• more covid-related restrictions

    From August Abolins@2:221/1.58 to August Abolins on Tue Jan 12 06:08:00 2021
    In a few hours, officials are slated to announce tigher
    restrictions than are already implemented since Dec26 for the
    Dec26-Jan23 period for Ontario.

    There was originally some consideration for a 8p-5a curfew that
    is already going on in most of Quebec, but the curfew option was
    taken off the table.

    Just shoot us already.

    --- OpenXP 5.0.48
    * Origin: Mobile? COFFEE_KLATSCH = https://tinyurl.com/y56r9f2o (2:221/1.58)
  • From Richard Menedetter@2:310/31 to August Abolins on Tue Jan 12 12:31:04 2021
    Hi August!

    12 Jan 2021 06:08, from August Abolins -> August Abolins:

    In a few hours, officials are slated to announce tigher
    restrictions than are already implemented since Dec26 for the
    Dec26-Jan23 period for Ontario.

    When discussing this, please also always provide the statistics of the CoVid infections.
    Such measures are meant to contain the spread of the virus and manage the situation of hospitals.

    So to be able to say anything we need to know how the situation looks like. Without the numbers one cannot asses the situation and the necessity of the planned measures!

    CU, Ricsi

    ... Coffee is served in the UK as punishment for not drinking tea.
    --- GoldED+/LNX
    * Origin: I failed my blood test! I didn't study hard enough. (2:310/31)
  • From August Abolins@2:221/1.58 to Richard Menedetter on Tue Jan 12 06:42:00 2021
    Hello Richard!

    ** On Tuesday 12.01.21 - 12:31, Richard Menedetter wrote to August Abolins:

    When discussing this, please also always provide the
    statistics of the CoVid infections. Such measures are meant
    to contain the spread of the virus and manage the situation
    of hospitals.

    See stats in my area here:

    https://hpepublichealth.ca/covid-19-cases/

    The concern is applying sweeping restrictions over the entire
    province, despite zero cases in my county. Meanwhile small
    businesses are expected to operate at vastly reduced capacity
    for nothing, while big-box stores, parks, professional sports
    activities operate as usual.


    So to be able to say anything we need to know how the
    situation looks like. Without the numbers one cannot asses
    the situation and the necessity of the planned measures!

    Now you can check then any time you want.


    --
    ../|ug

    --- OpenXP 5.0.48
    * Origin: Mobile? COFFEE_KLATSCH = https://tinyurl.com/y56r9f2o (2:221/1.58)
  • From Shawn Highfield@1:229/452 to August Abolins on Wed Jan 13 09:01:50 2021
    August Abolins wrote to Richard Menedetter <=-

    businesses are expected to operate at vastly reduced capacity
    for nothing, while big-box stores, parks, professional sports
    activities operate as usual.

    I keep asking why does the virus not live in walmart but in lives
    in small business locations?

    Shawn

    ... Try cooling coffee by holding it closer to your heart.

    --- EzyBlueWave V3.00 01FB001F
    * Origin: Tiny's BBS - telnet://tinysbbs.com:3023 (1:229/452)
  • From August Abolins@2:221/1.58 to Shawn Highfield on Wed Jan 13 07:38:00 2021
    Hello Shawn!

    ** On Wednesday 13.01.21 - 09:01, Shawn Highfield wrote to August Abolins:

    businesses are expected to operate at vastly reduced capacity
    for nothing, while big-box stores, parks, professional sports
    activities operate as usual.

    I keep asking why does the virus not live in walmart but in lives
    in small business locations?

    Turns, out that this time Mr. Ford expects the big-boxes to
    reduce allowable people-capacity by 50%.

    Last time, there was a formula businesses were expected to use
    to calculate what the max capacity of people would be allowed
    based on square footage less the space used for shelving.

    I guess, this time the number is cut in half.

    BUT, I haven't seen the official write-up of this latest set of
    restrictions. I don't really want to look anyway.

    So.. although they spout "all non-essential businesses..
    closed", they still say "but employess must work from home - if
    they can", or "operate curbside and by appointment only, but
    only from 7a to 8p", or "online".

    Well..

    [1] my "online" = email.

    [2] my "by appointment only" = when you show up, that's your
    appointment.

    [3] my "curbside" = extends 12' from the front door to the cash
    register.

    I have to travel to my work (I am sole proprieter, no employees)
    and check for vandelism, receive potential deliveries everyday,
    and allow people to pick up stuff that they've ordered or paid
    for weeks ago, and... try to earn something so that I can
    atleast buy food.

