder hadn’t rumbled again, or the fact that she was almost done with her second pour of whiskey, but she seemed more relaxed.  

“If you like.”  For a moment he could almost hear an echo of his father’s voice.  And his own, as he tucked in a little boy that was now a grown man.

“Not tonight, though.  I think I need to go to sleep.”  She drained the last of her glass and closed up her laptop.  “You know how early Ruby likes to get up.”

“I’ll walk with you.”  She wasn’t wearing those ridiculous high heels she wore often when she was out, but he still worried about her balance, especially since she’d fallen only a few days earlier.  Not that his balance was much better, and he hadn’t even finished his drink.

“I’m glad you stayed tonight, Trev.  I would have worried about you driving in this.”  They made it up the stairs, though there were one or two false starts.  His leg was unsteady without his cane and Belle’s focus was less than perfect.

“I wouldn’t want to make you worry.”  He understood her worry even better now then he had a few hours ago.  “Sleep well, Belle.  I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Bae said something about pancakes.”  Belle smiled sleepy at him as she stood in the doorway of the bedroom.  The walls that had been white when it was his room were a pale blue now.  It was a color that suited her.

“Unless he learned something in Italy I assume that means he’s volunteered me for breakfast duty.”  Saturday morning breakfasts had been a tradition of theirs for most of Bae’s childhood.  Milah had liked to sleep in, so it had usually been the two of them.  It would be nice to cook for his boy again.  And to cook breakfast for Belle for the first time.

“We’ll make him wash the dishes,” Belle said with a grin and a wink before she closed the door behind her.  Gold walked on to his room, closing the door behind him.  He was no less awake then he had been, but his mind felt more focused.  He took out the notepad he always carried with him and a pen, and started to write the story of a selkie in love.  It wasn’t the type of story he usually wrote, but it was a familiar tale and flowed quickly.  Perhaps he’d talk to Bae about doing up a few illustrations.  It would make a nice gift for Belle. And Ruby, of course.

II

The sound of howling woke him.  Looking at his clock he realized that it was a little before eight.  It took him a moment later to realize that the noise was a little girl declaring that she was awake.  Since he didn’t hear any other noises he hurried from his bed to the room across the hall.  Perhaps he would be able to let Belle sleep a little longer, she could do with a lie in.

“I’m looking for a little girl to help me make some pancakes, but all I hear is a wolf.”  He stood in the doorway to Ruby’s room, where she stood up on her bed.  It was a tiny thing no full sized person could possibly lay down on.  Gold knew that the mattress had been part of Ruby’s bed before the move.

“Good, my good, my good.”  Ruby’s cries of delight were slightly quieter than her howls, but not by much.  Gold looked across the hall at Belle’s still closed door.

“You’ll have to be quiet if you want to make pancakes,” he cautioned.

“Ruby be quiet.  Shhh shhh shh.”  She held one chubby finger up to her mouth to demonstrate.  Gold couldn’t help but smile.  

“That’s what I like to see in a sous chef.”  He held out a hand and she was quick to respond, jumping off her bed with a level of disregard of safety that would worry him if her bed was more than a foot from the floor.  In moments her small hand was in his.  Her other hand touched his sweatpants.

“Good go night night?” she asked.

“Yes, I slept here.”  He was glad she didn’t ask any more questions as they walked down the hall past Belle and Bae’s rooms.  When they got downstairs she was quickly distracted by cracking eggs and mixing with spoons, and didn’t ask any questions about why he’d spent the night.

“So Bae wasn’t lying about the pancakes.”  Emma was the first person to come downstairs, heading straight for the coffee pot.  It seemed that she liked her morning caffeine as much as Belle and his son.  Ruby hadn’t been patient enough for him to make his usual tea.

“It’s been a while since I’ve done this.  Hopefully they’re edible,” he said with a shrug.  He hadn’t spent more than a few minutes alone with Emma.  She seemed nice enough, and certainly being around her made Bae happy, but it always took him time to get used to people.  To call his social circle limited would be generous.

“I remember the first time my dad tried making pancakes for me.  They were black on one side and raw in the middle but I ate them.”  Emma took a mug from the cabinet and poured herself a cup of coffee, adding some of the flavored creamer Belle always had in the fridge.

“Was your mom usually the one that made the pancakes?” He asked, only half paying attention.  Ruby was sitting on the edge of the counter and half of his focus was on making sure she didn’t decide at any moment to try jumping.

“Nah, she’s a teacher so mornings were not a leisure time for her.  She’d already left for work that day, I think.  I’d only been with them for a couple of weeks and David was kind of going overboard on trying to fit in as many ‘normal’ kid things as he could.  He still can’t make a decent pancake but he was a great softball coach.”  Emma settled at one of the stools on the side of the counter, both hands wrapped around her mug.

“You’re adopted.”  For a moment all of his focus was on her, and he could see a look in her eyes that he recognized from his own years in foster care.  He hadn’t seen it before.  

“My mom likes to say that we were always a family, it just took us time to find each other.  She’s big on fairy tales.  Sometimes I think she forgets that I lived anywhere before them.”  Emma took a sip of her coffee.  “I hope you don’t mind, but Bae mentioned that you were in the system too.”

“Yeah.”  He didn’t remember his mother.  Malcolm had been interested in him as long as he was young and cute and a good distraction while he worked his cons, but once he’d gotten too older he’d become less useful and asked too many questions.  He’d spent most of his time in group homes until Penny and Flo had taken him in just before his sixteenth birthday.  They had taken their role as foster parents very seriously; the home he now rented to Belle had been theirs, left to him in their will.

“Belle reminds me of my mom a little.  Ruby’s a lucky kid.”

“She is.”  He remembered how nervous Belle had been in the beginning.  She had worried about Ruby’s happiness and what was best for the baby, but had never said a word about her own plans changing so completely.  

“Ruby lucky,” the little girl agreed, waving around a spoon and flinging pancake batter everywhere.  “Ruby want pancake.”

“Soon,”  Gold promised, glad of the distraction.  “We have to cook them first.”

“Ruby want m’Belle.”

“Belle is sleeping.”  He knew how rare it was for Belle to be able to sleep in.

“Bae’s sleeping too, but he doesn’t need to be.  How about we go get him up, Rubes?  Want to help me?”  Emma downed the rest of her coffee and reached for the girl who eagerly jumped at her.  Emma settled her on her hip.  “Figured this breakfast thing might go smoother without the pancake batter flying everywhere and Bae will sleep ‘til noon if we leave him alone.”

“Thank you.”  He would be less worried about the griddle without Ruby being so close, and he might even be able to make himself that cup of tea.  For a moment when she turned to walk away Gold’s heart skipped a beat.  Someday, whether it was with Emma or someone else, Bae would have a child of his own.  A family that, he hoped, would visit him.  He hadn’t thought much of grandchildren before.  For so long his family had simply been himself and Bae.  It seemed to be growing.

“Do I smell pancakes?”  He expected Bae and Emma to come into the kitchen, but a few minutes later it was Belle that appeared, wrapped in a robe but wearing the same sea green pajamas underneath that she had worn the night before.  “And coffee too?  Bless you.”

“Emma made the coffee.”  He looked down at his pancakes more intently then necessary, checking to see if they needed to be turned.  He’d lived down the hall from her for almost a year and a half and had seen her early in the morning and late at night.  Somehow, though, seeing her barefoot in the kitchen with her hair clearly tousled from sleep felt almost too intimate.  It was too easy to think about the fact that she had been in a warm bed only minutes ago.  His bed, though he hadn’t slept in it for years.  “Everyone else should be down soon and we can eat.”

“Have I mentioned yet how glad I am you stayed?”  She padded through the kitchen towards the coffee maker, her bare feet not making a sound.  After she poured herself a mug she came to stand next to him, close enough to touch if he leaned to the side just a little.  He didn’t.  

“I…”

“Anyone looking for a tickle monster?  Because I caught one.”  Bae came into the kitchen with a laugh, holding an upside down Ruby insisting that she wasn’t a monster.  Emma followed immediately behind declaring that Bae had earned whatever he’d gotten and that a tickling from a two year old was way better than a pitcher of ice water. The sudden chaos only settled down when everyone sat at the table and whatever he had been about the say to Belle was long forgotten.

#verse: baby steps #rumbelle fic #my fic #hints of #swanfire

[storytimeafterdark]

Business & Pleasure

Kevin Mallory was sitting in his office, waiting for his assistant Valerie Rivera to arrive. Valerie drove her Ford Edge into her company parking space, got out, locked the door & went inside, where she saw a note on her desk telling her to go see Kevin in his office. She wondered what was happening but would soon find out. She walked in & Kevin greeted her with a smile & “Good morning Val. Take a seat”. She did & replied back, “Good morning Kevin. You sure look chipper today”. “I am. Actually, we are. Danny & I are very impressed with you. Not only are we giving you a raise in pay, a bonus, & also, your own office next to mine. The one next door has been remodeled to look just like mine”. She couldn’t believe it. Just a month in & she’s earned all this! “Thank you to both of you!”. “You’re welcome. I am also taking you to lunch today to celebrate. Everyone is gone today so it’s just you & me”, he said. Danny is Kevin’s brother. They took over the company when their father Clark retired. Their mother Sarah does payroll & their sister Karina is the company HR representative. They all flew to Atlanta for an architectural & construction seminar, & the construction crew was working on the new subdivision going up in town. Kevin liked the idea of being alone with her for a change without distraction.

The day before, Valerie & Kevin were just finishing up on a contract call with a big client. They got off the phone, got the paperwork drawn up, & faxed to the client. As they were waiting for it to be sent back, Valerie & Kevin were about to share their first-ever kiss with each other, when the door burst open, with Danny & Deanna coming in to announce they were headed out for the trip to Atlanta & told them to go home since it’s closing time. Kevin told Valerie to go ahead & head home, as he would lock up & leave.

Kevin took Valerie next door to see her new office, as the crew had finished getting it work ready for her: freshly painted and hardwood floor put in, plus her wifi, surround sound, & all electronics up to speed for her. “This is beautiful! Thank you Kevin”, she said & hugged him. He liked the feel of her in his arms & she liked it as well. Their hug was longer than expected & afterward, their eyes met. Kevin kissed her like he wanted to before the interruption the day before. His arms went around Valerie’s waist & hers went around him. Their kiss was romantic & turned passionate quickly as their tongues met. Valerie felt Kevin’s hands slip down to her bottom & she slipped her hands to Kevin’s bottom. Kevin’s lips left hers & went to her neck. “Ohhhhh Kevin”, she sighed. She was wearing his favorite dress & also the one that she wore the day she interviewed for & got the job with the company: a blue silk dress that zipped in the front. She wore it unzipped about 1/4 of the way; just enough for Kevin to see she wasn’t wearing a bra underneath & he got a preview of her cleavage. Kevin’s lips moved lower to where her cleavage was visible, making her shiver with desire. He took one of his hands from her bottom & unzipped her dress. He caressed a breast as he kissed her again very passionately. He removed her dress completely, then sucked  & kissed her breast. When he stood up, she unbuttoned his shirt & took it off. They kissed again, him sliding his hands in the back of her lacy panties. She loved feeling his bare chest against hers. “I want you Val”, he said. “I want you too Kevin”, she answered back, finding the button & zipper on his pants & undoing them. She began to slide his pants down his legs. He stepped out of them. She felt the silk of his boxers & it made him shudder. She eyeballed the bulge in his boxers & smiled. He let her take his boxers off & she let him take her panties off. He removed his shoes & socks as she removed her sandals.

He took her by the hand & led her to the couch. She saw the same electric button on the wall that was in Kevin’s & Danny’s offices. The couches would make out to a bed if the button is pushed. “Allow me”, Val said & pushed the button. “Time to initiate your office”, Kevin said as they lay down on the bed. Their foreplay was magical. Valerie went down on Kevin & pleasured his manhood with her hands & orally. Kevin was very vocal as Valerie sucked him. “Good thing nobody is here”, she joked. He laughed & said, “Babe, these offices are soundproof for a reason”. Val got vocal as well when Kevin pleasured her pussy with his tongue & his middle finger, which she told him was the way to build her orgasm. “Slowly is what I enjoy”. 

Afterward, he told her he’d been in love with her since the day she walked in for an interview. Said it was love at first sight for him. She said she fell for him at first sight as well. Then she jokingly asked if he had ever put the moves on any other employees. He said his former assistant was male & gay. Kevin & Matt (the assistant) became really good friends & did a lot together outside of work. “One night, he & I were at my place, got drunk, & Matt kissed me. He was actually a great kisser so I kissed him back. The next thing I knew, he was sucking me & he was damn good! But what happened next was even better. Now trust me when I say I am not a gay guy by any means, but when he fucked me that night, I really enjoyed it. I fucked him in return.” “That turns me on”, Val said, kissing him. “Really? I figured you would be repulsed by that”, Kevin said. “Oh no. I love watching men do sexual things together. I watch male gay porn”, she said with a smile. “What is your ultimate sexual fantasy then?”, he asked. “Having sex with you & another guy & then watching you two go at it”, she replied. “I bet I could make that happen”, he said with a smile. 

Valerie & Kevin made love. He answered the phone when calls came in but otherwise he was inside Valerie most of the day. They came together multiple times & made a mess of the sheets. They stripped the bed, put new sheets on it, & put the couch back the way it was. Kevin invited Val to his house for the weekend. They stopped at her place, which she shared with her sister, & got extra clothes, makeup, & other essentials. Her sister was on a cruise with her boyfriend & his family.

They went to grab dinner before going to Kevin’s. They sat in a romantic, dimly-lit round booth. They ordered their food & some drinks & were waiting. Kevin slid his hand up Val’s leg & was kissing her lips. She had her dressed unzipped farther than when she got in the office. Her nipples were on the verge of showing. She didn’t care. Their waiter loved it, as he kept staring at her chest. 

Kevin & Val laughed about that while in bed that night. They made love again & were postcoital afterward, talking & laughing. “I wonder if that waiter would have had sex with us if I asked him to”, Val said, laughing. “He gave you his phone number so maybe he would”, Kevin said, laughing in return. When Kevin went to the restroom as they waited for their main course, the waiter, Paul, was talking to Val & flat out told her how lucky a guy Kevin is to have her & how sexy she is. He then told her if she ever wanted to date more than one guy she could call him. He was a hot looking guy too. He then told her he would give anything to see her breasts. She bent forward so he could look down her dress. “Omg your breasts are sexy as hell”, Paul said. “Thank you. Glad you like”, she said. “Just so you know, you’re making me very horny. I’d better go check on your food”, he said. When Kevin returned she told him everything. He laughed when she told him she bent forward so Paul could see her breasts & that he said they were sexy. 

Kevin & Val were very busy with work & sex was their “release outlet” when they had down time. It got busier & busier with no time for sex eventually. One day, a familiar face came to their office to inquire about getting a house built. It was Matt, Kevin’s former assistant, who Val was very floored by when she met him. He was gorgeous! Matt & Kevin caught up on things & Kevin invited him to dinner with him & Val at his place. Matt accepted. He & Kevin went golfing that day & were talking about old times. Matt asked what being with Val was like & Kevin told him she was great in bed & very sexy. Matt then asked, “Would she ever have a threesome”? Kevin laughed & said, “Matt, I thought you were gay”. He then confessed that he’s straight & always has been but that he had always wanted to have sex with a man to see what it’s like. Kevin answered him. “She wants a threesome. I say we give it to her tonight after dinner”. Matt was all for it. 

The guys came home & Val was getting the tail end of dinner done. Fettucini Alfredo and salad were for dinner. She had the table set & told the guys she would be back out momentarily. She changed from her robe (she had showered while dinner was cooking) into one of Kevin’s oversized baseball jerseys, which she left unbuttoned halfway & some flats on her feet. She put her hair back with some barrettes. “You look stunning”, Matt said & kissed her cheek. “Thank you handsome”, she said. 

Dinner was eaten, dishes were done, food was put away, & the threesome went & sat on the couch. Val was in the middle between the guys. The guys were drinking beer & Val had her White Claws. Matt was talking to Val & made her laugh. He then took her White Claw, set it down, & started kissing her in front of Kevin. Kevin loved it & was getting turned on as he watched Matt unbutton her jersey & fondle one of her breasts. He continued undoing the jersey & started sucking on her breast. Valerie moaned as Matt continued making love to her breast with his tongue. She opened her legs & Matt slid a finger in her freshly shaved pussy. Kevin took his shirt off & undid his shorts, sliding them off. He was naked & began to touch his cock. Matt removed her jersey & sucked her other breast. Matt told Kevin to take over while he undressed. Kevin made out with Val & fingered her pussy. She stroked his cock. Matt was now naked too & sat back next to Val. She stroked his cock too & went back & forth kissing the guys. They went to the bedroom. Matt & Kevin made out & Val was fingering herself watching the guys do their thing. Kevin fucked Matt & came deep in Matt’s ass. Valerie had an orgasm watching that. Matt then fucked Valerie. She begged him to cum inside her & he did. Kevin began stroking his cock. He wanted inside his girlfriend’s pussy again. Matt had other ideas. He got Kevin to stroke him. Matt was soon hard & fucked Kevin. Matt came very hard & deep inside Kevin’s ass. Kevin then fucked Valerie & came inside her. They kept on drinking and messing around. At 2 in the morning, Kevin passed out. Matt & Valerie went in the guest room & fucked all night. 

From that night on, Valerie spread herself between Kevin & Matt. Kevin contracted COVID & Valerie stayed at Matt’s. He was finally in his new house. Matt & Valerie were constantly fucking each other. 

When Kevin got better & she returned home, she & Kevin had sex. After they were done, they were lying in bed cuddling when Danny called. He told Kevin that Matt had been killed in an accident by a drunk driver. 

Valerie & Kevin got married & she found out she was pregnant. They had a boy & named him Matthew Paul.

[prorevenge]

I was doing you a favor by playing the long game...

I too was playing yet another long game by holding on to this for so long.

SO I had read earlier today the owner of a previous job of mine passed away. This was a place that tried to screw me pretty hard and I took some pro revenge on. It drug up some angry old feelings, so why not take an equal dose of catharsis?

WARNING: This is a doozy so strap in if you dare, no TL;DR it wouldn't do justice.

So this takes place almost a decade ago. I was working as a department manager for a fairly large privately owned pest control company. Their color scheme was black and yellow, much like the taxi's the owner's dad used to drive. Since the taxi industry would be around for ever(hello Uber/Lyft) so would this pest control company, (this is important later) or so the owner used to parrot constantly. My job was to over see the techs doing treatments and set their stops and generally manage assorted insect control services, inventory, payroll for that dept, etc etc. I had taken the job from the owners son who took it from the previous manager who they demoted and yet stayed in the dept...this is important later. The owners son was a late 30's early 40's man child. I mean if he had dialed it back a few degrees he would have been an awesome guy, but anytime booze was involved he was a mess. If it was weed, he turned into the stereo typical obnoxious stoner making nothing but bad Jamaican accented jokes. He also hit on anything younger than him that moved...while being married w a pregnant wife. But I digress, the owner was a piece of work too, old Jewish guy who was as racist as he was old, not with any kind of seething hatred. Just a "this is the way it is" type attitude. My fave line of his, "The sky is blue, Ch#@ks know math, N@&ers are lazy, Jews know gold. What else is new" Like it was the most clever thing of all time. Finally now on to the revenge and need for such.

