How to Handle Getting Laid Off

If you want to read what I've done to stretch out my funds to keep my family afloat, skip this and scroll down

I and seven other were pulled into the department manager's office. There was some small talk about what we'll be doing for the weekend, and some status updates about various projects; however, the manager was looking as if she was holding back some news. It was at this point that I knew something was amiss, and my instincts were correct. 

We were told that our last day was Friday, and that we are now being transferred to the temp department for the company. Many of the people teared up, along with the manager, but I felt oddly calm. I never been in this situation before. Any job that I had, I left on my own terms. I was never fired or laid off, but this was different. 

Now, after the whole shock of losing my job wore off, I need to make a plan of action. As you may know, I have a toddler and my wife who is now pregnant. We had plans for the next year with our budget and what we wish to accomplish, but now those plans are gone. I no longer have a steady paycheck or benefits. This is the same situation anyone who lost their job is feeling. The "I lost my job and can't pay my bills."

Thankfully, I have enough resources to last me until mid January. I do have a side business doing consulting and selling items online that pulls in a few extra dollars. I can still cut expenses. 

So now you know what my current situation is. My goal, since I now have so much free time, is to blog what and how I will cope with this life changing event. My goal is to either find new employment or move my business from part time hustle to a full time endeavour. I hope you join in for the ride of a life time.

But you are not reading this just for a sob story. Here is what I've done so far to handle with change of losing my job:

Ten Things I did when I got laid off:

1. I looked at my YNAB reports to see any and all spending trends since March 13. I identified areas that we were spending money in that could be cut back.
2. Called up my internet company and reduced our broadband from 40Mbps to 20Mbps saving 30 dollars.
3. We are withdrawing only 100 dollars per month to spend in three very basic categories: Groceries, Household supplies, and blow. We normally spend around 600 dollars in this area, so we are now only spending 400 dollars. We reduced spending by 200 dollars or 33%.
4. Thankfully, I am not upside down in my car loan, so I am researching how to sell a car with a loan. This would save 160 dollars per month (payment and insurance).
5. We are cutting Hulu and I bought an antenna to get free television. 
6. I am looking at doing some freelance work at various freelance websites.
7. I am learning how to cook.
8. I am learning Python programming language.
9. I am offering free training in QuickBooks and QuickBooks Point of Sale
10. I am relying on Stoicism and faith a lot more. (I know, it is an odd combination!) 

This is just a rough list that I've done, everyone is different. If you have any advice or comments feel free to share!

Benefits of Using a Time Clock at You Business

Why should you buy a time clock?

Time clocks provide a great way to show job costing, and help improve the accuracy of your payroll. Every company, from the small shop to the large business, needs to have accurate time records. These time records can prevent labor disputes and help improve your bottom line. Below are 5 examples why you need to have a time clock at your business.

1. Time Clocks Allow Precise Tracking of Hours

With no time clock, the employee is responsible to track their time.This method can easily be abused, and even if there is no time theft, the employee may incorrectly estimate hours worked. Estimating the beginning and end of break is where most mistakes occur, since most people take short breaks that are paid and longer breaks that are not. Without a time clock, figuring out which is which can lead to a lot of errors and cost a company thousands of dollars

2. Time Clocks Clearly Define When an Employee Begins and Ends Work

At one point or another, most employees find themselves heading out the door right when something requires their attention. Someone asks a question; some piece of equipment breaks; or an important client finally calls back. The employee can either stay late to deal with the issue, and possibly not get paid, or the employee can leave and risk being perceived as irresponsible. A time clock resolves the issue by making it clear whether or not the employee is actually still working during standard break or lunch times. Anyone who works overtime gets paid for it.

3. Time Clocks Make Payroll Processing Easier

The payroll clock records all payroll information and transmits it to a central file, eliminating transcription errors and delays. Not only does this reduce the workload for payroll staff who must physically do the transcribing with manual clocks, it reduces the hassle of dealing with employee complaints when errors in payroll do occur because of manual transcription. Digital transcription eliminates all these burdens.

