Does anyone know if, as an independent contractor, if you can also write-off your maintenance for your car, or what other expenditures you may use when you itemize your taxes? This is my first year filing as an independent contractor.

My first job, ever, was the summer after I graduated high school. I worked at a sandwich shop that had just opened up. About halfway through the summer we got a new manager, who I became friendly with. At the end of the summer, because I had put in so much work into the shop (at the risk of sounding like I’m tooting my own horn, the other employees were slackers), the manager actually asked if I would be willing to stay on as assistant manager.

This was my very first job. I was seventeen at the time. I didn’t accept, simply because I was moving to another city four hours away for college, and that would be a horrible commute ;), but it did help me realize that hard work gets you noticed. As such, at my current job as a library page for Inter-Library Services, my supervisor is constantly impressed that I check the online catalog for things that aren’t on the shelves or don’t match the call numbers (see, and here I was thinking that was common sense!). It’s the going above and beyond the call of duty that gets you noticed.

I’d say so. I think that could be a great blog post–looking forward to it, J.D.

Here’s another. Get your next credit card when WAMU has a 0%. They track your FICO score online, and you can access it at wamucards any time you want. For free.

do you have to itemize?

geez, i know so little of tax laws that i don’t use.

For instance, I see myself at my current job for 2-3 years before maybe moving to a new city or something. I want to travel to Australia (likely by myself) before I move to a new city. After I elimiante my (non student) debt and build up my emergency fund, I want to save money for that trip and then a cushion for moving & being unemployed in a new city. That means I need to understand the sorts of pay raises I will get in the next 3 years, reminding myself to not increase my standard of living for the next 3 years, etc. Planning for both long- and short- term futures mean knowing where I stand with my job!

I didn’t know there where medial/moving allowances as well. How do these work?

As always, great post.

Now that they’re retired, they exchange homes more than ever. They arrange to meet the family and exchange keys at one end, so there’s a face-to-face personal connection to develop some trust. It helps that they live in a “desirable” city (Los Angeles) but really, there’s something for everyone. They’re trading in Olympia, WA this year to attend a wedding and see Washington, so even if you don’t live in Paris or NYC, it’s worth listing your house and seeing what offers you get!

Of course, I’ve heard some people use the “we’re all self-employed” argument to push that one shouldn’t try too hard at any job - so you can save the energy for your “real” job / passion.

It would be interesting to see what you’d write about this, JD. I tend to frame it as “see yourself as a business”, meaning:

P & L. If a business isn’t profitable it will (eventually) tank. You can’t run your life on a deficit for very long either.

Capital improvements. Business have to replace machinery and/or remodel workspace; so do you. Just making enough this month to pay this month’s bills isn’t enough - you need to put money aside for capital improvements like buying a house, replacing the roof, or replacing the broken hot water heater.

Reputation matters. If someone hires you and you suck, guess what? They’ll tell people.

Skill is built through practice. Things like managing your cash flow, being punctual, acting professional, are working despite a sinus headache are useful skills.