I had been at said job for about two and a half years, while there I had gotten engaged about 6 month earlier. Due to the awesomeness of my staff I invited about 10 employees to my wedding(it was going to be big due to the wife's family and mine's tiny so..) including the owner his son and the previous manager. I should have felt the ripples in the water when I had planned the trip to propose. The day before I go the owner comes in to do something with a big job and I tell him of my vacation plans as he is looking at the schedule. After I tell him of the somewhat expensive accommodations (I was proposing to my then gf), he literally says, "that's a great idea I haven't been there in years, I think I'll go tomorrow too!" I think he is joking, but he immediately tells his son who was taking over my work that he needs to take over for him and be a presence at the job site. Then tries to demand I clear a day out of my booked vacation schedule for us to meet up with him so he can take us out to some expensive place or some crap. On that one day during the trip he ended up no call no show-ing after we invited him to meet and hang with our family. We spent about an hour trying to call/message/email the guy and he never responded the entire trip. I get back he starts cracking lame jokes about how I ditched him to get engaged...that really pissed me off.

It gets better. Over the course of the next few months strange shit starts happening. I am forced to let go of a few of my techs for BS reasons like the 3 strike rule of attendance randomly being enforced without writ-ups or even verbal warnings. One guy had a 3 month old kid with his GF and I had to let the guy go because of a 3rd lateness of over 5 min from almost 90 days earlier and the previous two being almost 2 years old with the notes of in-climate weather and no routes that day (they also denied him unemployment and tried to enforce a 90 day no compete clause that would have stopped him form getting a job w the competition). Then I get a high priority job of going through back logs of unpaid services and start trying to preform collections with me receiving a % of what I collect(that I was never paid). Over the next month or two I keep getting odd things thrown at me to make money which don't have much to do with my regular job. Till one week where the entire office gets the flu. The owners son, previous manager(now just an officer worker), my assistant and about half the techs call out over the course of the week. I still come in with a 102 fever and goddamn doctors note in case I need to bail, just to get everyone set up and do as much as I can before almost passing out 3 days in a row. I get the entire day's work done by 1pm and leave all with the boss's son's approval. He was thrilled things were still working while the plague rampaged on. But not the owner apparently. I got pulled into the office and yelled at about not taking initiative and calling out all these days...he sounds like he is about to fire me before he asks me if I have anything to say for my self. So I correct him and he looks really shaken and then tells me some BS about the EPA stepping in and making us reduce the number of services we are allowed to do from quarterly (4x a yr) to a trimester schedule (3x) all while paying the same price. Guess who got to call almost every paying customer and try to get them to swallow that? ::raises hand::. So I take care of that over another two weeks and once again get called in to the office. Saying we cannot have this anymore and the EPA is crashing down hard on us and I just keep giving out too many services because the EPA really said we are not allowed to treat more than 2x a year and they lied to me throwing me under the bus(turns out that was a lie too they were trying to get up to stop treatments all together). Knowing I never had the power to authorize a single extra service without consent from the owners. So they had to let me go...only 4 month before I was going to get married. It got a bit intense as emotions ran high, the asshole of a son tells, "My dad told me to fire you a while ago for attendance but I knew you were getting married and I didn't want to mess that up so I played the long game for you man...." In an office with no strict punch schedule for the office workers as we were salary and constantly did things like get food for the office or have to run errands for the business and get stock from another location. Along w/ the EPA bullshit he tells me he just couldn't have a dept with two other managers in it who made less than I do doing the same job. They also tried to block my unemployment with falsified paperwork, claiming unsatisfactory attendance. Tons of bullshit and I never got a strait answer as to why I was let go till I did some investigating. Turns out the old manager who was just an office hand was being put back in the spot she was fired form because she offered to take a 33% pay cut form her old salary and the son just didn't want the extra work.....So they tried to scapegoat me for EPA violations and tried to tell the rest of the office my fuckups were the reason people were let go and the department was going to close.

So now that you've read all that you may have a bit of a feel for why I took my revenge so far and for so long. Luckily I had snapped a few pics of the paperwork I signed upon leaving stating it was due to the EPA infractions. That gets printed out and sent to the department of labor with the rest of their awesome tactics(shorting over time and flat out not paying for paid vacations, time card edits). That lead to tens of thousands of dollars lost in pack pay and fines being levied. The guy w/ the 3 month kid I had to let go told me he eventually settled for almost 35k in back pay... My next stop was the EPA, who much to their surprise didn't even know the company had kept doing the treatments at all as it was supposed to be stopped altogether. Luckily they knew the deal and that it wasn't just me making treatments all willy nilly like. More fines, for each and every treatment performed by them from about 3 months before they fired me. That had to be in the 6 figure range as there was well over 1.5k treatments done in the time and the fine was supposed to be over 1k each. The problem with the treatments were they were too effective, and were wiping out the type of insect that has beneficial and necessary environmental roles. So the mfers were actually hurting the ecology of our goddamn state for their own profit. I created a few fake FB profiles to still be able to follow the owner and his son on FB and find out not 30 days after their EPA issues my department closed down.

Okay so that was 2006ish, two years pass and I keep seeing my POS old boss, speeding around the area (I lived near the place) in his old ass little red Mercedes. Guess who called the cops worrying about the safety of those on the road around this dangerous car? Guess who eventually got caught for DUI at 2pm in the afternoon?

Fast forward a few years to 2011. Mr Whiz Kahlifa drops the song Black and yellow. Decent track. But remember how my old boss was a super racist fellow? Remember the business' color scheme? So I spent about a month sending him different youtube links to that song, from random email accounts. And finally one of a commercial for the company with Whiz's song over it vs the lame jingle they used. Not two weeks after I stop they change the goddamn color scheme of the place to a horrible red white and blue one. But not exactly red white and blue like the American flag more like the Blue white red of the French one. I wait about a month after the Black and Yellow attack and send him a vid of the French national anthem while a the flag is waving in the background. The next goddamn day the place is covered in that cheesy car dealer red white and blue American bunting and American flags everywhere.

Fast forward again to about 2014 and fuck me if I am not out for a walk, and see that company's sign in a lawn advertising that same old treatment on the same old signs from 06'...guess who got sent yet another email to the EPA w pictures? That one got them in major and local news as being "no friend to the environment".

Last time I went by their place they seemingly had half fleet of what are now used blue white and red covered mini trucks. Plus their call center building was emptied of furniture. Unfortunately they are still in business but are sitting at about a 3 star rating on Yelp and that was after they did the damage control to get it back from 1.5 stars.

Sorry(not sorry) guys, I was just playing the long game for you....

(source) (story by StendhalSyndrome)

#pro revenge #by StendhalSyndrome #prorevenge #pro revenge stories #revenge stories #pro #revenge

[bigyack-com]

Worried, Scared and Paralyzed: Lives Caught in Brexit Limbo

Britain’s halting march toward Brexit has prompted two changes in prime minister, two general elections (including one on Thursday) and a paralysis in Parliament as the debate over leaving the European Union has overwhelmed everything else. But away from the political cut and thrust, Brexit has brought a new level of uncertainty for many of the people who go to work each day in Britain, putting lives and livelihoods in the balance. The persistent inability to decide the matter, undermined by a lack of a strong consensus on whether a divorce from Europe is even a good idea, has left few jobs untouched. A dairy farmer cannot plan for the future because the price paid for his milk has been held hostage by Brexit; a customs broker is cautiously preparing for a big expansion of business, but fearful if he makes the wrong call; a tech executive in London whose payroll relies on European Union workers wonders how she will fill her job vacancies; and two building cleaners, whose livelihood has been rocked by outsourcing, dread the loss of job protections built on rules from the Continent.George Baker, a Customs broker

Years Ago He ‘Lost Everything.’ Will Brexit Be Better?

FELIXSTOWE, England — If and when Brexit happens, it could produce mountains of new paperwork at Britain’s ports, because every item shipped from the European Union will probably need a customs declaration. Most people’s souls might crumple at the thought. But it’s a prospect George Baker relishes, with a bit of anxiety. A 67-year-old customs broker, Mr. Baker has seen his fortunes sink and soar with the shipping industry. He lost most of his business when the European Union was created in 1993 and goods were allowed to move freely within its borders. Now, Britain’s departure from the European customs union, as Prime Minister Boris Johnson has proposed, could result in a fivefold increase in declarations, a parliamentary agency estimated. That could be a huge opportunity for Mr. Baker, calling for a rapid expansion of his business, or a costly disappointment if the government changes its plans. Until Brexit came along, Mr. Baker was headed for retirement. He had stepped back from day-to-day operations and was looking forward to honing his patchy D.I.Y. skills at a flat he bought on Tenerife in the Canary Islands.But, to his wife’s dismay, he has been spending more time in his home office as the family firm, George Baker Shipping, has been inundated with inquiries. “All that infrastructure we just trashed, people are asking when we can get that back together again,” he said.Mr. Baker has always worked in customs. At age 16, he would board Dutch ships and sit with the captain, going through the tedious paperwork. They would finish by knocking back a shot of gin before he scurried back on land with the completed forms. By 1982, he had started his own company, determined to be his own boss. Customs clearance was a laborious process. The paperwork for one ship could take all day.Just as the process started to speed up with the help of fax machines and computers in the 1990s, a financial crisis hit, and then the European Union was formed. Eighty-five percent of Mr. Baker’s business vanished. “I lost everything,” he said. Business at George Baker Shipping has grown again as globalization has brought in bigger ships bearing cargo from places like China and Vietnam. The declaration that used to take a whole day can now be done in minutes on a computer, and the company tears through thousands a week. But Mr. Baker views Brexit with trepidation, in part because so few details have been nailed down. If the number of customs declarations surges to the 255 million estimated by the National Audit Office, from 55 million, the volume of work will be daunting, if not outright frightening. Mr. Baker and his family — two of his children are executives in the company — are wary of hiring people en masse until they are absolutely certain the jobs won’t be derailed by some twist in the Brexit saga. A decade ago, after the financial crisis hit, the company had to lay off workers. “Horrible, absolutely horrible,” Mr. Baker recalled. “The huge irony is we’d be desperate for them now.” Mr. Baker remembered a bit queasily the times his fortunes changed overnight on the back of political events: “I think probably I’ve got the collywobbles a bit about this whole thing because I’ve been through it.” Marta Jasinska, A Tech executive

Brexit Is a Problem, but the Uncertainty Is Worse

LONDON — Marta Jasinska, a Polish software developer in London, was among dozens of employees at her company whose immigration status was suddenly in flux after the Brexit referendum in 2016.When she went to the office the morning after the vote, there wasn’t much work being done. “People were emotional,” said Ms. Jasinska, the chief technology officer at Moo, an online stationery company that specializes in business cards.Rather than hang around the office, she and others on her engineering team left. “We all ended up at the pub,” she said. “I made an executive decision.”Many others in London’s Farringdon neighborhood where Moo’s office is had the same idea. The pub became a group-therapy session for those upset by the vote — drowning their sorrow in pints of beer and guessing what would come next for the country.In the three years since the vote, there hasn’t been much more clarity for workers like Ms. Jasinska. As the country headed for another election that may help determine its exit from the European Union, she was forced to apply for “settled status,” which she received from the government this month, allowing her to continue working in Britain. “Brexit is a problem, but the uncertainty around what is going to happen to you is a much bigger problem,” she said.In 2008, Ms. Jasinska moved to London from Poland to pursue software engineering work. Now, she leads a team of 110 people at Moo, including 80 engineers and developers. Ms. Jasinska, 35, knows her predicament is hardly the most dire of those affected by Brexit. Demand for software engineers remains robust, and she knew that getting residency would be easier for her than for many others. Her company, in a stylish office spacious enough for a person to ride a bike inside from work desk to the office cafe, has helped with many legal and logistical questions. But the experience has altered Ms. Jasinska’s view of Britain in a way that could have wider ramifications for the nation’s economy and labor force. While the country’s leaders have said technology will be a cornerstone of the post-Brexit economy, many engineers working for start-ups and other tech firms in London come from outside Britain, leading to fears that the pool of talent for people like Ms. Jasinska will dry up.Ms. Jasinska has already seen a shift in her own hiring efforts since the Brexit vote. Moo canceled a recruiting initiative to lure software engineers from other European Union countries to London because of the lack of interest from applicants. “We found the pipeline had dried up,” said Kingsley Macey, who leads Moo’s recruitment efforts. “It’s a real challenge.”Even as Ms. Jasinska tries to recruit engineers, she is no longer certain she herself wants to remain in London.“This is a great tech scene, but it’s going to be very interesting to see over the next five to 10 years how it shifts,” Ms. Jasinska said. “That may change my desire to stay here.”Mervyn gordon, a Dairy Farmer

A New Border Could Sour a Farmer’s Prospects

COLERAINE, Northern Ireland — Mervyn Gordon herded his cows into stalls for the second round of milking that day, patting some of them reassuringly. Regardless of where people stand on Brexit, Mr. Gordon said, they’ll still want their milk. “You still have to do this here,” he said, as the milking machine chugged like a heartbeat over his soft voice. But behind his sanguine comments, Mr. Gordon, a 55-year-old dairy and chicken farmer in Northern Ireland, is worried. He is getting less money for his milk because of the uncertainty around Brexit. Mr. Gordon’s biggest market for his milk is across the Irish Sea, and he does not know if he will readily find buyers if Britain adopts the Brexit deal negotiated by Mr. Johnson. And as the general election nears, it’s still uncertain when he’ll get any answers. Mr. Johnson’s deal would keep Northern Ireland aligned with the European Union’s single market, avoiding a physical border with the Republic of Ireland. But it effectively draws a customs border down the Irish Sea, separating Northern Ireland from the rest of the United Kingdom. “Boris’s deal has still got an awful lot of unknowns,” Mr. Gordon said, expressing a concern commonly heard in Northern Ireland. “With this talk about a border down the Irish Sea, what are we? Are we U.K.? Or are we E.U. as far as trade tariffs go?” The same day, Mr. Johnson was about 45 miles away, telling Northern Ireland exporters that they would enjoy unfettered access to Britain. He told them that they would not face any extra checks or paperwork, contradicting his own cabinet ministers who have said customs declarations would be required. The uncertainty around the terms of departure have weighed on milk prices in Northern Ireland, which have fallen further than in the rest of Britain. Milk processors, who might face higher costs if customs declarations and physical checks are required under a new Brexit arrangement, are hesitant to pay more for Mr. Gordon’s milk. The drop in the value of the pound since the 2016 referendum has also helped push up costs for dairy farm supplies like fuel and fertilizer. The effects are expected to be felt across Northern Ireland’s economy. Treasury documents leaked last week said 98 percent of exporters from Northern Ireland to Britain were small and medium-size businesses that would struggle to bear the extra costs of customs declarations and checks. The rising cost of goods coming from Britain to Northern Ireland is also likely to weigh on the economy. At the same time, Mr. Gordon would like to build a new milking parlor. He spends about five hours a day milking his 117 cows, once at 5:30 a.m. and again at 4 p.m. A new milking parlor, costing as much as 300,000 pounds, or about $394,000, would give him more time to do other things. But if Mr. Gordon is cut off from his biggest market in Britain, that new investment may not make sense. Still, he feels the need to expand if he is to survive. Margins are constantly being squeezed, and the price he gets for milk has not kept up with inflation over the years. “If you stand still, you go back in dairy farming,” he said. wilson ayala and Maritza Castillo Calle, cleaners

Migrant Workers Fear Their Rights Could Vanish

LONDON — Every evening, after office workers across London have logged off and headed home, people arrive to clean up the mess. Very often, these cleaners are from outside Britain.“We do the job that they don’t do,” said Wilson Ayala, an Ecuadorean who came to Britain seven years ago. “They see us as cheap labor.” Mr. Ayala, 57, has cleaned the prestigious Royal College of Music and office buildings in the financial district. He pointed out that cleaners like him help keep businesses and organizations running, and that they pay taxes. Mr. Ayala has a Spanish passport and so-called settled status with the government, which allows him to remain in Britain after Brexit. For low-wage workers who want to come after Brexit, it may be more difficult: They may be allowed in only on limited visas. And Mr. Ayala, a labor activist, worries that the protections that he and his union have fought for could unravel without a European regulatory framework. Building maintenance and cleaning are often outsourced. Cleaning companies compete for contracts, and workers often end up changing employers when a building’s contract changes hands. Mr. Ayala has worked for five or six companies since arriving in Britain, and working conditions change with each transfer, he said. Through the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain, Mr. Ayala has taken a previous employer to court over discrimination and breach of regulations, and has tried to help other workers who say their employers have mistreated them.The union has fought cases relying on regulations derived from European Union law, like protections against unilaterally cutting pay or firing employees when one company takes over from another. With Britain a part of the European Union, “the U.K. has to respect the laws that come from the E.U.,” said Mr. Ayala, who is now the chairman of the cleaners’ branch of the union. The latest Brexit deal allows for significant divergence from European rules, according to documents leaked to British media. The Labour Party said the papers confirmed its “worst fears” about the potential weakening of workers rights. “We’re worried, we’re scared, we have doubts,” Mr. Ayala said. “We don’t know what’s going to happen with our future.” He said he believed that most people who voted for Brexit weren’t motivated by anti-immigrant bias. But others feel differently. Many people “don’t like us coming here to work,” said Maritza Castillo Calle, 36, who cleaned London colleges for five years. Like Mr. Ayala, she is from Ecuador and has a Spanish passport. “They don’t understand that we’re fundamental for this country,” she said. “They don’t know what we do. They don’t know what we suffer here. They want us to go back or to lose our rights.” Ms. Castillo Calle joined the union after she, like Mr. Ayala, saw her working conditions worsening, being asked to work fewer hours and to do more work. “We’re fighting for these terms and conditions, but what’s going to happen to us after Brexit?” Ms. Castillo Calle wondered. Source link Read the full article

[cryptodictation]

Zero income, ruin in a month | Economy

A minuscule virus has unleashed a tsunami that wipes out social life as we knew it and, after health, the most devastating impact is on how people make a living. It has struck in all layers of the economy, from large factories to the autonomous plumber, but it is there, in the small realities, where it is wreaking havoc. Millions of stories where it is discovered how far the paralysis of money has gone, which no longer circulates, does not reach homes. There are 3.2 million freelancers in Spain, smaller entrepreneurs, shops, family businesses. This is a mosaic of desperate voices. The tragedy is a phrase, repeated by everyone: “Since Monday I have zero income, zero.” And the next one: “I can last 15 days, a month, but then I don't know what I'm going to do. Is the end”.

Marta Martín, 39, has an aesthetic center in Santander: “I have two employees, two mortgages. Fixed expenses, 3,000 euros. I just bought a machine for body treatments, 15,000 euros, and I have not paid the first letter. Although they defer taxes, they will join me with the others. With my quote, a benefit stays me in nothing. And I live for rent. My two children, my life. And eat”.

In telephone conversations, all the people consulted had just talked to their adviser, to explain the government's measures, but there is incredible confusion. Everyone tries to decipher the BOE on Tuesday, the Royal Decree with the first initiatives.

