Venting

[oceanlovin'ea]

what will happen next!

I have appointments all day long. Then I get a message from my printer. The black ink cartridge is low. I don't have a spare. Kept meaning to get one but didn't. When this printer ink is low, it just stops printing.....there is no shaking the cartridge for a few more pages.

Oh, well, I moved the pick up with the nol carryback to Thursday and I will go get my cartridge then. That works out well. MMMMM....maybe I get a pizza while I am getting my cartridge. The best pizza in the area is right near there.

Linda

[BP.]

I have appointments all day long. Then I get a message from my printer. The black ink cartridge is low. I don't have a spare. Kept meaning to get one but didn't. When this printer ink is low, it just stops printing.....there is no shaking the cartridge for a few more pages.

Oh, well, I moved the pick up with the nol carryback to Thursday and I will go get my cartridge then. That works out well. MMMMM....maybe I get a pizza while I am getting my cartridge. The best pizza in the area is right near there.

Linda

Sent my "Director of Operations" out Sunday for a spare cartridge, just in case. And there's no "maybe" when it comes to getting the best pizza- enjoy!!

[RitaB]

Been there

The black ink cartridge is low. I don't have a spare. Kept meaning to get one but didn't. When this printer ink is low, it just stops printing.....there is no shaking the cartridge for a few more pages. Linda

Linda, the dreaded empty ink cartridge. That is the worst, I know.

OR, your printer buys the farm right in the middle of your 57-page S-Corp on March 14.

For the past three or four years, I have been able to order ink, paper, whatever I need, online, free delivery, and usually comes the next day. I don't think I am supposed to name names, but the office supply place I use sounds like "Maples."

I know it doesn't help if you completely run out of something, but at least I hardly ever have to schedule a run to the store. Plus, you know what happens when a girl gets inside a store...

[oceanlovin'ea]

New supplier

I used a new person I met through a business contact. He will send it to me..no shipping and I get it the next day. But will probably need it today if I don't go get it.

All last week I kept thinking I needed to call him.

Linda

[ChEAr$]

If you're using a printer with ink cartridges, you're paying too much.

I can say that because character by character, a laser printer is much less expensive in the
long run.

And I never run out of ink or toner. My Brother laser printer begins with the orange warning light long before it runs out of toner. I get at least another month's worth for my dollar$.
but when the orange light stays on without blinking, it's time.

[oceanlovin'ea]

It is a HP laserjet 2600n color printer. Because it is a color printer the cartridges are not as big and do not last as long.
My old standby laser jet printer had to be retired to the back office (my husband's desk) because it did not have a USB connection for my laptop computer. It printed and printed and printed some more.
This one when it says the cartridge is low will do about 30 or 40 more copies and it is done. No shaking or anything helps.

Linda

[geekgirldany]

Orange light is on my HP printer too. I have the old reliable Laserjet 4 just in case. I need to buy two toners from now on.

On another rant of mine from today....

Emailed client that I had to do a extension. I told them this when they first came by on April 1 and announced... "I went into business with my sister and formed an LLC". I got an email back today that said "This is very disappointing to hear because we always money back."
What they expected me to do was to work my butt off like I did when they came in late last year to get their return done... not this time.

[joanmcq]

I'm stressed to hell & back this year too. Pinched a nerve in my neck and my left hand is half numb, and sometimes it goes fully numb. Have had several massages, seen my doctor, taken time off work to zone out on muscle relaxers and the best I can get is no pain and two totally numb fingers. Makes it hell to type. And yesterday a client literally yelled at me and called me a *****.

The best thing I've gotten this year is a posse of friends that are literally rallying around me: bringing me dinner, arranging the masseuse to come to ME, running to the post office, or just hanging out and making sure i work rather that get distracted. But I've laundry stacked up, bills to pay, an IRA to write a check for (and just how much left do I have to put in? who knows? the statement is somewhere) more extensions, bank deposits and my own bookkeeping to do. But the posse swears I am having fun this weekend....I don't know what and don't care. I hope they kidnap me!

[ChEAr$]

I hope they kidnap me!

LOL! Be careful what you wish for, joan.