    I'd love to be able to just pull some product off my shelves and
    just take that to the grocery store to "buy" food. But that
    ain't gonna work - is it? Meanwhile, I am being taxed on my
    unsold inventory because it has "value". Sheesh.

    I am not aware that my creditors are "closed". It seems that the
    banks and credit card companies still expect to receive their
    interest fees.

    No f'ing gov't is going to tell me that I have to stay home and
    twiddle my thumbs.

    Meanhile, it is far easier for people to physical-distance from
    each other, wear the d*mn mask and slosh sanitizer at my shop
    than it might be in a place that is frequented more often by
    more people all the time.

    --
    ../|ug

    --- OpenXP 5.0.48
    * Origin: Mobile? COFFEE_KLATSCH = https://tinyurl.com/y56r9f2o (2:221/1.58)
  • From Shawn Highfield@1:229/452 to August Abolins on Thu Jan 14 08:25:36 2021
    August Abolins wrote to Shawn Highfield <=-

    Meanhile, it is far easier for people to physical-distance from
    each other, wear the d*mn mask and slosh sanitizer at my shop
    than it might be in a place that is frequented more often by
    more people all the time.

    Exactly my point. Walmart should not be able to sell books if
    you can't. Walmart needs to section off most of it's iles to
    ONLY sell food and drugs.

    Shawn

    ... TV Truth: All alien races look like deformed humans.

    --- EzyBlueWave V3.00 01FB001F
    * Origin: Tiny's BBS - telnet://tinysbbs.com:3023 (1:229/452)
  • From August Abolins@2:221/1.58 to Shawn Highfield on Thu Jan 14 07:40:00 2021
    Hello Shawn!

    ** On Thursday 14.01.21 - 08:25, Shawn Highfield wrote to August Abolins:

    Meanhile, it is far easier for people to physical-distance
    from each other, wear the d*mn mask and slosh sanitizer at
    my shop than it might be in a place that is frequented
    more often by more people all the time.

    Exactly my point. Walmart should not be able to sell
    books if you can't. Walmart needs to section off most of
    it's iles to ONLY sell food and drugs.

    I wonder how the three drug stores in my town, one of which that
    in addition to an extensive magazine wall, also sells the
    national "top sellers" in addition to a selection of children's
    books, would feel if I had a prescription department.

    Having a drug counter would classify me as essential in times
    like this. ;)

    It turns out that the recent rules for "stay home" that came
    into force today, are not forcing all businesses to close in the
    common sense afterall. Just as I assumed, businesses are merely
    asked to discourage in-store shopping. So, in theory,
    everything "non-essential" (barring food and medicine) should be
    inaccessible to the public.

    But technically, ALL businesses are allowed to sell their goods
    (there is no law prescribed to preclude any business from
    offering their merchandise) ..it's just that the businesses that
    have been classified "essential" (the onew that primarily sell food/drugs/booze/smokes/cannibis), can't allow in-store browsing
    - period.

    But I have to wonder.. is clothing non-essential? Underwear,
    socks? Another wrinkle in the matter.

    The whole "essential" "non-essential" terminology bothers me.

    If for instance, my biz were to be implied to be non-essential,
    then the government's expectations for my collecting their
    precious sales taxes and my performing any other reporting to
    the government should follow as ALSO non-essential! I'm d*mn
    serious.

    I was just reminded that there are some new relief programs
    specifically intended for businesses now since the famous CERB.
    I'll have to look and see what those can provide. But right now,
    I feel like jumping off a cliff.
    --
    ../|ug

    --- OpenXP 5.0.48
    * Origin: Mobile? COFFEE_KLATSCH = https://tinyurl.com/y56r9f2o (2:221/1.58)
  • From Shawn Highfield@1:229/452 to August Abolins on Fri Jan 15 09:04:30 2021
    August Abolins wrote to Shawn Highfield <=-

    If for instance, my biz were to be implied to be non-essential,
    then the government's expectations for my collecting their
    precious sales taxes and my performing any other reporting to
    the government should follow as ALSO non-essential! I'm d*mn
    serious.

    I agree with you here. I haven't filed my GST paperwork yet for
    2020. I just stopped. I will do it with my income tax and draw
    on my line of credit to pay them. Fair? Nope. But I do it because
    I don't want to argue anymore. This country is corrupt and I accept
    it now. Soon as the tattoo shops reopen I'm covering my proud to
    be Canadian tattoo with black ink.