Ramón García, 46 years old, CTR mechanical workshop, La Orotava, Tenerife: “I don't know if I can enter an ERTE. The Government says yes, but the BOE is not clear. The workshops do not force us to close and I do not know if we enter into this assumption. My advisor says I have little chance, but I'm going to try. I have 18,000 euros of fixed monthly expenses and fa

zero time; you will tell me. This morning a doctor called me to fix her car and gave me a rush. ” Just a few months ago, she expanded to two workshops, with a loan. And I already had another one. Eight employees. He would be saved, for example, by a rental aid.

The associations of the sector themselves contradict each other. Eduardo Abad, from UPTA, calls for responsibility and believes that the Government has acted well, although more will have to be done: “All the self-employed, be they a company or a natural person, have the right to benefit from a cessation of activity and aid, what would be unemployment, 70% of its contribution base. And also those who continue their activity, if they show that their turnover has decreased by 70%. None has to unsubscribe from Social Security and the Treasury, and will not pay a fee. People are being confused and misinformed. ” The Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migrations, José Luis Escrivá, has intervened this week to go out to the

passage of some affirmations on the part of the sector. Representatives of associations admit that “whoever says more stupid is on TV.” María José Landaburu, UATAE general secretary, believes that the Executive's decisions are a good step, there are even some that they had not asked for, but others must follow: “Now the following is to cover the expenses related to each activity, rents, light…”

Other organizations are more critical and disagree. “Many will be able to access the new benefit, but many others will be left out. We ask that the freelance quota be suspended. Without income there can be no quota ”, summarizes Lorenzo Amor, president of ATA. Javier Muñoz, from AUPA, assures that “the exoneration of quotas only helps legal natural persons, not physical ones”. Although the payment of taxes is deferred, they ask that it be without interest and that it be divided the rest of the year. And electricity or phone bills.

Pablo, audiovisual producer Mad Media, Madrid, confirms: “I am a company owner. For me there is no measure, nothing. I could only do an ERTE and it doesn't compensate me. The Government seems to be only interested in layoffs. My advisor has said to wait a week, to see if it clears up. ” In his case, not being able to leave is the end: he makes videos and documentaries, and all the filming has been canceled.

The truth is that many freelancers choose to pay the minimum contribution, 283 euros, and consequently the help they will have will be scarce. Many already lived daily, without a saving mattress. Iban Sánchez, 35 years old, has a cafeteria in Salamanca: “I opened a year ago, it was difficult for me to get it up and I owe self-employed fees. I wanted to do a debt deferral but if it did not exceed 1,800 euros it was not possible. Now I have the premises closed and I cannot qualify for aid for having debts with Social Security. They left me lying with four children. ” Rafael Begara, barber, La Garriga, Barcelona: “I pay a mortgage. Self-employed. Credits. My wife is also on the street now. And the support of my ex-wife. By pulling four pockets, I can last 15 days, no more. ”

The situation is even more serious in even more unprotected sectors, such as that of domestic workers, more than 600,000 people, according to the organization Sedoac. In many cases in an irregular situation, with hardly any rights, outside the general regime that benefits from aid and that now depends only on the good will of the families that have hired them.

This crisis is causing the endemic anger of the self-employed to emerge. His life, full of paperwork and a calendar dotted with pay dates, is already a race of insurmountable obstacles. The anguish of depending on your own strength and your ingenuity is described by Cristina Gancedo, from the E-Fun English Academy in Madrid, three payrolls: “I left on Monday at ten at night and closed a door through which money flows, your life. Before, I was afraid: when there was a loss, it would be fatal. And on Monday I left with 105, I returned to my house blindly, I did not know who was going to get on the train to do Skype lessons. I don't see light because I don't see that they can help us. Only if you justify losses of 75%, but what if I lost 60%? Should we be under a bridge? With a daughter? Those with a payroll make me envious. ” He asks that the mortgage, the quota and the social security be taken away from him.

Many have been caught at the worst time. Like Pepe Peña, from a textile factory for vehicles in Burgos. Six employees. “We came from the footwear sector, but China shook us a lot and a year or so ago we switched to the automotive industry. We were in full process. We were just going to expand, with another shift, a new line, a credit. But the parent companies have closed. We will ask for an ERTE, but let's see, because everyone will be asking for it ”.

Fernando de Toro, ClimaArte, gas, heating and air conditioning installation in Fuenlabrada, Madrid. Two employees, and two freelancers. And a baby. “Nothing they have decided helps me. I have a rental for a house, premises, warehouse… The minister [Nadia] Calviño says that those who rent are people, right, but they want to get paid. We have the feeling that the greatest effort of many is going to be scratching their noses at home, while others beat the copper and others will pay the duck. They must provide ERTE to everyone, not just the one you force to close. Measures not to pay rent, defer insurance. How am I going to pay for something that has not been generated? I do not want aid, I want not to pay for what I do not work. It seems that everything is made for administration, employees, and the rest, forgotten. And we are three million, normal people, the neighbors of the people ”.

The restlessness and fear that has invaded the self-employed this week is seen in the success of a Facebook group, Todos Somos Uno Ayuda Autónomos Ya, created by Alejandro Martín, 37, a consultant for SMEs and self-employed in Salamanca. “Talking to partners and clients I saw such a sense of concern that I opened the group on Sunday morning. In the afternoon there were a thousand people. On Friday, more than 60,000 ”. The aim is for self-employed workers from all over Spain to vent, inform themselves, and listen. “What I detect above all is disinformation, what is going to happen to everyone in their sector. They are lost because they do not know how the measures affect their particular situation. How does it apply to me? Stop or not stop? Do I unsubscribe or continue? ERTE yes, ERTE no? Each case is unique and each sector is different. And each advisor tells them one thing. At the moment of truth there is absolute chaos ”. Martín believes that the reality is that there will be at least two months without income. “You have to understand this, and the critical cases, and monetary aid of some kind. There is a total sense of helplessness, need to be heard. Many people with a lot of anxiety. The risk is that too many people will be left behind, that it will be too hard a hit. ” He has opened an email to try to help the most desperate cases.

The blow reaches every angle of everyday life. For example, a ham cutter. “We have seven employees. We cannot go to factories to cut surpluses. We have canceled fairs, events, trips to China, Germany … “, explains a businessman from Salamanca, 40 years old. “As in 2008, he who has done his homework will endure. People to survive stop paying and that's a chain. “

Or for example, Cristina Pop, from Saigu Cosmetics, 34 years old, Valencia, asks: “Who is putting on makeup now, if no one leaves the house?” He works in a start-up of natural makeup for sale online. They have been a year. “We had managed to overcome that barrier, we had killed ourselves in building a community of clients and now, free fall.” They are six, all autonomous.

This firm took off thanks to Lanzadera, the business accelerator created by Juan Roig, owner of Mercadona, to finance new projects. People wanting to start, 400 companies in seven years, now slowed down. “It can disappear in a few months. Something that is being born is cut from the roots, “laments Cristina. In Marina de Empresas, the complex that hosts Lanzadera, they say that some are reinventing themselves. Sepiia, shirts that do not stain and do not wrinkle, have started to make masks. Another industrial label, Label Yourself, now makes protection screens for pharmacies.

There are other jobs where it is impossible to reinvent yourself or telework because they live on physical contact. David Mascató, physiotherapy center in O Grove, Pontevedra: “We are two physios, plus three contracted, but we closed for security. It had to be prohibited for us to open, but since we are health centers we are in limbo. Do we have to keep paying taxes? ” In Spain there are around 51,000 registered physical therapists.

Or Elisa Antolín, 48 years old, therapist in Santander from Yamuna Body Rolling, a massage technique with balls and balls: “I have people that I must attend to, who live in pain. More than ever they need to relax, but we can't see or touch each other. ” Now all the works reveal their importance, they respond to a need. “It is okay to take away our quota, which is so unfair, to pay for our right to work. It is abusive, the highest in the entire EU ”.

There are other sectors that we think are working, but neither. Food moves in large distribution, but small producers are also crushed. “It is more important than ever to remember local production, which does not reach large stores. We must help them not to close, ”explains José Manuel Jurado, 61, director of Madrid Alfa Market, which organizes the Matadero street market, with 90 producers, the largest in the region. Small companies of meat, fruits, vegetables, wines, sweets, bread, honey. It has closed its small circuit of bars and restaurants, small food stores. And there are no street markets.

Some people do work, but irregularly and with difficulties. Like truckers, but only some, in food and other products. Jorge Serrano, 48 years old, transporter from Zaragoza: “We have not stopped, but there are many problems, with the service areas closed, without cleaning, without eating hot, closed workshops”. There are more than 400,000 drivers in Spain, the vast majority self-employed or in small companies, 90% have fewer than five trucks. “In Europe there are strong companies with thousands of vehicles. Not here, especially since the 2008 crisis, and people are more unprotected. ” For many carriers, stopping means not being able to pay the letter of the truck, which costs, at least, 100,000 euros.

Juan Manuel Martín, 42, is also working. He has a computer company and “is shot.” “Everyone is teleworking, we have 30% more clients, we advise companies that did not even know how to do it. But let's go daily. We have been survivors for years. “

The future, even surviving, worries a lot. Ernesto Lentini, from the restaurant La Mar de Cádiz, in Zaragoza, with ten workers, asks himself: “When this happens, how will people be when it comes to spending? Maybe it will skyrocket the first few days, but they will all be short of liquidity. If the State does not continue helping then it will be difficult. ”

At the Méndez bookstore, opened since 1973, in the center of Madrid, Antonio and Inma are convinced that customers will return. What they don't know is how many bookstores will stay along the way. “If this lasts two or three months, many may fall, we were already on the tightrope. Neighborhood, peripheral bookstores. Public libraries could stock up on bookstores. Publishing groups could defer payments.” The hope is in messages like the A client sent them on Thursday: “She sent us 100 euros to reserve books for when we open.” She is waiting for you.

Information about the coronavirus

– Here you can follow the last hour on the evolution of the pandemic

– The coronavirus map: this is how cases grow day by day and country by country

– Guide to action against the disease

– In case of symptoms, these are the phones that have been enabled in each community

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[ncmagroup]

                  By Melinda Emerson

  December is here! Before you get all soft and gooey about the holidays, it is important to take time to set things up right so you can achieve your business goals for 2019! You must plan your success for next year. Here are 10 things to do to get your business ready for 2019

Clean up your accounting records

Hopefully, you use accounting software to keep track of your revenues and expenses, but if you haven’t been keeping everything up-to-date, it’s time to buckle down. If your receipts haven’t been entered into your system, it’s a good idea to make that happen asap.  IRS typically does not need receipts for items under $75 that relate to transportation or meals.  But, if you get audited, you may be questioned. You need to get your paperwork together and call the bookkeeper or accountant before tax time when everyone gets slammed. Remember, business taxes are due March 15th, not in April like personal taxes.

Update Vendor 1099’s and W2’s

IRS 1099- MISC is a year-end form you send to all non-employees such as consultants and contractors.  Anyone who you’ve paid more than $600 during the year should receive one, as well as any partnerships, LLCs or companies you may have contracted during the year. The IRS requires 1099’s out the door before Jan 31, 2019. If you have employees, you need to issue their W2’s by January 31, 2019. If you use a payroll service, they should provide W2’s for you and your employees.

Get your 2019 W9 filled out and signed and scanned

Take care of this small task this way, you’ll have this handy when someone asks for it.  Some vendors or corporate clients will ask for this form before paying any invoice. If your business is a sole proprietor, LLC or an S-Corporation, you will need to provide a W9 to get paid.

Set up your files for 2019

If you are like me, you create files for next year at the end of every year.  My filing system is by year, then category then month.  How do you store your contracts, special projects, PPT slides, admin files, etc.? Develop a system and use it consistently.

2019 – Category – Month

You may prefer 2019 – Month – Category

Is Your Desk or Email Cluttered?

If you have 5,000 to 10,000 unopened emails, make it a goal to get back to no new emails before the end of the year. And is your desk cluttered? A cluttered desk is a cluttered mind. Deal with those stacks of unopened mail; who knows there could be a check in one of them. If your work space or computer is cluttered, spend a few hours and set up a system. Shred things you don’t need, and organize your computer files. It will save you hours later.

Check all your monthly subscriptions

There is nothing worse that paying for something you don’t use. With all the apps and subscription services out there, you could be paying for things you no longer need, or paying for apps that do that same thing. Productivity apps, media subscriptions, and music are great place to start. Do you need Spotify and Amazon music? What about your CRM software? Does your email program have the same functionality? Look at social media scheduling tools too. Save money where you can.

Budget for next year

If you don’t have a budget for next year, now is a great time to create one. You need updated financials so that you can see what you spent this year. It’s always best to base a budget based on the previous year. If you had proper accounting, you can use that as a starting point for creating a budget for the next year.

Build a promotions calendar

Sit down with a calendar and start looking at all the holidays or events you want to build content or promotions around. This will give you ample time to plan your social media updates, blog posts, graphics, and advertising campaigns, etc.

Always be reading and learning

Some people read a book a week!  This is pretty challenging when you running your own business and putting out fires constantly.  But readers are leaders, so you need to make sure you are growing your skills as a business leader. Here’s the latest book I am reading:   Building Your Story Brand, by Donald Miller

Start a Gratitude Journal

It is easy to boil things down to wins and losses, but it’s better to be grateful for everything and everyone that is in your life.  Some events, people, things may seem bad – I suggest you look into them to see what they showed up, and write down what you learned. Reflecting on what you learned from the person, event or thing that happened is a great way to make sure you don’t repeat your mistakes. Then take 3 deep breaths!

Wishing you the best for 2019!

Go to our website:   www.ncmalliance.com

10 Things To Do To Get Your Business Ready for 2019 By Melinda Emerson December is here! Before you get all soft and gooey about the holidays, it is important to take time to set things up right so you can achieve your business goals for 2019!

[sunkissis]

Salut!

Well, in the blink of an eye, we have lived in Paris for six months. We are at the halfway mark of our year abroad and those 183 days went by in a flash. 183 days is a significant number for our family because that happens to be the number of days Antz company has allowed him to work remotely. We discovered this just two weeks before our departure date last February. This added to our stress and anxiety but since we put in so much hard work to get approved for our visas, set up a home exchange, took Olivia out of her French school in LA, and we set everything up to be in Paris for an entire year, we just left not knowing what would happen with Antz job.

Let me explain what the 183 day rule is. There is a treaty with France and the US so that either country can collect income tax from residents living there past 183 days. So in our case, if Antz were to continue working past six months, he would have to start paying into France’s tax system (paying for social services, income tax, etc.) while also still paying income taxes in the US because he is employed by an American company. This article explains it better than I can. To me it sounds like double taxation but there is an exclusion up to the first $100,000 of income in the US. Which for us means he would pay 45% of his income in taxes in France but only 28% past $100,000 in the US. So basically 63% of his income would have gone to taxes for our 2019 tax return. This was not the best case scenario for us financially. Also, his company was not able to set him up as an international transfer employee on a work visa due to the high expenses to add him to European payroll. We even requested to have him work freelance as an independent consultant but that didn’t work either. So his company gave him two choices, return to the US in 183 days or separate from the company. He did both. It was the hardest choice to make, Antz has worked for this incredible company for over 18 years. He was at the top of his career as a Senior Art Director. His company had premium benefits, generous salary and bonus, 401k, profit sharing, traveling to industry events and parties, summer Fridays meant he had every other Friday off, and he worked with some amazing people. I can’t tell you how difficult the decision was. I mean, France is rad but it’s not perfect. We are renting here which feels unstable, but in LA we owned our house and we put so much work into making our house lovely. Every month I worry about the currency conversion which varies so much that sometimes we pay $50 – $70 more depending on the day I pay rent. There is also a language barrier that makes simple tasks challenging. Liv is a wonderful translator but even she can’t help with adult things like setting up our cell phones or making an appointment to have the heat turned on in our apartment. There is crime here like any large city, and if I walk through certain parts of town alone, I feel vulnerable. I had a car in LA so I never had a guy follow me making lewd comments like here. Once I to call Antz to meet me on our street because a guy wouldn’t leave me alone. There is terrorism here so when we walk in crowded spaces, I can’t help but feel tense or worry about trucks driving by. There are more grumpy, rude people in customer service than I ever dealt with in LA. I recently tried to make an appointment over the phone but six out of ten people hung up on me when I asked if they spoke English. That is on me, I need to step my French up. I hate the constant smoking, I get I am in a foreign country but blowing smoke directly in my face is infuriating. I also have to deal with renewing our visas every six months which is a headache. However the benefits still outweigh the cons for us. Liv attends a wonderful French school that is only a ten minute walk away for FREE! This is our number one reason for being here. She is attending such a great school here, her French is impeccable and I love that she gets a hot lunch everyday in a cafeteria and after school activities are included in her daily curriculum. She gets a half day on Wednesdays so she can go to ballet, which frees up our weekends for travel. That is our other major reason to stay. Traveling here is so easy and affordable I can’t see going back to LA only to wait all year for Antz to get a few weeks off of work so we have to cram a vacation in a short time and spend half of our travel budget on a long flight from LA. We have traveled more in the last six months than we have in six years. My main goal is to visit 20 countries and they are all just a train ride or a short flight away. I also am looking forward to having actual weather!

Living in sunny Los Angeles for 40 years was nice, but we rarely had thunderstorms or more than a few days of cold enough weather to bundle up. I have never been in Europe during the fall so I am excited to wear coats and scarves. I am also excited for the lovely Christmas markets coming soon! Well, it’s not like I need to sell living in Paris, my point is moving here comes with huge sacrifice. The first was leaving his job but finding a new job here in Paris won’t be so easy. Everyone I know keeps telling us that French jobs do not pay well. So we had to have a back up plan to keep us going financially. We used most of our savings to move here in March and even though we are saving a lot by not paying tuition or a car payment, it’s still expensive living in Paris. In the end, we realized we weren’t happy in LA and that is most important to us. The bottom line is he made great money in LA but he was working long, stressful days and we only had weekends to spend time together. Most of his salary went towards our bills and tuition so even if he made less here in France, our expenses are less. We also spent all our time in our cars which caused our lifestyle to be toxic and unhealthy. Since moving here, we spend so much more quality time as a family (I am sure it’s mostly because we don’t have a TV!) and walking everywhere is pretty awesome. So, we agreed we would stay in Paris as long as possible!

So a month ago we decided to sell our house. It was heartbreaking to do but really I couldn’t think of any other options. Our tenant was only renting during the summer and she was paying $1,000 less than we listed it for because she was able to pay cash in advance. We couldn’t live here and not have a stable long-term renter. There are also so many expenses of being a landlord which would have been difficult to handle from abroad. Our house has increased in value so much, I met with our real estate agent who happened to be in Paris on vacation with her family to discuss the idea of selling. She was so positive about it we put together a plan just to see how things would work out. Antz was going to fly back to LA at the end of August due to the 183 days deadline being Sept 1st so we decided that if the house sold in a month, we would stay. If the house didn’t sell (my worst case scenario), I would pack up our apartment in Paris and return to LA with Liv. Thirty days is an insane timeline but our agent was confident we could do it. This meant that Antz had to begin the process of getting our cat Lola legally documented to travel to Europe. He had to take her to an USDA accredited vet for an exam and she needed an official microchip implanted. Then she needed a rabies shot and there was a 21 day mandatory waiting period. We had to keep the house furnished so it would be staged for the open houses. We had four dates scheduled and a deadline of Sept 17th to accept offers. I was super nervous because after two open houses we only received one offer for an insultingly low amount. In order for my crazy plan to work we had to get a magic number and I was sweating when the final day arrived. The offers slowly began to come in that afternoon. All of the offers were over our asking price but nothing was close to our magic number. The good news was since there were multiple offers we could counter everyone and ask for over our magic number. We only got one person to agree to our counter offer but we got a little over our magic number!! I had to go to the US Embassy to sign the escrow paperwork with an American notary. The visit was intense, many French guards were quite mean at the entrance. I had to go through several security check points and they took my phone and held it during my visit. I managed these shots before they confiscated my phone.