4. Time Clocks Can Enforce Company Policy

Time clocks can be programmed with the schedule of each employee and can call a manager if an employee attempts to clock in late or if an employee has not taken a lunch by the end of an eight-hour shift. This helps managers discipline tardy employees and encourage hard workers to take breaks.

5. A Biometric Time Clock prevents "Buddy Punching"

RFID time clocks, pins, magnetic card swipes, can all be abused to allow another employee to punch in another employee. The time lost when another employee "buddy punches" another is around 10 minutes. This may seem like a small number, however, if you multiply the theft of 10 minutes by 5 days a week times 52 weeks this amount can easily be over tens of thousands of dollars. A biometric time clock stops this type of theft.

How to Use QuickBooks to Track Real Estate Properties

Accurate record keeping helps you to see how well your company is doing, but also is a way to bring in more investors or get loans from banks. How do you track real estate in QuickBooks? Specifically, how do you track properties that are being leased out to tenants?

Using classes to track expenses and income for properties is a great way to manage your business. Here is how you could setup your classes.

Tracking invoices, bills, even line items using classes will help generate specific reports that can help an investor. Classes allow a user to see P/L (Premier can show balance sheet for classes) for each class, this can be invaluable for the investor who would like to see which property is profitable and which isn’t. This is a great way to track property if you are a property manager or you manage property for others. Follow this template to see how to setup your class list:

Name of Owner of Property:

Address of Property:

Unit 1 (2nd floor etc...)

Unit 2

OR

Address of Property:

Unit 1

Unit 2

Setting up your customer list also allows you to pull additional reports and helps during tax time. If you rent properties out, you can structure your customer list like this:

Name Of Tenant:

Address of Property

OR

Name of Owner:

Address Of Property:

Name of Tenant and Unit/Floor #

Vacant and Unit/Floor #

Address of Property:

Name of Tenant

Vacant (this tracks what is spent to maintain house when vacant)

It all depends on your personal preference. Please consult with your accountant to determine what tax information you need to record and track. Using Jobs and Classes are sure fire ways to improve accounting and managing of your company’s finances.

QuickBooks for Mac

Moving from QuickBooks to QuickBooks for Mac, worth the hassle?

 When you decide to switch your company file from a standard QuickBooks on Windows to the Mac version of QuickBooks, there are some things you need to know:

• Mac 2013 will not have the same features as Pro, let alone Premier and Enterprise. Please review this link before you decide to purchase Mac 2013
• If you do buy Mac 2013, make sure your QuickBooks for windows is no older than two years old.This means if you are using Pro 2010, you have to upgrade to Pro 2013 and then convert the file to Mac 2013. Talk about an added expense.
• Remember that going from Mac to Windows, it has to be the same year.
• Only data files from QuickBooks Simple Start, Pro, Premier, and Premier Accountant can be converted to Mac 2013.
• While the majority of your information will be imported, there are some things that will not
• Any data for multiple currency will be lost.
• Intuit integrated payroll and payroll list items will be lost. (QuickBooks for Mac uses PayCycle and Aatrix Top Pay for payroll services)
• Online banking transactions that were not accepted into the register.
• Online banking aliases
• Customized settings for forms, invoices, estimates, statements, and POs, they can be customized in Mac though.
• Multi User data, such as sales reps info.
• User passwords
• memorized reports
• Business planning, expert analysis and business optimization tools
• Customized price levels
• 3rd party apps are lost (word, outlook, act)
• Merchant services
• Sales orders and back order tracking
• assembly items will be converted into non inventory part items
• budgets created without associated accounts
• workers comp list
• Fixed asset item list
• Multiple ship to addresses, preferred send method, payment info for customer:jobs
• User added columns to list.

There is a lot of info that will be lost during this transition. What would be the best solution? Run a Windows virtual machine on your Mac using VMware or Parallels. This way you don’t have to buy another copy (or two) of QuickBooks. Keep your license number for Windows so you can use it on the virtual machine. This gives you the best of both worlds, you get a Mac and you’re able to keep using vital Microsoft programs such as Office.