    I was just reminded that there are some new relief programs
    specifically intended for businesses now since the famous CERB.

    I bet you don't qualify. It's not setup for small business owners
    to make it, only for big box stores. (Sorry I'm negative)

    Shawn

    ... Heresy is only another word for freedom of thought.

    --- EzyBlueWave V3.00 01FB001F
    * Origin: Tiny's BBS - telnet://tinysbbs.com:3023 (1:229/452)
  • From Richard Menedetter@2:310/31 to August Abolins on Sun Jan 17 21:51:32 2021
    Hi August!

    12 Jan 2021 06:42, from August Abolins -> Richard Menedetter:

    See stats in my area here:
    https://hpepublichealth.ca/covid-19-cases/

    28 cases, 3 hospitalized and 0 in intensive care ...
    that are numbers that we could only dream of!

    Here in Austria they just extended the lockdown.
    Cases are stable but high:
    https://orf.at/corona/daten/oesterreich

    Hospitals can cope with it until now ... thanks god.

    The concern is applying sweeping restrictions over the entire
    province, despite zero cases in my county.

    0 cases is very impressive!
    People here were VERY disciplined in the first lockdown.
    Less so in the second.
    And now they are fed up, which leads to numbers staying very high :(

    Meanwhile small businesses are expected to operate at vastly reduced capacity for nothing, while big-box stores, parks, professional sports activities operate as usual.

    No such problems here ... stores are closed.
    Small and big.

    We have the issue with skiing.
    That is the national religion, and skiing resorts are open.
    With some very strange rules, as food may only be sold where there is no possibility to sit down for at least 50 m ;)

    CU, Ricsi

    ... Misers aren't fun to live with but they make wonderful ancestors.
    --- GoldED+/LNX
    * Origin: You can't fool me - there is no sanity clause! (2:310/31)
  • From August Abolins@1:396/45.29 to Shawn Highfield on Sun Jan 17 19:12:00 2021
    Hello Shawn!

    ** On Friday 15.01.21 - 09:04, Shawn Highfield wrote to August Abolins:

    If ..non-essential, then the government's expectations for
    my collecting their precious sales taxes and my performing
    any other reporting to the government should follow as
    ALSO non-essential! I'm d*mn serious.

    I agree with you here. I haven't filed my GST paperwork
    yet for 2020. I just stopped.

    You're not alone.

    In the past, I'd get a call from Rev Can to remind me that my
    GST filing is late. I haven't heard from them since last
    March. It could certainly benefit me to take advantage of the
    tax credits (on paper the net result is avoiding to send in
    unnecessary taxes) ..but frankly, the net result is menial to
    them. In one quarterly period my sales might be good, but then
    it is offset by the GST that I paid out wrt to those sales. In
    another quarterly period when the sales are low, there is a
    credit difference that comes back to me. It's just a silly
    make-work project for which I don't get any hourly compensation.

    In your case, if your service is reasonably uniform throughout
    the year, then it wouldn't be prudent to NOT to take of it to
    minimize penalties, fees and even the interest charges that they
    have the audacity to add on.


    I will do it with my income tax and draw on my line of
    credit to pay them. Fair? Nope. But I do it because I
    don't want to argue anymore.

    I do pretty much the same thing. When I am short for a
    particular quarterly period, I just borrow some money for the
    short term until the next quarterly period gives me a credit.


    This country is corrupt and I accept it now. Soon as the
    tattoo shops reopen I'm covering my proud to be Canadian
    tattoo with black ink.

    Sorry to hear that you feel that dark about all that. As someone
    else mentioned, maybe you can try to assign a different
    (positive) meaning about the tattoo.

    BTW.. I thought tattoo technology has progressed to the point
    where the inks can be practically removed.


    I was just reminded that there are some new relief
    programs specifically intended for businesses now since
    the famous CERB.

    I bet you don't qualify. It's not setup for small
    business owners to make it, only for big box stores.
    (Sorry I'm negative)

    There are at least two of them. An earlier one is federal and a
    recent one is provincial - I've been told. Haven't looked into
    the details, but participating in the bureaucracy of the
    processes to test my qualification feels tedious to me.