My poor husband had the daunting task of selling all the things we no longer needed, (we felt like we gave away most of our furniture for next to nothing but this was our cleansing period) cleaning out the house (he must have donated and thrown away one hundred bags) and garage of twelve years of overwhelming stuff in two freaking weeks! Then he had to pack up the house, move our stuff into storage at my Mom’s house and ship our remaining items to France in a storage cube.

Our entire lives worth of stuff had to fit in this 7 foot storage box. It will be shipped to France via boat and won’t arrive until January! I will loose my mind if my breakable stuff gets damaged.

I can’t tell you how stressful this was for Antz, all while he was still going to work everyday and dealing with Lola’s stuff. The sad part was we were apart for a month which seems short, but he missed Liv’s first day of school.

To add to our agony we discovered that Antz cell phone wouldn’t make calls in LA so we could only communicate by FaceTime calling on wifi and texts for thirty days. This guy wins at life. We both had our moments of doubt, frustration and sheer panic but he rose to the occasion physically and mentally in a way I never could. He was running on two hours of sleep by the end of the month. He also had to contend with flying back to Paris with our not so friendly cat Lola. I took two wise precautions for her flight. The first was ordering her these claw nibs (her pink fake nails) so she wouldn’t be able to scratch Antz or the carrier. The second was booking Antz in a premium economy seat on his flight with Air France. It was double their normal fare, but he had more room for Lola and fewer people around to disturb.

Anyone interested in flying a pet from the US to France? This is a long, tedious process and we didn’t have a day to spare to get everything done. The first step is taking your pet to an accredited USDA veterinarian. Our regular vet wasn’t accredited but there was one nearby that they recommended.

Los Feliz Small Animal Hospital 3166 Los Feliz Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039 [phone]

I made our appointment online before Antz flew back to LA. The first day he returned he picked up Lola from my best friend Aimee (who was happy to say bye to our cranky feline) and he got her an official microchip inserted. Even if your pet has a microchip in case they get lost, this is a special chip that is registered with the US to track pets abroad. Then she had to wait a mandatory 21 days before getting a rabies shot. It’s important to know that even if your pet has been vaccinated for rabies (like Lola has) they must get another rabies shot 21 days after the microchip has been implanted. We were happy to find out Lola lost weight since her last appointment so she was just under the 8kg restriction. So this put our timeline right on schedule. I made an appointment with APHIS which has an office in Los Angeles to get Lola’s health certificate endorsed. You must make an appointment, no walk-ins.

Los Angeles Animal Import Center 222 Kansas Street El Segundo, CA 90245

No pet can travel abroad on a commercial airline without this document (this doesn’t apply to service animals). If you have a dog, it is also mandatory to show a test for tapeworms and flea medication. There is the choice of flying with your pet in the cabin or the cargo. Air France said they only allowed pets up to 8 kg on board. Well 8 kg means 17.6 lbs and our chunky Lola was 18 lbs at her last vet visit! I am a member of a Expats in France group and I read many horror stories about pets in the cargo of airplanes so I was very worried about Lola’s flight. I was confused when it came to finding an airline approved carrier. If she was going in the cargo of the plane, she had to be in a hardshell crate with very specific measurements. However if she was flying in the cabin, she could travel in a soft-carrier but the measurements varied by airline. I ended up ordering this backpack carrier from Amazon. I knew with all the luggage Antz was bringing and having to carry Lola’s paperwork and his passport, it would be easier for him to be hands-free. I was so worried she wouldn’t fit comfortably in it but a week before his flight, the carrier arrived and he sent me this.

She fit snug as a bug and I also ordered these pet pads in case she had an accident. Antz was smarty pants to use a large safety pin to keep the pad in place when the carrier was upright.

I ordered a harness in case Lola tried to escape at anytime. Antz had to take her out of her carrier when going through security and he held her while they did a thorough check. Luckily, our vet gave him calming medicine to give her on the day of the flight. Antz had a couple of hiccups the week before his flight. He had an appointment with the APHIS to endorse Lola’s health certificate at 8:30 am. Because it was near LAX, he had to leave the house before 6 am to be on time. He was the first person there and when he went to pay the $38 dollar fee, they told him that the vet filled out the wrong form! Antz was livid. I never seen him so angry. Turns out the vet gave Antz the form for pets traveling in the cargo hold but Lola was going to be inside the cabin. At least they were sympathetic and allowed him to return the next day with the correct paperwork, or else we would have needed to make another appointment a month later. So this meant that Antz had to drive to the vet’s office, pick up the correct health certificate and drive out to El Segundo the next morning. This all took place during his last week he was working in his office so you can imagine his level of stress. Once he had the endorsed health certificate you have exactly ten days to leave the country. This is important that you already have your flight set up prior to getting all the forms completed. I booked his return flight only two weeks before his departure since we were waiting to make sure our house sold and he would be able to sign all the escrow paperwork before returning to France. Luckily, there were a few premium economy seats still available. I had to call the airline and let them know we were bringing a pet on-board and they charged us $150 fee at check-in at the airport. Most airlines only allow a few pets on-board so it’s a good idea to let them know in advance. The day of Antz flight home was crazy, remember, his phone didn’t work unless he was connected to wifi, so I was only able to hear from him if he was on Starbucks wifi. Terribly frustrating! Lola decided it would be fun to run outside on the morning of Antz flight. He had to ask our neighbors to come help look for her all morning while he was still packing and needed to take a shower before his ride to the airport showed up. We were down to a few hours before he found her under our neighbors house. He had to crawl under there to get her, merde!

My Mom flew to Paris a few days before Antz so I was hosting her all while he was going through the worst of the drama. It was wonderful to have her here as a distraction from all the stress. She has been amazingly supportive of our decision to stay abroad even though that means she will see us less.

Antz somehow managed to pack up and clean the house with the help of his sister and nephew (Merci Clinnie & Justin!). We sold as many pieces of furniture that didn’t fit in our shipping cube. We gifted special items (our plants, and items I couldn’t bear to sell) to our friends and family.

It’s a hard choice to leave the comforts of our home and move to a different country for such an uncertain future but we can always return. We left Antz Honda Element at my Mom’s house and we are renewing our visas in January. I hope this helps anyone thinking of making the move abroad. The past six months was a great test to see if we could make a life in France viable. It’s challenging, frustrating (more so because we don’t speak French yet) but rewarding beyond all expectations.

I am happy to answer any questions in the comments below.

  Bisous.

Moving Abroad: Six Months! Salut! Well, in the blink of an eye, we have lived in Paris for six months. We are at the halfway mark of our year abroad and those 183 days went by in a flash.

[constructionaccounting]

0238: Contractors Reflect On This Year's Results As The Last Quarter Begins

This Podcast Is Episode Number 0228, And It Will Be About Unique Ways Highly Profitable Contractors Reduce Taxes

Contractors Reflect On This Year's Results As The Last Quarter Begins

Going into the last Quarter of the year. Time for some basic reflection about taxes. Officers in S-Corps tend to take payroll later in the year. Now is the time if you have not already been taking payroll. Don't wait until it is time to prepare your Construction Company tax return. Next review your Estimated personal Taxes paid to the IRS. How much did you pay in taxes for the current year? Internal Revenue expects that you have paid a percentage Federal Taxes before the end of the year.   Reviewing Federal Withholding for yourself and your employees to avoid surprises when your annual taxes are filed. Contractors who file as a Sole Prop or as an LLC fining as a Sole Prop tend to forget that payroll taxes on their net income is due. I call this “Chef’s Surprise” as it is based on Net Income. Everyone wants the last few jobs to pay before the end of the year.

As the Sole Prop or 1099 Contractor, the amount due will be both the employer and employee portions (combined is 15.3% + federal income taxes) Refer to your Tax Accountant about the ability to claim the employer portion as a deduction on your taxes.

Time for some basic reflection about your bookkeeping methods

How are you keeping track of your income and expenses?

Do you use software or on a paper system?

Many Contractors use Shoeboxes, Cardboard Boxes and paper bags

The issue comes when your Banker, Liability Insurance Company, Worker’s Comp Insurance Company, Bonding Company or State Agency or Internal Revenue want reports. I have seen some manual systems that are quite good.

I remember the days pre-computer days where I used an oversized 13 Column Pad. It worked, not a great as the multiple ledgers and from there that first version of Quicken was wonderful. Now using QuickBooks which can be customized is fantastic. Being in Washington State where sales tax is destination based – customization is the key to easy reporting.  Other states have different reporting requirements.

Additional reflection is needed when multiple partners are involved

Is it an active partner or someone who is behind the scenes (investment versus day-to-day activities)? 

Is each partner doing what you expect them to do? 

There are additional challenges when multiple partners are not actively engaged. 

The net profit is divided based on the percentage of ownership.

Many times, partners have different visions for the company.

Growth Of The Company (How Big, How Fast)

How Much Money To Take Out of Company

Reinvestment Of Profits Into The Company

Should They Add A Vehicle (new or used)

What Tools And Equipment To Purchase

Compensation For Employees

Compensation For Owners

Decisions Happen Every Minute For Working Construction Contractors

The most frustrating situation happens when one partner is actively working in the day-to-day activities, and the other partner is a “Manager” and is practicing “Seagull Management” but is never there for the day-to-day activities.

It is easy to say I’m working on the business.  Reality is that it may not have the same meaning to all partners.  Working on the business is Planning, Marketing, Doing Active Things in the business. 

I have heard many stories where One Partner tells the other partner (while managing from afar) You need to be doing [fill in the blank]

The sales are not that high you have plenty of time

The paperwork is not that much; it will only take you 10 -15 minutes [a week, a month] to do it

Or saying “After The Fact: that decisions you made were not the ones I would have made.

It is easy for the person Not Doing The Work - to say, we (Meaning YOU) what should or should not have done [fill in the blank]. This happens a lot when partners are not in the same city. Or to say I can’t because you are better at [fill in the blank]. The last thing you need is for someone else to assign you a task to do. As a Construction Contractor, there is no shortage of “tasks to do” in running your Contracting Business.  

These sort of challenges is one of the reasons we recommend being an S-Corp. It is easier to have a business relationship with someone that is something other than a 50-50%. It is by EXCEPTION that multiple partners will be equally invested in the company. (Time, Money and Effort).

Usually, the Construction Company is weighted with one partner doing more, spending additional hours in the Construction Side of the Work to bring in the money or save on employee hours.

Many times, that same partner is asking their spouse to pitch in and do the bookkeeping without pay because it will benefit them in the long run. Then it becomes two people actively working in the business for the financial benefit of one. If spouses are paid on payroll – they are valued.

(It can be the gesture more than the money)

As an S-Corp owner’s payroll will better reflect activity in the business. Life Happens!

If one of the owners is working fewer hours due to personal reasons; there is compensation that can be more easily given to the other working owners above and beyond the net profit of the company. Easier to facilitate a Loan To Shareholder as needed. When you discuss in the beginning, it Saves “White Noise” and “Hard Feelings.” later.

Years ago; I read a book that described how one partner was very upfront in saying.

Why should I work so hard when I know you will?

I can just sit back and get my share of the profits without doing much of anything! (not an exact quote)

It was just a story, but a few times when meeting with Construction Partners that attitude has come through.

Not all partnerships have problems. I know of several who have been friends and partners for decades. Partners discussed their roles and how to work together. It is awesome! I am always glad to talk to them and catch up.

The Rest Of The Year Will Go By Fast Halloween Is Almost Here

It Is Time To Review Your Current Year Construction Accounting

How are you currently handling your bookkeeping?

If you are comfortable Doing It Yourself and just want a little TLC - we can help. 

Additional resources are on FastEasyAccount.com (website) and FastEasyAccountingStore.com (store)

We accept all major credit cards and PayPal. Also available PayPal credit offers six months same as cash.

We Help A Little Or A Lot Depending On Your Needs. Do you want to explore a QuickBooks file cleanup, or discuss Outsourced Accounting? Offer One Hour Free Consulting. Sometimes Contractors use just to vent about business stuff, and for a variety of reasons, all I can do is be the ear on the end of the phone and offer suggestions.

Never am I going to be nasty about your bookkeeping no matter how “icky or artistic” you have been. We are here to help with your assistance we can create a file with good reports that are useful to you.

Remember your financials are based on the documents you provide in person, electrically, or by using our document management system. Unfortunately, many tools used on Star Trek are still not available.

Year-End Planning Tip: As the economy and your cash flow is improving, do you have all the tools and equipment you want or need? If purchases are made before December 31st, it is a deduction for the current year.

Looking forward to being of assistance. 

About The Author:

https://www.fasteasyaccounting.com/free-one-hour-consultation-bookkeeping

Sharie DeHart, QPA is the co-founder of Business Consulting And Accounting in Lynnwood Washington. She is the leading expert in managing outsourced construction bookkeeping and accounting services companies and cash management accounting for small construction companies across the USA. She encourages Contractors and Construction Company Owners to stay current on their tax obligations and offers insights on how to manage the remaining cash flow to operate and grow their construction company sales and profits so they can put more money in the bank. http://www.fasteasyaccounting.com/sharie-dehart/ 206-361-3950 or [email protected]

I trust this podcast helps you understand that outsourcing your contractor's bookkeeping services to us is about more than just “doing the bookkeeping”; it is about taking a holistic approach to your entire construction company and helping support you as a contractor and as a person.

We Remove Contractor's Unique Paperwork Frustrations

We understand the good, bad and the ugly about owning and operating construction companies because we have had several of them and we sincerely care about you and your construction company!

That is all I have for now, and if you have listened to this far please do me the honor of commenting and rating the Podcast  www.FastEasyAccounting.com/podcast Tell me what you liked, did not like, tell it as you see it because your feedback is crucial and I thank you in advance.

You Deserve To Be Wealthy Because You Bring Value To Other People's Lives!

I trust this will be of value to you and your feedback is always welcome at www.FastEasyAccounting.com/podcast

This Is One more example of how Fast Easy Accounting is helping construction company owners across the USA including Alaska and Hawaii put more money in the bank to operate and grow your construction company. Construction accounting is not rocket science; it is a lot harder than that, and a lot more valuable to construction contractors like you so stop missing out and call Sharie 206-361-3950 or email [email protected]

Contractor Bookkeeping Done For You!

Thinking About Outsourcing Your Contractors Bookkeeping Services?

Click On The Link Below:

www.FastEasyAccounting.com/hs

This guide will help you learn what to look for in outsourced construction accounting.

Need Help Now?

Call Sharie 206-361-3950

[email protected]

Thank you very much, and I hope you understand we do care about you and all contractors regardless of whether or not you ever hire our services. Bye for now until our next episode here on the Contractors Success MAP Podcast.

Enjoy your day.     Sharie

About The Author:

https://www.fasteasyaccounting.com/free-one-hour-consultation-bookkeeping

Sharie DeHart, QPA is the co-founder of Business Consulting And Accounting in Lynnwood Washington. She is the leading expert in managing outsourced construction bookkeeping and accounting services companies and cash management accounting for small construction companies across the USA. She encourages Contractors and Construction Company Owners to stay current on their tax obligations and offers insights on how to manage the remaining cash flow to operate and grow their construction company sales and profits so they can put more money in the bank. http://www.fasteasyaccounting.com/sharie-dehart/ 206-361-3950 or [email protected]

Our Workflow Removes Your Paperwork Frustrations

For Contractors Who Prefer

To Do Your Bookkeeping

Fast Easy Accounting Do-It-Yourself Construction Accounting Store Is Open

Most Contractors Setup QuickBooks Desktop Version In One Of Three Ways:

#1 EZ Step Interview inside QuickBooks Setup #2 Asked Their Tax Accountant To Setup QuickBooks #3 They Attended A How To Setup QuickBooks Class Or Seminar

And QuickBooks Does Not Work The Way They Want It Too!

The Answer:

#1 Click Here To Buy An Entire QuickBooks Setup For Your Specific Contracting Company

#2 Click Here To Buy Just The Chart Of Accounts For Your Specific Contracting Company

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We Serve Over 100 Types Of Contractors So If Your Type Of Company Is Not Listed

Please Do Not Be Concerned Because If You Are A Contractor

There Is A Good Chance We Can Help You!

Call Now: 206-361-3950

  Additional QuickBooks Templates, Resources, And Services

QuickBooks Set Up Templates   Solopreneur

QuickBooks Chart Of Accounts     Free Stuff

QuickBooks Item Lists Templates     Consulting

  We Serve Over 100 Types Of Contractors So If Your Type Of Company Is Not Listed

Please Do Not Be Concerned Because If You Are A Contractor

There Is A Good Chance We Can Help You!

Call Now: 206-361-3950

If you are a blogger, who writes about construction we would like to hear from you.

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                                                                Contractors_Success_MAP, Contractors_Success_Marketing_Accounting_Production, Contractor_Bookkeeping_Services, QuickBooks_For_Contractors, QuickBooks_For_Contractors,Contractors_Success_Map_Unique_Ways_Highly_Profitable_Contractors_Reduce_Taxes

Check out this episode about Contractors Marketing - Accounting - Production (M.A.P.)!

