So in my December post I had mentioned I was going into web development. This is still true, I continue to be the web developer for a few sites, but I've also decided to pick up some Cisco networking certifications over the spring/summer. My goal is to have the CCNP and possibly CCNA (or CCNP) security certs by September. Then I plan on either continuing this job with Easy Web Taxes, or picking up a networking job. If I go the networking route I would come to a fork in the road. If, after working for a time, I wind up liking networking I'll likely go for a CCIE certification. If not, I'll continue working and putting my extra effort/time/money into becoming a software developer. Either way I've got a lot of work ahead of me.
To reach my goal would likely require me to move to a city. Personally I can't stand the city, but with the lack of jobs in the mountains (out side of retail, restaurant, and hotel work) I'm going to have to put up with it in order to make a decent living. So, I've decided to make this the year I go for a mountain goat. I plan on scouting it a lot over the summer since the cost is so high for a tag ($250 for residents, over $2,000 for non-residents), so I should have plenty of photos and stories to share. We also bought a muzzle-loader this winter so I'll also be doing muzzle-loading season for deer and elk. Outside of that it's up in the air if I do any regular rifle seasons.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Some things I've learned about taxes
Now that I've been working for easywebtaxes.com as their "tech guy" I've learned that a lot of people assume they have "simple" tax returns they can do themselves (via "do it yourself" tax software). This turns out to be a false impression. It's one of those things that if you think about it, is just like hiring a lawyer. Sure you can study the law for yourself, but a lawyer has spent their career learning the law and all it's ins and outs. So if you were on trial for something other than a speeding ticket would you "do it yourself" or hire a lawyer?
The same answer to the above question should apply to your taxes. Sure doing them yourself might get you a decent refund for only spending $50 on a "do it yourself" software package. This might be just fine if you're a teenager working at a clothing store. However if you were to hire someone who does taxes for a living they will do them right and possibly get you an even bigger refund. Or they might find something wrong that you did and help you avoid getting in trouble with the IRS by getting your paperwork straightened out. I've even seen a case where had this one person followed what the "do it yourself" software package told them, they would have owed thousands of dollars. The tax pro on the other hand got them a refund.
Another thing I learned is that people assume CPAs are good at doing taxes. Most are, but if you use (or are thinking about using) one and they use language like "let's do this in order to avoid an audit," watch out! If they are doing your taxes right/legally an audit shouldn't scare them. All they have to do is cite the tax law that they used to apply to your return and the IRS will go away.
It is truly amazing how people treat their taxes. I've learned now that I will likely never do my own taxes, unless I become a tax pro myself.
The same answer to the above question should apply to your taxes. Sure doing them yourself might get you a decent refund for only spending $50 on a "do it yourself" software package. This might be just fine if you're a teenager working at a clothing store. However if you were to hire someone who does taxes for a living they will do them right and possibly get you an even bigger refund. Or they might find something wrong that you did and help you avoid getting in trouble with the IRS by getting your paperwork straightened out. I've even seen a case where had this one person followed what the "do it yourself" software package told them, they would have owed thousands of dollars. The tax pro on the other hand got them a refund.
Another thing I learned is that people assume CPAs are good at doing taxes. Most are, but if you use (or are thinking about using) one and they use language like "let's do this in order to avoid an audit," watch out! If they are doing your taxes right/legally an audit shouldn't scare them. All they have to do is cite the tax law that they used to apply to your return and the IRS will go away.
It is truly amazing how people treat their taxes. I've learned now that I will likely never do my own taxes, unless I become a tax pro myself.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Some trades
I got bored yesterday and made a few trades on the EUR/USD 1M chart. Wound up with like a $20 profit after 2 losses and 1 gain. I forgot to take screenshots though :/. Hope all my reader's trading has been going well!
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Update, and a career change
So, been a while since I've posted. I've had a lot going on recently (hunting mostly), and did a lot of thinking.
Hunting season turned out to be a dud this year, only came home with 1 deer out of all the tags we had. Hopefully next year will be different since we'll be able to hunt with the new muzzle loader we bought in our favorite hunting season, September.
On to the more important topic..... trading. I've decided to no longer trade. It's been a lot of wheel spinning with profits and losses equating to an overall loss over the years. I feel like it's time to move on (at least for now), to more enjoyable things. After doing some thinking I realized that I like to code software. After dipping my toes into a few things (mainly C++ and PhP), I decided to become a web developer. The biggest thing that influenced that choice over say a software developer (programs/games) is my mom has started a new business and needed someone to develop the web site for it. It's a remote online tax preparation company, which means no office visits are needed. I'm proud to announce the site's completion and invite you all to check it out, http://www.easywebtaxes.com.
I may return to trading some day. Likely as a hobby than a career though. I plan on keeping this blog around for the few times I might trade here and there. Hope you all do well in your trading, and thank you for reading.
Hunting season turned out to be a dud this year, only came home with 1 deer out of all the tags we had. Hopefully next year will be different since we'll be able to hunt with the new muzzle loader we bought in our favorite hunting season, September.
On to the more important topic..... trading. I've decided to no longer trade. It's been a lot of wheel spinning with profits and losses equating to an overall loss over the years. I feel like it's time to move on (at least for now), to more enjoyable things. After doing some thinking I realized that I like to code software. After dipping my toes into a few things (mainly C++ and PhP), I decided to become a web developer. The biggest thing that influenced that choice over say a software developer (programs/games) is my mom has started a new business and needed someone to develop the web site for it. It's a remote online tax preparation company, which means no office visits are needed. I'm proud to announce the site's completion and invite you all to check it out, http://www.easywebtaxes.com.
I may return to trading some day. Likely as a hobby than a career though. I plan on keeping this blog around for the few times I might trade here and there. Hope you all do well in your trading, and thank you for reading.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Trades from 10-16-12 part 1
Here are the trades from the 16th that I've closed. I am still currently in CHF/JPY on a long so I'll post the final result once I exit that trade.
Forex: 4 trades, 1 loss and 3 gains for a total of +0.88%
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
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