    --
    ../|ug

    --- OpenXP 5.0.48
    * Origin: (1:396/45.29)
  • From Shawn Highfield@1:229/452 to August Abolins on Mon Jan 18 12:41:54 2021
    August Abolins wrote to Shawn Highfield <=-

    I will do it with my income tax and draw on my line of
    credit to pay them. Fair? Nope. But I do it because I
    don't want to argue anymore.
    I do pretty much the same thing. When I am short for a
    particular quarterly period, I just borrow some money for the
    short term until the next quarterly period gives me a credit.

    I struggle to pay the rent every month but yet still owe them
    lots of money for income tax. I make under min wage when you
    break it down. Just can't figure them out. If I made what
    socks made I wouldn't pay anything.

    Shawn

    ... After we pull the pin, Mr. Grenade is not our friend.

    --- EzyBlueWave V3.00 01FB001F
    * Origin: Tiny's BBS - telnet://tinysbbs.com:3023 (1:229/452)
  • From August Abolins@1:396/45.29 to Shawn Highfield on Mon Jan 18 16:47:00 2021
    Hello Shawn!

    ** On Monday 18.01.21 - 12:41, Shawn Highfield wrote to August Abolins:

    I struggle to pay the rent every month but yet still owe
    them lots of money for income tax. I make under min wage
    when you break it down. Just can't figure them out. If
    I made what socks made I wouldn't pay anything.

    Socks?

    If you're just managing the tax filing on your own right now, it
    may be worth getting someone to do the next one for you so that
    you do not miss out on any credits and new regulations.

    As you are an independent contractor for your taxi work, make
    sure you account for every damn thing that relates to an
    expense: car wash and supplies, cleaning, safety equipment,
    professional dues and fees, etc.

    If you calculate under min wage, that would be about 24K, less
    the 12K tax exemption, would leave about 12K taxable. But as you
    reduce that with legitimate expenses, your resultant taxable
    ought to be reduced further. Even at 12K taxable, the taxes
    could seem high around 2K. Bottom line, try to factor 10% of
    your weekly pre-tax dollars and keep that in a separate account.
    Then when tax time rolls around, draw from that.

    I've heard that a RRSA (registered retirement savings account)
    is a pretty good way to offset the taxable owing. Just stash
    anything you can in there (it gets deducted from your taxable
    owing.) Then, when you need some extra cash, you can withdraw a
    certain minimum without incurring any penalties.

    But look at me... I should be following my own advise. It's just
    lately for me there is never enough cash to stash. :(

    I had about $100 (the minimum) in one RRSP savings account. I
    thought that I could just forget about it and the $100 would
    still be there. But, no. About 10 years later, it diminished to
    under $10. Apparently, that one was subject to a yearly admin
    fee and a percentage. And, this was a solution that was
    recommended by the damn bank!

    So, am I pissed off that the bank just engineered their advise
    so that they could just help themselves to $100? Damn right.

    --
    ../|ug

    --- OpenXP 5.0.48
    * Origin: (1:396/45.29)
  • From Shawn Highfield@1:229/452 to August Abolins on Tue Jan 19 12:02:32 2021
    August Abolins wrote to Shawn Highfield <=-

    Socks?

    The dishonorable prime minister Justin "Look at my socks" Trustfund.

    If you're just managing the tax filing on your own right now, it
    may be worth getting someone to do the next one for you so that
    you do not miss out on any credits and new regulations.

    I only do the GST part on my own and this year not even that. I have
    a really good accountant who knows all the regulations.

    sure you account for every damn thing that relates to an
    expense: car wash and supplies, cleaning, safety equipment,
    professional dues and fees, etc.

    Don't worry about that. Been doing that for years.

    So, am I pissed off that the bank just engineered their advise
    so that they could just help themselves to $100? Damn right.

    I would be too. I don't trust banks and when I did have enough
    money to save I saved it in cash and silver in a safe at a
    location no one could guess. It now holds only my birth cert and
    expired passport as the money and silver has long been spent.

    Shawn

    ... It is not enough to succeed. Others must fail.

    --- EzyBlueWave V3.00 01FB001F
    * Origin: Tiny's BBS - telnet://tinysbbs.com:3023 (1:229/452)
  • From August Abolins@1:396/45.29 to Shawn Highfield on Mon Jan 25 23:12:00 2021
    Hello Shawn!

    ** On Tuesday 19.01.21 - 12:02, Shawn Highfield wrote to August Abolins:

    August Abolins wrote to Shawn Highfield <=-

    Socks?

    The dishonorable prime minister Justin "Look at my socks"
    Trustfund.

    He's comfortable in his socks. He surely has a leg or two in top
    investments, a comfy retirement fund, and his father's
    inheritance to draw upon.