[thescreamingdemon]

Fucking Bad Idea

Landyn: {I wasn’t wrong when I’d thought I’d be thrown into the job without much prep work. But even for my level of shit, this took the fucking piss. Tick the boxes when the stuff went on the truck, then when I got to the other end, cross the ticks to show that they’d been delivered. Bob knew everyone he worked with, and took the time to actually put the various nuts and bolts along with parts where they lived. So that’s what I’d be learning on the job. Excellent. People weren’t a problem for me, but I tended to get in trouble, since the filter between my brain and my mouth was faulty. Or more accurately, non existent. I tended to speak before I thought and then wondered why I spent my entire life trying to explain what I meant, or at the very least that I didn’t mean what I said negatively. And most the time I didn’t. I was nice enough, I liked most people and just wanted to get on with things. I had friends, and I liked the life I had been given. I was busy a lot of the time, but that was my own choice. I wanted to run from pillar to post to ensure I got what I needed, to ensure my brain never got a chance to catch up and catch me off guard. Like right now, when I was checking off the various bags and wrapped packages that were going to my next delivery. There seemed to be a lot of stuff on this delivery, and when I asked the manager, he told me quite directly that it was basically a two to three times a week delivery spot because they were so busy. I wondered why they didn’t do a bigger bulk order. But whatever, who was I to critisise a bad business decision. Instead I nodded and ticked off the last thing on the list, “Ok, Boss. I have it all checked off and ready to go. That all you want me to do today? It doesn’t seem like it’ll take the next few hours.” All I got was a laugh before he waved me off and disappeared. I frowned, but didn’t push it. Instead I hopped into the driving seat and started the engine, making sure I was aware of where everything was and how it all worked before I started out on my way to Screaming Demon Auto. I rolled my eyes and snorted. Subtle.}

Cooper: *I fought with the damn paperwork, payroll, orders, invoices, outstanding accounts, etc until I felt like my eyes were bleeding. I knew I hadn’t really been at it long. I did what I needed and that was that. Orders came in a few times a week to make it easier on us, we never knew exactly what we’d be working on week to week so carrying a ton of stuff I didn’t need just wasn’t on my list of things to do. Payroll was done when it had to be, invoices as well…it was the outstanding accounts I hated most. Some of the people, those who I didn’t intentionally fuck with because I knew their wallets were already strained, those i hated billing but I didn’t run a damn charity here. Though most knew damn well they were getting a hell of a deal from me. Local community and all that. Yep, I was a regular outstanding member of society and all that happy bs. With a snort, I closed the books and pushed back from my desk. My car was calling to me and who was I to resist it? I checked in with Clint and made sure he was set for the evening. I was trying to show trust and all that, give him a sense of accomplishment since he planned on actually going to college for this shit. He just lacked the confidence when dealing with the people, especially if things were even off in the slightest. With the variety we got in here, that often meant I’d get pulled out from beneath the hood if things got too much. He swore up and down that tonight was different, he was ready. I slapped his shoulder and grinned, telling him to call me if he needed me and threw a fresh rag in my pocket before I went to my corner of the shop and slid beneath the car to start. Since it was a pretty slow night, I might even let Clint work a wrench or two after the delivery was handled and the shop closed up for the thing. Until then though, I savored my moments of solitude as I focused on the chassis of the ‘cuda. Knowing that at any moment that air horn would blast and my silence would be shattered*

Landyn: {I rolled up outside the auto shop. Indeed the sign agreed with me that it was Screaming Demon Auto. I mean, fucking hell, what a way to attract the wrong kind of business. I was sure the dude who apparently ran it must be inundated with females looking for a hookup, or possibly men looking for the same thing. No one wanted that name on their CV when they looked for another job. I couldn’t help the shake of my head, but I tried to put on my professional face regardless as I drove into the spot for employees. I wasn’t sure I was in the right place, and while I would normally just drive into the shop and ask, I was trying to turn over a new leaf, so I’d do it by the book. I hopped down from the driver's side and grabbed the clipboard on my way. I needed it to show that I was in fact from where I said I was from. I gave the place another once over and then made tracks to the reception door, figuring there’d be some pretty little blonde on the desk to ask me if I needed anything extra while I waited. Yes, I was an asshole sometimes. I accepted that one. The name really wasn’t doing anything for me. I pushed the door open and something screamed. The noise made me jump about half a foot in the air and I opened my mouth before I could think better of it, “What the actual fuck is that? Are you trying to scare people off before they’ve even come in, the name of this place alone should do that shit for you.” I inhaled noisily and scrubbed my knuckles over my chest, needing to slow my heart and allow my brain to work rather than just throw out whatever popped into it first. I saw a young dude make his way towards me, and I stood quietly until I was close enough to hear me without having to shout, “I’m replacing Bob. Name’s Landyn, and I’ll be doing deliveries from now on. I know I just have to tick the order off as I bring it in. Though I think Bob put all that stuff away for you too. Which I can do, it’ll just take me a bit longer until I know where everything is…………….” I didn’t get much further before the dude looked like he was about to hyperventilate. Asking about Bob and why he wasn’t here. I stood there legitimately gaping like a fish. Waiting while the volume slowly increased and then he snapped his mouth shut and waited for my reply, “How about you just show me where to pull up the truck and then you, or someone else, can show me where this shit goes. Quicker I unload, quicker I’m out of all your hairs. Won’t that be something.” I arched a brow in question and waited. Wondering if this kid even knew what Bob did while he was here.}

Coop: *I’d just popped off the transmission mount when I heard the airhorn going off, I paused and listened for a moment. My brows pinched at what I heard and I pushed the creeper out from under the car. I hopped up to my feet and wiped my hands off on the red shop rag as I walked to the front. Clint looked like he saw a damn ghost or something but then when I saw the male in front of him, I wasn’t all that surprised by the reaction. The blond male certain commanded some attention and with him rattling on, I’m sure Clint was still stuck on the replacing Bob part that had originally captured my attention. That final smart ass comment from the new guy had my lip curling up slightly in the corner as I dropped a hand on Clint’s shoulder* Go grab a bite, kid, I’ll handle this. *Clint nodded, whispering a thanks,  and turned under my arm to duck in the back while I walked around the counter. The closer I got, the easier it was for me to get a read on him, to determine that he was more like me than not, which is likely another reason Clint was rattled. He didn’t know what I was or anything like that, but he was always more on edge around those like me than not. He was getting better though, just took a little more time with him.* Don’t mind the kid, he gets rattled easily when he’s up front. Did I hear you right, you’re taking over Bob’s route? Something happen to him? Follow me through here and I can show you where the shit goes. Rather than using that front door, you can come ‘round the back with the boxes. It’ll save you a heart attack or two with the door. Plus it makes it easier than trying to work around the counter and all that. *I turned and started towards the parts rack in back, fully expecting the male to follow me without question. I pointed out the door for him and weaved around to the back corner of the shop where everything was kept. Everything was labeled and organized in a way that made absolute sense to me, and Bob, but to few others.* Anything you don’t know where it goes, find me or ask one of the guys to come get me. I’m usually under a hood somewhere unless I get forced to handle the papers, then I’ll be in the office.  

Landyn: {I watched the kid as he looked flustered. I would have felt bad, if I hadn’t just had a heart attack walking in here, and I was still focused on the name and the sign. It was like a beacon to everything in the local area. I just hoped they thought him too stupid to actually do it, and steered clear thinking it was an idiot human behind the wheel of this place. The dude seemed to settle when there was a noise behind him, and as I lifted my chin to look I was rewarded with that view. And what a fucking view. Hello! I arched a brow and didn’t bother hiding my gaze as it slowly slid over the male. Not that he was watching me, which kind of made it even better for now. No wonder they put Bob on this. He was about as oblivious as anyone I knew, and that was saying something. I was still imagining Bob’s conversations with the dude as he spoke, and I blinked a couple of times to focus in on the man, “Yeah, I’m taking over……………..” I huffed out a breath as he walked back towards the various boxes that were labeled in some way or another. Rude! I followed on after him as expected, because really, I couldn’t just turn around and get the van to follow him in. Even if I was now imagining what he’d look like smeared across my windshield. Or on the bonnet of the car……...ok enough Landyn! Fuck. I wasn’t a horny, or maybe not a murderous, teenager. I cleared my throat and paid some attention, nodding along in all the right places and then raising a brow at the dude, “As I was saying, yeah, I’m taking over Bob’s route. He’d dead.” I squinted at the boxes and bent forward to see if I could see into the ones that were a clear plastic, Not bothering to open them yet, I would get around to that once I had the van with me. “I’ll bring the van around and get started unloading. I’m thinking I might need you more often than not initially, but I’ll certainly do my best to be all efficient and shit. I know Bob was an in and out kinda guy.” I snorted at the lie, that man could talk and ended up late for absolutely fucking everything because of it. Instead I turned to look at the male, quickly looking around to check his helper was out of ear shot, “And nice to see you’re flying under the radar with the name, and what the fuck is that logo?” I shook my head in disbelief, though a smile tugged at the corners of my lips. I didn’t wait on a reply, instead I moved past the male and started back towards the exit so I could rescue my truck and get started on unloading everything.}

Cooper: *Now that we were in back, I could take a moment to look over Bob’s replacement. He was far younger and a hell of a lot better looking that’s for sure. I frowned at the revelation of Bob’s fate and leaned against the rack, not eyeing the male as he bent over. Certainly not imagining him cuffed in that very position. Nope, not at all.* Huh, well damn, he was a good guy. Didn’t mind coming around a few times a week and all that. I’m not worried about efficiency since I pay for the service I get. Though I’m not opposed to tossing in bonuses for a job well done. *I grinned wide at him. It was a shame he wouldn’t know what that offhand innocent comment about needing me would do to me. I was good at fulfilling needs of others. I prided myself in it in fact. He had a mouth on him though, cocky, yet he wasn’t some young ass punk. He was used to things a certain way, expected it even. It would be fun to put him in his place, see just what he could do with that…foooocus, Coop. He’s new and obviously not into that sort. He hadn’t flirted or anything, which was a rarity. Not that I was hung up on my looks, but  it seemed when people got close, they just wanted to get closer. Which is what made the clubs so boring lately. It was like shooting fish in a barrel. This guy though….I gave him another long hard look…yeah, he wouldn’t be easy. I would bet money on that one. I’d be curious to see how long he stuck around though. Delivery wasn’t the most exciting thing, not out this way at least. His snort pulled me from my thoughts and I flashed  a lazy grin and shrugged at the comments about my name and logo* You tell me, with that blatant of a name and bizarre of a logo, I mean really a demon cat….would you expect to find someone like us running the place? Or would you think it was some dumbass human trying to be clever? *Bob and I had a similar discussion, though it wasn’t nearly as funny riling him up with it as it was watching this…what was his name again? He spun away and headed for the back door before I could ask. That was okay though, it gave me ample opportunity to ogle that ass as he walked away and allow my thoughts to go down a dangerous path while I waited for him to return. I heard a clap of thunder overhead and decided to be generous to the new guy. I opened the big bay door so he could pull right in, this way I could help and he’d not have to go back and forth with it all this time.*

Landyn: {I kept walking, I heard the explanation of the logo and couldn’t help my nod to myself. He was right, no one would expect any of our kind to be that blatant. Well, up to now. I’d heard some things floating around, and this guy, he was wanted by someone. But more than that I didn’t know, and with Bob doing his job, it was quiet again. Kill and get killed seemed to be his motto. I made it to the truck without setting off that horrific welcome note in the sound of a scream, and hopped into the driving seat. I turned the key and backed up a little, the full logo coming into view on the front of the place. It was horrific. I wrinkled my nose and started for the bay doors when they started to shake and then slowly rose from the floor. Apparently I was allowed into the main area, which would make my job ten fucking times easier. I did a huge semi circle and then backed it up, going slow until I knew my way around the place better. I pulled into a space I hoped wasn’t going to be in the way and took a minute to faff with paperwork while not watching the muscles move against the shirt that Cooper had on. I grinned and then grabbed up the file before hopping down to the concrete, “So, I have what you’ve ordered. It came in pretty fast, so it should all be here. You trust me to check it all off and get you to sign after, or you want to watch my back?” I felt my grin widen as I tipped my chin slightly and held Coopers gaze. I didn’t stop moving though, continuing to walk backwards towards the rear of the truck where I could get things opened and started. There was a lot of stuff in this order, so there was basically one small order for another place a few miles away, the rest was slowly killing trees with the amount of paperwork I had to print out, “Why the fuck can’t we use ipads or something to save on the papercuts.” I snorted and wound my way through the unhinging mechanism so I could swing open the doors and sweep my hand across the various boxes and trays stacked neatly. Knowing I’d backed it so that things should come out in some kind of an order, or I hoped anyway. I tried to be laid back and go with the flow, getting bored easily, but knowing I could disappear at any point. However, I did like order, control. I liked to know I was in control, and that often got me in trouble with customers who tried their best to take over and do things for me. That never ended well and often ended in me telling them flat out to take a fucking step back. I turned my back on Cooper and hooked my clipboard on the small nail I’d installed to keep it handy, while leaving my hands free, “So, I have some of the bigger parts here, there’s multiples of some of them. Where did you want them?”}

Cooper: * I watched as the new guy maneuvered the truck and back into the bay. impressed he’d managed not to hit anything on his first go at it. Even Bob had struggled with the narrow space, but it was always amusing to me to see how people handled the tight squeeze. The male popped down with that grin in place and made an offer that damn near caused me to trip over my tongue. I tampered down the growl that threaten and flashed my now grin at him, certain it spoke more than the friendliness I intended* With the amount I tend to order I’m not surprised, seems money makes things happen. *My grin grew wider as I held the male’s gaze…Landyn, that’s what it was. I crossed my arms over my chest and leaned against the steel pillar* Let’s see how you do, then if you have any questions you can just ask. As  for the paperwork, that’s likely my fault, I have a habit of frying out the electronics and I think they got tired of replacing them *I shrugged a shoulder and then watched as he moved around the truck. It was interesting watching him. He wasn’t flustered but rather seemed to move as if he was used to being his way or no way at all. Though there was an undercurrent through him, one that called for exploration. Clint called through the door to let me know he was taking his break and all that which meant I had to listen to the door or phone….or let them ring. Which, with this male before me that was entirely possible. I told him to take an hour and then turned my attention back to the truck. With his back to me, I could appreciate the hard muscles that roiled beneath the uniform he wore. That stretch as he hung the clipboard had my feet propelling me closer and when he waved to the parts, I used that as an excuse for my sudden nearness. Ignoring the automatic innuendo that formed in my head, I brushed his shoulder with mine as I eyed the parts, letting my touch linger I placed a hand on the small of his back as I reached for one of the parts, nodding my head towards the wall* You can put most of those on the bottom shelf right over there, but I’ll take this one over to where I’ll be using it. Save double stepping with it and risking it getting damaged. *I gave another nod as I slowly dragged my fingers over the small of his back and stretched for the part, bringing the box close enough I could scoop it up in my arms. I stepped back and gave a brush of my hips as I turned away from Landyn and carried the fender over to the project car. I was thankful for the distraction because my fingers still tingled from that contact and I knew I was close to seeing how good he could be handling bigger parts and just where I wanted to put them*

Landyn: {I rolled my eyes, of course it was his fault I had to carry enough paper work around to make a large bonfire. But who was I to complain, he looked good, he seemed confident, and I hoped to hell he’d make my job easier. Not that I minded doing the grunt work, it was sort of the reason I kept taking lower paying jobs that kept me physically active. I could do what I wanted, when I wanted. But if I mouthed off and was fired, the next job wasn’t too picky about who they employed. Win/win for me. And for me, while I did tend to speak before my brain engaged, I was fucking good at what I did. And I knew it. Mostly my ability to do the job kept me employed, and of course my ability to move backwards and forward in time, or skip to another place without having to take any kind of transport meant that I was rarely to never late, even if jobs ran over. For the most part, the people I worked for were humans. It was someone on their payroll or client list that had me interested in the job. The fact I’d take these kind of jobs also meant I was popular with anyone and everyone above me. Since it meant they didn’t have to find someone to do the jobs that were less than some thought they were worth. I eyed the amount of stuff in the van and then looked at my list. This was likely to take me a long ass fucking tim……….hello! The brush over my shoulder I noticed instantly, but when his fingers settled on my back I felt my heart sputter in my chest. This wasn’t how I was used to reacting, and it instantly pissed me off. The calm that swept over me had me confused in minutes, even more so that I wanted nothing more than press into that touch, to get more of it. I was statue still as I waited, trying to work out whether to bite or ignore the male beside me. I felt my breathing increase, and I was acutely aware of his proximity to my body, the way his fingers trailed over my back. And the anger was pretty much directed at my shirt, which stopped him being able to to touch my skin. I moved nothing but my eyes, my gaze tracking his movement as he reached to grab one of the larger items, the final brush of his hips seeming to click my brain back online. Fuck! What the hell just happened. Is this what he did to others? We could sense our own, but what we could do, that was pretty much a secret unless we were shown or told. So I had no idea what gifts he had, but apparently his touch was one of them. Had to be. No other reason I’d have reacted like that. I felt a shiver run through me and I grabbed the nearest box to me, barely remembering to check it off the paper before turning, my voice a hushed whisper as I stepped up to Cooper, “Look, I don’t know what that was, but I’m not one of your……………..groupies in a club. Whatever power you have to do that, I’m not playing.” I made sure I held his gaze, standing closer than I probably should, considering. I could feel the lingering effects of his touch even now. The tingling radiating from his touch on my back, the way I could feel myself ignoring every warning in my head as I faced it head on. As was my nature. He wanted to play games, I could play a few of my own.}

Cooper: *I kept the fender in front of me to hide the reaction the male had on me and raised a brow as I heard him follow in a huff. I kept my temper and attitude in check as I turned to face him. Well wasn’t that an interesting reaction. Anger and a bit of…something else. It seemed that I wasn’t the only one who had been affected by that touch. My lip quirked into a grin as I stepped close to Landyn once more* If I were playing games with you, you would know it. For the record, my abilities tend to revolve around technical manipulation. I have no interest in groupies or even manipulating others to enjoy my touch. Whatever you felt, that’s purely chemical. Maybe you need to step back and figure out why…or if you’re really curious…. *I set the fender down where I needed it and grabbed the box from Landyn, setting it on the floor before I stood to my full height and closed in on the male. Something about him had intrigued me and sparked something inside me I’d not felt in a long while. I didn’t even think of how odd it was that my last guy was replaced by another demon in a town where we weren’t exactly in abundance. Right now all I could think of was the way my fingers still tingled. I wondered if it felt like that because he was the first of my kind I’d touched like that in….who the fuck knows how long, or was it something more? I kept walking until his only options were to back up or push me away. There was something in his tone, in the way he carried himself that led me guessing with my next sentence.* I could touch you again, push your buttons like I’m sure you do to so many. I’d be willing to bet you still feel the same thing, that spark that comes when my fingers touch your skin. Should I see what happens when I touch you without barriers, slide my fingers under the hem of your shirt. What do you think would happen with that soft spark then? *I hovered my fingers just above his hip, close enough I could feel his heat but not touching, not yet. I kept my eyes locked on his. I was tempting fate and I knew one wrong move, he’d quit the job and my luck I would get a human delivery person. One who’d not understand the need for paper around  me, one more I’d have to keep pretenses up around, but fuck if I could stop myself. It was time to throw down a challenge and see if he’d be willing to cross the line* You wanna feel me push those buttons, Landyn? Or are you afraid of what might happen?