[S T]

Source of Calming

My favorite source of calming is reading the Board, and I have a ritual that I always read in the AM, while reading my emails, seeing what other's are posting and then check back every few hours. None of those luxuries right now

I have withdrawals - haven't been able to read or even review the last two days, thanks to a my "crazy" unappreciative clients. I have received additonal UPS/FEDEX at the front door the last two days, and that doesn't take in to consideration, the email "PDF" and the fax machine constantly run out of paper. And we won't talk about the inconsiderate clients that are calling on 4-13 to see what if's (their tax returns are completed)


Oh this one takes the "cake" email from a client today, that has not filed since 2005, and has not paid their past due bill wanting to know if I am still preparing tax returns, they trust no one else and only I can ***************************

Then there have been the computer issues, the printer issues, and running out of toner - I think I have replaced them all for both printers and fax mmachines, including the ones that have "drums"

My paper clips are at a low (and I thought I ordered enough) my trash is overflowing, and shredding pieces of paper all over the floor

I think this has been the tax season from "H***"

Even now my clients can tell they don't want to talk to me on the phone

Grrrr!!!!!!

[oceanlovin'ea]

joanmcq

Have you gone to a chiropractor yet? Numb fingers tells me I have a place out in my back between my shoulder blades. Massage certainly helps but you have to fix what is out.

I would not move if it weren't for my chiropractor and my wonderful massage therapist. Went to her on Monday. Told her that was one of the most painful massages she has ever given me, but I can move my right shoulder and arm much better now.

We all seem to be stressed to the max this year. I had 8 appointments today. But at least they were all done when they left the office, ready to efile. Yea!!!!!!!! Now I can work for a couple hours yet on what is on my desk.

You all try to relax and get a good night's sleep. Have lots of caffeine ready for tomorrow.And remember our chant "Tomorrow is the 15th! Tomorrow is the 15th!"

Linda

[tacks]

I can't believe how much work I have yet to do. I have never filed extensions before except for people who hadn't come in yet. Well, maybe 2 or 3 that I just didn't get finished.

I have filed several extensions and will continue to do so.

I would be very ashamed of myself if I let down the people who put their trust in me. "Let down" meaning missing deductions and or credits. "Let down" meaning screwing something up so that it draws unwanted attention from the IRS.

But if i can't get everything done on time -- well then so be it. There are plenty of people out there who are quicker than me.

If someone's book and records are a complete mess then i might not even attempt to file them by the 15th.

[tacks]

The best thing I've gotten this year is a posse of friends that are literally rallying around me: bringing me dinner, arranging the masseuse to come to ME, running to the post office, or just hanging out and making sure i work rather that get distracted.

Good for you, Joan.

I've also been getting strong support from friends, family and some clients this year. Wonderful home cooked dinners, run to post office, client 'drop off,' etc.

[JohnH]

I'd like to chime on on expresing appreciation for clients who have been very understanding this tax season.

I had an elderly cousin for whom I handled financial affairs and medical decisions for the past several years. She had been in a nursing home for the past year and a half, but her health took a turn for the worse back in early Feb. Consequently, I was working at 50-60% of capacity because I was making frequent trips to the nursing home + hospital 70 miles away, and losing lots of valuable work time right in the heart of tax season. She died March 24. She was a wonderful person and will be missed by lots of people, but she's truly at home now.

Through all this, I've had to put off projects, file even more extensions than normal even for me, and generally juggle my schedule almost on a daily basis. Most clients have been very understanding, to the point that I was able to accommodate those who weren't so understanding or those whose needs were pressing in spite of my circumstances. All in all, probably the most stressful tax season I've ever been through in 35 years or so of tax preparation, but I'm grateful to be blessed with the business I have and to be blessed with a lot of good clients/friends/acquaintances.

Even more so, I'm grateful for my friends on this forum, who FREQUENTLY provide needed answers to questions as well as some comic relief when the pressure gets to the boiling point. Hope everyone gets through the next 24 hours with the least amount of stress possible under their particular circumstances. Just remember that whatever the problem, if it can't kill you and eat you for dinner, you can probably deal with it.

[RitaB]

Me too, John

Even more so, I'm grateful for my friends on this forum, who FREQUENTLY provide needed answers to questions as well as some comic relief when the pressure gets to the boiling point.

Yes, this board keeps me sane. Ever try to discuss taxes with lay people? Or tell them about the funny thing that happened to you today? (Definition of "duh" moment right there.)

So nice to have access to all you smart and funny friends!