    If you're just managing the tax filing on your own right
    now, it may be worth getting someone to do the next one

    I only do the GST part on my own and this year not even
    that. I have a really good accountant who knows all the
    regulations.

    Unless your accountant is just a bookkeeper, the accountant part
    of the process should be able to advise you where you can make
    adjustments for improvement.

    Look who's talking. My last accountant was a CPA but she did not
    offer any practical advise at all. She missed an entire expense
    category - that I provided data for - for the last 6 years that
    amounted to about $10K. I assumed her work was accurate. I only
    found out about her mistake a few months before she announced
    that she was retiring. As a result, my reported income was much
    higher than it needed to be, and I ended paying unncessary
    taxes. I had to borrow to cover it!


    sure you account for every damn thing that relates to an
    expense: car wash and supplies, cleaning, safety
    equipment, professional dues and fees, etc.

    Don't worry about that. Been doing that for years.

    This last year may be the first where I report losses, and no
    taxes to pay! (yay).


    ..I don't trust banks and when I did have enough money to
    save I saved it in cash and silver in a safe at a
    location no one could guess. It now holds only my birth
    cert and expired passport as the money and silver has
    long been spent.

    I've considered a safe too, but to be effective, it would need
    to be bolted down. I would also need a fancy painting to hide it
    behind. :/

    I split my money between two different banks. Bank #1 is used to
    receive the cash deposits and the automated debit/cc terminal
    payments, and bank #2 is used to pay the bills since the cheques
    and payments are free. I found a way to transfer the money from
    bank #1 to #2 that does not incur any traditional inter-
    institutional fees.

    There is little to no opportunity to save any dollars. It goes
    out almost as fast as it comes in.
    --
    ../|ug

    --- OpenXP 5.0.48
    * Origin: (1:396/45.29)
  • From Shawn Highfield@1:229/452 to August Abolins on Tue Jan 26 09:08:40 2021
    August Abolins wrote to Shawn Highfield <=-

    Unless your accountant is just a bookkeeper, the accountant part
    of the process should be able to advise you where you can make
    adjustments for improvement.

    He does. I've never been happier with an accountant.

    that she was retiring. As a result, my reported income was much
    higher than it needed to be, and I ended paying unncessary
    taxes. I had to borrow to cover it!

    Happened to us in 2014, we had a bad accountant and ended up
    paying the gubment everything we had scrimped and saved that
    year. (We squirrled away $12k that year)

    This last year may be the first where I report losses, and no
    taxes to pay! (yay).

    I'll be paying this year. Mainly due to the income from selling
    the shares in my old company.

    I've considered a safe too, but to be effective, it would need
    to be bolted down. I would also need a fancy painting to hide it
    behind. :/

    Can be bolted down and hidden in a variety of ways.

    There is little to no opportunity to save any dollars. It goes
    out almost as fast as it comes in.

    That's the truth!

    Shawn

    ... All of life's answers are on the wrong side of progress.

    --- EzyBlueWave V3.00 01FB001F
    * Origin: Tiny's BBS - telnet://tinysbbs.com:3023 (1:229/452)
  • From Charles Pierson@1:106/127 to August Abolins on Tue Jan 26 06:06:35 2021
    On 25 Jan 2021, August Abolins said the following...
    If you're just managing the tax filing on your own right
    now, it may be worth getting someone to do the next one

    I only do the GST part on my own and this year not even
    that. I have a really good accountant who knows all the
    regulations.

    Unless your accountant is just a bookkeeper, the accountant part
    of the process should be able to advise you where you can make adjustments for improvement.

    Look who's talking. My last accountant was a CPA but she did not
    offer any practical advise at all. She missed an entire expense category - that I provided data for - for the last 6 years that
    amounted to about $10K. I assumed her work was accurate. I only
    found out about her mistake a few months before she announced
    that she was retiring. As a result, my reported income was much
    higher than it needed to be, and I ended paying unncessary
    taxes. I had to borrow to cover it!

    I have always done my own taxes. My first wife had a cousin that was an accountant/book keeper who did most of their families taxes. She was slightly miffed that I did both my own taxes and those for the business that I was
    part owner and sole employee of. So one year I ley her figure my taxrs and I did as well. She had me owing around $250, plus her fee, I had that I had overpayed by $1500. So who should do my taxes?

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Raspberry Pi/32)
    * Origin: theoasisbbs.ddns.net:1357 (1:106/127)