Landyn:: {I couldn’t help the slow blink. I was certain he was speaking in another language and it was one of the few I didn’t understand. I was generally very vocal about how I felt, and i didn’t shy away from much. But to know that he didn’t have the power to pull our kind in, that stumped me. I held his gaze anyway, though I knew my eyes were huge with confusion as I did exactly as he’d asked. I’d gotten pissed at the touch, but at the same time, I’d craved more of it. Wanted to feel that calm that swept through my entire body the minute his fingers had teased over the material of my shirt. My frown hit me hard and then I managed to open and close my mouth again a few times. I didn’t even really process that he’d moved until I felt the heat from his body. Holy shit did that one wake me up. I snapped back into my brain and growled softly. I liked a challenge as much as the next person, but I was normally the one doing the button pushing. I wasn’t used to being the one who was cornered. I felt like if we were in the wild, I’d be some mouse being herded by a lion. I listened, really listened to the words that spilled without apology from the male’s mouth. The things he could do if I so wished. With my permission. And fuck did I want to give that permission. My heart beat hard and fast in my chest. The exit behind the male, in my line of vision. And yet I felt my feet move backwards, jumping as soon as my back hit something. Whatever it was I wasn’t interested, I wasn’t about to look away from Cooper there was something there. Something under the surface that seemed to call to me and I had to take a slow steadying breath before I could even get a word out. “You think I’m that easy to manipulate, to touch? You’ll have to do better than painting pretty pictures in my head. Anyone can throw out images from the last porno they watched. The doing is the hard part.” I had a feeling that my words would be so far from the truth I’d soon be wishing I could take them back. But I didn’t care, I needed to know I could still press some buttons, that I wasn’t out matched here. I’d held Cooper’s gaze and growled again at the challenge he threw down, allowing my lips to curve into a grin before straightening against whatever was at my back and lifting my chin to get in close, my skin already tingling from the hint of a touch at my hip, “I’m not afraid of anything, Coop. Give it your best fucking shot.”}

Cooper: *Watching Landyn go through the various stages of confusion and anger to out right indignation should have had me backing off and apologizing but inside it only seemed to draw me closer. He may have been backing away but I wasn’t giving him a damn inch of room, following right with him until he hit the pillar with his back. I let my hand rest against his hip and grinned as I leaned in closer. I knew he could feel my breath, likely even smell the cinnamon from my gum too* I don’t believe I once called you easy. In fact, I’m kinda banking on you being the opposite of easy. I don’t paint pictures, pretty or not, Landyn, and I have no issues with doing anything. *I slid my finger just under the material of his work shirt, teasing my thumb faintly over the material of his waistband. The skin was soft under my calloused thumb but that wasn’t what registered. Instead it was the fucking lightening bolts that felt like they were shooting up my arm at the connection. That grin on his face followed by the growl told me that I was right about his stubborn streak. He didn’t like not being in control and that would make this all kinds of fun when he willingly gave that up to me, and I had no doubt he would. Especially when he threw down that final challenge. A challenge that had my dick thickening in my coveralls. My other hand raised to settle on the pillar over his shoulder, essentially pinning him into place with my body despite only having that soft hold on his hip where my thumb continued to brush the skin. My gaze stayed on his, occasionally straying to those full lips that begged to be tasted. I could almost hear his heartbeat, one that seemed an echo of my own racing beat. Fear….yeah, but not your typical oh shit something’s gonna eat me or kill my sorry ass, this was the fear that I could fall into something I thought was impossible ever since I was stuck in this damn town for who knows what reason.* Sometimes a little fear is a good thing, Landyn, but I fully intend on giving you my best ‘fucking’ shot.

Landyn:: {I practically cursed when Coopers fingers slipped under the hem of my shirt and barely stroked over my skin. I hadn’t expected the reaction to him, and I certainly hadn’t expected to feel like the two of us should be capable of fueling an entire village with electricity from the mere connection of our bodies. I almost pressed forward again and touched the male in front of me. But I couldn’t bring myself to do that, I wasn’t about to make it that easy. Instead I widened my stance slightly and took a second to connect my brain again, dragging my bottom lip between my teeth to give me that time. I wanted to push him away, but at the same time, I wanted him to continue doing exactly what he was doing. I’d run, as soon as I had an opening I’d finish up my job and go. Then come back again for the next delivery, torture myself a little more and then run again. I’d only allow myself to give into it if I was sure he was safe, or if I was being given a new assignment and someone was taking over my position. Then I’d give in and that would be on my terms. Having said that, none of my previous jobs, fuck, any of my previous partners had connected with me like this. I’d only just met the male, but already I was certain he’d ensure I fucked up at some point. And that was a feeling I wasn’t accustomed to and certainly one I shouldn’t feel that thrill of excitement in my stomach about. The other arm settling in just above my shoulder basically giving me no way out without actually forcing it again hit a button I hadn’t even known I had. I felt like I was the fly in a fucking spider trap. That didn’t happen. I normally either managed to put people off with my less than subtle bitching about anything and everything I could find. Or I was the one in charge. I made these decisions of when and where. And I was totally not used to someone being this forward. I could smell whatever the fuck he was chewing and while his thumb continued to slide over my skin, I could feel the rest of his body heating mine from the close proximity. At the mention of fear I felt my eyes go wide, then narrow. No way had Cooper figured that shit out without so much as a conversation. Instead of answering that, since I couldn’t deny it, I didn’t lie when asked something though i could skirt around things if I needed to, “Give it your best fucking shot, then tell me that you’ll be able to work with me after that. I’m not about to walk into a lawsuit that I hit on you or some shit.” I was pretty sure Cooper knew as much as I did that whether he put in a complaint or not, it’d do little more than move me to another job. Or maybe he didn’t. I honestly had no idea how much the clients knew about their role in things. But I wasn’t sure how to take control of the situation, and I wasn’t sure what Cooper was about to do. But I did know my heart was racing, and for once, I didn’t have that overwhelming need to run.}

Cooper: *When Landyn widened his stance, I used the opportunity to slide my leg between his. I wasn’t sure a piece of paper could fit between us at the moment and yet it still wasn’t close enough for me.  I had one brief moment of clarity and used it to lock the front door with a resounding click, but I left the bay door open. I wanted Landyn to know he still could leave any damn time he wanted to. I knew this was a one time moment though. If he walked out, I’d never push again and hell, Iw wasn’t even sure he’d be back so I was taking advance of the situation while I could. It didn’t take a genius or mind manipulator to see the war in his mind at the situation he found himself in. My thumb kept up the soft brush over his skin and I grinned wider at the heat building.* I am a lot of things, Landyn, but I’m no sue-happy human. I have nothing to complain about, not even if you walked out right this moment. My business and my sex life are two separate things. Right now, business is the last thing on my mind. I won’t force you into anything, once you walk out that door though, t’s up to you what happens next *My lips ghosted his as I leaned in closer, my voice dropping to a scant whisper* Make no mistake though, Landyn. When you give yourself to me, and you will, it will be done so freely and without a single arm twist from me, unless you’re into that sort of thing. *My lips curved into a wicked smile as I pictured that image, his arms twisted behind him, bound and on his knees, and a growl slipped out. I wouldn’t be surprised if he could feel my erection against his thigh as I pressed my lower half closer intentionally for that reason. It had been too long, that’s all there was to it. I needed this…needed him* Tell me, Landyn, are you into that sort of thing? Would you let me restrain your arms while you’re on your knees before me? Could I tie you up, render you unable to move, before I swallowed your dick like it was the finest meal I ever had?

Landyn:: {I twitched just slightly when Cooper slid his leg between mine. I was sure I should have some kind of argument about how invading my personal space wasn’t what I wanted. But for the life of me, nothing was coming to my mind. The heat from his body was radiating and surrounding me, his scent and his presence was like a bubble surrounding me that I had no intention of moving out of. The lock from the front door barely registered, as I could still see out of the bay doors to the big wide world. But none of that was important. I had no idea how long we’d have until his employee came back. And frankly, I didn’t give a shit. That damn touch kept up the slow sweep at my hip, and I found that I wanted to feel him everywhere, not just on my cock, which was pretty much up for anything now that I was pinned. The fact I could feel Cooper was in the same predicament did nothing to calm my desire. I had to actually blink a few times to keep myself out of my own head when he started talking, unable to focus on his lips when he spoke, the space between us wouldn’t allow me to focus on more than his eyes. I almost answered, but then his lips teased over mine, successfully short circuiting my brain. I almost frowned as I tried to think on whether this had ever happened before. And no, it hadn’t. That jolt of fear shot through me again, making my heart skip. I liked control, needed to know I was in control. All the time. I wasn’t good when things were taken out of my hands. I might know far more about Cooper than he’d want me to, but he wasn’t aware of that. And I wasn’t about to let him know. This was about right now. Done and finished. Scratch and itch, and whether I trusted him to be the one who could do that. All at once I plopped this into the ‘new experience’ box of my head and instantly become hyper aware of everything again. My body had already reacted to Cooper’s presence and proximity, and I found myself ok with just letting my body go full steam ahead. The mental images did more than just get my cock to twitch in my pants, my brain sparked to life. Allowing the pictures of what that might look like to filter through, the gasp and low groan wasn’t something I’d planned. Slipping out without thought. I swallowed hard and tried to find the words, “No, never tried. Um, experimented here and there. Shit.” I lifted my eyes to the ceiling for a minute, trying to find the words I wanted. I never had this problem, I growled at myself and then focused my full attention on Cooper, pulling the words out even if they ended up pissing the male off, it was what I did when I was unsure. “Sure thing, I’ll let you do that. I like trying new things. Think you can do that before your very pleasant employee returns to witness the show?”}

Cooper:: *Every twitch, every hitch of his breath, every movement he made seemed to have some invisible pull on me, or more specially on my throbbing cock. I enjoyed the confusion and frustration that seemed to sweep over Landyn’s face and I knew that I was on the mark with a few of my observations. I also knew that this moment was just that, a moment. Something that would end the moment he walked out the door. And if it didn’t I was sure I’d be relocated soon anyway. I never was able to stay in one place too long, always moved for whatever reason. Not that I was given one…ever. But for now, I had a hot, willing, demon before me and I was going to thoroughly enjoy myself while I could. That gasp of his and the groan that followed gave me the final push I needed and when he asked about my returning employee, it took several clicks of the brain to realize what the fuck he was talking about. I let out a low growl and stepped back for a moment* Don’t fucking move! *I pulled my phone out of my pocket and kept my gaze pinned on the demon to see if he would listen as I dialed up Clint’s cell*Hey kid, listen, I had a minor incident at the shop with some chemicals and shit, I’m thinking it’d just be best for you to call it a night. No…no, I’ll swing by with your books after I get it cleaned up, it’s pretty toxic and I’d hate your dad to try to kick my ass because you ended up sick or something. No worries and I’ll even pay you for a full shift. Yeah…I’m a real gem. Have a good one, Clint. *The phone slid back into my pocket and I dimmed the lights in the shop as I turned my back on Landyn and dug through a box to find what I wanted. I held up a handful of zip ties and grinned. While not my preferred method of restraint, they’d do well enough for now, and were still flimsy enough a demon could snap easily if they chose. I turned back to Landyn and walked methodically towards him, my smile wide and wicked.* I can do all those things and more now that we have the shop to ourselves. The question is, where do I begin?  *I dragged my tongue over my bottom lip as I got closer, my brain mentally tracing out each hard line already as I debated which I wanted more. His mouth on me or mine on him*

Landyn:: {I almost laughed when my words were processed. Almost. I was still having more trouble than I should have with processing a normal reaction to the male. But hell, I’d try anything once. And it wasn’t like I couldn’t just play with time in a heartbeat and be somewhere else. I took a slow, deep breath when Cooper moved back and hoped that the growl would make an appearance again. The noise sent a shot of desire straight south and I wasn’t about to hide that fact. My brow raised and I kept my gaze locked on the male, my grin growing into a smirk. Giving the human the day off would probably be easily explained away, but the fact he’d gone to that extreme had me wondering what he had planned. I almost faltered when I realised that he obviously wasn’t about to get things over and done with quickly. This would take time, and patience was not my strong suit. My gaze flicked to the open doors, not because I wanted out, but mainly due to their access to the outside world. I couldn’t tell if I would want them open or closed. The thought of getting caught didn’t bother me, I’d been caught in far worse situations than I was likely to be in shortly. And by much more important people than those who were liable to make an appearance at this horrifically named place. Without thought I felt my gaze land on the sign, the grimace on my face was probably more than visible before I got my brain back in the game. Focus! I tipped my chin when Cooper moved and watched as he grabbed up what he needed, the appearance of zip ties making me chuckle deeply. They would keep me wherever he wanted me, but without any worry that I wouldn’t get out should I need to. I watched the male move closer, his eyes already seeming to strip me naked without even touching me. That alone sent a shiver threading through my body, and once again I didn’t bother hiding it. Instead I stepped forward just enough to allow myself the ability to open my arms to the side. My grin was wide and I hadn’t bothered to change my stance from when his knee had been pressed up against me, “I could start singing about where to begin, but I feel that might ruin the mood.” I threw a wink at the male and then groaned when his tongue swept across his bottom lip. Instead of focusing on that I started turning in a slow circle, arms only bending to stop myself from hitting anything within range, “See anywhere appealing?”}

Cooper: *My lip quirked as I stopped just out of his reach, watching that smile and listening to the cocky words that came out of his mouth* You start singing and I  might be tempted to stuff that mouth with something to keep you quiet, Kulote. *I didn’t hide the heat in my eyes or the low growl that slipped out as he spun before me, giving me another glimpse of that tight ass of his. I closed the distance and grabbed one of his arms, folding it behind his back as I pressed close, my words hot against the side of his neck* I see many places that look quite appealing. *The zip tie was secured around one wrist and then I grabbed and twisted the other, securing them together  before I used the joined connection to hold him in place as my pelvis slid against his ass* I want you to know this is not a regular occurrence for me *I don’t know why I felt the need to tell him that, but at the moment it was imperative that he knew that. I inhaled his scent deeply, looking for any lingering fear, but even as I was looking for signs of that, I couldn’t resist trailing my tongue over the side of his neck. His skin was salty and clean there and I wanted more, I bit the crook of his neck while my other hand slid around his waist, trailing up his abs and chest to close my fingers gently around his throat* Are you ready to run yet, or are you still interested to see where I decide to taste next?  Because if you stay, I plan on tasting you  all over until you can’t stand it any longer, then, and only then, will I decide if I’m going to fuck you or just let you walk out wanting, needing, craving that release.

Landyn::{I arched a brow at the words, wanting to ask what Kulote meant, but not being able to when I was being looked at with such appreciation. I had to clear my throat to stop myself from grinning, though it might have added to the outward appearance of cocky had I just outright grinned at the male. I just couldn’t find it in myself to do that. I had some kind of hiccup going on in my stomach. It wasn’t a bad thing, but something I’d not felt before. Like, I should be paying more attention to what was happening rather than put up my usual mask and hide behind it. Instead I tried to keep my brain running in some kind of forward motion, keeping myself fluid so Cooper could do whatever he pleased. I knew I could get out of the zip ties if needed. I knew I could leave the place in a heartbeat, and that allowed me to trust what was happening. Even while the uncertainty danced right along with the heat that was flushing through my system. I took stock of the feeling of the warmth as it radiated against my back, my skin pebbling when he moved and the cooler air brushed over my heated skin. It was something new for me, something I hadn’t felt, ever. I took charge normally. Taking what I wanted and leaving. And I never mixed business with pleasure. Certainly not on the first fucking day of the job. New experience was one thing, but really, my brain must have gone out the window along with my self control. I managed to inhale slowly, a shiver hitting me hard when I felt that wet slide of his tongue along my neck, “Um, no, me either. I mean, first day of a new job and all, who’d have seen this being the outcome?” I tried for a shrug, desperately trying to keep the male at arms length while still actually enjoying what he was doing. I felt I should be doing something, touching or speaking or moving, but with my wrists tied I was limited. It was a weird feeling. But one I didn’t outright hate. I flexed my fingers and tipped my head slightly as I groaned softly, “Not ready to run. Though I’m happy to give that a go if it turns you on?” I arched a brow, though I knew he’d probably see past that. I was feeling less like I cared what he saw, and just wanted to see what he’d do next.}

:Cooper: *I shifted my body so that my hard bulge brushed over his bound hands as my thumb pressed against the vein in his throat, my lips and tongue exploring almost lazily as he spoke. I could feel his heart beat against his skin and swore I could almost hear that thud against my ears, which was impossible.* I think we can save the running for next time, Landyn. For now, I’ll just enjoy the feast before me. *My fingers slid from his throat down to undo the buttons on his shirt so my fingers could trail over each hard line unencumbered by any fabric. Hot. Not just in looks but his skin singed my fingers or at least that’s how it felt. Maybe it was nerves, apprehension, whatever it was, I craved more. I gave one last press of my hips against his flexing fingers and growled low as my need for him grew. The only way this was stopping is if he busted free and ran because otherwise,I was a fucking goner for him. I stepped back and slid my coveralls over my shoulders, letting the sleeves hang at my hips, the light tee I wore under was stretched tight and already feeling damp with sweat but I couldn’t be bothered to remove anymore yet, it was his skin I wanted revealed, his taste I needed like my next breath. I turned him towards me and helped his fingers find the pillar behind him for support as my lips again find that salty skin at the crook of his neck while my hand slid along his side and down to the waistband of his slacks, easing between us as I curled my fingers over his growing erection* Besides, I think if I were anymore turned on, the sprinklers would be going off to quell the growing fire.

Landyn: {I couldn’t help the laugh that cracked past my lips when the demon all but admitted the practically tangible spark in the air. I wasn’t all that far behind him, the only thing really holding me back was my brain. It was still somewhere between ‘this is a great idea’ and ‘holy fuck, what are you doing’. I felt my chin tip without so much as an uttered word with the slow side of Coopers fingers over the buttons of my shirt. Happily allowing him to strip me, do whatever he wanted to me. I could feel the heat from his body, his touch and where his cock was pressed to my palm. Though that only lasted a minute before he stepped away again. I didn’t shy away as that first layer was removed, though I did take a minute to appreciate the play of muscles I could see plain as day under the white shirt. It stretched tight across his chest and pulled in nicely at his waist, I was pretty sure the cuffs would snap with how much they had to give. Though I almost groaned when nothing else was exposed. Instead I lifted my gaze from the show before me and met the male head on. Watching as he got in close again, glad that I had the post behind me for support, and more than a little surprised that he had helped me find it. This was a situation I’d never been in, and so far I had to admit I was enjoying it. Though I wouldn’t be as forward as to show that just yet. Instead I dragged my tongue along my bottom lip and then I had no choice but to stop my head to the side. Those lips dragging pure fire across my skin. I was sure I was going to lose my mind as I frantically tried to hold onto the cocky side that had allowed me to stay somewhat detached up until now. The minute his skilled fingers found my cock though, that was enough to short circuit my brain. A shudder hitting me violently with a rolling heat that pebbled my skin.. I found I was unable to do much more than whisper for more, my hips rolling in response, silently begging for the male to keep up with what he was doing. Suddenly wanting nothing more than to experience it all before walking away.} #FuckingBadIdea

[constructionaccounting]

0234: 12 Signs You Hired The Right Contractor Bookkeeping Service

This Podcast Is Episode Number 0234 And It Will Be About 12 Signs You Hired The Right Contractor Bookkeeping Service

   If you are a contractor, you know what to look for when you need to hire skilled construction workers. The longer you have been in construction, the more experience you have including a sixth sense about who is likely to be a good fit for your construction company team and who is not. 

You can spot wanna-bees, clowns, and firebrands in an instant, and you know that if you are thinking about firing someone; you are already fifteen minutes too late!

99.99% of Construction is "Tangible" which means you can judge it using your five senses. You can See, Hear, Touch, Smell and Taste it and you know when it is good or bad.

99.99% of construction accounting is "Intangible" including financing, taxes, payroll processing, payment applications, financial statements, cash management which means you may have to rely on your gut-feeling to know when someone perhaps is not a good fit.

I have a deep background both in construction, having owned and operated successful construction companies and construction accounting.

I have a deep background both in construction, having owned and operated successful construction companies and construction accounting.

Just so we are clear, if you suspect I want the opportunity to work with you, you are 100% right! But, I know what you need is proof that I know what I am doing so let me condense several decades of experience into these twelve warning signs you hired the wrong contractor bookkeeping service.

Here are these twelve Signs You Hired The Right Contractor Bookkeeping Service

  Sign #01

Your contractor's bookkeeping service specializes in working with contractors. They are not general bookkeepers who accept all types of businesses and cannot do right by any of them because nobody can keep track of all the subtle differences and nuances of multiple industries let alone the specialties within a given industry. In the construction industry, they are "Masters Of Their Trade."

  Chances are they are not the cheapest Bookkeeping Service available. Every successful contractor knows cheap tools, cheap workers, cheap material and cheap Bookkeepers are the most expensive ones in the short-run and worse in the long run.

  Cheap tools and cheap bookkeepers appear to be a bargain until you use them for a short while and discover how expensive they are.

  When you add up the seen and unseen costs, you suddenly realize you need to replace them with someone who understands construction. Someone who understands Construction Accounting and has a contractors accounting and bookkeeping system, software, hardware, infrastructure and staff that are trained in construction accounting, so they know how to provide the contractors accounting and bookkeeping services you need.

  Sign #02

Your contractor, bookkeeping services firm offers flat-rate pricing for your contractor bookkeeping services needs. There are situations when a contractor is better off with a flexible rate schedule including pre-determined hourly rates depending on the skill level required, but only if there are complex construction accounting needs or if the construction company owners or managers want direct command and control of the contractor bookkeeping services.

  We can serve 99.99% of construction, and contracting companies in the USA including Alaska and Hawaii with annual sales volume from $0 start up to $5,000,000 with a flat rate weekly or monthly fee that does not change unless your needs change.

  Our Construction Accounting Services System takes the guesswork out of contractors bookkeeping services and leaves good solid, repeatable bookkeeping processes that work day in and day out.

  Sign #03

Your contractor, bookkeeping services firm, is open and honest with you and answers your questions with easy to understand language not "accounting speak" and respects you as an intelligent business owner.

  Construction accounting is complex; however, you don't want to know how it’s done you just how to read the financial and job costing reports to help you operate and grow your construction company. The true professional in any field makes everything they do look easy I invite you to look at The Five Key Performance Indicators For Contractors. Then you decide if what I say is true or not, you are the judge.

  Sign #04

When you provide the data and paperwork on time your contractor bookkeeping services firm gets their work done on time.

  You know there is no profit in operating a chaotic bookkeeping service or any other company for that matter. Contractor Bookkeeping Services are predictable, foreseeable, boring, tedious, mundane, repetitive, monotonous, dull businesses in the world and people either love it or hate it.Thank goodness everyone at Fast Easy Accounting loves it, eats it, sleeps it, dreams about it and are fascinated with it!

The reason we love it so much is our contractor's bookkeeping system reverses the typical 95% / 5% ratio. In most bookkeeping services, 95% of the time they don't know what to do most of the paperwork they encounter, so they try to remember what we did with the last one just like it, and they hope the financial and job costing reports don't get screwed up. And only 5% of the transactions are simple and easy.

Even something as simple as knowing where to classify fuel or food can be a nightmare for the bookkeeping services staff without at least 10,000 hours in construction accounting.

  Fuel Costs Could Go Into Any One Of A Dozen Accounts For Example:

Construction vehicles for use on streets and roads

Construction vehicles for off road use

Generators

Cut-off saws

Air compressors

Other power tools

Admin vehicle company owned

Field employee vehicle as reimbursement

Admin employee vehicle as reimbursement

Sales employee vehicle as reimbursement

Operations employee vehicle as reimbursement Officer or Owner vehicle as reimbursement

Food Costs Could Go Into Any One Of A Half-Dozen Accounts For Example:

Field employee meals (different tax deduction than straight meals)

Meals for office employees

Entertainment

Office meetings

Charitable donations

Gifts for clients

If a transaction is put into the wrong account, the financial statements will present a vastly different picture to the contractor regarding which jobs are profitable and which ones are not. In the end, it could mean the difference between success and failure because if you rely on Profit And Loss By Job Reports to know which jobs to bid on and which ones to ignore. Year over year and regardless of the economy one thing never changes; 20% of the contractors earn and keep 80% of the profits. The reason is they have a Business Process Management Strategy like our Contractors Success M.A.P. that tells them how, what, when, where and why to focus their limited resources on the M.A.P. = Marketing / Accounting / Production.

The 80/20 Rule Combined With Business Process Management

Can Improve Your Life In Ways You Never Dreamed Possible!

Sign #05

Your contractors bookkeeping services firm works out of their home. Home based businesses are great for many people, and they make a lot of sense; except when it comes to dealing with your construction company's sensitive financial data.

The last thing you want is for your contracting company records to be sitting on someone's kitchen table open and inviting for anyone and everyone to see, touch, read and spy on you construction company. It happens more than you could imagine or could believe unless it has happened to you or someone you know and trust.

Just as bad is when your cheap bookkeeper has little kids with sticky fingers, and they get peanut butter and jelly on your construction company receipts.

By far, the scariest cheap bookkeeping services are the ones run by the wife, girlfriend or office worker of your competitor who likes to share your client list, estimates, and financial records...OUCH! That happens more than you could imagine or believe.

Sign #06

Your contractors bookkeeping services firm internet presence is professional, clean and packed full of helpful, useful information and has at least 10,000 pages.

A website is no longer a luxury and at a minimum to be taken seriously your contractors bookkeeping services should active in at least 20 different social media sites including a presence on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Google+ to name a few.

The best way to know if your contractors bookkeeping services firm has an internet presence is simply doing a google search on them. Google FastEasyAccounting.com and you will find over 9,000 results as of 10-17-14. Google our Co-Founder Randal DeHart, and you will find over 58,000 results as of 10-17-14.

Sign #07

Your contractors bookkeeping services firm does not close sales; they open relationships. No high pressure or scares tactics to get you to buy. We do not close sales; we open relationships. Hiring a Contractors Bookkeeping service is something we take rather seriously and deliberately.

We are a small privately held contractors bookkeeping services firm with a process to invite new contractors like you into our family of clients. It starts with a No Charge Consultation and mutual interview to determine if there is a basis to build a mutually beneficial relationship.

Next, we review your QuickBooks file to determine how and if we can meet your construction accounting needs.

Lastly, Sharie contacts you to present one of more custom solutions that we put together to fit your construction company's individual needs because no two contractors are the same. Sharie reviews it with you, and you decide to engage our services when you are ready.

Sharie will not attempt to close you because as I said before, "we do not close sales; we open relationships" so if we are not a good fit simply say so and we will leave you alone. In the future, if you change your mind, you are always welcome to contact us again.

Sign #08

Your contractors bookkeeping services firm carefully explains your bookkeeping options and lets you decide what it best for you.

We can serve 99.99% of construction, and contracting companies in the USA including Alaska and Hawaii with annual sales volume from $0 start up to $5,000,000 with a flat rate weekly or monthly fee that does not change unless your needs change.

Our construction accounting services system takes the guesswork out of contractors bookkeeping services and leaves good solid, repeatable bookkeeping processes that work day in and day out.

However, some contractors want control over their construction accounting services including what, when, where and how their Contractor Bookkeeping and Accounting services are handled and if this describes you then rest assured we have you covered.

You can have access to the same secure; Intuit Approved Cloud Based Hosting Service, which includes the same QuickBooks desktop as all of our contractor clients and instead of our construction accounting services system.

In these cases, we can design a reasonable hourly contractor accounting service package to fit your needs and allow you reasonable command and control on how QuickBooks is setup and maintained.

Sign #09

Your contractors bookkeeping services firm follows up regularly to make sure you are very satisfied with the services you are receiving. We have a simple answer, we keep in contact with you as much or as little as you desire and more importantly we earn your business every month. No long-term contracts, you vote with your dollars to keep us or let us go.

We do everything we can, within reason, to keep you, improve our services, innovate and add value every day. Don't take my word for it see what our clients say Click Here.

Sign #10

Your contractors bookkeeping services firm has QuickBooks ProAdvisors on staff is one of many certifications they need to consider a viable bookkeeping service for the Contractors. Yes, it costs money, $549 per year and the ProAdvisor has to take a test and recertify on the new QuickBooks edition every year.

Sign #11

Your contractors bookkeeping services firm takes a proactive approach to supporting your construction company needs outside of simply providing the bookkeeping services and they offer recommendations to help you get more from their services, save money, or improve your construction company profit and productivity.

We have entire sections of our website devoted to helping your construction company become more profitable, streamline your operations and become more productive. For example, check out the strategy and construction psychology sections.

Sign #12

Your contractor's bookkeeping services firm offers you a way to access your QuickBooks desktop version 24/7/365 from any web enabled device. Including top notch English speaking tech support staff!

The Screenshots Below Were Taken In Our Lynnwood Washington Office

 QuickBooks Is 1,000+ Miles Away Running On High-Speed Servers

Tucked Securely In A Building With Armed Guards

With Highly Skilled Technicians Maintaining It

Want to learn how to hire an honest, competent, and reliable contractors bookkeeping services firm? Download our FREE Business Advisory Guide at Contractors-bookkeeping-services-guide-for-construction-accounting-and-bookkeeping/

I trust this podcast helps you understand that outsourcing your contractor's bookkeeping services to us is about more than just “doing the bookkeeping”; it is about taking a holistic approach to your entire construction company and helping support you as a contractor and as a person.

We Remove Contractor's Unique Paperwork Frustrations

We understand the good, bad and the ugly about owning and operating construction companies because we have had several of them and we sincerely care about you and your construction company!

That is all I have for now, and if you have listened to this far please do me the honor of commenting and rating podcast www.FastEasyAccounting.com/podcast Tell me what you liked, did not like, tell it as you see it because your feedback is crucial and I thank you in advance.

You Deserve To Be Wealthy Because You Bring Value To Other People's Lives!

I trust this will be of value to you and your feedback is always welcome at www.FastEasyAccounting.com/podcast

One more example of how Fast Easy Accounting is helping construction company owners across the USA including Alaska and Hawaii put more money in the bank to operate and grow your construction company. Construction accounting is not rocket science; it is a lot harder than that, and a lot more valuable to construction contractors like you so stop missing out and call Sharie 206-361-3950 or email [email protected]

Contractor Bookkeeping Done For You!

Thinking About Outsourcing Your Contractors Bookkeeping Services?

Click On The Link Below:

www.FastEasyAccounting.com/hs

This guide will help you learn what to look for in outsourced construction accounting.

Need Help Now?

Call Sharie 206-361-3950

[email protected]

Thank you very much, and I hope you understand we do care about you and all contractors regardless of whether or not you ever hire our services. Bye for now until our next episode here on the Contractors Success MAP Podcast.

About The Author:

Randal DeHart, PMP, QPA is the co-founder of Business Consulting And Accounting in Lynnwood Washington. He is the leading expert in outsourced construction bookkeeping and accounting services for small construction companies across the USA. He is experienced as a Contractor, Project Management Professional, Construction Accountant, Intuit ProAdvisor, QuickBooks For Contractors Expert and Xero Accounting Specialist. This combination of experience and skill sets provides a unique perspective which allows him to see the world through the eyes of a contractor, Project Manager, Accountant, and construction accountant. This quadruple understanding is what sets him apart from other Intuit ProAdvisors and Xero accountants to the benefit of all of the construction contractors he serves across the USA. Visit http://www.fasteasyaccounting.com/randal-dehart/ to learn more.

Our Co-Founder Randal DeHart - Is a Certified PMP (Project Management Professional) with several years of construction project management experience. His expertise is construction accounting systems engineering and process development. His exhaustive study of several leading experts including the work of Dr. W. Edward Deming, Michael Gerber, Walter A. Shewhart, James Lewis and dozens of others was the foundation upon which our Construction Bookkeeping System is based and continues to evolve and improve. Check out our Contractor Success Map Podcast on iTunes and Follow Randal on Google+ 

Warm Regards,

Randal DeHart | The Contractors Accountant

Our Workflow Removes Your Paperwork Frustrations

For Contractors Who Prefer

To Do Your Own Bookkeeping

Fast Easy Accounting Do-It-Yourself Construction Accounting Store Is Open

  Most Contractors Setup QuickBooks Desktop Version In One Of Three Ways:

#1 EZ Step Interview inside QuickBooks Setup #2 Asked Their Tax Accountant To Setup QuickBooks #3 They Attended A How To Setup QuickBooks Class Or Seminar

And QuickBooks Does Not Work The Way They Want It Too!

The Answer:

#1 Click Here To Buy An Entire QuickBooks Setup For Your Specific Contracting Company

#2 Click Here To Buy Just The Chart Of Accounts For Your Specific Contracting Company

  Short List Construction Contractors We Serve 

Brand New Construction Company    Handyman Company

Cabinet Installer    HVAC Contractor

Carpentry Contractor    Insulation Contractor    

Carpet And Tile Contractor    Interior Designer      

Commercial Tenant Improvement Contractor   Land Development Company

Concrete Contractor    Landscape Contractor    

Construction Company   Masonry Contractor

Construction Manager   Mold Remediation Company      

Contracting Company    Moss Removal Company      

Contractor   Painting Contractor      

Custom Deck Builder    Plumbing Contractor      

Custom Home Builder    Pressure Washing Company      

Demolition Contractor    Remodel Construction Company      

Drywall Contractor    Renovation Contractor      

Electrical Contractor    Restoration Contractor      

Emerging Contractor    Roofing Contractor      

Excavation Contractor    Spec Home Builder      

Finish Millwork Contractor    Specialty Contractor      

Flipper House Contractor    Subcontractor

Flooring Contractor    Trade Contractor      

Framing Contractor    Underground Contractor      

General Contractor    Utility Contractor      

Glass Installation Contractor    Construction Employees    

Gutter Installation Company    Construction Support Specialist

  Additional QuickBooks Templates, Resources, And Services

QuickBooks Set Up Templates   Solopreneur

QuickBooks Chart Of Accounts     Free Stuff

QuickBooks Item Lists Templates     Consulting

  We Serve Over 100 Types Of Contractors So If Your Type Of Company Is Not Listed

Please Do Not Be Concerned Because If You Are A Contractor

There Is A Good Chance We Can Help You!

Call Now: 206-361-3950

  If you are a blogger, who writes about construction we would like to hear from you.

https://www.fasteasyaccounting.com/guestblogger

                                                                                                                    Contractors_Success_MAP, Contractors_Success_Marketing_Accounting_Production, Contractor_Bookkeeping_Services, QuickBooks_For_Contractors, QuickBooks_For_Contractors,Contractors_Success_Map_12_Signs_You_Hired_The_Right_Contractor_Bookkeeping_Service_

Check out this episode about Contractors Marketing - Accounting - Production (M.A.P.)!

[constructionaccounting]

0210: Contractor Bookkeeping Basics Explained

This Podcast Is Episode Number 0210 And It Will Be About Contractor Bookkeeping Basics Explained

Contractor Bookkeeping Basics and Why

Today’s technology says “Do Everything On Your Phone”

Use an app to create an estimate, or better yet just send the estimate in the body of the email. That works when the customer’s reply is “Do It”.

Great you start the job, finish the job, never send the customer an invoice; Why – They Don’t Need One – they know how much to pay from your original email. and you Included short explanatory paragraphs about each item of work you did.

You move on to the next job. Weeks go by. If the customer is expecting a “formal invoice” and do not plan to pay until they receive one. More time passes; you are waiting to “GET PAID” and the customer is waiting “To Pay You”. Some customers will take the extra effort to call, leave a message, text, or email you asking for the invoice so they can pay.  MANY customers will say nothing until The Contractor sends the invoice they are NOT Paying and NOT doing any follow up. Months go by, and still, no check arrives.   Many contractors think they have someone who hasn’t paid but are unsure of who the customer was. Often times the contractor feels too much time has passed and doesn’t try to go back and bill old customers. What came in the mail was all of the supplier invoices for the job. All of the subcontractor invoices, and YES, the payroll for the job has been paid. The person who did NOT get paid was The Contractor. Get The Money, Collect Ongoing Payments, Get Job Deposits – Use Customers Funds for Material. DO NOT BE THE BANKER FOR YOUR CUSTOMER! Contractors are not bankers! First Step No matter what app you use. Make sure it has a “mini” invoice program for emailing customer an invoice. You can then go back and have a paper trail that you asked the customer for money. Second Step Track your time Use T-Sheets to keep track of the jobs you were on. (This is good for Contractors who do not have employees) What If you have to lien the job?

One of the questions are when was the last day on the job? The answer could be the difference between having any lien rights and collecting the money or getting nothing but attorney or lien service fees.

Use a Lien Service for Notice to the Owners on larger jobs. Double check with your supplier. Does the supplier send out Notice to the Owner? Even if your Lien Rights are gone – Maybe your Supplier’s Lien is Valid and Collectable.   Third Step Accept Credit Cards. More customers have room on their credit card than “Cash In The Bank.”

Getting Money Now offsets the fees charged by your Merchant Service Provider. Many services that offer invoice programs (Estimating Software, Dispatch Software, Invoice Software) have an add-on feature for Merchant Services. Customer follows the link, puts in their credit card number or bank routing and account number for easy payment.  Again, worth the fees to GET PAID NOW! Behind the scenes, every Contractor should do additional Bookkeeping. Some invoice programs will track the payments received, but that is the extent of the bookkeeping. The Contractor’s Bookkeeping needs go beyond sending an email to the customer with the price of the job and taking the check to the bank.

Customer Invoice Tracking knows Who Owes You Money AND How Much

A proper Construction Contractor Bookkeeping System is setup to create a Customer Invoice. Receives Payment. Seeing the balance if anything is owed. Accounts Receivable Aging Report is one of the reports banks look at before giving you a business loan. Bankers want to know What is your volume (sales) What have you collected (customer payments) and How Much Do Customers Still Owe You and finally How Long Does It Take You To Collect. In some industries 30-60 days is common.   I have heard stories about larger retail stores who paid promptly after the first 6 months. It was surviving the first 6 months that was hard for smaller suppliers and Tenant Improvement Contractors.

Accounts Payable is keeping track of the bills owed to a supplier or subcontractor.

A proper Construction Contractor Bookkeeping System uses the Accounts Payable feature to track the unpaid bills. Again, the Banker wants to know how long it takes to pay your bills. The Bank wants to get paid and unlike The Contractor who is embarrassed to call an old customer; The Bank is very willing to Call Early and Often for any outstanding payments due.   Another reason to keep A proper Construction Contractor Bookkeeping System is so you don't Over Pay a supplier or subcontractor, cell phone, the internet, liability insurance, vehicle insurance and more. The bills keep coming and depending on your payment schedule you may receive the Past Due Reminder Notice before the Original Bill has arrived. Some utility companies have a history of what appears to be randomly sending Original Bill Some insurance companies if you do not immediately pay the invoice when it comes then the payment will be late and subject to a late charge. Based on where the Out of State payment needs to be mailed to it may be impossible to mail (by regular mail) and be received on time.   Hence – Online Payments Accepted. The benefit to The Contractor is proof the payment was made with a time and date stamp (Print) and usually an auto-generated email as backup confirmation that the payment was made.   Overpaying Sub Contractors can easily happen if checks are written on the job site. When using Hand Written checks be sure to use “Carbonless Checks” to have a written record of payments made. The payments than can be added to the Bookkeeping System without waiting for them to clear. Bankers like the reports from a Formal Contractor Bookkeeping System (QuickBooks for Example)   It is an easy to understand report. Bankers can usually tell if the numbers are off because there is missing transactions, no enough income, too many expenses.   Contractor’s who do their own bookkeeping and are sometimes “Just Lost” Depending on the banker they use.

Whether or not you get the loan or line of credit, you are after depends heavily on the way your Financial Reports are put together. The Net Result is that the Rates and Fees charged maybe higher and Amount Loaned maybe lower than expected!

Another Group That Likes Formal Bookkeeping System is the Local, State, and Federal Governments (IRS)

City Governments can require their revenue reports and payment due Monthly, Quarterly, Annually.

In Washington State; The Department of Revenue can make every contractor report and pay their Sales Tax Liability Monthly. For Companies with employees, Washington State Payroll taxes are due Quarterly.   The Internal Revenue Service want the 941 Quarterly Payroll Reports filed Quarterly. If tax liability for the Quarter is over $2500.00, then the payments are due Monthly. Larger companies have to pay their payroll tax liability at the time of each payroll. Reminder Estimated Tax Payments are due Quarterly.   Our Contractor Clients Enjoy Having QuickBooks Desktop Version In The Cloud

Paperless System For You To Store, Print, E-mail Documents

Just A Few Mouse Clicks On PC Or Mac And Get:

The Key Reports You Need:

Cash Report anytime YOU want it!

Receivables report anytime YOU want it!

Payables report anytime YOU want it!

Profit & Loss statement anytime YOU want it!

Balance Sheet report anytime YOU want it!

Job Costing report anytime YOU want it!

Estimates Vs. Actuals report anytime YOU want it!

QuickBooks Desktop In The Cloud has the most flexibility in providing reports for all the of Contractors. From Brand New Startup, Handyman, Specialty Trade Contractor, General Contractor, Custom and Spec Home Builder and Commercial TI Contractor. Every contractor, even you, have common needs that QuickBooks can easily provide. With our Customized QuickBooks Setup we are able to setup QuickBooks to meet the additional needs of the individual contractors.   In The Future: As your Contracting Business grows and changes you may find additional services located on Fast Easy Accounting Store https://www.fasteasyaccountingstore.com/ that may be useful and helpful. Consulting is always available. (Outsourced Accounting only available in the USA) We Help “A Little” or “A Lot” Depending On Your Needs. Enjoy your day. Sharie

I trust this podcast helps you understand that outsourcing your contractor's bookkeeping services to us is about more than just “doing the bookkeeping”; it is about taking a holistic approach to your entire construction company and helping support you as a contractor and as a person.

We Remove Contractor's Unique Paperwork Frustrations

We understand the good, bad and the ugly about owning and operating construction companies because we have had several of them and we sincerely care about you and your construction company!

That is all I have for now, and if you have listened to this far please do me the honor of commenting and rating podcast www.FastEasyAccounting.com/podcast Tell me what you liked, did not like, tell it as you see it because your feedback is crucial and I thank you in advance.

You Deserve To Be Wealthy Because You Bring Value To Other People's Lives!

I trust this will be of value to you and your feedback is always welcome at www.FastEasyAccounting.com/podcast

One more example of how Fast Easy Accounting is helping construction company owners across the USA including Alaska and Hawaii put more money in the bank to operate and grow your construction company. Construction accounting is not rocket science; it is a lot harder than that, and a lot more valuable to construction contractors like you so stop missing out and call Sharie 206-361-3950 or email [email protected]

Contractor Bookkeeping Done For You!

Thinking About Outsourcing Your Contractors Bookkeeping Services?

Click On The Link Below:

www.FastEasyAccounting.com/hs

This guide will help you learn what to look for in outsourced construction accounting.

Need Help Now?

Call Sharie 206-361-3950

[email protected]

Thank you very much, and I hope you understand we do care about you and all contractors regardless of whether or not you ever hire our services.

Bye for now until our next episode here on the Contractors Success MAP Podcast.

Warm Regards,

Randal DeHart | The Contractors Accountant

Our Workflow Removes Your Paperwork Frustrations

For Contractors Who Prefer

To Do Your Bookkeeping

Fast Easy Accounting Do-It-Yourself Construction Accounting Store Is Open

Most Contractors Setup QuickBooks Desktop Version In One Of Three Ways:

#1 EZ Step Interview inside QuickBooks Setup #2 Asked Their Tax Accountant To Setup QuickBooks #3 They Attended A How To Setup QuickBooks Class Or Seminar

And QuickBooks Does Not Work The Way They Want It Too!

The Answer:

#1 Click Here To Buy An Entire QuickBooks Setup For Your Specific Contracting Company

#2 Click Here To Buy Just The Chart Of Accounts For Your Specific Contracting Company

                                                              Contractors_Success_MAP, Contractors_Success_Marketing_Accounting_Production, Contractor_Bookkeeping_Services, QuickBooks_For_Contractors, QuickBooks_For_Contractors,Contractors_Success_Map_Contractor_Bookkeeping_Basics_Explained

Check out this episode about Contractors Marketing - Accounting - Production (M.A.P.)!

[constructionaccounting]

0200: Contractors Are Confused About Bookkeeping

This Podcast Is Episode Number 0201 And It Is About Contractors Are Confused About Bookkeeping

Many of you may begin with the thought; I am just a contractor

I don’t want to be in business; I just want to do the work

That is what is important. Yes, doing the work is important. Keeping track of your hard costs, soft costs, general expenses and overhead is the difference between making a profit or having a loss. Ignoring the costs do not make them go away; it just avoids putting them on the tax return. Any missed expenses make your profit on the job look higher than it really is and causes you to pay more income taxes because all net profit is taxable.

All businesses need to keep track of their company expenses, including the material and much more. Contractors usually go from one extreme (doing nothing) to the other (trying to count every bean, every paperclip, all the nails and, the scraps of 2x4’s). The balance is somewhere in the middle.

Labor is the biggest cost you will face. As an owner / operator you're entitled to the same wages your construction company would pay for having another construction worker on the payroll. Otherwise, why not go to work for someone else?

  Favorite Option: No Bookkeeping System

One checking account which is a mix of business and personal expenses.

Multiple credit cards which are a mix of business and personal expenses.

No formal invoices to customers.

Give verbal amounts to customers to pay; maybe send them an email.

Have customer payments made out to you instead of the company.

Part of the time deposit the check into the checking account.

Most of the time Cash the check; randomly put the money into the bank

or Hip National Bank.

Ignore the government until forced to respond.

Usually throw away all your receipts, deposit slips, bank and credit card statements.

Emergency; Toss everything you can find later into a file box (all receipts business or personal).

Take the Magic File box unsorted and may not have all statements to the tax accountant. Drop and Run – Tax Accountant’s Problem Now. Messy records mean you will pay a lot more income tax.

Next Option: Limited Bookkeeping System

Contractors are trying to do their own bookkeeping may start with a pile of receipts and some.

One checking account which is a mix of business and personal expenses.

Multiple credit cards which are a mix of business and personal expenses.

Catch yourself from throwing away all your receipts, deposit slips, bank and credit card statements.

When you remember, toss everything you can find into a file box (all receipts business, personal, junk mail)

Randomly look for the missing bank and credit card statements and add them to the box.  

Create written proposal, send the customer an email in “story form” with an amount to pay.

Give verbal amounts to customers to pay.

No formal invoices sent to customers.

Have customer payments made out you or the company (based on what the customer wants).

Usually, deposit customer’s check into the bank, maybe put into the bank or Hip National Bank.

Ignore the government until forced to respond.

Take the Magic File box unsorted complete with junk mail which may not have all statements to the tax accountant.

Drop and Run – Tax Accountant’s Problem Now. Messy records mean you will pay a lot more income tax.

This process can go on for years until the Contractor is willing to make a change even a slight one; nothing changes. No one can make a Contractor like to do paperwork. It is not a natural skillset.

The question is how to make paperwork easier, simpler, and at least tolerable for the Contractor to do before getting back to the “Fun Stuff” like building something, taking apart something, fixing something.

To Explain In A Way, Your Spouse Would Understand

Contractor’s Clean House (tear out walls and fill a dumpster) 

Rearrange Furniture (remodel and move walls)

Buy New Stuff (sheetrock, cabinets, light fixtures, plumbing fixtures and faucets, carpet)

Install Stuff (secure to wall, floors, and ceiling so we can’t move them)

To Explain In A Way, You Would Understand

Wives move rearrange furniture as part of the process to cleaning the floors, baseboards edge to edge.

Once the furniture has been moved and cleaned behind; it is easier to leave the furniture in the new location than move it back to the original location. This process is called Spring, Fall, Summer, Winter Cleaning.

The contractor just knows his stack of papers got moved. His desk, chair, sofa, remote, dresser, clothes moved, and he is clueless on why. It was all perfect exactly where he left it; now everything is lost.

Unlike the Contractors who have laborers to help with the heavy work. Most wives have helpers who   stand under 4’ tall, want a cookie and a cartoon break (often). By the time they are over 5’ tall, they are out with friends anytime there is a hint the vacuum cleaner might be calling their name.

On a serious note: Many kids are great helpers learning about the business, are out on the job site, working in the office and helping at home. For Contactors – the number of jobs on the “To Do List” are endless.

Third Option: Contractors Bookkeeping Is Easy, Anybody Can Do It!

Contractor tries to do it all

Contractor works on making his best sale (spouse or girlfriend)

Contractor works on his best drop down sale (mother) as a favor

Contractor works on having a friend (friends spouse or girlfriend) do bookkeeping as a favor.

Contractor has exhausted everyone on the list above and hired a friend of a friend as a 1099 contractor

Contractor hires friend who took an accounting class once as 1099 contractor

Contractor hires someone who has office experience and is a willing to try to do the bookkeeping

Contractor hires someone who did bookkeeping using other software in another field.  

Contractor hires someone who used QuickBooks and therefore should be able to do their bookkeeping.

Contractor hires a bookkeeper who is willing to make all the decisions, pay all the bills and treat it as if it is their business; implying they are the owner to Customers, Vendors, Suppliers, Other Employees.

The Last Option Sounds Like A “Dream Come True” Until It Shifts To The “Nightmare of the Bad Bookkeeper”

They train the contractor like an organ grinder trains a monkey, click here to learn more

They refuse to invest time and money in continuing education because they know everything

They are passive aggressive and will study you and your staff to learn how to manipulate everyone

They are masters at gaining power over you, your staff, and new employees and outside suppliers

They hate change and will fight tooth and nail to stop it or they will destroy your company

They know you're responsible for taxes, fines, penalties and interest; so this is where they get even

They know how to increase your quarterly tax return costs, click here to learn more

They understand that bookkeeping is 90% repetitive transactions and 10% complex transactions

They don't know what to do with complex transactions, so they put them wherever they feel like

They have side jobs working for other companies or an entire bookkeeping business on the side

They decide how much integrity if any, your company has and they tell everyone who will listen.

They create a miserable work environment causing turnover in your staff which costs you money

They make your customers and clients feel unwelcome and unappreciated which costs you money

They act as if they are serving time in jail and do the minimum required to keep their job

They say things to suggest businesses are bad and construction company owners are the worst

They are jealous of your success and even more so if they ever had a failed construction business

They don't learn anything new, why should they, nobody is reviewing the QuickBooks

They never learn anything new unless the company pays for the training and it is on the clock

They quit when the tax return is being prepared because QuickBooks is a mess and they're caught

They come in a little bit late every morning and leave a little bit early to make up for it

they bait you with drama, nasty comments and minor actions to find your tolerance limit

They get even with you for every perceived injustice against themselves and society as a whole

They keep you busy with lots of mindless crap to divert attention from why the books are a mess

They let you think you are in control of the bookkeeping and the bookkeeper until it is too late

They make you think they are looking out the best interest of the company, LOL!

They let the work expand to fill whatever time you are willing to pay them to get it done

When they quit or get fired expect to hear: “Chaos, panic and disorder...my work here is done”

They become indispensable in order to take time off whenever they please and hold you, hostage

They negotiate for additional perks, benefits, changes, and elimination of personal accountability

They network for a better job with your clients, suppliers, vendors and your competitors

They represent themselves to outsiders as the owner or manager with decision-making authority

They text, message, e-mail, surf the web, chat on the phone and socialize on company time

They train you to leave them alone by getting upset or angry whenever you want anything

They work hard at causing just enough chaos, so owner does not earn more than the bookkeeper

When your business fails they tell everyone, you are incompetent, and they saw it coming

They live in a chaotic, neurotic, psychotic, selfish, disorganized, blame game environment

They work through lunch to leave earlier in the day (At the office for 7 hours and get paid for 8)

What happens when the person in control of QuickBooks is unhappy?

The same thing that happens when the cook is unhappy!

All Of This Seems Like A “No Brainer” To Contractors Who Have Been In Business For A Long Time

Please remember How It Was; when you were in your First Year in business.  

Did your find some neighborhoods easier, nicer to get jobs?  

Remember That First Job?  Was it profitable?  

What was the learning curve about bidding?

Contractors Need A Working Knowledge Of Business To Become Successful

What is Income?

If “Money In” not clearly defined in an Accounting System; then the government agencies will consider all money you received in the bank as “Income.” No big deal; right? “Money Out” is just a few taxes between the City, State, and Federal based on either “Gross Sales or Net Income.”

Deposits are from the following sources:

Down payment on the job

Reimbursement for material

Progress payment

Refund on material

Premium overpayment

Overpayment of taxes

Loan from bank or friend

Personal Loan from You

Tracking Receipts:

All material and overhead receipts need to go into an Accounting Software Please Note, One Giant Single Entry for multiple receipts is not proper accounting.  It is quick, and it does match the payment from the bank to the credit card company. A true example of “Garbage In = Garbage Out” As the Contractor; it is understandable to take short cuts and get the job done. Hiring an In-house bookkeeper or accountant; not really any good excuse.   Same goes for expecting someone who knows nothing about bookkeeping to get it right. You are overpaying for the task at hand; because in the future, you are paying to someone to “Do It Over.”   Tax Accountants are too busy to chase after you and nag for missing deductions.   In your zeal to have good job costing reports “Do Not Overdo It.” There is a balance between making paper airplanes and flying your receipts near the Magic Box and trying to get so detailed in your bookkeeping system that it becomes this overwhelming task. It is unreasonable to expect your Office Manager / Bookkeeper to enter in each material receipt into the Accounting Software line by line. (Coded to perfection without any direction from you) What should a Contractor use in QuickBooks? Looking at the Home Page in QuickBooks some contractors feel they must use every part of QuickBooks to be sure they get their Money’s Worth. Think Picture Puzzle – and the small child starts out with a 25 piece puzzle and moves up to larger puzzles with more pieces.  They do not start out with a 2000 piece puzzle.   What you need in QuickBooks depends on What You Do and How You Do It

The object is to pick the basic parts of the Software and make it work well for your company.  

QuickBooks is designed for the most basic user with limited accounting skills. (Use as a checkbook)

QuickBooks is set up with an Easy Step Interview designed to help contractors get a feel of the Software.  

If you are only going to use it as an Electronic Checkbook then maybe a very basic setup is all you need.

For proper job costing you will need a little bit more than the basics QuickBooks is designed for Customized Setups to be able to function well from someone doing Professional Services, Handyman, Trade Contractors, General Contractors, Commercial TI Contractors, Custom Home and Spec Home Builders and Developers.

At Fast Easy Accounting We Welcome:

Brand New Contractors

Established Contractors

Home Builders

Commercial Tenant Improvement Contractors

Remodel Contractors

Trade Contractors

Weekend Warrior Contractors

Handyman Contractors

Restarting Contractors

Contractors that tried the No Bookkeeping Option

Contractors that tried the Basic Bookkeeping Option

Contractors that tried the Bookkeeping Is Easy Option, and Anybody Can Do it.

Sometimes what looks “Good On Paper” doesn’t always work in the “Real World.”

Do You Just Need “A Little or A Lot of Help?”

There are No Right or Wrong Solutions, only what works best for you and your situation.

Do-It-Yourself Contractors But Not By Yourself

Click here to visit our Contractors Assisted Do-It-Yourself QuickBooks Setup Store

Digital Products on FastEasyAccountingStore.com are available worldwide

More Digital Products and Professional Services are regularly added 

Do you want something you don’t see? Send in a request for it to be added

What Can Fast Easy Accounting Do For Contractors?

Contractors Bookkeeping And Construction Accounting Services

New Company or Fresh Start - We setup your new QuickBooks File

Existing Company - We set up, clean up your QuickBooks File

Return file to you for your In-house Bookkeeping solution

Discuss the possibility of Outsourced Accounting

One Hour Free Consultation

Short Answer – Yes, We Can Help

Keep In Touch

Sharie  

I trust this podcast helps you understand that outsourcing your contractor's bookkeeping services to us is about more than just “doing the bookkeeping”; it is about taking a holistic approach to your entire construction company and helping support you as a contractor and as a person.

We Remove Contractor's Unique Paperwork Frustrations

We understand the good, bad and the ugly about owning and operating construction companies because we have had several of them and we sincerely care about you and your construction company!

That is all I have for now, and if you have listened to this far please do me the honor of commenting and rating podcast www.FastEasyAccounting.com/podcast Tell me what you liked, did not like, tell it as you see it because your feedback is crucial and I thank you in advance.

You Deserve To Be Wealthy Because You Bring Value To Other People's Lives!

  I trust this will be of value to you and your feedback is always welcome at www.FastEasyAccounting.com/podcast

One more example of how Fast Easy Accounting is helping construction company owners across the USA including Alaska and Hawaii put more money in the bank to operate and grow your construction company. Construction accounting is not rocket science; it is a lot harder than that, and a lot more valuable to construction contractors like you so stop missing out and call Sharie 206-361-3950 or email [email protected]

Contractor Bookkeeping Done For You!

Thinking About Outsourcing Your Contractors Bookkeeping Services?

Click On The Link Below:

www.FastEasyAccounting.com/hs

This guide will help you learn what to look for in outsourced construction accounting.

Need Help Now?

Call Sharie 206-361-3950

[email protected]

Thank you very much, and I hope you understand we do care about you and all contractors regardless of whether or not you ever hire our services.

Bye for now until our next episode here on the Contractors Success MAP Podcast.

Warm Regards,

Randal DeHart | The Contractors Accountant

Our Workflow Removes Your Paperwork Frustrations

For Contractors Who Prefer

To Do Your Bookkeeping

Fast Easy Accounting Do-It-Yourself Construction Accounting Store Is Open

Most Contractors Setup QuickBooks Desktop Version In One Of Three Ways:

#1 EZ Step Interview inside QuickBooks Setup #2 Asked Their Tax Accountant To Setup QuickBooks #3 They Attended A How To Setup QuickBooks Class Or Seminar

And QuickBooks Does Not Work The Way They Want It Too!

The Answer:

#1 Click Here To Buy An Entire QuickBooks Setup For Your Specific Contracting Company

#2 Click Here To Buy Just The Chart Of Accounts For Your Specific Contracting Company

                                                    Contractors_Success_MAP, Contractors_Success_Marketing_Accounting_Production, Contractor_Bookkeeping_Services, QuickBooks_For_Contractors, QuickBooks_For_Contractors,Contractors_Success_Map_Contractors_Are_Confused_About_Bookkeeping

Check out this episode about Contractors Marketing - Accounting - Production (M.A.P.)!